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

Friday, June 21, 2013

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

June 21, 2013

Diary of Gideon Welles

June 21, Sunday. I have three telegrams from Dr. Whelan to-day, all of the same tenor. The last, at 4 P.M., says Admiral Foote continues much the same, — insensible and slowly sinking. Dahlgren, who left New York yesterday, says the case is hopeless, that Foote told him it was the last of this world and he was prepared for the event.

We have pretty authentic reports of a protracted fight at Aldie. The War Department is not communicative, and I apprehend for the reason that it is not better advised than the rest of us, as yet. A train of ambulances passed this evening, going, I doubt not, for the wounded.

The Richmond papers speak of the capture of the steamer Fingal by our ironclads. This is important, and I am inclined to credit it. John Rodgers has written his family that he was in Nassau Sound, having been ordered there to watch the Fingal. The Richmond report corresponds with this, and states she was captured after a fight of thirty minutes with the monitors.

I had to-day a full and unreserved talk with Dahlgren. Told him it was now evident Foote could not go on the service to which he was ordered, — at all events, if he survived, not for the present; I should therefore designate him to relieve Du Pont. This would, to some extent, involve the selection of a new staff, for it was not likely that Foote’s confidants were his confidants. [I remarked] that not unlikely some of the elder officers who had seen great sea service would feel disinclined to remain on the station under him; that in giving him this command I was consulting the wishes of the President; that to supersede Du Pont, under any circumstances, involved some risk and responsibility to both the Department and the recipient; that he could not be unaware his promotion had caused some discontent, and that it would not be lessened by this command. If any of his seniors in past times desired to be transferred, they must be permitted to do so, without prejudice.

I stated that this appointment was a specialty, imposed upon the Department by Admiral Foote’s affliction when on his way to assume these duties; that this interruption made prompt action necessary; that he had sought the privilege of leading in the assault on Sumter under Du Pont; that I had proposed him as an assistant and second to Foote; that he was to go for a particular purpose, and his absence from the Bureau would therefore be temporary. In the mean time, Commander Wise, the assistant who had been associated with him, could take charge of and go forward with the ordnance duties as well as, and perhaps better than, any one else. To all this he assented, but expressed a strong wish that a new appointment might be made, and he entirely relieved from the Bureau. I replied that I could not for a moment think of relieving him of charge of the ordnance, nor ought he to ask, or be willing, to relinquish it; that was his place, to which he had been educated and for which he had aptitude, and it was my wish he should retain his position as Chief of the Ordnance Bureau during my connection with the Department.

As related to any demonstration on Charleston, should any be made, he was to consider himself clothed with full powers, and to prescribe details, communicating at all times and without reserve to the Department; to let me have not only all the good news but any bad news, and to tell me frankly at any time of embarrassments, change of views, or difficulties of any kind.

Post image for A Soldier’s Story of the Siege of Vicksburg–Osborn H. Oldroyd.

A Soldier’s Story of the Siege of Vicksburg–Osborn H. Oldroyd.

June 21, 2013

A Soldier’s Story of the Siege of Vicksburg–Osborn H. Oldroyd

JUNE 21ST.—To-day again church bells at the North are calling good people to worship, and to hear words of cheer and comfort to the soul. The prayers of our patriotic mothers and fathers that will go up to-day for the suppression of this rebellion will surely have a hearing.

We had inspection of arms and quarters at nine this morning. Of course everything was in good order, but if such a thing should take us by surprise some time, our beds might be found not made, and things in general upside down. When notice of this inspection was given, or rather an order to prepare for it, one of our boys remarked, “This must be Sunday;” and he added, “I guess I won’t wait for this inspection,—I’ll take my girl to church.” If his girl had been here the whole company would doubtless have wanted to go to church, too. “Though lost to sight, to memory dear.” We can talk to the sweet creatures only through the dear letters exchanged; but a love letter brings a very bright smile to a warrior’s face, and the sunshine that prevails in camp after the reading of the mail from home, is quite noticeable. Dear girls, do not stop writing ; write letters that are still longer, for they are the sweetest of war’s amenities, and are the only medicine that has kept life in the veins of many a homesick soldier. When the mail comes I cannot help wishing everybody may get a letter; but alas! some must miss hearing their names read, and oh! the sadness that creeps over them when the last name has been called and the last letter handed out to some one else. They are sadder than if wounded by a bullet. If wounded, a surgeon may prescribe; but what prescription for the failure of a letter from home? Our mail is by no means daily, and if it comes at all, its favors are few and far between. Indeed, each time it comes we get to feeling as if it may never come again. And so it may prove, in fact. The disappointed one carries his strangled hope into the next day’s fight, falls, and dies, perhaps, from some wound that otherwise might prove slight, for his heart is broken.

This afternoon I stood on a little hill just back of a regiment adjoining, talking with a friend there, when crash through his brain went a rebel bullet. He had just alluded to the horrors of the daily strife. Relieved from further duty here, he went to answer roll-call in a better army, to which his honorable discharge from this ought surely to admit him. He answered the first call of his country, and had served faithfully through two years of hardship and danger. I personally know that he fought well, and his name should not fail to be enrolled somewhere in the records of his country.

Post image for Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd

Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd

June 21, 2013

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

Sunday, 21st—Came over to Old Fosterville to picket.

Post image for Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford. – From the Personal Journal of Wm. C. Holton.

Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford. – From the Personal Journal of Wm. C. Holton.

June 21, 2013

Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford–Wm. C. Holton

June 21st. Commences with pleasant weather. From twelve to four A. M., heavy firing going on at Port Hudson, mostly of musketry. At ten A. M., inspected crew at quarters, and performed Divine service upon the quarter-deck. Between the hours of eight P. M. and twelve midnight, heard reports of great guns in rear of Port Hudson.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

June 21, 2013

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

June 21.— Rosengarten relieved me as officer of the day this evening. The weather has been cloudy and rainy most of the day. We sent a regiment (7th Indiana) down to Frying-Pan, to capture guerillas, etc. A detachment came back this evening with seven citizens or bushwhackers. We found out to-day that our guide was captured at Coleman’s house yesterday. Coleman lives about two miles from here, and as he had a lot of forage, our guide and quartermaster’s clerk went there for it, and were caught by a Secesh there, said to be Mosby.

Post image for A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

June 21, 2013

A Soldier's Diary, The Story of a Volunteer, David Lane, (17th Mich. Vol. Infantry)

June 21st. 1863.

The sky is overcast with clouds, a cool breeze comes from the west, which makes the temperature delightful. I have been out berrying, and have succeeded admirably. On my way in I found some short pieces of board, of which I have made a comfortable seat, with a desk in front, on which I am now writing. I feel quite like an aristocrat. In my ramble across the field I discovered a flowering vine, the most bewitchingly beautiful thing I ever saw. I searched in vain for seed sufficiently matured to germinate. I wish I could describe its matchless beauty, but words are feeble.

We are still lying here waiting for Johnson, of course, to come to us, although no one seems to know where Johnson is—whether on the Yazoo, the Big Black or the little one. I suspect it is not definitely known whether his “large army” is a myth or a reality. But, doubtless, these hidden, secret, mysterious “strategic movements” and original plans will, some time, be made apparent, and then I, at least, will make one desperate attempt to appreciate and admire the wisdom and energy which could see, plan and execute with such unerring certainty and success. But Vicksburg, the center of gravity at present, is really a very stubborn fact. I do not understand it, cannot comprehend it, but I believe Grant will investigate it to the satisfaction of all loyal people. All the reliable information I can get at present is brought on the wings of the wind. This is not Grant’s official report, but the report of his artillery. Last night his cannons’ sullen roar reverberated from cliff to cliff and shook the hills. There are all sorts of rumors which it is folly to repeat, for they are replaced by new ones every hour. I believe I will record the latest, so here goes:

Last night Pemberton conceived the brilliant idea of turning loose four or five hundred horses and mules, creating a stampede among them, and, when Grant’s lines open to let them through, as certainly would be done, if he suspected nothing, why, out they would rush, artillery, infantry and all, before the lines could close again, and thus escape. But Grant was wide awake, fell back a mile or two to give himself room to work, opened his lines for the horses to pass through and the Rebels to pass in, then closed on them and had them trapped.

Post image for Civil War Diary of William Raleigh Clack, defending Vicksburg.

Civil War Diary of William Raleigh Clack, defending Vicksburg.

June 21, 2013

Civil War Diary kept by W. R. Clack, Co. B, 43rd Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers.

June 21 — Another Sabbath morning has rolled around and found us still confined to the neighboring hill of Vicksburg without any better prospects of our deliverance. It is reported that Johnson has attacked the enemy but I doubt it. Sharp shooters are pecking away as usual this morning. Warm firing was kept up all day. WRC

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

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

June 21, 2013

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyons.

Fort Donelson, June 21, 1863.—I fear I wrote the last time in rather a depressing vein, but the news is much better now, so I feel much better.

Captain Kingman is detailed to take home money for our regiment. He is now out on an expedition. His brother, Lieut. Kingman, of the 22d, is here; also Lieut. Booth, of the same regiment, a relative of Mrs. Woodman. The regiment is at Nashville, under orders to go back to Franklin. They speak in the highest terms of Captains May and Mead, and well they can, for no braver or better boys than they live.

I spend the whole day at headquarters, and find plenty of occupation. Time passes more rapidly than it would were I unoccupied. I have been ordered to remove obstructions from the river at Line Island, twenty miles below here, and at Ingraham Shoals near Eddyville. I sent Captain Ruger and Lieut. Balis and Lieut. Lamoreau to Line Island yesterday to make an examination, and I think I will go myself to Eddyville on the same business in a few days. These obstructions are barges sunk in the river by Floyd when the rebels had possession in 1861.

Post image for “Almost every foot of ground in this vicinity has been fought over time and again, since the beginning of the war.” –Diary of Josiah Marshall Favill.

“Almost every foot of ground in this vicinity has been fought over time and again, since the beginning of the war.” –Diary of Josiah Marshall Favill.

June 21, 2013

Diary of a Young Officer–Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)

On the 29th [May] we got on board the train and went to Washington. There we left the general with his friend Williams and both of us proceeded to New York, where we renewed our social gaieties and fell at once into the ways of city life. There is much less enthusiasm now for officers from the seat of war and one gets little attention except from one’s immediate friends.

On the 17th of June, the papers announced the enemy in motion and the army of the Potomac as leaving their winter quarters about Falmouth. By nine o’clock I received a dispatch from the general, directing Broom and me to leave for Washington immediately; and so we took the train the same evening, arriving there the following morning, reporting without waiting for breakfast. Received a hospitable greeting from both the general and his friend Williams, who pressed us to remain and breakfast, but we respectfully declined in favor of our usual headquarters when in Washington, the Metropolitan Hotel. We remained in the city until the 21st before we could ascertain in which direction to go to reach our command, the general in a state of great disturbance on account of the delay. Early this morning we found out and took the military train to Fairfax court house, arriving there in the evening to find the corps had marched from that place early the same morning; each of us had a valise to carry, and being without horses or servants were at a loss how to proceed. Broom, however, proved equal to the emergency. He called upon the depot quartermaster greeted him in his usual irresistible and hearty manner, claimed an ancient acquaintance and comradeship as an old quartermaster, and finally wheedled an ambulance out of him, with directions to the driver to take us wherever we desired to go; thus comfortably cared for we started off in fine condition, arriving at Centreville, only to find the corps had gone on to Gainesville, and so we kept going, finally arriving at division headquarters at 7 P. M., after a tiresome journey lasting all day. General French’s division and our brigade were the only infantry troops in camp. All the rest had gone with General Hancock to Thoroughfare Gap. It was delightful to be back again to our command and meet with such a hearty welcome. The troops always like their regular officers along, when going on a campaign. General French occupied the best house in the place as headquarters and invited Zook to share it with him. The general accepted, and immediately assumed command of his brigade. From General French we received the first reliable information of the movements of the army and a full record of the events, which led up to the present movement. It seems Lee has taken the initiative again, and is believed to be moving a second time to the invasion of the Northern states. The army of the Potomac is watching his movements, moving on an inner circle, covering the capital and expects sooner or later to plant itself across his path.

Almost every foot of ground in this vicinity has been fought over time and again, since the beginning of the war. The Bull Run battlefield is only a short distance east of us, and Thoroughfare Gap and Centreville are on either side of us. Several roads converge here, and it is strategically a place of considerable importance and has been occupied by both armies alternately several different times. Outside of its military importance, it amounts to nothing.

Post image for The Siege Itself.

The Siege Itself.

June 21, 2013

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South by Dora Richards Miller

June 21st, 1863.—I had gone upstairs to-day during the interregnum to enjoy a rest on my bed and read the reliable items in the “Citizen,” when a shell burst right outside the window in front of me. Pieces flew in, striking all round me, tearing down masses of plaster that came tumbling over me. When H. rushed in I was crawling out of the plaster, digging it out of my eyes and hair. When he picked up beside my pillow a piece as large as a saucer, I realized my narrow escape. The window-frame began to smoke, and we saw the house was on fire. H. ran for a hatchet and I for water, and we put it out. Another (shell) came crashing near, and I snatched up my comb and brush and ran down here. It has taken all the afternoon to get the plaster out of my hair, for my hands were rather shaky.

______

Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in New Orleans, the diary was published anonymously, edited by G. W. Cable, names were changed and initials were often used instead of full names — and even the initials differed from the real person’s initials.

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