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

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Feb. 12. The Confederate officers have been paroled and sent to Elizabeth City, up the Pasquotank river. The 25th had the distinguished honor of escorting them and carrying a part of their baggage to the wharf where they took the boat. I reckon it must have been rather pleasing to those officers to see Yankee soldiers taking their luggage for them, but this disgrace must have been a thoughtless mistake on the part of the colonel or whoever ordered it. Those officers had with them their colored servants, but after they were all captured, officers and servants were a good deal mixed as to who they belonged to. When the officers were about leaving, Gen. Burnside settled the question. He told the darkies they could decide for themselves; they could go with their masters or stop here, just as they liked. A few of them went with their masters, the rest staid back to take their chances with the Yankees.

Wednesday, 12th—Our mail goes east every day at 11 a. m. and comes in from the east at night. This is a cold night.

To Mrs. Lyon

Mound City, Ill., Wed. p. m., Feb. 12, 1862.—Last night an order was received on dress parade that Company K proceed to Mound City and take charge of the post. So we went on a steamer this afternoon, and here we are.

12th. Read some in “Lessons in Life.” Spent the evening at Mr. Campbell’s.

Wednesday 12th

Great excitement in the City today at the news of the Battle of Roanoke Island. No great particulars yet, but it must have been a desperate fight. “Secesh” is now receiving nothing but hard knocks, many more are in reserved [sic] for her. Norfolk will soon be taken, it is expected. The boys called upon Mrs McClellan today, the Genl was out. Mrs M said tha[t] he could hardly help from swinging his hat in the Street he was so elated at the war news. I wrote to Col Mirrick today in reference to the apples &c which he sent me. I have not been out tonight. Willie has a bad cold. I have made him a little box tonight for his “Man and ass.” The head turns on a pivot in the box. One side of the head is is [sic] a mans face, the other is the asses face. Tad Lincoln gave it to him. This has been a delightful day.

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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.

12th.—The loss of Roanoke Island is a terrible blow. The loss of life not very great. The “Richmond Blues” were captured, and their Captain, the gifted and brave O. Jennings Wise, is among the fallen. My whole heart overflows towards his family; for, though impetuous in public, he was gentle and affectionate at home, and they always seemed to look upon him with peculiar tenderness. He is a severe loss to the country. Captain Coles, of Albemarle, has also fallen. He was said to be an interesting young man, and a gallant soldier. The Lord have mercy upon our stricken country!

February 12.—General Price, C. S. A., retreated from Springfield, Mo., towards Ozark and Wilson Creek, leaving a large amount of military stores and equipments, which were captured by General Curtis.

—An expedition under command of Colonel Reggin, returned to Fort Henry, Tenn., to-day, from up the Tennessee River, having captured seventy-five thousand dollars’ worth of contraband goods at Paris, Tenn. They also found the tents and camp equipage of the troops that left Fort Henry.—Chicago Journal.

—The rebel Congress passed and Jeff. Davis approved an act authorizing the construction of the railway between Danville, Va., and Greensboro, N. C, on the ground of its being a military necessity.—Richmond Examiner, February 13.

—The city of Edenton, at the west end of Albemarle Sound, N. C, was taken possession of this morning by an expedition under command of Lieutenant A. Maury, U.S.N. A portion of a rebel flying artillery regiment, situated in the town, fled on the approach of the National vessels, as did also many of the inhabitants. Eight rebel cannon and one schooner were destroyed, and two schooners captured.—(Doc. 40.)