July 26, 1862---"Skedaddle"

JULY 26, 1862:           

The Richmond Daily Dispatch entertains its readers with a witty discourse on the origins of the Yankee term “skedaddle” while playing on popular Southern prejudices on the subject of education amongst the Yankees.  Notice also the wry allusion to the recent Union defeats and the now-notorious military euphemism coined by McClellan on the occasion of his retreat from Richmond:

“Origin of the Yankee phrase ‘Skedaddle.’

A friend of ours says that this phrase, apparently invented by the Yankees, in a prophetic spirit, to describe their own predestined performances in that part of the drill which is inaugurated by the command “right about face,” is certainly derived from “skedase,” the future tense of the Greek verb “skedonnumi,” signifying “to disperse. ” This verb, in some of its tenses, is frequently used by Homer to describe that manoeuvre called by McClellan”a change of base,” or “a strategic movement,” and known by others, not so conversant in military operations, as “a headlong flight.”

We found some difficulty in accounting for the manner in which the Yankee soldiers had contrived to pick up so much Greek; but our classical friend had a solution ready for the occasion. He thinks the phrase was not invented by the soldiers, but by some wild college boy, who used it to express the scattering of a company of boys engaged in some mischievous prank when a professor suddenly appears in their midst. From the college it passed into multitude and was thus drawn into general use. The genealogical tree of “skedaddle” is quite respectable, if such be the proposetus. Whether it be or not, we leave to the consideration of scholars and antiquaries. The theory has at least the merit of being very ingenious.”

A modern reader would be generally flummoxed by the intellectualism of this editorial. Given the fact that most soldiers were habitual letter writers and many were diarists, the level of literacy in the Civil War era was actually rather higher than it is nowadays.

July 25, 1862---Virginia is for muggers

JULY 25, 1862:           

General John Pope U.S.A. issues another order guaranteed to alienate Southerners, announcing that Federal troops will no longer be used to protect the property of northern Virginians. This means that civilians in Pope’s command region are at the mercy of brigands, raiders, outlaws, and misbehaving Federal soldiers as well. 

July 24, 1862---"The Old John Brown Excuse"

JULY 24, 1862:           

In Kinston, North Carolina, two slaves, owned by the Reverend W. P. Middle and Ellaba Coward, were executed on order of the local Confederate Military Commandant, for communicating with the Federals and for enticing other slaves to flee North. “[They] pled the old John Brown excuse,” the Confederate officer explained when questioned.

July 23, 1862---Pope gives Rebels no reasons to recant

JULY 23, 1862:         

 General John Pope U.S.A., head of the newly-created Army of Virginia, in continuing his peculiar policy of malice toward all with charity for none, intensifies the alienation of the population of northern Virginia by announcing that all resident civilians will be held responsible and duly punished for any damage to railroads or telegraph lines committed by Confederate agents. 

He also announces that any male who refuses to swear loyalty to the Union will be exiled to the Confederacy, and if found to have returned without permission, will be summarily shot or hanged as a spy.

July 22, 1862---Lincoln unveils the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

JULY 22, 1862:  

President Lincoln stuns his cabinet by showing them a preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Cabinet is divided, not on the issue but on its wording and timing. It is a bold move by Lincoln, coming as it does during a period of decline in Union fortunes. Legislation has been passed giving the government the power to confiscate slaves as contraband of war.  Union officers are under instructions not to return slaves seeking sanctuary with the Union army to their masters.  Congress has banned slavery in the Territories. African-Americans are beginning to fight in organized units in the Union Army. However, all of this is a far cry from Lincoln, with a stroke of his pen, seeking to emancipate all slaves in territory controlled by the Confederacy. 

Lincoln hopes that slaves fleeing their masters will undercut the Confederate war effort, as many slaves work in the fields, mines and factories as a vital, if unappreciated, element of the Southern war effort. Slaveless fields cannot be cultivated, especially with the white menfolk away at war.  Knowing that the Proclamation will shock the riven nation, Lincoln adds that he will wait to announce Emancipation until the Union Army has achieved a substantial military victory.