Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 21, 1863

FALMOUTH, VA., March 21, 1863.

I had seen in the papers a glowing account of the "Merry Wives of Windsor," which must have been a great treat. There is nothing I feel so much the deprivation of as hearing good music, and I was very sorry that there was no opportunity to indulge myself while in Philadelphia.

We have literally nothing new or exciting in camp. Averill’s brilliant cavalry foray has been the camp talk. The enemy, through Richmond papers, admit they were whipped and believe it to be the commencement of Hooker's campaign, and already talk of the probable necessity of Lee's having to fall back nearer Richmond. This confirms what we have suspected, that their force opposite to us had been much reduced, and that when we pressed them they would retire. There is not much chance of doing this at present, however. Yesterday it snowed all day, and to-day it is raining, so that our roads are again, or will be, in a dreadful condition.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 361

General Robert E. Lee to Mary Custis Lee, December 30, 1864

December 30, 1864.

Yesterday afternoon three little girls walked into my room, each with a small basket. The eldest carried some fresh eggs laid by her own hens; the second, some pickles made by her mother; the third, some pop corn which had grown in her garden. They were accompanied by a young maid with a block of soap made by her mother. They were the daughters of a Mrs. Nottingham, a refugee from Northhampton County, who lived near Eastville, not far from old Arlington. The eldest of the girls, whose age did not exceed eight years, had a small wheel on which she spun for her mother, who wove all the cloth for her two brothers — boys of twelve and fourteen years. I have not had so pleasant a visit for a long time. I fortunately was able to fill their baskets with apples, which distressed poor Bryan,¹ and begged them to bring me nothing but kisses and to keep the eggs, corn, etc., for themselves. I pray daily and almost hourly to our Heavenly Father to come to the relief of you² and our afflicted country. I know He will order all things for our good, and we must be content.

__________

¹ His steward.

² Mrs. Lee was sick.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 348

Review: Grant At Vicksburg

Grant At Vicksburg: The General and the Siege

By Michael B. Ballard

Many scholars believe the twin victories of the Union Army at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3rd and Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4th, 1863 was the turning point of the American Civil War; driving back the northern advance of the Confederate Army and severing the Confederacy in two.  Shelves of books have been written about the dramatic three day battle at Gettysburg, while the number of books written about the 47 day Siege of Vicksburg pales by comparison.

Michael B. Ballard’s tome, “Grant At Vicksburg: The General and the Siege,” adds one more volume to the slowly growing shelf of books dedicated to the study of the siege of Vicksburg and Ulysses S. Grant’s role in it.  Mr. Ballard is an associate editor in the U. S. Grant Presidential Library and University Archivist at Mississippi State University. He has written or edited eleven books, including Civil War in Mississippi: Major Campaigns and Battles, Vicksburg: The Campaign that Opened the Mississippi, and U. S. Grant: The Making of a General, 1861-1863.

“Grant at Vicksburg” quickly dispenses with the necessary details of Grant’s military career, and briefly describes the Vicksburg campaign prior to establishing the siege of the city, including the two failed assaults to capture the citadel on the Mississippi River.  The remainder of the book is dedicated solely to Grant’s role in the conduct of the siege.  Ballard dissects the details of Grant’s decisions in troop placement, his relationship with other officers (most notably with his rival, John McClernand, and his partnership with William T. Sherman), while also paying close attention to Grant’s strategies and tactics, as well as Grant’s caution when dealing with the threat Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s troops to the rear of his army.

A fair amount of time is spent by the author disproving and dispensing with the rumor reported by Sylvanus Cadwallader of Grant’s drinking during a trip to Satartia, Mississippi, which has been too often been repeated by many historians who have not challenged Cadwallader’s version of the story.

Battle histories often deal only with the facts of the particular military operation they are covering, rarely do they tackle social issues, but Ballard surprises was a frank discussion of racism in Grant’s army, and its impact on the lives of both freed and enslaved black people in the Vicksburg area.

The book concludes, as one might rightly assume, Vicksburg’s surrender on July 4th, 1863, and the retreat of Johnston’s Confederate army from Jackson, Mississippi, and its impact on Grants career.

Coming in at one inch in thickness Mr. Ballard has successfully written what one history teacher of mine would call a “skirt length” treatment of the Grant’s actions during the siege of Vicksburg, “long enough to cover the subject, but short enough to keep it interesting.”

ISBN 978-0809332403, Southern Illinois University Press, © 2013, Hardcover, 232 pages, Maps, Photographs, End Notes, Bibliographic Notes & Index. $32.95.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 1, 1863

We lay over here below Haines's Bluff all day, the boys being very tired after their long march. We ran out of provisions last night and could not draw any today. Some of the boys went out into the country to see what they could forage. We heard the roar of cannon at Vicksburg all day.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 119

3rd Ohio Infantry – 3 Months

Organized at Camp Jackson, Columbus, Ohio, April 25, 1861. Moved to Camp Dennison, Ohio, April 28, and duty there till June 12. Reorganized for three years' service June 12, 1861. Three months men mustered out July 24, 1861.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1497

3rd Ohio Infantry – 3 Years

Organized at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, June 4, 1861. Moved to Grafton, W. Va., thence to Clarksburg, W. Va., June 20-25, 1861. Attached to 1st Brigade, Army of Occupation, West Virginia, to September, 1861. Reynolds' Command, Cheat Mountain, W. Va., to November, 1861. 17th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, to December, 1861. 17th Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. 17th Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Centre 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, to April, 1863. Streight's Provisional Brigade, 14th Army Corps, to May, 1863. Unattached, Dept. of the Cumberland, August to November, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, to April, 1865. Garrison at Chattanooga, Tenn., to June, 1864.

SERVICE. – West Virginia Campaign July 6-17, 1861. Action at Middle Fork Bridge, W. Va., July 6-7. Rich Mountain July 10-11. Pursuit to Cheat Mountain Summit July 11-16. Moved to Elkwater Creek August 4. Operations on Cheat Mountain September 11-17. Action at Elkwater September 11. Cheat Mountain Pass September 12. Scout to Marshall October 3. Reconnoissance to Big Springs October 6. Moved to Louisville, Ky., November 26-28. Duty at Elizabethtown and Bacon Creek, Ky., till February, 1862. Advance on Nashville. Tenn., February 10-25. Occupation of Nashville February 25-March 17. Advance on Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 17-19. Reconnoissance to Shelbyville, Tullahoma and McMinnville March 25-28. Moved to Fayetteville April 7. Advance on Huntsville, Ala., April 10-11. Capture of Huntsville April 11. Pursuit to Decatur April 11-14. Action at Bridgeport April 27. West Bridge, near Bridgeport, April 29. Duty at Huntsville till August 23. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 23-September 25. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-15. Battle of Perryville October 8. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7, and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. At Murfreesboro till April, 1863. Streight's Raid to Rome, Ga., April 26-May 3. Day's Gap, Sand Mountain and Crooked Creek and Hog Mountain, April 30. East Branch Black Warrior Creek May 1. Blount's Farm Gadsden, May 2. Near Centre May 2. Cedar Creek, near Rome, May 3. Regiment captured. Exchanged May, 1863. At Camp Chase, Ohio, reorganizing till August. Quelling Holmes County Rebellion June 13-18. Pursuit of Morgan July 15-26. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., August 1, thence moved to Bridgeport, Ala., and guard duty there till October. Expedition against Wheeler October 1-8. Duty at Battle Creek, Looney Creek and Kelly's Ford till November 27. Garrison duty at Chattanooga, Tenn., till June, 1864. Ordered to Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 9. Mustered out June 23, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 87 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 3 Officers and 78 Enlisted men by disease. Total 172.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1497

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, May 21, 1862

HEADQUARTERS 54TH REGT. O. V. INF.,

CAMP NO. 7 BEFORE CORINTH, May 21, 1862.

I am still safe through constant skirmishing. The great battle has not come off, but the premonitions peal upon the ear every minute. Both armies are stubborn and brave. We shall see and take part in the greatest battle of the age, unless the enemy evacuate Corinth, which I do not expect. Don't let apprehension for this battle give you pain or fear for my safety. Scores of bullets have whistled close to my ear since I wrote you three days ago, and I am still unharmed. I have been in the din of conflict and thick of the fight by day and I may almost say by night. The roar of cannon and rattling of musketry are constantly in my ear, but I have been preserved, and the same good God will continue to uphold me.

I rather think this day Stephen has deserted me. He is tired of war, and latterly has become very useless. I attach but little blame to those who having the power leave this field — unless stimulated by patriotism or hope of glory. Deprivation, disease, and suffering are the lot of the mass, and it requires powerful nerves and great fortitude to stand up against that which the soldier has to endure. One tithe of his sufferings, aside from fatigue and exposure, will never be told.

The weather is now cold and rainy, but has been intensely hot. The insect and worm tribe are infinite in number, and the little wood tick is always at work under your skin. I am often compelled to sleep on the bare ground, and without a tent. Such a night is a precursor to myriads of them. My health, however, is as good as that of the general average about me. I feel pretty well when I get good food, not so well without it. Good beef, good mutton, good bread, brandy, ale, and wine is what the human system wants, and these I recommend to you. They are better than all the doctor's stuffs.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 204-5

From The 2d Iowa Cavalry

A private letter from Rev. C. G. Truesdell, chaplain of the 2d Iowa Cavalry, dated May 16th, says:

“To-day we heard from some of our missing men.  Those who were left on the field, wounded in last Friday’s skirmish, were picked up by the enemy and taken to Corinth, and a few were captured who were not wounded, but their horses having been killed and wounded, and the men unable to escape on foot, they were taken prisoners, but provisions being rather scarce in Corinth they concluded to return all the privates loose on parole, which they did to-day, and several of them returned to camp.  Among them were John Berg, and Mr. Raymond, of Maquoketa.

“Lieut. Owens was not killed, as we at first supposed, but was wounded in the head, and is now a prisoner and in their hospital with some others of our regiment who were more or less injured.  Mr. T. B. Sweet, of Co. B, died very suddenly.

“Both armies are now large and well prepared, and can fight desperately, and it will be a terrible fight if at all; but the intentions of either are known only to those having the management of the affair.  We are now ordered to prepare two days’ rations and be ready to start at daybreak to-morrow morning.  We will be ready, but whether the fight comes off or not you will know by the papers before this reaches you.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 17, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., March 17, 1863.

I returned to-day from Washington. I went up day before yesterday, the 15th, arriving in Washington about 7 P. M. I went to Willard's, where, as usual, I saw a great many people. Finding Burnside was in the house, I sent up my name and was ushered into his room, where I found himself and Mrs. Burnside, the latter a very quiet, lady-like and exceedingly nice personage, quite pretty and rather younger than I expected to see. Burnside was very glad to see me, and we had a long talk. Among other things he read me a correspondence he had had with Franklin. Franklin had called his attention to the letter which appeared in the Times, said this was known to be written by Raymond, the editor, and it was generally believed his information was derived either from Burnside himself or some of his staff. Hence this letter was considered authority, and as it did him, Franklin, great injustice, he appealed to his, Burnside's, magnanimity to correct the errors and give publicity to his correction. Burnside replied that he had not read the article till Franklin called his attention to it; that he was not responsible for it, nor was he aware that any of his staff had had any part in its production. Still, he was bound to say that in its facts it was true; that as to the inferences drawn from these facts, he had nothing to say about them and must refer him to Raymond, the reputed author. Several letters had passed, Franklin trying to get Burnside to (as he, Burnside, expressed it) whitewash him. This Burnside said he was not going to do; that Franklin must stand on his own merits and the facts of the case; that he had never made any accusation against him, except to say that the crossing of the river, being against his, Franklin's, judgment, he thought Franklin had been wanting in a zealous and hearty co-operation with his plans. That about the time my attack failed, hearing from one of his, Burnside's, staff officers, just from the field, that Franklin was not attacking with the force and vigor he ought to, he immediately despatched him an order "directing him to attack with his whole force if necessary," which order he assumed the responsibility of not executing, and he must now take the consequences, if blame was attached to him for it.

The next morning I went up to the Capitol, to the committee room, and found only the clerk present. He said the committee had been awaiting me some days; that Senators Chandler and Wade were the only two members present, and now down town; that he would hunt them up, and have them at the room by three o'clock, if I would return at that hour. At three I again presented myself to the committee, and found old Ben Wade, Senator from Ohio, awaiting me. He said the committee wished to examine me in regard to my attack at Fredericksburg. I told him I presumed such was the object in summoning me, and with this in view I had brought my official report, which I would read to him, and if he wanted any more information, I was prepared to give it. After hearing my report, he said it covered the whole ground, and he would only ask me one or two questions. First, was I aware that General Burnside, about the time of my attack, had ordered General Franklin to attack with his whole force? I answered, "At the time of the battle, No; indeed, I only learned this fact yesterday evening, from General Burnside himself." Secondly, what, in my judgment, as a military man, would have been the effect if General Franklin had, when my attack was successful, advanced his whole line? I said I believed such a movement would have resulted in the driving back of the enemy's right wing; though it would, without doubt, have produced a desperate and hard-contested fight; but when I reflected on the success that attended my attack, which was made with less than ten thousand men (supports and all), I could not resist the belief that the attack of fifty thousand men would have been followed by success. This was all he asked, and except the last question, the answer to which was a mere matter of opinion, I don't think any one can take exception to my testimony. My conversations with Burnside and Wade satisfied me that Franklin was to be made responsible for the failure at Fredericksburg, and the committee is seeking all the testimony they can procure to substantiate this theory of theirs. Now, Franklin has, first, his orders, as received from Burnside, and then the fact that the execution of these orders was entrusted to Reynolds, for his defense. Before the committee, of course, he will not be heard, but after their report comes out, it will be incumbent on him to notice their statements and demand an investigation. I feel very sorry for Franklin, because I like him, and because he has always been consistently friendly to me.

After returning from the Capitol, I dined with General and Mrs. Burnside and Parke. Parke said he was about being left off the list of major generals, when Burnside's opportune arrival saved him, Halleck giving as a reason that he had exercised no command since his appointment. Burnside, however, had his name sent in, and now he is going to supersede Baldy Smith and take command of the Ninth Corps, which is to accompany Burnside in his new command, to which he, Burnside, expects to be ordered in a few days.

The best piece of news I learned when in Washington was that the President was about issuing his proclamation putting in force the conscription law, and ordering immediately a draft of five hundred thousand men. Only let him do this, and enforce it and get the men, and the North is bound to carry the day.

I sometimes feel very nervous about my position, they are knocking over generals at such a rate. Among others, Wright, who was my beau ideal of a soldier, and whom I had picked out as the most rising man, has had his major-generalcy and his command both taken away from him, because he could not satisfy the extremists of Ohio (anti-slavery) and those of Kentucky (pro-slavery), but tried by a moderate course to steer between them.

Did I tell you the old Reserves had subscribed fifteen hundred dollars to present me with a sword, sash, belt, etc.? It is expected they will be ready about the close of the month, when I am to go, if possible, to their camp near Washington to receive them.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 358-61

General Robert E. Lee to Mary Custis Lee, December 17, 1864

December 17, 1864.

I received day before yesterday the box with hat, gloves, and socks; also the barrel of apples. You had better have kept the latter, as it would have been more useful to you than to me, and I should have enjoyed its consumption by yourself and the girls more than by me.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 348

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, May 31, 1863

We camped by the river last night, and early this morning started for Haines's Bluff. We marched along some fine cornfields. We reached Haines's Bluff in the afternoon, and went into bivouac to the south of that place. We were as far east as Mechanicsville, forty-two miles from Vicksburg. On this raid we burned some fine plantation houses and other improvements. I saw only one residence left standing, and that was where the family had the courage to remain at home. The weather has been hot and the roads dusty.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 119

2nd Ohio Infantry – 3 Months

Organized at Columbus, Ohio, and mustered in April 18, 1861. Ordered to Washington, D.C., April 19, and duty in the defences of that city till July. Attached to Schenck's Brigade, Tyler's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeast Virginia, June-July. Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21. Occupation of Fairfax Court House July 17. Battle of Bull Run July 21. Mustered out July 31, 1861.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496

2nd Ohio Infantry – 3 Years

Organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 17 to September 20, 1861. Left State for Kentucky September 4. Operations in vicinity of Olympian Springs, Ky., till November. Action at West Liberty October 23. Olympian Springs November 4. Ivy Mountain November 8. Piketown November 8-9. Moved to Louisville, Ky., thence to Bacon Creek, Ky., and duty there till February, 1862. Attached to 9th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, October to December, 1861. 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Centre 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, to June, 1864. Headquarters 14th Army Corps to August, 1864.

SERVICE – Advance on Bowling Green, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., February 10-25, 1862. Occupation of Nashville, Tenn., February 25 to March 17. Advance on Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 17-19. Advance on Huntsville, Ala., April 4-11. Pittenger's Raid on Georgia State Railroad April 7-12 (Detachment). Capture of Huntsville, Ala., April 11. Action at West Bridge and occupation of Bridgeport, Ala., April 29. Near Pulaski May 1. Duty along Memphis & Charleston Railroad till August. Actions at Battle Creek June 21 and July 20. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 21-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, Ky.. October 1-15. Battle of Perryville October 8. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7 and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Hoover's Gap June 24-26. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 24. Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. Rossville Gap September 21. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Lookout Mountain November 24. Mission Ridge November 24-25. Pea Vine Valley November 26. Graysville, Ga., November 26. Ringgold, Ga.. November 27. Reconnoissance of Dalton, Ga., February 22-27, 1864. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Faced Ridge February 23-25. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to August 1, 1864. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas. New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Pickett's Mills May 27. Kingston June 1. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Buckhead, Nancy's Creek. July 18. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 1. Ordered to Chattanooga. Tenn., August 1. Mustered out October 10, 1864, expiration of term. Recruits transferred to 18th Ohio Infantry.

Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 96 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 138 Enlisted men by disease. Total 243.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496-7

Fatal Accident in Jefferson county --- Three Persons Drowned.

We are pined to hear of an accident in Jefferson county, Sunday evening last, by which three person lost their lives.  Mr. Ed. W. Culbertson, son of Col. Culbertson of Fairfield, Miss Maggie Nesbitt and Miss Hannier, in a carriage, while attempting to cross Cedar Creek, Sunday Evening, at 5 o’clock, were all drowned.  Young Mr. Culbertson could easily have saved his own life, but he undertook to rescue the young ladies and was drowned with them.  A large number of the citizens of Fairfield and Jefferson county were out yesterday and succeeded in finding the bodies. – Hawk-eye, 20th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Review: The Battle of Stones River

Battle of Stones River:

The Forgotten Conflict Between

the Confederate Army of Tennessee

and the Union Army of the Cumberland

By Larry J. Daniel

The three day battle between the Union Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major General William S. Rosecrans, and the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by General Braxton Bragg, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee between December 31, 1862 & January 2, 1863 was largely overshadowed by Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Day, 1863.  Though the casualty figures equaled those at Shiloh in Western Tennessee nearly ten months earlier, it has since been largely overlooked and all but forgotten.

Larry J. Daniel, the author or coauthor of six books on the American Civil War, including Days of Glory: The Army of the Cumberland, 1861-1865 and Shiloh: The Battle That Changed the Civil War, has resurrected The Battle of Stones River from the shadows of the distant and murky past, and rightfully restored it to its place in the narrative of the American Civil War.

With only approximately 15% of the battlefield currently preserved within the boundaries of Stones River National Battlefield, nearly no monumentation, and large scale development encroaching over the ground on which the battle was fought, it is difficult to grasp the events that unfolded there during those three savage and bloody days when visiting the battlefield.  Matt and Lee Spruill’s guidebook, “Winter Lightning: A Guide to the Battle of Stones River,” can help guide you around Murfreesboro and the battlefield, and the military action that took place there, but it lacks a cohesive narrative that Daniel’s “Battle of Stones River: The Forgotten Conflict between the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and the Union Army of the Cumberland” possesses.

Drawing comparisons of the battle’s commanding generals, Rosecrans and Bragg, Daniel states they both made errors.  Both essentially had the same battle plan, to attack the other’s right wing. Bragg struck first and placed Rosecrans on the defensive.  While contrasting their leadership styles, he points out Rosecrans was personable and liked by the Union soldiers he commanded, whereas the cesspool of contempt against Bragg by the officers who served under him contributed to the dysfunction of the Confederate command structure and ultimately the loss of the battle.

Given Burnside’s bloody defeat at Fredericksburg, Virginia and Sherman’s loss at Chickasaw Bayou, the tactical draw at Murfreesboro was turned into a strategic victory for the North once Bragg and his troops retreat from the field giving the Union and its cause a boost to its morale.

“Battle of Stones River” is written in an easily read linear narrative.  Daniel’s book is well researched and more than a handful of scholars who study the battle contributed to the book, including Gib Buckland, Jim Lewis and John George, staff members at the Stones River National Battlefield, Lanny K. Smith, author of a two volume micro-study of the battle, and Dan Masters, the latter of which scoured dozens of Illinois and Ohio newspapers for soldier’s letters of the battle.  Daniel’s only flaw is that he leans a little too heavily on Master’s research and thus his narrative tilts more favorably in coverage to the Union.

ISBN 978-0807145166, Louisiana State University Press, © 2012, Hardcover, 336 pages, Maps, Photographs, Illustrations, Appendices, End Notes, Bibliography & Index. $38.50.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, May 19, 1862

HEADQUARTERS 54TH REGT. O. V. INF.,

CAMP NO. 7 BEFORE CORINTH, May 19, 1862.

Yesterday we were in a sharp engagement. Had thirteen men killed and thirty-five wounded. We were victorious, and drew the enemy from position. My troops are now in battle array, waiting orders. We hear General Pope is hotly engaged on the left wing.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 204

From Cairo and Halleck’s Army

(Special to the Chicago Journal.)

CAIRO, May 20.

The steamer Platte Valley, from Pittsburg Landing Monday a. m., has just arrived, but brings nothing important.  Heavy cannonading was heard at the Landing on Sunday night, but no significance was attached to it.  The usual skirmishing occurs daily, but no general engagement is anticipated for some days.

Under the operation of Gen. Halleck’s recent order, an advance guard of Bohemians arrived this morning.  The remainder of the corps, numbering about twenty, is expected to-day, all correspondents having been excluded from within the lines.

The Commissioners to received the votes of Illinois troops on the new Constitution returned from below to-day.  They took the votes of the Illinois soldiers stationed at Columbus and Hickman.  Nearly twelve hundred votes were polled, of which over nine hundred were against its adoption.  It is significant that most of those voting against it are democrats.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Review: The Fiddler on Pantico Run

The Fiddler on Pantico Run:

An African Warrior, His White Descendants,
A Search for Family

By Joe Mozingo

Joe Mozingo knew himself as a white man with blue eyes.  The family lore was that the Mozingo surname was Italian, Spanish or Basque in its origins.  He had no reason to question it.  In his travels as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times he had a handful of chance encounters with people with the same name, some were black, and said their name was from Africa.  He also met with people from the African continent who told him his name was African.  Joe, a reporter with an eye for a good story, set about on a quest to discover the origins of his name that would take him on a personal journey crisscrossing the United States, and would spawn two trips to Africa.

What started out as a handful of newspaper stories grew into a book, “The Fiddler on Pantico Run: An African Warrior, His White Descendants, a Search for Family.”  His genealogical search led him to Edward Mozingo, the progenitor of the Mozingo name in the United States.  Edward, as it turns out, was black man, a slave brought from Africa to the Jamestown colony in Virginia in 1644, a man whom after serving as a slave for 28 years sued for his freedom and won.  Edward Mozingo married a white woman who was the mother of his children

Through DNA testing, Joe learned that he was not a directly descended in an unbroken line of male Mozingos but was likely the a descendant of one of Edward Mozingo’s granddaughters.  Seeking out Edward Mozingo’s American descendants Joe travels across the United States and interviews a number of people who share his last name.  White and black, some know the secrets of the family’s past while others, notably the family’s white descendants, are either wholly ignorant of the family’s origins, or also share the family tradition that the name was Italian,  Other white family members were blatantly racist and could not come to terms that their ancestor was a black man.

Searching for Edward Mozingo’s African origins lead Joe to research the history and intricacies of the Atlantic Slave Trade.  Two trips to Africa did little to fill in any facts that are actually known about Edward Mozingo himself, but did help Joe place Edward within the context of the time and place from which he likely came.

“The Fiddler on Pantico Run” is an absorbing look not only at Joe Mozingo’s paternal genealogy, but also the evolving definitions of race and racism in the United States.  Mr. Mozingo deftly demonstrates the color of one’s skin, even within the same family, can influence the destinies of people for generations.

ISBN 978-1451627480, Free Press, © 2012, Hardcover, 320 pages & Index. $32.00.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Major General George G. Meade to John Sergeant Mead, March 15, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., March 15, 1863.

I am obliged to go up to Washington to-day, to appear before the “Committee on the Conduct of the War.” I have no idea what they want me for, but presume it is in relation to the Fredericksburg battle, and that my being called is due to the testimony of General Burnside, who has perhaps referred to me in his statement. I am very sorry I have been called, because my relations and feelings towards all parties are and have been of the most friendly character, and I shall be sorry to become involved in any way in the controversies growing out of this affair.

I have only seen George¹ once since my return; the weather and roads have been so bad that neither of us could get to the camp of the other. The regiment has been very highly complimented by General Stoneman. One squadron has been armed with carbines, and it is expected that in a short time the whole regiment will be thus equipped and the turkey-driving implement² abandoned.

I am completely fuddled about politics, and am afraid the people are very much demoralized. I trust one thing or another will be done. Either carry on the war as it ought to be, with overwhelming means, both material and personal, or else give it up altogether. I am tired of half-way measures and efforts, and of the indecisive character of operations up to this time. I don't know whether these sentiments will be considered disloyal, but they are certainly mine; with the understanding, however, that I am in favor of the first, namely, a vigorous prosecution of the war with all the means in our power.

__________

¹ Son of General Meade.

² Lance carried by some cavalry regiments.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 357-8

General Robert E. Lee to Mary Custis Lee, February 21, 1865

February 21, 1865

After sending my note this morning I received from the express office a bag of socks. You will have to send down your offerings as soon as you can and bring your work to a close, for I think General Grant will move against us soon — within a week if nothing prevents — and no man can tell what may be the result; but, trusting to a merciful God, who does not always give the battle to the strong, I pray we may not be overwhelmed. I shall, however, endeavor to do my duty and fight to the last. Should it be necessary to abandon our position to prevent being surrounded, what will you do? Will you remain, or leave the city? You must consider the question and make up your mind. It is a fearful condition, and we must rely for guidance and protection upon a kind Providence.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 347-8

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, May 30, 1863

Our expedition started back this morning for Vicksburg. We received orders to burn the buildings along the way and drive in all the cattle we could find. Our road ran along the south side of the Yazoo river, through rich bottom land planted to corn and cotton. The plantations are well improved with fine buildings. This bottom land is from one and one-half to two miles wide and springs in the bluffs pour out excellent water which runs in streams to the river. We got our fill of good water. When we halted at noon for lunch Company E, on rear guard, stopped in the sheds of a cotton gin in order to escape the hot sun. We had been there but a few minutes when some straggler set fire to the cotton, which being very dry and scattered about soon made a big fire, driving us out. The fire burned some sheep, a yoke of oxen and a wagon, besides other articles which we had taken en route.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 118-9

1st Ohio Infantry – 3 Months

Organized at large April 14 to April 29, 1861. Mustered in April 17, 1861. Moved to Washington, D.C., April 19, and duty in the Defences of that city till July. Attached to Schenck's Brigade, Tyler's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeast Virginia. Actions at Vienna, Va., June 17 and July 9. McDowell's advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21. Occupation of Fairfax Court House, Va., July 17. Battle of Bull Run, Va., July 21. Cover retreat to Washington. Ordered to Ohio and mustered out August 2, 1861, expiration of term.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496

1st Ohio Infantry – 3 Years

Organized at Camp Corwin, Dayton, Ohio, August 5 to October 30, 1861. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, October 31; thence to Louisville, Ky., November 5, and to West Point, Ky., November 8. Moved to Elizabethtown and Camp Nevin, Ky., November 15-16. Camp at Bacon Creek and Green River, Ky., till February, 1862. Attached to 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Ohio, to September, 1862. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of Ohio, to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to September, 1864.

SERVICE. – March to Nashville, Tenn., February 14-25, 1862. Occupation of Nashville February 25 to March 16. March to Duck River March 16-21, and to Savannah, Tenn., March 31-April 6. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss.. April 29-May 30. Duty at Corinth till June 10. Moved to Iuka, Miss., thence to Tuscumbia, Florence and Huntsville, Ala., June 10-July 5. Duty at Boulay Fork till August 30. Expedition to Tullahoma July 14-18. March to Pelham August 24, thence to Altamont August 28. Reconnoissance toward Sequatchie Valley August 29-30. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 30-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-17. Lawrenceburg October 8. Dog Walk, Perryville, October 9. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 17-November 7, and duty there till December 26. Kimbrough's Mills, Mill Creek, December 6. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-October 27. Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29. Brown's Ferry October 27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Mission Ridge November 24-25. March to relief of Knoxville November 28-December 8. East Tennessee Campaign December, 1863-January, 1864. Operations about Dandridge January 16-17, 1864. Operations in East Tennessee till April. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to July 25. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton May 8-13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Adairsville May 17. Near Kingston May 18-19. Near Cassville May 19. Advance on Dallas May 22-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-26. Ordered to the reach for muster out. Scout from Whitesides, Tenn., to Sulphur Springs September 2-5 (Detachment). Mustered out September 24 to October 14, 1864. Recruits transferred to 18th Ohio Volunteers Infantry October 31, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 116 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 130 Enlisted men by disease. Total 251.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496

Who Killed Sterling Price?

Francis Munson, Esq., who went to Pittsburg Landing a short time ago to present a stand of colors to the 51st Illinois Infantry, Col. Cummings, returned this morning.  He says there is no doubt that the rebel General Sterling Price, of Missouri, was killed as rumored a day or two ago.  He fell into an ambuscade of the 51st Illinois, who fired upon him, and he fell pierced by forty balls.  He was brought into the federal camp, and identified by parties who knew him. – Chicago Journal.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Special to the Chicago Journal

ST. LOUIS, May 20.

The following dispatch has been received at Head Quarters in this city.  The letter spoken of is evidently one that has been intercepted:

“A letter from a regimental Quartermaster at Corinth to his wife, says, they (the rebels) are gone up.  They have scant ten days’ rations, and can get no more.  Thinks there can be no fighting, as Halleck has cut off their supplies.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, May 29, 1863

We started on the move early this morning and after marching about ten miles came upon the rebel pickets. We drove them in and forming a line of battle advanced towards them about two miles, our batteries throwing a few shells. But the rebels refused to take a stand and finally withdrew altogether. It was a small detachment of Johnston's army. We lost one killed and two wounded. Our regiment went out on picket.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 118

Sturgis' Rifles

Organized at Chicago, Ill., April –, and mustered in May 6, 1861. Ordered to West Virginia June 15 and reported at Parkersburg, W. Va. Assigned to duty as Body Guard to Gen. George B. McClellan, Commanding Army of West Virginia. West Virginia Campaign July 6-17. Battle of Rich Mountain July 10-11. Moved with Gen. McClellan to Washington, D.C., July 25 and guard duty at Headquarters Army of the Potomac till November, 1862. Participating in the Virginia Peninsula Campaign March to August, 1862. Siege of Yorktown. Battles of the seven days before Richmond. Maryland Campaign, Battle of Antietam, Md., and movement to Falmouth, Va. Mustered out November 25, 1862.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103

First Illinois Troops In Service – On Expedition To Cairo.

CHICAGO LIGHT ARTILLERY COMPANY. – Organized April 21. Discharged May 2, 1861.

LOCKPORT ARTILLERY COMPANY. – Organized April 22. Discharged July 31, 1861.

CHICAGO ZOUAVES, COMPANY "A." – Organized April 19. Discharged May 3, 1861.

CHICAGO ZOUAVES, COMPANY "B." – Organized April 15. Discharged April 29, 1861.

CHICAGO LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY.--Organized April 19. Discharged May 3, 1861.

TURNER UNION CADETS. – Organized April 15. Discharged April 29, 1861.

LINCOLN RIFLES. – Organized April 15. Discharged April 29, 1861.

LIGHT ARTILLERY COMPANY. – Organized April 21. Discharged April 29, 1861.

HOUGHTAILING'S OTTAWA COMPANY. – Organized April 18, (Co, "F," 110th Illinois Infantry. 3 Mos.)

CAIRO SANDWICH COMPANY. – Organized April 19. (Co. "C," 10th Illinois Infantry. 3 Mos.) Participating in Swift's Cairo Expedition, April 21-29, 1861.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103

Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, April 15, 1861

CINCINNATI, April 15, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE: —  . . . We are all for war. The few dissentients have to run like quarter-horses. A great change for two weeks to produce. As the Dutchman said, "What a beeples." Poor Anderson! What a chance he threw away. The Government may overlook or even whitewash it, but the people and history will not let him off so easily. I like it. Anything is better than the state of things we have had the last few months. We shall have nothing but rub-a-dub and rumors for some time to come.

 All pretty well. Mother thinks we are to be punished for our sinfulness, and reads the Old Testament vigorously. Mother Webb quietly grieves over it. Lucy enjoys it and wishes she had been in Fort Sumter with a garrison of women. Dr. Joe is for flames, slaughter, and a rising of the slaves. All the boys are soldiers.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

 SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 9

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, May 15, 1862

HEADQUARTERS 54TH REGT. O. V. INF.,

CAMP NO. 6 IN THE FIELD,

MISSISSIPPI, May 15, 1862.

We are still advancing, counter-skirmishing, and the din of cannonading is by day and night. We are close to Corinth. A great and decisive battle must soon be fought. We have been brigaded a second time. My regiment is now under command of Brigadier-General Morgan L. Smith, and consists of four regiments, the 55th Illinois, Colonel Stuart; the 57th Ohio, under Lieutenant-Colonel Rice, the Colonel being absent on sick leave; the 8th Missouri, and the 54th Ohio. I still preserve my position on the left flank, which gives me my position on the extreme left of the brigade, and as we march by the left flank, the advance of the army, which is a post of honor. The integrity and courage of my command is undoubted, and therefore the responsible trust. My address will now be 54th Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, First Brigade, Fifth Division, Major-General Sherman commanding.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 204

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 13, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., March 13, 1863.

I am glad you went to Professor Cresson's experiments on the polarization of light, which must have been very interesting, even though unintelligible!

Captain Magaw and ladies left us to-day. Though we were utterly unprepared for such visitors, we managed to make them quite comfortable, and they left delighted. Yesterday I put the ladies in an ambulance and mounted Magaw on Baldy, and we went over and took a look at Fredericksburg, and afterwards called on Hooker. The General was, however, absent at a grand wedding which took place yesterday in camp, followed last night by a ball, and I understand another ball is given to-night by General Sickles. Not being honored with an invitation to these festivities, I did not go.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 357

General Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis, December 14, 1864

NEAR PETERSBURG, December 14, 1864.

MR. PRESIDENT:

After sending my dispatch to you yesterday, knowing that the snow in the Valley was six inches deep and the weather very cold, and presuming that active operations would necessarily be suspended, I directed Rodes's division to march for Staunton and requested the quartermaster-general to send cars to convey it to Richmond. It is now on the road, and should reach Staunton tomorrow evening. If the quartermaster's department is active, it should arrive in Richmond Friday morning. A dispatch received from General Early last night stated that the scouts just in report that the Nineteenth Corps of the enemy had left the Valley, and that the Eighth was under marching orders. The latter might be preparing to move nearer the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, for I do not think they will strip it of all defense, or both corps may be coming to General Grant. Colonel Withers's scouts report that a New York regiment of infantry and part of the Seventh Regiment of cavalry had left the Kanawha for the valley; but I suppose they might have been intended to replace the garrison at New Creek. I do not know what may be General Grant's next move; his last against the Weldon Railroad and our right flank failed. The expeditions from Plymouth and New Berne against Fort Branch on the Roanoke, and Kinston, N. C., have both retreated, before the forces moved against them, back to their former positions. Everything at this time is quiet in the departments of Virginia and North Carolina. If the reports of the prisoners and the statements of Federal officers to the citizens of the country are true, the object of the last expedition was to make a permanent lodgment at Weldon, draw supplies by the Roanoke and Seaboard Railroad and thence operate against the railroad in North Carolina. General Grant may not now be prepared to break through our center, as the canal at Dutch Gap is reported nearly completed. As long as he holds so large an army around Richmond, I think it very hazardous to diminish our force. We now can oppose about a division to one of his corps. I fear Savannah is in great danger, and unless our operations there are bold and energetic I am apprehensive of its fall. I hope, though, if all our troops are united Sherman may be repulsed. But there is no time to lose. If the Nineteenth Corps does not come to Grant we might spare a division; but if the Nineteenth and Eighth are both drawn to him, we shall require more than we have. I ordered Gen. J. A. Walker with the Virginia reserves from Weldon to Kinston to oppose the movement against that place. He is now on his return to his position on the Danville and Southside Roads.

With a firm reliance on our merciful God that He will cause all things to work together for our good, I remain, with great respect,

Your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 345-6

To The Ladies

An appeal is again made to the patriotism and benevolence of the ladies of Davenport, in behalf of the sick and wounded soldiers soon expected here; there is much work to be done to make them comfortable, and as yet but few have volunteered their assistance, it is therefore earnestly requested that there will be an increased attendance of patriotic ladies every day until the work is completed.  The place of meeting is in the lecture room of Christian Chapel, Brady st.  Entrance on the south side of the building.

BY ORDER OF PRES. SOL. AID SOCIETY.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Among a large number of arrivals at . . .

. . . Keokuk Hospital, we find only two names from this neighborhood, viz: Corp. Samuel Campbell, Co. D, 11th Iowa Regiment, from Rock Island; and Wm. G. Schoen, Co. G, 16th, who is believed to belong to this city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Straw

A quantity of dry straw is needed immediately for the hospital at Camp McClellan.  Farmers in the vicinity can contribute to the comfort of the sick soldiers on their way to this city, by supplying the want without delay.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, May 28, 1863

Last night we bivouacked twenty miles east of Vicksburg and remained there till noon, waiting for rations. We then moved on ten miles and went into bivouac for the night. The country is very rough in this part of the state and there are only a few small farms to be seen. Water is scarce, our main reliance being cistern water.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 118

151st Illinois Infantry

Organized at Quincy, Ill., and mustered in for 1 year's service February 23, 1865. Moved to Springfield, Ill.; thence to Nashville, Murfreesboro and Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dalton, Ga., February 23-March 13, 1865. Attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Separate Division, District of the Etowah, Dept. of the Cumberland, to July, 1865. Dept. of Georgia to January, 1866.

SERVICE. – Duty at Dalton, Ga., till May 2, 1865. Moved to Resaca, Calhoun and Kingston, Ga., May 2-12. Surrender of Warford May 13-14-15. At Kingston, Ga., till July 28. Detachments at Adairsville, Rome and Cartersville. Moved to Columbus, Ga., July 28-31, and duty there till January, 1866. Mustered out January 24, 1866. Discharged February 8, 1866.

Regiment lost during service by disease 51.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1102

152nd Illinois Infantry

Organized at Camp Butler, Ill., and mustered in for 1 year February 18, 1865. Moved to Nashville, Tenn.; thence to Tullahoma, Tenn., February 20-28, 1865. Attached to 2nd Brigade, Defences Nashville & Chattanooga R. R., Dept. of the Cumberland, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Sub-District, District of Middle Tennessee, to July, 1865. 1st Infantry Brigade, District of West Tennessee, to September, 1865.

SERVICE. – Assigned to duty as railroad guard on the Nashville & Chattanooga R. R. till July, 1865. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., and duty there till September. Mustered out September 9, 1865.

Regiment lost during service by disease 76.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1102-3

153rd Illinois Infantry

Organized at Camp Fry, Chicago, Ill., and mustered in for 1 year February 27, 1865. Moved to Nashville, Tenn.; thence to Tullahoma, Tenn., March 4-10. Attached to 2nd Brigade, Defences of Nashville & Chattanooga R. R., Dept. of the Cumberland, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Sub-District, District of Middle Tennessee, to July, 1865. 1st Infantry Brigade, District of West Tennessee, to September, 1865.

SERVICE. – Assigned to guard duty on Nashville & Chattanooga R. R. till July, 1865. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., July 1, and duty there till September. Mustered out September 15, 1865, and discharged September 24, 1865.

Regiment lost during service by disease 37.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103

154th Illinois Infantry

Organized at Camp Butler and mustered in February 21, 1865. Moved to Louisville, Ky.; thence to Nashville and Murfreesboro, Tenn., February 24-March 3, 1865. Attached to 1st Brigade, Defences Nashville & Chattanooga R. R., Dept. of the Cumberland, to April, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Sub-District, District of Middle Tennessee, to September, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Murfreesboro, Tenn., till May 13, 1865. Moved to Tullahoma, Tenn., May 13-15; thence to Nashville June 11 and Garrison duty there till September. Mustered out September 18, 1865.

Regiment lost during service by disease 76.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103

155th Illinois Infantry

Organized at Camp Butler and mustered in February 28, 1865. Moved to Louisville, Ky.; thence to Nashville and Tullahoma, Tenn., March 2-10, 1865. Attached to 2nd Brigade, Defences Nashville & Chattanooga R. R., Dept. of the Cumberland, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Sub-District, District of Middle Tennessee, to September, 1865.

SERVICE. – Guard Block Houses on Nashville & Chattanooga R. R. by Detachments from Nashville to Duck River till September. Mustered out September 4, 1865.

Regiment lost during service by disease 71.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103

156th Illinois Infantry

Organized February 16, 1865. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., and attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Separate Division, District of the Etowah, Department of the Cumberland.

SERVICE. – Engaged in guarding R. R. and Post duty in Department of the Cumberland till September. Mustered out September 20, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Enlisted men killed and 24 Enlisted men by disease. Total 26.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103

In The Review Queue: Loathing Lincoln

Loathing Lincoln: An American Tradition from the Civil War to the Present

By John McKee Barr

While most Americans count Abraham Lincoln among the most beloved and admired former presidents, a dedicated minority has long viewed him not only as the worst president in the country's history, but also as a criminal who defied the Constitution and advanced federal power and the idea of racial equality. In Loathing Lincoln, historian John McKee Barr surveys the broad array of criticisms about Abraham Lincoln that emerged when he stepped onto the national stage, expanded during the Civil War, and continued to evolve after his death and into the present.

The first panoramic study of Lincoln's critics, Barr's work offers an analysis of Lincoln in historical memory and an examination of how his critics -- on both the right and left -- have frequently reflected the anxiety and discontent Americans felt about their lives. From northern abolitionists troubled by the slow pace of emancipation, to Confederates who condemned him as a "black Republican" and despot, to Americans who blamed him for the civil rights movement, to, more recently, libertarians who accuse him of trampling the Constitution and creating the modern welfare state, Lincoln's detractors have always been a vocal minority, but not one without influence.

By meticulously exploring the most significant arguments against Lincoln, Barr traces the rise of the president's most strident critics and links most of them to a distinct right-wing or neo-Confederate political agenda. According to Barr, their hostility to a more egalitarian America and opposition to any use of federal power to bring about such goals led them to portray Lincoln as an imperialistic president who grossly overstepped the bounds of his office. In contrast, liberals criticized him for not doing enough to bring about emancipation or ensure lasting racial equality. Lincoln's conservative and libertarian foes, however, constituted the vast majority of his detractors. More recently, Lincoln's most vociferous critics have adamantly opposed Barack Obama and his policies, many of them referencing Lincoln in their attacks on the current president. In examining these individuals and groups, Barr's study provides a deeper understanding of American political life and the nation itself.

About the Author: John McKee Barr is professor of history at Lone Star College Kingwood.

ISBN 978-0807153833, Louisiana State University Press, © 2014, Hardcover, 480 pages, Endnotes, Bibliography & Index. $35.95.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Dead Soldiers

The following names soldiers died in the Keokuk Hospital on the 19th inst.: S. R. Dysart, Co. C, 15th Regt.; N. J. Ohmert, Co. K, 13th Regt.; and J. A. Fairman, Co. B, 11th Regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Dead Soldiers

The following Iowa soldiers died in the hospitals at Cincinnati last week, viz:  Francis Varner, Co. A, 18th regiment, James A. Whitney, Co. E, 2d regiment, and George Hubbard, Co. E, 12th regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

The Jones Family

One would naturally suppose that Geo. W. Jones, after his arrest for treasonable correspondence with the arch traitor Jeff. Davis and incarceration at Fort Lafayette and release only on taking the oath of allegiance to support the Government and the capture of his son in arms against the Government at Fort Donelson, would not have the temerity to show his face to the people of Iowa, let alone traveling among them and trying to reorganize the Democratic Party.  But the brazen impudence of the man is only exceeded by the fact that loyal Iowa should contain enough disloyalists to give a show of success to his efforts.  Another item has leaked out to show the treason of the Jones family.  A Shiloh correspondent of the N. Y Times, who was in the battle at Wilson’s Creek, picked up a letter from another son of the notorious George W., introducing to a Captain in the rebel army a citizen of Dubuque, who wished to fight against his Government.  But the letter and extract will explain the matter, and show the traitor propensities of the family:

In roaming about the woods I found a well worn letter, whose contents may prove of interest.  It is dated:

DUBUQUE, Iowa, July 1, 1861.

DEAR HUNTER: By this I introduce to you my friend, Daniel O. C. Quigly, of this town, and bespeak your kindness and attention toward him.  I believe he will prove himself worthy of your friendship.  With every wish for your prosperity and happiness, your friend.

CHARLES D. JONES.

To Captain S. E. Hunter, Hunter’s Rifles,

Clinton, Louisiana.

The particularities of this document consist in the fact that the writer is a son of Gen. Geo. W. Jones, of Dubuque, (late Minister to Bogota, Fort Lafayette, &c.,) and a brother of the Lieut. Jones who was bagged at Fort Henry.  The Quigly spoken of, is a son of a prominent citizen of Dubuque, and one who, soon after the war commenced, bolted to the South and offered his services to the scoundrels who are trying to break up this government.  I offer the letter for publication from the fact that the writer now lives in Dubuque, and pretends, as he ever has pretended since the war began, to be loyal.  How far such loyalty will be tolerated by a Government whose burdens are already heavy enough, should be tested.  The letter was given, and for a treasonable purpose, at a time when the gallant Lyon was struggling against the traitorous uprisings in Missouri – at a time when hundreds of Jones’ townsmen in the First Iowa, were toiling and suffering beneath the burning sun of Missouri, inspired only by motives of patriotism, by a wish to preserve intact their beloved Constitution – it was at such a time that Jones chose to perpetrate his treason and assist in the work of breaking up the Government.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 2

See Also:

• The Jones Family of Dubuque, Iowa

Hunter’s Proclamation

The President of the United States has issued his proclamation revoking that of Maj. Gen. Hunter’s, although he has not yet received any information with regard to the authenticity of the document attributed to Gen. Hunter.  Outside pressure, and not internal conviction has no doubt been the cause of this move on the part of the Executive.  In due time the world will be ready for General Hunter, but at this stage he too is far in advance of political demagoguery.  A stride too great just now might imperil the whole.  Prudence, caution, discretion, are absolutely necessary at this juncture.

Slavery is a tremendous evil, and has fast hold upon the people; its grasp must be loosened by degrees; any sudden attempt to detach it would render it more tenacious.  Had President Lincoln issued his emancipation message six months before he did, it would have failed of its object.  Had Gen. Fremont waited six months longer, he might have published his order with impunity.  We live in an age of progress, and somehow the United States has come to be the nucleus around which the concretions gather.  The war with its ten thousand evils is doing wonders in the way of enlightening our people upon certain truths, to which they have before been blind.

Before slavery “let slip the dogs of war” upon the North, our people in large numbers had been accustomed to regard it as a local institution – one affecting only those among whom it existed, having no bearing upon the free States of the North; that the efforts of the Republican party to circumscribe its limits was intermeddling with a matter that did not concern them; while the denunciations of the whole institution by certain persons, was looked upon as purely fanaticism.  The lessons of a twelvemonth have opened the eyes of our understanding, and we see things in a different light from what we had been accustomed to regard them.

The enormity of the evil of slavery, its wide-spread influence, is beginning to be felt and acknowledged, and as men get greater insight into it they find it to contain more ills than Pandora’s box, and, as good citizens, they would rid themselves of it altogether.  The feeling is growing; day by day, the tentacles of reason are reaching out and grasping truths with which to fortify the human mind.  What to-day would be temerity, tomorrow may be discretion.  Men who oppose the confiscation of rebel property now, will be as heartily ashamed of their course a year hence, as they are at this time free to disown their actions of a twelvemonth ago.  Gen. Hunter’s proclamation startles the North, and its friends say it is premature – six months hence, and it will be the policy of the Government, and the man who has the hardihood to oppose it will be branded as entertaining secession proclivities.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, May 27, 1863

Our brigade, with four others, all under the command of General Blair, left this morning for Benton's Crossroads. The expedition is to keep General Johnston from coming in to reinforce the rebels at Vicksburg. Cannonading and picket firing opened up early this morning. Our army, by sapping and mining after night, is gradually working its way closer to the fortifications. Our men are well protected during the day by earthworks.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 118