26th. In the morning came letters from Will Hudson at Lebanon, and one of Nov. from home. Had quite a visit with Lt. Abbey about Pa. In the evening took my letters from Fred and Will and reviewed them with Charlie. Played four games of chess with McAulis. Beat three times. Finished the “Life of Washington.” Had some taffy.
February 2013
Thursday, 26th—We reached our camp this forenoon in a rain which continued all day. General Quimby’s division just went into camp here, from up the river. The regimental quartermasters are bringing in large quantities of cotton every day.
Memphis, Thursday, Feb. 26. Cleared off a little but drizzled part of the day. Received a needle case from home, a loving tribute from sister Mary. No mail down the river.
26th.—In the city again yesterday. B. improving. The morning papers report firing upon Vicksburg. Several steamers have arrived lately, laden for the Confederacy. Blockade-running seems to be attended with less danger then it was, though we have lately lost a most valuable cargo by the capture of the “Princess Royal.” The “Alabama” continues to perform the most miraculous feats, and the “Florida” seems disposed to rival her in brilliant exploits. They “walk the water,” capturing every thing in their way, and know no fear, though many vessels are in pursuit. I am grieved to hear that my dear little J. P. has been ordered to Charleston. While he was on James River, I felt that I could be with him if he were wounded; but he is in God’s hands:
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“Be still, my heart; these anxious cares
To thee are burdens, thorns, and snares.”
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The papers full of the probable, or rather hoped for, intervention of France. The proposition of the Emperor, contained in a letter from the Minister to Seward, and his artful, wily, Seward-like reply, are in a late paper. We pause to see what will be the next step of the Emperor. Oh that he would recognize us, and let fanatical England pursue her own cold, selfish course!
Ashland, February 22d.—A very deep snow this morning. The cars are moving slowly on the road, with two engines attached to each train. Our gentlemen could not go to Richmond to-day. Washington’s birthday is forgotten, or only remembered with a sigh by his own Virginia. Had he been gifted with prophetic vision, in addition to his great powers, we would still remain a British colony; or, at least, he would never have fought and suffered for seven long years to have placed his native South in a situation far more humiliating than the colonies ever were towards the mother-country; or to have embroiled her in a war compared to which the old Revolution was but child’s play.
Washington Thursday Feb 26th 1863
O Mud Mud. I have waded over crossings today where composition was at least six inches deep and of the consistency of thick cream. The snow has all melted and the water is mostly still on the surface of the ground. I had letters from Julia and the boys this evening, and I wrote to my Sister Androus today. I am having my old Indigo blue cloak made into an over coat. I think the Tailor has stolen about one third of the cloth, for there is nothing left to speak of. I hardly know whether to submit to the cheat, or have a quarrel with him. There is a good deal of confusion tonight down below. It is past eleven, and the loud talk still keeps up. I think there must be whiskey there, for that is the origin of about all the disorders in the City. I must leave this house by Monday next. It is reported tonight that Genl Siegel has resigned. I hope the report is not true as such an officer cannot well be spared at this time. I attended the League meeting this evening. There was a large attendance and much enthusiasm. “Honest Truman Smith” of Conn. was initiated and afterwards made a speech query, Is any old polititian (as he is) entitled to the prefix “honest” to his name? The papers contain no particular news today. Gold 168. Yesterday 172.
Thursday, 26th—Still raining. Went over to Mr. Hancock’s, intending to cross Wartrace at a bridge above but gave it out as it was pouring down rain. Found Charley Pellam there at Mr. H’s.
Medium: 1 photograph : sixth-plate ambrotype, hand-colored ; 9.2 x 8.0 cm (case)
Donated by Tom Liljenquist; 2011
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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Note: This image has been digitally enhanced for fade correction, color enhancement and selected spot removal.
Civil War Portrait 024
FEBRUARY 26TH.—We have good news from Vicksburg to-day. The Queen of the West, lately captured by us, and another gun-boat, attacked the Indianola, the iron-clad Federal gun-boat which got past our batteries the other day, and, after an engagement, sunk her. We captured all the officers and men.
February 26.— Yesterday, a rebel cavalry scout, eighty strong, came inside the National pickets on the Strasburgh road, Va. After a skirmish with infantry pickets, in which two were wounded on each side, they retired, capturing a cavalry picket of twelve men. This morning, five hundred of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania and First New-York cavalry sent in pursuit, recaptured, beyond Strasburgh, most of the prisoners and horses, and also took a number of prisoners. The commander of the Union detachment, exceeding his orders, pursued them beyond Woodstock. After driving in the rebel pickets, he stood parleying in the road, without guarding against surprise. The enemy returned in force, charged upon and threw them into confusion, killing and capturing two hundred.—See Supplement.
—The National Council of the Cherokee Indians adjourned this day, having repealed the ordinance of secession passed in 1861. They also passed an act depriving of office in the nation, and disqualifying all who continued disloyal to the Government of the United States; and also an act abolishing slavery.—The yacht Anna was captured in the Suwanee River, Ga., by the National steamer Fort Henry.—New-York Journal of Commerce.
—A very large and enthusiastic meeting of the people of Indiana was this day held at Indianapolis, the capital of the State. Loyal and patriotic resolutions were adopted, and speeches were made by Governor Wright, Governor Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, General S. F. Carey, of Ohio, T. Buchanan Read, of Pennsylvania, Charles W. Cathcart, Charles Case, and others.
—A freight train on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, laden with merchandise belonging to private individuals, and a quantity of Government stores, and two hundred and forty mules, were this day captured near Woodburn, Tenn., by a party of rebel guerrillas. After driving off the mules and rifling the cars of their contents, they set fire to and totally destroyed them; they then raised steam upon the locomotive to its fullest height, and started it along the road at the top of its speed, hoping that it would encounter the passenger train coming from Nashville. The locomotive drove along the track through Franklin, and passed other stations at a fearful rate of speed, but the supply of steam was finally exhausted, and the machine came to a full stop, without doing any harm.
