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

September 2011

Post image for “General Rosecrans takes command here. We go south to Sutton, etc., until we meet the enemy.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

“General Rosecrans takes command here. We go south to Sutton, etc., until we meet the enemy.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

September 4, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes,The American Civil War

Wednesday, 3 [4].—Saw General Rosecrans and staff. Caught our guard without a salute. We go with him south today. A good time with McCook and his Ninth. Marched from Bulltown to Flatwoods on road to Sutton, about ten or eleven miles. Camped on a hill with Captain Canby’s Company F of our right wing and Captain Moore’s Company I, ditto. How pleasant to meet them after our long (five weeks) separation. They have had troubles, hard marches, and fun; one man shot resisting a corporal, two men in irons for a rape, and one man arrested for sleeping on post (third offence penalty death!)

_______

BULLTOWN, September 3, [4], 1861. Wednesday Morning.

DEAREST:—Let me say first that the army mail arrangement is perfect. All letters are got promptly here. We march forty or sixty miles to a new point. We are hardly stopped at our destination on a sidehill, in a wood or meadow, before a courier steps up and hands us, privates and all, letters just from Clarksburg. For instance, we are seventy miles over mountains from our last camping place. I had not got off of Webby before a fellow came up, “Are you the Major?” and handed me a letter from you, 27th, from Mother, 26th, from Uncle, 26th, and half a dozen others all late. The same thing is happening all the time.

We have had a forced march without tents, cooking utensils, or knapsacks over a mountain road—bridle path. I came out first best. All the horses injured except Webby. . . .

Good time here. McCook gathered his whole regiment. They serenaded us and we them. The Ninth and Twenty-third swear by each other. They Dutch, we Yankees. General Rosecrans takes command here. We go south to Sutton, etc., until we meet the enemy. Shall not write often now.

Good-bye. Blessings, love, and kisses for all.

Affectionately,

R. B. HAYES.

MRS. HAYES.

_______

BULLTOWN, September 3, [4], 1861.

DEAR UNCLE:—All your letters come safely; got one of the 26th yesterday. Mail facilities coming this way are perfect.

We are now under General Rosecrans in person going south toward Summersville, through Sutton, until we meet the enemy unless he leaves western Virginia. Unless overwhelming[ly] superior in numbers, we shall beat him, accidents always excepted. Our numbers are not, perhaps, as great as we would wish, but you must remember we are over one hundred miles from a railroad and bad roads (not very bad) to haul supplies. It is physically impossible to supply a very large army without a very long preparation. The wagon-trains would actually impede each other, if you were to attempt to crowd too fast, faster than we are now doing.

Take it easy, we shall clean them out in time, if the people at home will hold on and be persevering and patient.

We have had the severest experience soldiers are required to bear, except a defeat; viz, forced marches without shelter, food, or blankets over mountain bridle-paths, in the night and rain. Many fail. My little horse came out well and sound again, the best in the regiment. The doctor’s gave out and was left. I gain strength and color; a little flesh perhaps. Never before so healthy and stout. You will hear first of our welfare in the [Cincinnati] Commercial. Their “special correspondent” wrote a letter in my tent this A. M. Good-bye.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

_______

ON ROAD TO SUTTON, SOUTH FROM

WESTON, September 3 [4], 1861.

DEAR MOTHER:—We are having great times with forced marches over the hills. It agrees with me. I get all letters by couriers very promptly. . . .

We go south under General Rosecrans. All things look encouragingly. We meet friends constantly and unexpectedly. . . . On Sunday we had church in camp, with a Presbyterian Congregation of Yankees who came here forty-five years ago. We occupied their church for shelter. They treated us most hospitably. All from Massachusetts and retaining the thrift, morality, and loyalty of their native State, or rather of the State of their fathers, for most of them were born here.

Affectionately,

R. B. HAYES.

MRS. SOPHIA HAYES.

Post image for The gift of a number of very fine hams.

The gift of a number of very fine hams.

September 4, 2011

The American Civil War,Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

The home letters, full of sweet air and peaceful views, were delightful to get in the dust and confusion of Washington, which, however, with all its discomforts, nothing would have induced us to leave. Among the letters of introduction which made our way simple and pleasant were those from Cousin Wm. Aspinwall to Senator Dixon and General Ripley (“a fine, blunt old gentleman”) of Connecticut, and to Generals Hamilton and Van Rensselaer, on the staff of the Commanding General Scott. Also to Generals Wool, Dix and McDowell, Admiral Wilkes and family, and the household of Mr. Hodge, a cousin of our good Dr. Hodge of Philadelphia. We imagined that our unctuous way to the good graces of the Commanding General was made by the gift from Joseph Howland of a number of very fine hams. These, cast upon the water, came home to us later in an invitation to dinner, which seemed rather to have the nature of a military summons, delivered as it was by a Colonel on the staff. We accepted with the mixed feeling which one must have who receives the “Queen’s Command” to an interview.
The hams appear in the following note:

Headquarters of the Army, Washington.

Dear Mrs. Howland: The Lieutenant General desires me to send his thanks for the hams sent to him by Mr. Howland. He considers them very fine indeed, to which opinion I beg leave to add my own.

Yours very truly,

H. Van Rensselaer.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

September 4, 2011

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

SEPTEMBER 4TH.—J. R. Anderson, proprietor of the iron-works here, has been appointed brigadier-general by the President. He, too, was a West Pointer; but does not look like a military genius. He is assigned to duty on the coast of North Carolina.

A Diary of American Events.–September 4, 1861

September 4, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

Post image for A Diary of American Events.–September 4, 1861

September 4.—Leslie Coombs, of Kentucky, in a letter to the chairman of the Syracuse (N. Y.) Conventions, held this language: “These peace meetings, with us, and, I presume, everywhere, arc mere soft words for treason, and we shall so treat them. I am gratified to find you still at your post, and have not caught the Bull Run panic, which has done some mischief in Kentucky. I am on guard all the time, and ready for action. If the rebels dare make a war upon us, we will sweep them clear, and that rapidly. We are wide awake, and defy their malice as much as we scorn their blustering. ‘The Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws,’ must be kept aloft everywhere, and all mere party platforms trampled under foot.”

—Leonidas Polk, general in the Confederate Army, issued the following proclamation at Columbus, Ky., this day: “The Federal Government having, in defiance of the wishes of the people of Kentucky, disregarded their neutrality by establishing camp depots of armies, and by organizing military companies within her territory, and by constructing military works on the Missouri shore, immediately opposite and commanding Columbus, evidently intended to cover the landing of troops for the seizure of that town, it has become a military necessity, for the defence of the territory of the Confederate States, that the Confederates occupy Columbus in advance. The major-general commanding has, therefore, not felt himself at liberty to risk the loss of so important a position, but has decided to occupy it in pursuance of this decision. He has thrown sufficient force into the town, and ordered to fortify it. It is gratifying to know that the presence of his troops is acceptable to the people of Columbus, and on this occasion he assures them that every precaution shall be taken to insure their quiet, protection to their property, with personal and corporate rights.”

—Colonel John Fitzroy De Courcy, an English officer of much distinction, tendered his services to the National Government, and the offer was accepted. Colonel De Courcy commanded a Turkish regiment during the Crimean Var.—Louisville Journal, September 11.

—At Portland, Me., Cyrus F. Sargent and Octavius F. Hill, of Yarmouth, wore arrested to-day by the United States Marshal, by order of the Secretary of War.—James Chapin, of Vicksburg, reported to be “a captain in the rebel army, was arrested at the residence of his father-in-law, in Saratoga, N. Y., to-day, by U. S. Marshal Burt, of Albany, by virtue of a warrant of the Secretary of State.—At Boston, Mass., .James Leguire, hailing from Halifax, N. C., was arrested on charges of conspiring against the Government. He was committed for trial it the U. S. District Court. Bail was refused. Leguire was bound for Memphis. A uniform was found in his trunk, and other suspicious circumstances led to the arrest.—N. Y. World, September 5.

—The schooner H. Middleton arrived at New York, a prize to the United States, having been captured on the 21st of August off Charleston, by the sloop-of-war Vandalia. She was from Charleston, bound to Liverpool, with a cargo of naval stores, and had attempted to run the blockade. During the chase she threw overboard the entire deck load. The captain and crew were transferred to the United States frigate Roanoke. The following note was found on beard, showing that she had previously been intended for a privateer:

“In case of being boarded, sink this package, as the letters were too late to take out privateer’s papers for your schooner, and would criminate you.

F. J. Porcher.

“To Captain Barklay.” —(Doc. 27.)

—A Despatch from Hannibal, Mo., of this date, says: Corporal Dix, of the Third Ohio regiment, while out scouting with five men at Kirksville, last week, was surrounded in a farmhouse while at dinner, by a party of twenty-five secessionists, who demanded a surrender. He refused, and the secessionists made an attack, when a severe fight ensued, but the Federalists maintained their position in the house, driving their assailants from the ground with a loss of seven killed and four wounded. Corporal Dix was killed, but none of the other of the Federalists were hurt.—Baltimore American, Sept. 6.

—A Mass Meeting, composed of men of all parties, was held at Owego, N. Y., to-day. Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson was the principal speaker, and was loudly and enthusiastically applauded. The sympathizers with and abettors of secession fared very hard at his hands. —N. Y. Evening Post, Sept. 4.

—The national gunboats Tyler and Lexington had an engagement off Hickman, Kentucky, this afternoon with the rebel gunboat Yankee, and the batteries on the Missouri shore, supported by about fifteen hundred rebels, who also fired upon the boats. None of the rebels’ shot took effect. The Tyler and Lexington fired about twenty shots, with what effect is not known, and returned to Cairo, Ill., this evening. On their way up they were fired at with small arms from Columbus and Chalk Bluffs, Kentucky.— (Doc. 29.)

—This afternoon, Colonel N. G. Williams, of the Third Iowa regiment, with eleven hundred Federal troops, Kansas and Iowa Third, was attacked at Shelbina, Mo., by Martin Green, with fifteen hundred to two thousand men. Green commenced firing on them with two pieces of artillery, and kept up fire about one and a half hours. One man (Federal) had his foot taken off by a cannon ball. Colonel Williams retreated on two trains west to Hudson, Mo., leaving a number of horses and part of his camp utensils in the hands of the rebels. Col. Williams had no artillery. Gen. Hurlbut got as far as Hudson, Mo., from Brookfield, with two hundred and fifty men, to reinforce Williams. When he arrived there, Williams was at Clarence, on his retreat.—N. Y. Commercial, Sept. 10.

—This day the confederates fired from an eminence at Great Falls, on the Potomac, sixteen miles from Washington, upon a body of national troops on the Maryland side. Their rifled cannon, although perhaps a hundred times discharged, wounded only one of the men. The rebels then attempted to ford the river, by constructing a temporary bridge with planks, when they were repulsed by the sharp-shooters of the Pennsylvania Seventh, and a number of them killed. They then retired from view, carrying with them their battery.—N. Y. World, Sept. 9.

—Private William Scott, of company K, Third regiment of Vermont Volunteers, was sentenced to be shot for sleeping on his post. —Army Orders.

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

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

September 3, 2011

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

Tuesday, 3d—A new company came into camp today which had only about half the necessary number, and so it was planned to have them join with us and form a full company, but the two companies could not agree on who should be captain.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: General Scott’s pass refused — Prospect of an attack on Washington

William Howard Russell’s Diary: General Scott’s pass refused — Prospect of an attack on Washington

September 3, 2011

My Diary North and South - William Howard Russell,The American Civil War

September 3rd.—Notwithstanding the extreme heat, I went out early this morning to the Chain Bridge, from which the reconnaissance hinted at last night would necessarily start. This bridge is about four and a half or five miles above Washington, and crosses the river at a picturesque spot almost deserving the name of a gorge, with high banks on both sides. It is a light aerial structure, and spans the river by broad arches, from which the view reminds one of Highland or Tyrolean scenery. The road from the city passes through a squalid settlement of European squatters, who in habitation, dress, appearance, and possibly civilisation, are quite as bad as any negroes on any Southern plantation I have visited. The camps of a division lie just beyond, and a gawky sentry from New England, with whom I had some conversation, amused me by saying that the Colonel “was a darned deal more affeerd of the Irish squatters taking off his poultry at night than he was of the Secessioners; anyways,, he puts out more sentries to guard them than he has to look after the others.”

From the Chain Bridge I went some distance towards Falls Church, until I was stopped by a picket, the officer of which refused to recognise General Scott’s pass. “I guess the General’s a dead man, sir.” “Is he not Commander-in-Chief of the United States army?” “Well, I believe that’s a fact, sir; but you had better argue that point with McClellan. He is our boy, and I do believe he’d like to let the London Times know how we Green Mountain boys can fight, if they don’t know already. But all passes are stopped anyhow, and I had to turn back a Congress-man this very morning, and lucky for him it was, because the Sechessers are just half a mile in front of us.” On my way back by the upper road I passed a farmer’s house, which was occupied by some Federal officers, and there, seated in the verandah, with his legs cocked over the railings, was Mr. Lincoln, in a felt hat, and a loose grey shooting coat and long vest, “letting off,” as the papers say, one of his jokes, to judge by his attitude and the laughter of the officers around him, utterly indifferent to the Confederate flag floating from Munson’s Hill.

Just before midnight a considerable movement of troops took place through the streets, and I was about starting off to ascertain the cause, when I received information that General McClellan was only sending off two brigades and four batteries to the Chain Bridge to strengthen his right, which was menaced by the enemy. I retired to bed, in order to be ready for any battle which might take place tomorrow, but was roused up by voices beneath my window, and going out on the verandah, could not help chuckling at the appearance of three foreign ministers and a banker, in the street below, who had come round to inquire, in some perturbation, the cause of the nocturnal movement of men and guns, and seemed little inclined to credit my assurances that nothing more serious than a reconnaissance was contemplated. The ministers were in high spirits at the prospect of an attack on Washington. Such agreeable people are the governing party of the United States at present, that there is only one representative of a foreign power here who would not like to see them flying before Southern bayonets. The banker, perhaps, would have liked a little time to set his affairs in order. “When will the sacking begin?” cried the ministers. “We must hoist our flags.” “The Confederates respect private property, I suppose?” As to flags, be it remarked that Lord Lyons has none to display, having lent his to Mr. Seward, who required it for some festive demonstration.

Post image for “Death of Jeff Davis reported in the papers.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“Death of Jeff Davis reported in the papers.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

September 3, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

TUESDAY 3

Bright day. Firing heard over the river nearly all day, supposed to be fighting going on. collisions betwen the pickets occur every day. A Battle cannot be far off. Death of Jeff Davis reported in the papers. Doct Barnes, Lieut Swan and Qr M Hamilton called upon us today. Tried my combined door fastener, it works to a charm. Called at Doct Smiths this morning, have spent the evening at home. Wife went to meeting.

______

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.

Post image for “I think McClellan is showing a tact and power of managing men which reminds me of Seward.”–Adams Family Letters; Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to His father

“I think McClellan is showing a tact and power of managing men which reminds me of Seward.”–Adams Family Letters; Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to His father

September 3, 2011

Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.,The American Civil War

Boston, September 3, 1861

I Persuaded Hale to insert a leading article about Russell in the Advertiser, which I send to Henry. The folly of our press in assaulting so savagely an agency so formidable as Russell has troubled me, and I’m glad to see that McClellan is wiser and spares a few civil words where they can be so useful. In fact I think McClellan is showing a tact and power of managing men which reminds me of Seward. For already, even at this distance, I see that he has moulded Russell, Wilson and Sumner like wax in his fingers. This is very important and I expect before this reaches you McClellan’s finger will have been seen and wondered at in the columns of the Times. . . .

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

September 3, 2011

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

SEPTEMBER 3D.—My article on the defenses of North Carolina seems to have silenced the censures of the cavilers.

Post image for Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes

Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes

September 3, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Tuesday, September 2 [3].—Twelve miles from Walkersville to Bulltown. Found McCook and had a good time with him.

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