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

Thursday, March 12, 2015

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

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

March 12, 2015

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

Huntsville, Ala., Sun., March 12, 1865.—The railroad is again repaired, and the first train came through from Nashville last night. I found out yesterday why everything has worked against your coming here. I received an order assigning the 13th Regiment to the 4th Army Corps, and this corps commences moving tomorrow for East Tennessee, probably Knoxville. No troops have come on yet to take our place, and it may be some days before we are relieved. At the same time I received a permit for you to come to Huntsville. I am rather pleased to get out of this than otherwise. It is time the regiment moved and had more active duty; and it is more creditable to serve in an army in the field than back in the rear. I am satisfied that I should have lost less men had we gone with Sherman last spring than we have lost by reason of malaria. Beside, if but a small force is left back here, they will be annoyed with raids all summer, and will be in more real peril than we shall be in at the front. I do not see much of a fighting prospect ahead.

The activity in volunteering at the North is the most hopeful sign of the times. We shall be able to confront the rebels everywhere with superior numbers, which will soon, I trust, finish the war.

In my next I will send the permit. I do not send it now, fearing you would be the more disappointed when you read this letter.

The guerillas fired on the train last night between here and Stevenson, killing a soldier and wounding the engineer severely. The guard drove them away. I shall have command of a brigade in the 4th Army Corps, I am told.

Post image for “There were about 1,000 Rebel cavalry herein who fell back before our boys skirmishing lively..,”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“There were about 1,000 Rebel cavalry herein who fell back before our boys skirmishing lively..,”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

March 12, 2015

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

Fayetteville, N. C., March 12, 1865.

We are camped a couple of miles from town. Marched about 13 miles to-day. Had to put down pontoons at both branches of Rockfish creek. At the town of Rockfish, the 17th A. C. burned a factory, throwing about 150 women out of employment. One of our gunboats came up to this place to-day with dispatches for Sherman. It went back before our division got in and took a lot of mail.

The 14th A. C. is garrisoning this place, but the 17th got in first. The 97th Indiana boys, who were captured back at Lynch’s Creek, all got away from the enemy and back to us to-day, five of them. Sherman said yesterday that the campaign ends only with the war. Hear that Hampton whipped Kilpatrick splendidly. Don’t think that is any credit to him. Also hear that Bragg whipped Schofield at Kingston, that Thomas has Lynchburg, and 30,000 other rumors. In the last 23 days the commissary has issued only two and one half days’ of bread. I lost my sword to-day. Left it where we stopped for dinner. We have lost so much sleep of late that at every halt half the command is asleep in a minute. I lay down and told them not to wake me for dinner nor until the regiment moved. The regiment had started when Frank woke me, and I got on my horse too stupid to think of anything. Did not miss my sword for five miles, when I went back for it, but no use. Foragers for the last week have been counting on rich spoils in the town, and many of them have not reported to their regiments within six or eight days, camping every night with the extreme advance. The day before the place was taken, five men who were 15 miles ahead of the column ventured into town. They were gobbled and one of them killed. Next morning 100 foragers hovered around town until the column was within about six miles, when the foragers deployed as skirmishers, and went for the town.

There were about 1,000 Rebel cavalry herein who fell back before our boys skirmishing lively, clear through the town, when they suddenly charged our fellows and scooped them. Our loss in killed, wounded and captured is 25 or 30. They killed several after they captured them, and one they hung up by the heels and cut his throat. Our boys retreated about a mile from town, and went in again in more solid order. They were too scattered the first time. They were successful and routed Johnny, who left six dead in the streets.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

March 12, 2015

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

Chattanooga, Sunday, March 12. A very pleasant day. Inspection 9 A. M. Company complimented by Captain Hood for their good looks, after which Griff and I went to church together. Post Chaplain preached tolerably well. Afternoon wrote three letters. Read Chadwick’s sermon on “The Great Amendment” in the Christian Enquirer, very good. J. Parker returned this morning from home where he had been on sick furlough; as fat as butter. Was hailed with delight. He is a favorite with all. Randolph also came in from smallpox hospital at Nashville; reports Dan Davis ready to come, but poor Uncle Benson died about the 20th ult. a kind Christian man, leaves a wife and large family. Before I left there I wrote several letters for him, and he gave me his pocket book to keep and I have it yet. Must try some way to get it to his wife.

Military discipline took one of the sudden jerks in our camp to-day that is so peculiar in the volunteer army. Like a wild colt, it makes a fretful start, kicking the harness and getting over the traces. Two men tied to the gun, another walking with the guard.

Post image for Letters and Diary of Laura M. Towne.

Letters and Diary of Laura M. Towne.

March 12, 2015

Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne

Village, St. Helena, March 12, 1865.

I am sorry to tell you that our island is going to lose that good and useful man Mr. Tomlinson. He is to live in Beaufort,[1] and many a want of ours will be unsupplied after this. He offered to turn over to me “Big Charley” the horse, instead of our little Charley, but I would n’t listen to it, for “Big Charley” is a large, fine-spirited Northern horse, who has run away several times and smashed several buggies. Mr. T. is indignant at our little balking beast, who acted like a veritable ass the other day when Fanny was riding him, and ended by shaking her off his back. If she had known anything of him, or of any horse, it would not have happened. She was not hurt at all, and was well laughed at. Saxby and the calf grow splendidly, and all our animals are in fine condition, as we have been buying moss, marsh grass, and hay, at frightful prices — the former to help the people from Georgia, and the latter to save our beasts’ lives. It would make you groan to see what I call “fine condition.” You can count every rib in every animal we have got, but they can keep on their feet and go.

It has been the longest storm I ever knew down here — nothing but rain, rain, till the island is almost submerged. The Georgia people are smart, busy, and clean, but they have been used to much better living than our islanders, and being nearly reduced to starvation, for the want of rations, which were stopped by want of the means of transportation (coal for the steamers), they have not resisted the temptation of stealing whatever was eatable. Rina’s chickens have suffered. She says, “When der’s no men-folks in de family, it’s pure destruction.” And I believe we should find it so in our housekeeping, if it were not for Mr. Ruggles, Mr. Tomlinson, and others. The Edisto people having gone from the village and carried all their chickens, pigs, etc., we were for a time reduced to salt food entirely. The consequence was that Rina and Ellen both got the scurvy in a slight degree. It was trying enough for a week, — indeed, for three or four weeks, — but for one week they were almost laid up. We resorted to canned tomatoes and Irish potatoes, which Mr. Ruggles has now for sale, and we are all better.

The delicious blackberry season is almost here — they are in bloom. Peach trees are out, and plum trees. The gardens are gay with jonquils and “daffies,” and the jessamine is nearly in full bloom.

The bell — when will that come? A golden opportunity will be gone if it does not come this week! Our schoolhouse is being shingled now, and if the Government carpenter goes we shall probably have to pay for it, or I shall. It is my affair.

[1] Mr. Tomlinson took the place of Captain Hooper on General Saxton’s staff. He was also made State Superintendent of Education.

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

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

March 12, 2015

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

Sunday, 12th—We remained in our bivouac all day, the boys putting in the time in mending their shoes and clothing. The Fifteenth Corps came in today. The engineers laid the pontoons across the river. Fayetteville is just across on the east bank of the river, and is at the head of navigation, ninety miles from Wilmington on the coast. A boat came up this morning from Wilmington. Our men did not burn much property in town, only the public buildings were fired.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

March 12, 2015

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

12th. Sunday. Reveille at 3 A. M. Marched at 5. A snail’s pace all day. Clear and beautiful day. Moved north. 1st Div. moved off to the left. Have thought a good deal of home and friends today. God bless the dear ones at home. Camped at Frederick Hall Station.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

March 12, 2015

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

March 12th.—Bright and frosty. About one o’clock last night, there was an alarm, supposed to be the approach of the enemy from the West—Sheridan’s cavalry—and the tocsin sounded until daylight. It was a calm moonlight night, without a cloud in the sky. Couriers reported that the enemy were at the outer fortifications, and had burned Ben Green’s house. Corse’s brigade and one or two batteries passed through the city in the direction of the menaced point; and all the local organizations were ordered to march early in the morning. Mr. Secretary Mallory and Postmaster-General Reagan were in the saddle; and rumor says the President and the remainder of the cabinet had their horses saddled in readiness for flight. About a year ago we had Dahlgren’s raid, and it was then announced that the purpose was to burn the city and put to death the President, the cabinet, and other prominent leaders of the “rebellion.” Perhaps our leaders had some apprehension of the fate prepared for them on that occasion, and may have concerted a plan of escape.

As well as I can learn from couriers, it appears that only some 1200 or 1500 of the enemy’s cavalry advanced toward the city, and are now (10 A.M.) retiring—or driven back by our cavalry. But it is a little extraordinary that Gen. Lee, with almost unlimited power, has not been able to prevent 1200 Federals riding from Winchester to Richmond, over almost impracticable roads, without even a respectable skirmish wherein 1000 men were opposed to them. It is true Early was routed—but that was more than a week ago, and we have no particulars yet. The enemy’s papers will contain them, however.

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

March 12, 2015

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Hastings, March 12, 1865.

My Darling: — I am very glad to have heard from or of you several times during the last week. While your rheumatism stays with you I naturally feel anxious to hear often. If you should be so unlucky as to become a cripple, it will certainly be bad, but you may be sure I shall be still a loving husband, and we shall make the best of it together. There are a great many worse things than to lose the ability of easy locomotion. Of course, you will have to use philosophy or something higher to keep up your spirits. I think of Mrs. Little as giving more happiness to her household by her cheerfulness and agreeable ways than most of the walking women I know off.

It is lucky you didn’t come to the inauguration. The bad weather and Andy Johnson’s disgraceful drunkenness spoiled it.

I have bought a “Gulliver’s Travels” which I will give to Webb if he can read it. I remember he was very fond of my telling it, and with his sweet voice often coaxed me to tell him about “the little people.”

We are under General Hancock now, and like him. He is [a] noble man in his physical get-up — six feet three and handsomely proportioned. So far as he has arranged, matters are satisfactory to me. I keep my brigade.

Sheridan is still absent. Of course some solicitude will be felt until he gets through. The last accounts are favorable. . . .

Hastings is promoted lieutenant-colonel, Thompson, major. Good! McKinley and Watkins, Twenty-third, have gone with Hancock to Winchester or somewhere else up the Valley. Dr. Joe visits the “Pirates” (Semmes family, but intensely loyal), but not with any reputed designs. — Chaplain Little runs with his wife all sorts of schools and is useful and a favorite with all sensible people. . . . Love to all.

Affectionately ever,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

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

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

March 12, 2015

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

March 12 — Another boatload of prisoners was called out to-day for exchange. Nearly every time that prisoners are called out the call snatches a few cooks from the cook-houses, when new ones taken from the hungry host are put in to fill their places. To-day one of the new men that was made happy by obtaining a position as cook killed himself before dinner by eating too many undone beans. The poor fellow sold his life to his stomach, then set sail and drew out over the gloomy, pathless waters of Death with an overload of beans on board.

Surrounded with beans dread hunger flies —
With the pouch over-stretched the bean-eater dies.

Post image for A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

March 12, 2015

A Soldier's Diary, The Story of a Volunteer, David Lane, (17th Mich. Vol. Infantry)

March 12th, 1865.

Despite the numerous predictions of newspaper correspondents to the contrary, quiet, profound and undisturbed, prevails along our lines. We are not “mud bound,” but are awaiting the movement of the immense force Grant is now concentrating near Hatcher’s Run, ready to seize on any advantage that may offer and to perform their part in the final struggle which cannot be long delayed.

The First and Second Divisions of the Ninth Corps are holding the works around Petersburg, and are stretched to their utmost tension. The most difficult and complex combinations are about to be brought to an issue. If successful, Lee’s army is destroyed; the rebellion crushed; the war terminated. As I read them, “the signs of the times” are full of promise.

← Previous Entries