JUNE 21ST.—Gen. Beauregard is doubly doomed. A few weeks ago, when the blackness of midnight brooded over our cause, there were some intimations, I know not whether they were well founded, that certain high functionaries were making arrangements for a flight to France; and Gen. Beauregard getting intimation of an order to move certain sums in bullion in the custody of an Assistant Treasurer in his military department, forbid its departure until he could be certain that it was not destined to leave the Confederacy. I have not learned its ultimate destination; but the victory of the Seven Pines intervening, Gem Beauregard has been relieved of his command, “on sick leave.” But I know his army is to be commanded permanently by Gen. Bragg. There are charges against Beauregard. It is said the Yankee army might have been annihilated at Shiloh, if Beauregard had fought a little longer.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Saturday, 21st—We were relieved this morning by the Thirteenth Iowa. Some of the fruit in this locality is beginning to ripen and we will have some variety in our rations.
On the 8th of June, the Flag Officer having received the proper authority, once more turned the Hartford towards Vicksburg, followed by the Richmond—the Brooklyn being detained, but soon followed. We anchored near sunset, alongside the U. S. steam transport Tennessee, which had got aground. During the night the Brooklyn arrived, in company with several river steamers with troops. On the following morning two steamers fastened to the Tennessee, to tow her off, while we passed on, and arrived without accident at Baton Rouge on the 10th, where we found everything going off quietly. We lay here nearly ten days, during which time the mortar schooners of Capt. Porter’s fleet had passed by us, and having left one, we on the 19th took it in tow and started for Vicksburg. We proceeded with moderate speed and success until the 21st, in the evening, when we unexpectedly ran hard aground. Our attendant steamers immediately came up to our assistance, and after laboring the entire night, succeeded in getting afloat the following morning at eleven o’clock. Continuing on we passed some high bluffs, on which we looked for rebel batteries and accordingly kept prepared for them, but we were not molested. We observe that the river is rapidly falling, having thus far receded some six feet.
Camp Jones, Flat Top, June 21, 1862.—. . . Rather agreeable social evenings with the officers at my quarters, the band enlivening us with its good music.
Dr. McCurdy having been appointed inspector of hospitals for this division, we had a Dr. Hudson, of Medina, a new state surgeon, assigned to us as assistant surgeon in Dr. McCurdy’s place. Dr. Hudson turns out to be a thin-skinned, nervous, whimsical, whining Yankee. He has just heard of the death of a favorite daughter. His grief loses all respectability, coupled as it is with his weaknesses and follies. We agreed today with Dr. Holmes (the medical head man) to swap our Dr. Hudson “unsight, unseen” for any spare doctor he could turn out. We find we caught a Dr. Barrett, lately of Wooster, a young man of good repute. We take him, pleased well with the bargain.
21st. Saturday. Wrote home. Major Purington and Adjutant acted ridiculously in the evening. Out almost all night on a spree.
June 21—We reached Petersburg, Va., this morning at half-past two, and had barely laid down with a brick wall for my pillow when breakfast was announced in the shape of Mack Sample, who told us where we could get it. I ran the blockade with Katz, and went to see Mike Etlinger. He was not at home. Afterward we met Wortheim, and we all went again and got something good to eat. We then returned to our regiment, which is the 53d North Carolina Regiment, infantry, Col. William Owens, commander. We are enlisted for three years, or the war. We fell in line and marched to our camp, which is on Dunn’s Hill, just outside of the city.
June 21st. Weather broiling hot, and water as poor as can be; the sick list growing longer all the time, whole regiments of men going to the hospitals. At 4 P. M. fell in for a brigade drill, the first drill we have had this side of the Chickahominy; made a good appearance and performed promptly and correctly several complicated movements; we all enjoyed the excitement and display. Drill dismissed at 6:30 p. M. In the evening rode from one end to the other of the corps line; turned in early.
From Library of Congress:
Fair Oaks, Va., vicinity. Gen. George Stoneman and staff
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/cwp2003000075/PP/
June 21.—At New-Orleans, La., a large and enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Union Hall, in the Fourth district. The meeting was called to order by D. S. Dewees, Esq., who nominated Edwin White, Esq., as Chairman of the meeting. The following named gentlemen were appointed Vice-Presidents: Robert Watson, C. Auch, W. A. Bills, and Win. McDuff. L. M. Day, Esq., was appointed Secretary. Able and eloquent addresses were made by the President, Judge Hiestand, and D. S. Dewees, Esq. The meeting was characterized by great unanimity of feeling, and the addresses of the several gentlemen were received with universal demonstrations of appreciation. In the evening a festival took place at the Planter’s Hotel, the patriotic hostess of which is Madame De Bare. A grand Union ball was given, which was numerously attended.
—A series of skirmishes took place between a force of Union troops, under the command of Col. Sill, and a considerable body of rebel infantry and artillery, at the mouth of Battle Creek, Tennessee.—(Doc. 138.)
—Colonel Charles Ellett, commander of the ram squadron of the United States, on the Mississippi River, died at Cairo, Ill., while on his way to New-Albany, Ind.—The Seventh, Twenty-second, Thirty-seventh, and Forty-seventh regiments New-York State militia were mustered into the service of the United States Government for three months.
—A Fight took place near Fair Oaks, Va., between the pickets of the Union army, supported by a redoubt, and a large attacking force of rebels, in which the rebels were repulsed with great loss in killed and wounded. The Unionists lost two killed and seven wounded.
—General Butler, commanding Department of the Gulf, issued the following order at New Orleans:
“Any vessel attempting to leave this port and take away any person of color who did not come here on board of her, and has not a pass from these headquarters, will be liable to confiscation, and her master punished by imprisonment.
“No vessel shall so leave the port until the master shall take an oath that he has not any such person on board, and will not allow any such to come on board.”
—The rebels kept up a continuous shower of shells along the lines of the Union army before Richmond. They opened upon Gen. Hooker’s advance, but did no damage. Gen. Hooker replied from his batteries, by throwing heavy shells among their artillerymen, which caused them to retire.
—A reconnoissance was made by Captain Keenan, with two companies of the Pennsylvania cavalry, to the James River, Va. He successfully passed the rebel pickets and communicated with the Union gunboat Galena.
—An engagement took place at Simon’s Bluff, Wadmelaw Sound, S. C, between the United States gunboats Crusader and Planter, and a body of rebels stationed at that place.—(Doc. 139.)
