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

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Officers of Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery, Horse Artillery Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.

June 12, 2012

Library of Congress

Fair Oaks, Va., vicinity. Lt. Robert Clarke, Capt. John C. Tidball, Lt. William N. Dennison, and Capt. Alexander C.M. Pennington

From Wikipedia:

The Horse Artillery Brigade of the Army of the Potomac was a brigade of various batteries of horse artillery during the American Civil War.

Made up almost entirely of individual, company-strength batteries from the Regular Army’s five artillery regiments, the Horse Artillery operated under the command umbrella of the Cavalry Corps. The Horse Artillery differed from other light artillery (also known as “mounted” artillery) in that each member of the unit traveled on his own horse, rather than the traditional light artillery practice of some riding horses, while others rode on the limbers and caissons, with still others traveling on foot. With each man on his own horse, the unit could travel faster and more efficiently. It was the brainchild of former artillery captain and Brig. Gen. William Farquhar Barry, Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac, in 1861. With such a large percentage of the U.S. Horse Artillery being artillery batteries from the regular U.S. Army, it developed a superb reputation for military efficiency, accuracy of fire, and command presence in the field and in battle.

Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery (2nd Regiment of Artillery)

Commander: Captain John C. Tidball, USA, of Ohio

  • Lead (Right) Section Chief: First Lieutenant Alexander Cummings McWhorter Pennington, Jr., USA, of New Jersey
  • Rear (Left) Section Chief: First Lieutenant William Neil Dennison, USA, of Ohio
  • Center Section Chief: Second Lieutenant Robert Clarke, USA, of Pennsylvania

From Library of Congress:

Title:Fair Oaks, Va., vicinity. Lt. Robert Clarke, Capt. John C. Tidball, Lt. William N. Dennison, and Capt. Alexander C.M. Pennington

June 1862

Photographed by James F. Gibson

Photograph from the main eastern theater of war, the Peninsular Campaign

Civil War glass negative collection.  Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Record page for this image: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/cwp2003000078/PP/

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Through Some Eventful Years

June 12, 2012

Through Some Eventful Years by Susan Bradford Eppes

June 12th, 1862.—We have good news from the army of Northern Virginia; General Robert Lee has been appointed Commander in Chief. President Davis says there is not a more able officer in the Confederacy.

I finished my hundredth pair of socks today, usually I knit at night. We do not need a light to knit, but I wanted to finish this pair to complete the hundredth. I am learning to spin. The next pair I knit will be yarn of my own manufacture. Aunt Robinson, who taught me to knit, has completed three hundred pairs of socks and some stockings for herself. I do not believe I would ever have the patience to knit such long legs.

I am going boating this evening with Cousin Florence and Jewel Holland and Hattie. McBride is a pretty lake.

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A Diary From Dixie

June 12, 2012

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.

June 12th.—New England’s Butler, best known to us as “Beast” Butler, is famous or infamous now. His amazing order to his soldiers at New Orleans and comments on it are in everybody’s mouth. We hardly expected from Massachusetts behavior to shame a Comanche.

One happy moment has come into Mrs. Preston’s life. I watched her face to-day as she read the morning papers. Willie’s battery is lauded to the skies. Every paper gave him a paragraph of praise.

South Carolina was at Beauregard’s feet after Fort Sumter. Since Shiloh, she has gotten up, and looks askance rather when his name is mentioned. And without Price or Beauregard who takes charge of the Western forces? “Can we hold out if England and France hold off?” cries Mem. “No, our time has come.”

“For shame, faint heart! Our people are brave, our cause is just; our spirit and our patient endurance beyond reproach.” Here came in Mary Cantey’s voice: “I may not have any logic, any sense. I give it up. My woman’s instinct tells me, all the same, that slavery’s time has come. If we don’t end it, they will.”

After all this, tried to read Uncle Tom, but could not; too sickening; think of a man sending his little son to beat a human being tied to a tree. It is as bad as Squeers beating Smike. Flesh and blood revolt; you must skip that; it is too bad.

Mr. Preston told a story of Joe Johnston as a boy. A party of boys at Abingdon were out on a spree, more boys than horses; so Joe Johnston rode behind John Preston, who is his cousin. While going over the mountains they tried to change horses and got behind a servant who was in charge of them all. The servant’s horse kicked up, threw Joe Johnston, and broke his leg; a bone showed itself. “Hello, boys! come here and look: the confounded bone has come clear through,” called out Joe, coolly.

They had to carry him on their shoulders, relieving guard. As one party grew tired, another took him up. They knew he must suffer fearfully, but he never said so. He was as cool and quiet after his hurt as before. He was pretty roughly handled, but they could not help it. His father was in a towering rage because his son’s leg was to be set by a country doctor, and it might be crooked in the process. At Chickahominy, brave but unlucky Joe had already eleven wounds.

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A Diary of American Events.

June 12, 2012

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

June 12.—A fight took place at Waddell Farm, near Village Creek, Arkansas, between a body of National troops under the command of Colonel Albert E. Brackett of the Ninth Illinois cavalry, and a party of rebels known as “Hooker’s company,” in which the latter were defeated with a loss of twenty-eight killed, wounded and prisoners. Col. Brackett’s loss was one taken prisoner and twelve wounded.—(Doc. 66.)

—A Detachment of the Richmond Blues had a skirmish near the Chickahominy on the right wing of the rebel army, with a body of Yankee infantry. The fire of the Blues killed six of the Federals and placed several hors du combat, when they retreated.—Richmond Examiner, June 14.

—General Fremont left Harrisonburgh, Va. The citizens expressed their delight by an illumination of every house in the town.

—A Small expedition of United States forces under Captain Hynes, Topographical Engineers, went up the Nansemond River without resistance.—(Doc. 71.)

—Mount Jackson, Va., was occupied by the Union army under General Fremont.—A daring though unsuccessful attack was made on a battery on James Island, S. C, by the Seventy-ninth New-York, Eighth Michigan, and Twenty-eighth Massachusetts regiments.

—About forty farmers of Conway County, Arkansas, came into the Union lines at Batesville, to volunteer for the Union.—Missouri Democrat.

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