Friday, 29th.—Very heavy cannonading from 7 to 8 A. M., along the center. Gunboats came up and shelled the woods in our front; throwing some shells from mortars across the peninsula, but doing little damage.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
May 29.— Had a letter from Frank Balch this morning, and also one from Father in regard to George Weld’s commission. Day pleasant. Lieutenant Nares came over in the evening. Amused myself pitching quoits.
Friday, 29th—We started on the move early this morning and after marching about ten miles came upon the rebel pickets. We drove them in and forming a line of battle advanced towards them about two miles, our batteries throwing a few shells. But the rebels refused to take a stand and finally withdrew altogether. It was a small detachment of Johnston’s army. We lost one killed and two wounded. Our regiment went out on picket.
Colonel Lyons.
Fort Donelson, May 29, 1863.—The Ewing has finally got here and will go down about Sunday. We get rumors of disaster to Grant at Vicksburg, but refuse to believe it yet. I learn that some of the troops at Fort Heiman have been ordered down there. If we were in that department now we should probably be sent, too. We may be as it is. They have had bloody work down there, and I tremble for the old Eighth where I have so many good friends. We get reports that Bragg’s army has disappeared from Rosecrans’ front, but know nothing definite.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
May 29.—We took the cars for Chicago. When out a few miles I wished Rachel to come into our car. They would not let her at first, but I spoke to the conductor, and he said if she belonged to me she might come into our car. I told him that she belonged to me as much as one human being could belong to another, any way I was taking her home with me. He went into the other car for her and found two men claiming her, who were going to take her off at the next stopping place. She denied ever having seen them before, but they insisted that she belonged to one of them and that he should take her off; but I stopped them by saying that she belonged to me, and I suppose that I looked black enough to be a Southern woman; so they let her alone and I took her into the ladies’ car. She was going to one of the Chicago suburbs, and when we got to the junction she bade us good bye. The train stood by the side of the one she was going to take, but a little while after we started the conductor brought her back to us. She had gone down a few cars and got on again. We had a good laugh with her, but she was out of danger now and could go back at any time.
MAY 29TH.—”The early bird catches the worm.” We tried the truth of that adage this morning, but failed to make the catch. A few graybacks were seen afar off, but we failed to get within range of them. Where, O where, is General Johnston and the grand army he was to bring against us ? We have looked for him in vain. I have the utmost confidence in Grant’s judgment and the prestige of his army which has never yet known defeat, but I confess, till now, I have been afraid of some attack in our rear. And why such a thing does not occur is a mystery to me—at least an attempt at it. Day by day Grant is intrenching and pushing nearer to the enemy’s works, planting heavy guns and receiving fresh troops, so the opportunity for a saving stroke by the enemy is fast disappearing.
Camped again at dark, within two miles of Mechanicsville, through which we passed, finding all quiet after our cavalry had driven a few rebs beyond the town.
Group shot, officers of the 54th Mass. Colored
Image summary: Photograph shows a full-length portrait of three officers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Sitters have been identified as Second Lieutenant Ezekiel G. Tomlinson, Captain Luis F. Emilio (center), and Second Lieutenant Daniel G. Spear (National Archives records).
Part of William A. Gladstone collection of African American photographs
Library of Congress image.
Civil War Portrait 035
May 29, Friday. We have accounts of farther and extensive depredations by the Alabama. These depredations were near the Line, where the Department, in anticipation of her appearance, had ordered the Vanderbilt. She was specially ordered to Fernando de Noronha, whither the Alabama was expected to go, — where she did go, and where she would have been captured, had instructions been obeyed, and not interfered with. But Admiral Wilkes, having fallen in with that vessel and finding her a commodious ship with extensive and comfortable accommodations, deliberately annexed her to his squadron and detained her in the West Indies as his flagship, hunting prizes, too long for the service on which she was specially sent. I, of course, shall be abused for the escape of the Alabama and her destruction of property by those who know nothing of the misconduct of Wilkes. The propriety of recalling that officer is more apparent than ever. He has accomplished nothing, but has sadly interrupted and defeated the plans of the Department. The country, ignorant of these facts and faults, will disapprove his removal, and assail the Department for the mischief of the Alabama, whereas, had he been earlier removed, the latter would not have happened.
I this morning sent for Admiral Foote and had a free and full talk with him in regard to the command of the South Atlantic Squadron. I am satisfied he would be pleased with the position, and really desired it when he knew Du Pont was to be relieved. I then introduced him to General Gillmore, and with the charts and maps before us took a rapid survey of the harbor and plan of operations. Before doing this, I said to Foote that I thought it would be well for the country, the service, and himself, were Admiral Dahlgren associated with him. He expressed the pleasure it would give him, but doubted if D. would consent to serve as second.
I requested Mr. Fox to call on D. and inform him that I had given Foote the squadron, that I should be glad to have him embark with Foote, and take an active part against Charleston. If he responded favorably, I wished him to come with Fox to the conference. Fox returned with an answer that not only was D. unwilling to go as second, but that he wished to decline entirely, unless he could have command of both naval and land forces. This precludes farther thought of him. I regret it for his own sake. It is one of the errors of a lifetime. He has not seen the sea service he ought for his rank, and there is a feeling towards him, on account of his advancement, among naval men which he had now an opportunity to remove. No one questions his abilities as a skillful and scientific ordnance officer, but some of his best friends in his profession doubt his capability as a naval officer on such duty as is here proposed. It is doubtful if he ever will have another so good an opportunity.
Foote says he will himself see D., and has a conviction that he can induce him to go with him. I doubt it. Dahlgren is very proud and aspiring, and will injure himself and his professional standing in consequence. With undoubted talents of a certain kind he has intense selfishness, and I am sorry to see him on this occasion, as I have seen him on others, regardless of the feelings and rights of officers of greater experience, who have seen vastly more sea service and who possess high naval qualities and undoubted merit. In a matter of duty, such as this, he shows what is charged upon him, — that he is less devoted to the country than to himself, that he never acts on any principle of self-sacrifice. While friendly to him, as I have shown on repeated occasions, I am friendly to others also, and must respect their feelings and protect their rights.
May 29.—A detachment of the First Vermont cavalry had a skirmish near Thoroughfare Gap, Va. with a scouting-party of Stuart’s cavalry, consisting of forty men, commanded by Captain Farleigh, of General Stuart’s staff. The rebels fled precipitately, with the loss of one killed, two wounded, and one man taken prisoner. The Nationals had five horses wounded; but sustained no loss or casualty, with the exception of one man taken prisoner.—The Sixth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, after two terms of service in the war, returned to Boston, where they were received with great enthusiasm.—New-York Tribune.
—Brigadier-General Reed returned to Lake Providence, La., from an expedition into Mississippi. Three days ago he embarked with a portion of the First Kansas volunteers, and a regiment of Louisiana colored troops. Ascending the river ten miles, the troops landed near Moon lake, from which place they advanced into the interior, and succeeded in capturing sixty head of cattle, and a large quantity of stores belonging to the rebels.
29th. Felt quite feverish in the morning. Afternoon, light attack of ague. Felt miserable all day. Got badly beaten at chess in the morning by Chester. Spent a very restless night. Sore, headache and uneasy every way. Thede very kindly did my work. Col. Kautz went out with 450 men. Aggravating.
