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

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

September 11, 2013

Diary of Gideon Welles

September 11, Friday. I left Washington on the 31st ult. on an official visit to the several navy yards. Have a good report of affairs during my absence. Met the members of the Cabinet with the exception of Stanton at the regular meeting. All glad to see me, —none more so than the President, who cordially and earnestly greeted me. I have been less absent than any other member and was therefore perhaps more missed.

Had a call from Admiral Farragut of a most cheerful and friendly character. Also from Commodore Pennock from Cairo.

Post image for John C. West–A Texan in Search of a Fight.

John C. West–A Texan in Search of a Fight.

September 11, 2013

John C. West–A Texan in Search of a Fight.

Letter No. XV.

Wilmington, North Carolina,
September11th, 1863.

My Precious Wife:

I am at this place on my way to Bragg’s army. Our division has been ordered there. Of course in a hurried letter I can give you no account of the movements of our armies. Suffice it to say that we are not whipped on this side of the river yet, and I do not believe the combined Yankee army can subjugate the Texas brigade, though they may all be killed. I have met Major Hampton Gibbs here, and have spent most of the day with him visiting the blockaders, and he has extended to me every courtesy possible, and I shall recollect my detention in Wilmington with pleasure. I have had but one letter from you since I left Texas, but feel satisfied that all is well.

Brother Charles wrote to me in August and said you were all well up to the 10th of July. Douglas De Saussure was wounded in the shoulder a few days ago at Charleston, so I expect to see him in passing through Columbia, as I have permission to go by there. This will be sent by blockader Elizabeth. Hampton Gibbs sends regards to you. Your husband, faithfully ever,

John C. West.

Post image for Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd

Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd

September 11, 2013

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

Friday, 11th—Remained in camp.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

September 11, 2013

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

11th. Awakened at daylight and moved at sunrise. In advance. Gen. Shackleford now commands 4th Div. and Col. Carter the Brigade. Gen. Carter Prov. Mar. Gen. of Tenn. Reached Clinch River at sundown, and camped. Receipted for oats, plenty of eggs, chickens and potatoes. Camp near a little stream on Union man’s place. Bosworth sick today and in ambulance. Chicken and potatoes for supper. Apples and peaches enough today.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

September 11, 2013

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Richland Jail, Columbia, S. C., Sept. 11, 1864.

Dear Father, — I suppose you have heard from Captain Williams by this time that I am well. In case he is unsuccessful and has to return here, please send $100 in gold by him. If he does not come back, please forward a bill of exchange for 20 pounds sterling to Major Anderson of General Foster’s staff, and ask him to get it to me. I am very anxious to hear from you all at home. Have heard nothing since my capture, which was six weeks yesterday. Have managed to get along very comfortably since I have been here. Our rations are good and in sufficient quantity, and we have obtained money to buy extras by selling our watches.

Captain Amory is well. He received a box of clothes day before yesterday from Major Anderson. He very kindly furnished me with a shirt and pair of drawers, so that I manage to keep a clean suit of underclothes with me.

We all of us expect a general exchange of prisoners this fall. It certainly ought to be done for the sake of the enlisted men, who have no money and no means of getting any.

In our new room we have got rid of all vermin. An agreeable riddance, I can assure you.

. . . Please give me any news you. may have in regard to my regiment.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

September 11, 2013

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

Vicksburg, Friday, Sept. 11. Reveille at the usual time, breakfast, after which proceeded to move; hitched quietly and leisurely. I was ordered to pick my team out of the Platoon and harness it as extra team, which gave me an opporunity to take my valise along with me. Griff took my butter keg and dried apples. Left my overcoat with E. W. E., knapsack in charge of G. M. Spencer and Piper, who are to stay behind. Proceeded to the levee and loaded on to the “Illinois”, a large freight boat; guns put in position on the forecastle, the horses in the stern unharnessed. All was stowed away tuck by 9 A. M. Infantry loading on teams and mules all the remainder of the day, filling up the lower deck so as to be impassable. Made our bed on the boiler deck and slept.

Post image for Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

September 11, 2013

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Friday, 11th—We moved our camp to the south of Vicksburg, two miles, just within the fortifications. The ground is low and level here, and the water is scarce. It is not a good place for the sick to get back their health. But there is danger of a raid by the rebels’ cavalry from this point.

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

September 11, 2013

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp White, September 11, 1863.

Dearest: — Glad to get letters both from you and Mother last night. Bless the boys, how they must enjoy their first family visit to their new home! I would be as happy as any of them to be there.

We hear good news from Burnside in Tennessee. If true it makes it more desirable that you should come here soon. If he moves along the railroad into southwestern Virginia, we are likely to push forward to cooperate, in which case we shall probably get too far into Dixie for our families to winter with us. I will notify you if anything occurs to make it imprudent for you to be here a couple of weeks hence. This is the month in which the Rebels can come into the valley with the least difficulty on the score of supplies, but I don’t think they will come. If there is a probability of it, I will telegraph Uncle Scott in time to stop your coming, or have Captain Zimmerman stop you at Gallipolis. I do not decide against the boys coming, but as you will be compelled to come to Gallipolis by railroad and stage (steamers don’t run on the Ohio now) and will perhaps only remain a fortnight or so, it will perhaps be as well not to bring them. If after you reach here it turns out that we shall winter in the valley, I shall send for Mother Webb and all the boys and keep house, or you can go back after them. In that case you can rent the house, or if you prefer to winter at Fremont or in Chillicothe, in case you can’t do so here, you may rent the house at once.

My reason for wanting you to come here as soon as you are through visiting at Fremont, is, that perhaps we shall be ordered forward as soon as east Tennessee is firmly in our possession. I think, however, the chances are in favor of our wintering on the Kanawha.

Get me a lot of silk handkerchiefs and about three or four pair stockings, not very heavy, but so-so. You can get them at Fremont and do it before you forget.

Mrs. Comly is greatly pleased with the prospect of your coming so soon. Mrs. Ellen is expected soon. She is supposed to be on some sandbar between here and Cincinnati on the Ohio, praying for a rise of water. Mrs. Barrett is the only other officer’s wife now here and she talks of going home in a fortnight. . . .

Let me know by telegraph when you will be at Gallipolis and the doctor or some one will come there after you.

Since writing we have further news of gratifying successes in east Tennessee. If all continues to go well there, it increases the chances of a forward movement here, and furnishes additional reason for you to come on soon before it is too late. — Love to all.

Affectionately,

R.

P. S. — You may get me a good pair of gloves — citizens’, not gauntlets — warm.

Mrs. Hayes,
Fremont, Ohio.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

September 11, 2013

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

September 11.—The steamer Sir William Peel was captured at the mouth of the Rio Grande, by the United States steamer Seminole.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

September 11, 2013

A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 11TH.—A dispatch from Raleigh informs us of a mob yesterday in that city. Some soldiers broke into and partially destroyed the office of the Standard, alleged to be a disloyal paper; after that, and when the soldiers had been dispersed by a speech from Governor Vance, the citizens broke into and partially destroyed the Journal, an ultra-secession paper. These were likewise dispersed by a speech from the Governor.

            Gen. Whiting writes that the enemy is making demonstrations against Lockwood’s Folly, 23 miles from Wilmington. He says if 3000 were to pass it, the forts and harbor would be lost, as he has but one regiment—and it is employed on picket service. He says in ten nights the enemy can come from Charleston—and that Wilmington was never so destitute of troops since the beginning of the war, and yet it was never in such great peril. It is the only port remaining—and to lose it after such repeated warning would be the grossest culpability.

            The officers of the signal corps report that Gen. Meade has been ordered to advance, for it is already known in Washington that a large number of troops are marching out of Virginia. Lee, however, it is now believed, will not go to Tennessee. They also report that a Federal army of 6400—perhaps they mean 64,000—is to march from Arkansas to the Rio Grande, Texas. If they do, they will be lost.

            The engineer corps are to fortify Lynchburg immediately.

            The clerks of the Post-office Department have petitioned the Secretary of War to allow them (such as have families) commissary stores at government prices, else they will soon be almost in a state of starvation. Their salaries are utterly inadequate for their support. The clerks in all the departments are in precisely the same predicament. The Postmaster-General approves this measure of relief—as relief must come before Congress meets—and he fears the loss of his subordinates.

            It is said by western men that the enemy is organizing a force of 25,000 mounted men at Memphis, destined to penetrate Georgia and South Carolina, as far as Charleston! If this be so—and it may be so—they will probably fall in with Longstreet’s corps of 20,000 now passing through this city.