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

Monday, June 23, 2014

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

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

June 23, 2014

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

Thursday, 23d—We were up all night throwing up breastworks, finishing them about noon today. The rebels opened up their battery on Little Kenesaw mountain, but did no harm. General Leggett on the right made a demonstration before the rebel lines, but was not engaged and soon fell back again.[1] All is quiet on the right. The Sixteenth Corps was ordered out on an expedition with fifteen days’ rations, but we do not know their destination. We received orders to be ready to march at a moment’s warning, with two days’ rations. William Cross of Company E returned from the hospital after an absence of ten months.

[1] I remember quite distinctly seeing General Sherman with his staff officers riding along our lines, taking in the lay of the country. They had just passed by where I was stationed, when they halted near one of our batteries and began using their field glasses, taking a view of the enemy’s lines. At that same time a Confederate general with his staff rode out of the timber upon an open knoll to take a view of our lines with their glasses. This was too good a chance for our battery, so the gunners, taking good aim, fired five or six shots at the mark, and one of them hit and killed the Confederate general, who the signal corps reported was a General Pope. Our signal corps had learned the signs of the Confederate signal service and at once reported the facts. The Confederates claimed that General Sherman himself had aimed the shot which killed their general, but such is not the case.—A. G. D.

Post image for Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy.

Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy.

June 23, 2014

Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

Thursday, 23d.—Yesterday we were moved out and formed in two lines of battle—Cummings’ Brigade in front and Pettus’ in second. About 4:30 P. M., ordered forward. Drove in pickets and went within fifty yards of works, when we were ordered to halt, owing to the line not coming up on our right. After firing a few rounds, were ordered to fall back. Hiram McAbee killed; Cousin Robert Magill seriously wounded in left hip. Good many of brigade killed and wounded. Forty killed and wounded in our regiment. At night fell back one-fourth of a mile. For the next few days it was simply skirmishing, marching, fortifying, listening to the firing of cannons and sharp-shooting.

Post image for Diary of a Line Officer.

Diary of a Line Officer.

June 23, 2014

The Diary of a Line Officer, Captain Augustus C. Brown, Co. H, 4th NY Heavy Artillery

Thursday, June 23d.

At 5 A. M. the regiment was ordered to report to General Gibbon for assignment to a position on his line. On reaching that line I found that the position to be occupied by my company was a very exposed one, being an angle the interior of which was commanded by the opposing rebel lines, and especially by sharpshooters, but by going through a narrow ravine in single file we succeeded in getting into the breastworks with the loss of but one man, Private Sinnot, who was shot through the heart and killed instantly. We found these works little more than a mere rifle-pit pushed out in front of the main line, and we at once went to work to strengthen it. Having accomplished all that we could, the men stretched their shelter tents on poles above them for protection from the sun, and laid down in the ditch or on the bank beside it. I sat with my back against the logs just at the angle, and for some time two sharpshooters, one on each side, amused themselves trying to hit me. Each could from his position look right into the rear of our breastworks, one seeing the logs to the right and the other those to the left of me, but neither

could quite reach my corner. Just as I was beginning to think that my position was the safest on the line, I heard that peculiar “spat” which a bullet makes when it strikes a man or a green tree, and saw that a shot had cut off the stick which a moment before had supported the shelter tent of Corporal Polley, who was lying on the bank near my feet, and on pulling the canvas off of him I saw that the ball had entered his head at the left cheek bone, passed under the skin over the temple, and then out about an inch and a half from where it entered. He was unconscious for a few moments only, and as soon as he revived I directed two men to take him to the rear. Earlier in the day Polley had had the sole of one of his shoes cut by a rifle ball, and had jokingly asked if that wound didn’t entitle him to go to the hospital, and on my replying that I did not think he could march very comfortably in that shoe, he said: “Oh, well! I guess I’ll give the `Johnnies’ another chance.”

In the afternoon we were ordered out of this nasty position, and were sent to build more substantial breastworks farther back and in rear of a piece of woods, where, after throwing up enough of a rifle-pit to protect us, we spent the night. When we withdrew from the advanced position the rebels came in and occupied the line, and one of my men named Blair, who did not know that the company had left during his temporary absence, returned just as the “Johnnies” came swarming over the angle, one of whom raised his rifle and called on the “damned Yankee” to surrender. It required but an instant for Blair to take in the whole situation, and employing a mode of expression quite as complimentary and picturesque as that of his Southern brother, from which it was fairly inferable that he declined the invitation, he dodged a bullet aimed at his head and plunging into the brush, soon joined his comrades.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

June 23, 2014

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

Camp on Paint Rock River, Thursday, June 23. Aroused at 3 A. M. but as we were in the rear of the column, did not move out till 6 A. M. Marched fast, but obliged to halt frequently to let the 2nd Brigade train get out of the way. Our road lay along the railroad, the same that we travelled last winter, but nature’s changes were so great that we could hardly recognize the dismal beech swamp, once a dread to cross. But now the deep foliage afforded a welcome protection from the burning rays of the sun. Camped on Paint Rock 4 P. M. Found our advance having their supper. There was hardly any straggling. Walked all through and feel first rate. Bathed in the evening. Retired early. Disappointed in not receiving mail. .

Post image for Village Life in America.

Village Life in America.

June 23, 2014

Village Life in America, 1852 - 1872, by Caroline Cowles Richards

June 23, 1864. — Anna graduated last Thursday, June 16, and was valedictorian of her class. There were eleven girls in the class, Ritie Tyler, Mary Antes, Jennie Robinson, Hattie Paddock, Lillie Masters, Abbie Hills, Miss McNair, Miss Pardee and Miss Palmer, Miss Jasper and Anna. The subject of her essay was “The Last Time.” I will copy an account of the exercises as they appeared in this week’s village paper. Every one thinks it was written by Mr E. M. Morse.

A Word From An Old Man

.
“Mr. Editor :

“Less than a century ago I was traveling through this enchanted region and accidentally heard that it was commencement week at the seminary. I went. My venerable appearance seemed to command respect and I received many attentions. I presented my snowy head and patriarchal beard at the doors of the sacred institution and was admitted. I heard all the classes, primary, secondary, tertiary, et cetera. All went merry as a marriage bell. Thursday was the great day. I made vast preparation. I rose early, dressed with much care. I affectionately pressed the hands of my two landlords and left. When I arrived at the seminary I saw at a glance that it was a place where true merit was appreciated. I was invited to a seat among the dignitaries, but declined. I am a modest man, I always was. I recognized the benign Principals of the school. You can find no better principles in the states than in Ontario Female Seminary. After the report of the committee a very lovely young lady arose and saluted us in Latin. I looked very wise, I always do. So did everybody. We all understood it. As she proceeded, I thought the grand old Roman tongue had never sounded so musically and when she pronounced the decree, “Richmond dilenda est,” we all hoped it might be prophetic. Then followed the essays of the other young ladies and then every one waited anxiously for “The Last Time.” At last it came. The story was beautifully told, the adieux were tenderly spoken. We saw the withered flowers of early years scattered along the academic ways, and the golden fruit of scholarly culture ripening in the gardens of the future. Enchanted by the sorrowful eloquence, bewildered by the melancholy brilliancy, I sent a rosebud to the charming valedictorian and wandered out into the grounds. I went to the concert in the evening and was pleased and delighted. So was everybody. I shall return next year unless the gout carries me off. I hope I shall hear just such beautiful music, see just such beautiful faces and dine at the same excellent hotel.

Senex.”

Anna closed her valedictory with these words:

“May we meet at one gate when all’s over;

The ways they are many and wide,

And seldom are two ways the same;

Side by side may we stand

At the same little door when all’s done.

The ways they are many,

The end it is one.”

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

June 23, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Thursday, June 23.— Lost three men on picket. Enemy again opened on us on the picket line. The rebels had a mortar in position, with which they shelled our batteries. Our brigade was relieved and put in the second line, but six companies of our regiment had to remain in the front line.

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

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

June 23, 2014

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

June 23 — In camp, and resting. We have been on forced marches, and sometimes marching day and night, ever since the morning of the ninth of June, and in the meantime we had a few hard fights. Now for a glance at the two armies that were facing each other near Cold Harbor and growling a little when we left the Chickahominy on a chase after General Sheridan’s crack cavalry. General Grant has stopped his sledge-hammer thumping business at the front door and has made a wonderful leap by the left flank, and is now trying to gain admittance to Richmond by the back way, and has settled down in siege order in front of Petersburg, twenty-two miles south of Richmond.

I heard that when General Grant arrived in front of Petersburg, as is usual of late he found General Lee in his front, ready for business at the old stand. The world may ask, but the great question will never be answered, why all this bloody fighting, waste of energy, and sinews of war, sacrifice of human life and vast treasures, merely to make a lodgment in front of Petersburg, which could have been accomplished without much fighting and sacrificial butchery of thousands of soldiers. ‘Tis said that General Grant lost about sixty thousand men, killed, wounded, prisoners, and strayed, on the north side of the James since the fifth of May, the date of the opening of the campaign in the Wilderness.

The bulk of General Grant’s army crossed the James River about the 1th of June, at or near Bermuda Hundred, about sixteen miles below Richmond.

Post image for Leverett Bradley: A Soldier-Boy’s Letters

Leverett Bradley: A Soldier-Boy’s Letters

June 23, 2014

Leverett Bradley: A Soldier-Boy's Letters (1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.)

June 23rd. Our brigade was moved to the left to support a battery. Shortly after an artillery duel began. The shell all went over the battery and came amongst us. We lost one man wounded. Just at dusk a charge was ordered to be made by our division across an open field. We drove the Rebs back and threw up rifle-pits. Remained in rifle-pits all day; burried our dead; were relieved at night and went to the rear.

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

June 23, 2014

Diary of Gideon Welles

June 23, Thursday. A call in force this A. M. from a large portion of the Massachusetts delegation in behalf of the Smith brothers, now in Fort Warren, wanting them to be bailed, but at the same time admitting a bail bond to be useless or valueless. They proposed, however, the whole Massachusetts delegation should unite in a bond, guaranteeing the appearance of the Smiths for trial. Told them I thought this not a proper proceeding, that it was perhaps doubtful whether bail could properly be taken, that I had written to Mr. Wilson that I wished, if it could be done, that there should be bail, etc., etc. The interview was long; Senator Wilson, Mr. Rice, Mr. Dawes were the principal speakers.

In the afternoon Mr. Rice called at my house with a telegram to the effect that Mr. Wilson would be willing to take bail, but that Assistant Secretary Fox, who has the matter in special charge, had written him not to do so without the consent of Colonel Olcott, etc. I told Mr. Rice, I thought there must be some misapprehension, that I thought Mr. Wilson would act discreetly and properly, that we should probably hear from him by to-morrow morning’s mail. He was earnest, sensitive, and expressed great distrust, or want of confidence in Mr. Fox. I told him, while Mr. Fox was very earnest and persevering, I thought it an error to impute to him personal enmity against the Smiths and others.

Admiral Lee sends me some papers relative to a permit issued by General Butler to one Lane, of the steamer Philadelphia, to trade in Chowan River, North Carolina. It was a little, dirty, speculating intrigue, initiated as early as last March, in a letter from General Butler addressed to the President, proposing to send in ploughs, harrows, and farming utensils to loyal farmers in North Carolina, in exchange for cotton and products of the country, – plausible and taking rascality. The President indorsed that he approved the object. On this General Butler granted a permit. Captain Smith, senior officer in the Sounds, declined to recognize it, but detained the boat and sent the papers to Admiral Lee. The latter failed – called the paper many names, said President’s permit must be respected.

I showed the papers to Seward and Blair, and was disposed to telegraph and detain the vessel. B. was inclined, though doubtingly, to favor my views, S. advised waiting the arrival of the President, but both condemned the proceedings as wholly improper.

Some warm discussion took place, Rice tells me, in the House on the currency and financial questions, showing serious differences in the Ways and Means Committee and between them and the Secretary of the Treasury. It will not surprise me should radical differences be developed. The whole system is one of error, ruinous error to the country.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

June 23, 2014

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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JUNE 23D.—Clear and warm.

            The news of the capture of 1600 Federals, 4 guns, etc., yesterday atPetersburg, has put the people here in better humor, which has been bad enough, made so by reported rapes perpetrated by negro soldiers on young ladies inWestmorelandCounty. There has been talk of vengeance, and no doubt such atrocities cause many more to perish than otherwise would die.

            A Mr. Sale, in the West, sends on an extract from a letter from Col. ____, proposing to the government to sell cotton on the Mississippi River for sterling exchange in London, and indicating that in this manner he has large sums to his own credit there, besides $100,000 worth of cotton in this country. Col. ____is a commissary, against whom grave charges have been made frequently, of speculation, etc., but was defended by the Commissary-General.

            Mr. Harvey, president Danville Railroad, telegraphs to Gen. Bragg to send troops without delay, or the road will be ruined by the raiders. Bragg sends the paper to the Secretary of War, saying there are no troops but those in the army of Gen. Lee, and the reserves, the latter now being called out. Ten days ago, Mr. Secretary Seddon had fair warning about this road.

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