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

July 2013

Post image for Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne.

Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne.

July 20, 2013

Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne

[Diary] July 20.

I came home yesterday, and to-day I am summoned by Mr. Pierce to Beaufort to help nurse the wounded soldiers who have come down from Morris Island. They are coming in by hundreds. We hear the guns all day and night. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts behaved splendidly at the attack on Fort Wagner.1 They took it, but we cannot hold it, for Fort Sumter commands it and shells our men out. Our young Hallowell was wounded three times. Mr. Pierce nursed him and brought him down. Nearly all the officers of the Fifty-fourth killed or wounded. Colonel Shaw, they say, sprang upon the fort and called to his boys to come on, and was then struck and fell. It is hoped he is a prisoner, and yet his comrades hardly dare to expect much from that, for, commanding black soldiers, will he not be murdered in cold blood? They are all greatly excited about him, hoping, fearing, disregarding their own wounds in their anxiety for him. They love him.2

1 July 18, 1863. The attack was led by the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored), Colonel Robert Gould Shaw commanding.

2 Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was killed in the attack on Fort Wagner.

Post image for Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier by Louis Léon

Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier by Louis Léon

July 20, 2013

Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier By Louis Léon [53d North Carolina Regiment, infantry]

July 20—Went on picket to-day, stayed there one hour, and was ordered back. Got to camp, and found our brigade gone. We marched to Martinsburg, halted at 10 at night, two miles from town—ten miles to-day.

Post image for War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

July 20, 2013

War Letters of William Thompson Lusk.

Headquarters Del. Dept.

Wilmington, Del., July 20th, 1863.

My dear Mother:

You have heard before now, I suppose, that I was in New-York a few days last week. I saw Horace then, but the excitement of the riots excluded all other topics of conversation.

Lilly was kind enough to write me a letter, which I shall gladly answer, as I have time enough now to remember all correspondents that remember me. If nothing else, I have abundant opportunities to read and write. After the draft has been enforced in this State, the necessity for Martial Law will probably have passed away. Then I hope either to have more active service, or to get relieved altogether. My summer experience will lead me to enjoy with the greater zest the coming winter.

Gen. Tyler has behaved most handsomely I think, for when he was ordered to Maryland Heights, it was with the understanding that he was to have an important command, if not that of the Middle Department itself. But the loss of Milroy’s Army, the advance of Hooker, and consequent assignment of French to the Heights, the troubles in Baltimore, one and all operated to break up all plans, and to leave him in his present position. I have not heard him utter, for all, a single word of complaint, though necessarily his position must be very irksome to him.

Aunt Maria, Uncle Phelps and Nellie were in New-York for a few hours while I was there, but I did not know it until it was too late. Mr. _____, who lives opposite my Uncle’s, sent for me to come and see him. He proposed that I should take charge of a patrol to protect their part of the town. I turned to young _____.and suggested that he would make one of the patrol. “No,” says the young man, “but I’ll furnish a porter from father’s store as a substitute.” Indeed thought I, with such heroic youths, there is no need of doing anything here. I can let this part of the city take care of itself.

Your affec. Son,

Will.

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.

July 20, 2013

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

July 20th. Early this morning, a side-wheel steamer came up the river. Hoisted two rifle guns off the poop, and transported them forward. Some of the lads on liberty; those remaining on board, some of whom had been ashore and had a little run of it, working with a will, since they were now sure that the old and loved Hartford was homeward bound. The guns, eight in number, had been ordered to be got in readiness for being hoisted out of her, which was a sure indication that they were quite right in believing as they did. During the forenoon, sent two guns and carriages ashore; at three P. M. gunboat Estrella got under way and went down the river; at six forty, inspected crew at evening quarters, and transported two guns from the starboard to port side of deck. This was a good day’s work done, darkness coming on before the boys got through with it.

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

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

July 20, 2013

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

July 20th, 1863.

Vicksburg is ours; Johnson defeated and his forces scattered; our work in Mississippi is performed, and we have taken up the line of march for some other distant field.

We left Jackson at 3 a. m. today for Haines Bluff, where we take transports for some point north or east. I think I will be glad to put in the balance of my work a little farther north, although I would not hesitate to go anywhere, so I might contribute my mite toward putting down this rebellion. But, other things being equal, I would choose to be where we could get pure water, and, what I prize more than all else, hear from my loved family with some degree of regularity. It has been a sore trial, and hard to bear, to be compelled to wait for days and weeks for tidings from a sick and suffering wife.

We marched twelve miles this forenoon, and have halted for dinner. Fifteen miles must be made this afternoon to obtain water. It is a tough march, but necessity compels. It would seem that, in an emergency like this, when our lives depend upon our “staying power,” some unseen hand sustains us. As for myself, I have never borne hard marches so well as in Mississippi.

I see by the papers there is much talk of the Rebels carrying the war into the North. Well, let them go. “Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.” I am not sure but it is the only thing that can unite the North; certainly it will hasten the downfall of the Confederacy.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

July 20, 2013

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

20th. Went on to Tupper’s Plains. Rebs got around and made for 8 Miles Island near the shore. Moved rapidly. At Harrisonville and Rutland the hungry boys were satisfied. Little rain. About dusk the report came back that the rebs, 1800. had surrendered. Duke, Col. Morgan, Ward and other field officers. Had quite a visit with some. Seemed queer to see our Ky. boys hunting our brothers and cousins. Marched to Cheshire and camped. Rained during the night.

Post image for Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy.

Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy.

July 20, 2013

Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

Monday, 20.—Brigade arrived. All to be furloughed.

Post image for Diary of David L. Day.

Diary of David L. Day.

July 20, 2013

David L Day–My diary of rambles with the 25th Mass

A Conflict of Authority.

July 20. There is among army officers a constant jealousy and strife for promotion and rank, watching and looking after each other, fearful lest some one may be assuming some rank or taking some privileges that do not belong to him. I have been giving my men passes out of camp, and these passes have been honored at headquarters. In consequence of that a spirit of envy and jealousy entered the breasts of the infantry officers; it made them feel sore and uneasy, so they consulted together and decided that that could no longer be allowed. They informed me that I was exceeding my authority in passing men out of camp. Being in a minority and not caring to exhibit any stubbornness over so trifling a matter I magnanimously waived my authority to issue the passes, but it was a big come down for the chief of artillery. When I wish to leave I simply look in at headquarters and say to the captain. “I propose going out.” If there is anything in the pitcher he always says, “You had better come in, and take something before going.” The captain is as generous as he is brave, and brave men are always generous.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

July 20, 2013

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

Vicksburg, Monday, July 20. Sergts. J. M. Hood and W. W. Runyan; Corps. Sam Beaver, Charles Neefe and S. A. Ferris; privates J. Neefe and J. L. Bennett started home on a thirty day furlough. It caused many a longing wish in the hearts of us all for the day when we should follow to stay for good. Had a Battery inspection by Lieutenants Clark and Simpson. A. M. a general invoice of all government property taken. Bathed in the Mississippi in the evening. Mail arrived. None for me.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

July 20, 2013

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

July 20. — Started at 4 A.M. for Middleburg, about 13 miles distant. Passed through the Quaker settlement, and through Circleville. Stopped at the Quakers’ houses and found them very pleasant and hospitable. We reached Middleburg about 5 P.M., after a long and wearisome march, losing our way several times, and having a great deal of trouble in finding a ford over Goose Creek. The bridge over the creek was destroyed by our cavalry some three weeks ago. We finally forded the creek at Benton’s Mill. Major Russell and Colonel Sanderson were gobbled near this ford by about twelve of Mosby’s men, and taken through Middleburg on their Way to Warrenton. After reaching M., I was sent to headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, and found them at Union, 6 miles distant. Received orders to stay where we were to-morrow. Baird is A. A. G.[1]

[1] As we were starting out this morning, we got one or two hundred yards ahead of the corps, and looking to the left, I saw fifty or sixty Confederate cavalry in the field, not more than two or three hundred yards to our left. I showed them to the general, and he told me to take our headquarters guard and go after them. As soon as they saw us, they retired in short order into the woods. I followed them for about a mile, but could not get them. I found a hospital for sick horses belonging to Mosby, but could accomplish nothing, so returned. When we got to Goose Creek, the general wanted to cross over. As we were about a quarter of a mile ahead of the corps, I begged him to wait, and he did so. Lucky he did, for Major Russell and Colonel Sanderson, who did cross a few minutes ahead of us, were captured by Mosby.

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →