Friday Feb’y 6th 1863.
This day has passed off very quietly. Some rebel stories floating about tonight to the effect that there had been a “raid” on Aquia Creek, that all our immense Stores had been Burned &c. “Secesh” has been quite jubilent about it this evening. It is, of course, all “bosh.” I stoped at Charleys this evening and staid an hour. The baby is getting quite interesting. It is so good natured and quiet, drinks a quart of milk a day, sucks her thumb when she is asleep and grows fat. I went from there to the rooms of Rev Mr Read (at Dr Munsons) and staid there an hour. They (He and his wife) are very friendly and confide their secrets to me. He wants the Agency of the NY S.R. Assn to travel through the State. I will do what I can to get it for him as I think him a “sterling” man. Mrs R also attends the NY “Rooms” and deals out to the soldiers such articles as are sent to the Asson for them. She has spent her whole time for months past and should be paid in some way. I called down below upon Dr Munson & family. They always have so much to say that I can never get away from them. They would like much to have me come back there to Board, perhaps I may sometime. They told me all their secrets about Ostrander (which I knew before). The old Lady talked all the time. “Teal” was wide awake. The fat one slept and snored. The Doct dozed. I did not get released till 1/2 past 10.
NY S.R. Assn = NY S(oldiers). R(elief). Assn
Back of Card:
“Hard Tack.”
There is no necessity to tell the “boys” what this is; they all remember the old chorus of the old army song about “Hard Tack:”
“Many days we have crunched you until our jaws are sore,
Oh! “Soft Bread” come again once more.”
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Stereograph showing Union Captain J. W. Forsyth, the Provost Marshall, sitting on a crate of hardtack, a cracker like bread served to soldiers, at Aquia Creek, Virginia. Crate says “50lbs. net. Army Bread from the Union Mechanic Baking Company, 45 Leonard St.”
Library of Congress image.
FEBRUARY 6TH.—Gen. Lee thinks Charleston will be assailed, and suggests that all the troops in North Carolina be concentrated near Wilmington, and he will undertake the defense of the rest of the State. Nevertheless, if the government deems it more important to have his troops sent to North Carolina, than to retain them for the defense of Richmond, he must acquiesce. But he thinks Hooker will attempt the passage of the Rappahannock, at an early day, if the weather will admit of it. In regard to the last attempt of Burnside to cross his army (when he stuck in the mud), Gen. Lee says it was fortunate for the Federals that they failed to get over. No doubt he was prepared for their reception.
Congress is doing nothing but voting money for themselves. The President (some of the members say) is their master, and they await his nod. These are his enemies.
February 6.—A detachment from companies H and F, of the Fifth New-York cavalry, under the command of Captain Penfield, made a raid into Middleburgh, Va., and at Aldie captured eight of the First Virginia rebel cavalry, and the post-master at Little Washington. They were en route to a ball given to them by the citizens of that place, and were fully armed and equipped.— The rebel Colonel Cushman, the celebrated “cotton-burner,” was arrested at his residence, near Ripley, Tenn., and taken to Columbus.—Cincinnati Gazette.
—A party of the Twelfth Virginia rebel cavalry, attacked the mail-coach between Martinsburgh and Winchester, Va., this afternoon, and captured the driver and occupants of the coach, Brigadier-General Cluseret’s assistant adjutant general and aid-de-camp among the number. The aid managed to escape, and reported the affair to General Milroy, who immediately ordered out two companies of the First New-York cavalry to cut off their retreat. Companies A and K, commanded by Captain Jones, and Lieutenant Laverty respectively, were sent out. Captain Jones left Lieutenants Laverty and Watkins with a small party at Millwood, thirteen miles from Winchester, while he and Lieutenant Boyd went on still further. The Captain’s party had scarcely moved away, when the rebels made their appearance at Millwood, with all they had captured. Lieutenant Laverty immediately ordered a charge, and dashed upon them, when the rebels broke and ran, though fighting desperately as they fled. They were chased seven miles. The expedition resulted in the recapture of all which the rebels had taken, and the killing of one of them, and taking prisoner of another. The escape of the remainder of the rebels was owing to its being night. Lieutenant Laverty was the only one injured, on the National side.
