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

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Sworn in!–Alexander G. Downing.

Post image for Sworn in!–Alexander G. Downing.

October 5, 2011

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry,The American Civil War

Saturday, 5th—Our company was sworn into the United States service today, by Captain Alexander Chambers of the regular army. Four men were rejected, which left ninety in the company. Fisher was rejected because he was too short—less than five feet,[1] and Lowe was rejected because he was pigeon-toed.[2] I got a pass and went to Allen’s Grove to see John Moore.

[1] He was taken later, however, when the need of men was greater and also because of his persistence.—A. G. D.

[2] Lowe feigned to be pigeon-toed, so that he would be rejected, having got chicken-hearted. The boys jeered him.—A. G. D.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: Another Crimean acquaintance.—Summary dismissal of a newspaper correspondent.

William Howard Russell’s Diary: Another Crimean acquaintance.—Summary dismissal of a newspaper correspondent.

October 5, 2011

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

October 5th.—A day of heat extreme. Tumbled in upon me an old familiar face and voice, once Forster of a hospitable Crimean hut behind Mother Seacole’s, commanding a battalion of Land Transport Corps, to which he had descended or sublimated from his position as ex-Austrian dragoon and beau sabreur under old Radetzsky in Italian wars; now a colonel of distant volunteers, and a member of the Parliament of British Columbia. He was on his way home to Europe, and had travelled thus far out of his way to see his friend.

After him came in a gentleman, heated, wild-eyed, and excited, who had been in the South, where he was acting as correspondent to a London newspaper, and on his return to Washington had obtained a pass from General Scott. According to his own story, he had been indulging in a habit which free-born Englishmen may occasionally find to be inconvenient in foreign countries in times of high excitement, and had been expressing his opinion pretty freely in favour of the Southern cause in the bar-rooms of Pennsylvania Avenue. Imagine a Frenchman going about the taverns of Dublin during an Irish rebellion, expressing his sympathy with the rebels, and you may suppose he would meet with treatment at least as peremptory as that which the Federal authorities gave Mr. D ____. In fine, that morning early, he had been waited upon by an officer, who requested his attendance at the Provost Marshal’s office; arrived there, a functionary, after a few queries, asked him to give up General Scott’s pass, and when Mr. D____ refused to do so, proceeded to execute a terrible sort of proces verbal on a large sheet of foolscap, the initiatory flourishes and prolegomena of which so intimidated Mr. D____, that he gave up his pass and was permitted to depart, in order that he might start for England by the next steamer.

A wonderful Frenchman, who lives up a back street, prepared a curious banquet, at which Mr. Irvine, Mr. Warre, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Lamy, and Colonel Foster assisted; and in the evening Mr. Lincoln’s private secretary, a witty, shrewd, and pleasant young fellow, who looks little more than eighteen years of age, came in with a friend, whose name I forget; and by degrees the circle expanded, till the walls seemed to have become elastic, so great was the concourse of guests.

Post image for “…,pd for Apples at the rate of $3.00 pr Bushel, Potatoes $1.50, Butter 25 cts, Eggs 22 cts, Beef Steak (Surloin) 15 cts, (round) 12 1/2, corn[e]d Beef 8 to 10…,”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“…,pd for Apples at the rate of $3.00 pr Bushel, Potatoes $1.50, Butter 25 cts, Eggs 22 cts, Beef Steak (Surloin) 15 cts, (round) 12 1/2, corn[e]d Beef 8 to 10…,”—Horatio Nelson Taft

October 5, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

SATURDAY 5

Very hot again today. M. at 90 in the middle of the day. Went to the Treasury again but did not see the Sec’y. Was at the Pat office awhile and at Charleys rooms. He has rented the Basement room of the house he is in for a Labratory &c. Got down the Aquarium from Pecks tonight. Went to market as usual Sat night, pd for Apples at the rate of $3.00 pr Bushel, Potatoes $1.50, Butter 25 cts, Eggs 22 cts, Beef Steak (Surloin) 15 cts, (round) 12 1/2, corn[e]d Beef 8 to 10, Lima Beans 15 cts pr quart. Oak Wood is $7.50 pr cord, pine $6.50, hickory $9.00. No news.

______

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 “Can you find out what ground Seward takes on the slave question?”–Adams Family Letters, Henry Adams, private secretary of the US Minister to the UK, to his brother, Charles.

“Can you find out what ground Seward takes on the slave question?”–Adams Family Letters, Henry Adams, private secretary of the US Minister to the UK, to his brother, Charles.

October 5, 2011

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

London, October 5, 1861

Your letter and your articles in the Courier arrived last Monday. I sent one set of them down to Lucas, the editor of the London Star, and received a complimentary note in return which I will enclose to you. The other set I sent down to the editor of the Spectator, and from him I have not heard. There was one article to the Star which was partly drawn from your’s, without quoting it, but there has been no reprint. The Spectator never reprints, but if it notices you, I will send you the notice. Your Manchester paper I have made unavailing efforts to find, but London seems to despise anything provincial, and I can find the paper nowhere. London papers go to Manchester but Manchester ditto don’t seem to return the compliment.

This week I have no news for you. Everything seems to be getting along well and the Government here behaves itself very fairly. I don’t know whether my last letters will appear or not, but if they do you can form some judgment as to my inventive powers. The truth is that I ‘ve lately told so much in that way which was not generally known, that my position began to be too hot and I thought I ‘d try a little wrong scent. The facts are all invented therefore, but the idea is carried out as faithfully as I could, of quoting the state of English opinion.

We have been overrun by visitors this week. My friend Richardson goes in the Arabia to Boston, if he can, but I ‘m not sure that he won’t have to make Halifax his terminus. He was in a horrible position. His family and property are in New Orleans and he has a brother in the Virginian army. He is himself a good Union man, I believe; at all events he talks so; but he does not want to do anything which will separate him from his family or make them his enemies. So he could not make up his mind to take the oath, and determined rather to run his risk without a passport. I believe he means to pass the winter in Boston. He told me all about his troubles and I strongly advised him not to think of ever living in New Orleans again; at least as an architect.

Sohier and Charley Thorndike have been here this week. Both leave for Paris this morning. Sohier was quite amusing, and dined with us twice. But the trouble about London is that no one ever stays here and I can’t keep a companion. As for Englishmen I don’t expect to know any of my own age for at least six months more, as this club business has got to be settled and the season to come round again first. We see no English people now, or very few, and the fogs are thick almost every morning. Hooroar! Can you find out (not through Sumner, who seems to have distorted even your ideas of Washington affairs) what ground Seward takes on the slave question?

I need n’t say that the articles are devilish good and made me blue for a day, thinking of my own weak endeavors in the same way.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

October 5, 2011

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

October 5TH.—To-day several Southern-born gentlemen, who have lived long in the North, and have their fortunes and families there, applied for passports. They came hither to save the investments of their parents in Northern securities, by having them transferred to their children. This seems legitimate, and some of the parties are old and valued friends of mine. I know their sympathies are with their native land. Yet why are they so late in coming? I know not. It is for me to send them out of the country, for such is the order of the Secretary of War. The loyalty of the connections of these gentlemen is vouched for in a note (on file) written by Mr. Hunter, Secretary of State. Their names must be published as alien enemies. They will take no part in the war.

Zollicoffer reports result of reconnaissance to A. S. Johnston.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

October 5, 2011

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

Post image for Zollicoffer reports result of reconnaissance to A. S. Johnston.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

Saturday, 5th.—Setting out on his return between daybreak and sunrise, McNairy arrived at Camp Buckner a little after dark, and reported the result of his reconnaissance to Zollicoffer, who, on the next day, the 6th, sent the following communication to A. S. Johnston:

A reconnoitering detachment has just returned from London, reporting no appearance of an enemy there. They report, upon general information from country people, that there are 3,300 of the enemy encamped on Rockcastle hills (Wildcat), a strong position thirteen miles beyond, where the Mount Vernon road crosses the Rockcastle River.

I would move forward and attack them instantly but for unexpected deficiency in subsistence stores. Ten days ago I ordered the brigade commissary to accumulate a stock of thirty days’ rations for 5,000 men. To-day I have not five days’ rations. I could not properly advance with less than ten. I hope soon to have the supplies.

I sent a large detachment into Harlan county, where I heard there were 500 or 600 men embodied under arms. No organized enemy found.

I have sent a cavalry detachment to Williamsburg, some thirty miles west. Not yet returned. This is nearly my only means of getting information of the country.

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

Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

October 5, 2011

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

October 5.—M. P. and myself drove to Millwood yesterday, and heard various rumours of victories in Western Virginia, and in Missouri; but we are afraid to believe them. At home we go on as usual.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

October 5, 2011

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

October 5.—Twenty-three men in two boats were sent from the United States steamer Louisiana into Chincoteague Inlet, to burn a schooner which it was thought the rebels were thought to convert into a privateer. Near three hundred rebels on the shore endeavored to capture the beats, but were driven off by the guns of the steamer, and by the men in the beats, who fired the schooner and returned without loss.—(Doc. 69.)

—The London Post of this date contains an editorial article looking almost directly to the recognition of the Southern Confederacy. Appearing in a journal understood to represent the sentiments of Lord Palmerston, it must be accepted, if in no less favorable light, as an attempt to sound public opinion on the subject.

The London Times, same date, discusses the chances of the approaching campaign in the South, with the impression that they incline to the side of the National Government.

—The Fourth regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Justus I. McCarty, left Camp Greene, for Providence, from whence they departed for the seat of war. The sixth battery of Rhode Island Artillery, numbering one hundred and five men, accompanied the regiment.— Woonsocket Patriot, October 11.

—The gunboat Monticello, under the command of Lieutenant Braine, made an attack upon a body of rebels, that had driven the Twentieth Indiana regiment from their camp at Chicomacomico, North Carolina, and dispersed them with severe loss. A correspondent on board the Monticello gives the following account of the affair: “Last evening intelligence of the retreat of some of our troops reached us, and the Monticello was off at once. We ran up to Hatteras Light, and at early dawn this morning we found the Indiana regiment had retreated to the light-house before a force of nearly four thousand rebels. We ran around Hatteras Point close into the inner shoal, and stood up the beach to the north, looking for the rebels. At half-past one P. M. we found them retreating up the beach to where their steamers lay, they having discovered our approach. There was a regiment of Georgia troops and about eight hundred ununiformed fellows, armed with muskets. Running the steamer close to the beach, we opened on them with shell, and for four hours shelled them, during their attempt to embark. I tell you we fairly slaughtered them like sheep, sinking their boats as they attempted to get on board their vessels on the Sound side, blowing them to pieces as they waded out into the water. They threw away their arms, and ran wildly up and down the beach. We compelled them to strike all their flags ashore, and in their very faces landed a boat and rescued one of the Indiana regiment whom they had taken prisoner. We covered our boat with shells, and after firing upon them for four hours, and expending two hundred and eighteen shells, owing to night coming on we hauled off.—(Doc. 70.)