Affirmation of Joseph E. Johnston's Appointment as Quartermaster-General of the Army of the United States, June 28, 1860

[Thursday, June 28, 1860. Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the U.S. (Thirty-sixth Congress, First Session, 1859-1860), pages 229-220. Technically, this was a Special Second Session, June 26-June 28, 1860. The entire document can be found via the Library of Congress here.]

THURSDAY, June 28, 1860.

   The following message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Buchanan, his secretary:

To the Senate of the United States:

I nominate Second Lieutenant William B. Hazen, of the 8th Regiment of Infantry, for brevet promotion, as proposed by the Secretary of War.

                                                                               JAMES BUCHANAN.

Washington, June 27, 1860.

                                                                War Department, June 27, 1860.

   Sir: I have the honor to propose for your approbation the name of Second Lieutenant William B. Hazen, of the Eighth Regiment of Infantry, to be first lieutenant by brevet, to date from May 16, 1859, for gallant conduct as commander in two several engagements with the Indians in Texas.

   I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

                                                                 JOHN B. FLOYD,

                                                                     Secretary of War.

To the President of the United States.

The message was read.

   On motion by Mr. Davis,

The Senate, by unanimous consent, proceeded to consider the nomination of William B. Hazen and

   Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of William B. Hazen, agreeably to the nomination.

   The Senate proceeded to consider the nomination of Joseph E. Johnston; and On the question, Will the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of Joseph E. Johnston?

   It was determined in the affirmative,        Yeas . . . . 31

                                                                        Nays . . . .  3

     On motion by Mr. Bigler,

   The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,

   Those who voted in the affirmative are,

Messrs. Anthony, Bayard, Bigler, Bright, Brown, Chesnut, Crittenden, Davis, Durkee, Fitzpatrick, Foot, Gwin, Hammond, Hemphill, Iverson, Johnson of Ark., Johnson of Tenn., Kennedy, Lane, Mallory, Mason, Nicholson, Polk, Powell, Pugh, Rice, Sebastian, Simmons, Wigfall, Wilkinson, Yulee.

   Those who voted in the negative are,

Messrs. Hale, King, Trumbull.

   So it was
Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of Joseph E. Johnston, agreeably to the nomination.

[William B. Hazen was a tough fighter who later became a major general in the US Army. 
Yays. Many of these US senators, including Jefferson Davis, joined the Confederacy within a year. 

Did not vote/not present. On the same day as the final confirmation vote for Johnston, John C. Breckinridge, President of the Senate, was nominated for President for the Constitutional Union Party in Richmond.

Nays. John P. Hale (R-NH). His daughter Lucy was later engaged to John Wilkes Booth.

Preston King (R-NY). Committed suicide in 1865.

Lyman Trumball (R-IL). Co-author of the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery.]

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]  

Nomination of Joseph E. Johnston to be Quartermaster-General of the Army of the United States, June 27, 1860

[Wednesday, June 27, 1860. Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the U.S. (Thirty-sixth Congress, First Session, 1859-1860), pages 228-229. Technically, this was a Special Second Session, June 26-June 28, 1860. The entire document can be found via the Library of Congress here.]

The following message was received from the President of States, by Mr. Buchanan, his secretary:

To the Senate of the United States:

I nominate Joseph E. Johnston to be Quartermaster-General of the Army of the United States, with the rank of brigadier-general, vice Jesup, deceased.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

Washington, June 23, 1860.

War Department, June 23, 1860.

Sir: I have the honor to propose for your approbation the name of Joseph E. Johnston to be Quartermaster-General of the Army of the United States, with the rank of brigadier-general, vice Jesup, deceased. I am sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

                                                                                   JOHN B. FLOYD,

                                                                                     Secretary of War.

To the President of the United States. The message was read. Ordered, That the nomination of Joseph E. Johnston be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia.

On motion by Mr. Mason,

The Senate proceeded to consider the motion of Mr. Simmons, on the 31st of May, that the Senate reconsider the vote on the resolution of the Senate not to advise and consent to the ratification of the treaty of transits and commerce between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic, dated at Vera Cruz, December 14, 1859. On the question, Will the Senate agree thereto?

It was determined in the affirmative,                      

Yeas . . . . . 26

Nays . . . . . 15

On motion by Mr. Mason, The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,

Those who voted in the affirmative are, Messrs. Anthony, Bigler, Bragg, Bright, Chesnut, Clingman, Crittenden, Davis, Fitch, Fitzpatrick, Foot, Gwin, Hemphill, Hunter, Iverson, Mallory, Mason, Nicholson, Powell, Pugh, Rice, Saulsbury, Simmons, Thomson, Wilson, Yulee.

Those who voted in the negative are, Messrs. Bayard, Chandler, Collamer, Doolittle, Fessenden, Grimes, Hale, Hammond, Harlan, King, Sumner, Ten Eyck, Trumbull, Wade, Wilkinson.

So the vote on the said resolution of the Senate was reconsidered. Amendments having been proposed by Mr. Simmons,

                             

                  On motion by Mr. Wilson,

Ordered, That the further consideration of the said treaty and the proposed amendments be postponed to the first Monday in December next.

Mr. Davis, from the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia, to whom was referred, this day, the nomination of Joseph E. Johnston, reported.

Mr. Tulee, from the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, to whom were referred, the 26th inst., the nominations of Hiram M. Harris and Charles E. Allen, reported.

Whereupon

Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of the said persons, agreeably to their nominations respectively.

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]  

Joseph E. Johnston to Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes, June 30, 1860

Closeup of Joseph E. Johnston, late 1850s, US Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston at Washington City to Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes at [Richmond, Virginia], June 30, 1860. Floyd-Johnston-Preston Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Series I: Mss. Acc. 2002.37, folder 29. These are my rough notes and transcription, based on images made by Sue Davis, who graciously made them available. Extra paragraph breaks added, and "long s" modernized for easier reading.]

My dear little Lizzie,

You have probably seen my recent promotion published, so I write just now, not to tell you of it, but to tell you what, connected with it, is most pleasant to me. So great a professional advantage is of course gratifying in itself, but the circumstances attending this have given me more pleasure by a hundred times, & the chief of them was the proof of the Governor's friendship & favorable opinion. Worth more to me than all the military rank in the army.

The officers of the Qr M'rs dept., wishing to keep the generalcy for themselves, by their opposition gave a good deal of trouble, & delayed the president's decision for a week. The governor, however, was indefatigable, & at last prevailed, but the delay brought it so near the end of the session that another effort was necessary to get a quorum of the Senate.

I am confident that your uncle has not labored so much in any case that has occurred since he became Secretary of War. The vote on the nomination was 31 to 3. The latter being the most rabid of the black republicans. It is reported that much was said of me in the Senate that would have been pleasant to your ears.

Lily is happy as possible, & with reason for we have as good a prospect as can [be] in time of peace, for living pleasantly. She is relieved from apprehension of the vagabond life & long separations to which we have been subject, & we are neighbors to you, thanks to the Railroad, with a certainty of commencing the habit of visiting you this summer.

This promotion of mine has been inexpressibly gratifying to the governor & cousin Sally, of which I am as proud as man can be.

Cousin Sally & Mary[?] have just left us: all are well.

With cordial regards to your husband,

                                                             as ever
                                                              affectionately
                                                               J. E. Johnston     

[Brigadier General Joseph Eggleston Johnston, US Quartermaster General (1807-1891) 
Lily = Lydia Milligan Sims McLane Johnston (1822-1887) 
Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909). After the death of her father in 1832, she was taken in by the Floyds until she married Robert William Hughes (1821-1901). Her brother was John Preston Johnston (1824-1847), who had been another favorite of Joseph's.
Her living children at the time: Margaret Preston Hughes (1854-1861) and Robert Morton Hughes (1855-1940). 
The governor = John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), married to Sarah "Sally" Buchanan Preston Floyd (1802-1879). Governor Floyd served as Secretary of War under the James Buchanan, Jr., (1791-1868), administration, which commenced on March 4, 1857, until he resigned on December 29, 1860.
Mary? = possibly Marie Preston (1808-1873), one of Sally's sisters.]

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]  

Mary Louisa Johnston to Nicketti Floyd Johnston, March 20, 1860

[Mary Louisa Bowen Johnston at Frederick, Maryland, to Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston at [?], Virginia, March 20, 1860,  Box 2, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. This is my rough transcription. Paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

Academy of the Visitation
Frederick     March 20th 1860 

My dearest mother,

It has indeed been a long time since you wrote to me but not so long as since I wrote to you. We received yours and Father's letters Thursday and indeed, dear Mother, I would rather you would scold me when I deserve it.

Yesterday was St. Josephs [Joseph's] day and we all had holiday. I thought of Bev very often. I wrote to Miss Hartford last letter writing day, but have not yet received an answer.

I am sorry that Fathers [Father's] courts begin so soon, but I am very glad that we do not live in Tazewell, for it would be so much more difficult for him to attend them. 

It is very pretty weather now, and the girls go out walking on Wednesdays and Saturday evenings. Sometimes, I would like to go if I could walk with Letty, but we have to walk according to our ranks. 

We were glad that you and Father had changed the name of the farm for "Beach Spring" is a much prettier name than "Four Springs."

There are plenty at home to nurse the younger members of the Johnston family, so you please come to Washington, if not to Frederick; you don't know how delighted Letty and myself would be,

We were surprised to hear that Martha Washington college was to be opened so soon. Emma Brown in her latter to us said she was very glad, and hoped it would enliven the town. Hennie was very dissatisfied[?] at her wanting boys to enliven the town, but when I told [her] it was a college for girls, she laughed at the mistake.

I will not ask the Sisters to pray for you as a poor sinner, as you said in one of your letters, but as the sweetest and best Mother that ever lived.

I wish you could know some of the Sisters, especially Sr Mary -- she is so sweet and good just like you. Letty and myself are in her music class. You need not fear, dear Mother, as to my health, for my [fragment missing] is a great deal better.

I am going to ask Mother Angela to get me a pair of braces. You don't know how very sorry I am about my report, but I am going to study diligently, and the future will speak for it self. 

When will Uncle Will make his first Communion? [N]ot until next summer I hope -- so we will be there. I pray for him every day, for Aunt Nannie, for Grandmother and for you and our precious Father, all all our darling little sisters and brothers.

You devoted child,

Mary Louisa Johnston

[p.s.] Sr. Liguori sends her best to you, and says to answer her letter. 


[The Academy of the Visitation aka Visitation Academy of Frederick apparently closed its doors on June 30, 2016; the last Sisters left in 2009
Mary Louisa Bowen Johnston (1846-1895)
 Mother = Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston (1819-1908)
Father = John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889)
Bev = Joseph Beverly Johnston (1859-1943)
Letty = Laetitia "Letty" Floyd Johnston (1844-1888)
Uncle Will = Dr. William Preston Floyd (1809-1871)
Aunt Nannie = [?]
Grandmother = Mary Louisa Bowen Johsnton (1800-1873)]

For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the John Warfield Johnston Papers, here's a link to the guide.     

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]

Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell to John Milton Binckley, April 9, 1860

[Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel at Bellevue, Salem, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, April 9, 1860]. 

Belle Vue, April the 9th 1860

My own darling Brother,

You asked me to write to you personally, & I take pleasure in doing so, though you have all heard from me so often already, there is little to communicate except of a personal nature.

Would you could be with me face to face then I might be able to say what seem cold & meaningless often when writing, we would roam over the old hills & have a real cozy time. Nature is putting on her brightest smile, arranging herself in her mantle of green, even the birds lend their notes to testify the love of Him who has brought such beauty out of what! & this lovely Easter is again with us bring to mind that we, too shall again live & & in new beauty is'nt [sic] it a sweet thought.

Brother I mist write this one note for you alone, I must thank you Milton darling for all the brotherly love you shewed me at home, from my heart I thank you, not either for sympathy alone, but for candor, it had the effect of making me more humble I trust &, less exacting, now, I am well & strong, & can calmly remember[?] the past, I hope, I pray, I may be enabled never to wish to think myself altogether in the right, for impatience even under injustice, can never be right, & an undue regard for another's feelings (even when thoughtlessly committed) can never be that Charity, "which suffereth long & is kind," oh no, therefore, the best for me to do is, to look well at myself, & that is what I wish, but I know myself too well, to trust myself again. I am naturally sensitive & proud, & cannot understand any-thing akin to suspicion, & must be treated honourably, or I rebel, it may not be right, don't say it is, because our great pattern was lovely, but knowing this of myself, I would do wrong to place myself in temptation's path again, oh how I wish I could be with you (I won't talk to others now) because for my path of duty is plain, silence is my only chance, to amend my own life, it is not a good way to correct our own faults, to find fault with others. As I said before I thank you for your love, & that sweet promise given without asking, always to be a Brother to me, I can never cease to be thankful for such a brother.

You would rejoice to see how my loved ones are glad[d]ened by having me at home & the kind manner in which all at home & in Liberty are interested in my health. I don't know how it is, this little place has so many who seem to love me so very much, "surely goodness & mercy have followed all my life."

William drove to Wheatly a few evenings since, only for a ride. Aunt Lucy & Uncle Robert were well, servants still sick, typhoid fever. 

I gathered these flowers, & pressed them for you, as they came out of aunt L's garden. 

Jack Griffin was in Roanoke last week, he could not stop to see us then but will be a up in a few weeks. My cousins some of them, were in Roanoke to meet him. Uncle John (Dr. Griffin) my loving uncle has kindly made me commence the Cod-liver again, but so far it has agreed with me so well, I try to be submissive, though I am very well to be taking any-thing. 

Do you think I have done wrong to make this a personal letter, & private, if so, just burn it, & don't mention it at all, for I could not help it. I shall write again soon to Lou & Susie.

Love to aunt Binckley, & ask if she got a letter from me a few weeks since? Tell Will I would like to hear from him.  Love to all, but particularly dear Lou, God bless you both my own dear brother, prays your
loving Sister C

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel (1829-1921)

William = probably William Lewis Wingfield (1837-1911), subsequently Lt. Col., 28^th Virginia, son of Gustavus A. Wingfield and Charlotte Griffin, grandson of Dr. Samuel Griffin, brother of John Richard Wingfield and Samuel Griffin Wingfield, who were also VMI cadets and Civil War veterans

"Uncle Robert" = Robert Crump Mitchell (1807-1872)

"Aunt Lucy" = Ann Lucy Phillips Mitchell (ca. 1809-ca. 1870s)

Jack Griffin = "Naval officer" (note in pencil)

Dr. John Griffin = John Hook Griffin (1803-1878)

"Aunt Binckley” = Charlotte Stocker Binckley  (1788-1877)
Lou = Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)Will = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
Susie = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1845-1940)]

Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley Papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription. 

Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance. 

Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel to John Milton Binckley, November 27, 1860

[Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel at Salem, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, November 27, 1860].

Belle Vue, November 27th 1860

My own Dear Brother,

I have only time to scratch off a few lines to night, but propose they shall be given to you, instead of Lou, as I wrote her last, to be sure I feel that my letters home are to you all, but you may take this little attempt, whatever it proves, as specifically your own. 

Time past, time present, and future time, all present pretty much the same phase here, in our country home, one day, is so much like the other, that but for Sunday, I would not know how to calculate time, however I have plenty to do, & thanks to a kind benefactor, have plenty of strength to do it with.

The family are all at home except Sarah & Sam, who are off at school. Uncle W & William occasionally branch off on the times, the trying times; but with that exception of an out-break in sentiment, once in a few weeks, everything around us, wears as calm and placid an aspect, as if civil war, did not stare us in the face, how do you Washingtonians feel? [F]or my part, I believe there are as good men in our Union now, as when that Constitution was drawn up, & I hope to see them step forth & battle for the right, but time . . . can decide what the result will be.

I hear you are busy as ever. I wish you were settled in your new profession, making a good independent living, with a snug home of your own, but you are in the road to it aren't you? 

How is aunt Binckley? Tell her we have cold enough weather here to freeze up any-ting that had not blood enough to counteract it. [O]ne night I thought I would get up & make me a big fire & sit up. I couldn't sleep in comfort. 

I want to see you all so much sometimes I don't know how to stand being away, specifically with the little household joy. Brother do box her up & express her through to me. I know I could keep her nicely this winter, & what fun I should have, what would I give to see the darling.

Tell Lou I sent her a little package last week, did she get it?

Tell ma I spent a day at Avenel with cousin Eliza Hughes last week, she was very well & seemed delighted to see me. Lulie Bowyer was at Avenel as a bride, & cousin Le[?]y [Lucy? Levy? Leon?] was with her.

I am just as strong & well as can be, eat any-thing, & sleep soundly & never think of a blister, or Cod-liver oil, ought I not to be very, very grateful, I fear I do not dwell on it enough. Uncle Robert is sick, has pneumonia, is some better, but still in bed. 

Brother please ask Ma to have this little note conveyed to Miss Betsy Scott, it was written at the request of a friend of mine in China, & if any of the family could conveniently take it, I would prefer it, as I just scratched it off in a hurry, and someone will have to read it to her. Good-bye & much love to all from sister
Charlotte

[Pencilled note at top of first page: "The Burwell place was beautiful. After Cousin Lettey's death Pierpont Morgan bought a great many things in it."]

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel (1829-1921)
Little household joy = Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951)
Lou = Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)
Ma = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
William = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
Uncle Robert = Robert Crump Mitchell/Michel (1807-1872)
Cousin Eliza Hughes = Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes (1825-1909), who had married Judge Robert William Hughes in 1850 
Lulie Bowyer = Sarah Lewis Bowyer (1837-1925), who had recently married Samuel Meredith (1830-1865). Her parents were Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848) and Henry M. Bowyer (1801-1883)]

Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley Papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription. Paragraph breaks made for easier reading. 

Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance.