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

Wednesday, February 18, 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 18, 2015

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

 

Huntsville, Ala., Wed., Feb. 18, 1865.—I find myself very busy again. Colonel Doolittle left for Nashville this morning, and I have to command the post during his absence, which will be several days. General Granger expects to go North in a few days on leave of absence.

We live quite in the suburbs of the town, some little distance from where the rest of the officers are quartered. I see Major-General Stanley sometimes, and my relations with him are very pleasant. He remembered me as having served in his command at Corinth.

An old lady here, a Mrs. Rogers, one of the F. F. V.’s, has just returned from Washington, where she went to try and get her grandson, who is a rebel prisoner, paroled. I gave her a letter of introduction to Senator Doolittle, who has treated her with great kindness and said many nice things to her about me. She thinks I have more influence than any of the Generals in the department, and I hear of her talking about it everywhere. It quite sets me up.

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

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

February 18, 2015

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

Saturday, 18th—Columbia was almost completely destroyed by fire last night. Only a few houses in the outskirts are left standing, and many people are without homes this morning. Collumbia was a very nice town situated on the Congaree at the head of navigation. Three railroads run through the town. A new stone State House was being built, which it is said was to have been the capital of the Southern Confederacy. Last night I passed by the sheds where the fine marble columns for the building were carved and stored, and this morning they were all in ruins and the sheds in ashes. It is a sad sight to see the citizens standing in groups on the streets, holding little bundles of their most valued effects and not knowing what to do. It is said that some even came here from Charleston to escape Sherman’s army. The people certainly have paid dearly for the privilege of seceding from the Union. The Seventeenth Corps passed through Columbia this morning and we were more than three hours in going through town. Our division marched out northwest along the railroad, destroying it all the way, and went into bivouac about six miles from town.

Post image for An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

February 18, 2015

An Artilleryman's Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 6th Battery, Wisconsin Artillery.

Chattanooga, Saturday, Feb. 18 About 4 P. M. yesterday afternoon our cars were brought up at Nashville and the depot hands set to work. They loaded on all our things in a short time, and we got aboard for a ride of 150 miles on open cars between the guns. But a soldier is full of expedients. We cleared off a small space, made down our beds, and then spread the tarpaulin over the pole of the limber, making a traveling shebang in no time, and now ready to start. After the usual amount of switching and hooting by the boys (the whiskey being at work in the brains of several of the boys in spite of no money) we started off in the second Section of the 6 P. M. train. We took a farewell look at Nashville by twilight, then crawled into our house to avoid the chilly air that was growing cold fast, to take all the sleep possible, tucked in snugly, three in a bed. And we were soon warm as toast, but I will not attempt to describe how we rattled and bumped like corn in a popper on that old flat car, running over the roughest road in America without any brakesmen.

In spite of the reported bumping I slept much of the time. Passed through the big tunnel, over the mountains without my knowing it. But I was glad to crawl out at the first dawn. Found us at Bass, 105 miles from Nashville. Seven more and we stopped thirty minutes at Stevenson. It was very cold. Washed at the Soldiers’ Home and luckily went in with a squad under Sergeant Proctor to take breakfast, which did me a power of good, especially the hot coffee (getting old fogy). The remainder of the journey without event.

Rounded the point of Old Lookout handsomely 12 M. and soon found ourselves once more in the Hawk’s Nest 3 P. M. Got to the “dumping off” place, and by dark we were in camp on a pretty knoll east of town. Stove up, fire in it and all hands merry as a lark. How jolly a life does the soldier lead.

Post image for Columbia burns.–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

Columbia burns.–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

February 18, 2015

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

February 18, 1865.

Two-thirds of the city burned last night. The colonel and I got up last night and rode through the streets until 3. At 4 this morning the 40th Illinois cleared the streets with bayonets and order again reigned. Our regiment is on Provost duty, and I have just been through the streets (8:30 p.m.) and it is as quiet as Sunday night in Canton.

Post image for Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

February 18, 2015

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol's.

February 18th. A hard snow storm greets us today. Those not on duty are sticking to our quarters, keeping comfortable, while the snow and wind howl through our camp.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

February 18, 2015

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

18th. Saturday. Another stormy day. Snowed all the P. M. No mail or papers. Read and wrote. Class in evening. Am enjoying the discussions very much. Home Sweet Home—on the brain.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

February 18, 2015

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

February 18th.—Rained last night; but this is as lovely a morning as ever dawned on earth. A gentle southern breeze, a cloudless sky, and a glorious morning sun, whose genial warmth dispels the moisture of the late showers in smoky vapors.

But how dark and dismal the aspect of our military affairs! Columbia fallen and Charleston (of course) evacuated. My wife wept, my daughter prayed, upon hearing the news. South Carolina was superior to all the States in the estimation of my wife, and she regarded it as the last stronghold. Now she despairs, and seems reckless of whatever else may happen in Sherman’s career of conquest.

A dispatch to Gen. Bragg states that Thomas’s army (the ubiquitous) is landing at Newbern, N. C.! This is to cut Lee’s communications and strike at Raleigh perhaps.

The people are stunned and sullen; sometimes execrating the President for retaining a cabinet in which the country has no confidence, etc.

One hundred for one is asked for gold.

The President was at work very early this morning making appointments in the army. But that does no good to the cause, I fear. A sufficient number of men must be placed in the ranks, or there will be no military success.

The Senate has passed a bill abolishing the “Bureau of Conscription,” and it is now before the House. That is one step in the right direction. Hon. J. Goode yesterday made a speech in favor of its abolition, in which he said 150,000 men had been “handled” by the bureau during the last twelve months, and only 13,000 had been sent to the army! But it did not pass—no vote was taken; it is to be hoped it will pass to-day.

It is rumored that the “money-printing machine” was lost at Columbia, including a large amount of “treasure”—if Confederate Treasury notes be worthy that appellation.

Post image for A Diary From Dixie.

A Diary From Dixie.

February 18, 2015

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.

February 18th.—Here I am, thank God, settled at the McLean’s, in a clean, comfortable room, airy and cozy. With a grateful heart I stir up my own bright wood fire. My bill for four days at this splendid hotel here was $240, with $25 additional for fire. But once more my lines have fallen in pleasant places.

As we came up on the train from Charlotte a soldier took out of his pocket a filthy rag. If it had lain in the gutter for months it could not have looked worse. He unwrapped the thing carefully and took out two biscuits of the species known as “hard tack.” Then he gallantly handed me one, and with an ingratiating smile asked me “to take some.” Then he explained, saying, “Please take these two; swap with me; give me something softer that I can eat; I am very weak still.” Immediately, for his benefit, my basket of luncheon was emptied, but as for his biscuit, I would not choose any. Isabella asked, ” But what did you say to him when he poked them under your nose?” and I replied, “I held up both hands, saying, ‘ I would not take from you anything that is yours—far from it! I would not touch them for worlds.'”

A tremendous day’s work and I helped with a will; our window glass was all to be washed. Then the brass andirons were to be polished. After we rubbed them bright how pretty they were.

Presently Ellen would have none of me. She was scrubbing the floor. “You go—dat’s a good missis—an’ stay to Miss Isabella’s till de flo’ dry.” I am very docile now, and I obeyed orders.