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

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Post image for “Eight or nine boatloads of prisoners have passed here to-day.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“Eight or nine boatloads of prisoners have passed here to-day.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

February 19, 2012

Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry),The American Civil War

Headquarters 7th Illinois Cavalry,

Cape Girardeau, Mo., February 19, 1862.

Aren’t things working right now? Do you notice the accounts of the old 8th, and will you say again that I got out of her ranks at the right time? I knew that the 8th would never make her colonel (God bless him!) to blush, or dishonor her friends or herself. I have seen only the St. Louis papers of 18th with very meager dispatches, but enough to know that she had the “post of honor” and plenty of fighting. Two hundred of them with Major Post are prisoners. I’ll bet my life Company E is not among them. If the Rebels will keep the major and exchange the men the regiment will gain. If I was in the 8th yet and knew what I do now I wouldn’t leave her for any commission there is in this post. I’ve got a good easy place here and have the good will of everybody around me, but my soul and sympathies are with the 8th, and it makes me sick to think what a fool I was to leave her. I’ll be shot if I don’t love that regiment more than I do the whole world beside. I never thought of it so much untill I got away. I expect some of our boys of my old mess are killed, but its all right, “military necessity,” somebody has to go under. Eight or nine boatloads of prisoners have passed here to-day. They look a little better than our Missouri prisoners but are not uniformed, although comfortably dressed.

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

February 19, 2012

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

Wednesday 19th

Rain all day, roads and crossing are in a horrible condition. The news looks favorable for further Victories to be heard of before long. The whole country is jubilent over the past. I have not been out tonight. After dinner I cleaned out the Aquarium and put in fresh water. The Eel has been burrowed in the sand all winter, have not seen him before in three months, he is very active. Got a Tribune of the newsboy and have read all the evening.

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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.

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

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

February 19, 2012

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

Wednesday, 19th—News came that Roanoke Island has been taken by our men. It is reported that our company will leave for California, Missouri, in three or four days and all are rejoicing that our stay here is about over.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

February 19, 2012

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

19th. Commenced letter to Fannie. Cold better.

Post image for War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

February 19, 2012

The American Civil War,War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Wednesday, February 19. — A stormy day. In the evening we went to a supper given by General Martindale’s staff. It was really a very fine supper, especially for a camp one. They had a handsome bill of fare, with gilt, etc., and quite a handsome-looking table. The chandelier for the occasion was made of bayonets fastened on to a wooden circle, and in the end of the bayonet where it fastens onto the gun, were placed the candles. There were two of these circles, one above the other, producing a gay-and-festive-looking object. The festivities were kept up until twelve. Speeches and toasts were given and responded to with much enthusiasm, and songs, etc., made the evening pass quite pleasantly.

Post image for Wounded and prisoners from Donelson. — Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

Wounded and prisoners from Donelson. — Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

February 19, 2012

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon,The American Civil War

To Mrs. Lyon

Mound City, Ill., Wed. p. m., Feb. 19, 1862.—There has been nothing going on here to break the monotony for a few days past except the arrival of a part of the wounded from Fort Donelson. These, with those that have previously been sent here, make about 400 of them at this hospital. A great many of them are severely wounded. They seem to be in good spirits. Surgeons have flocked in from all about and tendered their services. Some are prisoners. Steamer after steamer heavily laden with prisoners has gone down the river. I really begin to think that the war will be closed in a few months; and that, possibly, without the 8th having a fight. I tell you, when I see our wounded and maimed soldiers it makes me feel as though I wanted one chance at the authors of all this misery and suffering. I don’t believe that I have any apprehension of being hurt.

Post image for “Our children in the city are delighted to have us so near them..,”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

“Our children in the city are delighted to have us so near them..,”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

February 19, 2012

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

Wednesday, 19th.—We are now in our own comfortable little room on Grace Street, and have quite a home-like feeling. Our children in the city are delighted to have us so near them, and the girls have come on a visit to their cousin, Mrs. C., and will be present at the inauguration on the 22d.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

February 19, 2012

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

February 19.—President Lincoln issued the following proclamation to-day:

“It is recommended to the people of the United States that they assemble in their customary places of meeting for public solemnities, on the twenty-second day of February, inst, and celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the father of his country, by causing to be read to them his immortal Farewell Address.

“Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, the nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-sixth.”

—Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, having taken the field in person, issued orders, from his headquarters at Memphis, appointing his division commanders, and calling upon the people to meet and repel the invaders of the State.—(Doc. 51.)

—The first payment of interest on the Government war-loan, was made at the office of the United States Assistant Treasurer, in New-York City.

—In the Confederate Congress, in session at Richmond, Va., the electoral votes for President and Vice – President were counted. The total number of electoral votes was one hundred and nine, all of which were cast for Jeff. Davis, for President, and Alexander H. Stephens, for Vice President

—The Memphis Appeal, of this date, has the following:

“Gen. Polk issued orders yesterday, that the track of the Memphis and Ohio railroad should be torn up, and the bridges burned, which order was obeyed, and by this time the work of destruction is complete on a great part of the road. A rumor prevailed on the streets this afternoon, that Polk was preparing to evacuate Columbus to-morrow, remove all the guns, etc., and demolish the fortifications. The forces at New-Madrid and Fort Pillow, together with the Columbus troops, are to repair at once to Memphis, and make a stand, making an army of about fifty thousand men.”

—The city of Clarksville, on the Cumberland River, Tennessee, was taken possession of to-day by the National forces, under command of Flag Officer A. H. Foote, U.S.N., having surrendered without an engagement. Two thirds of the inhabitants having fled from the town, Com. Foote, at the request of the Mayor, issued a proclamation, assuring all peaceably-disposed persons, that they might resume with safety their business avocations, requiring only the military stores and equipments to be given up.—(Doc. 52.)