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

May 2014

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

May 2, 2014

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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            MAY 2D.—A cool day, sunshine and showers.

            To-day Congress assembled, and the President’s message was delivered, although he buried his youngest son yesterday, who lost his life by an accidental fall from the porch on Saturday.

            We have abundance of good news to-day.

            First, the Florida has captured one, and destroyed another of the enemy’s vessels of war in the West Indies.

            Second, we have authentic intelligence of the evacuation of Washington, N. C. by the enemy, pursued by our forces toward Newbern.

            Third, four steamers have arrived at Wilmington laden with quartermaster and ordnance stores. Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, says we now have arms and ammunition enough.

            A letter from Gen. Lee indicates the propriety of Gen. Imboden retaining his recruits (which the Secretary wanted to take from him, because they were liable to conscription) in the Shenandoah Valley. This does not look like a purpose of an advance on Lee’s part. He will probably await the attack.

            The President, in an indorsement, intimates to the Secretary of War that Gen. Pryor might be assigned to a brigade of the Reserve class.

            About 5 o’clock this afternoon we had a tornado from the southwest which I fear has done mischief in the country. It blew off half a dozen planks from my garden fence, and I had difficulty in nailing them on again with such rusty nails as I could find. Nails are worth almost their weight in silver.

            The gardeners sell tomato-plants for $10 per dozen, and cabbage-plants for 50 cts. Each. But I am independent, having my own little hot-beds.

Post image for Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

May 2, 2014

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol's.

May 2d. Severe rain storm this morning. Came off picket wet through. Tents no good, leaking very badly. Our regiment still on the advance, holding the picket line from the main pike to the Romney dirt road on the west.

Post image for …, in the hands of a General who gave them success, there is no force on earth which could resist this Army.

…, in the hands of a General who gave them success, there is no force on earth which could resist this Army.

May 1, 2014

Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.

Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his father

H.Q. Cav’y Escort, A. of P.
May 1, 1864

It [your letter] finds me contrary to my expectation still at Brandy Station, although expecting to move almost daily. In fact we do not pretend to see more than twenty-four hours ahead, though my mind is not quite clear whether our advanced state of preparation for a move is owing to Grant’s being nearly ready to assume the offensive, or to precaution on his part against an offensive move of Lee’s. I should think that he could hardly as yet be ready, and that every day we delay would probably be of the greatest advantage to him. Meanwhile I have been and still am as busy as I can stick — clothing, equipping, drilling and policing my men, laboring all I know how to transform the dirty, ragamuffin squad I found here when I came, into a handsome soldierly squadron. Hitherto I must say my success has fully satisfied me. I never saw men in the same space of time equally improved. They enjoy their present duty, take great pains and learn surprisingly rapidly. I only need horses now and if I succeed in drawing these, have no fear that General Meade will have any cause to be ashamed of his escort.

I like my present position very much, as a temporary one. Here I can see some results of my labor. I lead a life of tolerable comfort, see some pleasant men, am independent and, finally, am relieved from the eternal and infernal squabbles of the regiment. . . .

My days here, as I told you, are busy enough. I have two drills a day, one on foot and the other mounted, and am besides my own Quarter-Master, Commissary and Adjutant; for I find my name potent at Head Quarters and so do everything myself, that I may have the advantage of it. My camp was a mud-hole. I have had it policed until it is as clean a camp as I ever saw. I have done a good deal and done it all myself, so that, as yet, I have hardly been away from Head Quarters and have seen nothing of the Army. Of course you suppose, as every one does, that an officer living at Head Quarters knows all about the movements of the Army and what is going on. Disabuse yourself at once. Here we know just as much as we did in the line and that was absolutely nothing. They tell me at Head Quarters that there they always know things last, and certainly since I have been here I have heard of nothing but the vaguest surmises. The feeling about Grant is peculiar — a little jealousy, a little dislike, a little envy, a little want of confidence — all in many minds and now latent; but it is ready to crystallize at any moment and only brilliant success will dissipate the elements. All, however, are willing to give him a full chance and his own time for it. If he succeeds, the war is over. For I do assure you that in the hands of a General who gave them success, there is no force on earth which could resist this Army. If Lee is beaten, the rebels are “gone up.” . . .

Post image for “We only marched some ten miles to-day and have a splendid camping ground.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“We only marched some ten miles to-day and have a splendid camping ground.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

May 1, 2014

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

May 1st, 1864. Bivouac at Mud Creek.

Up at daylight, and off on time. 6 a.m. The camp was full of citizens early, all after our leavings. The way they did snatch for old clothes was far from slow. They actually stole lots of trash right under the noses of the soldier owners. Out “jayhawking” old jayhawk himself. Started off in best of spirits—men cheering right from their hearts. About two miles out on the road, General Harrow and staff passed us. The men not having the fear of “guard house” in their minds, yelled at him, “Bring out your Potomac horse,” “Fall back on your straw and fresh butter,” “Advance on Washington,” etc., all of which counts as quite a serious offense, but he paid no attention to it. You recollect he is from the Potomac Army. The first expression comes from a punishment he inaugurated in our division. He put up a wooden horse in front of his quarters, and mounted on it all the offenders against discipline that he could “gobble.” Some waggish fellows wrote out some highly displayed advertisements of the “Potomac horse” and posted them throughout the camp, and finally one night the men took it down and sent it on the cars to Huntsville, directed to McPherson, with a note tacked on it, telling him to furnish him plenty of straw and use him carefully, as he was Potomac stock and unused to hardships.

We only marched some ten miles to-day and have a splendid camping ground. Have had a wash in a mill race near by.

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

May 1, 2014

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Reynolds, May 1, [1864]. 12 M.

Dearest: — I am in the old log cabin at a desk where our bed stood. The troops are on the hill overlooking the Falls. The Fifth has gone to Tompkins Farm. I write you merely to finish the good-bye so hastily spoken on the steamboat. Your visit has been the greatest possible happiness to me. I carry with me the pleasantest recollections of you dear ones all. Goodbye.

Affectionately,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

May 1, 2014

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Reynolds, Near Gauley Bridge, May 1, 1864.

Dear Mother: — We have been marching now three days. We have a considerable force and are setting out on a campaign. We expect our full share of active service. We are under the immediate command of General [George] Crook. We all feel great confidence in his skill and good judgment. General Averill is also with us in command of the cavalry. I have the First Brigade of Infantry, consisting of [the] Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio, Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia Volunteers. The last named is not yet with us.

Lucy and the boys left on a steamboat at the same time I did. You will perhaps not hear from me often for a while. — Goodbye.

Your affectionate son,

R.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

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

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

May 1, 2014

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

Sunday, 1st—The Eleventh Iowa signed the pay rolls this morning for two months’ pay. Six of the boys were robbed of $30.00 last night. Our regiment drew the new rifles and accouterments this afternoon. The Government is fitting out all of the veteran regiments with new equipments.

We received orders this afternoon to go on board the transports at 5 o’clock, and we struck our tents and turned them over to the post quartermaster. The Eleventh, the Fifteenth and part of the Thirteenth Iowa are on board the “John H. Dickey.” We were ordered to carry five days’ rations. Our destination is supposed to be Huntsville, Alabama.

Post image for Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

May 1, 2014

Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

May 1.—I never saw a greater profusion of flowers than there is here, nor more beautiful ones. My kind friend, Mr. Dougherty, has given me full possession of his garden; so the soldiers get plenty, and they are very fond of them. We put them all over the wards.

Post image for A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

May 1, 2014

A Soldier's Diary, The Story of a Volunteer, David Lane, (17th Mich. Vol. Infantry)

Camp near Warrenton Junction, May 1st, 1864.

The Ninth Corps has relieved the Fifth Corps, which has been guarding the railroad between Alexandria and Culpepper, and which now goes to the front. We are scattered—one regiment in a place— all the way from Centerville to Warrenton. Our work is an important one.

All of Meade’s supplies are dependant on our vigilance and energy. The Rebels, too are alive to its importance, and are making desperate efforts to cut off his supplies. Yesterday the Eighth Michigan were sent out six miles to look after a band of guerillas that attacked a train. I cannot say that I am pleased with this arrangement.

Come to be once more on the move, the same feeling of restlessness, the same desire to do, has taken possession of me. I would “forward to Richmond” and continue to go forward, until the rebellion is crushed and I could return, in peace, to my loved home. The road from Alexandria to this place was of deep interest to me. The whole country has been baptized in the “martyr blood of freedom.” Now, indeed, it is “sacred soil.” We passed directly through the old Bull Run battlefield. Much as I had read of it, and often as I had heard it described by men who were in the fight, I find I had received very erroneous impressions. I had fancied the Rebel position to have been almost impregnable. On the contrary, one can hardly conceive a fairer battle ground. Their advantage lay in our ignorance of the country and of the strength of the force opposed to us, and, more than all else, a lack of generalship on the Union side.

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

May 1, 2014

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

May 1 — I was in Gordonsville at church to-day. The Rev. Mr. Ewing, post chaplain, preached a fine and wholesome sermon from the eleventh chapter and seventeenth verse of Hebrews. He also preached in our camp this evening.

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