Dr. Seth Rogers to his Daughter, January 6, 1863

January 6, 1863.

For the first time in the six weeks Colonel H. has been in camp, he to-day went to Beaufort. He returns with a more civilized air and informs me that there are yet many people outside our camp.

The rebel pickets above came down to the river bank this morning and announced that an armistice had been agreed upon for six months, and therefore laid aside their guns and sat on the bank, fishing. Their statement is not credited, because nobody believes the insanity of the nation has taken such a disastrous turn.

I am steadily becoming acquainted with very remarkable men whose lives in slavery and whose heroism in getting out of it, deepens my faith in negro character and intellect. The difference in physiognomy. among them now seems to me quite as marked as among the whites and the physiognomy of their diseases is quite as apparent to me.

SOURCE: Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume 43, October, 1909—June,1910: February 1910. p. 341

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 3, 1864

New prisoners say that an armistice has been agreed upon for the purpose of effecting an exchange, and negotiating for peace. It may be so, and the authorities had good reasons for allowing us to stay here, but how can they pay for all the suffering? And now some negro prisoners brought inside. They belong to the 54th Massachusetts. Came with white prisoners Many of the negroes wounded, as, indeed, there are wounded among all who come here now. No news from Hendryx or Lewis. Quite a number going out after wood to cook with Hot and wet.

SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p. 64

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Friday, May 12, 1865

Quite cold during the night, find myself almost too lame to walk when I get up foot swelled badly The co is paid at 10.30 A. M. after which have a time settling up old scores I pay out over $50.00 debts, Capt Lacy in camp, says their expedition to Montgomery was a pleasure trip. The Rebel commandant at Montgomery reed a telegram from Genl Dick Taylor announcing an armistice & ordering him to make no hostile demonstrations, when Steeles men took possession of the town the Rebel command marched out with all their arms &c & colors flying, & while Steele remained there citizens & soldiers of both armies went where ever they pleased without passes mixing around most amacably. The citizens invited the Fed officers out to dinners and were as friendly as could be, also that Jeff Davis & his crew passed within 50 miles of Steeles camp & he had plenty of cavalry to have over taken & captured him but could not on account of the armistice he heard from his where abouts daily. Genl Canby has gone to New Orleans & has left orders not to move here until his return, — So says madam R— One Div of Jonstons army 5000 men arrive at Mobile on the morning train from Meridian. Smiths corps is reported arriving & there seems to be a change in affairs, men now go to & return from the city on a pass approved by the Brig. Comd't, & citizens pass the picket line without passes from 9. A. M. to 6 P. M. The 29th Iowa is relieved at the arsenal at Mt. Vernon by one company & have come down to the comd. Stock in Sherman is taking a rise

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 600-1

William Cullen Bryant to John Bigelow, December 3, 1862

New York, December 3, 1862

Your view of the proposal of the French government that there shall be a suspension of arms for six months, to give the great powers of modern Europe an opportunity to mediate between the acknowledged governments, as to the rebellion, is the one which almost universally prevails here. Everybody sees that it is neither more or less than asking us to give up what we are fighting for. The most favorable construction that can be put upon it makes it a device to give the rebel government an opportunity to get on its legs again, to breathe, recruit, and take a new start. That is, on the supposition that the interference is to end with the procuring of an armistice, which is not probable. The top of the wedge being once inserted, the rest would be driven in after it. An interference of the nature proposed once allowed, would draw after it interferences of the most decided and domineering character, and transfer to our continent the system of dictation by which three or four sovereigns give law to Europe. I do not think that the French ministry will be much pleased with the manner in which the project is received here. The most blatant of the Peace Party would not venture upon the unpopularity of proposing a cessation of hostilities. You put the case strongly against England in the letter to the “Independence Beige.” Notwithstanding the expression of the French Emperor's desire to interfere, and the refusal of his proposal by Great Britain, the feeling of dissatisfaction with Great Britain is much stronger than against France. It pervades all classes; the old British party, who looked at everything British through a prism, are reached by it, give up their old prejudices, and scold vehemently against England. At least this is the case with very many of them. The English have lost more ground in public opinion in America within the past year and a half than they can redeem in a century.

SOURCE: Parke Godwin, A Biography of William Cullen Bryant, Volume 1, p. 182-3