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

November 2014

Post image for A Woman’s Wartime Journal.

A Woman’s Wartime Journal.

November 26, 2014

Dolly Sumner Lunt Burge - A Woman's Wartime Journal.

November 26, 1864.

A very cold morning. Elbert [the negro coachman] has to go to mill this morning, and I shall go with him, fearing that, if he is alone, my mule may be taken from him, for there are still many straggling soldiers about. Mounted in the little wagon, I went, carrying wheat not only for myself, but for my neighbors. Never did I think I would have to go to mill! Such are the changes that come to us! History tells us of some illustrious examples of this kind. Got home just at night.

Mr. Kennedy stopped all night with us. He has been refugeeing on his way home. Every one we meet gives us painful accounts of the desolation caused by the enemy. Each one has to tell his or her own experience, and fellow-suffering makes us all equal and makes us all feel interested in one another.

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

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

November 26, 2014

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

November 26th. Orders are that we prepare for winter quarters, as we are to remain here. A good supply of good, clear, running water. Halltown is half way between Charlestown and Harper’s Ferry. All our supplies come from Harper’s Ferry.

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

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

November 26, 2014

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

Nashville, Saturday, Nov. 26. Ah! it rains again. Continued to do so nearly all day, but by means of our stove and good cheer we passed the day very pleasantly, writing and reading. 3 P. M. mail arrived. None for me. Milton received notice that his folks at home had sent him a Thanksgiving dinner per express. He obtained permission to go to town, and see if it had arrived. I went along. Roads very muddy, but we found it not. To-night a certain number of cedar rails found their way into our stove very mysteriously. Of course it was honest.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

November 26, 2014

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

26th. Saturday. Remained in camp. Read and wrote to Will.

Post image for “The loss of the enemy is estimated from 1,500 to 2,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“The loss of the enemy is estimated from 1,500 to 2,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

November 26, 2014

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

Eight miles east of Oconee River, three miles south of M. & S. R. R.

November 26, 1864, 12 p.m.

Howard wrote Osterhaus a letter congratulating him on the success in the Griswoldville fight, and had it published to us to-day.

__________

Headquarters Dept. and Army of the Tennessee.,

Gordon, Ga., November 23d, 1864.

Mayor General Osterhaus, Com’dg. 15th Corps:

General:

I take sincere pleasure in congratulating the Brigade of General Walcutt, of General Wood’s Division of the 15th Corps, on its complete sucess in the action of yesterday.

Officers from other commands who were looking on say that there never was a better brigade of soldiers.

I am exceedingly sorry that any of our brave men should fall, and for the suffering of the wounded, the thanks of the army are doubly due to them.

I tender my sympathy through you to the brave and excellent commander of the brigade, Brigadier General Walcutt.

It is hoped that his wound will not disable him.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) O. O. Howard,

Major General.

P. S. The loss of the enemy is estimated from 1,500 to 2,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners. O. O. H., M. G.

__________

We lay in camp until 4 p.m., when we started, and after three miles of miserable pine swamp we crossed the Oconee on pontoons. It was dark, but I noticed that the current was rapid and the water looked deep.

I counted 80 steps on the bridge and ten boats under it. I am sure that I to-day saw palm-leaf fan material growing. It is a most singular looking plant. The country this side of the river to our camp is quite level and four-fifths cultivated. All the woods pine, and soil all sand.

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

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

November 25, 2014

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

Saturday, November 26th.—Marched up in front of Columbia, and formed in line of battle.

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

War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld.

November 25, 2014

War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Friday, November 25. — Nothing new from Sherman. Order from Wade Hampton with reference to his soldiers on furlough. Weather a little milder. Captain Senn was relieved from command of the post yesterday, and on duty here to-day. He showed us the order in regard to getting money, which he says will prevent us from getting money from Mr. Caldwell. Wrote to Alice. Dirt taken out of the yard.

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

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

November 25, 2014

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

Friday, 25th—Our brigade marched out early this morning and relieved the First Brigade at the railroad bridge across the Oconee river, the rebels being just beyond. We burned the bridge and after waiting there a short time, got orders to march back to Toomsboro, which place we reached by 7 p. m. From there we started for Hawkins Ford, some ten miles distant, and after marching six miles went into bivouac. The Fifteenth Corps came in on the same road in order to cross the river by our pontoon bridge, which the engineers commenced to build late in the evening, after our men had driven the rebels from the river—they had to leave or be taken prisoners.

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

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

November 25, 2014

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

 

Nov. 25, 1864.—I sit down this morning to write you the last letter I expect to write from Huntsville for some time. We are evacuating this line. Decatur is already abandoned, and when the troops from that place arrive here we shall take up our line of march for Stevenson. We expect to leave about Sunday. I have been very hard at work ever since we got the order on Wednesday.

This course is rendered necessary by Hood’s movement north, concerning which you are no doubt better posted than we are here. There is no enemy near us, and none is expected; and the evacuation is purely on the ground of military policy.

We march to Stevenson, and as we shall have no mail facilities until we get there you will not hear from me again as soon as usual. I send some money, $400, by Colonel Towne, a reliable man. Eighty dollars of this money belongs to ——. I got it from him because he is rather worthless and has a family of motherless children at Allen’s Grove which he has neglected. The enclosed letters from the oldest girl explain their situation. This girl is only fourteen years old. The family must have the full benefit of this money, even though you have to go out there yourself to look after them. At any rate, send the girl some money. In this way you will help soften the sorrows caused by the war, and you thus help the cause for which we are fighting, a cause that grows dearer to me and more sacred every day.

The citizens here, loyal and disloyal, express much regret that we are to leave. Many of the loyal people, including hundreds of colored folks, are leaving or will leave with us. This evacuating is a terrible job. Fort Henry is not to be compared with it, and that you know was quite a task.

Business has been lively here today. There are several stores here, and this morning I removed all restrictions from sales and dealers are selling at cost. I bought a pair of boots for ten dollars which would have cost $18 or $20 yesterday; and everything else is going in proportion. The reason for this reduction is that it is doubtful whether they can get cars to take their goods away, and they would be cleaned out in two hours after we leave. A great many men are compelled to go and leave destitute families behind them. There will be none left who are liable to conscription, and but few who ever professed loyalty. I have seen a great deal of anguish and almost despair in the last two days, I assure you, and can do but little to alleviate it. I have often thought of you and our dear babes, and thanked God devoutly that you have not been called to these bitter experiences. I issue rations freely to these people, without authority and regardless of personal consequences; but they are liable to be robbed of them as soon as we are gone.

There will be stirring times in Tennessee for a few weeks and our communications may be cut off, so if you do not get letters you will know the reason. Our brigade is ordered to garrison Stevenson, and whether the tide of battle is to surge that way time will determine. Direct your letters hereafter to Stevenson. We are all well. Minty is cooking for our march. Jerry says to tell Minerva that he is ‘just tollable.’ We will postpone for the present talking of your coming South this winter.

Post image for After all, systems of Government are secondary matters, if you’ve only got your people behind them.

After all, systems of Government are secondary matters, if you’ve only got your people behind them.

November 25, 2014

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

Henry Adams, private secretary of the US Minister to the UK, to his brother, Charles.

London, November 25, 1864

The election is over then, and after all that excitement, worry and danger, behold, all goes on as before. It was one of those cases in which life and death seemed to hang on the issue, and the result is so decisive as to answer all our wishes and hopes. It is a curious commentary upon theoretical reasoning as to forms of Government, that this election which ought by all rights to be a defect in the system, and which is universally considered by the admirers of “strong Governments” to be a proof of the advantage of their own model, should yet turn out in practice a great and positive gain and a fruitful source of national strength. After all, systems of Government are secondary matters, if you’ve only got your people behind them. I never yet have felt so proud as now of the great qualities of our race, or so confident of the capacity of men to develop their faculties in the mass. I believe that a new era of the movement of the world will date from that day, which will drag nations up still another step, and carry us out of a quantity of old fogs. Europe has a long way to go yet to catch us up.

Anything that produces a great effect in our favor on this side, usually produces a sort of general silence as the first proof of its force. So this election has been met on this side by a species of blindness. People remark the fact with wonder and anger, but they have only just such a vague idea of what are to be its consequences, as shuts their mouths without changing their opinions. Only the most clear-headed see indistinctly what bearing it is likely to have on English politics, and I expect that it will be years yet before its full action gets into play. Meanwhile the Government is now stronger than ever and our only weak point is the financial one. May our name not have to stand guard on that! . . .

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