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 12, 2011

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

September 12.—Captain Kid’s Cavalry company from New Creek, and a company of Infantry from Fort Pendleton, made a descent upon a camp of secessionists at Petersburg, Hardy County, Virginia. One shot from a twelve-pounder scattered the rebels like chaff. Several of them were killed and wounded and a number of prisoners taken. The camp and all its equipage destroyed. Three six-horse teams, twenty horses, six thousand bushels of corn, and a lot of guns and uniforms were captured. The expedition was entirely successful and gallantly conducted.

—A skirmish occurred at Black River, twelve or fifteen miles southwest of Ironton, Mo., between three companies of Indiana Cavalry under Major Gavitt, and a body of secessionists under the notorious Ben. Talbot, in which five of the rebels were killed and four taken prisoners, and thirty-five horses and a quantity of arms captured. The balance scattered in all directions, and being familiar with the county, eluded pursuit.

—The anniversary of the battle of Baltimore was celebrated in that city to-day with more than ordinary demonstrations on the part of the loyal citizens. The National flag was displayed from the public buildings, hotels, and all loyal newspaper offices, numerous private houses, shipping, etc., and the various camps. Gen. Dix issued an order for firing salutes and dress parades in honor of the day at the various camps at three o’clock. The New York Fifth regiment, Zouaves, made a grand dress parade from their fortified camps on Federal Hill through the city, passing around the different monuments. The Association of Old Defenders made their usual parade with their old flag, which they have not deserted as yet. The only demonstration of a character contrary to the patriotic spirit of the day was in the manner in which a few secession storekeepers arranged their goods to indicate their Southern principles, such as hanging out rolls of red and white flannel, or, as in one instance, displaying three flannel shirts—two red ones with a white one in the centre.—N. Y. Tribune, Sept. 13.

—The city authorities of Louisville, Ky., seized a large number of the concealed arms recently in possession of the State Guard.— N. Y. Tribune, September 13.

—General Buckner, at Russellville, Kentucky, issued an address to the people of that State, calling upon them to rally for their own defence against the usurpations of Abraham Lincoln and the “insane despotism of Puritanical New England.” The address abounds in misrepresentation, as to the policy of the National Government.—(Doc. 44.)

—A meeting of prominent citizens was held at the Astor House, New York, with a view to “organize some plan to advance the movement for the abolition of slavery.”—N. Y. Times, September 13.

—The following despatch was received tonight at the head-quarters of the Army at Washington, D. C.:

St. Louis, September 12, 1861. Col. E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.: The report of Gen. Pope to-day from Hunneville, says he made night marches on Green last Sunday, who, however, got notice of his approach, but was successful in completing the dispersion of three thousand rebel forces, leaving behind them much baggage, provisions, and forage; also the public property seized by Green at Shelberne. Gen. Pope’s infantry was too much fatigued to pursue. The horsemen, however, followed in pursuit ten or fifteen miles, until the enemy scattered. The railroad east of Brookfall is open, and no more secession camps will be made within twenty miles. Gen. Grant telegraphs that the first gun is in position at Fort Holt, Kentucky.

J. C. Fremont,

Major-General Commanding.

—The Legislature of Kentucky passed a series of resolutions, authorizing the governor to call out the military force of that State to expel and drive out the Southern invaders.— (Doc. 45.)

—A detachment of three hundred men from the Fourteenth Indiana, and Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Ohio regiments, dispersed three Tennessee regiments under General Anderson to-day, on the west side of Cheat Mountain, Va., completely routing them, killing eighty and obtaining most of their equipments. The National loss was eight killed.—N. Y. Herald, Sept. 17.

—Two slaves, the property of Thomas L. Snead, a secessionist of St. Louis, Missouri, were manumitted this day in accordance with, the proclamation of General Fremont of August 30th.—(Doc. 46.)

—A resolution passed the Board of Aldermen of Louisville, Ky., providing for the appointment of a committee from both boards of the General Council with instructions to inquire into the loyalty to the Union of the members of that department of the city government.— Louisville Journal, September 13.

—An order was issued prohibiting the carrying of the Baltimore Exchange in the United States mails. It is the worst secession sheet in America, and ought to have been stopped long before the Journal of Commerce and News were touched.—N. Y. World, September 13.

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

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

September 11, 2011

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

Wednesday, 11th.—Marching on through Jamestown, thence south-east, we encamped for the night near one Mr. Hurst’s. We had camped at the same place as we passed up about one month previous to this.

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: A Crimean acquaintance.—Personal abuse of myself.—Close firing.—A reconnaissance.—Major-General Bell.

William Howard Russell’s Diary: A Crimean acquaintance.—Personal abuse of myself.—Close firing.—A reconnaissance.—Major-General Bell.

September 11, 2011

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

September 11th.—A soft-voiced, round-faced, rather good-looking young man, with downy moustache, came to my room, and introduced himself this morning as Mr. H. H. Scott, formerly of Her Majesty’s 57th Regiment. “Don’t you remember me? I often met you at Cathcart’s Hill. I had a big dog, if you remember, which used to be about the store belonging to our camp.” And so he rattled on, talking of old Street and young Jones with immense volubility, and telling me how he had gone out to India with his regiment, had married, lost his wife, and was now travelling for the benefit of his health and to see the country. All the time I was trying to remember his face, but in vain. At last came the purport of his visit. He had been taken ill at Baltimore, and was obliged to stop at an hotel, which had cost him more than he had anticipated; he had just received a letter from his father, which required his immediate return, and he had telegraphed to New York to secure his place in the next steamer. Meantime, he was out of money, and required a small loan to enable him to go back and prepare for his journey, and of course he would send me the money the moment he arrived in New York. I wrote a cheque for the amount he named, with which Lieutenant or Captain Scott departed; and my suspicions were rather aroused by seeing him beckon a remarkably ill-favoured person at the other side of the way, who crossed over and inspected the little slip of paper held out for his approbation, and then, taking his friend under the arm, walked off rapidly towards the bank.

The papers still continue to abuse me fante de mieux; there are essays written about me; I am threatened with several farces; I have been lectured upon at Willard’s by a professor of rhetoric; and I am a stock subject with the leaden penny funny journals, for articles and caricatures. Yesterday I was abused on the ground that I spoke badly of those who treated me hospitably. The man who wrote the words knew they were false, because I have been most careful in my correspondence to avoid anything of the kind. A favourite accusation, indeed, which Americans make against foreigners is, “that they have abused our hospitality,” which oftentimes consists in permitting them to live in the country at all at their own expense, paying their way at hotels and elsewhere, without the smallest suspicion that they were receiving any hospitality whatever.

To-day, for instance, there comes a lively corporal of artillery, John Robinson, who quotes Sismondi, Guizot, and others, to prove that I am the worst man in the world; but his fiercest invectives are directed against me on the ground that I speak well of those people who give me dinners; the fact being, since I came to America, that I have given at least as many dinners to Americans as I have received from them.

Just as I was sitting down to my desk for the remainder of the day, a sound caught my ear which, repeated again and again, could not be mistaken by accustomed organs, and placing my face close to the windows, I perceived the glass vibrate to the distant discharge of cannon, which, evidently, did not proceed from a review or a salute. Unhappy man that I am! here is Walker lame, and my other horse carried off by the West-country captain. However, the sounds were so close that in a few moments I was driving off towards the Chain Bridge, taking the upper road, as that by the canal has become a sea of mud filled with deep holes.

In the windows, on the house-tops, even to the ridges partially overlooking Virginia, people were standing in high excitement, watching the faint puffs of, smoke which rose at intervals above the tree-tops, and at every report a murmur—exclamations of “There, do you hear that?”—ran through the crowd. The driver, as excited as any one else, urged his horses at full speed, and we arrived at the Chain Bridge just as General McCall—a white haired, rather military-looking old man—appeared at the head of his column, hurrying down to the Chain Bridge from the Maryland side, to reinforce Smith, who was said to be heavily engaged with the enemy. But by this time the firing had ceased, and just as the artillery of the General’s column commenced defiling through the mud, into which the guns sank to the naves of the wheels, the head of another column appeared, entering the bridge from the Virginia side with loud cheers, which were taken up again and again. The carriage was halted to allow the 2nd Wisconsin to pass; and a more broken-down, white-faced, sick, and weakly set of poor wretches I never beheld. The heavy rains had washed the very life out of them; their clothing was in rags, their shoes were broken, and multitudes were foot-sore. They cheered, nevertheless, or whooped, and there was a tremendous clatter of tongues in the ranks concerning their victory; but, as the men’s faces and hands were not blackened by powder, they could have seen little of the engagement. Captain Poe came along with dispatches for General McClellan, and gave me a correct account of the affair.

All this noise and firing and excitement, I found, simply arose out of a reconnaissance made towards Lewinsville, by Smith and a part of his brigade, to beat up the enemy’s position, and enable the topographical engineers to procure some information respecting the country. The Confederates worked down upon their left flank with artillery, which they got into position at an easy range without being observed, intending, no doubt, to cut off their retreat and capture or destroy the whole force; but, fortunately for the reconnoitring party, the impatience of their enemies led them to open fire too soon. The Federals got their guns into position also, and covered their retreat, whilst reinforcements poured out of camp to their assistance, “and I doubt not,” said Poe, “but that they will have an encounter of a tremendous scalping match in all the papers to-morrow, although we have only six or seven men killed, and twelve wounded.” As we approached Washington the citizens, as they are called, were waving Federal banners out of the windows and rejoicing in a great victory; at least, the inhabitants of the inferior sort of houses. Respectability in Washington means Secession.

Mr. Monson told me that my distressed young British subject, Captain Scott, had called on him at the Legation early this morning for the little pecuniary help which had been, I fear, wisely refused there, and which was granted by me. The States have become, indeed, more than ever the cloacina gentium, and Great Britain contributes its full quota to the stream.

Thus time passes away in expectation of some onward movement, or desperate attack, or important strategical movements; and night comes to reassemble a few friends, Americans and English, at my rooms or elsewhere, to talk over the disappointed hopes of the day, to speculate on the future, to chide each dull delay, and to part with a hope that to-morrow would be more lively than to-day. Major-General Bell, who commanded the Royals in the Crimea, and who has passed some half century in active service, turned up in Washington, and has been courteously received by the American authorities. He joined to-night one of our small reunions, and was infinitely puzzled to detect the lines which separated one man’s country and opinions from those of the other.

Post image for “The report tonight is that there has been a very smart skirmish near the chain Bridge which is three miles above Georgetown.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“The report tonight is that there has been a very smart skirmish near the chain Bridge which is three miles above Georgetown.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

September 11, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

WEDNESDAY 11

Was at the Pat office this morning with Doct D, visited the Hospital there. Called upon Mr Seward, got letter of introduction from him to Mr Chase, could not see Mr C today. There has been heavy firing over the river all the afternoon. The report tonight is that there has been a very smart skirmish near the chain Bridge which is three miles above Georgetown. I was at Willards this evening but could hear no definite account, but large bodies of troops have gone up that way and we may have a battle tomorrow.

______

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 feel much encouraged about the war; things are every way looking better.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

“I feel much encouraged about the war; things are every way looking better.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

September 11, 2011

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Gauley River, 8 Miles South Of Summersville,

September 11, 1861.

Dear Lucy: — Well, darling, we have had our first battle, and the enemy have fled precipitately. I say “we,” although it is fair to say that our brigade, consisting of the Twenty-third, the Thirtieth (Colonel Ewing), and Mack’s Battery had little or nothing to do, except to stand as a reserve. The only exception to this was four companies of the Twenty-third, Captains Sperry, Howard, Zimmerman, and Woodward, under my command, who were detailed to make an independent movement. I had one man wounded and four others hit in their clothing and accoutrements. You will have full accounts of the general fight in the papers. My little detachment did as much real work — hard work — as anybody. We crept down and up a steep rocky mountain, on our hands and knees part of the time, through laurel thickets almost impenetrable, until dark. At one time I got so far ahead in the struggle that I had but three men. I finally gathered them by a halt, although a part were out all night. We were near half an hour listening to the cannon and musketry, waiting for our turn to come.

You have often heard of the feelings of men in the interval between the order of battle and the attack. Matthews, myself, and others were rather jocose in our talk, and my actual feeling was very similar to what I have when going into an important trial — not different nor more intense. I thought of you and the boys and the other loved ones, but there was no such painful feeling as is sometimes described. I doubted the success of the attack and with good reason and in good company. The truth is, our enemy is very industrious and ingenious in contriving ambuscades and surprises and entrenchments but they lack pluck. They expect to win, and too often do win, by superior strategy and cunning. Their entrenchments and works were of amazing extent. During the whole fight we rarely saw a man. Most of the firing was done at bushes and log and earth barricades.

We withdrew at dark, the attacking brigades having suffered a good deal from the enemy and pretty severely from one of those deplorable mistakes which have so frequently happened in this war — viz., friends attacking friends. The Tenth and Twenty-eighth (Irish and Second German of Cincinnati) fired on each other and charged doing much mischief. My detachment was in danger from the same cause. I ran upon the Twenty-eighth, neither seeing the other until within a rod. We mutually recognized, however, although it was a mutual surprise. It so happened, curiously enough, that I was the extreme right man of my body and Markbreit the left man of his. We had a jolly laugh and introductions to surrounding officers as partners, etc.

The enemy were thoroughly panic-stricken by the solid volleys of McCook’s Ninth and the rifled cannon of Smith’s Thirteenth. The Tenth suffered most. The enemy probably began their flight by a secret road soon after dark, leaving flag, ammunition, trunks, arms, stores, etc., etc., but no dead or wounded. Bowie knives, awful to look at, but no account in war; I have one. One wagon-load of family stuff — a good Virginia plain family — was left. They were spinning, leaving rolls of wool, knitting, and making bedquilts. I enclose a piece; also a pass — all queer.

They [the enemy] crossed the Gauley River and are said to be fortifying on the other side. We shall probably pursue. Indeed, Colonel Matthews and [with] four of our companies is now dogging them. We shall probably fight again but not certainly.

I have no time to write to other friends. The men are now talking to me. Besides, I want to sleep. Dearest, I think of you and the dear ones first, last, and all the time. I feel much encouraged about the war; things are every way looking better. We are in the midst of the serious part of a campaign. Goodbye, dearest. Pass this letter around — bad as it is. I have no time to write to all. I must sleep. On Sunday last, I rode nineteen hours, fifty to sixty miles, crossed a stream with more water than the Sandusky at this season at Mr. Valette’s from thirty to forty times — wet above my knees all the time and no sleep for thirty-six hours; so “excuse haste and a bad pen”, as Uncle says.

Affectionately,

R. B. Hayes.

P. S. — Joe and his capital assistants are trumps.

Mrs. Hayes.

“Money is getting scarce, gold having been out of circulation so long that people have forgotten how it looks, and merchants say that it will not be long until silver goes the same way.”–Alexander G. Downing.

Post image for “Money is getting scarce, gold having been out of circulation so long that people have forgotten how it looks, and merchants say that it will not be long until silver goes the same way.”–Alexander G. Downing.

September 11, 2011

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry,The American Civil War

Wednesday, 11th—I went up to the Fair Grounds and spent the day there. The attendance was good, there being about two thousand present.

Business is becoming quite dull. The war seems to put a stop to all improvements, and there is no demand for farm produce. Money is getting scarce, gold having been out of circulation so long that people have forgotten how it looks, and merchants say that it will not be long until silver goes the same way. For a long time now we have had wild-cat money, but everybody is afraid to go to sleep with any of it on hand for fear that it will be worthless in the morning.

“These reports of victories are very unreliable affairs.”–Journal of Surgeon Alfred L. Castleman.

September 11, 2011

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

Post image for “These reports of victories are very unreliable affairs.”–Journal of Surgeon Alfred L. Castleman.

11th.—Had some skirmishing to-day. Took some prisoners, who state that within twelve miles of us is the center of operations of about one hundred thousand rebels, who are preparing to attack us and march on Washington. This, if true, falsifies all the predictions of this journal, that there is no considerable force of the enemy in front of us, and that we shall have no general engagement here. Nevertheless, my opinion is unchanged.

This morning quite a body of troops, infantry, cavalry and artillery, passed us, on the road going in the direction of where the enemy are supposed to be. By twelve o’clock artillery firing was distinctly heard some four miles in the direction which they took. In the afternoon we were hurriedly called to march to the support of our retreating men.

We met them about two miles this side of where the fight was. They claim to have gained a great victory, but they brought in no prisoners, no guns captured. Why was that. These reports of victories are very unreliable affairs. All kinds of stories are going through the camp, but I shall record none of them till they have assumed a shape worthy to be remembered.

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

September 11, 2011

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

September 11.—Six rebels from Memphis, Mo., some of whom were identified as having served under Green, were arrested to-day near Salem, Iowa. They had with them a drove of one hundred and eighty cattle, which they said was for Chicago; the men were held as prisoners at Mount Pleasant.—N. Y. Herald, Sept. 13.

—A large party started out at seven o’clock this morning from the vicinity of the Chain Bridge, above Washington, under the command of Colonel Stevens, of the New York Highlanders. It consisted of several detached companies of infantry, a company of cavalry, and Captain Griffin’s battery. As the skirmishers advanced, the enemy’s pickets retired beyond Lewinsville, about seven miles from the Chain Bridge. The troops, having accomplished the object of their mission connected with the reconnoissance of the country, began to retrace their steps, when a large force of rebels, consisting of two regiments of infantry and Colonel Stuart’s regiment of Virginia cavalry, with a battery of four pieces, were seen approaching from the direction of Falls Church, evidently with a view of cutting them off and preventing their return to their camp; and line of battle was formed by the remainder of their forces. The rebel battery then opened with shell, which was replied to from Griffin’s battery. Several rounds were fired on each side, when the National troops ceased firing for about twenty minutes, in order to give the rebels an opportunity, which they would not embrace, of meeting them on the field—the rebels being for the greater part concealed in the woods. The National forces, on resuming operations, brought into action a thirty-two pounder, the shell from which soon silenced the rebel battery. The gun was then directed toward the cavalry, which appeared on the road leading to Fall’s Church, and soon sent them flying, a number reeling from their saddles and falling to the ground. The shells exploded in their midst. The command was then given to withdraw, and the Federal column fell back in good order to Chain Bridge, reaching there late in the afternoon.—(Doc. 42.)

—Thc Legislature of Kentucky adopted a resolution directing the Governor to issue a proclamation ordering the rebel troops encamped in that State to evacuate the soil of Kentucky. The resolution was passed by seventy-one yeas against twenty-six nays. A counter resolution, ordering both Union and rebel troops to leave the soil, was negatived under the rules of order. This action of the Legislature demonstrates the loyalty of Kentucky to the Union, without the slightest shadow of question or contradiction.

—Collector Palmer, at Stonington, Conn., this day seized the bark Cavallo from New York, Captain Washington. The schooner R. Fowler of New York, Captain Eldridge, was seized on the 9th. Beth vessels were taken under the confiscation act.

—Colonel James W. Wall, at Burlington, N. J., was arrested this afternoon by the United States Marshal, and taken to New York by the afternoon train. The arrest produced most intense excitement among the people, as Colonel Vail had been a leading man for many years.—Trenton Gazette, September 12.

—Charles Henry Foster, claiming to be a Congressman-elect from North Carolina, called upon the President, and tendered the services of a brigade of loyalists for the war.—N. Y. Herald, September 12.

—Paducah, Ky., being occupied by United States troops, the Postmaster-General directed its late mail facilities to be reestablished. They were cut off because the mails were tampered with there and in that vicinity by the secessionists.—National Intelligencer, September 11.

—The First Massachusetts regiment, under command of Colonel Cowdin, two companies of General Sickles’ New York Brigade, and two companies of Colonel Young’s Kentucky Cavalry, passed through Upper Marlboro, Md., and crossed the Patuxent into Anne Arundel County.—Baltimore American, September 18.

—With the view to promoting the health and comfort of the troops in and near St. Louis, Gen. Fremont appointed a Sanitary Committee of five gentlemen who shall serve voluntarily and be rewarded at the pleasure of the General. The object of this commission shall be to carry out such sanitary regulations and reforms as the well-being of the soldiers demands. It shall have authority, under directions of the medical director, to select and fit up and furnish suitable buildings for the army and brigade hospitals in places and in such manner as circumstances require, attend to the selection of women and nurses under the authority of Miss Dix, to cooperate with the surgeons of the various hospitals in finding male nurses, to consult with the commanding and regimental officers with regard to sanitary and general condition of troops and aid them in providing proper means for the preservation of health and preventing sickness by wholesome and well-cooked food, and obtain from the community at large such additional means of increasing the comforts, promoting the moral and social welfare of the men in camp and hospital as may be needed and cannot be furnished by Government regulations. The committee is not intended to interfere with the medical staff or other officers of the army, but to cooperate with them and aid them in the discharge of their present arduous duties.— Louisville Journal, September 13.

—The President issued a letter to Gen. Fremont, stating that the General’s late proclamation relating to the emancipation of the slaves of rebel owners must be interpreted in conformity with the recent act of Congress bearing on the question.—(Doc. 43.)

——-

Late addition to Volume 3:

 

September 7.—The Richmond Examiner of this day gives the following on the rebel commands in Virginia: The armies of Gen. Johnston and Beauregard have been temporarily combined, and styled the “Army of the Potomac.” While united for certain purposes, they are still distinct as ever in their organization and in the details of command. General Beauregard is at the head of the first corps and Gen. Johnston of the second. While the latter is the ranking officer of seniority of appointment, and could, according to regulation, assume entire command of the army, yet, with that deference for the feelings and soldierly reputation of his illustrious comrade, he has waived the right and remits to him the full enjoyment of all the authority and prerogative which he had anterior to his own arrival at Manassas. The commands are in all essentials distinct, and no order of a general character is ever issued by General Johnston without full and free interchange of opinion with General Beauregard. To say that this conduct is not appreciated by General Beauregard would do gross injustice to that gallant officer, and it gives us pleasure to inform our readers that nothing can exceed the mutual feeling of affection, respect, and confidence existing between our two distinguished Generals. There is no clashing of authority, no contention, no heart-burning. Every thing moves on in the army with the most perfect accord and good feeling. Nothing additional is reported as to movements on the Potomac. Our troops are steadily fortifying their advanced positions, and extending their lines in every direction. Regiments go down daily as reliefs to these on duty in the advance, so as to distribute the hardships of the forward positions. Meanwhile the whole army is on the alert. Nothing can exceed the enthusiasm of these troops or their anxiety for battle. A few days since the balloon came over in the direction of Munson Hill, where Captain Rosser, of the Louisiana Artillery, had several rifled pieces. When about a mile off, he fired at it, without disturbing its occupants. Sighting another of his pieces with more care, he repeated the experiment with a better result. This time the balloon disappeared earthwards with startling rapidity, and has not been seen since.

Post image for “We are now marching over the same road and in the same direction…”–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

“We are now marching over the same road and in the same direction…”–Richard R. Hancock, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

September 10, 2011

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

Tuesday, 10th.—After a march of about sixteen miles, our company (E) went into camp within three miles of Jamestown.

We are now marching over the same road and in the same direction that we did in August. The other two companies are coming on. I suppose that we were separated as a matter of convenience in procuring forage for our horses.

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

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

September 10, 2011

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

Tuesday, 10th—I went down town this morning to see about enlisting in a battery which Mr. Little, a business man of Davenport, is trying to raise. He was planning to raise a company of two hundred men to command a battery of heavy cannon. But before night I made up my mind that he would not succeed, and I did not enlist in it. I bunked with some others in vacant store buildings, lying on gunny sacks. It rained hard all day.

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →