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

Friday, April 25, 2014

Monday, April 25. — We started about 7 A.M. and forded the stream at Bladensburg. Marched on to Camp Barry [near Washington], where we halted some time. Here we formed in platoons and marched in review by the President, who was on the balcony at Willard’s Hotel. He looked ten years older than when I saw him last. Saw Frank Balch. Crossed Long Bridge and camped in front of Fort Scott. Men marched well. Day pleasant though hot. Made about 16 miles.

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

Edgefield, Tenn., Mon., April 25, 1864.—Burns, or somebody else, says, ‘The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft aglee.’ For example, I wrote you the other day that I thought we would stay here some time, and talked about your coming down after a little. Yesterday I got an order that we start tomorrow morning for Stevenson, to take care of the railroad from Anderson, 12 miles this side of Stevenson, to Bridgeport, on the Tennessee river. The 102d Ohio, Colonel Given, go with us on the same business, but they stop at Tullahoma.

We are to move at daybreak, but may be delayed for want of transportation. We will be nine or ten days on the road, so direct your letters to Stevenson, Ala. We march, you know, but I suppose we shall occasionally strike the railroad. I will drop you a line if I can. I am glad to get away from Nashville, my regiment was so scattered.

April 25.—I have received a letter, of the 20th inst., from my brother. He says the enemy are reported in heavy force at Ringgold, and our army is anticipating an attack. He also says he has just got through washing his clothes, and is ready for them.

Alexandria, Va., April 25th, 1864.

One more weary march accomplished. I bore the march extremely well, considering I had been out of practice six months. We made the distance, forty-eight miles, in less than two and one-half days. The day was hot and sultry. The forenoon was consumed in getting the column in line of march. In the afternoon we made twelve miles. We had our winter clothing on hand, and many of the men had drawn or purchased new. All were heavily loaded, as they thought we might stop here a few days. But soldiers act from impulse, and the scenes I tried to describe on our march from Lebanon last spring were re-enacted.

Our brigade was in the rear the second day, and I had an opportunity to see for myself. Before the second day had passed many had thrown away everything, not even keeping a change of shirts. I saw several poor fellows apparently in the agonies of death from sunstroke.

These first marches, after a long rest, are nearly as fatal as a hard-fought battle. In passing through Washington we were reviewed by the President and General Burnside.

This looks like a saving of time. Our ambulances are now filing past and going into camp. Our artillery is ready and awaiting us. Also a supply train. The Ninth Corps will soon be in working order, and, of course, at work. I would not have it otherwise. Where we are to work is not apparent. It matters little to old solders where.

The impending struggle is close upon us. It will, doubtless, be fierce and terrible. Let us hope it will be short and decisive.

Monday, 25th—And still it is raining! Reveille sounded at 5 o’clock this morning and we strapped on our knapsacks and all accouterments, and at 7 o’clock marched to the station, where we boarded the cars and started for Cairo.

We bade old Iowa farewell, perhaps never to return, for in the course of the coming events it is improbable that all will get back, but if the Lord is willing, I hope that we may be spared to return again. Crossing the Mississippi at 8 o’clock, we arrived at La Salle about noon and changed cars—exchanged fine coaches on the Rock Island for rather poor ones over the Illinois Central. Leaving La Salle at 3 o’clock we passed through Bloomington at dark, soon after which many of us took berths for the night. This morning just before leaving Davenport, I sent $50.00, my bounty money, to father by Solomon Lichtenwalter, who had come to Davenport to see us off. I then borrowed $5.00 of Thomas Armstrong, to run me till next pay day.

April 25.—Our family in statu quo. The country in great excitement. We have lately had a splendid little victory at Plymouth, North Carolina. We have also had successes in Florida, at Shreveport, and other places in the South and South-west. The God of battles is helping us, or how could we thus succeed? This city is quite excited by Mr. Memminger having ordered off the Note-signing Department, consisting entirely of ladies, to Columbia, South Carolina. It has caused much distress, for many of them, whose living depends on the salary, can’t possibly go. Mothers cannot leave their children, nor wives their husbands. No one seems to understand the motive which prompted the order. It seems to be very arbitrary. It is thought by some persons that all the departments will be ordered off. I trust not; for I, among many others, would be obliged to resign, and I cannot imagine how we would live without the salary. I see no reason to believe that any such move is intended, and I will not be unhappy about it. “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

The enemy threatens Richmond, and is coming against it with an immense army. They boast that they can and will have it this summer; but, with the help of God, we hope to drive them back again. Our Government is making every effort to defeat them. I don’t think that any one doubts our ability to do it; but the awful loss of life necessary upon the fights is what we dread.

Huntsville, Monday, April 25. A pleasant growing day. Health very good and “nary” bit discouraged. One year ago to-day we started on the ever memorable campaign from Millikens Bend which resulted in the glorious surrender of Vicksburg. Would to God that we could accomplish another this spring. Willingly would I face the hardships, exposures and dangers to accomplish it. But I try to school myself to patience. I know that the same hero is now at the helm, and we are waiting with breathless suspense to hear his movements, and in conjunction with it we are also under marching orders. All the preliminaries are issued, baggage to be cut down to two teams, everything to be in light trim for the field. Any moment we may pack up, preparatory to which we spent most of the forenoon in harnessing the teams and putting things together, etc. All is new and mixed up.

Friend E. W. E. up from the Tennessee River after rations. Obtained permission of Lieutenant Clark to return with him in the morning and relieve D. Hayes. M. Hungerford takes my team. Heavy details of infantry are continually kept at work at the fortification of Huntsville. It will soon be that it can be held by a few men.

April 25, Monday. Reverses in North Carolina are bad at this time. The death of Flusser is most unfortunate. I presume the blame of the disasters will be attributed to the Navy, which, in fact, is merely auxiliary to the army. Letter-writers and partisan editors who are courted and petted by the military find no favor with naval men, and as a consequence the Navy suffers detraction.

Burnside’s army corps passed through Washington to-day, whites, blacks, and Indians numbering about 30,000. All the indications foreshadow a mighty conflict and battle in Virginia at an early day.

Fox and Edgar have gone to Fortress Monroe. Calls for naval aid and assistance come up from that quarter.

April 25.—To-day a wagon-train, consisting of two hundred and forty wagons, returning to Pine Bluffs, Arkansas, together with the escort, under the command of Colonel Drake, comprising the Twenty-sixth Iowa regiment, the Seventy-seventh Ohio regiment, and the Forty-third Indiana regiment, with four pieces of artillery, was captured by the rebels.

—A Party of rebels, in an attempt to surprise the National pickets, on the King’s Road, near Jacksonville, Florida, were surrounded and captured by the Seventy-fifth Ohio mounted infantry.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 25TH. —A bright and beautiful day; southern breezes.

            No reliable war news; but there are rumors that our victory at Shreveport was a great one. Nothing additional from North Carolina, though something further must soon occur there. It is said the enemy’s killed and wounded at Plymouth amounted to only 100: ours 300; but we got 2500 prisoners.

            President Lincoln has made a speech at Baltimore, threatening retaliation for the slaughter at Fort Pillow—which was stormed.

            Lieut.-Gen. Polk telegraphs that our forces have captured and burnt one of the enemy’s gun-boats at YazooCity—first taking out her guns, eight rifled 24-pounders.

            To-day Mr. Memminger, in behalf of the ladies in his department, presented a battle-flag to the Department Battalion for its gallant conduct in the repulse of Dahlgren’s raid. But the ladies leave early in the morning for South Carolina.

            The President still says that many of the government officers and employees must be sent away, if transportation cannot be had to feed them here as well as the armies.