May 12th.—Started for Clinton about 8 A. M.; went on train to Copper Hill. Had to leave our mess box; think we will get it again in few days. Marched and found regiment camped on bank of Clinch River, about sundown.
(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
May 12.—Two men died this morning, Mr. Adams and Mr. Brennan, from Coffee County, Alabama. Mr. B. was wounded. As a friend, Mr. A. came to nurse him. Both were taken sick this morning, and died after a few hours’ illness.
We have the same sad scenes to witness as ever—sick and wounded men lying on the platform at the depot, night and day, and we are not allowed to take them any thing to eat. Dr. Smith is obliged to prohibit it, as it is contrary to orders, and he has not the food to spare for them.
A terrible circumstance happened a few nights since. Our druggist, Dr. Sizemore, went out about 9 o’clock to see some one. When within a short distance from the hospital he heard groans; went to the place from which they proceeded, and found a box-car, that had been switched off the track, filled with wounded men, some dead and others dying, and not a soul with them to do any thing for them. The conductor was censured, but I think whoever sent the men off are in fault for not sending proper persons to take care of them. If this kind of treatment of our brave men continues much longer, I fear that we will have none to fight for us, for such a total disregard of human life must have a demoralizing effect. If we had many more such kind-hearted officers as Dr. Smith, our men would suffer little through neglect. None leave this hospital without he is certain they can go comfortably, and have plenty of nourishment to last them on their journey. I have seen him, many a time, go to the cars himself, to see that they were properly put in. I am informed that he spends every cent of his pay for their comfort . He will reap his reward.
May 12th.—Mr. Chesnut says he is very glad he went to town. Everything in Charleston is so much more satisfactory than it is reported. Troops are in good spirits. It will take a lot of iron-clads to take that city.
Isaac Hayne said at dinner yesterday that both Beauregard and the President had a great opinion of Mr. Chesnut’s natural ability for strategy and military evolution. Hon. Mr. Barnwell concurred; that is, Mr. Barnwell had been told so by the President. “Then why did not the President offer me something better than an aideship?” “I heard he offered to make you a general last year, and you said you could not go over other men’s shoulders until you had earned promotion. You are too hard to please.” “No, not exactly that, I was only offered a colonelcy, and Mr. Barnwell persuaded me to stick to the Senate; then he wanted my place, and between the two stools I fell to the ground.”
My Molly will forget Lige and her babies, too. I asked her who sent me that beautiful bouquet I found on my center-table. “I give it to you. ‘Twas give to me.” And Molly was all wriggle, giggle, blush.
May 12.—General McClellan, in camp at Roper’s Church, Virginia, sent the following despatch to the War Department:
“Commander Rodgers writes me to-day that he went with the gunboats yesterday past Little Brandon. Every thing quiet and no signs of troops crossing the river. He found two batteries, of ten or twelve guns each, on the south side of James River; one opposite the mouth of the Warwick, the other about south-west from Mulberry Point.
“The upper battery, on Hardin’s, or Mother Pine’s Bluff, has heavy rifled pieces. Between the batteries lay the Jamestown and Yorktown. Commander Rodgers offered battle, but the gunboats moved off. He silenced one battery and ran past the other.”
—Harvey Brown was confirmed as Brevet Brigadier-General in the United States army.
— President Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring that the blockade of the ports of Beaufort, Port Royal, and New-Orleans shall so far cease and determine, from and after the first of June next, that commercial intercourse with these ports, except as to persons and things and information contraband of war, may from that time be carried on, subject to the laws of the United States and to the limitations and in pursuance of the regulations which are prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.— (Doc. 14.)
—Commander Palmer, of the United States steamer Iroquois, demanded the surrender of the city of Natchez, Mississippi, to the naval forces of the United States.
—Two regiments from Kentucky and Tennessee attempted to desert from the rebel army, near Corinth, but were forcibly detained.—The rebel steamer Gov. Morton was captured.
—The United States Senate passed Mr. DooIittle’s bill providing for the collection of taxes in the insurrectionary districts.—During a debate on the motion fixing a time of adjournment, Mr. Wilson called Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, to order for uttering treasonable sentiments. After some explanation the point of order was withdrawn, and the motion laid on the table.
—A Convention of Unionists was held at Nashville, Tennessee, this day. Patriotic resolutions were adopted without dissent, and eloquent addresses were made by Governor Andrew Johnson, William H. Polk, General Campbell, Wm. B. Stokes, W. H. Wisner, Edmund Cooper, and others. A committee was appointed to prepare an address to the people of the State; and the policy of Governor Johnson was “cordially approved.”— (Doc. 97.)
—The Charleston (S. C.) Courier of this date congratulates the citizens of Charleston upon their being four times stronger than New-Orleans. Large consignments of stones from Columbia and the interior, and iron chains and other materials will soon be on their way to aid in constructing a stone wall to block out the invaders from approaching within shelling distance of the city. The Southern papers condemn General Butler’s order No. 28, as “cowardly and infamous,” but do not publish it
—This night a party under Lieut. Flusser of the Commodore Perry went on shore six miles above Elizabeth City, N. C, and three miles into the country, and recovered the White Point Light-House apparatus. To prevent information of the movement being conveyed to some rebel cavalry in the neighborhood, all the men found on the route were retained until every thing had been conveyed to one of the boats, which was done by some rebel teams pressed into the service.— Official Report.
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