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

Monday, October 3, 2011

Post image for Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes.

October 3, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

 

Up Gauley River, Camp Sewell, October 3, 1861.

Dear Uncle: — I should have written you, if I had known where you were. We are in the presence of a large force of the enemy, much stronger than we are, but the mud and floods have pretty much ended this campaign. Both the enemy and ourselves are compelled to go back to supplies soon. I think, therefore, there will be no fight. We shall not attack their entrenchments now that they are reinforced, and I suspect they will not come out after us. Donn Piatt just peeped in. He always has funny things. I said, quoting Webster, “I still live.” “Yes,” said he, “Webster — Webster. He was a great man. Even the old Whigs about Boston admit that!” And again, speaking of the prospect of a fight, he said: “This whistling of projectiles about one’s ears is disagreeable. It made me try to think at Bull Run of all my old prayers; but I could only remember, ‘Oh Lord, for these and all thy other mercies, we desire to be thankful.'”

We shall soon go into winter quarters at posts chosen to hold this country, Gauley Bridge, Charleston, etc., etc. Who will get into a better place, is the question. We all want to go to Washington or to Kentucky or Missouri. We are in General Schenck’s brigade, and hope he will make interest enough to get us into good quarters. There is much sickness among officers and men. My health was never better than during these four months. I hope you will continue to improve.

I am still in General Rosecrans’ staff; but having just finished an extensive tour of court-martial, am again in camp with my regiment in good order. It is like going home to get back. Still this practicing on the circuit after the old fashion, only more so — an escort of cavalry and a couple of wagons with tents and grub — has its attractions. I shall get out of it soon, but as a change, I rather enjoy it.

Between you and Platt, I must get a strong, fleet, sure-footed horse for the next campaign. If the paymaster comes, I shall be able to pay from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars. My present horse turns out well, very well, but the winter will probably use him up, and I must get another.

Hereafter, direct to me, Gauley Bridge, instead of Clarksburg.

We have just learned that McClellan has had a success at Washington. If so, whatever happens here, the cause is safe. I hope the news is true.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. Birchard.

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

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

October 3, 2011

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

Thursday, 3d—It rained again all day, and although our camp is on high ground, on the bluff just east of town, yet it is a jelly of mud. It couldn’t be otherwise with three or four thousand men tramping over it.

Post image for Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes.

October 3, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Sewell, October 3, 1861.

Dearest: — This is a pleasant morning. I yesterday finished the work of a court-martial here; am now in my own tent with my regiment “at home.” It does seem like home. I have washed and dressed myself, and having nothing to do I hope to be able today to write to all. I begin, of course, with my darling wife, of whom I think more and more affectionately the longer we are separated. And the dear boys too — kiss and hug them warmly.

We are evidently at the end of our campaign in this direction for this season. The bad roads and floods make it impossible longer to supply an army so far from railroads and navigable waters. How soon we shall begin our backward march, I do not know. If the enemy were not immediately in front of us we should leave instantly but, no doubt, our leaders dislike to make a move that will look like a retreat from an enemy that we care nothing about. But there is nothing to be gained by staying so far in the mountains, and the danger of starving will send us back to Gauley Bridge long before this reaches you. We shall, no doubt, garrison and fortify the strong points which control western Virginia, and the question with us all is, who is to stay and who go to some pleasanter scene.

We are now in General Schenck’s brigade, and hope he will have influence enough to get us a place in the Kentucky or some other army. We are, no doubt, the crack American regiment of all this region, and think we should have the conspicuous place. I think we shall get out of here, but we shall see. I think there will be no battle here. The enemy are strongly entrenched and far superior to us in numbers. Besides there is no object in attacking them. They have twenty-two pieces of artillery. They will not attack us, unless encouraged to do so by our apparent retreat. If they come out of their entrenchments to fight us we think we have got them. So if our retreat is prudently managed, I suspect there will be nothing but skirmishing. That we have a little of daily.

Since we passed into the mountains, we are out of reach of mails. It is almost a month since the date of your last letter. I am still on General Rosecrans’ staff although with my regiment, and you can direct letters as heretofore, except instead of “Clarksburg” put “Gauley Bridge,” and ask Dr. James W. [Webb] to leave the new direction at the Commercial office.

I am in the best of health. I speak of this always because it is now a noticeable thing. No man in our regiment has been healthier than I have, perhaps none so healthy. I have not been laid up a moment, hardly felt even slightly unwell.

It is singular how one gets attached to this life with all its hardships. We are a most jovial happy set. Our mess now is Colonel Scammon, Lieutenant-Colonel Matthews, Dr. Clendenin, Dr. Joe, and myself. I doubt if anywhere in the country a happier set gather about the table. Joe is full of life, occasionally unwell a little, but always jovial. Matthews has had some of his old troubles — nothing serious — but is a most witty, social man. Colonel Scammon takes medicines all the time, but is getting fat, and is in the best of temper with all of us. General Schenck and his staff are also here. Donn Piatt is one of them. The general and Donn add greatly to our social resources. Indeed I have seen no regiment that will at all compare with us in this respect. . . .

I shall be thirty-nine years old, or is it thirty-eight, tomorrow? Birthdays come along pretty fast these days.

Do the boys go to school? I hope they will be good scholars, but not study at the expense of growth and health. . . .

If the paymaster ever gets along I shall be able to send home money enough to pay debts, taxes, and keep you going for some time.

We have news of a victory by McClellan. We hope it is true. Whatever may befall us, success at Washington if followed up secures our country’s cause. Love to all.

Affectionately, as ever,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: “The federal armies are not handled easily.”

William Howard Russell’s Diary: “The federal armies are not handled easily.”

October 3, 2011

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

October 3rd.—In Washington once more—all the world laughing at the pump and the wooden guns at Munson’s Hill, but angry withal because McClellan should be so befooled as they considered it, by the Confederates. The fact is McClellan was not prepared to move, and therefore not disposed to hazard a general engagement, which he might have brought on had the enemy been in force; perhaps he knew they were not, but found it convenient nevertheless to act as though he believed they had established themselves strongly in his front, as half the world will give him credit for knowing more than the civilian strategists who have already got into disgrace for urging McDowell on to Richmond. The federal armies are not handled easily. They are luxurious in the matter of baggage, and canteens, and private stores; and this is just the sort of war in which the general who moves lightly and rapidly, striking blows unexpectedly and deranging communications, will obtain great results.

Although Beauregard’s name is constantly mentioned, I fancy that, crafty and reticent as he is, the operations in front of us have been directed by an officer of larger capacity. As yet McClellan has certainly done nothing in the field to show he is like Napoleon. The value of his labours in camp has yet to be tested. I dined at the Legation, and afterwards there was a meeting at my rooms, where I heard of all that had passed during my absence.

Post image for “Feel quite “used up” with the heat.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“Feel quite “used up” with the heat.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

October 3, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

THURSDAY 3

This has been a hot day for the season. M. at 86 in the middle of the day. It has passed away without any particular incident occurring. Met John T McKenzie on the Ave. He agreed to meet me at Willards this evening, but he probably took the 6 o’clock train, as I did not see him. Met Genl Scheopf there. Called at the Treasury to see the Sec’y but did not succeed. He has just returned from the East. Feel quite “used up” with the heat.

______

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 Union reports and rumors.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

Union reports and rumors.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

October 3, 2011

Hancock’s Diary: or, A History of The Second Tennessee Cavalry.–Richard R. Hancock.,The American Civil War

Thursday, 3d.—Lieutenant Joe Wyatt (Company C) was elected surgeon of McNairy’s Battalion, F. W. Hearn (Company B), Quartermaster, and M. D. A. Nolan (Company A), Commissary Sergeant.

Sergeant Major M. W. McKnight, Lieutenant George Alexander and Private T. D. Summer, all from Company E, started home on furlough.

 

On the 2d instant, Col. T. T. Garrard wrote to General G. H. Thomas thus:

. . . . . .Colonel Brown has now enrolled and in camp some 250 twelve months’ soldiers. He has muskets, but no cartridge-boxes, caps, pouches, nor bayonet scabbards. . . . . .

Have not heard anything of the Rebels since they reached Barboursville. The last account is that some 100 or upwards were in Barboursville. (Two companies of McNairy’s Battalion). . . . . .

I have got Colonel Brown to move all of his men to the river (Big Rockcastle, some two miles to the rear) except one company, and they are outside our camp in a rock house. We have been much annoyed by them, as well as visitors and others who were driven before the Rebels. Some of them returned this evening part of the way home, but heard of the Rebels below London, and they returned to camp. The report, I am satisfied, is false.

And the next day, the 3d, he wrote thus in reference to Brown’s men.:

You will see before this reaches you that Colonel Brown has moved to the river, some two miles from us. I would be afraid to place them between the enemy and our camp. Some of his men are, I fear, a little timid, and I doubt whether or not they will do their duty on that side of us.

And in reference to Wolford’s Cavalry, on the 10th, he puts it thus:

When Captain Smith, of the cavalry, reached here (Wildcat), there was not one of Walford’s men in camp, nor had there been for several days, and if my informant is correct, some of them that are now here will do no good. They were seen drunk on picket yesterday at, or near, London.

On the date under which I am now writing, the 3d, Zollicoffer sent the .following telegraph dispatch to General A. S. Johnston, Columbus, Kentucky:

I think I have reliable information that Camp (Dick) Robinson was 7,000 strong; 1,0oo of these have gone to Lexington and Frankfort; 1,500 remain in camp, the residue believed to be certainly moving toward Barboursville to meet me. Should it appear to me expedient, I wish permission to meet them half way.

On the same day Johnston replied as follows:

“Dispatch received. Exercise your own discretion in attacking the enemy.”

It was about this time that Captain William Ewing resigned and returned home, and William Parrish became Captain of Company C, First Battalion.

______

Reports listed here were published later in the Official Records.  Hancock, of course, did not have access to them at the time.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

October 3, 2011

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

OCTOBER 3D—The President not having taken any steps in the matter, I have no alternative but to execute the order of the Secretary.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

October 3, 2011

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

October 3.—The Memphis Argus of to-day contains the following proclamation by Thomas O. Moore, Governor of Louisiana:

“Concurring entirely in the views expressed by the cotton factors of New Orleans, in the annexed communication and petition from business men here, praying that no cotton be sent to New Orleans during the existence of the blockade, I have determined to take the most decided means to prevent the landing of any cotton in this city. Notice is therefore hereby given to all masters and owners of steamboats and other water-craft, that from and after the 10th of October no cotton must be brought to New Orleans, or within the lines embracing that section of the country between the fortifications above Carrollton and these below the city, and extending back to the lake.

“All steamboats or other water-craft arriving within the prescribed limits, will be forthwith placed in charge of an armed force, and escorted above the point indicated. This course will be adopted in all cases, whether the quantity of cotton brought be large or small. The railroad companies have already issued orders in furtherance of the object of this proclamation, and no violation of them will be permitted.”

—At St. Louis, Mo., a report of the removal of Major-General Fremont created intense indignation among the mass of Unionists, and great rejoicing among the secessionists. The recruiting rendezvous for an Irish regiment was closed on receipt of the news, and a meeting for the formation of a Home Guard adjourned without action.—N. Y. Herald, October 5.

—The First Massachusetts Light Battery, reorganized since its return from the three months’ service, left Boston this afternoon for the war, under the command of Captain Josiah Porter.

—General Reynolds with a body of Indiana and Ohio troops made a reconnoissance from his position at Cheat Mountain, and met a rebel force under General Lee at Greenbriar, Va., dispersing them after a severe fight of over an hour. The Union loss was eight killed and thirty wounded.—(Doc. 67.)