Monday, 4th—An order was issued by the War Department cancelling the previous order giving the large bounties to soldiers for re-enlisting, but it is not to go into effect until midnight of the 5th inst. Re-enlisting is going on at a lively rate. Company E today secured the necessary number entitling it to be a veteran company—the first one in the regiment, Company K being the second. General McPherson delivered a speech before the Iowa Brigade, expressing his desire that the entire Seventeenth Army Corps might become a corps of veterans, and I think there is no doubt but that it will.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Seaford. Del., Jan. 4, 1864.
Dear Sister L.:—
We came by boat from Philadelphia to Wilmington. New Year’s day our whole detachment was feasted in the town hall at the same time with the First Delaware Volunteers, home on furlough. We had good times there.
On the 2d we came down on the cars to Seaford, one hundred and thirty-three miles south of Wilmington. I saw Governor Cannon in Wilmington and had quite a talk with him. He is enthusiastic on the subject of negro soldiers.
Arrived here at dark, found a man at the depot waiting, who offered us quarters in a negro church and a school house and all were comfortable.
Sunday morning I got my tents up from the cars and we pitched a camp in one of the most beautiful pine groves I ever saw. Our camp was thronged with visitors, and darkies who wanted to enlist. There are hundreds of them, mostly slaves, here now, anxiously waiting for the recruiting officer. The boys are singing—
Rally round the flag, boys, rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom.
Down with the traitor, up with the star, etc.
They sing with the heart, and the earnestness they put into the words is startling. Cool as I am I found myself getting excited as I heard their songs this afternoon and saw the electrifying effect on the crowds of slaves.
The officers here are lions. I am afraid I’m guilty of putting on a little style. Not with the men of the regiment, though. I was shaved by a woman this morning.
4th. Enlistment question all the go. Maj. Nettleton gone to Knoxville with proposition and application.
January 4th.—Mrs. Ives wants us to translate a French play. A genuine French captain came in from his ship on the James River and gave us good advice as to how to make the selection. General Hampton sent another basket of partridges, and all goes merry as a marriage bell.
My husband came in and nearly killed us. He brought this piece of news: ”North Carolina wants to offer terms of peace!” We needed only a break of that kind to finish us. I really shivered nervously, as one does when the first handful of earth comes rattling down on the coffin in the grave of one we cared for more than all who are left.
January 4th, 1864.
It has been very cold the past four days. The day before New Year’s was warm and rainy. Toward night the wind changed into the north, “with a snap to it,” as it does in Michigan sometimes. New Year’s morning was very cold—not so many degrees, I presume, by a score or two, as we frequently experience in Michigan—but quite as piercing to me as the coldest weather at home.
Today is warm as summer again. This is a delightful climate “overhead,” the coldest weather being about like October with us. But the mud is really fearful. The roads are next to impassable four months of the twelve. I could not be induced to live here. I have been in fourteen different states; in most of them have traveled quite extensively, and have seen nothing yet that excels Michigan. True, some states possess advantages that Michigan does not, but they lack in others. Whenever I have thought of a change of residence, my feelings rebel, and I can but exclaim, “Give me my own, my native land,” for such I regard Michigan.
Larkinsville, Monday, Jan. 4. Rained heavy all night. Cloudy and misty all day. Many to-day expressed their willingness to re-enlist, if allowed to return to the state and elect their own officers. At evening roll-call Lieutenant Simpson called all those desiring to return to the state under their old officers to step to the front. But none desired to under those conditions, as they desire to choose their own officers. Mail arrived. I received news of the 27th ult. from Brother John. Quite ill, but true to his custom wrote on the last Sunday of the month, having not missed one through the year.
January 4, Monday. We have a snowstorm to-day, the first of the season. Mails are irregular and have been for some days past. Ice in the Susquehanna obstructs crossing, and the ferry-boat, frozen in when crossing, remained in the stream sixteen hours with passengers on board. Ten years ago, on my way from Washington North, I was some six hours crossing the river at the same place on a severe winter’s night. Chase, Charles Francis Adams, and Henry S. Foote — just elected Governor of Mississippi — were fellow-passengers.
January 4.—It has rained so hard today that I have been unable to visit the wards.
It is rumored that there will be a raid here soon, from Rome. No one seems to give the rumor credit. There is a direct road from here to that place.
Had a visit in the afternoon from Drs. Reesse and Burks. Dr. B. was in Columbus when Mrs. Ogden went there, and said he never regretted any thing more than her leaving that place. He said the Mobile ladies had done much good during their short stay there.
by John Beauchamp Jones
JANUARY 4TH.—On Saturday, resolutions were unanimously adopted by the Senate complimenting Gen. Lee. This is his opportunity, if he be ambitious,—and who can see his heart? What man ever neglected such an opportunity?
The weather is dark and threatening. Again the rumor is circulated that ex-Gov. Letcher is to be Secretary of War. I don’t believe that.
Major Tachman claims $5000 in gold and $1600 paper, because after raising two regiments in 1861 he was not made a brigadier-general. He says he expended that much money. I thought this Polish adventurer would give the government trouble.
Custis commenced his school to-night, with three scholars,—small beginnings, etc.
January 4.—General Gregg’s cavalry division, under the command of Colonel Taylor, of the First Pennsylvania regiment, left the headquarters of the army of the Potomac, on the first instant, for the purpose of making a reconnoissance to Front Royal, taking on their horses three days’ rations and forage. Owing to the condition of the roads the artillery attached to the division could proceed no farther than Warrenton. The command returned to-day, having travelled ninety miles during the three days’ absence, and encountered severe deprivations in consequence of the intensely cold weather; but no enemy was discovered. Owing to the depth of the Shenandoah River, no attempt was made to cross it.
—A fight occurred near Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in which the Union troops belonging to General Carlton’s command, routed the Navijo Indians, killing forty and wounding twenty-five.
—Forty Sioux Indians surrendered themselves to the Union forces, at Pembina, Dacotah Territory.—Rear-admiral Farragut sailed from the navy-yard at Brooklyn, New-York, in the flagship Hartford to assume command of the East Gulf squadron.—Joint resolutions of thanks to General Robert E. Lee and the officers and soldiers under his command, by the rebel Congress.
