Thursday, 5th.—McNairy moved from Camp McGinnis to Livingston, where he remained about five days.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thursday, 5th—Four men from Company A of the Eighth Iowa were drummed out of camp today. They had refused to take the oath to support the United States Government.
Monday, 5th.—We moved on to Camp Zollicoffer. about two miles north-west of Livingston. Here we found the Twenty-fifth Tennessee Infantry, Colonel S. S. Stanton’s Regiment. And about this time, or soon after, the Twenty-eighth, Colonel J. P. Murray’s Regiment, was organized at this camp. The other three companies of our battalion joined us here. After resting one day at Camp Zollicoffer, the whole battalion took up the line of march again. (Beg pardon, dear reader—right here I find another leaf of my Diary gone.) However, from Livingston the First Battalion marched east to Jamestown, thence south-east to Montgomery, then the county seat of Morgan County, and thence four miles east, through Wartburg, now the county seat of Morgan, to Camp Schuyler, arriving at the last place mentioned on the 14th of August, where we remained one week.
We found that a majority of the men through this portion of East Tennessee had either crossed over into Kentucky to join the Federal army or hid out in the woods. It was reported, before reaching Montgomery, that we would meet a considerable force of “Home Guards” at that place, but they left before we got there. We saw one woman and one child as we passed through the county seat of Morgan County, but not a single man was to be seen. A “Union” man who remained at home and attended to his own business we did not molest, but we arrested those who were hiding out from home or thought to be preparing to go north, if we could find them.
THURSDAY 5
It has rained nearly all day and there has not been much stir in the streets. Soldiers were moveing all last night, it is said that fifteen thousand passed over the River. Fresh troops are coming in all the time and going into camp. There does not appear to have been any “fight” yesterday, but the report of cannon on the other side is heard almost every hour of the day. I spent an hour or two at the Pat office but have been at home most of the day.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
Sept. 5th.—Raining all day. McClellan abandoned his intention of inspecting the lines, and I remained in, writing. The anonymous letters still continue. Received one from an unmistakable Thug to-day, with the death’s-head, cross-bones, and coffin, in the most orthodox style of national-school drawing.
The event of the day was the appearance of the President in the Avenue in a suit of black, and a parcel in his hand, walking umbrella-less in the rain. Mrs. Lincoln has returned, and the worthy “Executive” will no longer be obliged to go “browsing round,” as he says, among his friends at dinner-time. He is working away at money matters with energy, but has been much disturbed in his course of studies by General Fremont’s sudden outburst in the West, which proclaims emancipation, and draws out the arrow which the President intended to discharge from his own bow.
Camp Trenton, 1861.
Miss Woolsey, Ebbitt House: I have the honor to acknowledge your favor of the 2nd inst., and would beg leave to say in reply, that the stores will be most acceptable, and in order that you may have no further trouble in the matter, an order signed by our Surgeon, Dr. Grant, will be presented you by our regimental wagoner, who will take charge of the goods for us.
With many thanks for your interest in behalf of the regiment, I have the honor to remain
Your obedient servant,
SAML. L. BUCK,
Major 2nd Regt. N. J. V.
SUTTON, OR SUTTONVILLE, VIRGINIA, September 5, 1861.
DEAREST:—We are in another camp of fine views. This is the last stronghold of our army as we advance toward the enemy. We are now part of an army of from six to eight thousand and are pushing towards an advancing enemy stronger in numbers, it is said. Some time will perhaps elapse before we meet, but we are pretty certain to meet unless the enemy withdraws. This, I think, they will do. I like the condition of things. Our force, although not large, is of good regiments for the most part: McCook’s Ninth, Colonel Smith’s Thirteenth, Lytle’s Tenth (Irish), are all here; also Colonel Moor’s Twenty-eighth (Markbreit’s regiment), Colonel Lowe’s Twelfth, our regiment, and Colonel Porshner’s Forty-ninth (Wilstach regiment) coming; also one part company of Regulars; four companies artillery, four companies cavalry. An army about as large as can well manœuvre in these mountains. General Rosecrans is in command in person with General Benham of the Regular Army to second him. We are camped on both sides of Elk River, connected by a beautiful suspension bridge. Camps on high hills; fortifications on all the summits. “A gay and festive scene,” as Artemus Ward would say, especially about sundown when three or four fine bands are playing in rivalry.
Elk River empties into Kanawha, so that the water now dripping from my tent will pass you, perhaps, about a fortnight hence; the clearest, purest water it is too. From the tops of the high hills you can see the rocks in the river covered by ten or twenty feet of water. Nothing finer in Vermont or New Hampshire.
I have just got a letter from Dr. James [D. Webb]. Say to him, let all my letters be opened, and if any are important, send them; otherwise, not, unless from some especial friend. Send me some stamps and tell me how you are off for cash. We expect to be paid soon; if so, I can send you some three hundred to six hundred dollars.
We are to have a bore here in a few days—a court-martial on some officer in the Tenth or Twelfth, and I am to be judge-advocate, unless I can diplomatize out of it, which I hope to do.
We got today papers from Cincinnati—the Times of the 28th and the Commercial of the 2d. Think of it; only three days old! It has rumors that General Rosecrans is captured. Well, not quite. He is in good health, and the Twenty-third Regiment is his especial guard. No force can get him here without passing my tent.
Among the interesting things in camp are the boys. You recollect the boy in Captain McIlrath’s company; we have another like unto him in Captain Woodward’s. He ran away from Norwalk to Camp Dennison; went into the Fifth, then into the Guthries, and as we passed their camp, he was pleased with us, and now is “a boy of the Twenty-third.” He drills, plays officer, soldier, or errand boy, and is a curiosity in camp. We are getting dogs too, some fine ones; almost all the captains have horses and a few mules have been “realized”—that’s the word—from Secessionists.
It is clearing off, so we shall be happy again. I am sorry you are unwell. Don’t get down-spirited. We shall get through and come home again. Love and kisses for all the boys. Affectionate regards to Grandma. Jim’s letters will be very acceptable. Goodbye, darling.
Affectionately,
R. B. HAYES.
P.S.—If you could see the conveniences (?) I have for writing, you would see how such a scrawl as this becomes a possibility. I have found out the day of the week and month; it is Thursday, the 5th September, 1861.
MRS. HAYES.
SEPTEMBER 5TH.—Our Congress has authorized the raising and organizing of four hundred regiments. The Yankee Congress, 500,000 men. The enemy will get their’s first; and it is said that between 600,000 and 700,000, for three years or the war, have already been accepted by the U. S. Government. Their papers boast that nearly a million volunteers were tendered. This means mischief. How many will rush forward a year hence to volunteer their services on the plains of the South? Full many ensanguined plains will greet the horrific vision before this time next year; and many a venal wretch coming to possess our land, will occupy till the day of final doom a tract of six feet by two in some desolate and unfrequented swamp. The toad will croak his requiem, and the viper will coil beneath the thistle growing over his head.
Sept. 5.—The Charleston Mercury of this day says: Under the Fabian policy, our army has remained stationary for the last six weeks, a prey to ennui and discomfort, discontent and disease, while the capitol at Washington could almost be seen from the generals’ tents. How long this policy of “masterly inactivity ” would have continued, God only knows. It was gravely announced in a Richmond paper, that they were intrepidly waiting for the enemy to come on again. The enemy, however, very wisely determined that, as they were left the range of the whole continent to attack, Bull Run was not the choicest place for their future operations. They accordingly make a descent on the coast of North Carolina. Perhaps our Government was astonished that they did not return to Bull Run; but seeing that such expectations were not in accordance with Yankee policy, they see the necessity of advancing on Washington. It is clear that our Yankee enemies, always pushing us into our best position, intend to force us into the alternative of a campaign in Maryland, or the devastation of our sea-coast. The Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, are to be defended in Maryland. It is there, by a firm and aggressive war, that the United States must, on our part, be forced to defend themselves.
—Two companies of Colonel Berdan’s sharpshooters took their departure from Weehawken, N. J., for the seat of war. They are the first of the regiment that have gone into actual service. The uniform of the regiment is peculiarly appropriate for their position as marksmen, consisting of green frock coats, gray pantaloon and green caps. The dress is made to accord with the colors of nature as much as possible and is intended to be worn in summer. In winter the uniform will consist entirely of gray pattern.—N. Y. World, Sept. 6.
—The Twentieth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel William Raymond Lee, passed through New York on its way to the seat of war. The regimen left Readville, Mass., yesterday. It numbers seven hundred and fifty men, and has been mainly raised in Springfield and Wareham The men are strong, hardy, and intelligent looking. They are armed with Enfield rifles and are uniformed according to the army regulation. They have with them twenty-five baggage wagons, two hospital wagons, five ambulances, and one hundred and twenty horses A company of sharp-shooters from Massachusetts, Capt. Sanders, with one hundred men, joined the regiment at New York.
At the Park barracks the soldiers partook of an excellent dinner. The officers and many distinguished persons, including Governor Andrew, had a table set for them in the officers’ quarters. When tho dinner was over, Mr. Frank E. Howe spoke of the presence of Governor Andrew, the chief executive of a State which was offering so many of her sons to fight for the Union, and introduced Mr. David Dudley Field, who spoke of the duty of all good citizens in this conflict for the Union, and of the noble efforts of Massachusetts in sustaining the principles which she professed, by the treasure of her lands and the lives of her sons.
Governor Andrew was next introduced, and delivered a speech full of patriotism and enthusiasm for the cause of liberty and freedom.— (Doc. 30.)
—A correspondent of the Baltimore American writes :—I notice the fact that, within the limits of my acquaintance, the gentlemen who now belong to the “Peace ” party are the same who a few weeks since rejoiced in the expectation that Jeff. Davis was soon to appear in Baltimore, “to redeem Maryland from bondage.” Some of them have not yet abandoned the hope of his appearing here “one of these fine days.”
One who has at heart the peace and prosperity of Maryland, would like to hear from the organ of this “Peace ” party an answer to these questions:
1. Would not the success of that party in the coming elections, be everywhere hailed as a triumph of the secession party in Maryland?
2. Would not such a triumph he unquestionably regarded as n pressing invitation to Jeff. Davis to make the visit and attempt the “liberation” aforesaid?
And should Jeff. Davis accept the invitation:
3. What “Peace” relations would be established between Jeff. Davis’ liberators and the guns at Fort McHenry ?
Let these who are interested in the reviving prosperity of Baltimore answer these questions for themselves.
—Major Mordecai, late in command of the Watervliet Arsenal, N. Y., published a card denying any complicity in furnishing the rebels with drawings of a machine for expanding rifle bullets, as charged. he acknowledged having allowed Abraham Snyder, the inventor of the machine, to have copies made, but showed by letter dated in January last that he communicated the fact to Col. Craig, of the Ordnance Department, saying that it was not too late to retract the permission if he thought necessary. —Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6.
—At Stralenburg, New Jersey, an organization of secessionists was broken up by the United States Marshal.—N. Y. Commercial, Sept. 6.
—The Memphis Avalanche of to-day contains the following estimate of the Northern peace party: “The peace party of the North is turning out to be an arrant humbug. It is mightily opposed to war, and intensely desirous of peace, and yet unites with Lincoln in his unconstitutional and infernal scheme of compelling the South by brute force to yield up the right of self-government, and submit to the rule of a vile abolitionist despotism, headed by such a creature as Abe Lincoln, and the banditti that surround him.
“They may hold their conventions, whine about peace, and pass their canting resolutions until doomsday, but will never effect a peace on their terms. They may lick the feet of the tyrant if it suits them, but the South will continue to fight him, and against the Government of which he is the dictator, and against the people whom he governs, until she gets rid of them forever.
“The Northern Democracy, after having furnished Lincoln the men to fight his battles, after having hurrahed for the Stars and Stripes as lustily as the black Republicans, and after having been soundly threshed by the South, which they thought to crush, and treated with contumely by the abolitionists, whose tools they made themselves, now begin again their cant about the Union, about compromises, about justice to the South, about making up these unhappy differences, and bring back the seceded States, under the mild and paternal Government of Abraham Lincoln!
“We would recommend to these Northern Democrats, who, belying all their former political doctrines and professions, were so ready to fly to arms to aid Lincoln in crushing the liberties of the Southern people, when they thought they could succeed, to go at some more promising business than Union-saving. If they are still determined that the seceded States shall return into their beloved Union, they had better keep on fighting, as it is their only chance.
“There are some Democrats at the North who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal, who have not been faithless to their principles, but they are few and far between. The mass of them made haste to lend themselves to the support of Lincoln’s iniquitous war, and now only oppose it because they see it is hopeless, and that they gained only insult and ruin by their unprincipled subserviency. If they would restore peace, let them advocate the unconditional cessation of this unrighteous war, and unconditional acknowledgment of the right of the Southern people to govern themselves. That is the only solution of the difficulty.”
