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

The American Civil War

A Diary of American Events.–September 4, 1861

September 4, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

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September 4.—Leslie Coombs, of Kentucky, in a letter to the chairman of the Syracuse (N. Y.) Conventions, held this language: “These peace meetings, with us, and, I presume, everywhere, arc mere soft words for treason, and we shall so treat them. I am gratified to find you still at your post, and have not caught the Bull Run panic, which has done some mischief in Kentucky. I am on guard all the time, and ready for action. If the rebels dare make a war upon us, we will sweep them clear, and that rapidly. We are wide awake, and defy their malice as much as we scorn their blustering. ‘The Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws,’ must be kept aloft everywhere, and all mere party platforms trampled under foot.”

—Leonidas Polk, general in the Confederate Army, issued the following proclamation at Columbus, Ky., this day: “The Federal Government having, in defiance of the wishes of the people of Kentucky, disregarded their neutrality by establishing camp depots of armies, and by organizing military companies within her territory, and by constructing military works on the Missouri shore, immediately opposite and commanding Columbus, evidently intended to cover the landing of troops for the seizure of that town, it has become a military necessity, for the defence of the territory of the Confederate States, that the Confederates occupy Columbus in advance. The major-general commanding has, therefore, not felt himself at liberty to risk the loss of so important a position, but has decided to occupy it in pursuance of this decision. He has thrown sufficient force into the town, and ordered to fortify it. It is gratifying to know that the presence of his troops is acceptable to the people of Columbus, and on this occasion he assures them that every precaution shall be taken to insure their quiet, protection to their property, with personal and corporate rights.”

—Colonel John Fitzroy De Courcy, an English officer of much distinction, tendered his services to the National Government, and the offer was accepted. Colonel De Courcy commanded a Turkish regiment during the Crimean Var.—Louisville Journal, September 11.

—At Portland, Me., Cyrus F. Sargent and Octavius F. Hill, of Yarmouth, wore arrested to-day by the United States Marshal, by order of the Secretary of War.—James Chapin, of Vicksburg, reported to be “a captain in the rebel army, was arrested at the residence of his father-in-law, in Saratoga, N. Y., to-day, by U. S. Marshal Burt, of Albany, by virtue of a warrant of the Secretary of State.—At Boston, Mass., .James Leguire, hailing from Halifax, N. C., was arrested on charges of conspiring against the Government. He was committed for trial it the U. S. District Court. Bail was refused. Leguire was bound for Memphis. A uniform was found in his trunk, and other suspicious circumstances led to the arrest.—N. Y. World, September 5.

—The schooner H. Middleton arrived at New York, a prize to the United States, having been captured on the 21st of August off Charleston, by the sloop-of-war Vandalia. She was from Charleston, bound to Liverpool, with a cargo of naval stores, and had attempted to run the blockade. During the chase she threw overboard the entire deck load. The captain and crew were transferred to the United States frigate Roanoke. The following note was found on beard, showing that she had previously been intended for a privateer:

“In case of being boarded, sink this package, as the letters were too late to take out privateer’s papers for your schooner, and would criminate you.

F. J. Porcher.

“To Captain Barklay.” —(Doc. 27.)

—A Despatch from Hannibal, Mo., of this date, says: Corporal Dix, of the Third Ohio regiment, while out scouting with five men at Kirksville, last week, was surrounded in a farmhouse while at dinner, by a party of twenty-five secessionists, who demanded a surrender. He refused, and the secessionists made an attack, when a severe fight ensued, but the Federalists maintained their position in the house, driving their assailants from the ground with a loss of seven killed and four wounded. Corporal Dix was killed, but none of the other of the Federalists were hurt.—Baltimore American, Sept. 6.

—A Mass Meeting, composed of men of all parties, was held at Owego, N. Y., to-day. Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson was the principal speaker, and was loudly and enthusiastically applauded. The sympathizers with and abettors of secession fared very hard at his hands. —N. Y. Evening Post, Sept. 4.

—The national gunboats Tyler and Lexington had an engagement off Hickman, Kentucky, this afternoon with the rebel gunboat Yankee, and the batteries on the Missouri shore, supported by about fifteen hundred rebels, who also fired upon the boats. None of the rebels’ shot took effect. The Tyler and Lexington fired about twenty shots, with what effect is not known, and returned to Cairo, Ill., this evening. On their way up they were fired at with small arms from Columbus and Chalk Bluffs, Kentucky.— (Doc. 29.)

—This afternoon, Colonel N. G. Williams, of the Third Iowa regiment, with eleven hundred Federal troops, Kansas and Iowa Third, was attacked at Shelbina, Mo., by Martin Green, with fifteen hundred to two thousand men. Green commenced firing on them with two pieces of artillery, and kept up fire about one and a half hours. One man (Federal) had his foot taken off by a cannon ball. Colonel Williams retreated on two trains west to Hudson, Mo., leaving a number of horses and part of his camp utensils in the hands of the rebels. Col. Williams had no artillery. Gen. Hurlbut got as far as Hudson, Mo., from Brookfield, with two hundred and fifty men, to reinforce Williams. When he arrived there, Williams was at Clarence, on his retreat.—N. Y. Commercial, Sept. 10.

—This day the confederates fired from an eminence at Great Falls, on the Potomac, sixteen miles from Washington, upon a body of national troops on the Maryland side. Their rifled cannon, although perhaps a hundred times discharged, wounded only one of the men. The rebels then attempted to ford the river, by constructing a temporary bridge with planks, when they were repulsed by the sharp-shooters of the Pennsylvania Seventh, and a number of them killed. They then retired from view, carrying with them their battery.—N. Y. World, Sept. 9.

—Private William Scott, of company K, Third regiment of Vermont Volunteers, was sentenced to be shot for sleeping on his post. —Army Orders.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: General Scott’s pass refused — Prospect of an attack on Washington

William Howard Russell’s Diary: General Scott’s pass refused — Prospect of an attack on Washington

September 3, 2011

My Diary North and South - William Howard Russell,The American Civil War

September 3rd.—Notwithstanding the extreme heat, I went out early this morning to the Chain Bridge, from which the reconnaissance hinted at last night would necessarily start. This bridge is about four and a half or five miles above Washington, and crosses the river at a picturesque spot almost deserving the name of a gorge, with high banks on both sides. It is a light aerial structure, and spans the river by broad arches, from which the view reminds one of Highland or Tyrolean scenery. The road from the city passes through a squalid settlement of European squatters, who in habitation, dress, appearance, and possibly civilisation, are quite as bad as any negroes on any Southern plantation I have visited. The camps of a division lie just beyond, and a gawky sentry from New England, with whom I had some conversation, amused me by saying that the Colonel “was a darned deal more affeerd of the Irish squatters taking off his poultry at night than he was of the Secessioners; anyways,, he puts out more sentries to guard them than he has to look after the others.”

From the Chain Bridge I went some distance towards Falls Church, until I was stopped by a picket, the officer of which refused to recognise General Scott’s pass. “I guess the General’s a dead man, sir.” “Is he not Commander-in-Chief of the United States army?” “Well, I believe that’s a fact, sir; but you had better argue that point with McClellan. He is our boy, and I do believe he’d like to let the London Times know how we Green Mountain boys can fight, if they don’t know already. But all passes are stopped anyhow, and I had to turn back a Congress-man this very morning, and lucky for him it was, because the Sechessers are just half a mile in front of us.” On my way back by the upper road I passed a farmer’s house, which was occupied by some Federal officers, and there, seated in the verandah, with his legs cocked over the railings, was Mr. Lincoln, in a felt hat, and a loose grey shooting coat and long vest, “letting off,” as the papers say, one of his jokes, to judge by his attitude and the laughter of the officers around him, utterly indifferent to the Confederate flag floating from Munson’s Hill.

Just before midnight a considerable movement of troops took place through the streets, and I was about starting off to ascertain the cause, when I received information that General McClellan was only sending off two brigades and four batteries to the Chain Bridge to strengthen his right, which was menaced by the enemy. I retired to bed, in order to be ready for any battle which might take place tomorrow, but was roused up by voices beneath my window, and going out on the verandah, could not help chuckling at the appearance of three foreign ministers and a banker, in the street below, who had come round to inquire, in some perturbation, the cause of the nocturnal movement of men and guns, and seemed little inclined to credit my assurances that nothing more serious than a reconnaissance was contemplated. The ministers were in high spirits at the prospect of an attack on Washington. Such agreeable people are the governing party of the United States at present, that there is only one representative of a foreign power here who would not like to see them flying before Southern bayonets. The banker, perhaps, would have liked a little time to set his affairs in order. “When will the sacking begin?” cried the ministers. “We must hoist our flags.” “The Confederates respect private property, I suppose?” As to flags, be it remarked that Lord Lyons has none to display, having lent his to Mr. Seward, who required it for some festive demonstration.

Post image for “I think McClellan is showing a tact and power of managing men which reminds me of Seward.”–Adams Family Letters; Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to His father

“I think McClellan is showing a tact and power of managing men which reminds me of Seward.”–Adams Family Letters; Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to His father

September 3, 2011

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

Boston, September 3, 1861

I Persuaded Hale to insert a leading article about Russell in the Advertiser, which I send to Henry. The folly of our press in assaulting so savagely an agency so formidable as Russell has troubled me, and I’m glad to see that McClellan is wiser and spares a few civil words where they can be so useful. In fact I think McClellan is showing a tact and power of managing men which reminds me of Seward. For already, even at this distance, I see that he has moulded Russell, Wilson and Sumner like wax in his fingers. This is very important and I expect before this reaches you McClellan’s finger will have been seen and wondered at in the columns of the Times. . . .

Post image for …a fine view of the imperial yacht,—Woolsey family Letters; Mary Woolsey Howland to Abby and Sarah C. Woolsey writes during her visit to Astoria at this time.

…a fine view of the imperial yacht,—Woolsey family Letters; Mary Woolsey Howland to Abby and Sarah C. Woolsey writes during her visit to Astoria at this time.

September 3, 2011

The American Civil War,Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Mary Woolsey Howland:

Astoria, Sept., ‘61.

Dear Abby: Sarah and I have been all the morning arranging flowers. . . . Our roses are most luxuriant this year, and just now we have outside the front door two large orange trees from the greenhouse which are one mass of blossom and perfume the whole place. We have been quite on the qui vive yesterday and to-day at the expected arrival of the Great Eastern at Port Morris which is that cluster of buildings, you may remember, next to Casina dock, on the opposite side of the river. The vessel comes consigned to Howland & Aspinwall. The English agents sent them word at the last minute that she would come in by the Sound, so we have been constantly on the look-out. It would be very pleasant to have her lying in sight of the windows for some days. On Saturday we had a fine view of the imperial yacht which passed up the river with royalty on board, and looked beautifully with its gold prow and the gold line running round the sides. Sarah particularly enjoys the river, bathes every day in a highly ornamental costume brought for the purpose, and floats round on the surface like a cork. We have had some charming sails too, and indeed divide our time about equally between the water and the carriage, with occasional short digressions among the rose bushes. Tell Carry that Mr Stagg spent Saturday evening with us, and brought up the package of handkerchiefs which he promised her. They are a dozen of large, fine, colored-bordered ones, very much in the style of those I brought Ned from Paris, and such as I should not at all object to crib for private use. He must have intended them in case of a cold-in-the-head of the War Dept., they are on such a grand scale. However, I thanked him on behalf of the national nose, and will take charge of them for Carry.

Sarah C. Woolsey:

“The children are my delight all day, especially Bertha, whose little flower of a face tempts me to continual kisses. Dear little puss, she grows sweeter every day. Una, too, develops continually powers and talents undreamed of. She has learned to say ‘R-r-ra,’ which means Hurrah! and she says it with great enthusiasm whenever a steamer passes full of troops and we all rush out to the bank to wave our handkerchiefs to them,—the children held up by Ann and Maria, and solemnly gesturing with their little hands, and May waving one flag and the gardener’s boy another. The group is so very patriotic that we are generally saluted by cheers from the boats.”

A Diary of American Events.–September 3, 1861

September 3, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

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September 3.—The Pensacola (Fla.) Observer gives the particulars of the burning of the dry-dock there as follows:

The dry-dock, originally intended to have been sunk in the channel to obstruct the passage of war steamers into our harbor, but which, from necessity, not choice, was sunk in the bay, about midway between Pickens and the yard, was burned to the water’s edge last night. Who the perpetrators of this act were, is solely a question of speculation, as we go to press, though the Yankees have the general credit of it. Upon this point, however, we soon will be fully enlightened, but upon the point that we have lost over half a million of dollars by the operation our mind is perfectly clear and settled.

—Charles Henry Foster, Union member of Congress from North Carolina, arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., to-day, en route for Washington, to confer with the administration upon affairs connected with his State. Rebel scouts lay in wait for him in Virginia, whose vigilance he successfully eluded.—N. Y. Times, Sept. 4.

—The President of the United States made the following appointments of Brigadier-Generals : Captain George C. Meade, of the Topographical Engineers; Major Lawrence P. Graham, of the Dragoons, a Virginian by birth, and breveted for gallantry in Mexico; Colonel Abercrombie; Colonel Biddle; Colonel Duryea; Colonel Casey, who is lieutenant-colonel by brevet in the regular army; Hon. William A. Richardson, of Illinois; Eleazer A. Paine, of Illinois; Justus McKinstry, assistant quartermaster of the Army; O. O. Howard, of Maine; Charles D. Jameson, of Maine; A. McD. McCook, of Ohio; Ebenezer Dumont, of Indiana; Robert H. Milroy, of Indiana; Lewis Wallace, of Indiana.—Phila. Inquirer, September 4.

—This morning, Captain Julius L. Ellis, of the Seventy-first regiment, N. Y. S. M., and son of Dr. Samuel C. Ellis, died at his father’s residence, in Second Avenue, New York City, of a wound received when leading his company at the battle of Stone Bridge. It is a significant fact that five of Dr. Ellis’s sons fought under the Stare and Stripes at Stone Bridge.

—At New York, Joseph Holt, of Kentucky, addressed on immense and enthusiastic audience on the crisis in the affairs of the republic. He was followed by William Curtis Noyes and the Rev. Dr. Roswell C. Hitchcock, in eloquent and inspiring addresses.

—The Third regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Fellows, left Concord for the seat of war.

—To-day the secessionists of Missouri committed a most horrible outrage on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. They had burned several of the bridges of the road, and on a train, with nearly one hundred passengers, coming up to the Little Platt River, the bridge gave way and precipitated the whole train down an embankment, with terrible slaughter.

“Almost everybody here is looking for an attack…,”–Journal of Surgeon Alfred L. Castleman.

September 2, 2011

Journal of Surgeon Alfred L Castleman.,The American Civil War

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2nd.—The following extract from a letter which I have just written to a friend, is the sum and substance of my thoughts, journalized for to-day. “Major _____ will not write his mother whether an attack on Washington is expected. I will tell you what I think: From the dome of the Capitol we can see the rebels throwing up works just beyond Arlington. Every day or two we have picket skirmishing. On Wednesday night we had, within a short distance of Washington, seven men set as picket guards. The next day I saw one of the seven wounded in the side by a musket ball. The other six were killed. Almost everybody here is looking for an attack, but I do not believe we shall have one. I have no doubt that Beauregard would like to draw us out to attack him; that he would then retreat, with the hope of drawing us into his nets as he did at Bull Run. But he will not attack us here.

Post image for “To-day the Astoria flags are out in great numbers for our naval capture; a little victory which is refreshing after so many defeats.”—Woolsey Family Letters; Mary Woolsey Howland to Georganna.

“To-day the Astoria flags are out in great numbers for our naval capture; a little victory which is refreshing after so many defeats.”—Woolsey Family Letters; Mary Woolsey Howland to Georganna.

September 2, 2011

The American Civil War,Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Astoria, Monday, Sept. 2nd.

Dear Georgy: Your interesting letter was highly appreciated by little May, as well as by her parents, who thought it very kind of you to elaborate so nice a little story out of the materials. May’s artistic efforts were revived by it and all her inspirations lately breathe of camp life and army movements. I enclose the last one, “Recollections of what I saw on Riker’s Island when passing in the boat,” which is really not bad for a fancy sketch. You would have been amused to hear her reading the newspapers aloud to little Bertha the other day. I was writing at the time and took down verbatim one sentence. “We are sorry to state that General Brigade, a contraband of war, was taken prisoner last night at Fort Schuyler: he was on his way to visit the navy-yard at Bulls Run and was brought home dead and very severely wounded.”

The children and nurses have just driven off with a carriage full of little pails and spades to spend the afternoon digging in the sand at Bowery Bay. You know the bliss, especially if the tide admits of rolling up their pantalettes and wading in. We are having lovely weather, which I wish you were sharing. Indeed, I am greatly disappointed that you will not come on while things are comparatively quiet and stay awhile with us. Robert and I have had some delicious sails in the boat, for which I have taken a great liking, and we are having a quiet but delightful summer. To-day the Astoria flags are out in great numbers for our naval capture; a little victory which is refreshing after so many defeats. Abby and Cousin William are very blue up in Lenox and write desponding notes in the Toots style. The Micawber mood will probably follow, in which Abby will be “inscribing her name with a rusty nail” on the walls of some southern dungeon. Indeed I begin to think she must be in the confidence of the rebel leaders, from the entire assurance with which she looks for an attack by sea upon some northern port, while the land army meantime marches triumphantly to Washington.

We are looking for Sarah Woolsey this week to make a little visit, and were in hopes that Rose Terry, who was with her, would come too.

I sent your two letters to Mother, who will enjoy them as much as May did. When you write again tell us more about Joe,—how he is looking after the summer’s campaign, how he really is, etc. It seems strange to think that autumn is already here and the dreaded hot weather for the troops nearly over, I suppose. If we can get anything for you in New York while the girls are away, or do any of the things for which you have depended upon them, be sure to let me know. . . . I wonder if a season will ever come when for once we can all spend it together without the need of ink and paper. Some large, generally satisfactory Utopian farmhouse, where, as in Pomfret days, one vehicle and one horse (alas, poor beast!) and Mother to drive, would be ample accommodation and style for all. Give our love and a God-speed to Joe when you see him next, and insist upon his taking good care of himself when out of your sight.

Affectionately yours,

Mary.

Post image for Mary Chesnut’s Diary.— “No discouragement now felt at the North. They take our forts and are satisfied for a while. Then the English are strictly neutral.”

Mary Chesnut’s Diary.— “No discouragement now felt at the North. They take our forts and are satisfied for a while. Then the English are strictly neutral.”

September 2, 2011

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.,The American Civil War

September 2d.—Mr. Miles says he is not going anywhere at all, not even home. He is to sit here permanently—chairman of a committee to overhaul camps, commissariats, etc., etc.

We exchanged our ideas of Mr. Mason, in which we agreed perfectly. In the first place, he has a noble presence—really a handsome man; is a manly old Virginian, straightforward, brave, truthful, clever, the very beau-ideal of an independent, high-spirited F. F. V. If the English value a genuine man they will have one here. In every particular he is the exact opposite of Talleyrand. He has some peculiarities. He had never an ache or a pain himself; his physique is perfect, and he loudly declares that he hates to see persons ill; seems to him an unpardonable weakness.

It began to grow late. Many people had come to say good-by to me. I had fever as usual to-day, but in the excitement of this crowd of friends the invalid forgot fever. Mr. Chesnut held up his watch to me warningly and intimated “it was late, indeed, for one who has to travel tomorrow.” So, as the Yankees say after every defeat, I “retired in good order.”

Not quite, for I forgot handkerchief and fan. Gonzales rushed after and met me at the foot of the stairs. In his foreign, pathetic, polite, high-bred way, he bowed low and said he had made an excuse for the fan, for he had a present to make me, and then, though “startled and amazed, I paused and on the stranger gazed.” Alas! I am a woman approaching forty, and the offering proved to be a bottle of cherry bounce. Nothing could have been more opportune, and with a little ice, etc., will help, I am sure, to save my life on that dreadful journey home.

No discouragement now felt at the North. They take our forts and are satisfied for a while. Then the English are strictly neutral. Like the woman who saw her husband fight the bear, “It was the first fight she ever saw when she did not care who whipped.”

Mr. Davis was very kind about it all. He told Mr. Chesnut to go home and have an eye to all the State defenses, etc., and that he would give him any position he asked for if he still wished to continue in the army. Now, this would be all that heart could wish, but Mr. Chesnut will never ask for anything. What will he ask for? That’s the rub. I am certain of very few things in life now, but this is one I am certain of: Mr. Chesnut will never ask mortal man for any promotion for himself or for one of his own family.

A Diary of American Events.–September 2, 1861

September 2, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

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September 2.—A procession of several hundred stout negro men, members of the “domestic institution,” marched through the streets of Memphis, Tenn., in military order, under the command of Confederate officers. They were armed and equipped with shovels, axes, blankets, etc. A merrier set never were seen. They were brimful of patriotism, shouting for Jeff. Davis and singing war-songs, and each looked as if he only wanted the privilege of shooting an abolitionist. The arms of these colored warriors were rather mysterious. Could it be that those gleaming axes were intended to drive into the thick skulls of abolitionists the truth, to which they are wilfully blind, that their interference in behalf of Southern slaves is neither appreciated nor desired; or that these shovels were intended to dig trenches for the interment of their carcasses? It may be that the shovels are to be used in digging ditches, throwing up breastworks, or the construction of masked batteries, these abominations to every abolition Paul Pry who is so unlucky as to stumble upon them.—Memphis Avalanche, September 3.

—To-day six hundred rebels under Gen. Rains approached Fort Scott and seized eighty mules belonging to the United States, killing the teamster. A messenger was despatched to Montgomery, who had five hundred men. He pursued Rains eleven miles, killing several of his men, when, coming on the main body of the enemy, a battle commenced, the rebels having cannon, and Montgomery one howitzer only. The fight lasted two hours, when Montgomery slowly retreated, keeping up a running fight until nightfall.—N. Y. World, September 17.

— Jeff. Thompson at Camp Hunter, Mo., issued a proclamation, in which, as a retaliative measure for Fremont’s proclamation, he threatened, for every Southern soldier and citizen executed, to hang, draw, and quarter a minion of Abraham Lincoln.—(Doc. 24.)

—The Louisville (Ky.) Journal of this morning, strongly condemns the proclamation of Gen. Fremont, and urges the State Legislature by its action to avoid the contingency of any such action here. It says the Legislature must now decide whether it will organize a body of local soldiery for State purposes, strong enough to enforce the obligations of loyal neutrality, or whether it will suffer things to go on as they have been doing, with a prospect of lapsing at no distant day into the condition which, in so brief a time, has brought on the sway of martial law in Missouri.

— The Massachusetts Thirteenth regiment surrounded the Charleston “Home Guards” Cavalry about two o’clock this afternoon at Beher’s Mill, two and a half miles above Harper’s Ferry, Va., and took twenty prisoners, having first killed three and wounded five of the secessionists. The Massachusetts boys brought them in, singing “Gay and Happy.”— National Intelligencer, September 3.

—Senator Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, at Newport, Ky., delivered an able and patriotic speech, at a full and enthusiastic Union meeting.—Cincinnati Commercial, September 2.

—The secessionists encamped at Worthington, in Marion County, Va., four hundred in number, were attacked by Col. Crosman, of General Kelley’s staff, with two companies of United States troops, a little after daylight this morning; but the secessionists were too strong for him, and he was obliged to fall back with a loss of two men.—Philadelphia Inquirer, September 3.

—The United States frigate Minnesota, having on beard the rebel prisoners taken at Forts Hatteras and Clark, North Carolina, arrived at New York.

—The barks Sumter and Moneynick, principally owned in Charleston, S. C., were seized by the surveyor of Boston to-day, under the confiscation act.—N. Y. World, September 3.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: —A gun levelled at me in fun.—Increase of odium against me.—Success of the Hatteras expedition.

William Howard Russell’s Diary: —A gun levelled at me in fun.—Increase of odium against me.—Success of the Hatteras expedition.

September 1, 2011

My Diary North and South - William Howard Russell,The American Civil War

September 1st.—Took a ride early this morning over the Long Bridge. As I was passing out of the earthwork called a fort on the hill, a dirty German soldier called out from the parapet, “Pull-Run Russell! you shall never write Pulls’ Runs again,” and at the same time cocked his piece, and levelled it at me. I immediately rode round into the fort, the fellow still presenting his firelock, and asked him what he meant, at the same time calling for the sergeant of the guard, who came at once, and, at my request, arrested the man, who recovered arms, and said, “It was a choake —I vant to freeken Pull-Run Russell.” However, as his rifle was capped and loaded, and on full cock, with his finger on the trigger, I did not quite see the fun of it, and I accordingly had the man marched to the tent of the officer, who promised to investigate the case, and make a formal report of it to the brigadier, on my return to lay the circumstances before him. On reflection I resolved that it was best to let the matter drop; the joke might spread, and it was quite unpleasant enough as it was to bear the insolent looks and scowling faces of the guards at the posts, to whom I was obliged to exhibit my pass whenever I went out to ride.

On my return I heard of the complete success of the Hatteras expedition, which shelled out and destroyed some sand batteries guarding the entrance to the great inland sea and navigation called Pamlico Sound, in North Carolina, furnishing access to coasters for many miles into the Confederate States, and most useful to them in forwarding supplies and keeping up communications throughout. The force was commanded by General Butler, who has come to Washington with the news, and has already made his speech to the mob outside Willard’s. I called down to see him, but he had gone over to call on the President. The people were jubilant, and one might have supposed Hatteras was the key to Richmond or Charleston, from the way they spoke of this unparalleled exploit.

There is a little French gentleman here against whom the fates bear heavily. I have given him employment as an amanuensis and secretary for some time back, and he tells me many things concerning the talk in the city which I do not hear myself, from which it would seem that there is an increase of ill feeling towards me every day, and that I am a convenient channel for concentrating all the abuse and hatred so long cherished against England. I was a little tickled by an account he gave me of a distinguished lady, who sent for him to give French lessons, in order that she might become equal to her high position in mastering the difficulties of the courtly tongue. I may mention the fact, as it was radiated by the press through all the land, that Mrs. M. N., having once on a time “been proficient in the language, has forgotten it in the lapse of years, but has resolved to renew her studies, that she may better discharge the duties of her elevated station.” The master went to the house and stated his terms to a lady whom he saw there; but as she marchandéd a good deal over small matters of cents, he never supposed he was dealing with the great lady, and therefore made a small reduction in his terms, which encouraged the enemy to renew the assault till he stood firmly on three shillings a lesson, at which point the lady left him, with the intimation that she would consider the matter and let him know. And now, the licentiate tells me, it has become known he is my private secretary, he is not considered eligible to do avoir and etre for the satisfaction of the good lady, who really is far better than her friends describe her to be.

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