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

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

September 13, 2011

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

September 13.—In Western Virginia the rebels commenced to advance yesterday morning on both pikes toward Elkwater and Cheat Mountain summit. They succeeded in surrounding the fort on the summit and cut the telegraph wire. They continued to advance on Elkwater until within two miles of the National troops, when a few shells from Loomis’s battery dispersed them. Skirmishing was kept up all night, and this morning two regiments were sent to cut their way through to the summit. They succeeded in this expedition, the rebels retreating in all directions.

Two rebel officers who were spying around the camp at Elkwater this morning were surprised by our pickets and shot. The body of one of them was brought into camp, and proved to be that of Col. John A. Washington, of Mount Vernon, Virginia.—(Doc. 48.)

—General Sturgis of the National army with a regiment of infantry, two companies of cavalry, and one of artillery, took possession of St. Joseph’s, Missouri.

—The Second regiment of Delaware Militia, left Wilmington for Cambridge, Maryland.— Baltimore American, September 16.

—A Fight took place at Booneville, Mo., this morning between a party of rebels under Colonel Brown and the Home Guards under Captain Eppstein, which terminated in the victory of the latter. The Home Guards held their intrenchments against the rebels, one thousand strong, who were driven back with a loss of twelve killed and thirty wounded. The Home Guards lost only one killed and four wounded. Among the killed of the rebels were Col. Brown and Capt. Brown.—National Intelligencer, September 17.

—A Union meeting was held at Fairfield, Connecticut, this evening, at which patriotic addresses were made by Rev. Dr. Osgood of New York, Rev. Mr. Stimson of Fairfield, and John H. Glover. The following resolutions offered by Dr. Osgood were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the great practical question now at issue before the people of this country lies between supporting or destroying the Government of the United States, and that all good citizens and patriots are called to rally to its support, without distinction of party, and do all in their power to put down the rebellion and treason that are now in arms against our rulers, our Constitution, and our laws.

Resolved, That we appoint delegates, without distinction of party, to represent the town of Fairfield at the great Union meeting at Bridgeport to-morrow.

—The Provost-marshal of Baltimore, Md., this morning, before break of day, arrested Mayor Brown, Ross Winans, Charles H. Pitts, Lawrence Sangster, S. T. Wallis, and T. P. Scott, members of the Maryland Legislature, F. H. Howard, editor of the Exchange, and delivered them at Fort McHenry. He also arrested Messrs. Dennison, Quinlan, and Dr. Lynch, members of the Legislature from Baltimore County; Henry M. Warfield, Dr. J. Hansom, Thomas and John C. Brune, members of the Legislature from Baltimore City; also Thomas J. Hall, Jr., editor of the Baltimore South. All the arrests were made pursuant to orders from the United States War Department.—N. Y. Evening Post, September 13.

—The rebels appeared to-day in large numbers in Shepherdstown, Virginia, and commenced firing on the Unionists on the Maryland side of the Potomac.

Several cannon were brought out. When the Unionists, under command of Colonel Anderson, brought two of their guns to bear upon them from London Hill, opposite the town, and opened with ball and grape they soon silenced the rebel battery and destroyed several houses. A flag of truce was sent from the rebels, proposing a cessation of firing.—N. Y. Herald, Sept. 10.

—This afternoon the rebel steamer Yorktown ran within three miles of Newport News, Va., and opened fire upon the camp and blockading squadron, which consisted of the Savannah, Cumberland, and the gunboat Louisiana. She fired twenty-five shells, one of which exploded near the Savannah. Other shells fell considerably short. The guns of the Cumberland and Savannah could not reach the Yorktown, but a couple of shells from Sawyer’s gun on shore caused her to retire. One of the shells exploded three-fourths of a mile beyond the steamer.

About four o’clock a party sent out to cut fuel encountered two hundred Confederate Cavalry and an equal number of Infantry about three miles from Newport News. The teamsters left their wagons and galloped to give the alarm, but no further demonstration was made, and the wagons were afterward brought into camp.—National Intelligencer, September 16.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: The Prince de Joinville and his nephews.—American estimate of Louis Napoleon.—Arrest of members of the Maryland Legislature.—Life at Washington.

William Howard Russell’s Diary: The Prince de Joinville and his nephews.—American estimate of Louis Napoleon.—Arrest of members of the Maryland Legislature.—Life at Washington.

September 12, 2011

My Diary North and South - William Howard Russell

September 11th.—Captain Johnson, Queen’s messenger, started with despatches for England from the Legation to-day, to the regret of our little party. I observe by the papers certain wiseacres in Philadelphia have got up a petition against me to Mr. Seward, on the ground that I have been guilty of treasonable practices and misrepresentations in my letter dated August 10th. There is also to be a lecture on the 17th at Willard’s, by the Professor of Rhetoric, to a volunteer regiment, which the President is invited to attend—the subject being myself.

There is an absolute nullity of events, out of which the New York papers endeavour, in vain, to extract a caput mortuum of sensation headings. The Prince of Joinville and his two nephews, the Count of Paris and the Duke of Chartres, have been here for some days, and have been received with marked attention by the President, Cabinet, politicians and military. The Prince has come with the intention of placing his son at the United States Naval Academy, and his nephews with the head-quarters of the Federal army. The empressement exhibited at the White House towards the French princes is attributed by ill-natured rumours and persons to a little pique on the part of Mrs. Lincoln, because the Princess Clothilde did not receive her at New York, but considerable doubts are entertained of the Emperor’s “loyalty” towards the Union. Under the wild extravagance of professions of attachment to France are hidden suspicions that Louis Napoleon may be capable of treasonable practices and misrepresentations, which, in time, may lead the Philadelphians to get up a petition against M. Mercier.

The news that twenty-two members of the Maryland Legislature have been seized by the Federal authorities has not produced the smallest effect here: so easily do men in the midst of political troubles bend to arbitrary power, and so rapidly do all guarantees disappear in a revolution. I was speaking to one of General McClellan’s aides-de-camp this evening respecting these things, when he said—”If I thought he would use his power a day longer than was necessary, I would resign this moment. I believe him incapable of any selfish or unconstitutional views, or unlawful ambition, and you will see that he will not disappoint our expectations.”

It is now quite plain McClellan has no intention of making a general defensive movement against Richmond. He is aware his army is not equal to the task —commissariat deficient, artillery wanting, no cavalry; above all, ill-officered, incoherent battalions. He hopes, no doubt, by constant reviewing and inspection, and by weeding out the preposterous fellows who render epaulettes ridiculous, to create an infantry which shall be able for a short campaign in the fine autumn weather; but I am quite satisfied he does not intend to move now, and possibly will not do so till next year. I have arranged therefore to pay a short visit to the West, penetrating as far as I can, without leaving telegraphs and railways behind, so that if an advance takes place, I shall be back in time at Washington to assist at the earliest battle. These Federal armies do not move like the corps of the French republic, or Crawford’s Light Division.

In truth, Washington life is becoming exceedingly monotonous and uninteresting. The pleasant little evening parties or tertulias which once relieved the dulness of this dullest of capitals, take place no longer. Very wrong indeed would it be that rejoicings and festivities should occur in the capital of a country menaced with destruction, where many anxious hearts are grieving over, the lost, or tortured with fears for the living.

But for the hospitality of Lord Lyons to the English residents, the place would be nearly insufferable, for at his house one met other friendly ministers who extended the circle of invitations, and two or three American families completed the list which one could reckon on his fingers. Then at night, there were assemblages of the same men, who uttered the same opinions, told the same stories, sang the same songs, varied seldom by strange faces or novel accomplishments, but always friendly and social enough — not conducive perhaps to very early rising, but innocent of gambling, or other excess. A flask of Bordeaux, a wicker-covered demi-john of Bourbon, a jug of iced water and a bundle of cigars, with the latest arrival of newspapers, furnished the materiel of these small symposiums, in which Americans and Englishmen and a few of the members of foreign Legations, mingled in a friendly cosmopolitan manner. Now and then a star of greater magnitude came down upon us: a senator or an “earnest man,” or a “live man,” or a constitutional lawyer, or a remarkable statesman, coruscated, and rushing off into the outer world left us befogged, with our glimmering lights half extinguished with tobacco-smoke.

Out of doors excessive heat alternating with thunderstorms and tropical showers—dust beaten into mud, or mud sublimated into dust—eternal reviews, each like the other — visits to camp, where we saw the same men and heard the same stories of perpetual abortive skirmishes—rides confined to the same roads and paths by lines of sentries, offered no greater attraction than the city, where one’s bones were racked with fever and ague, and where every evening the pestilential vapours of the Potomac rose higher and spread further. No wonder that I was glad to get away to the Far West, particularly as I entertained hopes of witnessing some of the operations down the Mississippi, hefore I was summoned back to Washington, by the news that the grand army had actually broken up camp, and was about once more to march against Richmond.

_______

posted on the 12th as there were two entries dated the 11th.

Hancock’s Diary.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

Post image for Hancock’s Diary.–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

September 12, 2011

Hancock’s Diary: or, A History of The Second Tennessee Cavalry.–Richard R. Hancock.

Thursday, 12th.—We marched on to and encamped at Montgomery.

Companies B and C (Harris’s and Ewing’s) caught up with our company (E). Here we rested one day.

“For three days now I have been trying to find some new company in which to enlist..,”–Alexander G. Downing.

Post image for “For three days now I have been trying to find some new company in which to enlist..,”–Alexander G. Downing.

September 12, 2011

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

Thursday, 12th—I attended the Scott County Fair again today. The attendance was about the same as yesterday. A part of the Second Iowa Cavalry is in camp here, Camp Holt.

For three days now I have been trying to find some new company in which to enlist, but not caring to go into a company of entire strangers, I made up my mind to go home for a few days. About sundown, with two other boys, Sylvester Daniels and David Huff, I started for home, going with a Mr. Chesbro in a farm wagon.

Post image for “Three or four were wounded and our boys say that they killed several of the Rebels.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“Three or four were wounded and our boys say that they killed several of the Rebels.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

September 12, 2011

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

Camp Norfolk, September 12, 1861.

Agreeable to our very short notice we packed our knapsacks, put three days rations in our haversacks, were carried across the river to Bird’s Point in two boats (our whole regiment), and just at dark started out through the woods. ‘Twas a confounded, dark, dirty, narrow road, and I was right glad when the word “halt” was given and preparations made for bunking in for the night. The next morning we started again along down the river, the gunboats, two of them, keeping a couple of miles ahead of us. We started with a couple of pieces of field artillery, but the road got so bad that we had to leave it after about three miles. We advanced about five miles when the gunboats, which were about a mile and one-half ahead of us, opened mouth, and thunder! what a rumpus they did keep up. We could not see them for the thick brush between us and the river, but we thought sure our little fight had come at last. We were drawn up in the front yard of some secesher’s deserted house (a fine one), and the colonel with a small party went ahead to reconnoiter. While they were gone we ate our dinners, and made ready for the expected march and fight. But the colonel on his return, scooted us back to our morning’s starting place. Whew, but that was a sweating old march. About an hour after we started back, 15 of our cavalry scouts were run in, through the place where we took dinner, by 60 or 70 secesh cavalry. Three or four were wounded and our boys say that they killed several of the Rebels. The gunboats came up in the p.m. reported fighting the “Yankee” and two land batteries, one of which was but three and one half miles below us (and some say but one and one half miles) and had 16 guns. They crippled the dam’d “Yankee” although the latter carries 84’s, while ours hadn’t but 64’s. Our boats were not touched. A deserter came up from Columbus yesterday afternoon and says that our boats killed 200 in the fight. (I believe he is a liar and a spy). We have had it sweet the last day and two nights. Rained like sixty and we have no tents. There is no shelter but a few trees and you know they amount to nothing in heavy rains. It is amusing to see the boys figure at night for dry beds. Every thing, gates, cordwood, rails, cornstalks, weeds and panels of fence and boards are confiscated, and genius is taxed its utmost to make the sleeping as comfortable as possible. Milo Farewell, Hy. Johnson and myself sleep on an armful of cornstalks thrown on a floor of rails. With nothing between us and the clouds. Sid., (Sidney Stockdale) and Theo. each had three sticks of four foot cord wood for a couch, with their feet resting in a mudpuddle. We are further out than any other regiment now. I tell you I like this, and feel like knocking down any man that I hear grumble. None of our boys do that I hear of. We will have our tents here this p.m. though I would rather be without them; they are so much trouble. I know we will have no dirtier time than we have had the last two days, and until it gets cold I would rather not have tents if it is the same all the time. I fell in love with Paducah while I was there, and I think I will settle there when the war is over. I never saw so many pretty women in rtiy life. All fat, smooth-skinned small boned, highbred looking women. They hollered “Hurrah for Jeff” at us, some of them, but that’s all right. I could write until to-rnorrow morning about Paducah, but I must go and confiscate some corn for dinner.

Post image for “Long trains of army wagons pass all day, 4 horse teams.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“Long trains of army wagons pass all day, 4 horse teams.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

September 12, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

THURSDAY 12

This has been a delightful day. I was at the Pat office and at the Treasury Dept, did not see Mr Chase. The fight near the Chain Bridge yesterday proved to be only a rather severe skirmish, two of our soldiers killed. Went with Julia after dinner up to Camp Cameron to see the “Anderson Zouaves,” visited the Head Qrs, the old (“Madison House”), with Capt Meeks. Capt Lafarta of the French Zouave Company was very polite. He is an Italian. 1500 Cavalry passed our door last evn’g. Long trains of army wagons pass all day, 4 horse teams.

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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 “What a ‘glorious victory!’ So glorious that we must rush back to camp to announce it, leaving the enemy to look after our killed and wounded! A few such victories would ruin us.”–Journal of Surgeon Alfred L. Castleman.

“What a ‘glorious victory!’ So glorious that we must rush back to camp to announce it, leaving the enemy to look after our killed and wounded! A few such victories would ruin us.”–Journal of Surgeon Alfred L. Castleman.

September 12, 2011

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

12th.—Part of the truth relating to the story of yesterday’s fight has come to light. The fact is, these “great fights,” “great victories,” “great number of prisoners,” “great numbers killed,” are the greatest humbugs of the times, and as a specimen I put on record here the stories with the facts of yesterday. At 8 o’clock A. M. a body of soldiers passed up the turnpike. They were followed by batteries of artillery, and a few companies of cavalry. What does all this mean? was asked. And everyone wishing to be wise, an answer was soon manufactured satisfactory “to all concerned.” “Four thousand infantry and artillery had passed (Lie No. 1, there were only 2,000), to take a fort about seven miles off.” (Lie No. 2, there was no fort near.) About 12 o’clock we began to hear frequent reports of artillery, and by 2 P. M. the firing was brisk, and we could see the smoke of the shells exploding in the air from four to five miles away. About 3 o’clock we got orders to march on double-quick to the support of our troops, who were said to be retreating. (Truth No. 1.) Off we went on a full run, all vieing to see who could get there first. We had gone about a mile, when we were told to push forward, that one of our regiments was surrounded and being cut to pieces. (Lie No. 3.) On we went for another half mile, when “Halt, the rebels are retreating,” (lie No. 4,) and in a few minutes, “We must change our position, for the rebels were flanking us.” (Lie No. 5.) A few minutes later, our officers ordered us back to camp; we had gained a great victory. (Lie No. 6.)

Now these are the generalities of statements of the “great victory” of yesterday, which are being proclaimed to-day loud-mouthed. Let me put here the particulars, that in future when I hear of our great victories, I may refer to these, and draw some conclusion as to the probability of their truth.

In the morning, about two thousand men from Gen. Smith’s division, with a few pieces of artillery, passed up the pike to reconnoitre, in other words to examine the country and to ascertain what they could of the whereabouts of the enemy. They made their reconnoissance and started for camp. When they had marched about a quarter of a mile on their return, the rebels opened fire on them from a masked battery. Our artillery replied quickly and with spirit, our shot and shell mowing down hazels, oak grubs and saplings. These’ were all the enemy they saw. But above the heavy brush, in which the enemy’s batteries were masked, the smoke from their guns could be distinctly seen, and into this brush we fired without knowing the effects of our shot, though it is said that we silenced their battery. After about an hour thus spent our force retired, with the loss of some twenty or thirty men in killed and wounded, without capturing the battery which they had silenced, or without taking time to bring away even our own killed and wounded! What a “glorious victory!” So glorious that we must rush back to camp to announce it, leaving the enemy to look after our killed and wounded! A few such victories would ruin us. Gen. McClellan visited us to-day; made a speech, and promised us the luxury of a fight soon unless the rebels run. The appreciation of his kind promise was manifested by most unmistakable signs of joy.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

September 12, 2011

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

SEPTEMBER 12TH.—Gen. Pillow has advanced, and occupied Columbus, Ky. He was ordered, by telegraph, to abandon the town and return to his former position. Then the order was countermanded, and he remains. The authorities have learned that the enemy occupies Paducah.

Post image for Beautiful day.—Enlisted for the war.—Fort Lafayette.—An inattentive genius and not a born fool!—Woolsey family letters; Abby Howland Woolsey to Harriet Gilman; and Sarah C. Woolsey, writing from Lenox.

Beautiful day.—Enlisted for the war.—Fort Lafayette.—An inattentive genius and not a born fool!—Woolsey family letters; Abby Howland Woolsey to Harriet Gilman; and Sarah C. Woolsey, writing from Lenox.

September 12, 2011

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

Lenox, Sept. 12, 1861.

To-day has been very beautiful. Such floating clouds and corresponding shadows, such liquid blue on the distant hills and such gold green on the nearer meadows! We saw it to advantage at sunset, from Mrs. Sedgwick’s house. Only Miss Catherine was at home, and we saw her in her own little parlor, hung with photographs and engravings and one or two old choice portraits. But the picture from the window was best of all. . . . We had a charming drive one day with the Warners (of the “Wide, Wide World”) to Tyringham, the Shaker settlement below Lee, which name reminds me of the story we heard of the loyalty of that little village. It had already sent its full proportion to the army. But that dreadful night when the news of disaster at Bull Run came, the baker told the Warners “Nobody couldn’t eat nothin’ and nobody couldn’t sleep none.” That very midnight sixty men of Lee started in the cars for New York and enlisted for the war. … I had a chance of seeing Mrs. Kemble to-day as she drove by, silks and lace and birds of paradise, several I should think by the size. She is the great woman of the place here. Her daughter, Mrs. Wistar, was with her—strikingly like her, and yet young, fair, simple and beautiful. She came back yesterday from New York with Julia Butler the sister. They had been down to see their father in Fort Lafayette.

.  .  .  .  .  .

In consequence of complaints made of the treatment of the political prisoners, Dr. Bellows, the President of the Sanitary Commission, inspected Fort Lafayette and reported to the Secretary of State Oct. 31, 1861 —” Every man has his own cot, plenty of blankets and abundance of food. They were in better condition in all respects than our own men in the field. They have many acres for play-ground. They complained of nothing though I gave them abundant opportunity.”

.  .  .  .  .  .

Sarah C. Woolsey, writing from Lenox, says;

. . . I was highly diverted by a story Mrs. Kane told Jenny Yardley of Mrs. Kemble. She was playing whist the other night with Mrs. Ellery Sedgwick as a partner, and became really furious because Mrs. Sedgwick played so badly. Finally, just as her rage had reached its height, Mrs. Sedgwick remarked, “I do not know what is the matter with me! somehow I can’t play well, or talk straight, or do anything right this evening, and it is strange, for I certainly do know how to play whist.” Whereupon the majestic Fanny exploded: “Well, I am glad to hear that. It is a comfort to know that one has for a partner an inattentive genius and not a born fool!”

Mrs. Kemble was most friendly with the various members of the family, though unexpected at times, as for instance when she remarked to Harry Yardley, while Lilly Woolsey was his guest, “Mr. Yardley, you have a very handsome young woman at your house; I do not refer to Mrs. Yardley.” However, the people in Lenox seemed used to these little bursts. They never resented them and only made a good story of it all, which they enjoyed.

Post image for “I saw a young soldier the other day, who told me he could see the top of our house distinctly from ‘Munson’s Hill.’”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

“I saw a young soldier the other day, who told me he could see the top of our house distinctly from ‘Munson’s Hill.’”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

September 12, 2011

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

Sept. 12th.—Yesterday was the wedding of our dear _____.  The marriage of a child is always melancholy when it involves separation, but particularly so under such circumstances. But surely never were refugees so blessed with friends. Our plan was to have the ceremony in the church, and then to proceed to Winchester, where the bridal party would take the stage for Strasburg, and thence by the cars to Richmond; but we were overruled by Mr. P., who invited his and our friends for the evening, and a beautiful entertainment was prepared for them. We all exercised our taste in arranging the table, which, with its ices, jellies, and the usual etceteras of an elegant bridal supper, made us forget that we were in a blockaded country. A pyramid of the most luscious grapes, from Bishop Meade’s garden, graced the centre of the table. The bridesmaids were three, and groomsman one, and he, poor fellow, had to go off in the storm of last night, because his furlough lasted but forty-eight hours, and his station is Culpepper Court-House. The groom had a furlough of but three days, to come from and return to Richmond. The Bishop and Mrs. J. arrived in the morning. The party consisted of ladies, and gentlemen too old for the service. Bishop J. performed the ceremony. Bishop Meade professed to be too old for such occasions, and declined coming. We feel very lonely this morning, and turn to the newspapers more than we have done for some time.

I saw a young soldier the other day, who told me he could see the top of our house distinctly from “Munson’s Hill.” Oh, that I could know what is going on within those walls, all encompassed by armies as it is. With my mind’s eye I look into first one room and then another, with all the associations of the past; the old family Bible, the family pictures, the library, containing the collection of forty years, and so many things which seemed a part of ourselves. What will become of them? Who are now using or abusing them?

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