Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

April 2013

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

April 11, 2013

Diary of Gideon Welles

April 11, Saturday. The President returned from Headquarters of the Army and sent for me this A.M. Seward, Chase, Stanton, and Halleck were present, and Fox came in also. He gave particulars so far as he had collected them, not differing essentially from ours.

An army dispatch received this P.M. from Fortress Monroe says the Flambeau has arrived in Hampton Roads from Charleston; that our vessels experienced a repulse; some of the monitors were injured. The information is as confused and indefinite as the Rebel statements. Telegraphed to Admiral Lee to send the Flambeau to Washington. Let us have the dispatches.

Seward is in great trouble about the mail of the Peterhoff, a captured blockade-runner. Wants the mail given up. Says the instructions which he prepared insured the inviolability and security of the mails. I told him he had no authority to prepare such instructions, that the law was paramount, and that anything which he proposed in opposition to and disregarding the law was not observed.

He called at my house this evening with a letter from Lord Lyons inclosing dispatches from Archibald, English Consul at New York. Wanted me to send, and order the mail to be immediately given up and sent forward. I declined. Told him the mail was properly and legally in the custody of the court and beyond Executive control; assured him there would be no serious damage from delay if the mail was finally surrendered, but I was inclined to believe the sensitiveness of both Lord Lyons and Archibald had its origin in the fact that the mail contained matter which would condemn the vessel. “But,” said Seward, “mails are sacred; they are an institution.” I replied that would do for peace but not for war; that he was clothed with no authority to concede the surrender of the mail; that by both statute and international law they must go to the court; that if his arrangement, of which I knew nothing, meant anything, the most that could be conceded or negotiated would be to mails on regular recognized neutral packets and not to blockade-runners and irregular vessels with contraband like the Peterhoff. He dwelt on an arrangement entered into between himself and the British Legation, and the difficulty which would follow a breach on our part. I inquired if he had any authority to make an arrangement that was in conflict with the express provisions of the statutes, — whether it was a treaty arrangement confirmed by the Senate. Told him the law and the courts must govern in this matter. The Secretary of State and the Executive were powerless. We could not interfere.

Post image for Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

April 11, 2013

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.

 

April 11, 1863.—Orders came to have the 13th, five companies of the 83d Illinois, two of the 71st Ohio, and five of the 5th Iowa cavalry, Colonel Lyon commanding, go out twelve miles to the relief of Major Young.

Post image for An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones.

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones.

April 11, 2013

An Artilleryman's Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 6th Battery, Wisconsin Artillery.

Near Helena, Saturday, April 11. All busy in writing home and to those left behind. Although we may be tanned and roughened by hardships and exposures, the memories of those behind are still uppermost, and although otherwise hardened, that is untarnished. Reloaded all the horses, etc. Rainy.

Post image for Three Months in the Southern States–Lieut. Col. Fremantle, Coldstream Guards.

Three Months in the Southern States–Lieut. Col. Fremantle, Coldstream Guards.

April 11, 2013

Three Months in the Southern States–Lieut. Col. Fremantle, Coldstream Guards

11th April (Saturday). — Mr ——, the Unionist, came to me this morning, and said, in a contrite manner, “I hope, Kernel, that in the fumes of brandy I didn’t say anything offensive last night.” I assured him that he hadn’t. I have now become comparatively accustomed and reconciled to the necessity of shaking hands and drinking brandy with every one. [1]

The ambulance returned from Bagdad to-day. Captain Hancock had managed to cross the bar in Mr Oetling’s steamer or lighter, but was very nearly capsized.

I went to a grand supper, given by Mr Oetling in honour of Mr Hill’s departure for the city of Mexico. This, it appears, is the custom of the country.

 

[1] This necessity does not exist except in Texas.

Post image for Three Months in the Southern States–Lieut. Col. Fremantle, Coldstream Guards

Three Months in the Southern States–Lieut. Col. Fremantle, Coldstream Guards

April 11, 2013

Three Months in the Southern States–Lieut. Col. Fremantle, Coldstream Guards

10th April (Friday).—We roused up at daylight, and soon afterwards Colonel Duff paraded some of his best men, to show off the Texan horsemanship, of which they are very proud. I saw them lasso cattle, and catch them by the tail at full gallop, and throw them by slewing them round. This is called tailing. They pick small objects off the ground when at full tilt, and, in their peculiar fashion, are beautiful riders; but they confessed to me they could not ride in an English saddle, and Colonel Duff told me that they could not jump a fence at all. They were all extremely anxious to hear what I thought of the performance, and their thorough good opinion of themselves was most amusing.

At 9 o’clock Colonel Buchel and I rode back to Brownsville; but as we lost our way twice, and were enveloped in clouds of dust, it was not a very satisfactory ride. Poor Captain Hancock must be luxuriating at Bagdad; for with this wind the bar must be impassable to the boldest mariner.

In the evening, a Mr ——, a Texan Unionist, or renegado, gave us his sentiments at the Consulate, and drank a deal of brandy. He finished, however, by the toast, “Them as wants to fight, let ’em fight—I don’t.”

Post image for Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

April 11, 2013

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Saturday,11th—The Eighth Iowa passed down the river today. We had no drill this afternoon, but were ordered to clean up for inspection. April has been warm and pleasant every day, but today we had a high wind.

Post image for Ephraim Shelby Dodd.

Ephraim Shelby Dodd.

April 11, 2013

Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Co. D of Terry's Texas Rangers

Saturday, 11th—I felt better this morning but very weak. Francis came over this morning or evening. George Tracy was over in the morning, I believe.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

April 11, 2013

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

April 11.—The rebel steamer Stonewall Jackson, formerly the Leopard, while attempting to run into the harbor of Charleston, S. C, was “hotly chased by half a dozen blockaders, which fired at her, and she received several shots through her hull. Captain Black finding it impossible to escape, ran the steamer on the beach and burned her. The crew and passengers took to the boats and arrived at Charleston. The steamer was burned to the water’s edge in sight of the Yankees. Her cargo consisted of several pieces of field artillery, two hundred barrels of salt-petre, forty thousand army shoes, and a large assortment of merchandise.”—Charleston Mercury.

—A strong Union force under the command of Colonel A. D. Streight, left Nashville, Tenn., on a raid into Alabama and Georgia.—(Doc. 173.)

—Yesterday, the Fifty-ninth Virginia rebel regiment, Colonel Tabb, was sent to the rear of Fort Magruder, at Williamsburgh, Va. At the break of day this morning he made a descent upon the National cavalry camp at Whitaker’s Mill, and destroyed the whole camp, commissary and hospital stores, and an immense amount of ammunition, besides killing a large number of horses. Five of the Nationals were killed, several wounded, nineteen taken prisoners, and some twenty or so of the sick paroled. After this feat Colonel Tabb made good his retreat without the loss of a man — only one officer and private wounded.—Richmond Examiner.

—A brief skirmish occurred in the vicinity of the Blackwater, Va., between the Union pickets and a party of rebels, in which the former were forced back with the loss of several of their number taken prisoners.—Baltimore American.

—At Sheffield, England, an engraver was arrested and committed on charge of forging the Treasury Notes of the United States.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

April 11, 2013

A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 11TH.—Gen. Beauregard telegraphs that Gen. Walker has destroyed another Federal gun-boat in CoosaRiver. They are looking for a renewal of the attack on Charleston, and are ready for it.

Gen. Lee writes that he is about sending a cavalry brigade into LoudonCounty to bring off commissary’s and quartermaster’s stores. This will frighten the people in WashingtonCity! He also writes that, unless the railroads be repaired, so as to admit of speedier transportation of supplies, he cannot maintain his present position much longer.

The President has published a proclamation, to-day, appealing to the patriotism of the people, and urging upon them to abstain from the growth of cotton and tobacco, and raise food for man and beast. Appended to this is a plan, “suggested by the Secretary of War,” to obtain from the people an immediate supply of meat, etc. in the various counties and parishes. This is my plan, so politely declined by the Secretary! Well, if it will benefit the government, the government is welcome to it; and Mr. Seddon to the credit of it.

Post image for War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

April 11, 2013

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Headquarters Engineer Brigade,

Camp near Falmouth, April 11, 1863.

Dear Father, — I have been quite busy for the last few days, getting in my monthly, and tri-monthly reports, besides a great deal of other office business. To-morrow, I am glad to say, I shall be relieved from duty as adjutant-general by Channing Clapp. Although I have got along very well with General Benham, I don’t think I should like to be his adjutant-general permanently. He is not at all well posted in regard to office business, and keeps doing things which are irregular, and the blame of which, if any mischief should ensue, would fall upon the unfortunate adjutant-general. I have never got into any scrape with him, except once, and I did it then from following out his orders. I gave a certificate of “muster out” to an officer, in order that he might be mustered in, with his new and increased rank. The general had given me an express order to do so in all such cases, but as it happened, he did not wish this officer to get his new rank as it had been obtained in a rather underhand manner. The officer, too, lied to me in regard to his commission, and so obtained the certificate. The general made me write him (the officer aforesaid) a note, saying that I had given him the certificate without authority, which was not so. I did as he directed, however, as I did not wish to have a quarrel with the general. Of course the proper way for the general to have done would have been to demand the certificate back on the ground that it was fraudulently obtained. As it was, it exposed me to insult, etc., by having my authority to sign a paper called into question, and indeed, I don’t see why any officer might not now refuse to obey any order signed by me, on the ground that I had signed it without authority. Even if I had signed it without authority, it was very impolitic for the general to have a written statement made to that effect, when he could get out of the scrape in any other way. This, and one or two other things of a like nature done to others on the staff, makes me feel rather anxious in regard to the future. If anything the general orders to be done is not successful, I very much fear that the blame may be thrown on his staff officer, whoever he may be, by the general disavowing the act or order. He has constantly thrown the blame of all his former troubles on other people. However, it will only make me more careful and anxious to do my duty faithfully. I don’t wish you to think that I am on unpleasant terms with General Benham or that I have had any serious trouble. We are on the best of terms, and he did not blame me much about the certificate, but, as you know, straws show which way the wind blows, and I, of course, wish to go through this war with honor, and don’t want to render myself liable to any blame. Now, this present position in the Engineer Brigade is a very ticklish one. Any amount of blame and censure has been heaped on the former commander, and should it come on the present one, I prefer that it should not he shoved off on my shoulders. And from seeing General B. not disposed to stand up for his staff, which I have never before known a general not to do, I feel somewhat anxious. Of course, an aide’s reputation, honor and everything is in the hands of his general, and if an aide cannot feel that his general will support the orders he gives him to carry or to perform, why there is an end of him. Now, I think I can easily get on some other staff, and after giving you, in perfect confidence and with a knowledge that you will see it in its true light and keep it perfectly secret, a full statement of the case, I wish to know your opinion about it. I know the general is satisfied with me and has perfect confidence in me, and as a companion he is jolly and agreeable. But then he is very incautious in what he says about others, and censures the acts and abilities and doings of other generals in a way which must get him into trouble, and which has, undoubtedly, in my, opinion, made him enemies in his former campaigns, and led him into many of his scrapes. He is very ambitious, and very conceited. Of course everything here is for your ear alone, and must go no further.

We shall probably move in two or three days. The roads are all dry, and all the preparations are being made for a speedy move, probably down the river. By the time you get this we shall be on our way, unless storms prevent. Parties are at work on the roads fixing the bad holes, etc.

To-day we had an inspection of all our pontoons, and shall have them all in condition by to-morrow night. We have over a hundred of them.

At some convenient time, I will write you a full account of everything here. Don’t be at all anxious about me, as I have always and shall always do my duty. I have spoken to you in perfect confidence as a son would do to his father, in regard to my position and to my feelings. I will again say that I am on the best terms with General Benham, and know everything that is going on from him, which would not be the case if he did not have confidence in me.

I have been mounting Brigade Guard for the last week, and find it quite pleasant. I have at least learned much by my present position, and gained a great deal of useful experience.

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