8th.—Mr. N. joined us this morning,, and we all gathered here for the day. It seemed so much like old times, that C. broke a war rule, and gave us pound-cake for supper.
Monday, October 8, 2012
October 8, Wednesday. Had a long interview with Governor Morgan on affairs in New York and the country. He says Wadsworth will be elected by an overwhelming majority; says the best arrangement would have been the nomination of Dix by the Democrats and then by the Republicans, so as to have had no contest. This was the scheme of Weed and Seward. Says a large majority of the convention was for renominating him (Morgan). I have little doubt that Weed and Seward could have made Morgan’s nomination unanimous, but Weed intrigued deeper and lost. He greatly preferred Morgan to Wadsworth, but, trying to secure Dix, lost both. Morgan says Aspinwall, whom he met here yesterday, had seen and got from McClellan the general army order just published sustaining the Emancipation Proclamation. Has some speculation in regard to McClellan’s prospects, designs, and expectations as to the Presidency; doubts if he wants it, but thinks he cannot avoid it, — all which is of the New York political bill of fare.
Wednesday, 8th—We did not get into bivouac until late last night, and again started on our march early this morning. We marched until 3 p. m., when we halted to rest, going into bivouac for the night in a large field of cow-peas, near the town of Ripley, Mississippi. We ran out of rations and foraging parties were sent out. They brought in sweet potatoes and fresh pork, which is all we have to eat. I picked some cow-peas and cooked them; they are rather strong, yet better than nothing to eat. The report is that the rebels have scattered out and escaped, and that we shall not follow them any longer. We are so far from our base of supplies that we are in danger of being captured.
To Mrs. Lyon.
Fort Henry, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862.—I am just ready to commence my series of semi-weekly letters. I had a long trip, or, rather, took a long time to get here. I stayed in Chicago Thursday night, Friday night slept on the cars, getting to Cairo early Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon went to Mound City, returning to Cairo Sunday morning. Bought a horse for $150. Monday afternoon went to Paducah. Tuesday afternoon started up the Tennessee on a 7 by 9 steamboat, getting here early Wednesday morning. I met with a most cordial reception from everybody. I assumed command and held a dress parade last evening. There are but six companies of the regiment here. Two are at Donelson, one at Hickman, and one at Smithland.
We have a pleasant situation, and the Quartermaster pitched in yesterday and made me very comfortable. I have a large tent, with a good table, bedstead (all rough, of course) and many other little conveniences. I board at present with the Quartermaster and one of the Captains, and live well. I am constantly getting better. My cough and cold have entirely disappeared.
I am trying to get a good negro and wife and go to housekeeping. Would you like to call on us? It looks as if we might remain here for some time. There is no settlement here, nothing but troops, and not many of them. The main trouble is that the river is so low. But few boats come here from the outside world more than once or twice a week. This will account for any delay in the receipt of letters from me.
Write me all you know about the part the 8th took in the late fight at Corinth, also the 16th. I am very anxious to hear about it. I hope the 8th was not in, but suppose it was. The 16th must have been engaged. There is another battle I have lost by reason of my promotion.
After the river rises, so that boats run more freely on it, if it still looks like remaining here some time, I think you must try to come and see me, but I do not dare to have you bring the children. The river will probably rise in November.
Wednesday, 8th. Commenced drizzling in the morning and kept it up all day. I was detailed to act as Sergt. Major, which pleased me much. Went with picket detail and reported to Stewart at Salomon’s headquarters. Went down and saw Battery boys, and Archie, Reeve, Brooks, and Mason. Good time. In the P. M. Major Burnett with detail started back to Fort Scott. Major sick. Our cook among the detail, so we boys had to commence cooking ourselves. Kept raining all night. Battery paid off and very noisy.
(W. W. Phelps to E. F. Lusk)
New-York, Oct. 8th, 1862.
My dear Mrs. Lusk:
I inclose Willie’s letter, in hopes that it has not yet been too long at hand to be the latest from his Headquarters.
I have pleasure in announcing the result of an application at Albany, which Mr. Phelps wrote you about.
I saw the Gov.
“If the position were vacant I should give it to you now. All I can say under the circumstances is this, if the vacancy occurs, and the facts are as stated about your friend, he shall have it. I will bear it in mind.”
I wrote Will immediately that what he had to do was to get Elliott to resign, and proof that he was the Senior Captain, when he could mount his gold leaf as Major.
You can imagine how difficult it is to obtain a Commission out of regular order, from the fact that the Gov. has been trying for a month to get a simple Lieutenancy for a ward of his.
Very truly,
W. W. Phelps.
Wednesday, 8th.—Left camp at 5 A. M. Marched to Versailes and rested awhile; again ordered forward. Various rumors to-day; some say there is from 10,000 to 20,000 Yankees near. Crossed Kentucky River at 7 P. M.; halted at 8; rested until 1 A. M.; ordered forward at 5 A. M.; pickets fighting; look for hard fighting to-day.
OCTOBER 8TH.—At last we have definite accounts of the battle of Corinth, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday last. We have been defeated, and fearful has been the slaughter on both sides. The enemy had overwhelming numbers. We have no particulars, further than that our army retreated This is bad for Van Dorn and Price.
My family arrived last night, well, and pleased with the cottage, which they call Robin’s Nest. But we were saddened by the loss of a trunk—the most valuable one—containing some heavy spoons, forks, and other plate, saved from the wreck at Burlington; my wife’s velvet cloak, satin dress (bought in Paris), my daughter’s gold watch, and many other things of value. Twelve trunks, the right number, were delivered; but one did not belong to us.
The lady in these two images is identified on the Library of Congress website as “Mrs. Sarah A. Dasher [….], Ga.” in the image on the left and “Sarah A. Dasher,” wife of the unidentified soldier in the other image.
According to the Library of Congress, her name comes from writing on the back of the case. Accordingly, it is most probable that Dasher is her married name, as it would be unlikely that the honorific, “Mrs.” would be used with her birth name.
Less like is that the name on the back of the photo on the right was her birth name and not her married name. If that were the case, a possible match might be Sarah A. Dasher, born July 1, 1819, who married James Wisenbaker October 16, 1837. James was born in 1809 and died in April, 1868, in Valdosta, Georgia. Sarah died in 1888. Her broken headstone bears the name Sarah Dasher, wife of Jam[es] Wisenb[aker]. However, Larry Anderson, in a comment below, states that photos of the couple in the possession of descendents bear no resemblance to the couple in these ambrotypes. (edited 11/4/2013)
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Title: Mrs. Sarah A. Dasher, […], Ga.
Medium: 1 photograph : sixth-plate ambrotype, hand-colored ; 9.3 x 8.1 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.
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Title: Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform and his wife, Sarah A. Dasher
Medium: 1 photograph : quarter-plate ambrotype, hand-colored ; 11.9 x 9.5 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.
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The images at the beginning of this post were digitally edited to reduce effects of fading of the photos and to digitally fade the frame to make the photos stand out more.
Civil War Portrait 011
October 8. [Chattanooga] —The weather still continues warm.
More bad news. On the 20th ult. General Price had a battle in Iuka, Miss., and was defeated. It is said his men fought valiantly, but were overpowered by numbers.
On the 3d and 4th inst., another was fought at Corinth—said to be the most desperate of the war. General Van Dorn was in command. After a severe struggle for the place, and the loss of many men, we had to retire, as the place was so strongly fortified. I know what General Price’s men will say; that, had he been in command,
..
“Another sight had seen that morn—
From Fate’s dark book a leaf been torn.”
..
Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, no doubt, will be the losers in this sad affair, as those states were well represented in that army. I do sincerely hope that the wounded from it are well cared for. Mississippi is destined to be sacred ground, bathed with the blood of martyrs.
It is raining very hard. We still have our trials. Lately I have had a little kitchen to myself; and as every chimney seems to have been planned by the same architect, mine has the failing of others— is smoky.
Mrs. May is sick; and it is not much to be wondered at, as she has been so sorely tried in many ways. She is going home. I regret her leaving, as she has been so faithful to the sick. Mrs. W. is also complaining.
While in the midst of my troubles this morning, I received a letter from one of my Corinth patients, who had been badly wounded there, thanking me for what little attention I had paid him. He seemed so grateful that I felt I could bear more trials than I have to receive such gratitude in return. He is an officer in a Tennessee regiment, and is very hopeful about our cause; thinks that Buell is “whipped.”
