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

Thursday, March 20, 2014

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

March 20, 2014

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

Huntsville, Sunday, March 20. Awoke with bad cough and sore throat. Attended church at 10 A. M. The Presbyterian Church was crowded to overflowing by citizens, but few soldiers could gain admittance. I was up in the gallery. The funeral sermon of Mrs. Jordan was preached, very effective and eloquent. Jackson Moss and colored Henry were taken to the smallpox camp this afternoon.

Evening. I am notified to be ready to start in the morning on a five days’ scout, my team going with the left Section. Drew two days’ rations of hard-tack.

Post image for “It’s queer that our regiment don’t get more recruits.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“It’s queer that our regiment don’t get more recruits.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

March 20, 2014

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

Scottsboro, Ala., March 20, 1864.

What under the sun can I tell you that will interest you. That it is intolerably dull, bah! Have just had a long visit from Lieutenant Colonel Wright, now army assistant inspector general of the division, and Lieutenant Van Dyke, A. D. C., to our new commander, General Harrow. The lieutenant is a splendid looking fellow of about 23 years, and has served up to the time of coming into our division with the 2d Corps, Army Potomac. Van Dyke informed me that a despatch from Logan was received by Harrow this a.m., informing him that Forrest was prowling around on the other side of the river with intention of crossing and making a little dash on some part of our line. “Our” railroad from Nashville via Decatur is about completed (will be finished to-morrow) and then we hope to have something to eat once more. This railroad will be all for our corps, or at least we will get the choice of what comes over it. We are at outs with the general to-day. In the field we are not accustomed to having camp guard, considering a strong picket and the regular property alarm guards sufficient. But because two or three men got drunk yesterday, and a gun or two was fired, out comes Harrow in an order and requires a strong camp guard. It may be one of the faults of our discipline, but ’tis a fact that our men would much prefer two days of any other duty, to one of camp guard. Our court gets on slowly. Oh! We had a dance a few nights since. Northern ladies, officers’ wives, and a few “Mountain Ewes” (the poetical name given the Jackson county beauties by some genius of a Yankee). We really had a delightful time; and I understand they are to be continued, one every two weeks Anything to keep a man from getting blue. I see Abraham calls for 200,000 more. Keep asking for them Lincoln, that’s right, I’m sure there are yet many who can be spared for their country’s good in more meanings than one. It’s queer that our regiment don’t get more recruits. We need them very much, and yet I dread getting them, they are so much trouble for a year. The 26th and 48th Illinois have respectively 200 and 500 and the officers are bored terribly over them. There is to my eye, as much difference between the average of recruits and the average of veterans, as there is between the physique of a tailor and that of a blacksmith. Some of the veterans who have returned to camp, are sick of their last bargain with the United States, but the majority are right glad to get back.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

March 20, 2014

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

Sunday, 20th. Went to S. S. in the morning. Mr. Fitch spoke splendidly. Pres. Finney preached, the old and new heart, righteous and wicked man. Minnie and John came over in P. M. Called at Mrs. Holtsander’s. Went home with Minnie to tea. Then to preaching by Mr. Fairfield. Neglect of so great salvation. This has been a happy day to me and withal a sad one. Oh it seems very hard to leave home again. Would that I could go with affairs in a little different state.

Post image for Woolsey Family during the War.

Woolsey Family during the War.

March 20, 2014

Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Harriet Roosevelt Woolsey to her sisters, Jane and Georgeanna.

Fishkill, Sunday.

My Dears: We came up here last Thursday, and you may imagine it was somewhat of a relief to get Mother away from the everlasting Fair business that, for the last few weeks, has completely run her off her feet. . . .

New York is really in a disgusting state of fashionable excitement; nothing is talked of, or thought of, or dreamed of, but the big Metropolitan Fair! Mrs. Parker has her thousand dollar tea-sets to dispose of; Kate Hunt, her two hundred dollar curtains; Mrs. Schermer-horn, her elegant watches; and Mrs. Sombodyelse, the beautiful jewelry sent from Rome for the Sanitary Commission. . . .

Mary, and Edward Potter have been very busy with their floral department, and Mary has made some “sweet” things, one very pretty garden hat, a pure white straw with wide white ribbon streamers and a bunch of large pansies painted on the end of each, exquisitely painted, and to bring in thirty dollars or more. . . .

All the committees are at swords’ points, of course; the Restaurant ladies wish flowers in their department, to which Mrs. George Betts, chairwoman of the Floral Committee, says “as sure as they do, I will have oysters on the shell in mine, and call them seaweeds.” . . .

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

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

March 20, 2014

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

March 20 — This morning we were ordered to Gordonsville, to camp there until the campaign opens. We packed up at ten o’clock and left our winter resort en route to Gordonsville. We passed through Charlottesville, crossed the Rivanna half mile east of town, and camped to-night ten miles from Gordonsville.

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

March 20, 2014

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

March 20th 1864

On Friday last Julia and myself went on board the Govt Steamer at 3 o’clock P.M. and were landed at Rosiers Bluff or rather Fort Foot in about an hour after. I remained overnight and returned yesterday, leaving Julia to spend a few days with her Cousins Maj E P Taft and family. There is now about Six hundred men there and the Fort seems to be completed but the guns are not all mounted yet. There is one 400 pounder mounted and a number of 200 pounder Parrots. Lieut Col Seward is now in Com[ma]nd. His Lady came up on the Boat with me and I saw her safely landed and through the Street cars to the Secretarys House on 16th St. On my return I found a letter for Julia from her particular friend Capt McLeod now with the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee. He is on Genl Garrards Staff. I mailed it to her without delay as I presumed She was anxious to hear from him and I was willing she should, and was not disposed to pry into their secrets by opening it. She has shown me his letters before and I doubt not will show me this if I desire her to do so as she is very open and frank with me in regard to him and all others who pay attention to her. Julia is a very discreet girl, very careful of her steps, and of the company she keeps. She will not go on to “the Avenue” alone, or without a Gentleman with her, after 12 o’clock A.M. for shoping or any other purpose. Consequently I always feel quite confident that she is safe whenever I miss her from the house. We shall start for home about the first of next month. I expect her up from the Fort in three or four days but she is enjoying herself riding on horseback and otherwise so much that she may stay a little longer.

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

March 20, 2014

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

Washington D.C. March 20th/64

Not much of importance has transpired in regard to the War since my last date. Genl Grant has been here (He is now Lieut Genl) and has gone back to Tennessee, but soon returns and takes command of the Army of the Potomac in person. Having command at the same time of all the Armies of the U.S. The spring campaigns will open before many weeks and desperate fighting is expected. More desperate probably than any Battles we have yet seen for the Rebels are staking their last chances and are desperate. Our Armies are strong and are better officered than ever before as there has been a great “weeding out” going on during the past year of good for nothing “Shoulder Straps.” The coming next six months must be decisive of the war or I am much mistaken. It is without doubt assuming a more relentless and cruel character as it progresses, on both sides, but the rebel “papers” are getting furious and call loudly for vengeance even on the prisoners in their hands, but as we hold many more of theirs than they do of ours they will have to take it out in raving. The rebel leaders are determined to prolong the War until after the next Presidential Election at least in the hope that a “Peace Democrat” will be Elected and then they can make better terms, or even be acknowledged Independant. But from present indications their hopes will not be realized. Most of the leading Democrats in the States are “War democrats” and would concede nothing to them until they laid down their arms and submitted to the laws. Mr Lincoln seems to be the favorite candidate of the Republicans, but I should not wonder if there should be a Split in the Party.

Post image for Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

March 20, 2014

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

20th.—Our Lent services in St. Paul’s Lecture-room, at seven o’clock in the morning, are delightful. The room is always crowded to overflowing—the old, the young, the grave, the gay, collect there soon after sunrise; also military officers in numbers. When General Lee is in town, as he now is, he is never absent, and always one of the most devout worshippers. Within a few days I have seen General Whiting there; also Generals Ransom, Pegram, and others. Starred officers of all grades, colonels, majors, etc., together with many others belonging to the rank and file; and civilians of every degree. It is delightful to see them, all bending together before high Heaven, imploring the help which we so much need.

The Transportation Office is just opposite to us, where crowds of furloughed soldiers, returning to their commands, are constantly standing waiting for transportation! As I pass them on my way to the office in the morning, I always stop to have a cheerful word with them. Yesterday morning I said to them: “Gentlemen, whom do you suppose I have seen this morning?” In answer to their inquiring looks, I said: “General Lee.” “General Lee,” they exclaimed: “I did not know he was in town; God bless him!” and they looked excited, as if they were about to burst forth with “Hurrah for General Lee!” “And where do you suppose I saw him so early?” “Where, Madam— where?” ” At prayer-meeting, down upon his knees, praying for you and for the country.” In an instant they seemed subdued; tears started to the eyes of many of those hardy, sunburnt veterans. Some were utterly silent, while others exclaimed, with various ejaculations, “God bless him!” “God bless his dear old soul!” etc. As I walked away, some followed me to know where he was to be seen. One had never seen him at all, and wanted to see him “monstrous bad;” others had seen him often, but wanted to see him in town, “just to look at him.” I told them where his family residence was, but as they feared that they could not leave the Transportation Office long enough to find “Franklin Street,” I dare say the poor fellows did not see General Lee. This morning I had almost the same conversation with another crowd in the same place. It is delightful to see how they reverence him, and almost as much for his goodness as for his greatness.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

March 20, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Annapolis, March 20, 1864. — It is now over six months since I left Rappahannock Station for home, to take the position of lieutenant colonel of what was then to be called the 1st Veteran Volunteers from Massachusetts, but is now the 56th Massachusetts Volunteers. At the time I left the army I expected to be back again, with my regiment full, in the course of three months at the outside. I am now well satisfied at being here at all with my present rank.

When I reached home, matters looked badly enough for the regiment. Not a man enlisted, the recruiting, or rather attempts at it, having been going on for three weeks at least. My commission bore date of July 22, 1863, but I must say that for three or four months from that date, I had little expectation of ever being an officer in the United States service with that rank. I never should have taken the place, had not my old chum Harry Egbert persuaded me to do so.

Recruiting for our regiment began in reality about the first of November, under the call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000 men, stimulated by the promise of extra bounties from the State. It continued very fairly until about the first of March, when all our recruiting officers were called in. On January 2, 1864, I was mustered in as lieutenant colonel by Lieutenant Robert P. McKibben, 4th U. S. Infantry. The 4th of January, 1864, was my twenty-second birthday.

On Sunday, the 10th of March, 1864, after numerous false starts in accordance with the usual custom, the regiment finally started from Readville on its way to Annapolis. I was glad enough to get off, as the men were constantly deserting while in camp at Readville, and were all the time on guard or detailed, so that we could neither drill nor discipline them properly. The day before we started, over thirty gallons of liquor were confiscated on the persons of people coming to see their friends or relations in Readville.

[The passage in the diary describing the journey from Readville to Annapolis with the regiment is omitted, as that journey is described with more detail in my letter of March 25 to my father.]

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

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

March 20, 2014

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

Sunday, 20th—It is quite cool today. We ran all day, but we have a big load, crowding every nook and corner of the boat; we are more crowded than before reaching Memphis. The sergeant in charge of us six guards had our haversacks replenished at Memphis.

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