Monday, 16th—We reached Boonville at sunup, and landing, remained there about two hours, when we again boarded the boat and crossed to the other side of the river. We lay on the boat here till dark, when Company E and three other companies started for Boonesboro, seven or eight miles distant. Reaching the town we surrounded it and waited for daylight. On our way out we marched through some very heavy timber, where the sound of our tramping and the rattle of our bayonets aroused the many wood owls, and of all the hideous noises I ever listened to—it made my hair stand on end!
Friday, December 16, 2011
December 16th.—I met Mr. Seward at a ball and cotillon party, given by M. de Lisboa; and as he was in very good humour, and was inclined to talk, he pointed out to the Prince of Joinville, and all who were inclined to listen, and myself, how terrible the effects of a war would be if Great Britain forced it on the United States. “We will wrap the whole world in flames!” he exclaimed. “No power so remote that she will not feel the fire of our battle and be burned by our conflagration.” It is inferred that Mr. Seward means to show fight. One of the guests, however, said to me, “That’s all bugaboo talk. When Seward talks that way, he means to break down. He is most dangerous and obstinate when he pretends to agree a good deal with you.” The young French Princes, and the young and pretty Brazilian and American ladies, danced and were happy, notwithstanding the storms without.
MONDAY 16
Delightful day. Some excitement in the City at the news from England in relation to the arrest of “Mason” and “Slidel.” Some predict a war with her. But I do not. It is only giving her a dose of her own Medicine. The Law of Nations is also on our side, and She has always insisted upon the right of Search for herself. I have spent the evening at home making Willie a picture frame. Matty Hartly spent the evening here. Mr H called about 9 for her. Chas & Sallie also called. Put a night latch on the Hall Door.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
Camp Union, Monday, December 16, 1861. — A beautiful day. Rode with Colonel Scammon to Townsend’s Ferry. That is we rode to the top of the cliffs on New River; thence with six men of Company B we scrambled down by the path to the river, perhaps by the path three-quarters of a mile. A steep rocky gorge, a rushing river, the high precipices, all together make a romantic scene.
It was here we intended to cross with General Schenck’s brigade to cut off Floyd’s retreat. Boats were prepared, four skiffs brought from Cincinnati, but the river rose, just as we were about to cross, making it impossible. It has always been a question since whether the enemy were aware of our purpose and would have opposed our crossing. I supposed that so much work preparing could not have escaped their notice, and that they were ready for us. Opposition on such a path would have been fatal. From all I saw at the ferry, I am inclined to think they knew nothing of our purpose. There are no signs of pickets or ambuscades to be found on this side. The distance from the river to this village is only two miles and we could probably have taken it and held it.
The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears to win in this business.
Fayetteville, Virginia, December 16, 1861.
Dearest:— … I think of you constantly now. Keep up good courage. Let me know all about you all the time. I will send you a dispatch from here as soon as our operator is at work just to show you that we are not far apart.
We are very healthy and contented here. The sick are less and less daily.
I see somebody knits woollen gloves for soldiers. That’s sensible. A few stockings, gloves, woolen shirts, and the like are always wanted at this season.
I write this by Captain Howard. He is probably to resign on account chiefly of ill health.
Kisses for all the boys and “love you much.”
Affectionately,
R.
Did you get the gold pieces, etc?
Mrs. Hayes.
DECEMBER 16TH.—We hear to-day that the loyal men of Kentucky have met in convention and adopted an ordinance of secession and union with our Confederacy.
December ‘61.
Dear Girls: “We are in the midst of stirring times,” as the newspapers say—or rather, stirring times are in our midst, as well as all around us. I am prepared to be astonished at nothing, and to regard all events with stoicism bordering on a fiendish glee. New York was sizzling on Monday and Tuesday; shops, omnibuses and everything, full of “don’t give ‘em up” and “come on, Britain.” Wm. Bond was here on Monday evening and said he never saw such a state of things down town. In their office they had drawn up a subscription paper among themselves for one privateer, with two rifled guns; to sail from New London.— “But I thought privateering was a sort of barbarism, Mr. Bond?” — “Oh, no. It is a relic of a bygone age; that is all.”—Mr. B. brought invitations to the breakfast at the Astor House to Gov. Buckingham and the officers of the 11th Conn. Mother, Abby and Charley went yesterday and had a very nice time. . . . The young line officers munched and crunched and giggled and clapped with the keenest enjoyment. The remarks about England were the same in tone that most sensible people make— “prove us wrong and we will apologize like gentlemen; if otherwise then otherwise.” . . . For my part, as to war with England; I do not see it where I stand. Infinite are the resources of diplomacy, and Mr. Seward and Mr. Lincoln are cool hands.—What a horribly satisfactory thing the burning of Charleston is — retribution from within; — Sumter avenged without our responsibility. There is something quite dramatic in the denouement. “As the captain of the Illinois came by, the whole sky was one red glare, with the outlines of Fort Sumter black against it.” . . . A note from Sarah Woolsey says she will be here to-night. I shall take her round to some of the fairs and things of which there is no end. The Union Bazaar is the biggest. Stewart gives a shawl—$1,500—to be raffled for; Dr. Hughes a bronze statue, ditto; Miss King a doll bride with trousseau, trunks, French maid, etc., all complete, ditto; and so on. They took in $3,000 the first night. We have just sent off a lot of old party dresses to the Tracys for doll finery, everything we could find; you may miss something familiar when you come back. . . . I observe that when you write two sheets you speak of it as a letter. When I do it becomes a note.—We had a lot of little things already collected for F. B. and shall send them on as a little Christmas box without waiting to hear. I am going to put “Spare Hours,” by author of Rab, in the box, and the jolliest tin canister of bonbons “as ever you see.” . . . Anna Rockwell read us a lot of interesting letters from Charles. He is “heading home” now; he belongs to the 7th; the 7th may have to turn out yet to garrison the forts. If there is war with England Robert says he shall enlist. . . .
December 16.—This day, at Richmond, Va., Henry C. Burnett and Judge Monroe were sworn in as Senators from Kentucky, which State has just been admitted into the Confederacy.—Norfolk Day Book, November 17.
—David Maxey, who lived about five miles from Hardyville and ten miles from Green River Bridge, Ky., was killed in his own house by some of the Southern cavalry scouting in that neighborhood. They chased their victim to the second story of his house, and shot him twice, causing instant death. — Louisville Journal, December20.
—This morning eight men, three from the Second and five from the Fourth New Jersey regiments in Gen. Kearney’s brigade, General Franklin’s division, near Washington, D. C., left their respective companies, which were on picket duty at Edsall’s Hill, Va., and went to a house between Burke’s station and Annandale. While there, apparently in obedience to a signal by the occupant, a body of about a hundred and fifty rebel cavalry suddenly came upon them, and three who were in the house were taken prisoners. Their names were Dennis H. Williamson, who was wounded; Cornelius Lowe, and Hiram R. Parsons, all of the Second regiment. The other five escaped.
—The Fourth and Fifth regiments of the “Irish Brigade,” under command of Acting Brigadier-General Col. Thomas Francis Meagher, left New York to-day for the seat of war.
—In the House of Representatives, at Washington, D. C., to-day, Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, offered a resolution commending the bold and patriotic conduct of Captain Wilkes, of the U. S. steamer San Jacinto, in seizing the rebel emissaries, Mason and Slidell, while on board a English steamer, and urging the President to approve and adopt the act, “in spite of any menace or demand of the British Government.” The resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.—(Doc. 228.)
—The Eleventh regiment of Connecticut volunteers, under the command of Colonel Kingsland, left Hartford for the seat of war.— The Fortieth regiment of Ohio volunteers, commanded by Colonel J. Cranor, left Camp Chase, at Columbus, for Kentucky.
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Late addition to Vol. 3:
December 16.—The rebel General Zollicoffer issued a proclamation to-day, at Beech Grove, Ky., to the people of Southeastern Kentucky, in which he assures them that his only object in entering their State is to drive out the Northern hordes who are attempting their subjugation. He tells them, the object of this unnatural war is to free the slaves, put arms in their hands, and give them social and political equality with the whites. He conjures them by all they hold dear not to join the Northern ranks, but to strike with the South for independence, and the preservation of property.—(Doc. 244.)
