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

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Post image for Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

February 3, 2015

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 3, 1865.—I returned from Nashville last evening. Our stay here is uncertain. A good many movements and changes are taking place, and no one can tell how soon our turn will come to be sent to some other field of labor. One division of the 4th Corps has just gone from here to Eastport, and I learn that another division is ordered in the direction of Knoxville. It is possible and quite probable that the remaining division of that corps may be kept on duty here and in this vicinity, in which case we should be sent to some other place.

If I do not go out of the service next fall, I will try to get a leave of absence next summer and visit you. I can be mustered out September 26th next, but you know I made some promises to the regiment to remain with them.

When I got back I found that the Adjutant had moved headquarters. We have full as good a place as before. I wrote you from Nashville that Colonel Doolittle had returned and taken command of the post. I have my old railroad command, which gives me enough to do without crowding me. I am very pleasantly situated indeed, if it only lasts. The evidence that I have more leisure is the fact that I write longer letters. This soldiering is rather uncertain business.

I was handsomely entertained while in Nashville by Major Bigney, and had a pleasant time. Nashville and Edgefield look much as usual; about the same amount of army wagons, mud, mules and shoulder straps as there was last winter.

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

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

February 3, 2015

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

Friday, 3d—It rained quietly nearly all day, and we remained in camp until 1 p. m., when we received marching orders. Our division under General Giles E. Smith then made ready to wade and swim the river midway between the two bridges. The river is one and one-fourth miles wide, having at least one hundred and thirty-three different channels or branches, from two to four feet deep. It took us an hour and a half to cross over, General Smith leading on foot, for no horse could go across. We were not allowed to talk or let our accouterments make any noise. We found the rebel pickets on the opposite side, but they fired only a single shot each and made for tall timber. We remained here on guard. The First and Third Divisions crossed the river above us and also drove in the rebel pickets.[1] Our teams and batteries were left in the rear.

[1] Our division, after successfully crossing the river, effected a lodgment on the main Charleston road just before the arrival of eight regiments which had been sent up to make good the enemy’s position at this bridge.—A. G. D.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

February 3, 2015

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

3rd. Friday. Brigade Officer of the Day. Rode around the line with A. B., Div. Officer of the Day. Stormy day. Deserters came in.

Post image for “We expect to reach Buford’s bridge on the Salkehatchie, to-morrow.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“We expect to reach Buford’s bridge on the Salkehatchie, to-morrow.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

February 3, 2015

Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry)

Baren’s Mills, S. C.,

February 3, 1865.

Fifteen miles to-day. The 17th is having some pretty lively firing on our right. At a house I stopped at to-day a “cit” told me we were 95 miles from Charleston, 65 from Augusta, and 33 from Branchville. That is as near as I can tell you where we are. We expect to reach Buford’s bridge on the Salkehatchie, to-morrow. The Rebels have fortified there, I hear. Our brigade has the advance, and fun to-morrow, if there is any. It has rained since 12 last night.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

February 3, 2015

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

February 3d.—The report that the United States Government had appointed commissioners to meet ours is contradicted. On the contrary, it is believed that Gen. Grant has been reinforced by 30,000 men from Tennessee; and that we shall soon hear thunder in Richmond.

Gen. Lee writes urgently in behalf of Major Tannahill’s traffic for supplies, in Northeastern North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia, for the army. Large amounts of commissary stores are obtained in exchange for cotton, tobacco, etc; but the traffic is in danger of being broken up by the efforts of bureau officials and civilian speculators to participate in it — among them he mentions Major Brower (Commissary-General’s office, and formerly a clerk)—and asks such orders as will be likely to avert the danger. The traffic is with the enemy; but if conducted under the exclusive control of Gen. Lee, it would be of vast benefit to the army.

The House of Representatives yesterday passed a singular compensation bill, benefiting two disbursing clerks and others already rich enough. I have written a note to Senator Johnson, of Missouri, hoping to head it off there, or to so amend it as to make it equable and just. All the paths of error lead to destruction; and every one seems inclined to be pressing therein.

The freezing of the canal has put up the price of wood to about $500 per cord—judging from the little one-horse loads for which they ask $50.

One o’clock P.M. Dark and dismal; more rain or snow looked for. Certainly we are in a dark period of the war—encompassed by augmenting armies, almost starving in the midst of plenty (hoarded by the speculators), our men deserting — and others skulking duty, while Congress and the Executive seem paralyzed or incapable of thought or action.

The President was better yesterday; but not out. They say it is neuralgia in the shoulder, disabling his right arm. Yet he orders appointments, etc., or forbids others.

Major Noland, Commissary-General, has refused to impress the coffee in the hands of speculators; saying there is no law authorizing it. The speculators rule the hour—for all, nearly, are speculators! God save us! we seem incapable of saving ourselves.

No news to-day from Georgia and South Carolina—which means there is no good news. If it be true that Gen. Thomas has reinforced Grant with 30,000 men, we shall soon hear news without seeking it! The enemy will not rest content with their recent series of successes; for system of easy communication will enable them to learn all they want to know about our weak points, and our childish dependence on the speculators for subsistence.

After leaving thirty days’ supplies in Charleston for 20,000 men —all the rest have been ordered to Richmond.