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

Monday, April 28, 2014

Post image for Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

April 28, 2014

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

Stevenson, Ala., April 28,1864.—Here we are, safe and sound, having come by railroad instead of marching, as we expected to do. We got here at noon today. No women came with us. General Sherman would not allow it. He said that after a few weeks, perhaps, he would do so, but not now. He says that a woman eats as much as a soldier, and he is short of transportation at present. I don’t think it is very unpleasant here, judging from the reluctance with which the troops here leave. The place has been well cleaned and is in fine order.

Post image for “Boys of our regiment and troops of the whole corps, never started on a march in better spirits.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“Boys of our regiment and troops of the whole corps, never started on a march in better spirits.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

April 28, 2014

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

Scottsboro, Ala., April 28, 1864.

We received marching orders last night, and will probably move to-morrow morning. Supposition is that we go to Huntsville first, there store our baggage, and then cross the Tennessee river and open the Spring campaign. I am much pleased at the prospect of moving once more. Have never been so well and comfortably situated in the army, nor was I ever tired of lying still. Lieutenant Miller R. Q. M. while hunting some mules a few miles from camp, last Monday was captured by the enemy, and is now on his way to the “Hotel de Libby” (not) rejoicing. ‘Tis something of a joke on Miller. Weather is becoming most uncomfortably warm. Altogether too hot for marching. Boys of our regiment and troops of the whole corps, never started on a march in better spirits. Will write as often as have opportunities. Swarms of flies interfere with my afternoon naps lately.

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

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

April 28, 2014

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

Thursday, 28th—It is cloudy and misty, and suffocating smoke is settling over our camp at times—and there is no end of mud. There is no news of any importance and we lay in camp all day, with no drill or dress parade. We are expecting orders to board the transports for Huntsville, Alabama. I went down town this afternoon to purchase a few articles. Things are awfully dear here. The soldiers are all supplying themselves with stationery and little articles needed on a long campaign.

A Regiment: A body of men, either horse, foot or artillery, commanded by a colonel and consisting of a number of companies, usually from eight to twelve.

A Reserve: A select body of troops in the rear of an army, reserved to sustain the other lines as occasion may require.

—A. G. Downing.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

April 28, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Bristoe Station, April 28, ’64.

Dear Father, — Here I am again on the old ground. We left Alexandria yesterday and reached here to-night. The regiment marches well, and I am much pleased with it.

The report is that we relieve the Fifth Corps, which is guarding the railroad at Washington. I don’t believe it, although I think it highly probable that the negro division of the corps may be left to do guard-duty. We marched from Fairfax C. H. this morning, and as I feel very tired, I must stop.

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

Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

April 28, 2014

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

28th.—The country seems to continue quiet, but the campaign on the Rapidan is expected to open every day. Oh, how I dread it! The morning is bright and beautiful; it seems hardly possible that such strife is abroad in the land.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

April 28, 2014

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

Huntsville, Thursday, April 28. Quietly we prepared and at 7 A. M. we pulled out, much to the regret of the 56th Illinois. Artillery always has a great encouragement to infantry. With its presence they feel safe and strong in any emergency. The boys who had been here since the first, and had worked hard to fortify and build, of course at first felt a little dissatisfied to leave, but they were too good soldiers to allow any such feelings to cloud upon their brows; but cheerfully submit “to the powers that be”.

A warm and quick march of twelve miles, brought us to Huntsville by 11 A. M. Found the old camp on Russell Hill much agitated from the numerous and conflicting orders to march received yesterday, one of which was to march at daylight this morning. All the baggage reduced as much as possible, only two wagons allowed to a battery. Nearly everybody is busy at work packing up boxes to be sent home, all containing superfluous clothing. E. W. E., T. J. H., G. T. and myself packed one of a similar nature. I sent my old friendly overcoat that has comforted me for nearly twenty months, and a pair of rebel spurs bought at Vicksburg from a prisoner, and worn all through last fall campaign, now worn out. Eyes very sore to-night after marching, inflamed and red; bathed them tenderly.

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

April 28, 2014

Diary of Gideon Welles

April 28, Thursday. Admiral Lee sends me a confidential dispatch and also a communication to him from General Butler. On the latter Fox has made a proper indorsement. On the 26th inst. General B. calls on the Admiral for naval cooperation. Wants ironclads and gunboats to proceed to Richmond; is going to move on the 30th inst.; the expedition or movement is to be secret; they are to pass above City Point, etc., etc. Only four days to improvise a navy, and they are to proceed up a river whose channel is not buoyed out. The scheme is not practical, yet it has the sanction of General Grant. It must, however, be a blind, intended to deceive the enemy, and to do this effectually he must first deceive our own people. A somewhat formidable force has been gathered in General Butler’s department, and there is no doubt but that General B. himself fully believes he is to make a demonstration up James River. It may be that this is General Grant’s intention also, but if it is, I shall be likely to have my faith in him impaired. Certainly there have been no sufficient preparations for such a demonstration and the call upon the Navy is unreasonable.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

April 28, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Thursday, April 28. —Started about 7 A.M. and marched to Bristoe Station, about 20 miles, getting into camp at 6 P.M. Day cool and pleasant. Men as usual marched well. General Burnside joined us at Manassas Junction. It really seemed like home to go over this country, which I have been through so many times. Thought of General Porter as we passed over the country, through which we were then campaigning. Saw some of the enemy’s scouts at Centreville. Saw Captain Spear, who said we were to relieve the Fifth Corps, who were guarding the railroads.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

April 28, 2014

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

April 28.—Brigadier-General Devcns, with a brigade of cavalry, on a reconnoissance to Madison Court-House, Va., surprised a party of thirty rebels in that place, and succeeded in capturing the whole of them.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

April 28, 2014

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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 28TH.—After a slight shower last night, a cool, clear morning.

            The ominous silence or pause between the armies continues. Lieut.-Gen. Longstreet, it is said, is “hidden.” I suppose he is working his way around the enemy’s right flank. If so, we shall soon hear thunder.

            It is also supposed that Lee meditates an incursion into Pennsylvania, and that Gen. Beauregard will protect his rear and cover this city. All is merely conjecture.

We are amused at the enemy’s accounts of the storming of Plymouth. Their papers pretend to have not heard the result, and would lead their readers to believe that Gen. Hoke was repulsed, and that the place is “impregnable.”

            The following appears in the morning papers:

            “GEN. LEE’S BILL OF FARE.—The Richmond correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser gives the following about Gen. Lee’s mode of living :

            “In Gen. Lee’s tent meat is eaten but twice a week, the general not allowing it oftener, because he believes indulgence in meat to be criminal in the present straitened condition of the country. His ordinary dinner consists of a head of cabbage, boiled in salt water, and a pone of corn bread. In this connection rather a comic story is told. Having invited a number of gentlemen to dine with him, Gen. Lee, in a fit of extravagance, ordered a sumptuous repast of cabbage and middling. The dinner was served: and, behold, a great pile of cabbage and a bit of middling about four inches long and two inches across! The guests, with commendable politeness, unanimously declined middling, and it remained in the dish untouched. Next day Gen. Lee, remembering the delicate tit-bit which had been so providentially preserved, ordered his servant to bring ‘that middling.’ The man hesitated, scratched his head, and finally owned up : `De fac is, Masse Robert, dat ar middlin’ was borrid middlin’; we all did’n had nar spec; and I done paid it back to de man whar I got it from.’ Gen. Lee heaved a sigh of deepest disappointment, and pitched into his cabbage.”

            By a correspondence between the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, I saw that Mr. Memminger has about a million and a quarter in coin at Macon, Ga., seized as the property of the New Orleans banks—perhaps belonging to Northern men. I believe it was taken when there was an attempt made to smuggle it North. What it is proposed to do with it I know not, but I think neither the President nor the Secretaries will hesitate to use it—if there be a “military necessity.” Who knows but that one or more members of Mr. Lincoln’s cabinet, or his generals, might be purchased with gold? Fortress Monroe would be cheap at that price!

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