17th —This is the anniversary of my advent to this noisy, scheming world of vanity and trouble. What wonderful changes have taken place on this continent, in the life time of a little man like me. I will not attempt to write them here; the changes in myself, are sufficient to keep me constantly in remembrance (without a written journal) of the changes going on around me. I hope those of the world are more palpably for the better, than those which I experience. Some malicious representations have been made in camp, today, as to the condition of my hospital, and as to my proper disposal of its funds. I have written to the Brigade Commander, demanding an immediate and thorough investigation. In consequence of the long time that I could get no settlement with the Commissary, I advanced for the sick, and the hospital is considerably my debtor. I hope I shall succeed in getting a thorough examination.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
TUESDAY 17
Most beautiful day, warm as May, in the office all day. Two dead Soldiers carried out of the Hospital. They say that there is about one death pr day there. Tonight myself and wife went to the Presidents Levee, first of the Season. Genl McClellan & Lady was there and we were frequently near him and had a good opportunity to observe him. He was the “observed of all observers.” Many other distinguished personages were there. The crowd was not very oppressive. Got home 1/2 past ten, took a cup of tea & and [sic] to bed at 11.
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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, Tuesday, December 17, 1861. — Our thirteenth fine day. The frost still coming out of the ground; freezes hard nights, thaws all day in the sun. Mud deeper in many places than it was a week ago; on the hills and ridges getting dry. . . . Drilled as usual at night. Men improving in drill. Lieutenant Durkee returned yesterday or day before — health restored; weighs one hundred and eighty [pounds], looks well; left Camp Ewing over the river in October, apparently a doomed man. Captain Moore returned today, apparently in good health. Talks gloomily of the regiment; thinks Captain Drake, Lieutenant Avery, etc., will not return; that he and most of the officers will resign. Chief difficulty is the governor appointed Major Comly in my place as major. It [the appointment] ought to have been made from our own regiment. Captain Drake was recommended and would have been satisfactory to a majority. But Major Comly has shown himself so diligent, gentlemanly, and reasonably [reasonable], withal so well acquainted with tactics and the duties of a soldier, that those who have been here the last six weeks are reconciled to his appointment and think it is well for the regiment. Captain Moore also reports an impression he got that I was to be a colonel soon and leave the regiment. I don’t believe it.
![Post image for [On Mason and Slidell] “Is the present a case of war or of diplomacy?”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his brother, Henry.](https://dotcw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/adams_charles_francis_jr.jpg)
Boston, December 17, 1861
I clearly see that the little squall you refer to in yours of the 23d of November was a gentle zephyr in comparison with the gale that set in four days later. Your Manchester paper got here just too late. The Atlantic could not have printed it till January, and so, as you told me, I carried it to the Courier. It has been printed and I send it to you, but I doubt if any one has read it, or any notice will be taken of it; for you might as well expect the sailors on a sinking ship to pay attention to flourishes of a fiddle. It happened at exactly the wrong moment, and people were too much absorbed in the questions of the moment to pay attention to those of the day. I made a mistake, however, in sending it to the Courier, but I am under some obligation to them and this paid it off. I shall certainly have nothing to do in the future with that low toned and semi-treasonable sheet — that is, when I can use any other.
Is the present a case of war or of diplomacy? I cannot tell, but I do hope not war. The idea of two great countries setting to work to do each other all the injury in their power on a technical point of law, or error into which one fell in its desire not to offend the other. Still, if England will take that tone, so be it. We have our war paint and feathers on and we shall die hard. Do you remember how hard France was pressed just after the revolution and how she turned on her enemies? We can make a better fight now than we ever could before, and our two first measures would almost necessarily be those most troublesome to England — a decree of universal emancipation on the one hand, and a swoop on English commerce on the other. A true democracy is a pretty hard thing to whip and I cannot help thinking that, in a war forced upon us on this issue, England would find us as ugly a customer as she had often dealt with. Still it is a conclusion terrible to think of. As great a cause as ever men struggled for ruined forever by so needless a side issue! Yet for one I do not see how it can long be avoided and perhaps it would be as well to face it at once. . . .
I send you herewith a copy of a lecture by Boutwell of some interest just now. By the way, it is a hopeful sign to see that Seward on this question has Congress under the curb. I should n’t wonder if the wily old bird changed his note now, as he did when the South kicked out, and you suddenly found him most suave and peaceable.
Camp Union, Tuesday,
December 17, A. M., 1861.
Dearest : — I can’t let another chance slip without a letter to show you I am thinking of you.
Still lovely weather. Rode to the scene of the naval expedition on this side of New River, a romantic place.
I send this by Lieutenant Kennedy’s father. He brought from Bellefontaine gloves, socks, blankets, and shirts — enough and to spare all around — for Captain Canby’s company. I get something every time anything comes.
We are in glorious trim now. Some of the companies still lack comforts, but we drill with life. The paymaster is here and it is white days with us.
The Rebels are getting sick of it. Nobody but Jenkins holds out in all this country. Rebel soldiers come and give up their arms, etc.
Dearest, good-night. Love to all the boys and Grandma. . . . I do hope you will get along well. You shall keep Dr. Joe till the trouble is over.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Hayes.
December 17th.—Bravo, Col. Edward Johnson! He was attacked by 5000 Yankees on the Alleghany Mountains, and he has beaten them with 1200 men. They say Johnson is an energetic man, and swears like a trooper; and instead of a sword, he goes into battle with a stout cane in his hand, with which he belabors any skulking miscreant found dodging in the hour of danger.
December 17.—Great excitement was produced throughout the United States by the belligerent tone of the British press in reference to the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell.
—A reconnoissance was made in, Virginia today by a squadron of the First New Jersey Cavalry, belonging to Gen. Heintzelrnan’s Division, under command of Capt. Shellmire. A portion of the squadron, commanded by Lieut. Janville, of Company L, of Jersey City, was ordered to proceed to the Bone Mills, to the left of Springfield station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, about seven miles from the head-quarters of Gen. Heintzelman. The company there halted, when the lieutenant, with an orderly, proceeded two miles beyond, but on attempting to return they found themselves surrounded by rebel infantry. The lieutenant was shot in six places, and the horse of the orderly killed. The orderly made his escape. The company in reserve, hearing the firing, proceeded to render assistance, and on their approach the enemy fled, leaving the lieutenant behind, after robbing him of his small arms and nearly all his clothing.—Baltimore American, December 18.
—Four companies of Colonel Willich’s German Indiana regiment were attacked this afternoon on the south side of Green River, opposite Mumfordsville, Ky., by Colonel Terry’s regiment of Texan Rangers, two regiments of infantry, and six pieces of artillery. Colonel Willich, on being reinforced, drove the rebels back with a loss of thirty-three killed, including Terry, and fifty wounded. The National loss was eight privates and one lieutenant killed, and sixteen wounded.—(Doc. 229.)
—The bark Island City left Boston, Mass., for Fortress Monroe, Va., with two hundred and fifty of the rebels captured at Hatteras, who had been released from captivity at Fort Warren by the National Government.
—Last night a successful little movement occurred on the Cumberland River, near Paducah, which goes to show that our friends in that region are alert and active. It seems that twenty-eight mounted Federals left Smithland on, a scouting expedition, and during the evening they happened upon a “corn-shucking.” Thinking to have a good time, they picketed their horses, stacked their arms, and “pitched in.” One of our friends quietly slipped away and gave the alarm to Capt. Wilcox, who, with fourteen of his men, proceeded to the scene of merry-making, quietly took possession of the Hessians’ horses and arms, and then captured the whole party, except the captain. The latter endeavored to escape, when he was shot. The prisoners and spoils were carried to Hopkinsville. Capt. W. is now in a condition to treat for the release of a few of his men, including a lieutenant, who were captured a short time since.—Memphis Appeal, December 24.
—An expedition, under command of Gen. Pope, successfully cut off a rebel camp near Shawnee Mound, Missouri, and scattered them, twenty-two hundred strong, in every direction. One hundred and fifty prisoners were taken, with most of the rebels’ wagons, tents, baggage, horses, &c. A train of seventy wagons, well loaded for Price’s rebel army, was captured.— (Doc. 231.)
Tuesday, 17th—This morning we entered the town and made a search of all the houses for “secesh.” We took seven prisoners, besides some arms and ammunition. This being a great apple country, we found stores of apples in the houses, and helping ourselves, we filled our haversacks. By one o’clock we had finished sacking the town and started back to our boats, arriving there at dark.
December 17 — Left Martinsburg at noon and marched to Dam No. 5, which is one of the dams on the Potomac that feeds the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and seems to be one of the objects that General Jackson has marked for destruction. We are camped in the woods about half a mile from the dam, without tents or fire. This is my first night of roughing it, and a rather cheerless opening of a campaign for a raw recruit, as the night is cold and no friendly campfire casts its genial gleam athwart the chilly darkness.
This seems to be one of Jackson’s secret moves, and camp-fires would betray our presence. After we had repaired for the night to our blankets and the ground, I heard a great rustling among the dry leaves right in our camp. When I raised from my blanket bed to ascertain its cause I saw Jackson’s infantry marching through the woods, close by our camp, going toward the dam. Soon after Jackson’s men passed toward the river a desultory firing commenced between our men and the Yanks, shooting at each other across the river.
