Thursday, 19th.—Went down to near Warrenton, twelve miles; on picket. Some cannonading up the river.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
February 19. — [Companies] G and B marched to Loup Creek to take steamboat to Charleston; the rest to go soon.
A sort of pike called here salmon, a fine fish, caught at the Falls, weighing from three to ten pounds. A large live minnow is the bait.
February 19, Thursday. A special Cabinet-meeting. The President desired a consultation as to the expediency of an extra session of the Senate. Chase favored. Seward opposed. No very decided opinion expressed by the others. I was disinclined to it.
The President has been invited to preside at a meeting for religious Christian purposes on Sunday evening. Chase favored it. All the others opposed it but Usher, who had a lingering, hesitating, half-favorable inclination to favor it. Has been probably talked with and committed to some extent; so with Chase.
The President on Tuesday expressed a wish that Captain Dahlgren should be made an admiral, and I presented to-day both his and Davis’s[1] names.
I wrote Senator Dixon a note, remonstrating against his misuse of power by opposing in secret session the appointment and confirmation of Howard as Collector; that it was not only wrong, officially, for he was not clothed with authority to revenge private grievances, but it would close the door to any reconciliation, and make lifelong enmities between those who were neighbors and should be friends; that he admitted, and every one knew, Howard was a good and correct officer. All, it seems, was unavailing, for I hear the Senate has failed to confirm the nomination. An inexcusable and unjustifiable act on the part of the Senate, a wrong to the country, a gross wrong and outrage on an American citizen of character and worth who is discharging his duty with fidelity, the peer of the Senators who are guilty of this prostitution of honor and trust. This act and this practice of the Senate are as repugnant to good government and as degrading as anything in the corrupt days of Roman history, or the rotten aristocracy of modern Europe.
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[1] Charles Henry Davis, who had defeated the Confederate fleet off Fort Pillow, and captured Memphis.
Washington Thursday Feb. 19th 1863.
Another of the most unpleasant days of the season, rain or mist all day and plenty of mud in the streets. I have had but little to do in the office today. I have read a part of the time, and written a letter to Julia sending her also by mail T Buchanan Reads new Poem, “The Wagoner of the Alleghanys” (postage 13 cents). I went on to the Ave after leaving the office. Called at Thompsons on 15th st, dealer in old Books Jewelry &c. I found him a rank Rebel and think his shop a sort of rendezvous for that class of men. He is an Englishman. I attended the Lodge of the Union League. It is increasing in numbers rapidly here and all over the U.S. The “papers” contain no news tonight of any importance. The falling rain and the melting snows at the West will raise the Rivers so that our Gun Boats will be able to go nearly all over the South and it will also greatly favor Genl Grant in his efforts to capture Vicksburgh. That is the great point of interest just now. The high water will help the Canal project which is to cut off Vicksburgh and leave it some four miles inland. We are looking also to Charleston and Savannah for news. Our “Iron Clads” are gathering at Port Royal, and we shall soon hear from them. Gold is today quoted 164, the highest yet. It is said the Currency Bill is in doubt in the “House.” The Bank Nabobs are too strong for the peoples interest.
19th. Robertson came at 3 A. M. I got up and read Irving’s “Life of Washington,” Vol. 2. Bob brought me a nice little box to keep my things in. After my work read most all day. In the evening wrote to Sarah Felton and Fannie Henderson. Talked with a little girl begging and with our washerwoman. Has a hard time.
February 19th [1863]. Mrs. Waugh came in while I was doing up my collars. She read us Davis’ book while I was busy. She is so simpleminded and true that I should not blush if she visited me, and I had only a crust to offer her. The exchanged prisoners go out tomorrow. A great many are going to see them off. Report says that the Laurel Hill, the boat on which they were to be sent, is captured by our people up the river.
Thursday, 19th—I was off duty today and went to town to have my likeness taken.1
We now have five hundred negroes at work cutting the levee at Lake Providence, and Captain Elrod of the Thirteenth Iowa has about one hundred negroes at work picking cotton—last year’s crop left in the field.
1 Upon inquiring of Mr. Downing how he came to have his “likeness” taken twice so close together (see Feb. 7), he laughingly confessed that it was not because the first was not a good picture, but because it was not a proper picture. Said he, “To tell the truth, I had it taken dressed in a major’s uniform, and it wouldn’t have been safe to let it be seen.” He destroyed it and had another taken.—Ed.
Near Helena, Thursday, March 19. Exercised and washed my horses. Health in camp poor. Eighteen on the sick list.
Memphis, Thursday, Feb. 19. Warm and dry, though windy. Suffering with a very bad cold. Captain Dillon read an order from J. B. McPherson, commanding 17th Army Corps, relative to going to Vicksburg. Patriotism raised the spirit of the boys fifty per cent. Played ball in the afternoon.
