Saturday, 6th—Lieut. Black took all men able for duty and started to Sligo this morning. To-night the Company got in from G.
June 2013
JUNE 6TH.—Still banging away. I took a horseback ride around the line to the left in the rear of McClernand’s corps. Everywhere I went I was met with the familiar zip, zip, of rebel bullets flying promiscuously through the air. I read a northern rebel paper, received by a member of the 96th Ohio, filled with false statements about the soldiers around Vicksburg. It said a great many of Grant’s soldiers were deserting. This is of course false, for I have heard of but two deserting their flag in time of need. Those two will never be able to look their old comrades in the face, for if they escape the penalty of death, disgrace and ignominy will not only follow them through life, but stamp their memories and lineage with infamy. The scorn of every loyal soldier will follow these cowards who have deserted in the face of the foe. No true-hearted mother or father can welcome the return of such recreants, who not only disgrace themselves but all their kindred. This paper also stated that the soldiers around Vicksburg are dying off like flies. This is another falsehood, for the army is in good health and spirits, and looking forward to victory with assurance.
June 6. — Got up at 3.30 A.M., but all to no purpose, as we did not move to-day. In the afternoon, I went with General Reynolds down to the signal station near the Fitzhugh house. Could see two guns in position on the Bowling Green Road, and the enemy behind their rifle-pits. On the way back, General Reynolds sent me to General Sedgwick. Found his headquarters on the bluff, just opposite the bridges. He was very kind indeed, and spoke of receiving a letter from Miss Kate Sedgwick, in which she spoke about me. As I left General S. the rain began to pour down, and before I reached camp we had quite a heavy thunder shower which was extremely welcome. Introduced myself to General Wright[1] this afternoon. He remembered me and was quite pleasant.
[1] General Horatio G. Wright was the officer with whom I served at Port Royal as volunteer aide. He afterwards commanded the Sixth Corps.
Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia. Capt. J.B. Howard and group, Office of Assistant Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac; June 1863; photo by Timothy H. O’Sullivan.
Library of Congress image.
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Saturday, 6th—Several companies from our brigade were detailed to go out last night and work as sappers and miners on the rifle pits. Our forces are working their way closer to the rebels’ works every day, and Vicksburg is now almost completely surrounded. The rebels are running short of provisions, it is said, and are anxious for reinforcements to break the siege. They made attacks today on our outside lines at four or five different points, driving in our pickets.
June 6 — This afternoon our battalion was ordered to move toward the Rappahannock. We marched to within one mile of the river, on the Beverly Ford road, and camped in the south edge of a woods on the west side of the Beverly Ford road. However, this is more of a bivouac than a camp, as we are not allowed to unload our baggage, as we are within one mile of the Yankee line, which is on the north bank of the Rappahannock, and nothing between us and the enemy but a cavalry picket line. Hood’s division of infantry passed us this evening, moving down the river.
6th June (Saturday).—Arrived at Atlanta at 3 A.M., and took three hours’ sleep at the Trouthouse hotel. After breakfasting, I started again for Augusta at 7 A.M. (174 miles); but the train had not proceeded ten miles before it was brought up by an obstruction, in the shape of a broken-down freight train, one of whose cars was completely smashed. This delayed us for about an hour, but we made up for it afterwards, and arrived at Augusta at 5.15 P.M.
The country through Georgia is undulating, well cultivated, and moderately covered with trees; and this part of the Confederacy has as yet suffered but little from the war. At some of the stations provisions for the soldiers were brought into the cars by ladies, and distributed gratis. When I refused on the ground of not being a soldier, these ladies looked at me with great suspicion, mingled with contempt, and as their looks evidently expressed the words, “Then why are you not a soldier?” I was obliged to explain to them who I was, and show them General Bragg’s pass, which astonished them not a little. I was told that Georgia was the only state in which soldiers were still so liberally treated—they have become so very common everywhere else. On reaching Augusta, I put up at the Planter’s-house hotel, which seemed very luxurious to me after so many hours of the cars. But the Augusta climate is evidently much hotter than Tennessee.
June 6, Saturday. Am unhappy over our affairs. The Army of the Potomac is doing but little; I do not learn that much is expected or intended. The failure at Chancellorsville has never been satisfactorily explained. Perhaps it cannot be. Some of the officers say if there had been no whiskey in the army after crossing the Rappahannock we should have had complete success. But the President and Halleck are silent on this subject.
How far Halleck is sustaining Grant at Vicksburg I do not learn. He seems heavy and uncertain in regard to matters there. A further failure at V. will find no justification. To-day he talks of withdrawing a portion of the small force at Port Royal. I am not, however, as anxious as some for an immediate demonstration on Charleston. There are, I think, strong reasons for deferring action for a time, unless the army is confident of success by approaches on Morris Island. Halleck is confident the place can be so taken. But while he expresses this belief, he is not earnest in carrying it into effect. He has suddenly broken out with zeal for Vicksburg, and is ready to withdraw most of the small force at Port Royal and send it to the Mississippi. Before they could reach Grant, the fate of Vicksburg will be decided. If such a movement is necessary now, it was weeks ago, while we were in consultation for army work in South Carolina and Georgia.
Halleck inspires no zeal in the army or among our soldiers. Stanton is actually hated by many officers, and is more intimate with certain extreme partisans in Congress — the Committee on the Conduct of War and others —than with the Executive Administration and military men. The Irish element is dissatisfied with the service, and there is an unconquerable prejudice on the part of many whites against black soldiers. But all our increased military strength now comes from the negroes. Partyism is stronger with many in the Free States than patriotism. Every coward and niggardly miser opposes the War. The former from fear, lest he should be drafted; the latter to avoid taxes.
The examination at the Naval School has closed, and the practice ship, the Macedonian, sails to-day. The report of the board is highly commendatory of the school. I have, amidst multiplied duties, tried to make the school useful, and have met with opposition and obstruction when I should have had support.
Before Vicksburg, Saturday, June 6. But little firing during the day. While watering horses I rode about two miles into the country, filled my haversack with ripe, juicy plums. Thought I’d like to take them home to Mary and have a shortcake.. But no—wait awhile. I’ll take them to camp and make some for supper, in hopes for something nicer in the future.
Saturday, June 6th.
On yesterday we marched six miles to a large open field beyond Culpepper to witness a review of General Stuart’s cavalary. There were 8,000 or 10,000 horsemen covering an immense area. The infantry were permitted to rest, and gaze at will, from the railroad embankment, on their maneuvers. Except the difference in the numbers present there was nothing to note which may not be seen at the review of a regiment. The great numbers inspired a feeling of awe and created an impression of strength and security.
We returned to camp about sunset, having made a march of twelve miles for recreation, entertainment and inspiration. . Just as I was writing the last line we received orders to be ready to march at 12 o’clock; it is now nearly 11. I asked yesterday for Lamar Stark, but I learned from Wat Taylor that he was across the river; so I cannot tell when I shall see him.
