Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

“We are quite active here at Beaufort, giving the good people on the mainland all sorts of starts.”—War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

December 20, 2011

The American Civil War,War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

Post image for “We are quite active here at Beaufort, giving the good people on the mainland all sorts of starts.”—War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

Headquarters 2d Brigade, S. C.

Beaufort, S. C. Dec. 20th, 1861.

My dear Mother:

Here it is almost Christmas, but there is no hope of dining with you all at home on that joyful day. Still I will try to make myself cheerful here, as that alone is a comfortable philosophy. Duties are a bit lighter to-day—the result, I suppose, of great exertion for a few days back. I received last night three letters from you and one from Horace. Let me thank you, dear mother, very much for the photograph you sent me. It gives me much gratification, and now occupies a conspicuous place in my room. I shall look impatiently for the photographs likewise of my sisters and the little boys. It would do me much good to see Hunt’s good-looking face, if he does feel too logy to favor my whims. You write me for my photograph, as though I was living at the seat of civilization, and the abode of elegance. Well, to be sure, I am; but then everything is in Southern style, which does not admit of such vulgar things as tradesmen, much less of itinerant shadow catchers. I have grown immensely aristocratic since in South Carolina. There is something in the air that’s infectious. A few more weeks here, and I’ll be able to stomach even a Bostonian, which — Oh! I had almost forgotten how soon Hall’s wedding comes off; the 25th of December, Walter writes me. Do for Heaven’s sake give the bride something from me. I enclose $10.00 to make the purchase. There is nothing one can possibly buy down here. Pay-day is not far off again, and I hope to be able to remit something handsome to Uncle Phelps, which may make him cry, “Oh, provident youth!” Until then Walter’s baby must go without the coral and bells destined him by his affectionate Uncle William. Tell Horace I took into consideration the request he made with regard to writing a few lines to Saml. Lord, assuring him of the welfare of Miss Mintzing, concluded to do it, have done it, and think the communication will reach him.

We are quite active here at Beaufort, giving the good people on the mainland all sorts of starts. The other night a young Lieutenant crossed to the mainland with a small party, caught six of their pickets, and brought them safely back as prisoners. A captain takes a boat, glides along the shore, gets fired upon, returns the fire, and, it being his first fight, he has the agreeable sensation of seeing the enemy run. The fact is, though the people of respectability are many of them rampant, the poor whites think the war a hard thing, which they do not like to bear. So much we gathered from the prisoners taken the other night. They say that all who do not volunteer are drafted into the army, and the difference made is, that volunteers receive $25.00 for clothes, and are treated with respect, whereas drafted men get nothing but abuse. Therefore it is not difficult to see how popular volunteering must be in the South.

You will be pleased to hear that my friend William Elliott has gained perhaps the most brilliant reputation for cool courage and daring, of any man in the Army down here. He is a rare hero, and is bound to make his mark.

Give my best love to all, dear mother.

Affec’y.,

Will.

Post image for Diary of David L. Day.

Diary of David L. Day.

December 20, 2011

David L Day–My diary of rambles with the 25th Mass

A Depot of Supplies.

Dec. 20. We are having cold weather; freezing quite hard at night, and making our lodgings in these little rag houses anything but comfortable. I have been with a detail of men down to the wharf unloading and storing army supplies. Annapolis is a depot of supplies, and immense quantities are landed here and sent by rail to Washington. A person never having given the subject of army preparation and supplies much thought, would be astonished at the immense quantities he would see here, and would begin to calculate how long it would be before Uncle Sam would be bankrupt. Large warehouses are filled and breaking down under the weight of flour, beef, pork, bread, sugar, coffee, clothing, ammunition, etc., while the wharves and adjacent grounds are filled with hay, oats, lumber, coal, guns, mortars, gun-carriages, pontoons and other appendages of an army. I presume the cost of feeding and clothing an army of half a million of-men is not really so much as the same number of men would cost at home, but the army being consumers, instead of producers, the balance will eventually be found on the debit page of the ledger.

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

December 20, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

FRIDAY 20

Warm and pleasant but indications of rain, in the office as usual. News tonight of a Union Victory in Missouri. Other Union Victories will soon be heard from. I called at the “Chronicle” office this evening & subscribed for the Chronicle and the “Phil’a Press.” Called over to the Clarendon Hotel, and then upon Hon Mr Daws M.C., then got the evening papers. Called at Charleys Room on my return home. Miss Hartly has spent the evening here. Mr H called at 1/2 past 9 for her. 10 o’ck (weather clear).

______

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.

Post image for “War with the United States seems imminent. It may spread itself all over Europe.”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the U.K., to his son, Charles.

“War with the United States seems imminent. It may spread itself all over Europe.”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the U.K., to his son, Charles.

December 20, 2011

Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.,The American Civil War

London, December 20, 1861

The great event of the past week on this side is the death of the Prince Consort. From the time of my arrival I had formed a very favorable opinion of the man. Having a most difficult part to play he seemed to me to acquit himself most creditably. A feeble person would have fallen into contempt. A vicious one would have created discord. An intriguing one would have filled the Court with animosities and sharpened all the rivalries of parties. He was neither. His capacity and his acquirements commanded the respect of the most powerful subject. His moral character set at defiance all malevolence. And his prudence preserved his neutrality from the assaults of contending factions. Yet he can scarcely be said to have been popular in any class, and least of all among the nobility. He was reserved and shy, little versed in the arts which recommend a man to others. Few were disposed to give him much credit until they lost him. Now they are beginning to open their eyes to a sense of his value. They discover that much of their political quietude has been due to the judicious exercise of his influence over the Queen and the Court, and they do not conceal their uneasiness as to the future without him. The young Prince is just coming of age, with a character by no means formed. The younger children are coming forward with a strong curb removed. The Queen herself has no guide or adviser so well fitted to perform his part without danger of political complications to disturb her. There is no strength in any purely party organization that will keep the government steady. War with the United States seems imminent. It may spread itself all over Europe. Where is the master to direct this storm, if he cannot arrest it? Is it Lord Palmerston or Earl Russell? I trow not. Let any thing happen to Napoleon, and you will see. He is their buckler and their shield.

 

As to us I fancy you can understand the pleasantness of the position we are occupying in the mean time. The leading newspapers roll out as much fiery lava as Vesuvius is doing, daily. The clubs and the army and the navy and the people in the streets generally are raving for war. On the other side are the religious people and a large number of stock jobbers and traders, together with the radical following of Messrs. Cobden and Bright. The impression is general that Mr. Seward is resolved to insult England until she makes a war. He is the bête noir, that frightens them out of all their proprieties. It is of no use to deny it and appeal to facts. They quote what he said to the Duke of Newcastle about insulting England as the only sure passport to popular favor in America, and a part of a speech in which he talked of annexing Canada as an offset to the loss of the slave states. This is the evidence that Mr. Seward is an ogre fully resolved to eat all Englishmen raw. Pitiful as is all this nonsense, it is of no trifling consequence in its political effect. Even our friend Mr. Thurlow Weed with all his sagacity is baffled in every attempt to counteract it. And if war finally happens, it will trace to this source one of its most prominent causes.

 

Of course I feel most anxiously the position of my country, and of those who are enlisted in its cause. So far as I now see the field it is much less alarming than it looked some weeks ago. Many of the causes of apprehension are removed. The government has not authorised the act of Captain Wilkes, neither has it adopted it, as yet. So far, so good. But the British government will not rest satisfied with that position. The policy must be disavowed and the men replaced. Such is my understanding of the substance no matter how gently the sense may be conveyed. Shall we do either? For my part I think justice to our former professions demands it of us. I care not about quibbles concerning Sir William Scott’s law, against which I was bred in a mortal aversion. He is no idol of mine, and I care not how soon both nations join to knock his image off its pedestal. But what my opinion may be is one thing. What the delusion of my countrymen is, is another and very different one. They may regard Messrs. Mason and Slidell as more precious than all their worldly possessions. May be so. For my part I would part with them at a cent apiece.

Post image for Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

December 20, 2011

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

December 20 — Went to the highland near the dam, and had a spirited and lively duel with a Yankee battery across the river. We had one man slightly wounded. After the firing we fell back a little distance and bivouacked in a field.

Post image for Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes.

December 20, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Union, Fayetteville, Virginia. Friday, December 20. — A. M., before breakfast, some clouds and wind but sun now shining. Change threatened. We have here Twenty-sixth Regiment, now under Lieutenant-Colonel Eckley, who also commands the post; Thirtieth Regiment, five companies, under Colonel Ewing; Twenty-third, now under my command; McMullen’s Battery, and a Pennsylvania cavalry company, stationed on the road towards Raleigh. Twenty-third here 550, Twenty-sixth, 600, Thirtieth, 200, battery, 40, cavalry, 40—1430 men. Building two forts on hill northeast of town, one on hill southwest of town. Wind and clouds during the day, but the sun shone brightly on our dress parade, making this our sixteenth good day.

Post image for Susan Bradford writes of Christmas preparations in Florida and the death of a cousin’s soldier fiance — both a part of war.

Susan Bradford writes of Christmas preparations in Florida and the death of a cousin’s soldier fiance — both a part of war.

December 20, 2011

The American Civil War,Through Some Eventful Years by Susan Bradford Eppes

December 20th, 1861.—I spent today at Uncle Tom’s. His daughters are just the smartest, busiest people I ever saw. Cousin Mary Bernard and her three children and cousin Frances with her five are there, while Captain Bernard and Cousin Tom are at the front and Christmas is at hand. There are but few toys to be had, so they are dressing a large Christmas tree with most of the decorations of home manufacture. It is a beautiful tree. They have taken the bright-hued autumn leaves, dipped them in wax and pressed them with a warm iron; these are arranged in clusters and they reflect the light from dozens of tiny twisted Confederate lanterns. Long ropes of “Sodom Apples” lend an added brightness and strings of pop-corn make you think of the snow, which comes at Christmas in colder lands. It is so good of these kind, loving aunts to do so much for the children for I know they work with heavy hearts.

Mr. Routh and Cousin Sallie were to have been married in November, he could only have a three days’ leave of absence and the date was not quite certain, so she was almost ready with her preparations when the news of his death reached us. Her wedding dress was made and waiting and only a few last little things remained to be done. She fainted dead away at the terrible tidings and the next day she locked herself in her room and folded and put away, every article which had been made, in a big Saratoga trunk, locked it and hung the key around her neck. She is so pale and sad, it gives me the heart-ache to look at her. And yet, this is a part of war.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

December 20, 2011

A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

DECEMBER 20TH.—A man by the name of Dibble, the identical one I passed on my way to Montgomery last spring, and whom I then thought acted and spoke like a Yankee, is here seeking permission to go North; he says to Halifax. He confesses that he is a Yankee born; but has lived in North Carolina for many years, and has amassed a fortune. He declares the South does not contain a truer Southern man than himself; and he says he is going to the British Provinces to purchase supplies for the Confederacy. He brought me an order from Mr. Benjamin, indorsed on the back of a letter, for a passport. I declined to give it, and he departed in anger, saying the Secretary would grant it. He knew this, for he said the Secretary had promised him one.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

December 20, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

December 20.—George W. Jones, late United States Minister to Bogota, was arrested at New York on a charge of treason, and sent to Fort Lafayette.—New York World, Dec. 21.

—In the House of Representatives at Washington, D. C., a resolution was adopted, thanking Colonel Mulligan and his command for their heroic defence of Lexington, Mo., and authorizing the Twenty-third regiment of Illinois, to inscribe on their colors the name “Lexington.”

—General Burnside arrived at Annapolis, Md., this evening to take command of the expedition destined for the North Carolina coast.

—Seven hundred regulars of the force surrendered to the rebels in Texas by Major Lynde, passed through Rochester, N. Y., destined for Rome and Syracuse, whence they -went to Sackett’s Harbor and Oswego, to garrison the forts at these places.

—An engagement took place to-day near Drainesville, on the Leesburg turnpike, Va., between a foraging party under command of Brig.-Gen. E. O. C. Ord, (consisting of his brigade, a regiment of rifles, a battery of light artillery, and two squadrons of cavalry,) and four regiments of rebel infantry, with a six-gun battery, commanded by Gen. Stuart. The rebels were completely routed, lost many killed and taken prisoners. The National loss was seven killed and sixty wounded.—(Doc. 234.)

—The Ninety-first regiment of New York volunteers, under the command of Colonel Van Zandt, left Albany for the seat of war.

—At Washington, Mr. Lovejoy offered in the House of Representatives a resolution directing the Committee on the Judiciary to report a bill for the confiscation of all rebel property whatever, and for the liberation of the slaves, who should be protected from recaptare by their masters. The resolution was laid aside by a majority of two.

—A Party of rebels from Gen. Price’s army destroyed about one hundred miles of the Missouri Railroad. Commencing eight miles south of Hudson, they burned the bridge, wood-piles, water-tanks, ties, tore up the rails for miles, bent them, and destroyed the telegraph line. This was continued to Warrenton, where the work of destruction ceased.—National Intelligencer, Dec. 24.

—The London Times of this date, in noting the departure of the transports Adriatic and Parana with troops for Canada, holds the following language: “As the Adriatic moved out of dock, the large shields on her paddle-boxes, emblazoned with the Start and Stripes, reminded everybody of the remarkable coincidence that a American-built steamer, and until within a few months ago the property of American owners, should be one of the first employed in the transport of British troops to the northern part of the American continent, to operate, probably, against the country in which she was built.

“On the two vessels leaving the docks, the volunteer band took up a position on the extreme end of the jetty, and as the Adriatic slowly moved past, they played the appropriate airs ‘I Wish I Was in Dixie,’ and ‘The British Grenadiers,’ followed by ‘Cheer, Boys, Cheer,’ and ‘Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot,’ as the Parana passed, in each case closing with ‘God Save the Queen,’ after which several parting rounds of enthusiastic cheers were exchanged between the multitude of spectators on shore and the gallant fellows on board the vessels.”

—Major McKee, with one hundred and three men of Col. Bishop’s command, encountered and repulsed four hundred rebels four miles south of Hudson, Mo., and killed ten, and took seventeen prisoners and thirty horses. Five of the National troops were slightly wounded. The rebels had attacked a stock train, captured all the stock, and held the railroad men as prisoners. They were in the act of unloading the stock, when the train, stock, and men were rescued.

—Yesterday morning the stone fleet of sixteen old whalers arrived off Charleston Harbor, S. C. In the afternoon, one of the lightest draught was sunk on the right of the main ship channel; during the night four more were sunk, and to-day the remainder, eleven in number, were made to complete the work. All the vessels but one, which was reserved for a pyrotechnic display, were dismantled, and deprived of masts, rigging and every thing but the hulls. The sinking of the fleet was under the direction of Captain Charles H. Davis, U. S. N., who, by his able and scientific management of the work, effectually closed the main ship channel of Charleston Harbor.—(Doc. 235.)

—The brave little steamer Theodora, which has won for her name so prominent a place in the history of the Confederate States, is still “bobbing around” on the high seas. A despatch from Thos. J. Lockwood announces that he has arrived safe, ” as usual,” in the flourishing Confederate seaport of _____, after paying a flying visit to several foreign lands, and running half a dozen times under the very noses of the Yankee cruisers.—Charleston Mercury, Dec. 21.

—This afternoon, Richard Gatewood, a private soldier of the First Kentucky regiment, was executed at Charleston, Va., for the combined crimes of desertion, mutinous conduct, and a murderous assault upon a sentinel while on duty.— Cincinnati Gazette, Jan. 1, 1862.

Post image for Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

December 20, 2011

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Friday, 20th—We finished cleaning our clothing and accouterments and spent the rest of the day in cleaning up our camp and parade ground, besides bringing in firewood from the timber near by. When we got back we found the Thirteenth Iowa here in camp, having arrived on the 11th day of the month, during our absence.