Memphis, Friday, Feb. 13. A bright, sunny day. Everything looked cheerful. Standing gun drill. Milton Campbell, 23rd Regiment, made us a visit from the hospital. Health better.
February 2013
Washington Friday Feb’y 13th 1863.
A Beautiful bright pleasant day with the atmosphere so pure and braceing that I could not resist its influence but took a long walk before going to the office. We have so much wet fogy weather lately that the change is doubly welcome. We have warm (or rather Mild) pleasant days but not till today has it seemed a real luxury to inhale the air. I have not been on the Ave today. On leaving the office at 3 o’clock I took another long walk before dinner up to the “Stone Hospital” being three miles up and back. My little hero Robt White who lost his foot recently, or rather had it amputated recently, I found doing extremely well to all appearances. I sent him (the first of the week) caned fruit and currant wine which he was very grateful for. This evening I have spent with Mr & Mrs Schram on this Street (12th) a couple of squares above me. His Mother is spending a few days with him, a very fine looking lady of about forty eight years with long silver curls. She is a quaker lady and and a fine specimen of the Class. There is no particular news in the papers today. Tom Thumb and his wife are just now creating more excitement in the City than anybody else, a married couple 28 inches high, and both together weighing some 70 lbs. There are many other “notables” in town. The Country Bank interest is well represented.
February 13.—A large and enthusiastic public meeting of unconditional Union men was this evening held in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas. Speeches were made by General Blunt, and others, and loyal resolutions were unanimously adopted, proclaiming “all who ask for peace with rebels in arms against the Government, except on the terms of unconditional submission to the Constitution and the laws, or who propose a separation of the Union in any manner,” to be traitors, and indorsing the President’s Emancipation Proclamation.
—Yesterday, about one o’clock in the afternoon, a squad of Baylor’s rebel cavalry attacked a small scouting-party of twelve men, of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry from Kearneysville, near Smithfield, Va., killing one, wounding two, and capturing four men and several horses. About four o’clock P.M., General Kelly’s scouts from Harper’s Ferry, Md., fell in with the same party a few miles south of Charlestown, and after a running fight of several miles recaptured the men and horses, and captured Lieutenant Baylor, two of his men, and several horses.—General Kelly’s Despatch.
—A skirmish took place to-day in the vicinity of Bolivar, Tenn., between the detachment of National cavalry and a body of rebels, in which four of the latter were killed, five taken prisoners, and a number wounded. The rebels also lost several of their horses. The Union party had none killed or wounded.—Chicago Tribune.
—To-night the United States gunboat Indianola, under the command of Captain Brown, successfully passed the rebel batteries before Vicksburgh. Twenty heavy guns were fired at her, but she escaped without being hit.—The steamer Douglass ran out of Charleston, S. G, with James B. Clay, of Kentucky, on board, as a passenger, for Liverpool. She successfully passed the blockading fleet.—Charleston Mercury.
The United States Gun-Boat “Indianola” (Iron-Clad) Running the Blockade at Vicksburg.
Published in March 7, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly.
FEBRUARY 13TH. —There is a rumor in the papers that something like a revolution is occurring, or has occurred, in the West; and it is stated that the Federal troops demand the recall of the Emancipation Proclamation. They also object to serving with negro troops.
But we ought to look for news of terrific fighting at Savannah or Charleston. No doubt all the troops in the field (Federal) or on the water will be hurled against us before long, so as to effect as much injury as possible before defection can spread extensively, and before the expiration of the enlistments of some 200,000 men in May.
And what are we doing? But little. The acceptance of substitutes who desert, and the exemption of thousands who should be fighting for the country, employ hundreds of pens daily in this city. Alas, that so many dishonest men have obtained easy places! The President has been grossly imposed upon.
Friday, 13th—Came up to L. I went with Aaron Burleson to the fortune teller’s; had our future destiny read to us; then to Mr. Lane’s and listened to Miss Jennie paw ivory awhile. Miss Mattie Long present.
Embarkation of 9th Army Corps for Fort Monroe
This photograph is by Alexander Gardner. “On February 5, 1863, Sedgwick was succeeded by Maj. Gen. William F. “Baldy” Smith, and on February 12 the corps was ordered to Newport News, where it encamped for a month.” [IX Corps (Union Army) – Wikipedia]
Library of Congress image.
[Diary] February 12.
The New York regiment called “Les Enfants Perdus” were landed on this island, and they are doing all sorts of mischief. They take the people’s chickens, shoot and carry off their pigs, and when the people defend their property, they shoot the men and insult the women. They have burned a row of houses near Lands End, because, when stealing a man’s pigs, he fired upon them from his window. They met Mr. Sumner and presented a pistol at him when he ordered them off his plantation. They threatened to mob Mr. Hammond for trying to protect his people.
12th. A dark and unpleasant day, rainy. Saw some of the boys and talked over the invitation to Mr. Rice’s. Thede got the papers made out for muster. Had to get me to sign Ma’s name allowing him to enlist. Covil examined Thede’s head. Made it out a good one. Let him look at some writing.
Thursday, 12th—A dreadful rain during the night flooded our beautiful camp on Sparrow’s lawn. The ground being so nearly level, it will take some time for the water to run off. It cleared off in the afternoon and it is nice and warm. The grass and trees are beginning to look green; peach trees are in full bloom. I wrote a letter to brother John.
