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OPERATIONS OF 1861 ABOUT FORT MONROE.
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was caused by a dispute between two general officers as to rank. Our troopsfinally entered tlie intrencliments of the enemy unopposed. The mayor ofNorfolk met General Wool and formally surrendered the city. While our troopswere absent on this expedition, General Mansfield and myself were summonedto Fort Monroe by President Lincoln. Arriving there, Lincoln said: “ ColonelCarr, where is your command ? ” “ At Camp Hamilton, sir.” (My command
was the 2d, 10th, and 9th New-York, and the 9th Massachusetts .) “ Why areyou not on the other side at Norfolk ? ” “I am awaiting orders.” Turning toMansfield, Lincoln said, “ Why are you here ? Why not on the other side f ”“I am ordered to the fort by General Wool,” replied Mansfield. PresidentLincoln with vehement action threw his tall hat on the floor, and, utteringstrongly his disapproval and disappointment, he said finally: “ Send me someone who can write.” Colonel LeGrand B. Cannon, of Wool ’s staff, responded,and Lincoln dictated an order to General Wool requiring that troops at CampHamilton be at once ordered to Norfolk , and that the troops already there bepushed rapidly forward. The order was issued, and I reported to GeneralYiele at Norfolk and was assigned to the command of the exterior lines ofdefense at Portsmouth. The delays occurring in forwarding and pushing thetroops allowed the Confederates time to burn the Navy Yard at Portsmouth,and to destroy the shipping. These troops remained at Norfolk until aboutJune 1st, when we received orders to report to McClellan at Fair Oaks.General Wool was relieved of his command soon "after the affair at Norfolk ,and General John A. Dix was appointed in his stead.