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

Friday, October 7, 2011

Post image for “Why do the Southern agents have it all their own way?”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his brother, Henry.

“Why do the Southern agents have it all their own way?”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his brother, Henry.

October 7, 2011

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

Quincy, Sunday, October 6, 1861

I received your letter of the 7th some ten days ago and not a word from London since; so that as I have seen no signs of trouble in the press, I presume the little flurry you there mention has passed away. In fact I cannot say I share your apprehensions, though I must confess I think the government’s cards, so far as the public sees them, are played badly enough both here and in England. While the agents of the Confederates are abroad working the whole time at public opinion and at the foreign mind, influencing papers and thinkers and undermining us the whole time, our press at home does but furnish them the materials they need and our agents abroad apparently confine their efforts to cabinets and officials and leave public opinion and the press to take care of themselves. This may not be so in fact, but if it is not, all that can be said is that the Southern emissaries are far more efficient than ours. We have money and the command of the sea, so that Europe can know nothing except through us, and yet, from the beginning, so much more active and efficient has the South been, that we have done nothing but lose ground. Why is this? I may be all wrong, but to me our policy in England seems as plain as noon-day, but I see no signs of its operation on the press, though I hope it is working secretly. England is made up of large interests. Some of those are in our favor and some opposed to us; but why are they not played off against each other? This war promises immense results to India, and has already carried up the Indian bonds. That interest is immensely powerful in England and can only reap benefit from the war; but I have not noticed that its organs were particularly friendly to us. The shipping interest derives great benefit from the war, but their organs are opposed to us. Why is this? What are our agents doing? Why is not India played off against Manchester and London against Liverpool? Why do the Southern agents have it all their own way? Why are not a few American papers sufficiently under the control of government to enable some expression of good sense to go abroad? Why is everything so utterly left to take care of itself? Remember I only ask these as questions, for I do not know but what a profound plan and ceaseless activity under-runs it all; but if it does, the State department certainly keeps its own councils much better than the war. So much for these things.

I wait curiously for the next development from abroad and chuckled amazingly over the tight place in which the Governor had got Lord John. Meanwhile, if there is to be trouble, for Heaven’s sake give me a few days’ notice. . . .

Tuesday, 7th

I send the corrected copy of Sumner’s speech herewith. Did you ever see anything like the classical exposure in the Advertiser? How can it be accounted for? What can Sumner mean by perpetrating historical frauds so sure of detection? The speech has been made the subject of most severe criticism and that too from men hitherto Sumner’s friends. Dana tore it to shreds for my edification in a most substantial manner, and Sumner has done himself no credit. For myself I’m glad the speech was made, though I think very differently from most in these matters. The education is going on and the fallacies lie hid. I agree with it, however, neither in theory or results, and if we had a Juvenal, would not the celebrated author of a certain 4th of July peace oration, now become the leading advocate for a savage Servile war, catch particular jess. Sumner is a humbug! There’s no doubt about it. He’s been a useful man in his day, but he’s as much out of place now as knights in armor would be at the head of our regiments.

The convention was managed and its results brought about by Dana, and it was to him a great personal triumph as he had all the old party associations to contend with. You never saw a man chuckle over anything as he did over his doings at Worcester. Sumner, I imagine, is offended with him and will evince it in the usual way. There is, of course, no political contest. The position of the country is now very curious and my strong conviction is that everything is ready and one good victory would start everything. Politics are so dead that a little success would lead to an era of good feeling in the North. Business is, in New England, all ready to rise under the tariff to a state of activity, unusual even in time of peace. Everything that is left is strong and the present feeling of depression is wholly unfounded. I am convinced that one victory would make an almost incredible change, but we shall not see it for a long time without a victory.

Post image for Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes.

October 7, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Lookout, Monday, October 7, 1861.

Dearest: — The mails are in order again. Letters will now come promptly. On the day after I wrote you last we got all the back letters — lots of papers and dates up to October 1. One queer thing, a letter from Platt of July 31 and one from Mother of October 1 got up the same day.

Our campaign is closed. No more fighting in this region unless the enemy attack, which they will not do. We are to entrench at Mountain Cove, eight miles from here, at Gauley Bridge, twenty miles off, and [at] Summersville, about the same. These points will secure our conquest of western Virginia from any common force, and will let half or two-thirds of our army go elsewhere. I hope we shall be the lucky ones to leave here.

The enemy and ourselves left the mountains about the same time; the enemy first, and for the same reason, viz., impossibility of getting supplies. We are now fourteen miles from Mount Sewell and perhaps thirty miles from the enemy. Our withdrawal was our first experience in backward movement. We all approved it. The march was a severe one. Our business today is sending off the sick, and Dr. Joe is up to his eyes in hard work. We have sixty to send to Ohio. This is the severest thing of the campaign. Poor fellows! We do as well as we can with them; but road-wagons in rain and mud are poor places.

Very glad — oh, so glad — you and Ruddy are well again. You did not tell me you were so unwell. I felt so badly to hear it. Do be very careful.

Don’t worry about the war. We are doing our part, and if all does not go well, it is not our fault. I still think we are sure to get through with it safely. The South may not be conquered, but we shall secure to the Nation the best part of it.

We hope to go to Kentucky. If so, we shall meet before a month. Our regiment is a capital one. But we ought to recruit. We shall be about one hundred to one hundred and fifty short when this campaign is ended.

Tomorrow is election day [in Ohio]. We all talked about it today. We are for Tod and victory.

Good-bye. Much love to all.

Affectionately, yours ever,

R.

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

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

October 7, 2011

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

Monday, 7th—I left for Davenport early this morning, riding to town with a farmer, and got back to camp at 2 o’clock. Quite a number of the boys around Allen’s Grove are in camp here as members of the Second Iowa Cavalry.

Post image for “Tomorrow there is to be a grand Review of 4000 Cavalry by Genl McClellan.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“Tomorrow there is to be a grand Review of 4000 Cavalry by Genl McClellan.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

October 7, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.,The American Civil War

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1861.

Went for Doct Piper this morning for Willie. He has I think only a bad cold on his lungs and will soon be well. I was on the Ave this morning, saw it filled with Cavalry for one mile. I was at the Pat office in Col James room. He is anxious to have me in his room, as 1st Assistant. Fixed up my Aquarium this afternoon in our dining room. It began to rain about dark with constant thunder and lightening. Tomorrow there is to be a grand Review of 4000 Cavalry by Genl McClellan.

______

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.

Tents arrive and provide relief from the rain.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

Post image for Tents arrive and provide relief from the rain.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

October 7, 2011

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

Monday, 7th.—Our tents, which had been left behind for some cause unknown to me, arrived. We were very glad to see them, for it had been raining almost constantly for the last two days, and as our battalion was camping in a low, flat place, we had mud and water in abundance.

B. A. Hancock. (Company E) was appointed assistant commissary in McNairy’s Battalion.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

October 7, 2011

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

OCTOBER 7TH.—Nothing of note.

Post image for “Dr. Bacon..,left in the night we suppose, with the regiment..,” — Woolsey family letters; Eliza to husband Joseph Howland.

“Dr. Bacon..,left in the night we suppose, with the regiment..,” — Woolsey family letters; Eliza to husband Joseph Howland.

October 7, 2011

Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Washington, Oct. 7.

After dinner to-day we said good-bye to Dr. Bacon, now Surgeon of the 7th Connecticut, and he left in the night we suppose, with the regiment, to join the second great land and naval expedition for the southern coast.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary.

William Howard Russell’s Diary.

October 7, 2011

My Diary North and South - William Howard Russell

October 7th.—The heat to-day was literally intolerable, and wound up at last in a tremendous thunderstorm with violent gusts of rain. At the Legation, where Lord Lyons entertained the English visitors at dinner, the rooms were shaken by thunder claps, and the blinding lightning seemed at times to turn the well illuminated rooms into caves of darkness.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

October 7, 2011

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

October 7.—Colonel Matthews, encamped with four hundred Home Guards about Twenty miles from Hermann, Missouri, was compelled to abandon his camp; he having received intelligence that a large body of rebels were marching to attack him.—N. Y. Tribune, October 9.

—Capt. Michael Berry, late of the steamship Marion, was arrested in New York by detective Raynor, of Brooklyn, and sent to Fort Lafayette on charge of treason. The exact nature of the charge preferred against Capt. Berry has not transpired, but it is supposed that he was acting as a confidential agent for Jeff. Davis. His sympathy for the Southern Confederacy, and the Palmetto flag especially, is notorious, and the only wonder is, that he was not conducted to prison long ago. His sailing under the rebel flag, and his open avowal of. sympathy for the enemies of the Union at Charleston and elsewhere, rendered him a dangerous man; but he is now placed in a position where he cannot act against the Union cause, even if he felt ever so much disposed to do so. His movements of late have been characterized with much secresy, and there is no knowing how much aid and comfort he has extended to the enemy, but henceforward it is presumed Capt. Berry will occasion little trouble or uneasiness.—N. Y. Herald, October 8.

—Fifty-seven released prisoners, taken at the battle of Bull Run, were returned to Fortress Monroe, from Richmond. They were released because their wants could not be supplied by the rebel Government.

—General Fremont, accompanied by General McKinstry, left Jefferson City for Sedalia, Mo., with the determination of following Gen. Price.—At Saratoga, N. Y., a large Union meeting was held, at which eloquent and stirring speeches were made by Lyman Tremaine, Benjamin Nott, and the Rev. A. D. Mayo, the Unitarian preacher.

—The gunboats Tyler and Lexington had an active engagement to-day, with the rebel shore batteries at Iron Banks, three miles above Columbus, Ky. The boats left Cairo, Ill., at nine o’clock, for down-river reconnoissance, and arriving at Lucas Bend, got sight of the rebel gunboat Jeff. Davis, which, on chase being given, put about with all possible despatch for Columbus. The Lexington and Conestoga, while in chase, and throwing shot, were suddenly fired upon by masked batteries on each side of the river. The shots, however, generally fell short. A battery of rifled cannon on the Iron Bunks, threw balls over and around the gunboats, cutting close, but fortunately doing no damage. Parties on board represent the scene for a time as particularly exciting. Shot and shell were flying in uncomfortable proximity, making the air ring with music. The guns of the boats were admirably manned, every shot going home, and the shells bursting in the air over the rebel quarters, causing a great .commotion among them. The boats finally drew off and returned to Cairo.—Cincinnati Commercial.