Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes: Wednesday, May 25, 1864

Meadow BLUFF, May 25, 1864.

DEAREST:—We are preparing for another move. It will require a week's time, I conjecture, to get shoes, etc., etc. It looks as if the route would be through Lewisburg, White Sulphur, Covington, Jackson River, etc., to Staunton. The major came up this morning with a few recruits and numbers of the sick, now recovered. They bring a bright new flag which I can see floating in front of [the] Twenty-third headquarters. I suspect it to be your gift. Three hundred more of the Thirty-sixth also came up. The Fifth and Thirteenth are coming, so I shall have my own proper brigade all together soon.....

Brigdon carried the brigade flag. It was knocked out of his hands by a ball striking the staff only a few inches from where he held it. It was torn twice also by balls.

I see the papers call this “Averell's raid.” Very funny! The cavalry part of it was a total failure. General Averell only got to the railroad at points where we had first got in. He was driven back at Saltville and Wytheville. Captain Gilmore is pleased. He says the Second Virginia was the best of any of them! . . .

I am now on most intimate and cordial terms with General Crook. He is a most capital commander. His one fault is a too reckless exposure of himself in action and on the march — not a bad fault in some circumstances.

I shall probably send my valise back to Gallipolis from here to Mr. James Taylor. It will contain a leather case with Roman candles for the boys, a sabre will go with it for one of them, a wooden-soled shoe, such as we destroyed great numbers of at Dublin, and very little else. If it is lost, no matter. . . .

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 465-6

1st Lieutenant Charles Fessenden Morse, June 3, 1862

June 3, 1862.

Last night, as we officers were sitting around our tents after supper, we suddenly heard a shout from the further side of the camp of “Major! the Major!” which was instantly taken up all over the field, followed by a rush of the men towards the guard tent: we all followed, and, passing across the lines, discovered the Major coming up the hill to camp, in a little old wagon. I wish you could have heard the shout the men set up when he fairly came in reach of them. They finally made a rush at him; it seemed as if they would tear him to pieces in their eagerness to touch his hand or some part of him; every cap was off and every face was on the broad grin. When he did get through the men, Colonel Gordon got hold of him and shook his hands and hugged him in the heartiest and most affectionate way; so he was passed along until all had given him a greeting.

After a short time spent in congratulations, Major Dwight returned to the men, who had not yet dispersed and were watching his every movement. He made a short speech, and then proceeded to give an account of every man of the regiment who was killed, wounded, or a prisoner. He had attended the burial, himself, of all of our dead, and had visited the wounded, who were all doing well. He was able to contradict entirely all stories of the rebel soldiers' cruelties; they had not killed a single wounded man, but had treated them kindly; the citizens were much worse than the soldiers. When he spoke of Company I and their large number of killed and wounded, he said he could not help asking for three cheers for their gallant conduct at the Kernstown bridge on Saturday night; they were given with a will. The Major mentioned each of the wounded by name, and had something pleasant to say about almost every one relating to some little peculiarities, which the men understood.

After Major Dwight had finished, Colonel Gordon made a few remarks, ending by calling for three cheers for the Major. Three times three and a “tiger” were given, and the men dispersed, happy as they could be. One of the pleasantest things that has developed by our late action is the kindly feeling shown by the men to the officers; they have learned their dependence on them, and have confidence now in their pluck and willingness to share every danger with them.

We received a great deal of interesting information from the Major, — none more so than this: Major Wheat, of a Louisiana battalion, told Major Dwight that on Saturday night their loss must have been ten to our one, and he wanted to know what regiment it was that was ambuscaded all along the road; he said that after their cavalry had been driven back, the Second and Fifth Virginia regiments had been ordered to the front, and it was with them that we did most of our fighting that night. Their loss was very heavy, including a number of officers.

Major Dwight was taken prisoner in Winchester; he had just helped a wounded man into a house and was surrounded by rebel cavalry before he could get away. He surrendered in the cool manner he does everything. He made friends with everybody and succeeded in getting paroled; he left this morning for Washington with his brother, to try and effect his exchange. Drs. Stone and Leland have both been unconditionally released. L. is still at Winchester, taking care of our wounded. The correct statement about our company is, one killed, four wounded, and twelve prisoners. Jackson and his army are disheartened; they did not entertain a doubt but that they would capture Banks and his division, bag and baggage, and then make a foray into Maryland, but by good luck, we got out of this scrape with pretty whole skins. Captain Mudge is at Frederick; his wound is very painful. Crowinshield will be able to be moved in a few days and will go home. Major Dwight saw over a hundred of their dead buried Sunday.

I have just come in from a brigade review, almost melted; two mortal hours have we stood under a scorching sun, ready to drop.

SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 64-6

Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, August 5, 1861

August 5th.

And so you think the papers ought to say more about your husband! My brigade is not a brigade of newspaper correspondents. I know that the First Brigade was the first to meet and pass our retreating forces — to push on with no other aid than the smiles of God; to boldly take its position with the artillery that was under my command — to arrest the victorious foe in his onward progress — to hold him in check until reinforcements arrived — and finally to charge bayonets, and, thus advancing, pierce the enemy's centre. I am well satisfied with what it did, and so are my generals, Johnston and Beauregard. It is not to be expected that I should receive the credit that Generals Beauregard and Johnston would, because I was under them; but I am thankful to my ever-kind Heavenly Father that He makes me content to await His own good time and pleasure for commendation — knowing that all things work together for my good. If my brigade can always play so important and useful a part as it did in the last battle, I trust I shall ever be most grateful. As you think the papers do not notice me enough, I send a specimen, which you will see from the upper part of the paper is a leader. My darling, never distrust our God, who doeth all things well. In due time He will make manifest all His pleasure, which is all His people should desire. You must not be concerned at seeing other parts of the army lauded, and my brigade not mentioned. “Truth is mighty and will prevail.” When the official reports are published, if not before, I expect to see justice done this noble body of patriots. My command consists of the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Twenty-seventh, and Thirty-third regiments of Virginia Volunteers, commanded respectively by Colonels James W. Allen, James F. Preston, Kenton Harper, W. W. Gordon, and A. C. Cummings; and, in addition, we have Colonel Pendleton's Battery. My staff-officers are Lieutenant-colonel Francis B. Jones, acting adjutant-general; Lieutenant-colonel J. W. Massie, aide; Lieutenant A. S. Pendleton, ordnance officer; Captain John A. Harman, quartermaster; and Captain W. J. Hawkes, commissary.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 179-81

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 4.

Besides taxed articles telegraphed by the Associated press flour is taxed at 10 cents per brl.; carriage valued above $50 for one horse $1; ditto for two horses $2; carriages valued over 200, $5; over $600, $10; plate of gold 50 cents per troy ounce; plate of silver 3 cents per troy ounce; slaughtered cattle 50 cents each.  Those are not included which are for the slaughterers’ consumption.  Hogs 10 cents, sheep 5 cents – the last to be levied annually, when specified animals are slaughtered.  For soap 5 cents per pound to tallow chandlers and soap makers.  Apothecaries, photographers and other manufacturers, not specified, each $10.

Andy Johnson’s nomination as Brigadier General, was sent into the Senate and confirmed unanimously.  He leaves for Tennessee speedily.

Brevet promotions of all the officers at Pickens have been sent to the Senate.  Some are promoted one grade, and some two.

The statement that Blair procured or attempted to procure an appointment for Sigel, as Major General, as wholly untrue.

The common Council of the city of Washington passed a resolution last night remonstrating against the abolition of slavery in the District by 10 to 5.

One man, said to have been a mail carrier across the Potomac, declared himself a friend to slavery in the District and in every State of the Union, and was willing to wear the brand on his forehead.

The water was all let out of the Ohio and Chesapeake canals on Sunday night, between Georgetown and the Chain bridge, used heretofore for the transportation of provisions to the troops.  The canals will henceforth, be guarded.

Andy Johnson accepts the military governorship of Tennessee, whither he will soon go.

The first five million of new Treasury notes will be issued to pay Quatermaster General’s debts.  With the next issue western and southwestern troops will be paid.

The House military committee is considering the proposition for a National Cemetery, by which three hundred acres will be apportioned among several States.

Gen. Blenker was before the Senate Military committee to-day.

Robt. O. Kirk, late Lieut. Governor of Ohio, has been nominated Minister to the Argentine Confederacy.

Secretary Chase sent the excise bill to the committee of ways and means too late for use in this dispatch.  It makes taxes much heavier, in some cases fifty per cent., than the bill before reported.

Ex-Congressman Abram Wakeman, was nominated Postmaster of New York City to-day.

Thos. Merritt is appointed general superintendent of gunboat Construction.

In the West twenty new gunboats are to be built.

Mr. Cowan made a pettifogging speech against Trumbull’s confiscation bill to-day.  He was fittingly congratulated by Messrs. Powell, Saulsbury and Wickliffe.  Mr. Morrill has the floor to-morrow.

Five or six members are absent from the Washington Common Council, otherwise they would give about a tie vote on the abolition question.

WASHINGTON, March 4.

The following dispatch was received to-night from the correspondent of the Associated Press:

Gen. Banks’ forces occupied Martinsburg yesterday, without opposition, and the pickets continue to bring prisoners; although few in number, they are of much importance.

Among those taken, last night, was the Rev. T. J. McVeigh, chaplain of the 2^nd Va. Infantry.  He was captured by company K, Michigan cavalry, near Berryville.

Intelligence from Winchester leads to the belief that Jackson is there in full force, and has completed his preparations to oppose our approach.  Three miles east of that place the same authority says, the enemy is well provisioned, supplied and clothed.

Gen. McClellan issued a general order, announcing with deep regret, to the army of the Potomac, the death of Brig. Gen. Lander.  He pays a high compliment to his public services, intelligence and courage.

Gen. McClellan to-day issued a general order, dismissing Col. Kerrigan from the service, for the various offenses of which he was convicted by Court Martial.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1

From Gen. Fremont’s Department – Skirmish with the Rebels

WHEELING, April 13, 1862

To Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec’y of War:

A dispatch just received from General Milroy at Monterey, under date of yesterday, states as follows: "The rebels, about 1,000 strong, with two cavalry companies and two pieces of artillery, attacked my pickets this morning about 10 o'clock, and drove them in some 2 miles. I sent out re-enforcements, consisting of two companies 75th Ohio, two companies 2d Virginia, two 25th Ohio, and two of 32d Ohio, one gun of Captain Hyman's battery, and one company of cavalry, all under Major Webster. The skirmishing was brisk for a short time, but the rebels were put to flight with considerable loss. The casualties on our side were 3 men of the 75th badly wounded. The men behaved nobly."

J. C. FREMONT,
Major-General, Commanding

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862, p. 2