March 24th. Everything continues quiet. This afternoon it cleared up, and the sun made its appearance once more, which made things in general assume a more lively appearance. Tonight we are expecting one or two boats down from the upper fleet. I think that if they succeed in passing by the batteries at Vicksburg they will be very fortunate, as it is almost a matter of impossibility for a vessel to pass their casemates without being sunk, or at least very materially damaged; however, it is very probable that an attempt will be made, as it is highly necessary that we should have some assistance with us, in order to succeed in our object here. Our men have been engaged to-day erecting a barricade of sails on port side of poop deck; also building a breastwork of hammocks around the wheel.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Tuesday, 24.— Rain all night and this A. M.! Army movements very slow. Vicksburg the great point of interest for a month past. Things looking like fight in Rosecrans’ vicinity; Charleston also a point of attack.
In the North a reaction favorable to the war is taking place. The peace men, sympathizers with the Rebels, called Copperheads or Butternuts, are mostly of the Democratic party. They gained strength last fall by an adroit handling of the draft, the tax-law arrests, the policy favorable to the negro, and the mistakes and lack of vigor in prosecuting the war. This led to overconfidence, and a more open hostility to the war itself. The soldiers in the field considered this a “fire in the rear,” and “giving aid and comfort to the enemy.” They accordingly by addresses and resolutions made known their sentiments. Loyal Democrats like John Van Buren [and] James T. Brady begin to speak out in the same strain. A considerable reaction is observable. The late acts of Congress, the conscription, the financial measures, and [the] Habeas Corpus Act, give the Government great power and the country more confidence. If the conscription is wisely and energetically administered, there is much reason to hope for good results.
In the meantime the Rebels are certainly distressed for want of provisions. The negro policy doesn’t seem to accomplish much. A few negro troops give rise to disturbances where they come in contact with our men and do not as yet worry the enemy a great deal.
Tuesday, 24th—It rained all night and day, and our camp is almost covered with water. The report in camp is that we will go down the river in a day or two.
Stoneman Station, Va.,
Tuesday, March 24, 1863.
Dear Brother and Sister:—
Well, now about those officers. “Commencing with the Corporal” Imprimis (seems to me that’s commencing at the little end of the horn, though): A Corporal (there are eight of them in a full company) occupies about as responsible a position as a printer’s devil. As “Corporal of the Guard” it is his duty to post and relieve the guards and keep an open ear for the call of the sentry, “korboral of de gart, last number”—when that individual may have discovered a “mare’s nest” or wants to be relieved to attend to his Virginia quickstep. He is considered of little account, and his privileges are immunity from standing guard and all fatigue duty. He is distinguished by two stripes on the sleeve
The Sergeants come next (in your order), five in number. The fifth or lowest in rank is the Commissary Sergeant. He draws and distributes the company’s rations. The Fourth Sergeant superintends the details of guards and fatigue parties. The Third Sergeant and the Second in turn act as “Sergeants of the Guard.” As such his duty is to keep the names of the daily guards, form all reliefs and turn them over to the Corporal, turn out the guard on the approach of an officer entitled to the compliment. The First, or Orderly Sergeant, is the most important of any of the non-commissioned officers. He has more to do than any other officer in the regiment, except perhaps the Adjutant. He calls every roll, always forms the company, makes the reports, and does all the business of the company. His pay is $20, other Sergeants $17 per month. They are distinguished by three stripes on the sleeves, and the Orderly by the addition of a diamond. These marks are called chevrons. Of the commissioned officers I need sav but little. The Captain’s duty is to command the company. You know what that is well enough. The First Lieutenant takes command in the absence of the Captain, and the next the Second Lieutenant. These officers are distinguished by their shoulder straps. A Captain’s has two bars at each end. A First Lieutenant’s has one bar at each end, and a Second Lieutenant’s plain strap without bars. A Major has a gilt leaf on each end of his straps, a Lieutenant Colonel silver leaves. A Colonel has a silver eagle in the middle of each strap. Now, could you tell a man’s rank by his marks? If we go further up, I might say that a Brigadier General is distinguished by a silver star in the place of the eagle, and a Major General by two stars. Officers are also distinguished by the buttons on their coats. A line or company officer and a staff officer (Adjutants, Surgeons, Chaplains and Quartermasters) wear only a single-breasted coat. A field officer (Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel and Major) wears two rows of buttons at regular spaces. A Brigadier General wears three in a group, and a Major General two.
The meeting of the debating club last night was a feast for a hungry mind. The scene reminded me much of some exhibition at home. The building is a log one covered with canvas, and the seats mere logs, but a big fire was blazing in the fireplace, and the room was warm and comfortable. It was decorated with pendant wreaths and loops of evergreen, and two tasty chandeliers lit up the hall cheerfully. It was filled with well dressed, gentlemanly soldiers, and the exercises, a paper, a poem, and a debate, were so interesting I had hard work to tear myself away before it broke up, but duty first and pleasure afterwards is military style.
March 24—Commenced marching this morning, got seventeen miles and halted. Laid here in the woods until the 27th. Went to several houses and had a good time with ladies and eatables up to the 29th.
March 24.—James Tucker died yesterday; he was a member of the Fourth Kentucky Regiment.
Doctors Foard and Stout paid a visit to the hospital this afternoon, and highly commended all the arrangements, and the order and cleanliness of every thing.
Late in the afternoon we had a very severe storm, which carried away a part of our roof, and otherwise did a great deal of damage.
24th. In the morning did some errands. Played chess with Thede and Melissa. Oysters for supper. Thede goes back tonight. I could see he dreads it—so do we. In the evening went to N. P. (North Professor street—Fannie Andrews’ home). Had such a good visit. Called at N. P. 2 a few minutes. (Fannie Henderson’s home.) Had a pleasant tete-a-tete with F. The more I see her, the greater is my love and admiration. Called on Fred and Fairchild. Thede returned to camp. Pictures. Sweet Home!
On Yazoo Pass, Tuesday, March 24. Started at 7 A. M. and kept moving slowly all day from one tree to the other, backing up nearly as often as going ahead, often being obliged to tie in order to give room for those ahead. A limb broke down our left smokestack close to the hurricane decking notwithstanding they were cut off nearly to the half before starting. Jack-staff broke twice. All the light-work of the pilot house brushed off.
5 P. M. passed the foundered boat “Jenny Lind” sunk over the first deck. She ran on shore and all the goods saved. There were a few soldiers belonging to the 43rd Indiana with her.
6 P. M. ran afoul, so that we were obliged to tie up for the night in sight of another wreck a few rods ahead. People may read of this Pass in time to come, but they will never know what it is until they see it.
Letter from Colonel Lyon.
Fort Donelson, March 24, 1863.—I suppose you have heard lots of rumors about the 13th having surrendered Fort Donelson. The rebels have not been here in force since they were so awfully whipped. There are guerilla parties, but they dare not attack a place so well fortified.
We are getting to be quite aristocratic, we live in a large house with Brigadier-General Harding, formerly Colonel of the 83d Illinois, the regiment that fought the late battle here.
Yours of the 1st of March came to hand in due time. We were a little curious to know how you knew at that time that we were coming here, when we did not know it ourselves. The first intimation we had of it was a telegram from General Rosecrans to me, March 4th, ordering the force at Fort Henry over here. We had, however, expected orders to go to some other point, for some time, as Fort Henry was all under water and there was no earthly use in keeping troops there any longer.
Fort Heiman, opposite Fort Henry across the Tennessee river, is a commanding point. That fort was also evacuated, but has since been occupied by troops from General Grant’s department. There is no prospect of an immediate fight here, but this is a sort of key position and any little change of program on either side may make it the scene of heavy conflict. This post will doubtless be occupied by considerable of a force for some time, or at least until there is some decisive change of affairs in this region.
Tuesday, 24th—In Camp—quiet.
