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

June 2014

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

June 30, 2014

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Piatt, Ten Miles Above Charleston,

West Virginia, June 30, 1864.

Dear Uncle: — Back home again in the Kanawha Valley. Our raid has done a great deal; all that we at first intended, but failed in one or two things which would have been done with a more active and enterprising commander than General Hunter. General Crook would have taken Lynchburg without doubt. Our loss is small. [The] Twenty-third had nobody killed. My brigade loses less than one hundred. Our greatest suffering was want of food and sleep. I often went asleep on my horse. We had to go night and day for about a week to get out. We are all impressed with the idea that the Confederacy has now got all its strength of all sorts in the field, and that nothing more can be added to it. Their defeat now closes the contest speedily. We passed through ten counties where Yankees never came before; there was nothing to check us even until forces were drawn from Richmond to drive us back.

There are rumors that we are to go East soon, but nothing definitely is known. We hope we are to constitute an independent command under General Crook. We have marched, in two months past, about eight hundred miles; have had fighting or skirmishing on over forty days of the time.

My health, and my horse’s (almost of equal moment) are excellent.

Send letters to the old direction, via Charleston, for the present.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. Birchard.

Post image for Rutherford B. Hayes.

Rutherford B. Hayes.

June 30, 2014

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Piatt, June 30, 1864.

Dearest: — We reached here ten miles above Charleston last night. Dr. Joe will tell you all the news. It has been a severe but very pleasant campaign. We did not do as much as we think might have been done, but we did enough to make our work of great importance.

We are now talking of rumors that we are to go East via [the] Ohio River and [the] Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It is generally believed to be true, although as yet we have no other evidence of it than camp rumor.

I thought of you often while I was gone — of your anxiety about me and the suffering that all rumors of disaster to us would cause you. But I hoped you would keep up good courage and live it through. Oh, darling, I love you so tenderly. You must always think of me pleasantly. You have been the source of such happiness to me that I can’t bear to think that anything that may befall me will throw a permanent gloom over your life.

The Twenty-third was lucky on this campaign, losing less than any other regiment, etc. The Fifth lost most, [the] Thirty-sixth next. All together, killed, wounded, and missing, my brigade does not lose over one hundred, if so much [many].

I am very fortunate in my brigade. It is now to me like my own regiment, and is really a very good one, perhaps the best to be found, or one of the best, in the army. General Crook is the favorite of the army. We hope to be organized into an independent command with Colonel Powell’s Cavalry Brigade and two batteries. Then we can raid to some purpose.

If we are not sent East, we shall stay here three or four weeks recruiting, etc. — My love to the boys. Dr. Joe will have plenty of stories to tell them. The doctor was a most important person in this raid. He did more for the wounded than anybody else. Colonel Turley had his thigh broken at Lynchburg and was hauled over two hundred miles over all these mountains. His admirable pluck and cheerfulness has saved him. Nothing can exceed the manliness he has exhibited. — Love to friends all.

Affectionately,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

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Rutherford B. Hayes.

June 30, 2014

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

[Camp Piatt, West Virginia,] Thursday, June 30, 1864.— This [has been] the hardest month of the war; hot and dusty long marches; hungry, sleepy night marches; many skirmishes; two battles. Men worn out and broken down.

Tuesday, June 14, [we] marched [from Lexington] to Buchanan. A hot, dusty march, twenty-four miles. Bathed in James River. The next day [we pushed on] to “Fancy Farm,” Bedford County, near Liberty, sixteen miles. Fine views of Peaks of Otter. [Thence], Thursday, (16th), to Liberty and beyond on railroad towards Lynchburg. Worked on the railroad, tearing up and burning, etc. [We heard] various rumors generally good.

Friday (17th), Colonel White’s brigade cleaned out Rebels handsomely to [within] three miles of Lynchburg. The next day [the] Rebels [inside the] works [were] re-inforced. [There was] skirmishing and fighting but no general attack. [At] 8:30 P. M., we back out via Liberty Road, [Hunter’s attempt to capture Lynchburg having proved a failure].

Sunday (19th), en route to Liberty, sleepy, tired; hot, and dusty. All goes well however so far. Twenty-six miles. Monday (20th), still on, night and day! Sleepy and tired. Enemy following attacked our cavalry at Liberty yesterday evening with some loss to us. Today at Buford Gap we got ready for battle, but Rebels not ready.

Tuesday (21st), on to four miles beyond Salem. Rebels attack often, but their feeble skirmishes do no hurt to Crook. They however get nine guns of Hunter! Wednesday (22d). fifteen miles to Newcastle. We (First Brigade) guarded the wagon train; poor business. Thursday (23d), [from] Newcastle to Sweet Springs — a beautiful watering-place — twenty-two miles, over two high ranges of the Alleghenies. [Thence, by] night march, seventeen miles to White Sulphur, [arriving] at 2:30 P. M., Friday (24th). Night marches bad unless there is good moonlight.

From White Sulphur, Saturday (25th), [we marched] to Meadow Bluff, twenty-four miles, [reaching there] long after midnight, starved and sleepy. The hardest [march] of the war. The next day [starting] at sunrise, many without sleeping a wink, we march to Tyrees, twenty miles, [at the] foot of Mount Sewell. Monday (27th), at 4 A. M., [we] march and meet a train of provisions at or near Mountain Cove. A jolly feeding time. Camp at old Camp Ewing. The next day, march to Loup Creek, fourten miles; and yesterday to Piatt, twenty-two miles.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

June 30, 2014

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

30th. Moved on to the 2nd Corps inside of the entrenchments. 6th Corps moved out too late yesterday to relieve us. Tore up several miles of the Welden R. R. We are satisfied with our work. Several miles on the south side R. R. and 25 or 30 miles of the Danville R. R. Sorry that we could not get out without so much loss. Blame Wilson. No grain and no day’s rations.

Post image for Diary of Gideon Welles.

Diary of Gideon Welles.

June 30, 2014

Diary of Gideon Welles

June 30, Thursday. All were surprised to-day with the resignation of Secretary Chase and the nomination of Governor David Tod as his successor. I knew nothing of it till the fact was told me by Senator Doolittle, who came to see and advise with me, supposing I knew something of the circumstances. But I was wholly ignorant. Chase had not thought proper to consult me as to his resignation, nor had the President as to his action upon it, or the selection. My first impression was that he had consulted Seward and perhaps Blair. I learn, however, he advised with none of his Cabinet, but acted from his own impulses. I have doubts of Tod’s ability for this position, though he has good common sense and was trained in the right school, being a hard-money man. Not having seen the President since this movement took place, I do not comprehend his policy. It can hardly be his intention to reverse the action of Chase entirely without consulting those who are associated with him in the Government. And yet the selection of Tod indicates that, if there be any system in the movement. The President has given but little attention to finance and the currency, but yet he can hardly be ignorant of the fact that Chase and Tod are opposites. The selection of Tod is a move in the right direction if he has made the subject a sufficient study to wield the vast machine. On this point I have my doubts. His nomination will disturb the “Bubbles,” – the paper-money men, – and the question was not acted upon but referred to the Finance Committee, who have been with the Senate. I have no doubt their astonishment at the obtrusion of a hard-money man upon them was made manifest.

Blair and Bates both called at my house this evening and gave me to understand they were as much taken by surprise as myself. Mr. Bates says he knows nothing of T. Blair expresses more apprehensions even than myself, who have my doubts.

The retirement of Chase, so far as I hear opinions expressed, – and they are generally freely given, – appears to give relief rather than otherwise, which surprises me. I had thought it might create a shock for a brief period, though I did not fear that it would be lasting. I look upon it as a blessing. The country could not go on a great while longer under his management, which has been one of expedients and of no fixed principles, or profound and correct financial knowledge.

It is given out that a disagreement between himself and the President in relation to the appointment of Assistant Treasurer at New York was the cause of his leaving. I think likely that was the occasion of his tendering his resignation, and I have little doubt he was greatly surprised that it was accepted. He may not admit this, but it is none the less true, I apprehend. Yet there were some circumstances to favor his going, – there is a financial gulf ahead.

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A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

June 30, 2014

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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JUNE 30TH.—Clear and cool—afterward warm and cloudy.

            Our people are made wild with joy to-day, upon hearing of the capture of a whole brigade of the raiders on the south side, the same that have been tearing up theDanville Road. The details, with Gen. Lee’s dispatch, will be in the paper to-morrow. It is said we have the general commanding the raid, etc.

            Judge Reagan said to me to-day, when I told him the news, his dark eye flashing, that sooner or later, but inevitably, these raiders must be killed, and not captured. And Mr. Seddon says he was always in favor of fighting under the black flag; but, I believe, he never proposed it.

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

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

June 30, 2014

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

Claysville, Ala., Thurs., June 30, 1864.—It is muster day, and I am very busy. Yesterday I visited Company I, six miles below here. The road runs over a mountain and the scenery is very fine. This afternoon I go up the river six miles to Company G to muster it.

Lieut. Fish made a raid across the river and captured a rebel, Colonel Smith. He is here, and very much of a gentleman. He does not say so, but he acts just as though he were well satisfied to be in our hands. He will be sent to Nashville.[1]

There is a rebel force about forty miles from us, at Gadsden, on the Coosa river, about 3,000 strong, under General Pillow. The same force attacked La Fayette the other day and were repulsed. I rather hope they will give us a call, just for variety, but do not expect it.

[1] He was a. splendid fellow. I said, “Colonel, you do not want me to put a guard over you. You will have to go up to Nashville after a little, but now you are my guest “—W. P. L.

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

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

June 30, 2014

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

June 30th. Up very early this fine morning. A good bath in the waters of the Great Kanawah. A good place to dry our clothes on the bushes. We remain in water for a long time. So refreshing and good. At this point a great battle had taken place when General Rosencrans drove the rebels out of West Virginia, who were under the command of General Robert E. Lee. The bed of the river was covered with shells, solid shot, pieces of exploded shells, and bullets. I never saw anything like it before. This battle took place the first year of the war. I have a bullet picked from the bottom of that river by myself. Received orders to clean up for inspection, and muster for pay. Having a good time and a much needed rest. We are all in good health in our company. Wonderful what men can endure. Thankful for a good rest in this quiet, ideal place where there is so much of interest.

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

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

June 29, 2014

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

Wednesday, 29th—There was heavy cannonading on our side today, but the rebels did not reply. Our company was out on the skirmish line again, but I could not go with them on account of sickness. I have not been fit for duty since Saturday evening, the 25th, but on last Monday, the 27th, I was taken quite sick, having contracted the intermittent fever while digging the rifle pits along a branch infected with malaria. The weather was quite hot today, which is hard on the sick.

Post image for Diary of a Line Officer.

Diary of a Line Officer.

June 29, 2014

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

Wednesday, June 29th.

All quiet along the lines to-day. Joe Solomon, my acting assistant bodyguard, fell over a stump and broke his arm, and promptly, and I may say very cheerfully, went to the hospital. Lieut. Edmonston returned from the picket line with his men at eleven o’clock to-night.

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