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

The American Civil War

Post image for “Yes, giving up Fort Sumter is vexing.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

“Yes, giving up Fort Sumter is vexing.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

March 17, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes,The American Civil War

CINCINNATI, March 17, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE:—I received yours of the 13th yesterday. I shall not come out for three or four weeks, perhaps not so soon. It is not yet possible to guess how the [city] election will go, but the chances are decidedly against our side. The Democrats and Know-nothings have united and will nominate their ticket this week. If they nominate men tolerably acceptable to both wings of the fusion, they will succeed beyond all question. Their majority at the last election over the Republicans was nearly three thousand. We can’t beat this. Our chance is that there will be some slip or mistake which will upset the union. I shall go under with the rest, but expect to run ahead of the ticket. Of course, I prefer not to be beaten, but I have got out of the office the best there is in it for me. I shall get me an office alone, and start anew—a much pleasanter condition of things than the one I left with Corwine.

Yes, giving up Fort Sumter is vexing. It hurts our little election, too; but I would give up the prospect of office, if it would save the fort, with the greatest pleasure.

Elinor Mead¹ leaves us on Tuesday to return home the last of the week. She has enjoyed her visit, I think. Mother is very well again; is able to go out, to shop and to church. Little Ruddy (our brag boy now) has been sick, but is getting nearly well. The other boys count largely on going to Fremont this summer.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

_______

¹A cousin from Vermont; later to become the wife of William Dean Howells, who that winter was a newspaper correspondent at Columbus.

Post image for Wigfall on recruiting in Baltimore — Confederate Records

Wigfall on recruiting in Baltimore — Confederate Records

March 16, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

BALTIMORE, MD., March 16, 1861.

General BEAUREGARD, C. S. A., Charleston, S.C.:

MY DEAR SIR: By the authority of the Secretary of War, I have established a recruiting station here, and I am induced to believe that it will meet with decided success. By the time an officer can reach here there will probably be one hundred recruits to examine. The moneyed arrangements are all made. I have concluded that it would be better not to send the men to Charleston until they were examined. We will then avoid the danger of having to pay the passage money for men not fit for service. I was merely requested and authorized to recruit here for the Army of the Confederate States. I have made arrangements for sending them to you, supposing that you would have use for them, or, if not, that you could have them enlisted and drilled till they were ordered elsewhere. Be pleased to confer with the Secretary of War on the subject if you have no orders. The recruiting will go on rapidly, and as I determined this morning not to send men before they were examined, I telegraphed you for an experienced officer. The men will be kept together until he comes. If this shall reach you before you have sent an officer, be pleased to refer him to William T. Walters, of the house of Walters & Co., 68 Exchange Place, with whom I have made the financial arrangements.

Very respectfully,

LOUIS T. WIGFALL.

Post image for To Beauregard: “Give but little credit to the rumors of an amicable adjustment.”— Confederate Records

To Beauregard: “Give but little credit to the rumors of an amicable adjustment.”— Confederate Records

March 15, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,
Montgomery, March 15, 1861.

Brig. Gen. BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S.C.:

GENERAL: Dispatches just received from Washington, of the highest authority, speak of mines in Fort Sumter, and a purpose to destroy it and the garrison rather than be taken. Foster, the Engineer, might be a good guarantee, if kept in the fort.

Give but little credit to the rumors of an amicable adjustment. Do not slacken for a moment your energies, and be ready to execute any order this Department may forward.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. P. WALKER,

Secretary of War.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – March 14, 1861

A Diary of American Events – March 14, 1861

March 14, 2011

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

—The act, passed by the Florida Legislature, defining treason, became a law by the approval and signature of the Governor. It declares that in the event of any actual collision between the troops of the late Federal Union and those in the employ of the State of Florida, it shall be the duty of the Governor of the State to make public proclamation of the fact; and thereafter the act of holding office under the Federal Government shall be declared treason, and the person convicted shall suffer death.—Evening Post, March 26.

Post image for Quiet in Key West.—Operations in Florida

Quiet in Key West.—Operations in Florida

March 13, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,
March 13, 1861.

Lieut. Col. L. THOMAS,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters of the Army, Washington City:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that everything is quiet at Key West to this date, nor do I apprehend any attack on this fort until perfectly-organized force is raised. Flags of the Southern Confederacy have been raised upon the stores of various citizens. I doubt if any resident of Key West will be allowed to hold office under the Federal Government unless supported by the military and naval forces. We are on terms of friendship with the best portion of the citizens, and hope there will be no collision.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. BRANNAN,
Captain, First Artillery, Commanding Post.

Post image for “It is understood that Fort Sumpter is to be evacuated.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“It is understood that Fort Sumpter is to be evacuated.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

March 12, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.,The American Civil War

TUESDAY 12

Fine day and quite warm tonight. The streets are quite dry. The City is quite full of strangers yet mostly office seekers I suppose. Not many removals have as yet been made in any of the Deptts. It is understood that Fort Sumpter is to be evacuated. It may be policy to do so if it is not a matter of Necessity. Went with C R to Georgetown after dinner. Visited the Aqueduct Bridge, the High Resivoir, and the Oak Hill Cemetery. Went with Julia this evening to the National to see one of her friends and from there to Willards to meet Bro. C. R. & all came home.

______

The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of  Congress.

Post image for Order to re-enforce Fort Pickens.—Operations in Florida

Order to re-enforce Fort Pickens.—Operations in Florida

March 12, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, March 12, 1861.

Captain VOGDES,  U. S. Army,

On board U. S. sloop-of-war Brooklyn, lying off Fort Pickens

SIR: At the first favorable moment you will land with your company, re-enforce Fort Pickens, and hold the same till further orders. Report frequently, if opportunities present themselves, on the condition of the fort and the circumstances around you.

I write by command of Lieutenant-General Scott.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – March 12, 1861

A Diary of American Events – March 12, 1861

March 12, 2011

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

—The London News of to-day publishes a strong protest against a recognition of the Southern Confederacy by the British Government.—(Doc. 45.)

Post image for “Mrs. Browne was walking with me when we were airing our indignation against Mrs. Lincoln and her shabby economy.”—A Diary From Dixie

“Mrs. Browne was walking with me when we were airing our indignation against Mrs. Lincoln and her shabby economy.”—A Diary From Dixie

March 11, 2011

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

March 11th.—In full conclave to-night, the drawingroom crowded with Judges, Governors, Senators, Generals, Congressmen. They were exalting John C. Calhoun’s hospitality. He allowed everybody to stay all night who chose to stop at his house. An ill-mannered person, on one occasion, refused to attend family prayers. Mr. Calhoun said to the servant, “Saddle that man’s horse and let him go.” From the traveler Calhoun would take no excuse for the “Deity offended.” I believe in Mr. Calhoun’s hospitality, but not in his family prayers. Mr. Calhoun’s piety was of the most philosophical type, from all accounts.¹

The latest news is counted good news; that is, the last man who left Washington tells us that Seward is in the ascendency. He is thought to be the friend of peace. The man did say, however, that “that serpent Seward is in the ascendency just now.”

Harriet Lane has eleven suitors. One is described as likely to win, or he would be likely to win, except that he is too heavily weighted. He has been married before and goes about with children and two mothers. There are limits beyond which! Two mothers-in-law!

Mr. Ledyard spoke to Mrs. Lincoln in behalf of a doorkeeper who almost felt he had a vested right, having been there since Jackson’s time; but met with the same answer; she had brought her own girl and must economize. Mr. Ledyard thought the twenty thousand (and little enough it is) was given to the President of these United States to enable him to live in proper style, and to maintain an establishment of such dignity as befits the head of a great nation. It is an infamy to economize with the public money and to put it into one’s private purse. Mrs. Browne was walking with me when we were airing our indignation against Mrs. Lincoln and her shabby economy. The Herald says three only of the élite Washington families attended the Inauguration Ball.

The Judge has just come in and said: “Last night, after Dr. Boykin left on the cars, there came a telegram that his little daughter, Amanda, had died suddenly.” In some way he must have known it beforehand. He changed so suddenly yesterday, and seemed so careworn and unhappy. He believes in clairvoyance, magnetism, and all that. Certainly, there was some terrible foreboding of this kind on his part.

____

¹John C. Calhoun had died in March, 1850.

Post image for Message to Beuregard. — Sumter to be evacuated in 5 days.

Message to Beuregard. — Sumter to be evacuated in 5 days.

March 11, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

WASHINGTON, March 11, 1861.

General BEAUREGARD,
Commanding Army Confederate States, Charleston, S.C.:

Believed here that Anderson will be ordered to evacuate Sumter in five days. Was certainly informally agreed on in Cabinet Saturday night. May have been done as ruse to throw you off your guard and enable them to re-enforce.

LOUIS T. WIGFALL.

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