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

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Post image for “Look for me July 4th, 1865.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“Look for me July 4th, 1865.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

April 12, 2015

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

April 12, 1865, 10 a.m.

We hear this a.m. that Lee has surrendered to Grant the army of northern Virginia. It created a great deal of enthusiasm among us. It is hard to make our men believe anything, but Logan told us half an hour ago as he passed it is true as gospel. We have passed a large infantry camp that the Rebels left yesterday. Johnston is moving towards Raleigh. Our division has the advance to-day. We consolidated the regiment for the campaign into five companies.

Left bank of Neuse River, 20 miles East of Raleigh,

April 12, 1865, 4 p.m.

Twelve miles to-day. Our cavalry pushed ahead and drove the Rebels past here at 8 a.m. Saw a barn and cotton press in flames to-day. There has been no burning this trip worth mentioning. This to-day was all I have seen and it was to destroy the cotton. Poor country to-day, but one very nice country place; the house 4th rate, but the grounds and shrubbery finer than any in our part of Illinois.

This is an army of skeptics, they won’t believe in Lee’s surrender. I do, and I tell you it makes this one of my brightest days. His surrender makes sure beyond any chance that what we have been fighting for for four years is sure. Look for me July 4th, 1865. [This promise was kept. Ed.]

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

April 12, 2015

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

April 12th.—Warm and cloudy. Gen. Weitzel publishes an order to-day, requiring all ministers who have prayed for the President of the Confederate States to pray hereafter for the President of the United States. He will not allow them to omit the prayer.

In answer to my application for permission to take my family to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where among their relations and friends shelter and food may be had, Brevet Brig.-Gen. Ludlow indorsed: “Disallowed—as none but loyal people, who have taken the oath, are permitted to reside on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.” This paper I left at Judge Campbell’s residence (he was out) for his inspection, being contrary in spirit to the terms he is represented to have said would be imposed on us.

At 1½ P.M. Another 100 guns were fired in Capitol Square, in honor, I suppose, of the surrender of Johnston’s army. I must go and see.

Captain Warner is still in prison, and no one is allowed to visit him, I learn. ,

Three P.M. Saw Judge Campbell, who will lay my paper before the military authorities for reconsideration to-morrow. He thinks they have acted unwisely. I said to him that a gentleman’s word was better than an enforced oath—and that if persecution and confiscation are to follow, instead of organized armies we shall have bands of assassins everywhere in the field, and the stiletto and the torch will take the place of the sword and the musket—and there can be no solid reconstruction, etc. He says he told the Confederate States authorities months ago that the cause had failed, but they would not listen. He said he had telegraphed something to Lieut.-Gen. Grant to-day.

The salute some say was in honor of Johnston’s surrender— others say it was for Lee’s—and others of Clay’s birthday.

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

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

April 12, 2015

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

Wednesday, 12th—We started at 8 a. m. and marched five miles, all the way through one continuous swamp. News came to us this forenoon that General Lee had surrendered his entire army to General Grant. It was glorious news. We forgot all about our hard marching, and the whole brigade commenced singing songs—”John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave, As we go marching on!”

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

April 12, 2015

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

12th. Marched at usual hour in rear of Division train. Bad roads and very tedious marching. Col. Nettleton met us near the Junction. Had a good visit with him. Line from home. How anxious I am to see dear mother and sisters. I love them more dearly than ever. Camped at B. New colors arrived. Rained. All begin to talk of home and peace. I do desire to be a true exemplary Christian during my remaining days.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

April 12, 2015

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

Chattanooga, Wednesday, April 12. Another of the many rainy days that we have to experience in this country, a continuous stream poured down all day. Had to water the horses twice, doing which I got thoroughly soaked each time, but it would not be military to change.

Received letters from home stating they had their wheat all in. Here the trees are not in leaf yet, although spring has opened six weeks ago. What little farming is done here goes on very leisurely, while Wisconsin gives the husbandman but a short season, and he must go at it with a rush. So give me the cold regions, that demand energy, in preference to the balmy South that cultivates sluggish habits after all. This is a great cause of the backwardness of Southern agriculture. As long as the one-horse shovel-plow, made out of a crooked stick works, why should they ask for better, they think. But the day of reformation is at hand. Progression has vindicated her rights by the bloody hand of war.

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

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

April 12, 2015

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

April 12th. Not much duty done since the last date. Talking and rejoicing over the events of the past few days. Orders to resume drilling. It creates opposition and much kicking. What’s the use. The war is over although peace has not been declared. Our term ends with the close of the war. Three years, or during the war.

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

April 12, 2015

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

New Creek, West Virginia, April 12, 1865.

Dearest: — I wonder if you feel as happy as I do. The close of the war, “home again,” darling and the boys and all to be together again for good! And the manner of it too! Our best general vindicated by having the greatest victory. General Crook too. Did you see, it was his immediate command that captured so much, which Sheridan telegraphs about — the wagons, Armstrong guns, etc., etc.? All most gratifying.[1]

My expedition into the mountains will no doubt be given up, although we are still preparing.

I am well satisfied with present matters personally, and think I am rather fortunate, all things considered. I decide nothing at present. I wish you to be ready to join me on very short notice. It is not likely I shall send for you, but I may do so any day if you would like to come.

My notion is that an extra session of Congress soon is a likely thing to occur. That will be known in a week or two. — Love to all. “So much.”

As ever

R.

P. S. — My pictures being in demand, I have got another.

Mrs. Hayes.

[1] Dr. J. T. Webb writing to his mother from Winchester, April 13, 1865, says: — “It must be pleasant to those worthies who put on so much style to reflect that while there was fighting to be done here in this valley, Sheridan and Crook were here; now that the fighting has been transferred to Richmond, they [the worthies] are sent here and Crook and Sheridan taken off down there. It’s all style and airs — very offensive to sensible people, but as the war is about over, it matters but little who commands. Were there an enemy in our front, I should not fancy our generals. As it is they are very good for fuss and feathers, great on revers, etc., — about all they are suited for.”

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

April 12, 2015

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

New Creek, West Virginia, April 12, 1865.

Dear Uncle: — I am just beginning to fully realize and enjoy our great victories. I am more glad to think my fighting days are ended than I had expected. Grant deserves his great victory. Crook, too, had a conspicuous place. It was his immediate command which captured the wagon train, Armstrong guns, prisoners, etc., which figure so largely in Sheridan’s reports.

I am still preparing for my expedition, but I am confident it is given up and will never be undertaken; it is rendered useless. I think it not improbable that there will be an extra session of Congress; if so, I go out of service then, of course. I am pretty well pleased with matters now. Pecuniarily, I shall gain by staying in service as long as possible. That consideration aside, I am ready to quit now almost any time. Address me at this place.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. Birchard.

Post image for Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

April 12, 2015

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

Tuesday Night.—No light on our sorrow—still gloomy, dark, and uncertain.

I went to-day to the hospital, as was my duty. My dear friend S. T. cheers me, by being utterly incredulous about the reported surrender. As usual, she is cheerfully devoting her powers of mind and body to her hospital. For four years she has never thought of her own comfort, when by sacrificing it she could alleviate a soldier’s sorrow. Miss E. D., who has shared with her every duty, every self-sacrificing effort in behalf of our sick and wounded soldiers, is now enduring the keenest pangs of sorrow from the untimely death of her venerable father. On the day of the evacuation, while walking too near a burning house, he was struck by a piece of falling timber, and the blow soon closed his long life. Alas! the devoted daughter, who had done so much for other wounded, could do nothing for the restoration of one so dear to her.