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

October 2012

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

October 9, 2012

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

October 9.—The time allowed by Commander Renshaw, of the Union fleet at Galveston, Texas, for the surrender of that city having expired, the Commander proceeded to the city with a portion of the fleet, took possession, and hoisted the Union flag upon the Custom-House, without opposition, the rebels having previously abandoned the city.—Galveston Union, October 10.

—A fight took place in the vicinity of Lawrenceburgh, Ky., between a Union force of three thousand men, under the command of Col. E. A. Parrott, First Ohio volunteers, and the rebel forces under Gen. E. Kirby Smith, resulting, after an engagement of five hours, in the retreat of the latter with considerable loss. The Nationals had six men killed and eight wounded.—(Doc. 216.)

—This morning a small body of Gen. Sigel’s cavalry captured in Aldie, Va., over forty rebel prisoners, several loads of bacon, and an ambulance. The prisoners were paroled.—The Ericsson iron-clad battery, Montauk, was launched from the Continental Works at Greenpoint, L. I.

—In West-Virginia the rebels enforced the conscription act wherever they had the power. In the Kanawha Valley every able-bodied man that could be found was seized and carried to the rebel camp.— Wheeling Intelligencer.

—The Union gunboat Darlington, which left Jacksonville, Fla., on the sixth, on an expedition up St John’s River, returned this day, bringing the rebel steamer Governor Milton, which it had captured two hundred miles up the river.

—A slight skirmish took place near Aldie, Va., between a small party of Union troops and a numerically superior force of rebels, resulting in the retreat of the Nationals without loss.

The rebels had one man killed, Lieut. Mears. —An expedition consisting of about one thousand five hundred cavalry, supported by a battery of artillery, under the command of Colonel Davies, left camp at Upton’s Hill, Va., on the sixth instant, for the purpose of capturing or destroying five or six locomotives on the Orange and Alexandria Railway at Rappahannock Station. It was discovered that the locomotives had been removed to the other side of the Rappahannock River, and the expedition returned to-day to Centreville.

Post image for Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

October 8, 2012

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

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.

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

October 8, 2012

Diary of Gideon Welles

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.

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

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

October 8, 2012

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

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.

Post image for Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

October 8, 2012

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

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.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

October 8, 2012

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

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.

Post image for War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

October 8, 2012

War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

(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.

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

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

October 8, 2012

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

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.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

October 8, 2012

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

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.

Sarah A. Dasher and spouse.

October 8, 2012

Civil war portrait,Library of Congress,Miscellaneous document sources

Mrs. Sarah A. Dasher  Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform and his wife, Sarah A. Dasher

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.

sarah dasher headstoneAccording 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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digital file from original item 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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digital file from original itemTitle: 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

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