Jan. 31, 1862

Jan. 31, 1862: In Great Britain, Queen Victoria once more reiterates her government’s policy of neutrality toward the belligerents in the American conflict. This dampens Confederate hopes for recognition from Britain and other nations—which, as most Southerners believe, is necessary for Southern victory.

–After more than two weeks of struggle, Flag Officer Goldsborough, in command of the U.S. fleet off Hatteras Inlet, sends a message to Washington that Burnside at last has brought the bulk of his expedition over the bar blocking entrance to Pamlico Sound. Burnside intends to advance on the Rebel base at Roanoke Island, where 3,000 men under Gen. Henry Wise await.

–The recently-released Mason and Slidell, envoys for the Confederacy, arrive in London on this date. Mr. Slidell is met with the unwelcome news that Emporer Napoleon III will maintain France’s neutrality. Henry Adams, son of the U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James, writes to his brother, Charles Francis Adams, Jr.: "The two unhung arrived after all. Evidently they are born for the gallows, as the sea casts them out. Their detention of two months was a great stroke of luck for us in my opinion. Their party here [Confederate agents] had made all their preparations for a war [between the U.S. and Britain], and stopped their old game almost wholly. Peace was a great blow to them, and has disconcerted all their plans."

–Due to the orders from Sec. of War Judah P. Benjamin to withdraw Gen. Loring from Romney, Maj. Gen. Thomas Jonathan Jackson attempts to resign his commission in the Confederate Army:
With such interference in my command I cannot expect to be of much service in the field, and accordingly respectfully request to be ordered to report for duty to the superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, as has been done in the case of other professors. Should this application not be granted, I respectfully request that the President will accept my resignation from the Army. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. J. JACKSON, Major-General