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

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Post image for Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

October 17, 2012

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

October 17 — Last night was about as dark as they generally get in this country. I was on guard duty during the fore part of the night and it rained very hard all through my whole watch. We had no fire until after midnight, the ground, wood, and everything else being soaking wet; even the darkness felt like a wet blanket. I made my bed on top of a rock pile. It was a little hardish at first, but it was the driest place I could find and I had the sweet consolation of knowing that the ground all around the rock pile was soft.

Early this morning we were ordered to Summit Point to do picket duty. Summit Point is a station on the Winchester and Potomac Railroad, sixteen miles below Winchester. When we arrived at the station it was reported that the Yankees were advancing, and we put our guns in battery immediately and remained in battery until dusk, when we were ordered to Charlestown. We moved in that direction about two miles when the order was countermanded and we returned to Summit Point; camped. We heard cannon this afternoon in the direction of Martinsburg.

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

October 17, 2012

Diary of Gideon Welles

October 17, Friday. The question of traffic at Norfolk was discussed in Cabinet. General Dix has, I see, made some headway. Stanton wanted to transfer the whole subject of permits for army supplies and intercourse to General Dix. Chase thought there should be leave granted for return cargoes also. I requested, if there was to be a modification of the blockade, that it should be distinctly understood and announced to what extent. If traffic was to be authorized, it should be publicly known. Let us not have the shame, demoralization, and wrong of making a measure of this kind a cover for favoritism. No distinct conclusion was arrived at.

Post image for Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

October 17, 2012

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Friday, 17th—Everybody is now busy in the routine duties of camp life. The Government is having some deep wells drilled here in our camp; one of them is now completed and we are enjoying plenty of good water, although it is quite a job to draw it. We draw the water by means of a bucket attached to the end of a rope which runs upon a pulley fastened upon a tall pine tree standing near the well. The bucket is about four feet long and has a valve in the bottom. There are always some of the men at the well waiting for their turn to draw water.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

October 17, 2012

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

Friday, 17th. Aroused at 3 A. M. Killed a calf for breakfast. Quite a time trying to kill a pig. Marched at sunrise. Whole command gone from old camp. Rear guard. At noon arrived at Kritsville. Stayed till 10 P. M. Marched again at 10 and moved till near morning. Lay down a few minutes by a little fire. Before daybreak passed the Arkansas line, Elkhorn Tavern, and stopped for a cold lunch on the old Pea Ridge battle ground. Interesting—trees considerably marred by bullets. Shot, grape, and shell picked up by different boys as relics of the battle.

Post image for Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy.

Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy.

October 17, 2012

Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

Friday, 17th.—Woke up this morning; a hog had taken my haversack from under J. A. Park’s head and had eaten up all my bread. Regiment passed during the night; overtook at Rock Castle River; camped two miles farther on.

Post image for An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones.

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones.

October 17, 2012

An Artilleryman's Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 6th Battery, Wisconsin Artillery.

Corinth, Friday, Oct. 17. Resolutions relative to those who fell in battle on the 4th inst. were offered by H. S. Keene and unanimously adopted by the camp on roll call P. M.

Post image for Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the U.K., to his son, Charles.

Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the U.K., to his son, Charles.

October 17, 2012

Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.

London, October 17, 1862

General McClellan’s work during the week ending the 18th has done a good deal to restore our drooping credit here. Most of the knowing ones had already discounted the capture of Washington and the capitulation of the Free States. Some had gone so far as to presume the establishment of Jefferson Davis as the President instead of Lincoln. The last number of the Edinburgh Review has a wise prediction that this is to be effected by the joint labors of the “mob” and of “the merchants” of the city of New York. This is the guide of English intelligence of the nature of our struggle. Of course it follows that no sensible effect is produced excepting from hard blows. If General McClellan will only go on and plant a few more of the same kind in his opponent’s eyes, I shall be his very humble servant, for it will raise us much in the estimation of all our friends. Mr. Gladstone will cease to express so much admiration of Jefferson Davis, and all other things will begin to flow smoothly again.

We are all very quietly at home. Last week I made a flying trip into the north to pay a visit to a good friend of America in Yorkshire.1 It gave me an opportunity to see a very pretty region of country, and the ruins of Bolton Abbey and Barden Towers in the picturesque valley of the river Wharfe. If they only had a little more sunlight, it would be very exquisite. But the excessive profusion of verdure unrelieved by golden rays, and only covered with a leaden sky, gives an aspect of sadness to quiet scenery which I scarcely relish. On the whole I prefer the brilliancy of America, even though it be at the cost of a browner surface.

My friend is a Colonel of a volunteer regiment, after the fashion of almost everybody here. For the fear of Napoleon has made the whole world turn soldier. Whilst I was with him he had some exercise at target practice with two sections of his riflemen. I went up to witness it, and thought it on the whole very good. The distances were three, four and five hundred yards. The best hits were nineteen in twenty. Three tied at eighteen, and then all the way down to eleven, which was the poorest. It seemed to me excellent practice, but I do not profess to be a judge. I suppose our people in the army by this time are able to do full as well if not better….

__________

1 William E. Forster.

Post image for A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

October 17, 2012

A Soldier's Diary, The Story of a Volunteer, David Lane, (17th Mich. Vol. Infantry)

Pleasant Valley, October 17th, 1862.

Being in a wakeful mood, I will try and compose my mind by writing a few lines in my diary, for we have become great friends—yes, confidantes—and tonight I need a confidante. Did I ever tell you, my silent friend, of my Northern home; of wife and children, loving and beloved? Then listen, while I whisper in your ear the sacred secret. I have a wife and four small children far off in Michigan. I love them with all the intensity and devotion of my nature. The thought of them is ever uppermost in my mind. In the daily, monotonous rounds of duty; in the long, dreary evenings, when folly reigns; in the stillness of the night; on the rugged, toilsome march, or in the tumult of battle, thoughts of the dear ones at home arc ever present, inspiring me with hope, encouraging me to duty, a shield against temptation, a beacon light, shining out upon the stormy sea of strife on which my frail bark is launched, enabling me, thus far, to shun the rocks and quicksands that surround me.

Our regiment returned today from Frederic, where it has been guarding the railroad. We hear that General Wilcox, Colonel Fenton and Colonel Withington are to be promoted. We are heartily glad their eminent services are about to be rewarded by the Government. They are men of marked ability, and have well earned their honors. Although it will take from us our gallant Colonel, there is some compensation even in that. It will leave the regiment in command of Lieutenant Colonel Luce, who is beloved by all our men. We have heard heavy cannonading all day, but have not learned the result. It is rumored that we will move in a day or two—perhaps tomorrow. Where we go, even rumor sayeth not. Our men say it does not matter where, so they take us where work is to be done. Two men deserted from Co. G yesterday and two today. This splendid regiment that left Detroit two months ago nearly one thousand strong, mustered today, at inspection, two hundred and fifty-six men fit for duty. There are more sick than well, the result of insufficient supplies, and brutal, needless exposure of the men by officers high in rank.

The weather is delightful—cold and frosty nights, with warm sunshiny days and pure, fresh, mountain breezes that should strengthen and invigorate, and yet, of all who came from Blackman and Sandstone, I alone am well.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

October 17, 2012

A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

OCTOBER 17TH.—The article in the Whig is backed by one of a similar character in the Examiner. We shall see what effect they will have on the policy adopted by the Secretary of War.

Although still unofficial, we have confirmatory accounts of Bragg’s victory in Kentucky. The enemy lost, they say, 25,000 men. Western accounts are generally exaggerated.

The President has appointed the following lieutenant-generals: Jackson, Longstreet, (Bishop) Polk, Hardee, Pemberton, Holmes, and Smith (Kirby).

The raid of Stuart into Pennsylvania was a most brilliant affair. He captured and destroyed much public property—respecting that of individuals. The Abolitionists are much mortified, and were greatly frightened. The plan of this expedition was received at the department to-day—just as conceived and prepared by Lee, and it was executed by Stuart in a masterly manner.

Advices from Winchester inform the government that McClellan is receiving large reinforcements. He may be determined to cross the Potomac and offer battle—as nothing less will satisfy the rabid Abolitionists. Gen. Lee is tearing up the rails on the road from Harper’s Ferry.

Our improvident soldiers lose a great many muskets. We should not have arms enough on the Potomac, were it not for those captured at Harper’s Ferry. An order will be issued, making every man responsible for the safe-keeping of his gun.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

October 17, 2012

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

October 17.—A fight took place near Lexington, Kentucky, between a rebel force of about three thousand cavalry and six pieces of artillery, under the command of General John Morgan, and three hundred and fifty Union cavalry, under Major Charles B. Seidel, Third Ohio cavalry, resulting in a retreat of the Nationals with a loss of four killed, twenty-four wounded, and a large number of prisoners.

— To-day a band of rebel guerrillas under Quantrel, entered Shawnee, Kansas, and completely sacked it, burning thirteen houses and killing three men. Six miles south of the town they overtook two teams laden with goods. They killed one of the drivers, dangerously wounded the other, and captured the teams and goods.— Leavenworth Conservative.

—The Common Council of Boston, Massachusetts, having voted to raise the bounty to volunteers to two hundred dollars, drafting in that city ceased.

—A Union force under Acting Master Crocker, of the U. S. steamer Kensington, landed at Sabine City, Texas, attacked and routed a party of rebels five miles from the city, and burned their encampment—(Doc. 7.)

—A skirmish occurred at Thoroughfare Gap between a Union reconnoitring force under General Stahel, and a body of rebel troops, resulting in the retreat of the latter toward Haymarket. A caisson containing ammunition was captured, and about one hundred rebel prisoners were taken.—(Doc. 37.)

— Considerable difficulty was experienced by the officers appointed to complete the enrolment for the draft in Pennsylvania. In the town of Berkley, Luzerne County, the military had to be called out, who fired on the insurgents, killing four or five of their number. The draft was also resisted in Carbondale, Scranton, and other towns in the mining districts. The resistants were mostly Irishmen.