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

Monday, April 16, 2012

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

April 16, 2012

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Headquarters Porter’s Div., 3d Army Corps,

Camp No. 5, April 16, 1862.

Dear Hannah, — The bombardment proper of Yorktown will not begin probably till 5 or 6 days from now, although there are scrimmages taking place every day, either between our gunboats and the rebel batteries or between our artillery and their batteries. To-day we have had both kinds, our artillery in Hamilton’s division having fired continually from early this morning, and being as warmly replied to by the rebels. From a dead or leafless tree behind the general’s tent, a ladder some 75 feet in length has been built, and this we use as a look-out. From this ladder I saw our gunboats and the rebels’ batteries fire at each other, but without any injury to either side. Our fuses were all too short, the shell bursting in the air a mile off from the rebel battery. They fired from a large 105-pound pivot gun, and fired very well, too. The shot, many of them, struck within a few feet of the gunboat.

We came quite a dodge on the rebels a few nights ago. General Porter, who by the way is terribly anxious to get at the rebels, ordered out all our batteries at 2 o’clock A.M., and ordered them to open fire on the encampments of the enemy, which they did with a good will. Just imagine being waked up at that time of night by shot and shell falling into your tent. I only hope they will not open on us from their big pivot gun, for we are just in range of it. Our encampment is quite pretty. We have planted pine trees all around it, and so manage to protect ourselves very well from the heat of the sun which is getting to be quite oppressive. It is the pleasantest and prettiest place of any of the encampments I have seen.

The firing is quite lively now in Hamilton’s division. They are firing at the fort which Martin’s battery attacked on the day of our arrival, and where the 22d Massachusetts Volunteers lost ten men killed and wounded. There are frequently twenty guns fired in a minute, the reports of which we can hear quite plainly as we are only about a mile and a half from them.

I had a fine view of Yorktown and Gloucester Point yesterday. I crossed over a bridge over Creek, which bridge we have just built, and then went out to a point which projects into the river. I was about three quarters of a mile from Yorktown, and could see the rebels at work very plainly; they have two strong water batteries, and above these still stronger ones. The banks are very steep and precipitous here, and afford a fine opportunity to place works. At Gloucester Point on the opposite side, they also have strong batteries, and we could see their men all run when they saw the smoke from one of our gunboats. The shells burst near them, and made them skedaddle some.

General Porter is in very good spirits, although annoyed at the slowness of the engineers. He gets all the ox-hides, ropes, etc., which he can pick up, using them for coverings to the fascines. The general is confident of success, and I think he is right in being so. Our division is in the front and will distinguish itself, I have no doubt. The exact number of our guns is 295, 100 of which are siege guns and mortars, and the rest light artillery. . . .

Post image for “We were greatly astonished to find the ground we marched over deserted…,”–Diary of Josiah Marshall Favill.

“We were greatly astonished to find the ground we marched over deserted…,”–Diary of Josiah Marshall Favill.

April 16, 2012

Diary of a Young Officer–Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)

April 16th. Had a fine night’s sleep, due to the luxury of a soft bed Seth made for me, out of pine needles stripped from the branches; glorious morning; in fact, the weather is enchanting, although yet early spring. After breakfast, sat in the open air in my shirt sleeves at the desk, making various reports and official documents. At two P. M. the regiment was inspected in full marching order and subsequently engaged in battalion drill. Before the drill was over an aide rode up and directed the colonel to strike tents and be ready to march at a moment’s notice; within half an hour we were en route, with the rest of the brigade directly towards the front. We were greatly astonished to find the ground we marched over deserted, the immense number of troops that were in front of us having disappeared. We marched into the batteries and earthworks, stacked arms, and pitched tents just in rear of the works. A few shells came over from the rebel guns, but did not hurt us; one, however, burst so close that my horse reared and plunged and started to run away, directly toward the enemy’s lines. Luckily, I soon had him under control. We all turned in at eight o’clock, expecting lively times at daylight.

Plague take this war!

April 16, 2012

Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Mother to Georgeanna and Eliza in Alexandria.

Ebbitt House,………………….
Monday Evening, April 15 or 16, 62.

Dear Girls: We have just had a call and salute from Joe’s manservant James, who wished to know if we had any “word for Mrs. Howland in the morning.” What with your three devoted “Mercuries” we seem to keep up a pretty constant intercourse, which is very cheering. . . . I was at my lonely tea this evening when suddenly I heard a sepulchral voice at my shoulder saying, “How is Miss Woolsey, Madam, this evening?” It was “me” young Augustus on his way out from the table behind me, where I had not noticed him. “You seem to be quite alone. I will be happy to take my breakfast with you, if you will permit me!” I was horrorstricken at the idea of having either of your chairs occupied by anyone to whom I should feel called upon to do the agreeable. . . .

I shall be very late unavoidably to-morrow, so that he will eat and go before I get down. This seems to be a favorite little attention with our gentlemen friends here— “taking breakfast with you!” . . . Only think of my missing another call from Mrs. McClellan and her mother. I had ventured out on a stroll by myself, to get my cap, which I didn’t get, and to bring Hatty a tumbler of ice cream, which I did get, and she enjoyed it very much with some fresh ladyfingers. This woman is not to be relied on, the cap was not done, and I shouldn’t wonder if she is taking the pattern instead of clear-starching it. I continued on to the avenue, bought Hatty a pair of gloves, looked in at one or two stores for something extremely pretty and cheap for a spring dress, but was not successful in finding it. The sun was very hot, and I was glad to get back again. . . . How in the world are you all accommodated in that small house? . . . So, after all, you mean to go, if you can, to Fortress Monroe. I am sorry for one thing—you will be so much more inaccessible to your family, almost beyond our reach, as only those belonging to the army will be permitted to go there. Nevertheless, I will make all the enquiries you name, and although my heart will break, will speed you on your way. Plague take this war! Hatty is better, but misses her other two nurses, and I do not believe has any confidence in my cooking; she acknowledges, however, grudgingly, that the beef-tea “tasted good,” and the arrowroot was excellent, though I saw her afterwards pouring in a double quantity of port wine, I having already seasoned it with sherry.

After Tea.

I have seen Mr._______ by particular desire in the parlor,—waylaid him, tied him down and pelted him with questions—as to the facilities, etc., of reaching Fortress Monroe at this present time. He gave no encouragement whatever as to your getting there; said he was quite sure that no passengers were allowed to that point and none on the Baltimore boat. . . . You had better not set your hearts upon such a plan. Would you not be quite as near, and hear as readily, in New York? We should be so glad to have you there with us. But I do not urge anything; all I can say is take care of yourselves, as you are very precious to your

Mother.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

April 16, 2012

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

April 16.—Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, signed the bill for the emancipation of the slaves in the District of Columbia, and it became a law.—(Doc. 133.)

—A boat containing a party of the officers and men of the Seventy-fifth regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers, sank at Castleman’s Ferry, on the Shenandoah River, Va., drowning a large portion of the men and officers.—N. Y. Tribune, April 18.

—John H. Winder, Brigadier-General C.S.A., in command of the Department of Henrico, at Richmond, Va., issued the following general order: “From and after this date, the issuance and circulation of individual notes are strictly prohibited. Notes of this character are to be redeemed in bankable funds upon presentation, and must at once be withdrawn from circulation.

“Persons violating this order in any particular, will be considered guilty of a grave offence, and will be subject to arrest and such punishment as may be imposed by a court-martial.”

—The confirmation of the battle of Apache Pass, N. M., was received. The Union loss is one hundred and fifty killed, wounded and missing. The rebels acknowledge their loss to be from three hundred to four hundred killed and wounded. Ninety-three rebels were taken prisoners, thirteen of whom are officers. The National forces captured and burned sixty-four wagons, laden with provisions and ammunition, and killed two hundred mules. The Texans attacked the Union battery four times, the last time coming within forty feet of the guns, but were repulsed with heavy loss.—(Official Despatch.)

—In the United States Senate the resolution calling for information relative to the arrest of Gen. Stone, was taken up, and Mr. McDougall, of California, made a speech on the subject The Confiscation bill was subsequently considered, and Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, addressed the Senate in opposition to its passage.

—A skirmish took place at Savannah, Tenn., between a detachment of Union cavalry and a rebel picket-guard, resulting in the defeat of the rebels, with a loss of five killed and sixty-five wounded.—Chicago Tribune, April 19.

—This day a fight occurred on Wilmington Island, N. C, between a reconnoitring and surveying party of National troops, and a superior force of rebels. A party consisting of about two hundred men, principally from the Eighth Michigan regiment, was despatched from the Federal headquarters, for the purpose of reconnoitring on Wilmington Island, and taking surveys and soundings. One of the companies was under command of Lieut. Wilson. The force landed in the morning from boats, and in the forenoon was surprised by a rebel force, numbering six to eight hundred men, who had come from their batteries on the mainland, with the apparent design of entirely cutting off the National force.

The attack of the rebels was unexpected. They showered upon the Union troops an effective fire, which killed and wounded several, and followed up the advantage, given them by the confusion into which that part of the force nearest them were thrown by the suddenness of the attack, by an immediate advance. The Federal soldiers at once returned the fire, and went gallantly into the fight The advance of the rebels was checked, and after a short stand they retreated, though slowly and in order. No pursuit was attempted, and the rebels recrossed to their batteries. During the engagement the Adjutant of the Eighth Maine regiment was killed, and twelve or thirteen others. The killed and wounded numbered twenty-nine.—(Doc. 140.)

—At London, England, a deputation from the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society waited upon Mr. Adams, the American Minister, and presented an address, in which the hope was expressed that the restoration of the Union would be founded upon the abolition of the true cause of the strife.—London Times, April 18.

—Sixty-one of Ashby’s cavalry, including three officers, were captured this morning, and carried into Woodstock, Va. They were at their breakfast, just at daybreak, in a church, and were surrounded by a body of Ringgold’s cavalry, and four companies of infantry, of the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania volunteers, of Gen. Williams’s division, and surrendered without resistance. The affair occurred several miles beyond Columbia Furnace, and within seven miles of Mount Jackson.—N. Y. World, April 17.

A fight occurred at Lee’s Mills, Va., between four companies of the Third regiment of Vermont volunteers and a party of rebel troops under the command of Gen. Howell Cobb. —(Doc. 142.)

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