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

Post image for “We have just been looking at the signal lights at the camps over the river and answered at the Camps back of the City. It is the Calcium light apparently, and very brilliant.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“We have just been looking at the signal lights at the camps over the river and answered at the Camps back of the City. It is the Calcium light apparently, and very brilliant.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

July 13, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

SATURDAY 13

A cool rainy day, woolen clothes comfortable. In the office all day as usual, a crowd of soldiers in the office every day. Troops are pushing over the River now rapidly, and a crisis appears to be approaching. We have just been looking at the signal lights at the camps over the river and answered at the Camps back of the City. It is the Calcium light apparently, and very brilliant. Saw the Dress parade of the 27th. Capt Adams came home and took tea with us. I sent the “Lyons boys” a basket of onions this evening to eat with their bacon, they were much pleased with the present. The “boys” are all well.

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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 Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

July 13, 2011

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

JULY 13TH.—The Secretary made peace yesterday between the general and the colonel, or a duel might have transpired.

To-day the colonel carried into the Secretary a number of applications for commissions as surgeons. Among the applicants were some of the colonel’s friends. He returned soon after in a rage, slamming the door after him, and then throwing down the papers violently on the floor. He picked them up the next moment, however, and sitting down beside me, became instantaneously as gentle as a dove. He said the men of science were thrust aside to give way to quacks; but, laughing, he remarked that the quacks would do well enough for the wounded——. Our men would have too much sense to submit to their malpractice.

“Yesterday, as we left the cars, we had a glimpse of war. It was the saddest sight: the memory of it is hard to shake off—sick soldiers, not wounded ones.”— Mary Chesnut’s Diary.”

July 13, 2011

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

Post image for “Yesterday, as we left the cars, we had a glimpse of war. It was the saddest sight: the memory of it is hard to shake off—sick soldiers, not wounded ones.”— Mary Chesnut’s Diary.”

RICHMOND, Va., July 13, 1861.—Now we feel safe and comfortable. We can not be flanked. Mr. Preston met us at Warrenton. Mr. Chesnut doubtless had too many spies to receive from Washington, galloping in with the exact numbers of the enemy done up in their back hair.

Wade Hampton is here; Doctor Nott also—Nott and Glyddon known to fame. Everybody is here, en route for the army, or staying for the meeting of Congress.

Lamar is out on crutches. His father-in-law, once known only as the humorist Longstreet,¹ author of Georgia Scenes, now a staid Methodist, who has outgrown the follies of his youth, bore him off to-day. They say Judge Longstreet has lost the keen sense of fun that illuminated his life in days of yore. Mrs. Lamar and her daughter were here.

The President met us cordially, but he laughed at our sudden retreat, with baggage lost, etc. He tried to keep us from going; said it was a dangerous experiment. Dare say he knows more about the situation of things than he chooses to tell us.

To-day in the drawing-room, saw a vivandière in the flesh. She was in the uniform of her regiment, but wore Turkish pantaloons. She frisked about in her hat and feathers; did not uncover her head as a man would have done; played the piano; and sang war-songs. She had no drum, but she gave us rataplan. She was followed at every step by a mob of admiring soldiers and boys.

Yesterday, as we left the cars, we had a glimpse of war. It was the saddest sight: the memory of it is hard to shake off—sick soldiers, not wounded ones. There were quite two hundred (they said) lying about as best they might on the platform. Robert Barnwell² was there doing all he could. Their pale, ghastly faces! So here is one of the horrors of war we had not reckoned on. There were many good men and women with Robert Barnwell, rendering all the service possible in the circumstances.

Just now I happened to look up and saw Mr. Chesnut with a smile on his face watching me from the passageway. I flew across the room, and as I got half-way saw Mrs. Davis touch him on the shoulder. She said he was to go at once into Mr. Davis’s room, where General Lee and General Cooper were. After he left us, Mrs. Davis told me General Beauregard had sent Mr. Chesnut here on some army business.

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¹ Augustus Baldwin Longstreet had great distinction in the South as a lawyer, clergyman, teacher, journalist, and author, and was successively president of five different colleges. His Georgia Scenes, a series of humorous papers, enjoyed great popularity for many years.

² Rev. Robert Barnwell, nephew of Hon. Robert Barnwell, established in Richmond a hospital for South Carolinians.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – July 13, 1861

A Diary of American Events – July 13, 1861

July 13, 2011

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

—John B. Clark, member of the House of Representatives from Missouri, was expelled from that body, having been found in arms against the United States Government, and in active part with the rebels under Governor Jackson, in the late battle of Booneville, Missouri.

—Joseph Holt addressed the citizens of Louisville, Ky., this day. His speech was a triumph for the Government of the Union. He called forth in expressive outbursts the popular consciousness that the Government of the United States, which has so long protected and blessed all its citizens, is now itself in need of protection and blessing from them; and in this hour of its peril calls for, and has the right to call for, the earnest and absolute support of all who still profess allegiance to it. An eminently distinguished Kentuckian, an old and highly honored resident of Louisville, an illustrious patriot, faithful to his country and to his oath amidst untold embarrassments, Joseph Holt was listened to by the vast gathering of his Kentucky friends with the profoundest respect and the most rapturous approval; and the more emphatic and unqualified the orator’s declarations of devotion to the Union and the Government, and the stronger his appeals for Kentucky to do her whole duty and contribute her whole strength to the Administration in its heroic struggle to save the Government and restore the Union, the louder and longer was the universal applause.—National Intelligencer, July 20.—(Doc. 90.)

—General Polk issued a general order from his head-quarters, at Memphis, Tenn., to-day on the occasion of assuming the command of the Mississippi division of the rebel army. He says that “justice will triumph, and an earnest of this triumph is already beheld in the mighty uprising of the whole Southern heart.”— (Doc. 95.)

Post image for “It was the finest drill and parade I ever saw. Secy of War was there. There were two Regts or about 2200 men.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“It was the finest drill and parade I ever saw. Secy of War was there. There were two Regts or about 2200 men.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

July 12, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1861.

A pleasant cool day and apparently much enjoyed by all. A great many soldiers moveing, some just coming into the City, some going into camp back of the City, and some marching for Virginia. The Union Regt Col Slocum, Ny Y [sic] 27th Regt Volunteers, came in last night and occupy the camp on Franklin Square. The Lyons Co, Capt A D Adams, is along; the men all look well. Went with Julia to the RI Camp. It was the finest drill and parade I ever saw. Secy of War was there. There were two Regts or about 2200 men.

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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.

William Howard Russell’s Diary: Rumours about M’Clellan

July 12, 2011

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

Post image for William Howard Russell’s Diary: Rumours about M’Clellan

July 12th.—There are rumours that the Federals, under Brigadier M’Clellan, who have advanced into Western Virginia, have gained some successes; but so far it seems to have no larger dimensions than the onward raid of one clan against another in the Highlands. And whence do rumours come? From Government departments, which, like so many Danaes in the clerks’ rooms, receive the visits of the auriferous Jupiters of the press, who condense themselves into purveyors of smashes, slings, baskets of champagne, and dinners. M’Clellan is, however, considered a very steady and respectable professional soldier. A friend of his told me to-day one of the most serious complaints the Central Illinois Company had against him was that, during the Italian war, he seemed to forget their business; and that he was busied with maps stretched out on the floor, whereupon he, superincumbent, penned out the points of battle and strategy when he ought to have been attending to passenger trains and traffic. That which was flat blasphemy in a railway office may be amazingly approved in the field.

Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

July 12, 2011

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

Post image for Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

JULY 12TH.—The colonel’s temper is as variable as an April day—now all smiles and sunshine, but by-and-by a cloud takes all away. He becomes impatient with a long-winded story, told by some business applicant—and storms whenever any one asks him if the Secretary is in.

To-day, for the first time, I detected a smile on the lip of Col. Myers, the Quartermaster-General, as he passed through the office. A moment after, Gen. Walker, of Georgia, came in, and addressed the colonel thus

“Is the Secretary in?”

Col. (with a stare). I don’t know.

Gen. W. (returning the stare). Could you not ascertain for me? I have important business with him; and am here by appointment.

Col. B. You can ascertain for yourself. I am not his door-keeper. There is his door.

Gen. W. (after a moment’s reflection). I asked you a civil question in a courteous manner, and have not deserved this harshness, and will not submit to it.

Col. B. It is not courteous to presume I am acting in the capacity of a messenger or door-keeper.

Just then the Secretary appeared at the door, having heard the loud language, and Gen. W. immediately entered his office.

Afterward the colonel fumed and fretted like an angry volcano. He disliked Col. Myers, and believed he had sent the general in under prompting to annoy him about the Secretary, whom he (Myers) really hated.

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

A Diary of American Events – July 12, 1861

July 12, 2011

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

—Last night, after the battle at Rich Mountain, Colonel Pegram, who was in command, withdrew from the fort near Beverly, leaving behind six guns, a largo number of horses,wagons, and camp equipage.—(Doc. 85.)

—J. P. Benjamin, Attorney-General of the Confederate States of America, issued a circular of instruction to Marshals in relation to prisoners of war, and persons captured at sea, as follows:—

1. All persons captured at sea and placed in custody of the Marshals, are at once to be confined in such manner as to prevent their obtaining any information which could be made useful to the enemy.

2. All persons captured on board of vessels (whether armed or unarmed) employed in the public service of the United States, are to be considered as prisoners of war. All persons employed in the service of the enemy, are to be considered as prisoners of war even when captured on unarmed vessels not employed in the public service of the enemy.

Persons captured on private unarmed vessels, and not employed in the public service of the enemy, are not prisoners of war.

3. As soon as the Marshal shall have received into custody persons captured at sea, he shall make out a list of their names, rank, and position, and submit one copy thereof to the judge of the court, and another to the captors or their proctor, for the purpose of designating such as are to be detained as witnesses.

4. After separating those who are to be detained in confinement as witnesses, the Marshal will at once deliver to the commander of the nearest military post all the prisoners of war; and will transport to the frontier and place beyond the limits of the Confederacy all such alien enemies as are not prisoners of war. —Baltimore American, July 22.

—This evening a detachment of three companies of Colonel Woodruffs Second Kentucky Regiment attacked six hundred rebels between Mad River and Barboursville, on the Kanawha River, Western Virginia, completely routing them. Ten or twelve rebels were killed and a number wounded. The Kentuckians had one killed.—(Doc. 85.)

—To-day the ladies of Martinsburg, Virginia, presented to the Second Wisconsin Regiment a beautiful National ensign. Coming as it does from the people of a State which has been declared out of the Union by her constituted authorities, the regiment received the donation with peculiar sensations of pleasure. The flag was presented with the following remarks :

Soldiers of the Wisconsin Regiment:—We have met this bright and beautiful morning to present to you this emblem of our national glory as a token of our high regard for you and our cause; we welcome you into our midst bearing the flag of our glorious country, trusting in God; this flag has protected the oppressed of all lands, who have sought its shelter, and so long as this flag shall wave the oppressed shall be free. Believing from what you have already accomplished, it will never be disgraced in your hands you will accept this token from the ladies of Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia.—Baltimore American, July 23.

—The Senate of the United States passed the bill, which had previously passed the House, to provide for the collection of duties in such ports as are situated within States, or parts of a State refusing obedience to the ordinary revenue laws of the nation.

In such cases it is ordered by this new act that the Surveyors at the several ports shall be subject to all the obligations and provided with all the subordinate officers of Collectors, and that all the general provisions of law regulating trade and commerce shall apply to such ports in the same manner as they do to ports of entry established by the laws now in force.

The President is also authorized to direct that the custom-house for any district in which the collection of the customs in the ordinary way is obstructed, may be established in any secure place within such district, or on shipboard near the coast. Provision is also made for enforcing the regulations of Congress under this head. In cases where these extraordinary means maybe found unavailing for the purpose of protecting the public revenue, the President is authorized, by proclamation, to close such ports of entry; and any ship undertaking to disregard such proclamation is rendered liable to forfeiture.

Another section of the bill directs that all commercial intercourse between other portions of the Union and States, or parts of States, declared to be in insurrection, according to the terms of the act of 1795, shall cease and be unlawful so long as such condition of hostility exists.—National Intelligencer, July 13.

—The Thirty-sixth Regiment N. Y. S. V., commanded by Colonel Charles S. Innes, departed from Riker’s Island, direct for Washington.—N. Y. Times, July 13.

—In the House of Representatives at Washington, Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, offered a preamble and resolution, declaring vacant the seats of such members as have accepted commands in the militia of their several States, which occasioned a lively passage of words between various representatives, when the matter was tabled by ninety-two votes to fifty-one.

—Colonel Pegram, the commander of the rebel forces, near Beverly, Virginia, surrendered to General McClellan. This morning he sent a messenger to the Federal camp at Huttonsville, Va., stating that he, with six hundred men, would surrender as prisoners of war. They were nearly starved, and as Gen. Garnett was flying from Laurel Hill, to which point he was flying, he had no chance to escape. Gen. McClellan required an unconditional surrender. To this Col. Pegram was obliged to submit, and, with his whole force, was disarmed and marched into Beverly. Lieut.-Col. Cantwell, with a part of the Ohio Fourth Regiment, received their arms and took them in charge. His army was composed of the flower of Eastern Virginia, and contained among its curiosities a Professor in Hampden Sidney College, with a company of his students. Col. Pegram is a West Point graduate, a brave man, and has only left the United States array within a few months. Gen. Garnett, who is now flying with his whole force of six thousand men, is also a graduate of West Point, and was the commandant there a few years ago.—(Doc. 87.)

section of West Virginia, July 12, 1861

—The Galveston (Texas) Civilian, of to-day, contains the following:—”The San Antonio Ledger has late advices from New Mexico. Brigadier-General F. B. Stanton has arrived and organized two regiments for Lincoln’s service. The first regiment is commanded by Ceran St. Train, Colonel. The Second Regiment is commanded by Miguel Pino, Colonel, and Manuel Chara, Lieutenant-Colonel. The Fifth and Seventh Regular Infantry have orders to march to the States. So we may look for trouble in New Mexico.”

Post image for J. B. Jones diary at the Rebel War Office.—”The colonel… remarked to-day that if he was to have nothing to do, he would do nothing.”

J. B. Jones diary at the Rebel War Office.—”The colonel… remarked to-day that if he was to have nothing to do, he would do nothing.”

July 11, 2011

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

JULY 11TH.—The colonel tried his hand to-day at dictating answers to certain letters. Together we pitched upon the proper replies, which, after being marked with his pencil, I elaborated with the pen. These were first approved by the Secretary, then signed by the Chief of the Bureau, and copied by Mr. Scott.

To-day the colonel essayed a flight with his own plumage. I followed his dictation substantially in the answers. But the moment the Secretary’s eyes rested upon them, they were promptly reversed. The Secretary himself, suspecting how it was, indeed he saw the colonel’s pencil marks, brought them to me, while a humorous smile played upon his usually not very expressive lip. When the colonel came in, and beheld what had been done, he groaned, and requested me to write the proper answers. From that day he ceased to have anything more to do with the correspondence than to sign his name to the letters I prepared for him. He remarked to-day that if he was to have nothing to do, he would do nothing.

Post image for “Rumors of fighting West and also of the Retreat of the Rebels from Fairfax Court House.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“Rumors of fighting West and also of the Retreat of the Rebels from Fairfax Court House.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

July 11, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

THURSDAY 11

This has been a cool delightful day with a little rain just before night, just enough to again prevent our proposed visit to the R.I. Camp. I went out and saw the Regt of Col Small parade, it is from Penn. More Removals in the Office today, one Examr (Reed)[?] and three or four Clerks. Rumors of fighting West and also of the Retreat of the Rebels from Fairfax Court House. We shall know tomorrow. More troops come every day, and go into camp back of us.

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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.

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