April 2012

A Diary of American Events.

April 25, 2012

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

April 25.—The bombardment of Fort Macon, N. C, by the combined forces of Gen. Burnside and Com. Goldsborough, terminated in the reduction and capture of the garrison.—(Doc. 135.)

—The Forts on Lake Ponchartrain, La., were this day evacuated by the rebel forces, and all their gunboats on the lake were burnt or otherwise destroyed.—Richmond Despatch, April 29.

—New-Orleans, La., surrendered to the naval forces of the United States, under the command of Flag-Officer D. G. Farragut.—(Doc. 149.)

—Major-Gen. C. F. Smith died at Savannah, Tenn., at four o’clock this afternoon, of dysentery. He was taken sick shortly after the occupation of Savannah by the forces under him.

—Major Von Steinhaus, Capt Botticher, and Capt Camp, of the Sixty-eighth regiment of New York volunteers; Lieut. Lombard, Battalion Adjutant Eighth Illinois cavalry, and Assist. Surg. Williams, First New-York artillery, were, by the order of President Lincoln, struck from the roll of the’ army, for being captured while straggling, without authority, beyond the National lines.

—Com. Paulding published a letter giving an account of the destruction of the Norfolk Navy Yard, in April, 1861.— (Doc. 148.)

—Henry Kuhl, Hamilton W. Windon, and Conrad Kuhl, having been tried by court-martial, in Western Virginia, and found guilty of murdering a Union soldier, the two first named were sentenced to be hung, and the third to wear a ball and chain, and perform hard labor during the war. Major-Gen. Fremont, in an order issued this day, confirmed the findings and sentence of the court. The hanging is to take place at Suttonville, on the ninth of May, and the ball and chain individual is ordered to Camp Chase, to satisfy the violated law in that locality.— Cincinnati Gazette, April 29.

Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne

April 24, 2012

Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

St. Helena’s Island, Pope’s Plantation.
April 24, 1862.

[Diary]

Mr. Pierce’s Head Quarters—

Family — Mrs. Johnson and her sister;

Miss Donelson;

Miss Susan Walker;

Miss Winsor;

Miss Laura Towne;

Rina, Rebecca, Susannah, Lucy, Jane, Harry, Joe, Dagus, and others, being outside and inside members of the household.

Miss Donelson goes home only because she is not so situated that she can work.

The question of to-day is how to dispose of the clothing to the poor people. They are willing to buy generally, but the supply is too small to admit of selling all they want. . . .

They say, “Gov’ment is fighting for us and we will work for Gov’ment. We don’t ask money; we only ask clothes and salt and sweetins.” They express the greatest love for the Yankees.

We ladies are borrowed, to go talk to the negroes, from one plantation to another, and we do good, great good. If I only had time to tell all they say to me! Or how they come thronging here for clothes and go away “too satisfied — too thank,” one woman said, at receiving some few things — generally, too, second-hand — some of it miserable. Too thankful, indeed, if you will only let them buy. We go again to-morrow upon a visit of cheering to the poor, anxious people who have lived on promises and are starving for clothes and food while patiently “working for Gov’ment.”

The cotton agents promised last year and now are just paying for the cotton picked on their promise, one dollar in four — the rest in orders on their stores, where they sell molasses at fifteen cents a pint and soap and salt in proportion. The negroes take it hard that they must work at cotton again this year, especially as it must be to the neglect of their corn, upon which they have the sense to feel that their next winter’s food depends….

Farragut’s Fleet passing the Forts.

April 24, 2012

Library of Congress

(click on image for larger version)

Pang & Company Catalog Description:

“Capture of New Orleans.”
Farragut’s Fleet passing the Forts.
This naval scene is a brilliant representation of that famous battle by night, showing the Mississippi squadron, under Commodore Farragut, passing Forts Philip and Jackson, and the engagement with them and with the Confederate gunboats in the early morning of April 24, 1S62. The terrific fire belched forth from the heavy guns and mortars, the flash of the bursting shells, and the light from blazing fire-rafts, turned adrift to destroy the Union fleet, form a lurid and exciting spectacle, and represent one of the most hotly contested naval battles of the war.
The final victory of the fleet secured the opening of the Lower Mississippi and the surrender of the city of New Orleans to the Union forces.

Image was digitally enhanced for fade correction, contrast, brightness, and color.

Capture of New Orleans by Julian Oliver Davidson; Fac-simile Print by L. Prang and Company; Copyright 1886 by L. Prang & Co., Boston

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

This drawing is located here on the Library of Congress website.

Diary and Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes.

April 24, 2012

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Price’s Farm, four miles south of Raleigh, Virginia, April 24, 1862. Thursday. — Left camp at Beckley’s at 10:30 A. M. with Twenty-third, a section of McMullen’s Battery under Lieutenant Crome, twenty horse under Captain Gilmore and his first lieutenant, Abraham. Reached here at 1.30 P. M. A short march but crossed two streams somewhat difficult. Broke one whiffletree. All right, with this exception. Camp on fine ground, sandy, rolling and near to Beaver Creek. Floyd camped here on his retreat from Cotton Hill. The men carried their knapsacks; shall try to accustom them to it by easy marches at first. They are in fine spirits; looked well.

A hostile feeling exists toward the Twenty-third by the Thirtieth. Had a talk with Colonel Jones, Major Hildt, and Colonel Ewing. All agree that Major Comly and myself have treated them well, but the company officers of the Twenty-third have not behaved fraternally towards them. The immediate trouble now is some defilement of the quarters we left for the Thirtieth in Raleigh. This must be looked into and punished if possible.

This is one of the finest camping spots I have seen. Soil sandy, surface undulating, in the forks of two beautiful mountain streams; space enough for a brigade and very defensible. It began to rain within half an hour after our tents were pitched and was “falling weather” (west Virginia phrase for rainy weather) the rest of the day. This is the sixth day of falling weather, with only a few streaks of sunshine between.

Rebel War Clerk

April 24, 2012

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

APRIL 24TH —Webster has been tried, condemned, and hung.

Is it not shameful that martial law should be playing such fantastic tricks before high heaven, when the enemy’s guns are booming within hearing of the capital?

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

April 24, 2012

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

Thursday, 24th—No news of importance.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

April 24, 2012

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

24th. In the morning early, Companies “A” and “G” came in with Major Burnett and staff. At noon fifty men from each of the four companies of Burnett’s battalion left camp, marched twenty miles. Our ride was through a rich country, over Gen. Siegel’s first battle field. Many pretty flowers. Passed a little deserted village. Encamped by a clear stream and occupied some vacant houses. After supper made our bed out of doors and had a good night’s rest.

Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

April 24, 2012

Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

April 24.—Mr. Isaac Fuquet, the young man who had his arm cut off, died to-day. He lived only a few hours after the amputation. The operation was performed by Surgeon Chaupin of New Orleans, whose professional abilities are very highly commended. Dr. Hereford was well acquainted with Mr. F., and intends to inform his mother of his death.

It is reported that an engagement is going on at Monterey. A wounded man has just been brought in.

The amputating table for this ward is at the end of the hall, near the landing of the stairs. When an operation is to be performed, I keep as far away from it as possible. To-day, just as they had got through with Mr. Fuquet, I was compelled to pass the place, and the sight I there beheld made me shudder and sick at heart. A stream of blood ran from the table into a tub in which was the arm. It had been taken off at the socket, and the hand, which but a short time before grasped the musket and battled for the right, was hanging over the edge of the tub, a lifeless thing. I often wish I could become as callous as many seem to be, for there is no end to these horrors.

The passage to the kitchen leads directly past the amputating room below stairs, and many a time I have seen the blood running in streams from it.

There is a Mr. Pinkerton from Georgia shot through the head. A curtain is drawn across a corner where he is lying to hide the hideous spectacle, as his brains are oozing out.

Journal of Surgeon Alfred L. Castleman.

April 24, 2012

Journal of Surgeon Alfred L Castleman.

24th.—Comparatively quiet to-day, with only occasional skirmishing along the lines. Sickness rapidly increasing; yet government furnishes no medicines, no appliances for comfort of sick and wounded!