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

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Post image for Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton.

Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton.

February 25, 2015

Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton (Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers)

Chapin’s Farm, Va.,
February 25, 1865.

My Dear Sister L.:—

Yesterday I issued clothing and I have had no time till to-night to post up my books. Just as I finished, the order came to break camp and prepare to march in heavy marching order, which little phrase means—prepare to leave your snug quarters, take up your bed (and any other little matters you ever expect to see again) and walk—seek a new home in the field. Well, of course, I went to work and in two hours I had my wagons loaded, and soon after the regiment marched out. The wagons parked behind the stables to wait orders, and at midnight the teams were unhitched and I turned in on the floor of my house. The troops marched a mile and bivouacked in the field, and all night it rained. This morning the doubts about the destination were solved by an order to occupy the camp vacated by Russell’s brigade, about two miles to the left of our old camp. I did not move my quarters and shall not for the present. So much for so much.

But, oh! Glory, Hallelujah! What news! Victory! Victory!! and without the long lists of killed and wounded. Sherman captures the capital of South Carolina. Charleston is ours, and the identical old flag floats again over Sumter. Fisher, Anderson and Wilmington are ours, and now to-night Petersburg is evacuated and Grant holds the South Side railroad. That seems too good to be true, but it is sent as “official” by General Weitzel.[1] Do you know that means Richmond will be evacuated? Perhaps I shall be in Richmond before I write again. Lee would not have abandoned that line till he was driven from it unless he meant to leave Richmond. He may be intending to gobble the Army of the James, but I think he has gone to meet Sherman. Well, perhaps he may meet him more and sooner than he wishes.

[1] Note. —Error. General Weitzel’s bulletin was inaccurate. Charleston was evacuated with Sherman’s army many miles distant. Petersburg was not abandoned nor the old flag raised over Sumter until some time later.

Post image for Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton.

Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton.

February 25, 2015

Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton (Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers)

Chapin’s Farm, Pa.,
February 25, 1865.

Dear Father:—

The war seems to be moving on with irresistible grandeur. Its progress is like the motions of the planets— almost imperceptible, but steady and sure. We see it more by its results than anything else. Who can tell when this nation determined to uproot the cause of our troubles? We know they had not so determined two years ago, and now we know they have passed the point of that determination.

T(illegible) that opposes us is just as steadily crumbling a(illegible) by one, its cities, its arsenals, its railroads, it’s a (illegible) slipping from its grasp. Its approach to the “l (illegible) is steady, and by and by it will be tumbled i(illegible) the bells of peace ring out over the land their w (illegible) otes, we shall have thrown the last spadeful of earth on the bloody carcasses of slavery, aristocracy of color, state rights, and all the demons of that ilk that have troubled us so long.

This is a glorious age. There is something grand in the way Honest Old Abe is steering the ship of state through the breakers of the revolution. He may be a very common man now, but school boys to come will revere him as at least the step-father of his country.

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

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

February 25, 2015

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

Saturday, 25th—It rained all night, but today it is clear. We marched fifteen miles today through the mud. Our regiment is on train guard. We found Little Lynches creek flooded and we had to wade it, the water being waist deep. The Twentieth Corps crossed the creek above us, the day before, and we learned that they raised the floodgates of a dam, letting the water in on us before we could get across. Our supply train had a hard time crossing. The water came up into the wagon boxes and a great deal of our hard bread got wet. We lost several beef cattle in the flood. The First Division did not come across this evening. The hills on this side of the creek are frightful and the mud is deep; when a wagon once settles in one of the holes, it takes a final rest, for no effort of man or beast can extricate it.

Post image for “Gen. J. E. Smith, commanding, shot four of his prisoners in retaliation.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“Gen. J. E. Smith, commanding, shot four of his prisoners in retaliation.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

February 25, 2015

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

February 25, 1865.

Have not moved to-day. Rebels captured 15 men of the 29 Missouri to-day. Our foragers have been straggling for seven or eight miles in every direction; three of our regiment captured a refugee camp of seven men, ten guns, two revolvers, some pistols and 25 mules. Ordered to keep men well in hand this p.m., as Rebel cavalry is demonstrating on our front and flanks. I think it must be at a respectful distance. Rumor says Longstreet is somewhere around. Think we are waiting for the left of the army to get up with us. Our foragers have been to Camden, 13 miles; pretty tall straggling. Others have been out southeast 11 miles, and saw our 2d and 4th divisions moving on a big road, side by side, going east. Nobody can yet decide what our destination is. It is reported to-day that 13 of our 2d division foragers were found by the roadside dead, with a card marked “Fate of foragers;” also four of the 3d division killed. Gen. J. E. Smith, commanding, shot four of his prisoners in retaliation. Colonel Catterson says as we were marching to this camp to-day he had pointed out to him the tree under which Baron DeKalb died at the battle of Camden. Have had 48 hours of rain with a prospect of continuance.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

February 25, 2015

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

Chattanooga, Saturday, Feb. 25. Found our tent collapsed this morning by the big winds and heavy rains, which did not stop to let us stake it up, but kept on raining all day in a most furious manner, relieved by violent flashes of lightning and thunder. Everybody kept in doors, where they became somewhat soaked.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

February 25, 2015

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

25th. Furloughs stopped and pontoon train came up today. The Col.’s leave failed. He was in great trouble, having promised his wife to come home and yet expecting to remain with regt. after leave. Muddy, but pleasant overhead.[1]

[1] Extract From Letter of Brevet Brigadier General Nettleton to Mrs. Luman H. Tenney

Lakeside, Mich., June 20, 1911.

* * * Today in looking over war-time papers I came across the originals and copies of certain letters from General Custer. They relate so closely and importantly to the history, career, and military standing of the Second Ohio Cavalry that it occurs to me that you might like to file copies with the War Records which you are now collating and arranging.

Luman Tenney’s admirable service, his high qualities as a disciplinarian, and as a commander of men in the battlefield, so largely contributed to the good record made by the regiment that that record is in one sense a part of his own. These letters from General Custer, the idolized commander of our Division, are exceptional in the history of Army experience.

________

Headquarters 3rd Cavalry Division, Mid. Mil. Division,

Feb. 24, 1865.

His Excellency Gov. Brough:

As Lt. Col. Nettleton of the Second Ohio Cavalry is about to proceed to his home in Ohio with the intention of procuring as many men as possible to fill his regiment, I desire to urge upon your Excellency the propriety of rendering Col. Nettleton all possible facilities for accomplishing this end.

The Second Ohio has been under my command for a considerable period, during which time they have been repeatedly engaged with the enemy. Upon all such occasions their conduct has been most gallant and deserving. I have known this regiment to hold positions against vastly superior forces of the enemy under circumstances which most regiments would have considered as warranting a retreat; and I take pleasure in assuring your Excellency that in my entire division, numbering twelve regiments from different states, I have none in which I repose greater confidence than in the 2nd Ohio. For these reasons I feel assured that the interests of the service would be greatly promoted by filling the regiment to the maximum number.

Your Excellency cannot find among the many gallant sons of Ohio a more gallant or deserving officer than Lt. Col. Nettleton.

Very Respectfully,

G. A. Custer, Bv’t Major General.

__________

Headquarters 3rd Cav. Div.

Feb. 24th, 1865.

Lt. Col. A. B. Nettleton,

Comdg 2nd Ohio Cav.,

Through 1st Brigade Headquarters. Colonel:

The General comdg Divis. has directed me to express to you his great and entire satisfaction with the manner in which the pickets from your regiment were performing their duties today while he was inspecting the line. Not a man failed to understand and execute the orders issued from these and superior Headquarters, not a man but who did credit to himself and his regiment. The General is much gratified to see that your men on the picket line are anxious, like true soldiers, to keep up the excellent reputation your regiment has won on the battle field.

Very respectfully yours, etc.,

L. Siebert, A. A. Genl.

The incident which called forth the above letter occurred the day before and while Sheridan’s army was in winter quarters at Winchester, Va. Gen. Custer with his staff and escort galloping out the Romney Pike, came suddenly upon the sentinel at the picket post, who ordered “Halt” and demanded the countersign.

An attempt by the General to awe the sentinel, who was told that certainly he knew well who it was seeking to pass, made no difference; and the General proceeding to ride forward was again abruptly stopped before the sentinel’s raised gun and the declaration that he would shoot anyone attempting to pass without first giving the countersign. Thereupon the General dismounted, advanced, gave the countersign and was permitted to pass.

Post image for Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

February 25, 2015

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

February 25— To-day we heard the welcome sound of the exchange boat whistle again, and the joyful tidings stirred up the whole camp. Hope that had dipped and held its torch so long in the cloud of dismal gloom kindled a new flame, and its roseate light flashed and played sweetly over many a pallid cheek as the fingers of thought swept nimbly over the harp strings of freedom that had slept so long. Every man here expects that he may get out to-morrow.

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

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

February 25, 2015

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

February 25th. About midnight last night we were aroused by sharp firing. Made us open our eyes and ears. Ready for any sudden call. All we could do was to listen and wait. Soon all became quiet. Those of us off duty soon dropped asleep again. This morning we learned the cause of the firing last night. Two scouting parties of the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry met, each taking the other for the enemy. Opened fire on one another. No harm was done in the dark. It created some excitement on the picket line.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

February 25, 2015

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

February 25th.—Raining. There are more rumors of the evacuation of Wilmington and even Petersburg. No doubt that stores, etc. are leaving Petersburg; but I doubt whether it will be evacuated, or Richmond, either. Grant may, and probably will, get the Danville Railroad, but I think Lee will disappoint him in the item of evacuation, nevertheless; for we have some millions in gold—equal to 300,000,000 paper—to purchase subsistence; and it is believed Virginia alone, for specie, can feed the army. Then another army may arise in Grant’s rear.

From the published accounts in the enemy’s journals, we learn that Charleston fell on the 18th inst. They say one-third of the city was burned by us. I presume they saw the ruins of the old fire; and that most of the citizens, except the destitute, had left the town. All the cotton was destroyed by the inhabitants. They say an explosion killed several hundred of our people. They boast of capturing 200 guns, and a fine lot of ammunition—the latter, it seems to me, might have been destroyed.

I hear the deep booming of guns occasionally—but still doubt the policy or purpose of evacuating Petersburg.

Mr. Hunter’s eyes seem blood-shotten since he voted against Lee’s plan of organizing negro troops. He also voted against displacing the brood of quartermasters and commissioners.

The papers are requested to say nothing relative to military operations in South and North Carolina, for they are read by Gen. Grant every morning of their publication. The garrisons of Charleston and Wilmington may add 20,000 men to our force opposing Sherman, and may beat him yet.

Post image for A Diary From Dixie.

A Diary From Dixie.

February 25, 2015

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.

February 25th.—The Pfeifers, who live opposite us here, are descendants of those Pfeifers who came South with Mr. Chesnut’s ancestors after the Fort Duquesne disaster. They have now, therefore, been driven out of their Eden, the valley of Virginia, a second time. The present Pfeifer is the great man, the rich man par excellence of Lincolnton. They say that with something very near to tears in his eyes he heard of our latest defeats. “It is only a question of time with us now,” he said. “The raiders will come, you know.”

In Washington, before I knew any of them, except by sight, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Emory, and Mrs. Johnston were always together, inseparable friends, and the trio were pointed out to me as the cleverest women in the United States. Now that I do know them all well, I think the world was right in its estimate of them.

Met a Mr. Ancrum of serenely cheerful aspect, happy and hopeful. “All right now,” said he. “Sherman sure to be thrashed. Joe Johnston is in command.” Dr. Darby says, when the oft-mentioned Joseph, the malcontent, gave up his command to Hood, he remarked with a smile, “I hope you will be able to stop Sherman; it was more than I could do.” General Johnston is not of Mr. Ancrum’s way of thinking as to his own powers, for he stayed here several days after he was ordered to the front. He must have known he could do no good, and I am of his opinion.

When the wagon, in which I was to travel to Flat Rock, drove up to the door, covered with a tent-like white cloth, in my embarrassment for an opening in the conversation I asked the driver’s name. He showed great hesitation in giving it, but at last said: “My name is Sherman,” adding, “and now I see by your face that you won’t go with me. My name is against me these times.” Here he grinned and remarked: “But you would leave Lincolnton.”

That name was the last drop in my cup, but I gave him Mrs. Glover’s reason for staying here. General Johnston had told her this “might be the safest place after all.” He thinks the Yankees are making straight for Richmond and General Lee’s rear, and will go by Camden and Lancaster, leaving Lincolnton on their west flank.

The McLeans are kind people. They ask no rent for their rooms—only $20 a week for firewood. Twenty dollars! and such dollars—mere waste paper.

Mrs. Munroe took up my photograph book, in which I have a picture of all the Yankee generals. “I want to see the men who are to be our masters,” said she. “Not mine” I answered, “thank God, come what may. This was a free fight. We had as much right to fight to get out as they had to fight to keep us in. If they try to play the masters, anywhere upon the habitable globe will I go, never to see a Yankee, and if I die on the way so much the better.” Then I sat down and wrote to my husband in language much worse than anything I can put in this book. As I wrote I was blinded by tears of rage. Indeed, I nearly wept myself away.