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

September 2014

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

September 19, 2014

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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 19TH.–Clear and pleasant.

            We have nothing yet explanatory of the shelling yesterday.

            To-day we have news of an expedition of the enemy crossingRapidanBridge on the way toward Gordonsville,Charlottesville, etc. Gen. Anderson’s division, from Early’s army, is said to be marching after them. We shall learn more of this business very soon.

            Mrs. D. E. Mendenhall, Quaker, Jamestown, N. C., has written a “strictly confidential” letter to Mr. J. B. Crenshaw, of this city (which has gone on the files of the department), begging him to use his influence with Mr. Secretary Seddon (which is great) to get permission for her to send fourteen negroes, emancipated by her late husband’s will, to Ohio. She says there is but one able to bear arms, and he is crazy; that since the enemy uses negro soldiers, she will withhold the able-bodied ones; that she has fed our soldiers, absolutely starving some of her stock to death, that she might have food for our poor men and their families, etc. etc.

            No news from our flour.

            I saw Nat Tyler to-day, and told him to call upon the farmers, in the Enquirer, to send their provisions to the city immediately, or they may lose their crops, and their horses too. He said he would.

            The only news of interest is contained in the following official dispatch from Gen. Lee:

“HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“September 17th, 1864.                     

“HON. J. A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR.
            “At daylight yesterday the enemy’s skirmish line west of the Jerusalem Plank Road was driven back upon his intrenchments along their whole extent. Ninety prisoners were taken by us in the operation.
            “At the same hour Gen. Hampton attacked the enemy’s position north of the Norfolk Railroad, near Sycamore Church, and captured about three hundred prisoners, some arms and wagons, a large number of horses, and twenty-five hundred cattle.
            “Gen. Gregg attacked Gen. Hampton, on his return in the afternoon, at Belchess’ mill, on the Jerusalem Plank Road, but was repulsed and driven back. Everything was brought off safely.
            “Our entire loss does not exceed fifty men.               R. E. LEE.”

            Gen. Preston, Superintendent Bureau of Conscription, has made a labored defense (written by Colonels Lay and August) of the bureau against the allegations of Gen. Bragg. This was sent to the President by the Secretary of War, “for his information.” The President sent it back, to-day, indorsed, “the subject is under general consideration.”

            The “Bureau,” by advertisement, to-day, calls upon everybody between the ages of sixteen and fifty to report at certain places named, and be registered, and state the reasons why they are not now in the army and in the field. What nonsense! How many do they expect to come forward, voluntarily, candidates for gunpowder and exposure in the trenches?

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

Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

September 18, 2014

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

18th.—Nothing yet from Mr. —— about our rooms. All the furnished rooms that I have seen, except those, would cost us from $100 to $110 per month for each room, which, of course, we cannot pay; but we will try and not be anxious overmuch, for the Lord has never let us want comforts since we left our own dear home, and if we use the means which He has given us properly and in His fear, He will not desert us now.

I went with Mr. —— as usual this morning to the “Officers’ Hospital,” where he read a part of the service and delivered an address to such patients among the soldiers as were well enough to attend. I acted as his chorister, and when the services were over, and he went around to the bedsides of the patients, I crossed the street, as I have done several times before, to the cemetery—the old “Shockoe Hill Cemetery.” It is, to me, the most interesting spot in the city. It is a melancholy thought, that, after an absence of thirty years, I am almost a stranger in my native place. In this cemetery I go from spot to spot, and find the names that were the household words of my childhood and youth; the names of my father’s and mother’s friends; of the friends of my sisters, and of my own school-days. The first that struck me was that of the venerable and venerated Bishop Moore, on the monument erected by his church; then, that of his daughter, the admirable Miss Christian; then the monument to Colonel Ambler, erected by his children. Mrs. Ambler lies by him. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman Johnson, Judge and Mrs. Cabell, Mr. and Mrs. John Wickham, surrounded by their children, who were the companions of my youth; also, their lovely grand-daughter, Mrs. W. H. F. Lee, who passed away last winter, at an early age, while her husband was prisoner of war. Near them is the grave of the Hon. Benjamin Watkins Leigh; of Judge and Mrs. Stanard, and of their gifted son; of dear Mrs. Henningham Lyons and her son James, from whose untimely end she never recovered; of our sweet friend, Mrs. Lucy Green. Then there is the handsome monument of Mrs. Abraham Warwick and the grave of her son, dear Clarence, who died so nobly at Gaines’s Mill in 1862. His grave seems to be always covered with fresh flowers, a beautiful offering to one whose young life was so freely given to his country. Again I stood beside the tombs of two friends, whom I dearly loved, Mrs. Virginia Heth and Mrs. Mary Ann Barney, the lovely daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gwathney, whose graves are also there. Then the tomb of our old friend, Mr. James Rawlings, and those of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne and their daughter, Mary Burnet. Just by them is the newly-made grave of our sweet niece, Mary Anna, the wife of Mr. H. Augustine Claiborne, freshly turfed and decked with the flowers she loved so dearly. A little farther on lies my young cousin, Virginia, wife of Major J. H. Claiborne, and her two little daughters. But why should I go on? Time would fail me to enumerate all the loved and lost. Their graves look so peaceful in that lovely spot. Most of them died before war came to distress them. The names of two persons I cannot omit, before whose tombs I pause with a feeling of veneration for their many virtues. One was that of Mrs. Sully, my music-teacher, a lady who was known and respected by the whole community for her admirable character, accompanied by the most quiet and gentle manner. The other was that of Mr. Joseph Danforth, the humble but excellent friend of my precious father. The cemetery at Hollywood is of later date, though many very dear to me repose amid its beautiful shades.

But enough of the past and of sadness. I must now turn to busy life again, and note a little victory, of which General Lee telegraphed yesterday, by which we gained some four hundred prisoners, many horses and wagons, and 2,500 beeves. These last are most acceptable to our commissariat!

The Southern Army are having an armistice of ten days, for the inhabitants of Atlanta to get off from their homes. Exiled by Sherman, my heart bleeds for them. May the good Lord have mercy upon them, and have them in His holy keeping!

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

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

September 18, 2014

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

September 18th. Relieved from picket. Late in the day long wagon trains passed through town, some being parked here. Those passing on went to Harper’s Ferry. Things begin to take on a mysterious look which created much comment and talk among the boys. Either a battle was coming or Sheridan was to fall back. We had heard that Early was holding a strong position between the towns of Berryville and Winchester. All is quiet with us tonight.

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

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

September 18, 2014

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

Sunday, 18th—Have had a week of very pleasant weather. Our store of supplies here is small, as the army is to evacuate the place as soon as possible.[1]

[1] This proved to be my last Sunday at Rome, Georgia, for which I was very thankful. While there I saw more sick and wounded men than I ever wish to see again. While I was a convalescent working among the sick, giving out different kinds of medicine to forty or fifty men, I was under great responsibility, and it cost me many a night’s sleep and rest.—A. G. D.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

September 18, 2014

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

Etowah Bridge, Sunday, Sept. 18. Rainy night, and continued cloudy through the day. Contracted a bad cold while on post last night. Received two letters from John and Hannah in the evening. Caused a sad train of thought to come in my mind, and could not sleep, long after all was hushed in camp.

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

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

September 18, 2014

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

Camp Seventeenth Michigan,
Near Petersburg, Va.,
September 18th, 1864.

Another Sabbath day has come—another week has passed away. We, of the army, take little note of time. Eighteen days in succession our regiment has toiled, without intermission, on fortifications or on roads. Today is general inspection of arms, equipments, clothing, etc. The regiment musters one hundred twenty guns. It was a sad sight, to me, to see this little band of tried heroes march out and rally on their torn and battered colors. I thought of the hundreds who had given up their lives, a free offering on the altar of freedom; of others undergoing tortures more cruel than death in Rebel prisons. Of still others languishing on beds of sickness, far from home and kindred, with none but rough men to minister to their wants or speak a word of sympathy, and then I thought of my wife’s last letter, in which she said: “It grieves me to say the majority of people here are not over-fastidious as to the means used to bring about peace.”

I would like to tell it so that all our friends might hear and know that it is true, that we, the soldiers in the army, hold in contempt the man who would accept peace on any other terms than submission to law. We have fought too long; have suffered too much; too many precious lives have been lost, to falter now.

The Rebels themselves acknowledge all their hopes are based on a divided North; they are straining every nerve to hold out until after the fall elections, hoping their friends may triumph.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

September 18, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Sunday, September 18. — About 9 o’clock the corporal of the guard came in and asked whether a Colonel Weld was here. The same thing happened in the evening. Could not find out what it was for. Had a rainy day. Shaved by the barber, who is a negro. He is allowed to come in every morning and shave any one who can pay for it. Had the navy officers in our room in the evening. Day passed rather more quickly than last Sunday. Finished Aurora Floyd.

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

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

September 18, 2014

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

Huntsville, Ala., Sun., Sept. 18, 1864.—I wrote to you from Stevenson last Wednesday, returned here the same night, and on Friday I received four letters from you. What a feast I had!

Everything is quiet here except that there is a gang of guerillas between the railroad and Tennessee river, variously estimated at from 75 to 250 strong, under one Johnson, a Methodist preacher. They do not disturb the railroad thus far, but rob and murder Union men wherever they find them defenceless. General Granger has promised me some troops to make an expedition after them in a few days.

The 13th has been sent out on the railroad to take the place of another regiment, the 12th Indiana Cavalry, sent to Tullahoma. The regiment garrisons the defense of the railroad to Woodville, twenty-four miles towards Stevenson. Company C is still at Claysville Landing, and Captain Kingman, with 75 or 80 men, is at Whitesburg. While I have my present command I shall remain here.

I think I have met with a loss here in the way of horses. Now ‘horses’ is rather a delicate subject for me to write to you upon, but I will venture. The one I bought in Stevenson got lame, and I took a captured horse to ride in his place. Mine got well, but I liked the other and kept him. Both turned out to be capital, good animals, and last Wednesday both of them were stolen out of a little yard where they were feeding, right in the middle of this town. No one is to blame but the thief. We can get no track of them. When I go for Johnson I will try to capture another.

Post image for Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to Henry Adams

Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to Henry Adams

September 18, 2014

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

H.Q. 5th Mom Cav’y
Point Lookout, Md., September 18, 1864

The week has n’t been very exciting here; in fact, they rarely are. I am in command of the Regiment and very busy and so keep contented. I am organising now and, while I see things all around daily growing and improving, I am quiet and satisfied. The officers know their duty and are well disposed and zealous. I see here none of that bickering and eternal family discord which was ever the bane of the 1st. As for the “nigs” they are angelic — in all respects. I am now convinced the race is superior to the whites. Their whole philosophy of life is sounder in that it is more attainable. You never saw such fellows to eat and sleep! Send a Corporal to take charge of a working party and go down in ten minutes to see how they’re coming on, you’ll find them all asleep and the Corporal leading the snore. Now whites have n’t that degree of philosophy. Then they’re built so much better than white men. Their feet — you never saw such feet! Some of them love to walk in the fields round here, as the road fences are too close together. And their heads! All brain. A white man’s head is flat, but they — sometimes when they uncover in the sacred precincts of my quarters I think that the highest pinnacle of their sugar loaf craniums will never be exposed! I assure you, in their presence I am lost in wonder and overwhelmed with humility! Jesting apart, however, my first impression of this poor, humiliated, down-trodden race is both favorable and kindly. They lack the pride, spirit and intellectual energy of the whites, partly from education and yet more by organisation; but they are sensitive to praise or blame, and yet more so to ridicule. They are diffident and eager to learn; they are docile and naturally polite, and in them, I think, I see immeasurable capacity for improvement. My first impressions are of little value and it would not be well for me to make them the basis of my continued action; but these impressions incline me to the opinion that they must as a race be approached by their affections. The rugged discipline which improves whites is too much for them. It is easy to crush them into slaves, but very difficult by kindness and patience to approach them to our own standard. So far, you see, my impressions are not encouraging either for my success individually or for theirs as a race. Patience, kindness and self-control have not been my characteristics as an officer, any more than they have been characteristics of ourselves as a dominant race. I fear I shall often find myself pursuing towards them a course in which I have no faith, and I have little hope for them in their eternal contact with a race like ours. However, closer acquaintance will lead to increased knowledge.

Meanwhile I last week again went up to Washington. My first inquiry was for a paper and I eagerly looked for returns from Maine. So far all is well. I found our friends in Washington more quiet and confident than jubilant. They seemed to think that what with President and Vice President, platform, letters and records, the opposition was just where they wanted to have them, and that nothing but terrible disaster on the field could now defeat Lincoln. This is as we would have it. My information from before Petersburg is that Grant has, within twenty days, received for the corps now there, 40,000 recruits besides many thousand convalescents, and that that Army is now stronger than when it took the field in the spring. This is reliable. General Lee does not seem to be aware of the fact, as the whole thing has been done very quietly. As Sherman has nothing now fit to be called an army in his front, Petersburg would seem to be the point of danger. Of disaster there I feel no apprehension, but I do shudder at the thought of the fighting and slaughter which must soon take place there. I am very sanguine of the result. I have seen Grant and feel as if I knew him. He has of late so thoroughly deserved success and been so often defeated by accident, that mere luck if nothing else must turn and ultimately he can hardly fail.

In Washington I saw John M. Forbes and Governor Andrew, dining with them and having a very long conversation with the Governor. I made a dead set at him to induce him to go down to the army and urge upon Grant the expediency of forming a colored Corps. I came within an ace of success. Mr. Forbes and all his staff joined me and the Governor half promised; but next morning the draft was ordered for the 19th and he had to go home to see to that. So the draft, you see, put my pipe out, and I hope that at least Peter and Shep., Willie and Sidney will be drawn if only as a sweet recompense. . .

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

September 18, 2014

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

18th. Sent regt. wagons loaded to Ferry. Preparations to move. 2nd Ohio made a reconnoissance, driving rebs across the Opequon. All Q. M.s ordered to Ferry with wagons. Houghton told me there was business on hand and the General would like me for aide. Soon an order came for me to report. I was pleased. Moved out and then back into camp over night.

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