Monday, November 25, 2013

Village Life in America.

November 25, 2013

Village Life in America, 1852 - 1872, by Caroline Cowles Richards

Friday.—Last evening Uncle Edward took a party of us, including Abbie Clark, to Wallack’s Theater to see “Rosedale,” which is having a great run. I enjoyed it and told James it was the best play I ever “heard.” He said I must not say that I “heard” a play. I “saw” it. I stand corrected.

I told James that I heard of a young girl who went abroad and on her return someone asked her if she saw King Lear and she said, no, he was sick all the time she was there! I just loved the play last night and laughed and cried in turn, it seemed so real. I don’t know what Grandmother will say, but I wrote her about it and said, “When you are with the Romans, you must do as the Romans do.” I presume she will say “that is not the way you were brought up.”

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

November 25, 2013

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

Knoxville, November 25th, 1863.

Only seven days of siege, and our larder nearly empty. We have been on half rations since September 25th, consequently had no surplus to fall back on. On the second day of the siege our rations were reduced to quarter rations. Now coffee and sugar have given out entirely. The men are constantly under fire. The enemy have advanced their sharpshooters to within one-fourth of a mile of our line. On the 20th they got possession of a house, just under the hill in our front, and annoyed us exceedingly. Colonel Comstock was ordered to burn it; he called for volunteers to perform the perilous feat. Instantly a company was formed, headed by A. J. Keliey, or Company E, and led by Lieutenant Josiah Billingsly. The house was set on fire and burned to the ground, but the heroic Billingsly was killed by a shell on his return.

Their sharpshooters had now advanced so near the men were forced to remain all day in their rifle pits. Every man who showed even his head became a target.

Yesterday morning, after it became fairly light, I jumped up on the embankment in front of me, as had been my custom, to see what advancement the enemy had made during the night. I took one quick glance around, and as I looked I saw two curls of smoke directly in front of me; on the instant one bullet whistled over my head; another dropped into the sand at my feet.

This morning Lieutenant Colonel Comstock received a mortal wound from one of them. A number of our boys have been wounded. The first four or five days of the siege our men divided up into reliefs and went up on the bank, in the rear of our pits, to cook and eat their food. On the 24th, as 1 was eating my breakfast, a rifle ball struck a camp kettle, standing beside me, and spilled its contents. About that time one of my comrades was struck in the face, the ball passing through both cheeks, nearly cutting off his tongue. Inspired by these gentle protests, we moved our kitchen over the brow of the hill, where we could cook and eat our “flapjacks” undisturbed.

If our arms favor us in any moderate degree for the future, I think we may hope to steer clear of farther trouble in this kingdom. . . .

November 25, 2013

Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.

Charles Francis Adams to his son

St. Leonards, November 25, 1863

Your filial disposition has led you to accord to me much more of glory than I deserve, for the events that have taken place on this side. The people of the United States have done the work here as well as at home. It is impossible for foreign countries to help respecting a nation which respects itself. The war has done us much good. It has cured us of much of the spirit of vaunting and braggadocio which peace and prosperity had pampered, and has left us moderate but firm. The prejudices and distrust that prevailed here at the outset against every act of the Administration are slowly yielding to the conviction that it deserves confidence. All the little that I have contributed to this result has been to nourish by a steady and uniform bearing, as well under adverse as under favorable circumstances, the growth of this opinion in the British Cabinet. I believe that now it is firmly planted there. If our arms favor us in any moderate degree for the future, I think we may hope to steer clear of farther trouble in this kingdom. . . .

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

November 25, 2013

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

Mission Ridge, Wednesday, Nov. 25. Called up before three in the morning to feed. Suffered very much from cold during the night. The blankets stiff with frost over us. Witnessed an almost total eclipse of the moon and again lay down, but no sleep.

6 A. M. McCook’s Brigade of Davis’s Division formed in line of battle facing to the left and supporting our artillery, should it be necessary. 1st Section (rifles) reported to be well fortified on the ridge.

9 A. M. Not much fighting as yet, the pickets advancing and skirmishing. A reb battery shells directly over and in rear. One shell twelve-pounder time-fuse dropped ahead of our team and was dug up by the boys. A mule team came up and issued one day’s rations of hard-tack.

11 A. M. The 2nd and 3rd Brigades went in on double quick followed by the 11th Corps with crescents flying, a fine looking body of men, but are looked on rather suspiciously by our sturdy veterans. They went in and advanced towards the rebels’ works on Tunnel Hill, and musketry rattled very severe.

From that time [till] late in the evening a terrible struggle followed, wounded men coming back thick and fast. Our position was such that we could not witness the field and we were not permitted to leave the teams an instant. Our loss is very heavy especially in officers. The struggle on our side was for the occupation of Tunnel Hill and our line advanced up the steep side of the bluff time after time, but were obliged to fall back, the rebels being reinforced all the time, and could pick them off with ease, the lay of the land being such that they succeeded in flanking the 11th Corps, and they fell back in disorder. But they were received by the 2nd and 3rd Brigade of our Division, and soon compelled to retire.

More desperate fighting, it is said by those who witnessed, they had never seen. Our line being for hours under the enemy they rolled stones upon us, wounding many. Three companies of the 5th Iowa, were taken prisoners, having used up all their ammunition and would not run. Artillery could not be brought to much use, and my feelings as I staid under that hill, listening to the noise and rattle of the fight, mingled with suppressed cheers of charging parties, and the groans of the wounded as they passed in the long trains of ambulances, or the lighter wounded hobbling back a-foot with bleeding and mangled limbs, I cannot describe in words. General Matthies was wounded in the head while leading his Brigade on to the charge. I saw him ride to the rear covered with blood. Colonel Putnam of the 93rd Illinois was killed instantly while waving the colors in front of his men, a noble and much loved officer. The 90th Illinois and 73rd Pennsylvania were, literally cut to pieces, and their officers all killed or wounded.

The day closed, and the dark mantle of night was spread over the gory fields. We have gained nothing in the shape of ground all day, but their slaughter must be terrible. Thomas and Hooker were at them all day and it is reported gained great advantage. We had to fight the main body of the army. Lookout was taken yesterday, 2500 prisoners and three pieces of artillery. To-morrow if they stand, will be a final and awful test of strength. Sherman, cool and deliberate, is ready for them. Got corn to feed on the battle-field.

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

November 25, 2013

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

Wednesday, 25th—Out on picket. The guard continues strong and the officers are very strict.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

November 25, 2013

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

25th. In the morning rode out and found the wagons 1½ miles from town. Had Dan and Lewis go with Lt. Leavitt 14 miles for flour and meal. Got back about midnight, clear and cold. One of the Drivers came down. No move today. Spent the day at the wagons mostly. Read some, pitched a fly and took our ease. Numerous reports as to Burnside.

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

November 25, 2013

Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery — George Michael Neese.

November 25 — I was on guard duty last night, and observed an almost total eclipse of the moon; the eclipse commenced at two o’clock and ended at six this morning.

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

November 25, 2013

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

Wednesday, 25th.—2 A. M., former and ordered to march out. Federals gained position, and could not be dislodged, consequently the ditches on our left wing are of no benefit. Arrived at top of Missionary Ridge at daylight moving towards right wing. Took our position over the tunnel of the Eastern Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad, through Missionary Ridge. Level Valley in front, several miles wide and all open; plain view. 9 A. M., Federals advanced in plain view. Our batteries opened fire; 9:15, still advancing. Companies A and F sent to the front as skirmishers; we deployed, and at 9:30 A. M., ordered to fix bayonets and charge. Drove back their advance skirmishers, being uncovered so that Federal batteries enfiladed our line; were ordered to halt; skirmishers’ ammunition about out; still heavy fighting. 10 A. M. second line of Federals advancing across the field in rear of the first. 10:15 A. M-; ordered back to top of hill; 11 A. M., five companies of our regiment thrown forward as skirmishers drove Yanks back from dwelling; ordered to fall back, and did so, but in few moments were ordered to charge and go to the house, which was done, and the house set on fire. Soon after the family made their appearance having been in the cellar, unknown to the officers. We were again ordered back to the top of the hill. Just as we were getting back, Federals charged battery on point just to our right. Col. McConnell ordered regiment up there. 2 P. M. Yanks within thirty yards of battery, but can’t come over; 2:30 P. M., Colonel McConnell shot through the head, mortally wounded. 3 P. M., our regiment and part of Cleaburn’s Division charged Yanks and drove them back in confusion, capturing about two hundred prisoners. I am sent to Chickamauga Station with the prisoners; arrived at 10 P. M., where we learned that Bragg’s left wing and left center was broken and that he had lost nearly all his artillery on that part of the line. Whole army in retreat.