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

The American Civil War

Post image for “We are going pretty close to New Madrid, into a hot place, where a long stay would not be pleasant.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“We are going pretty close to New Madrid, into a hot place, where a long stay would not be pleasant.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

February 3, 2012

Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry),The American Civil War

Headquarters, 3d Battalion, 7th Illinois Cavalry,

February 3, 1862.

I am pretty sure that we will start on a scout to-morrow that will give us a ride of 150 miles. From the knowledge I have of it believe that we are going to raise the devil before we get back or get raised ourselves. There are only about 300 of us going, but we are all cavalry and are going fast, will make our mark and then return probably at the same gait. We are going pretty close to New Madrid, into a hot place, where a long stay would not be pleasant. I believe there are 300 or 400 men about 70 miles from here guarding commissary stores. We are going to try and surprise them and destroy the goods, kill what we can of the secesh “and get out o’ that.” It will be my first scout horseback but I’m going if it busts me. This is one of Colonel Kellogg’s ideas and looks more like work than anything I have tried yet. It’s awful rough weather to start out in but that makes it more favorable for us. Well, I have got over the hardest part of soldiering, though I doubt if I enjoy myself as well as I did in the ranks. I never in my life spent nine months more pleasantly than those I passed in the “8th.” We had some rough times, but good health and good company made them as pleasant as and often happier than life in quarters. I disliked very much to leave the boys I had been with so long and knew so well, but cupidity and ambition got the better of the just resolves I made never to leave them untill the war was over. John Wallace, Fred Norcott and my chum, Hy Johnson, I did hate to leave. They’ll get along just as well though after they have forgotten us. My chances for a lieutenancy in that company were first rate but I have got a better thing, and without so much walking. You never saw a gladder boy than Sam was when he found himself safe out of the infantry. He couldn’t begin to hold his body. I suppose he and Keefer are having very gay times all by themselves. Sidney and I concluded that our best policy was to stay here and I’m glad I did so, although I would have liked a visit home more than I can tell. If we can manage it so as to get off together some time this spring we will do so, but I have little hopes now of seeing you untill the war is over. The major (Rawalt), Seavy, Billy Resor and myself mess together. We have the wife of one of the men cooking for us and are living as well as I want to, in regular home style. White tablecloth, white ware and a fork and spoon for every man. Warm biscuits and excellent coffee every meal. My duties are light and not many of them. All writing. We live in a house, too. My health is booming again. That trip brought me out all right. This is a splendid place to camp in—high, healthy and beautiful. There are lots of pretty girls here too, that smile very sweetly on shoulder-strapped soldiers, but well, you understand me. I have Billy Stockdale, Trites, Chancey, Geo. Shinn, Jesse B. and the rest of the Canton boys in the 17th and they are all in excellent health. Chancey will be home in a few days I think. He is second lieutenant in the Fairview Company now. Billy Stockdale is sergeant major. Trites is romantic, enthusiastic and desponding as ever. Major Rawalt is one of the best officers there is in the service. He and I will get along splendidly. We are really off in the morning, and for a 200-mile march. There will be fun before we get back.

Post image for Detached from regiment. — assigned to General Porter's headquarters. –Stephen Minot Weld.

Detached from regiment. — assigned to General Porter's headquarters. –Stephen Minot Weld.

February 3, 2012

The American Civil War,War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Hall’s Hill, Feb. 3, 1862.

Dear Father, — I have been detached from my regiment, and am now at General Porter’s headquarters on the above-mentioned hill. I am occupying for a day or two Lieutenant Monteith’s tent, he being absent in Washington, and am not quite settled yet. I shall make preparations to stay here for a fortnight at least, as we cannot advance before that time, and hardly under a month’s time. General Porter has not yet returned, but will be here to-morrow evening. All his staff whom I have seen are pleasant fellows and are quite kind to me. The Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain Locke from New York, is a very polite, gentlemanly fellow, and is a smart business man. Lieutenant Batchelder is quite pleasant, and Lieutenant McQuade seems to be the same, although I have not seen much of him.

My tent was pitched this afternoon in the midst of a driving snow-storm, and I shall not occupy it till I receive some boards to make a floor, and a stove, both of which I must beg in Washington. It will be quite a comfortable tent when I shall have fixed it up a little. I have not discovered any superfluous article yet which I have brought out here. I am only sorry I did not buy me a bedstead and cork mattress, which I shall have to get. My buffalo robe is the best thing I have. I could not have got along without it, and I thank my stars every night that I have such a comfortable robe.

General Porter every one says is extremely simple in his way of living, etc., which I am glad to find out, as it will save me a great deal of expense. Hautville, who is on Banks’s staff, told me that it would cost me from $45 to $50 a month to live, but I hope to find that he is mistaken.

James gets on quite well, although somewhat slow in his ways. In a week or two I shall have him in good trim, and shall make him quite a good servant. He is somewhat inclined to grumble, but not much so, and this too I shall stop. He seems to take good care of my horse, and on the whole I like him quite well. If he does not suit me I shall discharge him and send on for Tom.

The weather is stormy again, and no prospect of clearing off. Sunday was the first day the sun had made its appearance for 18 days. We had a regular New England snow-storm to-day, but now it seems inclined to change to sleet.

When Colonel Barnes handed me my order to report here, he said he would like me to come over and drill with his regiment whenever I could, and I shall do so, as I think it will be a good thing for me. He was very kind and pleasant to me all the time I was there. I am in first-rate health and have no doubt but that I shall continue so.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

February 3, 2012

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

February 3.—In accordance with the decision of the Administration of the United States, the privateersman who had been confined in the City Prison, were released from that place and confined as political prisoners in Fort Lafayette. The persons captured on the British ship M. S. Perry, and held as witnesses, were released entirely.

—In the Superior Court at Salem, Mass., Henry M. Bragg, Francis W. Bayley, Isaac M. Daggett, Martin L. Stevens, Joseph S. King, and George W. Edwards, all of Haverhill, indicted for tarring, feathering, and riding on a rail, in August last, the editor of the Haverhill Gazette, Mr. Ambrose L. Kimball, were severally held to bail for trial, in the sum of one thousand dollars each.

—In the United States Senate, Mr. Chandler presented resolutions from the Legislature of Michigan reaffirming loyalty to the Government and hatred of traitors, and asking the Government to speedily put down the insurrection, favoring the confiscation of the property of the rebels, and asking that, as slavery is the cause of the war, it be swept from the land.

—By the operation of Earl Russell’s circular of neutrality, the privateer Nashville was sent off from Southampton, Eng., to-day. The Union gunboat Tuscarora was anchored off Cowes, where the rebel vessel passed her. The Tuscarora steamed up and was ready to start in chase of her, when she was stopped by the British frigate Shannon, (fifty-one,) to be detained for twenty-four hours, in accordance with the strict letter of international law.

The London Times and Post congratulate the English people on their seeing the last of both vessels, as well as of all other American naval belligerents.

Post image for Burnside Expedition. — Diary of David L. Day.

Burnside Expedition. — Diary of David L. Day.

February 2, 2012

David L Day–My diary of rambles with the 25th Mass,The American Civil War

Feb. 2. A high wind prevailed this morning and the sea was somewhat rough; the boat had considerable motion, but the boys had their sea legs on, so it caused them very little trouble.

Our company cooks, with commendable enterprise and industry and with an eye to our present well being, furnished us with baked beans and hot coffee for breakfast. This was a great treat, and every man had all he wanted; a vote of thanks was given the cooks. For dinner boiled beef was served, the first we have had since leaving Fortress Monroe.

I hope this kind of fare will hold out, but fear we shall have a relapse of the worst kind. The chaplain held services in the saloon this morning and afternoon. The boys spent most of the day writing letters, reading newspapers and making up their diaries.

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

February 2, 2012

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

Sunday 2nd

Froze a little last night but has thawed in the sun all day. Went out to church with wife and boys. Chaplin Booth of the 5th Regt Sickels Brigad[e] preached, a pretty smart man. A crazy man in the church made a disturbance by giving an Extra discourse. He was hustled out by one of the Deacons. Ed Dickerson came up and spent an hour or two this evening. The roads are in such an awful condition that a “movement” or an “advance” would seem to be simply impossible. Drills and Dress parades in the Camps are in most cases dispensed with. There is a great deal of sickness in the City, but we hear less about the Small pox than we did a month ago. Our family is in good health.

______

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 “We are all alone on an island here…,”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his mother.

“We are all alone on an island here…,”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his mother.

February 2, 2012

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

Beaufort, S.C., February 2, 1862

I was then in the delicious doubt of our first picket detail which I was to command. After all it did n’t come to much and the only danger I had to face arose from the terror of my own horses at the sight of the sabres of my men and at the dulcet sounds of the band at guard mounting. Lord! what a time I had, and for an instant your son proved himself a trooper in profanity at least. But imagine the feelings of a young officer leading the first detail of his regiment ever seen at a public parade on seeing his men and horses go shooting over the field in all directions like squibs on the 4th of July. With stern decision I at once disgraced and sent home two horses and their riders and paraded the rest in style, marching them in review in a way which almost restored our honor. Then I escorted the officer of the day to his post and stationed my details and then visited the outposts.

We are all alone on an island here, and on its shores our pickets stand and gaze placidly at the pickets of the enemy on the shore opposite. About three times a week one party or the other try to cross in boats and get fired at, but no one ever seems to be hurt and so the danger is apparently not alarming. I visited our furthest pickets and found them on Barnwell’s Island at the house of Mr. Trescot, the author of whom we have heard. It is n’t a pleasant picture, this result of war. Here was a new house on a beautiful island and surrounded with magnificent cotton fields, built evidently by a gentleman of refinement and very recently, and there was the garden before it filled with rubbish, and within broken furniture, scraps of books and letters, and all the little tokens of a refined family. Scattered over the floors and piled in the corners were the remains of a fine library of books of many languages, and panels and glasses were broken wherever so doing was thought an easier course than to unlock or open. I wandered round and looked out at the view and wondered why this people had brought all this upon themselves; and yet I could n’t but pity them. For I thought how I should feel to see such sights at Quincy. . . .

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

February 2, 2012

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

February 2.—Lieutenant-Colonel White’s cavalry encountered a force of Lincoln’s infantry in Morgan County, Tenn., on the mountain side. The Lincoln force was estimated at from one hundred to three hundred. White charged upon the enemy. Captain Duncan rallied his men twice, when he was shot through the head and killed by J. Roberts, a lad fifteen years old. The Kentucky Unionists were then completely routed and fled in confusion, leaving seven of their dead upon the field.—Norfolk Day Book, February 6.

—The bark Trinity left Boston, Mass., to-day, for Fortress Monroe, Va., with three hundred and eighty-six rank and file, and eleven officers, from Fort Warren, in Boston harbor, to be exchanged for an equal number of National soldiers in the hands of the rebels.— N. Y. Herald, February 3.

Post image for Burnside Expedition. — Diary of David L. Day.

Burnside Expedition. — Diary of David L. Day.

February 1, 2012

David L Day–My diary of rambles with the 25th Mass,The American Civil War

Feb. 1. A very heavy rain set in last night and continued until 9 o’clock this morning. The old Curlew looks as though she had been down cruising for mermaids and came back disappointed. She is all afloat, fore, aft and amidships; the rain drove in at the ends, the deck leaked and altogether we had a pretty rough night of it. I cannot say how the others slept, but my sleep was anything but balmy. I did not, in fact, dream of dwelling in marble halls.

The New York has crossed the bar and we are again aboard of her; thank our lucky stars. Good-bye, old Curlew! and may you find a sweet and lasting repose at the bottom of the sound before you are many days older. Our bill of fare this week consisted of steamed pork and hardtack of a poor quality, and short supply at that. Since they caught us stealing water, the fluid has been the meanest kind of condensed sea water, the poorest we have yet had.

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

February 1, 2012

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

Saturday January February 1st 1862

Nothing of any particular note has occured today. The ground was covered with Snow this morning, but it has thawed all day. Went down after dinner and with the three boys and got them all new boots with which they were highly pleased, paid $4.25 for the lot. Got “Bud” also a pair of pants $2.50, paid the Baker $4.25, Milkman $1.90. Got my Drawings today, shall put in my application in two or three days. I have not been out since dark, have been reading the papers, writing &c. Wife rcd a letter from her Uncle Sullivan & [Mis Recd Cook?]. It is now 1/2 past ten. The boys went to bed at 8. Wife busy mending as usual evenings. Julia is writing off Poetry from a newspaper and I am going to bed.

______

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 "I finally surmounted all my troubles and reached General Porter's quarters at Hall's Hill." — War Diary of Stephen Minot Weld.

"I finally surmounted all my troubles and reached General Porter's quarters at Hall's Hill." — War Diary of Stephen Minot Weld.

February 1, 2012

The American Civil War,War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

February 1, 1862. — Day was rainy, but towards evening the clouds cleared away somewhat and I started for General Porter’s headquarters with all my bags and baggage. Such mud I never saw before. Up to, and over at times, the hubs of the wheels, came the nasty fluid, completely hiding all the holes into which our unfortunate carriage slumped. However, I finally surmounted all my troubles and reached General Porter’s quarters at Hall’s Hill. The general was not in, but his Assistant Adjutant- General, Captain [Frederick T.] Locke, was very kind to me, and invited me to stay and dine with him, saying that they were not quite ready to receive me as my tent had not come, which he had sent for. I then went over to my regiment, the 18th, and reported to Colonel [James] Barnes. He was in his tent and seemed quite pleasant and gentlemanly. He introduced me to Lieutenant Colonel [Timothy] Ingraham, and to Surgeon Holbrook. He then sent for my captain, [Stephen] Thomas, of Roxbury, who used to be connected with the iron foundry near the Hogg’s Bridge. The colonel remarked that he was somewhat inclined to be fat, in which remark I entirely coincided when I saw him. He seemed as if he might be a very smart officer, however, notwithstanding his size. I found him a regular specimen of a smart, good- natured Yankee, somewhat illiterate to be sure, as one could tell from his conversation, and also I should judge from his writing, if the specimens I heard of it were correct. Stockings, according to his dialect, is spelled “storkings,” shoes, “shues.” However, he can make himself understood, I suppose, and that is the main thing. Captain Thomas introduced me to my lieutenant [Woolbridge R.], Howes, a boat-builder from New Bedford, and a polite, well-educated man. I took up my quarters in his tent, and put my servant, James, in there too. I borrowed a bedstead from one of the officers, and prepared to make myself comfortable. We also had the fifer of our company (D) in the same tent. The tents of the regiment are a gloomy sort of concern, being the French bell- tent, with no floors. I got on first-rate though, and passed a very comfortable night.

I left home January 29, and reached Washington, January 30. I met Bill Perkins here, and set out with him on January 31, to go to camp, but broke down on the way.

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