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

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Post image for Drowned Out and Starved Out

Drowned Out and Starved Out

June 2, 2012

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South by Dora Richards Miller

Monday, June 2, 1862.—On last Friday morning, just three weeks from the day the water rose, signs of its falling began. Yesterday the ground appeared, and a hard rain coming down at the same time washed off much of the unwholesome débris. To-day is fine, and we went out without a boat for a long walk.

______

Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in New Orleans, the diary was published anonymously, edited by G. W. Cable, names were changed and initials were often used instead of full names — and even the initials differed from the real person’s initials.
Post image for Woolsey Family during the War.

Woolsey Family during the War.

June 2, 2012

Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Abby Howland Woolsey to her sisters, Georgy and Eliza, with the Sanitary Commission on the Peninsula Campaign.

New York, June 2d, 1862.

My dear Girls : Charley’s letter of Thursday came in this morning. He explained to us his system of numbering and sorting the men’s luggage, etc., which interested us very much, and shows us what his duties are in some of their details. We are glad the nutmegs and lemon-squeezers happened to fit in a gap. What else can we send? I hope Moritz, with the rockers and brandy, will all arrive safely. Do you want more air-beds? . . . Dorus Woolsey has been in for a final goodbye this morning. He will get a furlough as soon as possible, for his business affairs hardly allow of his being absent so soon. The 7th, 22d and 37th are doing police duty at Baltimore. I mean they are the military guard of the city. . . . Rev. J. Cotton Smith went too as chaplain. The night before, he tried to make a speech to them in the regimental armory, but was cheered so that he had to stop. “Go on, go on!” they all cried, and he managed to make himself heard, and said On the whole I won’t go on now; all I want to add is that I am going on to-morrow!” at which there was tremendous cheering again.

Night was made hideous with Herald extras, screamed through the streets between eleven and twelve. We waited till this morning, and got the news in the morning papers of that horrible battle, and what is worse—that indecisive battle. It has shattered the strength of McClellan’s army—what poor creatures were left in it, after all the sickness and fatigue of the march—and has accomplished nothing. . . . Charley says that 3,900 men of Casey’s division were lost on the march. God help them and their families, who can only know that they died like dogs on a roadside with fatigue and hunger. This makes four full regiments out of a division which only had ten to start with. No wonder it was overborne and broke line and scattered! Never accuse such men of cowardice. . . . We are much worked up this morning with this news of our disaster, and with the information that North Carolina slave-laws are re-enforced and Colyer’s black schools disbanded by government direction. What Government that commits such an act, can expect anything but reverses to its arms!

Worst of all, as far as our petty little hopes and interests are concerned, here is the order promulgated this morning, by which General H. B. takes supreme military command of all sick and wounded arriving here on transports. They are to be unloaded at Fort Hamilton and Bedloe’s Island, and the ladies’ game at Park Barracks and at 194 is blocked. B. is a regular of the regulars as to primness and military order, and personally has no more heart than a mustard seed. . . . Jane has gone down this morning full of wrath, to kidnap Abbott, of the 16th, if possible, and send him to his friends in Maine. She wants to get a ticket transferring him to 194 Broadway, when, if necessary, he can be “lost on the way,” and whipped into a carriage and down to the Fall River boat! . . . All these volunteer efforts at comforting and clothing the men must come to an end. Fort Hamilton is too far out of the reach of ladies with oranges and clean pocket handkerchiefs, unless they hire a tug at ten dollars an hour, and go through all the formalities of military passes.

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

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

June 2, 2012

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

June 2. [Okolona, Mississippi]——News has been received from Virginia that we have gained a great victory, which I hope is true. Mrs. T. has two sons, who she expects were in the battle. Of course she is anxious about them, but does not act as many would—sit down and forebode the worst—but goes cheerfully to work, attending to the wants of those around her, with a firm trust that if her sons are wounded some good woman will be there to care for them.

Visited a hospital, of which the ladies of the place have special charge. They cook and prepare all the delicacies, and provide every thing at their own expense. It did me good to see the quantities of milk and good butter.

Miss Marks is here, and is improving. She is at a house called a hotel; the sole one the place affords. It is a perfect shanty.

Post image for A Diary From Dixie

A Diary From Dixie

June 2, 2012

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.

June 2d.—A battle¹ is said to be raging round Richmond. I am at the Prestons’. James Chesnut has gone to Richmond suddenly on business of the Military Department. It is always his luck to arrive in the nick of time and be present at a great battle.

Wade Hampton shot in the foot, and Johnston Pettigrew killed. A telegram says Lee and Davis were both on the field: the enemy being repulsed. Telegraph operator said: “Madam, our men are fighting.” “Of course they are. What else is there for them to do now but fight?” “But, madam, the news is encouraging.” Each army is burying its dead: that looks like a drawn battle. We haunt the bulletin-board.

Back to McMahan’s. Mem Cohen is ill. Her daughter, Isabel, warns me not to mention the battle raging around Richmond. Young Cohen is in it. Mrs. Preston, anxious and unhappy about her sons. John is with General Huger at Richmond; Willie in the swamps on the coast with his company. Mem tells me her cousin, Edwin de Leon, is sent by Mr. Davis on a mission to England.

Rev. Robert Barnwell has returned to the hospital. Oh, that we had given our thousand dollars to the hospital and not to the gunboat! “Stonewall Jackson’s movements,” the Herald says, “do us no harm; it is bringing out volunteers in great numbers.” And a Philadelphia paper abused us so fervently I felt all the blood in me rush to my head with rage.

______

¹ The Battle of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines, took place a few miles east of Richmond, on May 31 and June 1, 1862, the Federals being commanded by McClellan and the Confederates by General Joseph E. Johnston.

Post image for Through Some Eventful Years

Through Some Eventful Years

June 2, 2012

Through Some Eventful Years by Susan Bradford Eppes

June 2nd, 1862.—The wires are in working order and they bring us news of two big battles near Richmond, Seven Pines on the 31st of May and Fair Oaks on June 1st. The list of “killed, wounded and missing” will come later. Mother is not well today, we are afraid she has some fever.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

June 2, 2012

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

June 2.—Jacksonport, Arkansas, was visited by a rebel gunboat, commanded by Capt. Fry. After throwing a few shot and shell on the camp-ground just vacated by the Ninth Illinois cavalry, she dropped alongside the wharf-boat and destroyed all the cotton and molasses to be found.—Jacksonport Cavalier Extra, June 7.

—An enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Columbia, Tennessee, at which speeches were delivered by Niell Brown and Andrew Johnson, with great applause.—The First regiment of Fire Zouaves, N.Y.S.V., were mustered out of service at Governor’s Island.—General John A. Dix assumed command of Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, Va.—General Banks recrossed the Potomac and occupied Bunker Hill, Virginia.

—Mass meetings were held at Memphis, Tenn., yesterday and to-day. Addresses were made by Jeff. Thompson and others. Resolutions were adopted never to surrender voluntarily. Though Memphis had already seventy-two companies in the field, every man capable of bearing arms was called upon to repair forthwith to Fort Pillow. A committee was appointed to collect men, money, and arms.—Memphis Argus, June 2.

—Two boats belonging to the United States bark Kingfisher, of the blockading squadron off Saint Marks, Florida, were captured as they were proceeding up the Ocilla River for water, by a party of rebels on shore. Two of the boats’ crew were killed, two wounded, and the rest made prisoners.—New-Bedford Mercury, June 23.

—Parker Spring, superintending the construction of United States Military telegraph lines, gave an account, in a letter to the Lancaster (Pa.) Express, of the services of the Morse telegraph to the army, and of General McClellan’s use of it—(Doc. 129.)

—A party of National scouts captured the mate and six seamen belonging to the rebel gunboat Beauregard, at a point nearly opposite Fulton, Missouri.

—Edward L. Pierce, Special Agent of the Treasury Department of the United States, made a report concerning the condition of the freedmen of South-Carolina. — The Union forces under Major-Gen. Hunter, operating against Charleston, S. C, this day landed on James Island, under cover of the gunboats, without opposition.

—To-day the Union fleet of gunboats (eight vessels) moved up the James River from their former position at City Point, toward the rebel batteries below Richmond, Va. When some distance up, they got aground; the rebels appeared on a bluff on the opposite shore and fired into the fleet, which returned the fire and the rebels dispersed. At flood-tide the fleet backed off and dropped down the stream.

—A slight skirmish took place near Washington, N. C, between a small scouting party, composed of a sergeant and six men of Mix’s New York cavalry, and a force of rebel infantry, resulting in the capture by the rebels of three of the Union party.—Gen. Sigel was placed in command at Harper’s Ferry, Va.

—A fight took place on the road between Strasburgh and Staunton, Va., between a portion of the Union army under Gen. Fremont and the rebels under Gen. Jackson, resulting in the defeat of the latter. The rebels in the retreat burned the bridge after they had crossed the Shenandoah River at Mount Jackson.—(Doc. 53.)

Next Entries →