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

Post image for Horatio Nelson Taft

Horatio Nelson Taft

May 16, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1861.

The weather has been fine today and nothing in particular has occured to vary the past routine in the office. My health is excellent this spring. I have made use of cherry bitters occasionaly and perhaps it has kept off my usual billious attack at this season of the year. Attended the Parade on Franklin Square this evening. Called down to Willards for an hour, bot the NY papers, and came home about 9, read the “Times,” bed at 11.

______

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 “There are a thousand men here who want us for their officers.”—Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes

“There are a thousand men here who want us for their officers.”—Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes

May 16, 2011

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

CINCINNATI, May 16, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE:—I have got your favor of the 14th. . . . You say nothing about my going into the war. I have been fishing for your opinion in several of my late letters. Unless you speak soon, you may be too late.

My new business arrangement and my prospects, bad as times are, are evidently good. Whenever other lawyers have business, I shall easily make all that is needed; but still, as Billy Rogers writes me, “This is a holy war,” and if a fair chance opens, I shall go in; if a fair chance don’t open, I shall, perhaps, take measures to open one. So don’t be taken by surprise if you hear of my soldiering. All the family have been sounded, and there will be no troublesome opposition.

In view of contingencies, I don’t like to leave home to visit you just now. I shall be able to leave money to support the family a year or two, without reckoning on my pay. Events move fast these days.

Since writing the foregoing, Judge [Stanley] Matthews called, and we have agreed to go to Columbus to lay the ropes for a regiment. There are a thousand men here who want us for their officers.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

Post image for Now I am glad that such a man should go.

Now I am glad that such a man should go.

May 16, 2011

Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Note from Mrs. Professor Smith.

My dear Mrs. Howland: I thank you very much for the beautiful flowers, which are a great delight to us all, and I thank you especially for thinking of our pleasure when your heart must have been so full. I could hardly be reconciled at first to Mr. Howland’s going, but now I am glad that such a man should go. Surely the cause is worthy of the best and noblest, and he will have the same Protector there as at home, and the constant loving prayers of many hearts will be like a shield of defence.

Post image for Rebel War Clerk

Rebel War Clerk

May 16, 2011

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

MAY 16th. —Met John Tyler, Jr., to-day, who, with his native cordiality, proffered his services with zeal and earnestness. He introduced me at once to Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary of War, and insisted upon presenting me to the President the next day. Major Tyler had recently been commissioned in the army, but is now detailed to assist the Secretary of War in his correspondence. The major is favorably known in the South as the author of several Southern essays of much power that have been published in a Review, signed “Python.”

The principal hotel is the Exchange, as in Richmond; the entrance to the bar, reading-room, etc. is by a flight of stairs from the street to the second story, with stores underneath. Here there is an incessant influx of strangers coming from all directions on business with the new government. But the prevalent belief is that the government itself will soon travel to Richmond. The buildings here will be insufficient in magnitude for the transaction of the rapidly increasing business.

Post image for “Federal troops quartered in Baltimore. Poor Maryland!”—Diary of a Southern Refugee.

“Federal troops quartered in Baltimore. Poor Maryland!”—Diary of a Southern Refugee.

May 16, 2011

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire,The American Civil War

May 16.—To-day I am alone. Mr. _____ has gone to Richmond to the Convention, and so have the Bishop and Dr. S. I have promised to spend my nights with Mrs. J. All is quiet around us. Federal troops quartered in Baltimore. Poor Maryland! The North has its heel upon her, and how it grinds her! I pray that we may have peaceful secession.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – May 16, 1861

A Diary of American Events – May 16, 1861

May 16, 2011

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

—A letter upon the Virginia election was written by Senator Mason of that State, in which he says, that “the ordinance of secession” (not yet voted upon by the people of Virginia) “annulled the Constitution and laws of the United States within that State, and absolved the citizens of Virginia from all obligation and obedience to them;” and that if it be now rejected by the people, Virginia must “change sides,” and “turn her arms against her Southern sisters.” Moreover, that ordinance brought into Virginia several thousand soldiers of the Confederate army, and thus the faith of Virginia is pledged to it, for if it be rejected, their soldiers will merely have been entrapped. —(Doc. 170.)

—The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser, of today, says that the various accounts about hundreds of letters of marque having been granted by the War Department of the Southern Confederacy, and that thousands of applications are already on file, is a gross error. Applications for that business are made to the collectors of the different ports, and not to the department at Montgomery, where none have been received. A number of applications have been made to the collectors of New Orleans, Mobile, and other Southern ports.

—General Butler was serenaded at the National Hotel in Washington, and in response made a happy speech upon the war, and the position of Massachusetts in it.—(Doc. 171.)

—Upon the opening of the U. S. Circuit Court at Boston, Judge Sprague charged the Grand Jury upon the crime of piracy.—(Doc. 172.)

—The Second Regiment of Maine volunteer militia passed through New York, on their way to the seat of war. Previous to their departure the natives of Maine, resident in the city, presented the regiment with an American flag; the presentation being made at the City Hall, in the presence of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.—(Doc. 173.)

—A correspondence between Gov. Andrews of Mass., and Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, relative to the proposed suppression by the latter of a slave insurrection, is published.—(Doc. 174.)

—Brigadier-Generals Butler and McClellan were appointed Major-Generals.—N. Y. News, May 17.

—Secretary Seward declares it treason to accept from the government of a Southern State the proffered price of vessels previously seized. —(Doc. 174½)

Post image for “We sit at our windows, and see the bosom of our own Potomac covered with the sails of vessels employed by the enemies of our peace.”—Diary of a Southern Refugee.

“We sit at our windows, and see the bosom of our own Potomac covered with the sails of vessels employed by the enemies of our peace.”—Diary of a Southern Refugee.

May 15, 2011

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire,The American Civil War

May 15.—Busy every moment of time packing up, that our furniture may be safely put away in case of a sudden removal. The parlor furniture has been rolled into the Laboratory, and covered, to keep it from injury; the books are packed up; the pictures put away with care; house linen locked up, and all other things made as secure as possible. We do not hope to remove many things, but to prevent their ruin. We are constantly told that a large army would do great injury if quartered near us; therefore we want to put things out of the reach of the soldiers, for I have no idea that officers would allow them to break locks, or that they would allow our furniture to be interfered with. We have a most unsettled feeling—with carpets up, curtains down, and the rooms without furniture; but a constant excitement, and expectation of we know not what, supplants all other feelings. Nothing but nature is pleasant, and that is so beautiful! The first roses of the season are just appearing, and the peonies are splendid; but the horrors of war, with which we are so seriously threatened, prevent the enjoyment of any thing. I feel so much for the Southerners of Maryland; I am afraid they are doomed to persecution, but it does seem so absurd in Maryland and Kentucky to talk of armed neutrality in the present state of the country! Let States, like individuals, be independent—be something or nothing. I believe that the very best people of both States are with us, but are held back by stern necessity. Oh that they could burst the bonds that bind them, and speak and act like freemen! The Lord reigneth; to Him only can we turn, and humbly pray that He may see fit to say to the troubled waves, “Peace, be still!” We sit at our windows, and see the bosom of our own Potomac covered with the sails of vessels employed by the enemies of our peace. I often wish myself far away, that I, at least, might not see these things. The newspapers are filled with the boastings of the North, and yet I cannot feel alarmed. My woman’s heart does not quail, even though they come, as they so loudly threaten, as an avalanche to overwhelm us. Such is my abiding faith in the justice of our cause, that I have no shadow of doubt of our success.

Post image for “Went to hear the music at the Prests this evening. The R.I. Band played, quite a crowd there.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“Went to hear the music at the Prests this evening. The R.I. Band played, quite a crowd there.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

May 15, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

WEDNESDAY 15

This has been a fine airy day. The RI Regt is a[l]most gone from the Pat office. Troops are coming into the City every day. It is so common now to see Regts march through the streets that it is hardly known where they come from by the crowd. Went to hear the music at the Prests this evening. The R.I. Band played, quite a crowd there. Lord Lyon quite prominent. 4000 troops were marching on the Ave when we came away. Went into all the Hotels tonight. Not much excitement, but there is “something in the wind.” Genl Butler will be heard from soon.

______

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 Securing lodging in Montgomery.—Rebel War Clerk.

Securing lodging in Montgomery.—Rebel War Clerk.

May 15, 2011

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

MAY 15th. —From my window at the top of the house, I see corn in silk and tassel. Three days ago the corn I saw was not three inches high. And blackberries are in season. Strawberries and peas are gone.

This city is mostly situated in a bottom on the Alabama River.

Being fatigued I did not visit the departments to-day, but employed myself in securing lodgings at a boarding-house. Here I met, the first time, with my friend Dr. W. T. Sawyer, of Hollow Square, Alabama. A skillful surgeon and Christian gentleman, his mission on earth seems to be one of pure beneficence. He had known me before we met, it appears; and I must say he did me many kind offices.

In the afternoon I walked to the capitol, a fine structure with massive columns, on a beautiful elevation, where I delivered several letters to the Virginia delegation in Congress. They were exceedingly kind to me, and proffered their services very freely.

Post image for “…into the service for the war,”—Rutherford B. Hayes

“…into the service for the war,”—Rutherford B. Hayes

May 15, 2011

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

image

The last diary page of Rutherford B. Hayes before he entered the Union Army for the War.

May 15, 1861.—Judge Matthews and I have agreed to go into the service for the war,—if possible into the same regiment. I spoke my feelings to him, which he said were his also, viz., that this was a just and necessary war and that it demanded the whole power of the country; that I would prefer to go into it if I knew I was to die or be killed in the course of it, than to live through and after it without taking any part in it.

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →