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

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Post image for “I suppose that news here is about as scarce as ice cream on the African desert, and of nearly the same quality.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“I suppose that news here is about as scarce as ice cream on the African desert, and of nearly the same quality.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

January 9, 2014

Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry)

Scottsboro, Ala., January 9, 1864.

We have settled down into fully as monotonous a monotony, as I ever experienced. The powers pretend that the army is tired down and needs rest, so duty is very light, no drills ordered; no scouting and no nothing, but a first-class preparation to have a tremendous sick list in a very short time. You know how we have been moving for the last three months, and that we have hardly suffered a half dozen cases of sickness. Now see, if we lie here four weeks longer, if I don’t report you 60 on the sick list. Do you think that I am something of a grumbler? Either having too much travel, or too much lie still. Too much to eat (I guess not) or not enough, etc. I suppose that news here is about as scarce as ice cream on the African desert, and of nearly the same quality. We are camped in the edge of dense woods, about three quarters of a mile from the town, which consists of 20 or 40 rather neat houses, and presents, I think a better appearance than any other town of the size I have seen in the Confederacy. It hasn’t been squashmolished like most of its sisters. General Logan’s headquarters are here. Our corps is camped along the road from here to Decatur, our whole division being here. Our division commander, is, I expect, the most unpopular officer with his corps that there is in the West. I never knew his match for meanness. See if I can think of all I have been ordered by: Prentiss, Grant, Logan, McClernand, Wallace (W. H. L.), Oglesby, Paine, Pope, Granger, Palmer (_______) formerly colonel 11th Missouri., Rosecrans, Morgan, Buford, Sheridan, Hurlbut, Lanman, Hamilton 1st, Hamilton 2d; Sullivan, Lawler, Sooy Smith, Ewing, Corse, Halleck, Sherman, Davis, and at least two more whose names I can’t now recall. One of them commanded this division last March, and the other the 4th Division 16th Army Corps, last December, for a few days. I have lots of work on hand writing up my accounts, but this lying still begins to bore me awfully. I though a few weeks ago that ‘twould be very nice to have a tent again, and things somewhat comfortable, but the beauties of the thing don’t last long. I’m ready to move now. We have had several pretty cold days, but to-day I have been in my shirt sleeves, without vest, all day, and felt very comfortable, though it didn’t thaw very much, and I believe there was ice in our water bucket all day. Expect you are having a gay time this winter at home sleighing, dancing, etc., but I would rather take mine out in the army. If I didn’t have any happy Christmas myself, I had the pleasure of smashing the happiness out of a good many secesh Christmases. That’s not so. It was not pleasure, but I had to.

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

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

January 9, 2014

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

Saturday, 9th—I was on picket guard down town and all is quiet. The ice floe is running quite strong in the Mississippi and has been for some days, which is rather a new thing to the people of Vicksburg. They say the like has never been known, at least in such large quantities, and that this is the coldest winter they have had for fifty years, although there is no snow as yet.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

January 9, 2014

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

9th. Busy on company papers. Helped Davis. Still very cold. Got June to take Jennie[1] to Maj. N. Rode my Spike. No trouble.

[1] The “Jennie” referred to was Jennie Green, a bright and comely mulatto slave girl of fifteen, who was owned by Dr. Peck who lived near Knoxville, Tenn., and who begged Major Tenney to rescue her from slavery. Accordingly he arranged with one of his assistants, Ed. June, the night of the Regiment’s departure for the North, to take the Major’s extra horse, “Spike,” and bring her to A. B. N.’s headquarters. This was skilfully done, and Jennie was safely brought to Ohio. She was given schooling, and thereafter lived with the Nettleton family until she was married in 1876. She was in all respects an admirable character.— (A. B. N., June, 1911.)

Post image for Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton.

Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton.

January 9, 2014

Army letters of Oliver Willcox Norton (Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers)

Seaford, Del., Jan. 9, 1864.

Dear Sister L.:—

I have just time to-night to write you some important news. Important so far as you and I are concerned. An orderly arrived in camp to-night with a dispatch from the Secretary of War ordering the detachment to return to Camp Wm. Penn, and the United States Colored Troops will proceed as soon as practicable to Hilton Head, South Carolina. We shall be off next week.

There is joy in camp to-night over the news. I hardly know whether to like it or not. On some accounts I shall. Almost any place is preferable to Virginia. I shall be far away from home and friends. Letters will be like angels’ visits, few and far between. But bid me God speed, L. Far or near, my heart will be with thee. Don’t write till I send my address.

Post image for A Diary From Dixie.

A Diary From Dixie.

January 9, 2014

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.

January 9th.—Met Mrs. Wigfall. She wants me to take Halsey to Mrs. Randolph’s theatricals. I am to get him up as Sir Walter Raleigh. Now, General Breckinridge has come. I like him better than any of them. Morgan also is here.[1] These huge Kentuckians fill the town. Isabella says, “They hold Morgan accountable for the loss of Chattanooga.” The follies of the wise, the weaknesses of the great! She shakes her head significantly when I begin to tell why I like him so well. Last night General Buckner came for her to go with him and rehearse at the Carys’ for Mrs. Randolph’s charades.

The President’s man, Jim, that he believed in as we all believe in our own servants, ”our own people,” as we call them, and Betsy, Mrs. Davis’s maid, decamped last night. It is miraculous that they had the fortitude to resist the temptation so long. At Mrs. Davis’s the hired servants all have been birds of passage. First they were seen with gold galore, and then they would fly to the Yankees, and I am sure they had nothing to tell. It is Yankee money wasted. I do not think it had ever crossed Mrs. Davis’s brain that these two could leave her. She knew, however, that Betsy had eighty dollars in gold and two thousand four hundred dollars in Confederate notes.

Everybody who comes in brings a little bad news—not much, in itself, but by cumulative process the effect is depressing, indeed.

[1] John H. Morgan, a native of Alabama, entered the Confederate army in 1861 as a Captain, and in 1862 was made a Major-General. He was captured by the Federals in 1863 and confined in an Ohio penitentiary, but he escaped and once more joined the Confederate army. In September, 1864, he was killed in battle near Greenville, Tenn.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

January 9, 2014

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

Huntsville, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 9. I felt very good on our “downy” bed, so good that I did not wake up till broad daylight. Rolled up our blankets in great haste and started toward camp, as we were out of rations, but we found the Battery moving and were obliged to “fall in” with an empty stomach, as a reward for our straggling. Flint River was crossed on mule wagons, which were very slow, obliging us to stand on the banks for nearly an hour. It was freezing very hard and all were chilled through. The natives say it was the coldest day known for years. Animals and wagons covered with ice. Cooked coffee on the other side while the remainder of the Brigade crossed. By that time we were ready to follow with our breakfast eaten. Marched very fast through a beautiful country interspersed with a low range of bluffs of the Cumberland Range. Good timber and beautiful water. Sun shone in the afternoon making roads muddy and slippery, very tiresome walking. Met John A. Logan and staff going back afoot from Huntsville.

4 P. M. Coming around the point of the bluff we could see Huntsville in the valley below three miles distant. And weary as I was I could but enjoy the beautiful scenery before me greatly. The sun shone brightly on the snow-covered roofs of this beautiful town with their tall church spires raising their snow-capped peaks to the heavens as a witness of better and happier days gone by. On either side broad fields with beautiful mansions were spread to view, the whole enclosed by the frost-covered range of low mountains. Marched through the town with colors flying and bands playing, much to the satisfaction of the large crowds of contrabands that flocked at every corner. Came into camp a mile north of the town on Russell Hill. Old quarters here were soon taken possession of by the boys. I was very tired.

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

January 9, 2014

Diary of Gideon Welles

January 9, Saturday. Grimes tells me that the reports in last evening’s papers are meagre and perverted, doing no justice to the Navy Department as it stood before the Senate, nor to the debate of yesterday. He says Hale was entirely used up, and had not a single friend in the Senate. Senator Clark, Hale’s colleague, came to see me; says he has privately admonished Hale of the injury he was doing the country, as well as bringing ruin upon himself, by his strange course. I am, personally, not sorry that Hale makes this exhibition of his vicious mind and tendencies. Utterly indifferent to the rights and feelings of others, holding a position of power and yet not of responsibility, he has slandered and defamed the good more than the bad, and delighted to show his immensity and ability from his place to abuse.

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

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

January 9, 2014

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

Letter No. XXVIII.

Morristown, January 9th, 1864.

My Precious Wife:

I have an opportunity, the first in a long time, of sending a letter to Texas direct. I did send one about a month ago from Knoxville by a wounded soldier, but as he was quite feeble, I fear you did not get it. I have besides written frequently short letters and trusted them to the uncertain mail, which has been lately established across the river from Meridian, Miss., to Shreveport.

I have written to Mrs. Carter, to Sister Mary and Brother Charles, to Judge Devine and to John A. Green and others, hoping that some one of my numerous letters might reach their destination, and that you might learn that I was well and in good health, and thus feel contented and satisfied. I have received but three letters from you since I left home, one while in Pennsylvania and two at Chattanooga. I fear that many which would have been very precious to me, which would have come as rays of sunshine to a storm-beaten traveler, have been lost by the wayside or been perused by strangers, but nevertheless, you must continue to send them, for if I get one in ten, it will only be prized the more.

Other men in the company have received letters, all of which are sent through Mr. Gushing at Houston. Soldiers are under great obligations to him in this matter. His kindness has sent a thrill of joy to many a weary soul and given strength and courage to sinking hearts. I wrote you about Colonel Harrison. He has been in about one hundred and sixty fights and is a noble soldier. He is getting quite gray but is firm and unflinching in our cause and sanguine of final success. The Waco boys are all well, but like all the rest, nearly all barefooted and half clad. Many of our best men have been killed, and we begin to look like a remnant. It is said that the brigade will be sent across the Mississippi to recruit and be rested, but I do not believe it.

If it is for the benefit of the government, I trust it will be done, as no one will rejoice more than I will at the opportunity of getting home for awhile, but I do not think it practical and doubt the policy very much. You must be contented and happy, and strive to forget me when you have other things to think of, and recollect that your uneasiness cannot help me. Attend to your scholars, your Latin, your music and your children, and you will receive your reward whether I ever return to you or not, for you will be independent of charity from either your friends or the government. Keep all the Bible injunctions in reference to appearing “not unto men too fast.” I have not heard from Columbia for some time, owing to the irregularity of the mails. The last time I heard they were greatly distressed because they had not heard from me in two weeks, and wondering how you must feel. I told them you were a heroine and prepared for the little incidents of the war. I do not think I will write you any more except by opportunities to send letters directly across the river, as I have very little confidence in the mail, and feel little satisfaction in writing. You know there is a regular mail established across the river. I live in hopes of hearing some precious words from you.

How I have seen soldiers suffer and be strengthened by the thoughts of home. I have seen many noble fellows fall—better men than I and more worthy to live— and learned afterwards that a noble and Christian wife and little ones awaited them at home, and only received the cold list of casualties without a comment, and the simple but awful word, “killed” opposite his name. This has sometimes happened when a furlough had been promised and was then at headquarters awiting the signature of the general, but the beneficiary was in his shallow grave before the paper returned to his company. Kiss the little ones and tell the servants to give you no trouble, and never look for me until you see me coming.

Your husband, faithfully ever,

John C. West.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

January 9, 2014

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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JANUARY 9TH.—Cold and clear. Gen. Longstreet has preferred charges against Major-Gen. McLaws and another general of his command, and also asks to be relieved, unless he has an independent command, as Gen. Johnston’s headquarters are too far off, etc. The Secretary is willing to relieve him, but the President intimates that a successor ought to be designated first.

            Beef was held at $2.50 per pound in market to-day—and I got none; but I bought 25 pounds of rice at 40 cts., which, with the meal and potatoes, will keep us alive a month at least. The rich rogues and rascals, however, in the city, are living sumptuously, and spending Confederate States notes as if they supposed they would soon be valueless.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

January 9, 2014

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

January 9.—To-day the noted guerrilla McCown and three of his men were captured by the Forrester New-York cavalry regiment, reconnoitring in the direction of Sperryville, Va.—A fight took place in Mobile Bay, between the rebels in Fort Morgan and the National gunboats stationed on the blockade. On the discovery, this morning, of a steamer ashore under the guns of the Fort, all the gunboats of the fleet got under way; and, while some repaired to the flag-ship for instructions, the Octorara steamed in and opened fire on the rebel craft, which speedily drew a reply from the Fort. The rest of the fleet soon steamed in and took up their positions, when the fire became quite spirited. The rebel steamer was struck several times, and abandoned; but she lay so near the Fort, it was impossible to get her out. Finding the efforts to set her on fire were fruitless, the fleet withdrew, after firing two hours.—A Squad of rebel cavalry entered Cleveland, Tenn., and conscripted every man able to perform service.