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

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

March 30, 2015

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

March 30th.—Raining rapidly, and warm.

Again the sudden change of weather may be an interposition of Providence to defeat the effort of the enemy to destroy Gen. Lee’s communications with his Southern depots of supplies. I hope so, for faith in man is growing weaker.

Our loss in the affair of the 25th instant was heavy, and is now admitted to be a disaster; and Lee himself was there! It amounted, probably, to 3000 men. Grant says over 2000 prisoners were registered by his Provost Marshal. It is believed the President advised the desperate undertaking; be that as it may, many such blows cannot follow in quick succession without producing the most deplorable results. The government would soon make its escape—if it could. Mrs. Davis, however, soonest informed of our condition, got away in time.

Dispatches from Generalissimo Lee inform the Secretary that large expeditions are on foot in Alabama, Mississippi, etc., and that Thomas’s army is rapidly advancing upon Virginia from East Tennessee, while no general has yet been designated to command our troops.

The papers say nothing of the flank movement commenced yesterday by Grant. This reticence cannot be for the purpose of keeping the enemy in ignorance of it!

I am convalescent, but too weak to walk to the department today. The deathly “sick man,” as the Emperor of Russia used to designate the Sultan of Turkey, is our President. His mind has never yet comprehended the magnitude of the crisis.

Custis says letters still flow in asking authority to raise negro troops.

In the North the evacuation of Richmond is looked for between the 1st and 25th of April. They may be fooled. But if we lose the Danville Road, it will only be a question of time. Yet there will remain too great a breadth of territory for subjugation—if the people choose to hold out, and soldiers can be made of negroes.

It is reported (believed) that several determined assaults were made on our lines yesterday evening and last night at Petersburg, and repulsed with slaughter; and that the attack has been renewed to-day. Very heavy firing has been heard in that direction. Gen. Lee announces no result yet.

We have 2,000,000 bread rations in the depots in North Carolina.

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

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

March 30, 2015

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

Thursday, 30th—It is quite stormy and rainy today. All is quiet in camp, and there is no news of importance.

Post image for War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney

March 30, 2015

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

30th. Rain continued. Lay in the mud till noon, then moved into the woods. Moved out just after getting fixed up comfortably. Moved 4 miles over awful roads and camped 5 miles from Dinwiddie C. H. Building a good deal of corduroy road. Put on picket. Barnitz uneasy all night. Allowed no rest.

Post image for Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch.

March 30, 2015

Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol's.

March 30th. Nothing special for the past few days. Daily routine is kept up. When off duty tramp through the country, calling at the farms, meeting the old men. The young men are mostly in the army, either in the Union or the Confederate. Religious service is held in the log chapel, conducted by our good Chaplain, Walker, assisted by Chaplains from other regiments and the Christian Commission.

Post image for A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

A Soldier’s Diary — David Lane.

March 30, 2015

A Soldier's Diary, The Story of a Volunteer, David Lane, (17th Mich. Vol. Infantry)

March 30th, 1865.

My curiosity as to what correspondents might say of the battle of the twenty-fifth inst. is partially gratified by a perusal of the Herald’s dispatch. Their account of the affair, after daylight, is in the main correct, that dated at City Point coming nearest the truth. But the facts in regard to the Rebels getting possession of the fort are suppressed or misrepresented. Neither does General Parks’ “official” come nearer the mark.

The fact is, we have one more occasion to thank God for saving us from the stupidity of “men in high places.”

The long-expected movement on our left is under way. Yesterday Army Headquarters moved to Dinwiddie Court House, about four miles beyond Hatcher’s Run. Part of the Twenty-fourth Corps and the Twenty-fifth corps have joined the expedition, which must swell the number to near one hundred thousand infantry.

This force represents the “upper” and Sherman’s the “nether” mill stones that are grinding the Confederacy to powder. Meanwhile the post assigned the Ninth Corps is one of responsibility. We must hold these lines or Grant’s supplies are cut off.

It has rained all day, steadily; a warm, gentle rain that seems so much in keeping with the season, I enjoy it. What a bright, fresh green it gives to vegetation, and how sweetly the new-born flowers look up and smile their thankfulness.

Post image for Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

Reminiscences of the Civil War by William and Adelia Lyon.

March 30, 2015

Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.

 

New Market, March 30.—Cool and rainy. We find these people very friendly. They are very glad to accommodate us. Mrs. Pierce showed us a room in the center of the house that they built on purpose to protect her husband and boys when they come home. Mr. Pierce is home now. He is not well, and the rebels let him alone, but they are bent on getting the boys, because they are Union boys.

Our life is very monotonous. It seems too bad to stay here when the regiment is so near, only about thirty-five miles from here. Mrs. Moulton and I took a long walk over the hills. It is a very pretty country. A little girl brought me a nice bouquet because we are Union people; but this family are very careful about talking, for fear of being heard. They shut the doors if they want to talk.

Post image for Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

March 29, 2015

Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

March 29.—We have scarcely any patients, as the road between Augusta and Atlanta is not yet finished. There is rumor on rumor of battles in the direction of the army. I only wish we could get the wounded to take care of. Dr. de Yampert is busy getting every thing ready for the reception of patients. The large ward is nicely whitewashed, and he has had comfortable cotton mattresses made by a regular mattress-maker. A new bakery, wash-house, and every thing else necessary are being put up, just as if there was no such thing as moving again. I am kept quite busy attending to the sewing. The thread, bought in bunches, has to be doubled, twisted and reeled. We have no wheel of our own, but borrow, as every house in the neighborhood has one. Mrs. Love’s two little girls stay with me a great deal. In the evenings I teach them to read. Neither their father or mother know how to read They are from Tennessee.

We have a vegetable garden in cultivation next to our house, and another large one, “the plantation,” about two miles in the country, of which Mr. Yerby has charge. I have a flower garden, and Mr. Moore has procured me some very nice plants. After awhile, I have no doubt, I shall have flowers enough to delight our patients.

Post image for An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones

March 29, 2015

An Artilleryman's Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 6th Battery, Wisconsin Artillery.

Chattanooga, Wednesday, March 29. Rained last night. Feel no better with my cold. Sergeant James some better this morning. All the men not on duty ordered out to police the country round. Was out with the crowd in the forenoon. Cleared and leveled off the ground in our front, forty rods around. This afternoon detailed with the house builders, put up the logs for Captain’s house. Rained heavy toward evening. Houses shed rain well.

Post image for A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

March 29, 2015

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

March 29th.—Slightly overcast, but calm and pleasant.

I am better, after the worst attack for twenty years. The only medicine I took was blue mass—ten grains. My wife had a little tea and loaf-sugar, and a solitary smoked herring—and this I relish; and have nothing else. A chicken, I believe, would cost $50. I must be careful now, and recuperate. Fine weather, and an indulgence of my old passion for angling, would soon build me up again.

The papers give forth an uncertain sound of what is going on in the field, or of what is likely to occur. Unless food and men can be had, Virginia must be lost. The negro experiment will soon be tested. Custis says letters are pouring in at the department from all quarters, asking authority to raise and command negro troops: 100,000 recruits from this source might do wonders.

I think Lee’s demonstrations on Grant’s front have mainly in view the transportation of subsistence from North Carolina.

Mrs. President Davis has left the city, with her children, for the South. I believe it is her purpose to go no farther at present than Charlotte, N. C.—rear of Sherman. Some of their furniture has been sent to auction. Furniture will soon be low again.

It is now believed that the government will be removed with all expedition to Columbus, Ga. But it is said Richmond will still be held by our army. Said! Alas! would it not be too expensive— “too much for the whistle?”

Shad are selling at $50 per pair. If Richmond should be left to strictly military rule, I hope it will rule the prices.

It is reported that Gen. Johnston has fallen back on Weldon; some suppose to attack Grant’s rear, but no doubt it is because he is pressed by Sherman with superior numbers.

A dispatch from Gen. Lee, to-day, states the important fact that Grant’s left wing (cavalry and infantry) passed Hatcher’s Run this morning, marching to Dinwiddie C. H. The purpose is to cut the South Side and Danville Roads; and it may be accomplished, for we have “here no adequate force of cavalry to oppose Sheridan; and it may be possible, if Sheridan turns his head this way, that shell may be thrown into the city. At all events, he may destroy some bridges—costing him dear.” But pontoon bridges were sent up the Danville Road yesterday and to-day, in anticipation, beyond the bridges to be destroyed.

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

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

March 29, 2015

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

Wednesday, 29th—It is quite rainy. We are now in spring quarters. Some of the boys in the regiment get teams from the quartermaster, go out to some vacant house or barn, and get what lumber they want to build “ranches.” J. D. Moore and William Green went out this morning with a team and brought in a load of lumber, and then this afternoon we built a small house for our mess of four—Moore, Green, Jason Sparks and myself.

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