Huntsville, Tuesday, March 22. All were surprised this morning upon looking out to find the ground covered with pure, soft and downy snow, and the air yet thick with the falling feathers. It continued till 9 A. M., leaving eight inches on the ground. To the natives it was looked upon as a strange occurrence in this territory, a phenomenon, but to us from the stern and living North it was as good as a furlough, a sudden transition to old Wisconsin. What a calm serenity it spreads on earth in its pure, spotless white, covering over the disagreeable, the footprints of suffering and wrongs that are so indelibly imprinted everywhere upon the fair but wicked South. What a longing for home it created, as home scenes and accompaniments were brought vividly to the mind’s eye. Many were the thoughts of sleigh rides, hills, girls, etc. by those that are to enjoy such. One party I saw as I went to water. They had rigged up a sled with young mules hitched, and a sonorous cowbell for music. They paraded the streets of Huntsville and were looked upon by the native fair as crazy, but they knew nothing of the fun. But this uncommon visitor was not to last long, and the Southern sun soon made it withdraw slowly but surely.
A bad day for the sick. Tommy very low all day and painful. Evie was on guard, so I sat up with him till one o’clock in the morning, fed him medicine regularly with a cold application to be changed every fifteen minutes. He has not eaten anything for days, save what I have fed him with a spoon. Fed him farina gruel twice through the night with the spoon. Coughs severely. Chas. Hutchinson and J. McCann sick with the same disease.
Tuesday, 22nd. Went with Thede over to Uncle Jones’. Stayed till after dinner. Visited with boys. Saw Will and Terrell play billiards. Introduced to Mrs. Case. Col. Purington asked me in to see his wife. In the evening officers presented Mrs. P. with a silver tea service. $3.00 per man. Wine, etc. Didn’t indulge. Saw the Arabs perform—great feats.
Jacksonville, Fla.,
March 22, 1864.
Dear Sister L.:—
I send you another copy of the Free South, printed this time on wrapping paper. “Necessity is the mother of invention.” There is no news. All quiet along the lines. The alarm I mentioned was caused by about forty rebel cavalry making a reconnoissance along our lines. Our men withdrew at first, then rallied and chased the rebels a mile beyond the original line without a shot being fired on either side. The court is still in session.
March 22 — Commenced snowing this forenoon, with a cold north wind sweeping over the bleak fields, which sends chilly feelings to the bones of soldiers without houses or shelter. It is still snowing very fast this evening.
Wednesday, 22.—Big snow. 36th and 56th fought snow battle. 36th had to retreat, being out numbered. 12 A. M., long roll beat in 39th; in short time long roll in 56th; both regiments formed at once, confronting each other, with colors flying; 39th advanced, 56th charged and drove 39th back about ten steps, when they rallied and drove 56th back some distance. The battle now raged with tremendous fury; snowballs flying and falling fast as hail. Got hold of 56th’s colors, but they rallied so strong, could not take them away. Both sides agreed to quit, the 39th having driven the 56th back about one hundred yards.
March 22.—Major-General Lew. Wallace assumed command of the Middle Department, Eighth army corps, headquarters at Baltimore, Md., and issued orders in accordance therewith.— The Supreme Court of Georgia to-day unanimously affirmed the constitutionality of the confederate anti-substitute law.—A heavy snowstorm prevailed in Richmond, Va., and vicinity, the average depth being about one foot.
—Major-General Banks, from his headquarters at New-Orleans, Louisiana, issued general orders constituting a Board of Education, and defining their duties and powers.
March 22.—Our most Christian enemy, profiting by the teaching of such men as Beecher, not content to employ the scum of the earth to destroy us, have formed a plot foul enough to blacken the name of a Nero. They sent a band of assassins into Virginia for the purpose of freeing the prisoners and setting them loose on the helpless inhabitants, with full power to do their worst and lay waste the whole country. Positive orders were given to give no quarter to President Davis and his cabinet. They were to be murdered. Richmond was to be left a mass of ruins. Colonel Dahlgren, one of the leaders in this dark conspiracy, has gone to his final account. Papers with the whole design and the names of his accomplices were found on his person. Some of the men in his command have been captured. Many of our people are insisting to have them hung as brigands, as they have forfeited all claim to be treated as prisoners of war; but our high-souled president is firm in his resolve not to have them punished. It is said that some of his cabinet have protested against this leniency, but to no effect.
We have had a very heavy fall of snow. All enjoyed it. Old and young were out snow-balling each other. Drs. H. and B. got up a very fine equipage in the way of a sleigh. The runners were made by one of the men, and the carriage part was a packing-box. Instead of furs, blankets were used. The whole affair would have been a most attractive turnout in Broadway. After giving some of the Newnan ladies a drive, Dr. H. called and took Miss W. On her return she gave me a ludicrous description of her ride; said that the doctor had to get out and push her, the sleigh, and horse along. I did not venture in it, as it gave signs of dissolution, and I did not like the idea of being dumped into a bed of slush, or being forced to walk home through it .
I have just received a letter from an officer who is in Longstreet’s corps. Ho says our army has fallen back from Knoxville to a place called Lick Creek, on the Virginia road. This gentleman says that East Tennessee is completely sacked, and that he thinks many of the inhabitants will die of starvation. He also says there has been a religious revival in the army. The whole of that corps has re-enlisted for the war, no matter how long it may last . Our whole army has done the same.
I have been told that nearly all of East Tennessee is Union. One of the soldiers informed me that while passing through portions of it with prisoners, the ladies gave the best they had to the prisoners; and although our men were as much in want of food, they would not give them a mouthful.
Tuesday, 22d—We reached La Salle at 2 o’clock this afternoon and changed cars for Davenport, arriving at our destination at dark. I took lodging at the Davis House. The taverns are all crowded, because of so many soldiers coming home on their furloughs.
March 22, Tuesday. At the Cabinet-meeting Chase manifested a little disturbance of mind at my letter respecting the Ann Hamilton and the Princeton, sent in reply to his somewhat arrogant letter to me. Seward asked him if he had any gold to sell. He said no, if S. wanted to make money he had better get a permit from General Butler to carry in military supplies, and then persuade me to let the vessel pass the blockade. He then made a wholly perverted statement; confounded the two cases; said he never looked behind the military permit, which was sufficient for the Treasury. “But,” said I, “General Butler explicitly states that this trading permit to a Baltimorean to trade in North Carolina was based on your 52, 53, and 55 trade regulations, and I should like to know if they will bear that construction.” “Ah,” said he, “the permit was before the regulations were promulgated.” “No,” I replied, “they were distinctly and particularly cited as his authority.”
Chase did not pursue the subject, but tried to pass it off as a joke. His jokes are always clumsy; he is destitute of wit. It was obvious that he was nettled and felt himself in the wrong.
Seward said the Chesapeake had arrived from Halifax under convoy of the revenue cutter [Miami]. This whole thing is ludicrous. A convoy was no more wanted than if the vessel had been in Long Island Sound. But Seward applied to me for a gunboat. I declined and turned him over to the Treasury, if an armed vessel was required to bring the prisoners, which was a part of the case. It is a simple business, but an ostentatious parade and announcement may glorify the State Department.
by John Beauchamp Jones
MARCH 22D.—Cloudy morning, with ice; subsequently a snowstorm all day long. No war news. But meat and grain are coming freely from the South. This gives rise to a rumor that Lee will fall back, and that the capital will be besieged; all without any foundation.
A Mrs. _____ from Maryland, whose only son is in a Federal prison, writes the President (she is in this city) that she desires to go to Canada on some secret enterprise. The President favors her purpose in an indorsement. On this the Secretary indorses a purpose to facilitate her design, and suggests that she be paid $1000 in gold from the secret service fund. She is a Roman Catholic, and intimates that the bishops, priests, and nuns will aid her.
