October 7. Busy and a little indisposed for a day or two. The President returned from his visit to the army Saturday night. I met him yesterday when I was riding out. He was feeling well and much gratified with news just received from Corinth, which he stopped me to communicate.
There was an indisposition to press the subject of negro emigration to Chiriqui at the meeting of the Cabinet, against the wishes and remonstrances of the States of Central America. The President gave an interesting account of his visit to Antietam, South Mountain, etc., the late battle-fields.
Had a brief canvass for candidates for Navy chaplain. The President wishes Coleman appointed. I suggested that these offices should be distributed among the States, and he concurred.
A number of highly respectable persons in Maine memorialized the President in behalf of George Henry Preble, recently dismissed, desiring his restoration. Submitted the memorial, which had been inclosed to me by Senator Pessenden with a request I would do so in a pretty earnest letter. The President read it through, and said no one could be dismissed or punished without bringing up a host of sympathizing friends to resist the unpleasant but necessary action of the Government, and make the victim a martyr. Said he would do nothing in this case unless I advised it.
Governor Andrew of Massachusetts called upon me this morning, and we had a frank, free, and full interchange of views. He is impatient under the dilatory military operations and the growing ascendency of the army in civil affairs. Our views did not materially differ on the points discussed, though he has been impressed by Stanton, who dislikes many army officers.
Tuesday, 7th—We kept on the march last night till 1 a. m., when we stopped in bivouac. The men were all very tired, yet were willing and anxious to go on if only they could capture Price, or even a part of his army. Leaving our bivouac at 8 o’clock this morning, we again started after Price. We soon came upon the rebels and shelled their rear guard almost all day. We took a great many prisoners. It is reported that they are breaking up into small bands and getting away through the timber and are scattering in every direction.
Tuesday, 7th. Commenced a letter to Fannie after the morning work. Went to the river and washed some shirts with Sergt. Smith, Co. K., a boy whom I like much from short acquaintance. Mail arrived about noon, letters from Fannies A. and H., Sarah Felton, Fred and George Ashman. Went to 9th Kansas surgeon to get medicine for Sturtevant. Finished good Fannie’s letter. Sick with carbuncle and I with boils afflicted. I am so disappointed that I can not see her and home friends this fall. Bunked with Capt. N., Co. K. tent. Read part of a letter from Melissa, good sister. Read the late Cleveland papers. We lay and talked about boy and girl friends.
Tuesday, 7th.—Orders to be ready to move at a moment’s notice. Some cannonading at a distance. Left camp at 2 P. M. Wagons all left behind; marching back in the direction of Versailes; crossed Kentucky River at McCowans Ferry, at sundown; camped on old camping-ground.
With this image, I wanted to try something different. While the color of the case remains vibrant, the photo is often faded. With this image, I reversed that by digitally “correcting” the fade of the photo and digitally “fading” the colors of the case.
Title: Unidentified soldier from Kentucky in Confederate uniform with two revolvers.
Medium: 1 photograph : sixth-plate ambrotype, hand-colored ; 9.7 x 8.8 cm (case)
Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs; Ambrotype/Tintype photograph filing series; Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Record page for image is here.
Civil War Portrait 010
Corinth, Tuesday, Oct. 7. The doctor came to take our names to be sent to a Northern hospital as they had no room for us [in the general hospital]. I asked permission to join the Company hospital, which was granted, so in the afternoon we joined our comrades; found the wounded all in good spirits.
OCTOBER 7TH. —Nothing further has been heard from Corinth. A great battle is looked for in Kentucky. All is quiet in Northern Virginia.
Some 2500 Confederate prisoners arrived from the North last evening. They are on parole, and will doubtless be exchanged soon, as we have taken at least 40,000 more of the enemy’s men than they have captured of ours.
Yesterday, Congress, which has prolonged the session until the 13th instant, passed a bill increasing the pay of soldiers four dollars per month. I hope they will increase our pay before they adjourn. Congress also, yesterday, voted down the proposition of a forced loan of one-fifth of all incomes. But the Committee of Ways and Means are instrutcted (sic) to bring forward another bill.
This evening Custis and I expect the arrival of my family from Raleigh, N. C. We have procured for them one pound of sugar, 80 cents; one quart of milk, 25 cents; one pound of sausage-meat, 37½ cents; four loaves of bread, as large as my fist, 20 cents each; and we have a little coffee, which is selling at $2.50 per pound. In the morning, some one must go to market, else there will be short-commons. Washing is $2.50 per dozen pieces. Common soap is worth 75 cents per pound.
