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

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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

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

June 26, 2014

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

Sunday, 26th—There was very little cannonading and skirmishing today. We drew two days’ rations with orders to be ready to march at a moment’s warning. Several brigades of the Fifteenth Army Corps are moving out to the rear, but we do not know their destination. The health of the troops is fine, although they are much fatigued. We have a great many wounded at the hospital, but it is reported that they are getting along fine.

May God hasten the day when this cruel war will be brought to a close, so that our nation may enjoy peace once more. May He hasten the day when the rebels will lay down their arms and return again to their homes. But we must remember that there may be many men yet who will fall for their country before it is free from this accursed secession. May God be with us and help us as we stand in need, for He is a God of battles.

Post image for Diary of a Line Officer.

Diary of a Line Officer.

June 26, 2014

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

Sunday, June 26th.

Orders were received to-day assigning our First Battalion to the First Brigade and the Second Battalion to the Second Brigade of Birney’s Division of the Second Corps. There seems to be no salvation for the “Fourth Heavy.” Heretofore, though nominally brigaded with the artillery, we have not only supported the artillery and furnished men to fill up the batteries, but have been detailed to guard wagon trains; to build roads and earthworks as engineers; to occupy breastworks; to do picket duty and make charges as infantry, and, in short, to perform every kind of military duty except that for which we were enlisted, but now, with the battalions again separated, we are infantry with no longer any disguise about it. General Pierce assures our battalion commander that the companies will have no picket duty to perform except in very urgent cases, but we know, of course, that that is all humbug, for in military operations all “cases” are “urgent.”

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

June 26, 2014

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

Camp on Mud Creek, Ala., Sunday, June 26. Our weary limbs were allowed to rest undisturbed this morning till daylight. Found it hard work to stand guard last night. Did not march as expected. Washed my shirt and socks in the stream, going without any while they dried. The day was well used by us all in writing letters and resting, but to our disappointment no mail came and no papers seen. 2nd Brigade came up before dinner. Expect to take the cars at 2 P. M. Platoon messes organized. Four of our boys came in from Stevenson, having marched ahead yesterday. They will be tied up as stragglers.

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

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

June 26, 2014

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

City Point, June 26th, 1864.

The day before yesterday I came from the front with a train of sick and wounded, two hundred in number, all from the Third Division. Were I to say the weather is excessively hot, my words would convey but a faint idea of the terrible, burning, consuming heat to which we have been subjected the last three days. Surely the “sky is brass, the sun a ball of fire.” I think of the hottest days, in harvest time, away north, in Michigan, and oh, how cool, compared with these. Sunstroke is an every-day occurrence, so common as to not excite remark. Typhoid fever prevails to an alarming extent; of the two hundred men from our division, one hundred five were sick, and over half of these were typhoid cases. Help to care for them is very scarce. Details have been made from the regiment and still more help is needed. I am giving my attention mostly to the sick. It may seem strange to an outsider, but there is a distinction made between wounded and sick men that is not only unjust, but cruel. A sick man gets little sympathy, and less of care, during an active campaign. The wounded must be cared for first, no matter how slight the wound, in one case, or how dangerous the illness in the other. All will be cared for here.

Dr. Bonine has given me charge of three wards, containing about one hundred patients, mostly sick. Mail comes regularly every day, and I shall count the minutes until I hear from home.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

June 26, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., June 26, ’64.

Dear Father, — . . . We are still “in statu quo,” neither side doing much beyond a little shelling, and picket firing.

I saw Frank last evening at the division hospital. He seems very well and in good spirits.

What is to be our next move no one knows. I hear that a charge is to be made to-morrow along the whole line. I doubt this very much, as I don’t think that we can afford to lose the men that would necessarily be sacrificed in such an attempt. If unsuccessful, it would be disastrous in the extreme to us, so I hope that we shan’t risk it. We shall have our hands full, in my opinion, to hold our own here, which we shall have to do, in order to save Hunter and Sherman. If we cut off Petersburg from Richmond and keep it so, we ought to wait until we can get reinforcements from Hunter or Sherman. By waiting here, and threatening Richmond, we can prevent Lee from reinforcing Johnston, and let Sherman use him up. Our losses have been fearful since the beginning of this campaign. Since crossing the James River alone, we have lost 14,000 men.

I wish that they would abolish the $300 commutation, and have a draft, which will bring men, and a decent class of men. We need them now very much indeed.

We are now in the second line of intrenchments, and were it not for the fearfully hot weather, should be comparatively comfortable. The weather is fearful, and at noon it is almost dangerous to put one’s head out into the sun.

I don’t know what to do about a major. I need some one here to help me, and to take charge of the regiment in case anything happens to me. . . . The one that I wish to nominate, Captain Z. B. Adams, is wounded and a prisoner. . . .

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

June 26, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Sunday, June 26.— Received letter from Father enclosing $10 and postage-stamps. Also a letter from Hannah, G. White, and General Cowdin. Nothing new today. Weather very warm indeed, with no breeze. Quite sharp skirmishing during the night.

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

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

June 26, 2014

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

June 26 — It seems that the war business has all been transferred to the south side of the James. Even General Sheridan’s cavalry is down nosing around Petersburg looking for a job, and I think that General Hampton’s cavalry is down there ready to give the blue horsemen employment.

This morning we broke camp on the Chickahominy and struck out for Petersburg. We entered Richmond on the Brook turnpike, marched down Brook Avenue into Grace Street to within about four blocks of Capitol Square, then crossed Main Street; above Capitol Square and moved to Mayo’s bridge, where we crossed the James River to Manchester.

Manchester is on the right bank of James River right opposite Richmond, and looks like a part of the same city sliced off by the river. Just as we passed a large cotton factory in Manchester a bevy of about sixty fine young girls filed out of the doors going to dinner, forming the most attractive parade that I have eyed since the campaign opened, and the peculiar inspiring sight made me wish for this cruel war to end right now.

We marched down the Petersburg pike seven miles below Manchester and camped for the night.

Post image for “We received orders yesterday p.m. to be ready to move at dark, and were all glad enough.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“We received orders yesterday p.m. to be ready to move at dark, and were all glad enough.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

June 26, 2014

Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry),The American Civil War

Front of Kenesaw Mountain, June 26, 1864.

Nothing worth mentioning has occurred since my last. The usual amount of artillery and musketry have kept us sure of the enemy’s still holding his position. I have sent you, piecemeal, a journal of every day since May 1st, excepting the last four days, which were stupid. It promises to be interesting enough now. We received orders yesterday p.m. to be ready to move at dark, and were all glad enough. When we are in the face of the enemy I believe one is better contented in the front line than anywhere else, though, like every other good thing, it becomes old. At 7 p.m. we moved out and it took us until 2 a.m. to march three miles. We relieved Jeff C. Davis’ division, which moved farther to the right. It is right at the foot of the west one of the twin mountains. The Johnnies shot into our ranks with impunity. They have to-day killed one and wounded three of our brigade that I know of, and more in the 1st Brigade. Dr. Morris’ brother is the only man struck in our regiment; he is not hurt much.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

June 26, 2014

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

26th. Kautz left the Staunton just before daylight. Passed through Christianville, getting a good supply of corn and oats. Crossed the south fork of the Meherrin river and camped. All quiet.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

June 26, 2014

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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JUNE 26TH.—Hot and dry, but breezy.

            A dispatch from Gen. Lee, 9 P.M. last evening, says nothing of moment occurred along the lines yesterday. Our loss in the unsuccessful attempt of Gen. Haygood to storm a portion of the enemy’s works, on Friday, was 97 killed and wounded, and 200 missing.

Gen. Hampton dispatches Gen. Lee that he attacked the enemy’s cavalry in Charles City County, Friday, and drove them out of their intrenchments, pursuing them eight miles, nearly to Charles City Court House. The enemy left their killed and wounded on the ground, and strewn along the route. Gen. Lee says Gen. H. deserves much credit. The enemy (a portion ofSheridan’s force) are still prevented from forming a junction with Grant.

            Flour fell yesterday from $500 to $300 per barrel.

            An official report shows that we lost no arms or ordnance stores of consequence atStaunton. Communications will be restored in that direction soon. The Valley and Western Virginia, being clear of the enemy, the fine crop of wheat can be gathered.

            Beauregard is in disgrace, I am informed on pretty good authority; but while his humiliation is so qualified as not to be generally known, for fear of the resentment of his numerous friends, at the same time he is reticent, from patriotic motives, fearing to injure the cause.

            It is stigmatized as an act of perfidy, that the Federal Government have brought here and caused to be slaughtered, some 1600 out of 1900 volunteers from the District of Columbia, who were to serve only 30 days in defense of the Federal city. At the same time our government is keeping in the service, at hard labor on the fortifications, Custis Lee’s brigade of clerks, who were assured, when volunteering, that they never would be called out except to defend the fortifications of the city, built by negroes!

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