March 5.—A fight occurred at Thompson’s Station, a few miles south of Franklin, Tenn., between a considerable body of Union troops under the command of Colonel John Coburn, and a large rebel force under General Van Dorn, resulting, after a desperate conflict of four hours’ duration, in the rout or capture of the whole Union force.—(Doc. 130.)
—The editorial office of the Crisis at Columbus, Ohio, was visited by a body of soldiers who destroyed every thing they could find in it.— Gold sold in Richmond, Va., at three hundred per cent advance.—The rebels at Vicksburgh during the day threw shells occasionally at the National forces engaged in digging the canal opposite that place, doing no damage.
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Jackson, Tenn.,
March 5, 1863.
You certainly should not complain of my neglect, in writing no more than once in ten days while we are quartered at such an intolerably stupid place as this, for there really have not been two incidents ocurred worthy of notice, since we pitched our tents on this ground. Never since I first entered the service have I passed two months in which there seems so little worth remembering. Nothing but a dull round of picket, fatigue, and camp guard; no alarms and no enemy within a hundred or more miles of us, save “citizen guerrillas,” and they in no force sufficient to scare even a foraging party. In lieu of something real to talk of and speculate about, I give you the following items: There seems this morning to be some movement on foot, though I have not heard a word of the object which has raised such a commotion in our usually quiet military circles. I only know that all the mounted men stationed here have this morning started under command of Colonel Mizner, with an ammunition train and small provision ditto. Also hear that Dodge at Corinth and the command out at Trenton have set all their cavalry in motion. To make the case a little stronger I will add that one of Sullivan’s aids galloped into camp half an hour since, and required at short notice the number of rounds of ammunition on hand. Well, I expect that Van Dorn or Morgan is on our side of the Tennessee again. It can’t be more than that. I’d give a month’s pay to get this regiment into a fight. Don’t want it for myself particularly, but think it would do the regiment a great deal of good. The feeling is some better among the men, but there is still much room for improvement. Desertions are not so numerous, but one slips off occasionally. Colonels Kellogg and Babcock were both here a few nights ago. Both in good health, never saw them looking better. Don’t know that anything of importance was connected with their visit. My own health continues prime. I know that I don’t fully appreciate the Lord’s goodness to me in granting me such continued excellent health, but I assure you I do feel grateful to the Power that rules that matter, although I am tolerably regular in my habits and intemperate in none, yet I know I am very careless of myself and health in regard to dress, sleeping any and everywhere, etc. General Sullivan will visit our camp at 3 o’clock to-day to look into its sanitary conditions, and inspect our policing. The health of the regiment is much improved. Two months more and we will be veterans. Another of my boys, the second, died in General Hospital at this place yesterday. James Conyers, is his name. Formerly worked for Stipp.
ON page 220 we publish a picture, by Mr. Thomas Nast, representing the arrival of one of our regiments on a Southern plantation, and their reception by the ladies and negroes of the plantation. The picture explains itself. We append, however, a newspaper extract from an officer’s letter in Dixie:
Heavy planters live all along the road, whose broad acres extend for miles, and whose aristocratic mansions show them to be the nabobs of the soil. Long rows of negro cabins are seen at short distances from the residence, indicating that the “institution” still flourishes here. These negroes, in huge numbers, men, women, and children, come and evince the most comical and unsophisticated manifestations of delight at our appearance. The older ones bow, and grin, and scrape, and throw themselves into all sorts of the most ludicrous attitudes. The younger ones dance and frisk about in high glee. “Gora-mighty bless you, gemmen — may you live allers!” exclaimed a delighted old darkey as we passed yesterday. At the same time he bowed himself almost to the ground. These poor creatures are about all the friends we have in this region. They most willingly give all the information they have. (Harper’s Week;y, April 4, 1863)
Camp Reynolds, Virginia, March 4, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — Getting on finely. The boys busy and very happy. Webb, I fancy, is a good deal such a boy is [as] Lorenzo was. He is to be seen driving some soldier’s team or riding whenever there is a chance. Lucy will probably leave in a fortnight or so, probably about the time we go to Charleston.
The new conscription law strikes me as a capital measure. I hope it will be judiciously and firmly administered.
I have an offer for my Hamilton property one thousand dollars cash, one thousand dollars in six months, and the balance of fifteen hundred in three equal annual payments. Before the war I would have taken it quickly enough, but I am not sure now but the real estate is best. It pays taxes and about one hundred dollars a year rent. What could I do with the money?
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BIRCHARD.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
March 4, 1863.—The regiment has just received orders to march to Fort Donelson and leave at once. I expect we women will have to go home.
Wednesday, 4th—The engineers finished calking the steam tug and with ropes attached to it some five or six thousand men succeeded in pulling it overland to the lake where it is to be launched. I crossed the lake in a skiff to the south side to buy some notions of a sutler with the Fourth Division. Among other articles, I purchased a diary for seventy-five cents, for the purpose of keeping a record of my army life. We were ordered to prepare for inspection.
Wednesday March 4th 1863.
Congress adjourned at twelve O’clock today. The Senate is again convened by proclimation of the Prest for further Confirmations and perhaps for counsel and as advisors of the Prest. Public affairs look rather more bright. Mr Chase now has almost unlimited powers for raising money confered upon him. Not much apprehension is felt now about his being able to carry the war along. The War news is more favorable. Fort McAllister below Savannah has been taken by our troops and “Iron Clads” and that was the Principal defense of Savannah. We shall hear from Charleston very soon. It is reported in the papers that the Rebels have evacuated Vicksburgh after a hard fought Battle. We will know for certain in a day or two. I got some Photographs of myself at Addiss today, the first I have ever had taken as Photographs. I was on the Avenue after office hours. The celebrated Sword recently presented to Genl Siegel attracts much attention in Jeweler Semkins window. It is a very elegant article. He has just resigned. Genl Halleck to blame for that. Spent an hour at Charleys, a short time in the Hospital, and the bal of the evening with my friends Mr & Mrs Schram at their room very pleasantly. Returned to my room at eleven o’clock.
Grand Lake Landing, Ark., Wednesday, March 4. When we again started, the air was very raw and cold. Hailed at the mouth of White River by a gunboat and we had to come to and report at 9 A. M. Passed Napoleon at 11 A. M. which was nearly inundated. In the afternoon a race took place between the “Campbell” and the “Louisiana” which came up, and after about half an hour took the lead. 5 P. M. the fleet landed at Grand Lake Landing, eighteen miles above Providence. We immediately commenced unloading; got everything off except the horses. They were harnessed, but were again unharnessed. Slept on the boat.
4th. After the work in the morning repaired to headquarters and heard Andy Johnson of Tennessee and Gov. Wright of Indiana. Both spoke well, said much to encourage us soldiers and discourage traitors. Received good letters from Sarah Felton, Ella Clark and home. Went over to see Charlie. Wrote a line to Delos.
Wednesday, 4th—Company on picket. All gamblers and pirutes put on roots. I came under the latter head.
