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

Thursday, June 20, 2013

June 20.—The First regiment of New-York cavalry encountered a portion of Jenkins’s rebel force near Greencastle, Pa., and after a short skirmish defeated them, capturing twenty prisoners.—Extracts from the World, Express, and Caucasian, published in New-York, the Cincinnati Enquirer and Chicago Times, were suppressed within the limits of the Eighth army corps, by order of General Schenck.—The fishing-boat L. A. Macomber, of Noank, Ct, while at anchor at a point twenty-two miles south-east of the South Shoal light, Mass., was boarded by the privateer Tacony, and afterward burned.— The rebel schooner Hattie was captured while attempting to run the blockade of Wilmington, N. C., by the National gunboat Florida.

—A part of General Lee’s army is already in the valley of Virginia, and a part probably in Maryland. The rest will probably follow on. At all events, Richmond is about to be uncovered of the defence afforded by the proximity of his troops. They will be removed to some more distant point, whence they cannot be brought instantly and readily to our assistance, if assistance we should need. This summer’s campaign cannot be conducted efficiently, if large numbers of our regular troops are detailed to guard and protect our cities, and other assailable points.

In country and in town we must protect ourselves against raiding parties by means of the militia and of volunteer associations for home defence.

We learn from the United States papers that it is proposed in Pennsylvania to call out the militia up to sixty years of age, to repel apprehended invasion. Shall we do less to repel actual invasion? If she be ready to make such sacrifices to subjugate us, should we not be willing to make greater sacrifices to defend ourselves? Boys, from twelve to eighteen, are excellent marksmen, and although it might demoralize their principles, injure their characters, and endanger their health, to enlist them regularly in the army and expose them to the hardships of the camp, of long marches, and of indifferent diet, yet they may be drilled mote readily than old men, and made efficient soldiers in a sudden emergency to aid in the defence of the city and its environs.—Richmond Sentinel, June 20.

—The expedition that left Suffolk, Va., on the eleventh instant, returned to-day. Its leading object was to investigate the strength of, and destroy the three leading strongholds of the rebels on the Blackwater River, all of which were within a distance of twenty-five miles from Suffolk.—The citizens of Pittsburgh, Pa., held a mass meeting, at which martial law was called for and skulkers denounced. A general suspension of business and the raising of volunteer companies for defence were strenuously advocated.

—The ship Isaac Webb, in lat. 40° 35′, long. 68° 45′, was captured by the rebel privateer Tacony, and released on giving bonds for forty thousand dollars; the crew and passengers of the brig Umpire, which was captured and destroyed by the Tacony on the sixteenth instant, in lat. 37°, long. 69° 57½’, were put on board the Isaac Webb to be carried to New-York.—A. J. Bokeman was inaugurated as the first Governor of the State of West-Virginia.—The resistance to the enrolment in Holmes County, Ohio, ended.— A spirited engagement took place at Lafourche Crossing, La., this afternoon. Nearly two thousand rebels attacked the National forces —who were guarding the bridge and were repulsed.— Frederick, Md., was occupied by the rebels under J. E. B. Stuart.

June 20th. Scouts brought in many prisoners. All were obliged to report to the General at headquarters. I very often heard the conversation. One question always asked. “Whose command do you belong to?” While on duty at the General’s headquarters we received a call from two citizens from our home town, Norwich, Dr. Charles M. Carleton and Henry H. Starkweather. Came to learn all the particulars about our regiment’s part in the three days’ battle at Winchester. There was much excitement at home over the results. A full report had not been received. The casualties at this time were not really known. We were questioned as to what we knew about the disaster that had overtaken our regiment. Those of us who escaped received many letters from home asking for information about members of the regiment. At this time the regiment was well scattered, prisoners, a detachment reported at Hancock, Md., and ours at Maryland Heights.

20th. Awakened at 4 A. M. and ordered to take 3 days’ rations, forage and provisions on horse and 3 in wagon. Marched at 6. Thede and I went together. Passed the 103rd at the river. Followed us to Monticello. Took the Albany road. Went five miles and camped. Cool day for marching. Saw Lt. Case at Capt. West’s, doing well. Got dinner there, some coffee, green oats.

20th June (Saturday).—Armed with letters of introduction from the Secretary-at-War for Generals Lee and Longstreet, I left Richmond at 6 A.m., to join the Virginian army. I was accompanied by a sergeant of the Signal Corps, sent by my kind friend Major Norris, for the purpose of assisting me in getting on. We took the train as far as Culpepper, and arrived there at 5.30 P.M., after having changed cars at Gordonsville, near which place I observed an enormous pile of excellent rifles rotting in the open air. These had been captured at Chancellorsville; but the Confederates have already such a superabundant stock of rifles that apparently they can afford to let them spoil. The weather was quite cool after the rain of last night. The country through which we passed had been in the enemy’s hands last year, and was evacuated by them after the battles before Richmond; but at that time it was not their custom to burn, destroy, and devastate— everything looked green and beautiful, and did not in the least give one the idea of a hot country.

In his late daring raid, the Federal General Stoneman crossed this railroad, and destroyed a small portion of it, burned a few buildings, and penetrated to within three miles of Richmond; but he and his men were in such a hurry that they had not time to do much serious harm.

Culpepper was, until five days ago, the headquarters of Generals Lee and Longstreet; but since Ewell’s recapture of Winchester, the whole army had advanced with rapidity, and it was my object to catch it up as quickly as possible. On arriving at Culpepper, my sergeant handed me over to another myrmidon of Major Norris, with orders from that officer to supply me with a horse, and take me himself to join Mr Lawley, who had passed through for the same purpose as myself three days before.

Sergeant Norris, my new chaperon, is cousin to Major Norris, and is a capital fellow. Before the war he was a gentleman of good means in Maryland, and was accustomed to a life of luxury; he now lives the life of a private soldier with perfect contentment, and is utterly indifferent to civilisation and comfort. Although he was unwell when I arrived, and it was pouring with rain, he proposed that we should start at once—6 P.M. I agreed, and we did so. Our horses had both sore backs, were both unfed, except on grass, and mine was deficient of a shoe. They nevertheless travelled well, and we reached a hamlet called Woodville, fifteen miles distant, at 9.30. We had great difficulty in procuring shelter; but at length we overcame the inhospitality of a native, who gave us a feed of corn for our horses, and a blanket on the floor for ourselves.

Saturday, 20th—By order of General Grant all the artillery opened upon Vicksburg this morning, and the bombardment continued throughout the day. It is reported that the rebels have lost six hundred, killed and wounded, many of these being killed during the first two hours of the firing. Our left is holding quite tight. The sky was hazy today and the heat at times was very oppressive.

Before Vicksburg, Saturday, June 20. Awakened this morning by lively reveille from the muzzle of the 9-inch columbiads which opened at 9 A. M., followed by the 30-pound Parrott, then light battery, and a continued crash from all points for six hours, when, at 10 A. M. firing ceased. Whether the stronghold was weakened or not by the process is not known. Our piece alone threw two hundred rounds. The two regiments of infantry were posted in the rear during the fighting. Logan’s men on the enemy’s works digging. Three horses wounded and one negro in the evening from sharp-shooters.

June 20 — All quiet along the lines in front. Rained hard all day and we remained in the barn here at Union.

June 20, Saturday. Tidings from New York to-day are sad respecting Admiral Foote. I fear he cannot recover and that his hours upon earth are few. His death will be a great loss to the country, a greater one in this emergency to me than to any other out of his own family. Individual sorrows and bereavements and personal friendship are not to weigh in matters of national concernment, but I cannot forget that “we were boys together,” and that in later and recent years we have mutually sustained each other. I need him and the prestige of his name in the place to which he has been ordered.

I have sent Dr. Whelan, an old and intimate friend and shipmate of Foote, who thoroughly understands his physical system and peculiarities, — has been his daily companion for years in different climes, — to New York. His presence, even, will be cheering and pleasant to Foote.

Sumner’s opinion and estimate of men does not agree with Chase’s. Sumner expresses an absolute want of confidence in Hooker; says he knows him to be a blasphemous wretch; that after crossing the Rappahannock and reaching Centerville, Hooker exultingly exclaimed, “The enemy is in my power, and God Almighty cannot deprive me of them.” I have heard before of this, but not so direct and positive. The sudden paralysis that followed, when the army in the midst of a successful career was suddenly checked and commenced its retreat, has never been explained. Whiskey is said by Sumner to have done the work. The President said if Hooker had been killed by the shot which knocked over the pillar that stunned him, we should have been successful.

Maryland Heights, June 20th, 1863.

My dear Mother:

I left Baltimore this morning in company with Mr. Starkweather (who will bring you this) and Dr. Carlton, formerly of the 18th C. V. The cars took us as far as the Point of Rocks, and from there we were obliged to proceed afoot. Frightful stories of rebel cavalry along the route were prevalent, but we reached Harper’s Ferry in safety, finding that the only dangers were those conjured up by the foolish fears of some of Milroy’s scared troops. The distance from the Point of Rocks was about twelve miles, so I feel a little tired to-night. The General gave me a most cordial welcome and assured me my services could be of great use. I am to be installed at once into my old position of A. A. General, and trust I may be able to perform the duties of the position satisfactorily. Ned looks well and finds plenty to do. I have never seen General Tyler looking in better health. I think the responsibility imposed upon him does him good. He has been doing a great deal since here, and feels happy at really accomplishing something more congenial than attending courts-martial. I am well, doing first rate, and am very glad to serve at this time. Have not been here long enough to understand much about the military aspect of affairs.

Most affec’y.,

Will.

June 20 and 21—Raining hard.