August 18, Tuesday. Blair denounces the practice of dismissing officers without trial as oppressive and wrong. Mentions the case of Lieutenant Kelly, a Pennsylvanian, who, he says, has been unjustly treated. I know not the facts in this particular case, and am aware that a bad President or Secretary might abuse this authority, but a peremptory dismissal without trial is sometimes not only justifiable but necessary. If the authority is abused, let the one who abuses it, whatever his station, be held accountable and, if necessary, impeached.
Stanton wishes me to go with him to Fortress Monroe. Says he has a boat; wants, himself, to go down, etc.
Governor Buckingham was at my house this evening. Has come to Washington to consult in relation to the draft.
In a conversation with General Spinner, the Treasurer, a radical, yet a Democrat of the old school, he condemns the error into which we have fallen of electing too many officers by the people, especially judicial and accounting officers, who should be selected and appointed by an accountable and responsible executive. Admits his mind has undergone a revolution on this subject.
August 18 — The first section went on outpost picket this evening. I am still off duty, and remained at the reserve post, but I am beginning to feel very much like answering twice to a double feed call.
18th. Teams returned during night. Early in the morning, breakfasted and packed up the wagons. Off at 9. Went over to the 19th and saw Byerley and Ed. Cobb. Reached Crab Orchard at noon and got dinner at a private house. Ordered to report to Co. C for duty. Went over to roll call but stopped at the Commissary. Burnside and Shackleford, our Brigade Commander, came in. 2nd E. Tenn., 9th Mich., 2nd and 7th Ohio.
Tuesday, 18th—We were relieved from picket this morning. It looks pretty bad in walking the streets of Vicksburg to see the destruction caused by our shells. Many buildings are completely demolished, while others have great holes made in their walls —I counted as high as ten holes in a wall. I noticed a shell lying in the bottom of a cistern, whose fuse must have been put out when it struck the water and so it only knocked a hole in the wall, but it drained the water out of the cistern.
Vicksburg, Tuesday, Aug. 18. On guard, first relief. A heavy rain fell during the afternoon and nearly all night. Much like fall weather in Wisconsin. Rather disagreeable on foot. Kept dry by the aid of rubber. Mail arrived, with a good amount for “Jenk”.
Unidentified soldier in Union uniform with bayoneted musket, canteen, cartridge and cap boxes in front of painted backdrop showing military camp with American flag.
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Quarter-plate tintype, hand-colored ; 11.9 x 9.9 cm (case)
Deposit by Tom Liljenquist; 2012
Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs; Ambrotype/Tintype photograph filing series; Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Record page for image is here.
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Note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
- fade correction,
- color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
- selected spot and/or scratch removal
- cropped for composition and/or to accentuate subject matter
- straighten image
Civil War Portrait 062
August 18.—Lieutenant Bross, with a detachment of the Engineer regiment, on an expedition about twelve miles south of Pocahontas, Ark., was attacked by Colonel Street’s company, at a point where defence was difficult After a brief skirmish, Lieutenant Bross drew his men in line of battle, and charged upon the rebels, who broke and ran. They were chased for five miles, when four were captured, with several of their horses and mules. Colonel Street was among those pursued. He was subsequently discovered and chased, and pressed so hard, that he jumped from his horse, and hid himself in a swamp and undergrowth. In Street’s saddle-bags were found the pay-roll of a company of the First Mississippi militia, as follows: One hundred and fifty men all told, twenty-two prisoners of war, forty-two absent without leave, and nine turned over to another company, leaving his present strength seventy-one men. — The British steamer Hebe was run ashore near New-Inlet, N. C., and afterward destroyed by the United States steamer Niphon. One of the Niphon’s boats was swamped, and her crew captured by the rebels, who lined the shore, firing on the boats charged with the destruction of the Hebe.—The Forty-seventh regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, under the command of Colonel Marsh, returned to Boston, from the seat of war.—The bombardment of Fort Sumter was continued.
August 18th, 1863.—Tonight we had with us at supper two of the heroes of Gettysburg; John Nash and Nicholas Eppes. They were recommended for promotion by their colonel, for gallantry on the battle field of Gettysburg. On that field, where deeds of daring, which will live forever, were done, what did these boys do that could be singled out? They must have distinguished themselves for the War Department to notice and promote. I wanted to ask about the great battle but they were leaving home as they had, only a short hour or two ago, said goodbye to those they loved. They were on their way to the army of the West, even now fighting Rosecrans army. They were going to face death, just as they had faced it at Gettysburg, and so, I could not ask questions which would call up scenes of blood and agony.
When they had said goodbye and were out of sight Aunt Robinson said, “Mrs. Bradford, isn’t it a pity for that pretty boy to be killed by the Yankees? He is enough like Sue to be her brother.” Mother shuddered. “I am glad he isn’t,” she said, “I am afraid it is not patriotic but I am glad I have no sons.”
It used to be a grievance to poor mother that, as Johnnie expressed it, “Aunt Patsey’s boys were all girls,” but she seems to be taking comfort in it now.
by John Beauchamp Jones
AUGUST 18TH.—There is heavy firing, day and night, on Wagner’s battery and FortSumter. The enemy use 15-inch guns; but Sumter is 4000 yards distant, and it may be hoped will not be reduced.
After all, the enemy did not, durst not, shave the head of Gen. Morgan, and otherwise maltreat him, as was reported.
The Secretary of War is, I believe, really in earnest in his determination to prevent future blockade-running on private account; and is resolved to send out cotton, tobacco, etc. by every steamer, so that funds and credit may be always available in Europe. The steamers go and come every week, in spite of the cruisers, and they bring munitions of war, equipments, provisions, iron, etc. etc. So long as this continues, the war can be maintained ; and of late very few captures have been made by the enemy.
There are rumors of some manœuvres of Gen. Lee, which may indicate an approaching battle.
August 18.—We are still quite pleased with every thing; have a few very sick; all is a great contrast from Chattanooga, where we had so many die.
Mr. Green is very attentive; is constantly visiting the men; and he also does all of their writing, which is another great help to us. The fact is, Mrs. W. and myself will be spoiled if we have no more to do than we have now.
We have three assistant surgeons—Drs. Bateman, Ray, and Devine—who all seem to be perfect gentlemen, and kind, attentive physicians. Dr. R. is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Dr. D. of the Episcopal.
The young soldier who was so attentive the first evening we came here is named Frank Laws. He is an excellent young man, and a member of the Episcopal Church. He has charge of the officers’ department.
We have a patient, Lieutenant Griffin of Texas, who lost his foot at the battle of Murfreesboro; he is a very handsome young man, and is as cheerful as if he had met with no loss; his wound is not yet healed. He was in the same hospital in Chattanooga in which Mrs. Newsom was, and is unbounded in her praise.
All the men who are able are busy erecting the chapel out of the branches of trees.
