Too Many Aides

mssEC_02_086

Fort Monroe Apl 27th 1862 4 P.M. Recd Apl 27
Hon Stanton Col Havelock called on me
this morning with Col Hicks of
the English army the former represented
that you are anxious to have
Col Hicks appointed on my staff
I would be greatly gratified to
do any thing to oblige you
It is however due to myself
to you and the country to
say that I have now several
aids more than I require J.E. Wool

Apparently there is such a thing as too much help. Perhaps the Union government thought that General Wool, as the oldest general serving on either side of the war, born in  1784, required more help than most. Clearly they were mistaken, as this message rejecting the appointment of yet another aide (this one from the English army!) indicates.

Confederate Successes at Sea

Fortress Monroe 8th  Recd March 9th 62-
Hon E M Stanton
The Merrimac came down from
Norfolk today & about two
oclock attached the Cumberland &
Congress. she sunk the Cumberland
& the Congress surrendered. the
Minnesota is aground & attacked
by the Jamestown Yorktown &
Merrimac. the Saint Lawrence just
arrived and going to assist.
the Minnesota is aground probably
both will be taken. that
is the opinion of Capt
Marston & his officers.
the Roanoke is under our
guns. It is thought the
Merrimac Jamestown & Yorktown will
pass the fort tonight finis
John E Wool
Maj Genl

There was very little good news to report from Fort Monroe on March 8th, 1862. The CSS Virginia (referred to here as the Merrimac) made its dramatic debut at the Battle of Hampton Roads, wreaking havoc among the wooden ships of the Union Navy. The next day, however, would see the arrival of the USS Monitor, leading to the first engagement between ironclad ships.