Private William O. Gulick to His Parents, October 18, 1861

Camp Benton,²³ Mo. Oct. 18th/61

Co. M. 1st Ia. Cavalry        

Dear Father & Mother

I have just set down to write you a letter. I have a great deal to write and but little time to write in. I have been very busy for the two days I have been here. It was very rainy the day we came in and cleaning up and geting settled is quite a chore. I wrote a very short letter the day we left Burlington stateing that we was about to leave We had a very pleasant trip down to this place We were from Monday noon untill Wednesday morning but we lay up; one night above the Keokuk rappids I was very glad as it gave me a chance to pass Canton and many other towns in the day time, we did not pass any town but what the Glorious old Stripes and Stars were seen floating from some part although some were said to be quite rank secessionists The finest looking City I see was Quincy, we stoped there about two hours. The Iowa third Infantry was encamped there, I believe to recrute awhile. and to my surprise I came across Charlie James from Camanche Township.²⁴ He said he expected to go home on a furlough soon, if he dose you will see him and an hours chat would be interesting as he was in the Battle of Blue mills²⁵ & severel skirmishes. I set up all night on the boat to see the Bluffs and cave above Alton I could not distinguish the cave but the rocks I could see planely, I also see the mouths of the Ills. and Mo. rivers We arrived in St. Louis about 7 oclock in the morning It shows to good advantage to the river, It was a long time before we could land as the levee for two miles was crowded with steam boats I tell you, St. Louis is a large city and things look warlike. There is a great many Gun boats building and the streets are lined with soldiers canons are seen drawn through the streets with other arms and shiped to the different camps. The St. Louis streets are very narrow. Our camp is just out of the City and five miles from the river I thought we would never find the M. Barracks,²⁶ although we were tired the march from the boat was more interesting than I thought it could be, as we were cheered from evry side and the seens of a city to a country greenhorn were all new, When we arrived at Benton Barracks I found the best Quarters I ever seen I will send a View of the Barracks in a newspaper I believe there is about 7,000 thousand soldiers encamped here and in the Fare Grounds adjoining. On this sheet there is a view of the fare grounds on review day There is soldiers from Iowa, Ill, Wis, and many other states they are comeing and leaving evry day. By the way I said Isaac and his company were all here when we arrived, Well they had marching orders yesterday they saddled and packed their things but did not get off untill today three oclock they have a part of their arms and expect to go by Jefferson Barracks and get the rest of their arms. Jef. Barks, is about five miles below St. Louis. I do not know how many soldiers are encamped their I do not know where Isaac is going but he will undoubtedly see a fight before he gets back I was sorry to see him leave, but still I was very anxious to go with him, but I know I shall have a chance before long to smell Rebble Powder, When I look around me and see so much that Government has done and has to do, I do not wonder at its slow movements as we used to call them Evrything here is on the strict order I was on guard today and it is night now, soon will be tattoo when all lights have to be extinguished I have only received your two letters that you sent to Burlington since I left home Except one from H. H. Judson and Aaron I should like to get some letters from any body (only so I get some) I came across some of Mr. Lafayette Tallmans Relations the day before we left Burlington some of their boys came to camp and when they found who we were and where from, nothing would do but that we should go out in the country about 2 miles where they lived and see them We did so and had a good dinner and an excellent visit, They wanted I should write so Tallman would know it, They said tell Tallman that Old Aunt Elen of Henry county was dead. This Tallmans name is Thomas _____     The Iowa eighth Rej. left here two or three days before we came in I was sorry for I should like to have seen some of the Eden boys. Isaac said that John Dam was left here in the Hospital. Was not able to go with the Rej. I have not had time to go and see him yet but think I shall go tomorrow If I can get a pass. I expect when I leave here that I will not be allowed to carry any thing except what I can carry in my saddle so I will have to send my carpet sack home or give it away as soon as I get my arms I intend having my likeness taken again and send home I only wish I could get all of yours I believe you might send them all in one case that is taken on single plates Again I wish you all might be here to see the encampment and see the soldiers drill &c one day if no more The talk is that we will get our pay soon. I do not know but hope we will for many of the Boys are out of money I have plenty as yet however I do not know how long we may stay here yet but I guess the best way is to send your letters here as they are all forwarded on after evry company You must all write to me evry one of my folkes and direct to, Benton Barracks, St. Louis Mo. Company M 1st Ia. Cavalry

P. S. Give my love to all my friends and receive this from your affectionate son.

W. O. Gulick

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²³ Benton Barracks, also called Camp Benton, was just outside St. Louis. It was the chief point of assembly for the Union armies in Missouri late in 1861 and early in 1862.

²⁴ Camanche Township in which the town of Camanche, Iowa, is located, lies along the Mississippi River a few miles southwest of Clinton.

²⁵ This refers to the action at Blue Mills Landing (about five miles from Liberty, Clay County, Missouri), on September 17, 1861. About 4400 Confederates attacked 900 Union men and the latter were forced to retire. Union losses were about 130 killed and wounded, the Confederate about 160. The Third Iowa Infantry, as Gulick reports, was engaged. —Official Records: War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. III, pp. 193-195. This series was published by the Government Printing Office at Washington, 1880-1898.

²⁶ That part of Benton Barracks occupied by Company M of Gulick's regiment.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 210-3.

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, February 10, 1862

We left Bacon creek at noon. There were ten thousand men in advance of us, with immense baggage trains. The roads bad, and our march slow, tedious, and disagreeable. Many of the officers imbibed freely, and the senior surgeon, an educated gentleman, and very popular with the boys, became gloriously elevated. He kept his eye pealed for secesh, and before reaching Munfordsville found a citizen twice as big as himself in possession of a doublebarreled shot-gun. Taking it for granted that he was an enemy, the Doctor drew a revolver and bade him surrender unconditionally. The boys said the Doctor was as tight as a little bull. What phase of inebriety this remark indicated I am unable to say; but certain it is that he did not for a moment lose sight of his gigantic prisoner, nor give him the slightest opportunity to escape. He was quite triumphant in his bearing; directed the movements of the captive in a loud and imperious tone, and favored him with much patriotic advice.

A wagon with six unbroken mules attached is an uncertain conveyance. If the mules are desired to stop suddenly, they are certain not to do so, and if commanded to start suddenly, they are just as sure not to obey. If, after an immense amount of whipping and many fervent asseverations on the part of the driver that all mules should be in Tophet, they conclude to start at all, they go as if determined to reach the place indicated without unnecessary delay. If a mudhole, ditch, tree, or any other obstacle lies in the way, and the driver cries whoa, the mules redouble their speed, and rush forward as if they did not in the slightest degree consider themselves responsible either for the driver's neck or the traps with which the wagon is laden.

It was about eight o'clock in the evening when we crossed the bridge over Green river. The moon had around it a halo, in which appeared very distinctly all the colors of the National flag-red, white, and blue-and the boys said it was a good omen; that they were Union people up there, and had hung out the Stars and Stripes.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 103-5

Diary of Colonel John Beatty, February 13, 1862

Long before sunrise the whole division was astir, and at seven o'clock moved forward, our brigade in the center. Far as the eye could reach, both in front and rear, the road was crowded with men. A score of bands filled the air with martial strains, while the morning sun brightened the muskets, and made the flags look more cheerful and brilliant. The day was warm and pleasant. The country before us was, in a military sense, unexplored, and every ear was open to catch the sound of the first gun. The conviction that a battle was imminent kept the men steady and prevented straggling. We passed many fine houses, and extensive, well improved farms. But few white people were seen. The negroes appeared to have entire possession.

Six miles from Green river a young and very pretty girl stood in the doorway of a handsome farm-house and waved the flag of the Union. Cheer after cheer arose along the line; officers saluted, soldiers waved their hats, and the bands played "Yankee Doodle" and "Dixie." That loyal girl captured a thousand hearts, and I trust some gallant soldier who shall win honorable scars in battle may return in good time to crown her his Queen of Love and Beauty.

From this on for fifteen miles we found neither springs nor streams. The country is cavernous, and the only water is that of the ponds. In all of these we discovered dead and decaying horses, mules, and dogs. The rebels in this way had sought to deprive us of water; but while their action in this regard occasioned a vast deal of profanity among the boys, it did not in the least retard the column. We were, however, delayed somewhat by the felled trees with which they had obstructed miles of the road. At sunset we halted and pitched our tents in a large field, near what is known as Bell's Tavern, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. We had marched eighteen miles.

The water used in the preparation of the evening meal was that of the ponds. The thought of the rotting dogs, horses, and mules, could not be banished, and when the Major sipped his coffee in a doubtful way and remarked that it tasted soupy, my stomach quivered on the turning point, and, hungry as I was, the supper gave me no further enjoyment.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, pp. 105-6

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Friday, February 22, 1861

This has been a delightful day, rather cool, but pleasant. The celebration of Washingtons birth day called out a grand display of the Military of the District in the morning. The U.S. troops paraded afterwards by themselves. The order for their appearance in the morning with the Militia was for some reason not now understood countermanded. Wife and family went to the Av^e at 10. o'clock and witnessed the display from C Woodwards Balcony. I dined by invitation at the National with some Gentlemen from NY City. A salute of 34 guns was fired, and the “Stars & Stripes” were flying from every point today. Spent the evening at home.

SOURCE: Horatio Nelson Taft, The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C., image 21.

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862

Left Cairo on the Steamer Illinois. The Gun Boats 5 in number and 4 mortars taking the lead for Columbus, at which place we arrived at about 11 O'clock. The Ills. 2nd cavalry had occupied the place & the Stars and Stripes were floating from the fortifications. After disembarking, the 27th headed by our noble Col. marched to the stirring notes of Yankee Doodle & Dixie, up the levee & the hill to the fortifications on the Bluffs. This place where nature & art had made the Gibraltar of America would have cost the Government an immense number of lives & treasure before succumbing to the American arms, after viewing the stupendous works and the different modes of destruction which the Rebels had invented to destroy the Northern Barbarian and Yankees as they term them, Such as torpedoes & infernal machines which they had burried in the earth promiscously as far back in the country and as far up & down the river as the fortifications extend Each one connecting by wire with a magnetic Battery by which they were to be exploded.¹ After seeing all there was to be seen we marched back down to town where we went into quarters Col. Buford taking his qrs. in town at the Columbus Bank a nice Brick Building. Our Col. commanding is Lieut Col. Harrington he has taken his qrs. near the Regt. in a large 2 story house formerly the Head Qrs of the Rebel Gen. Pope. There is quite a change with weather this afternoon turned colder Col. Buford has assumed command of the Post. A portion of our Regt have taken up their qrs. in the rebels barracks built of logs and a portion are encamped in tents.

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¹ See the report of Flag officer, A. H. Foote, Mar. 4, 1862. War Records, Series I., vol. VII., p. 436. In part he reports as follows: "Columbus is in our possession. My armed reconnaissance on the 2nd caused a hasty evacuation, the rebels leaving quite a number of guns and carriages, amunition and a large quanity of shot and shell, a considerable number of anchors, and the remnant of chain lately stretched across the river, with a large number of torpedoes. Most of the huts, tents, and quarters destroyed. The works are of very great strength, consisting of formidable teers of batteries on the water side and on the land side, surrounded by a ditch and abatis."

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236

Diary of Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones, Sunday, December 28, 1862

Near Memphis, Tenn.  Slept out-doors. Awoke at 5 A. M. A beautiful morning. Byhalia, unlike Tallaloosa, was a bright and lively little village, with a large school house, church, lodge room, with a scientific laboratory, out of which the boys jay-hawked numerous books, writing utensils, etc. etc. Picked up two horses and two mules. The owner of the horses came and pleaded hard, but could receive no other satisfaction than a receipt from Lieutenant Clark. He was reported to be a rank Secesh, as well as everybody else.

We started with the 1st Brigade in rear of the train at 9 A. M. Twenty-eight miles from Memphis, passed a house where a woman stood in the yard, bravely holding the Stars and Stripes in her hand (to protect her chickens I suppose). Marched along quietly; nothing of importance save the appropriation of considerable molasses along the road until half an hour of sundown when a small party of guerrillas dashed up in our rear, discharging some fifteen or twenty pieces, then legging it before their fire could be returned. We halted, the cannoneers sprang to their posts, got their equipments, when the 48th Indiana formed their line. But it was all over with. They were gone, and we started on.

Two of the balls took effect, wounding two boys of the 48th Indiana in the arms. An assistant adjutant general and surgeon [who] had wandered a little from the train, were taken also by a few of Jackson's cavalry, divested of their accoutrements and horses, then paroled.

7 P. M. Drew up three-fourths of an hour to feed our horses, then started on, travelled till 10 P. M. Came into camp seven miles from Memphis.

SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, pp. 22-3

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Friday, January 4, 1861

A Mild and pleasant day but I think people feel much like wearing sackcloth and observing the day as recommended. There has been services at most of the churches which were crowded. Myself and wife went to the Capitol to hear Doct Stockton the Chaplin at the “House.” The Hall of Congress was crowded to excess and the services were very solemn. The “Rattle Snake” and the “pitiful Palmetto” even alluded to in connection with the “Eagle” and the glorious “Stars and Stripes.” Stores &c all closed.

SOURCE: Horatio Nelson Taft, The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C., image 5.

Diary of Henry Greville: Tuesday, May 7, 1861

A dower of 30,000l. and an annuity of 6,000l. were voted nem. con. last night for Princess Alice.

An interesting letter from Fanny Kemble of April 20 from Philadelphia says:

'How can I describe the state of things in the midst of which we are living? I am paying a visit to Sarah¹ before returning to Lenox for the summer, and even in this village (a suburb of Philadelphia) we are in the midst of the most furious political and military excitement. It is Sunday, and the drums have been rolling to call the men to drill. Mr. Butler has gone off to swear his allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, taking, in spite of her own and her sister's entreaties, and the remonstrances of all his friends, Fanny² with him, his purpose, I understand, being to establish himself on his plantation again, buying a new force of slaves instead of those he sold two years ago, and thus become a resident Georgian slaveholder. Absolute war has broken out between North and South; all communication by post or telegraph is suspended. Maryland, which has hitherto (though a Slave State) been considered loyal to the Government, has seceded. A murderous onslaught was made in Baltimore, the chief city of Maryland, on the troops going through to Washington. These were New England regiments and a large body of Pennsylvanians—the latter unarmed, expecting to find their accoutrements in Washington. Of course this has excited a tempest of rage and indignation throughout the North. Troops are pouring into Philadelphia night and day, and are now being despatched by sea to Washington instead of through Baltimore. That place is but a hundred miles from hencethree hours and a half by rail, and the excitement here is something of which you can form no notion. The streets of Philadelphia were yesterday swarming with people, great crowds of eager, excited men were gathered at all the newspaper offices, 40,000 men have enlisted in Pennsylvania alone within the last six days. Those who are not ordered South immediately remain here to organise and drill themselves for service. From every house the flag of the United States is hung out, and here in the country, among the early tints of the spring, the Stars and Stripes are seen flaunting through the woods and across the fields from the roof and window of every villa, cottage, and farmhouse. You cannot imagine anything more strange than the suddenness with which we find ourselves in the midst of these disastrous preparations to which your account of public and private theatricals formed a curious contrast. We shall have a furious and fierce conflict now, for both sides of the country are rabid. Is it not too frightful to think of?'

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¹ Sarah, her eldest daughter, married to Dr. Owen Wister. Her son is the author of some remarkable novels lately published in America.

² His younger daughter, now Hon. Mrs. James Leigh.—Ed.

SOURCE: Alice Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville: 1857-1861, p. 373-4

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: May 17, 1865

On the 17th we arrive at Alexandria and go into camp two miles from the city, and from or camp we can behold the Union's capital this evening. The flag looks beautiful as we see it waving in the wind from the old Capitol dome. It looks beautiful because beneath it treason has fallen, and it tells us that the old Union still lives, showing to the world the possibilities and capabilities of institutions based on the voice of men echoing the voice of God.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 309

Diary of Captain Joseph Stockton, December 28, 1862

Marched twenty-three miles today. For the first time since I have been in the South have I seen the Stars and Stripes waved from a house. An old woman stood in her doorway and waved the glorious banner, whether from loyalty or to save her chickens I do not know. The rebel cavalry are on our flanks and pick up all stragglers. There has been some skirmishing today but nobody hurt.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 6-7

Diary of William S. White, April 13, 1861

FALL OF FORT SUMTER.

The ball has opened; crowds of eager citizens may be seen gathered together at the corners of the streets excitedly discussing the grand topic of the day, and that topic is war. Yes! bloody, destructive war will soon be upon us in all its horror. Oh, God! grant us the power and fortitude to withstand the terrible calamity now hanging o'er us, which no power, save that of Divine interposition, can prevent.

Dispatch after dispatch, from the far South, comes over the magnetic wires, and soon the astounding news, "big with the fate" of a new-born people, is shouted by a thousand tongues that

“SUMTER HAS FALLEN."

The crowds on the street soon become a dense mass—calm, dignified men seem instantly transformed into wild Secessionists; there are no Unionists now; we are all determined to stand by the South, right or wrong—too late for discussion now—with her to conquer or die.

Some one in the crowd cries out, "For the Governor's House." This was received with a shout, and as “Honest John Letcher" had been excessively Union, the crowd rushed furiously toward the Governor's mansion, and after repeated calls, Governor Letcher made his appearance, not a little discomposed by the clamor and confusion of this excited mob. He attempted to speak, but the maddened populace suspected "Honest John" was still unwilling to come out boldly for the Confederate cause, and consequently his remarks were unheard, save by those immediately around him.

Only half appeased were the dizzy and infatuated mass. Some other excitement was wanted, and the "Star Spangled Banner" floated, as it were, half timidly upon the highest point of our State Capitol, and each star seemed to weep as the Demon of Death stretched forth his mighty wings to begin his sad flight.

"Tear down that accursed flag," was shouted by the crowd, and immediately some half dozen, bolder than the rest, rushed quickly into the Capitol, in which the State Convention was then sitting, hurried up the steps, and in less time than I take to write this the Star Spangled Banner was torn from its flag-staff, and supplanted by Virginia's proud motto, "Sic Semper Tyrannis."

Peal after peal of long continued applause rent the air, seeming to ascend up to the very throne of Heaven and calling upon God to witness the stern determination of the Southern people. The few Unionists who still madly clung to the fond hope that peace would yet be restored, threatened vengeance on the Secessionists for tearing down the United States flag, and, in fact, it was said that "Honest John" went so far as to order out the "Public Guard" to disperse the crowd collected on the Capitol Square.

Well was it for the "Guard," and also for “Honest John" that such was not the case, for had they made their appearance, a terrible riot would have been the inevitable consequence.

Indeed, the times and the Richmond people remind me much of the run-mad Red Republicanism of France, for never were a people so enthusiastically mad as now. However, any nation to be successful, must first be baptized in the blood of its own citizens, and now we are to have this theory brought practically into effect.

Nightfall, instead of quieting the excitement, seemed if possible to add fresh fuel to the flame. The crowded streets and wild shouts of the people, together with the lurid glare of an hundred tar-barrels, torches steeped in rosin, and rockets whirling high above the houses, presented a spectacle rarely witnessed by our somewhat apathetic people of Richmond.

Already the work of Revolution has commenced. Far away on the coast of South Carolina the smoke and din of battle has awakened the people of Virginia, who too long have slumbered when work should have been done, to the consciousness that the war cloud, with all its pent up fury, is now bursting upon them. The question now most agitating the public mind is—“What will be the action of the Virginia Convention, now sitting in the State-House, and elected as it was by such an overwhelming Union majority?"

They cannot withstand this outside pressure brought to bear upon them, and must either remove to some other point in the State or pass the Ordinance of Secession at an early date, and then leave it to the people whether or not we will cast our lot with our sister Southern States. My mind is fully made up to join the Southern army no matter whether Virginia secedes or not, though from the time I can remember I have bitterly opposed the doctrine of secession.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 89-91

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: October 2, 1864

Cloudy and calm.

All quiet. It was a false alarm yesterday evening. Nothing but some of the enemy's cavalry scouts were seen from the intermediate batteries, and it was merely a waste of ammunition on our part, and destruction of timber where the enemy were partially sheltered. Not a gun, so far as I can learn, was fired against our fortifications. Gen. Pemberton must have known that none of the enemy's infantry and artillery had marched in this direction through the storm, and in the mud, or else our scouts are worthless.

But we have news of the capture of 500 more prisoners near Petersburg, yesterday. The particulars of the fight have not yet been received.

Every male between seventeen and fifty-five is now required to have a pass, from Gen. Kemper or Gen. Barton, to walk the streets, even to church. The militia are all out, except those hidden in the back rooms of their shops—extortioners; and the city is very quiet. No wonder the women and children were thrown into a panic yesterday.

The shelling did some good in the Saturday evening market, as most of the people were eager to get home. A boy sold me apples at 75 cents per quart, instead of $1.

The physicians have had a meeting, and agree to charge $30 per visit.

The bombardment is still in progress at Charleston, and there has never been any intermission. The enemy's batteries now reach over two-thirds of that devoted city.

I see by a Northern paper that Gen. Grant is having his children educated at Burlington, N. J.; perhaps at the same institutions where mine were educated; and I perceive that our next door neighbor, Mrs. Kinsey, has been waving the "glorious Stars and Stripes” over Gen. G.’s head, from her ample porch. Well, I would not injure that flag; and I think it would never be assailed by the Southern people, if it were only kept at home, away from our soil.

We have a flag of our own we prefer.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 298-9

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Saturday, September 28, 1861

According to previous instructions (see under 25th instant), Col. Rains, with his regiment, McNairy's Battalion and Falcond's section of artillery, moved out from Barboursville in the direction of Laurel Bridge, while Col. Cummings, with his detachment and about fifty wagons, moved out for the Salt Works, and Col. Statham moved so as to support either of the other detachments if necessary.

Col. McNairy was ordered to take the advance with Harris's, Payne's and Allison's Companies. Our Col. had not gone far along the London road before he threw out flankers as well as an advance guard, with instructions to keep a sharp lookout for the enemy. Thus, we moved on without any incident worthy of note until we struck the enemy's picket, within three miles of their camp. Our advance guard captured three of their picket and chased the rest (six or eight) into camp. Col. McNairy then fell back a short distance, sent a messenger to meet Col. Rains, and awaited his arrival with the infantry and artillery. As soon as Rains caught up, the command moved on again with McNairy's three companies still in front. We met a citizen who said that the enemy was lying in wait for us. thought that we would sure have our first engagement, then and there. Before reaching the enemy's camp, Col. McNairy was ordered to halt, and Col. Rains took the advance with his regiment, leaving orders for McNairy to hold his battalion well in hand, ready to pursue if he (Rains) should succeed in routing them. On reaching the Federal camp, and finding it deserted, Rains' men raised a war-whoop that must have made the Federals believe, if they were in hearing, that 10,000 men¹ were after them. Then dashing forward in pursuit, our battalion went as far as London, took down a Union flag, but did not overtake any of the fugitives. The citizens caught the panic—men, women, children and negroes—nearly all, either fled with the Home Guards and Federals to Camp Wildcat, some thirteen miles beyond London, or went to their neighbor's off the main road. How strange! that they should think that we were making war on women and children!

As it was now about nightfall, our battalion moved back about two miles and rejoined Col. Rains, encamped where the Home Guards had been camping.

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¹ The larger portion of the household furniture was left in many of the dwellings; therefore, the writer, as well as a good many others, had the pleasure of occupying a good Kentucky feather bed the two nights that we remained in Barboursville.

² Col. Walford estimated our force at “from 5,000 to 7,000.”—See Rebellion Records (Garrard to Thomas), p. 280.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 47-9

Major-General William T. Sherman to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, June 17, 1863

HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,        

Camp on Walnut Hills, June, 17, 1863.

Lieut. Col. JOHN A. RAWLINS,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Tennessee:

SIR: On my return last evening from an inspection of the new works at Snyder's Bluff, General Blair, who commands the Second Division of my corps, called my attention to the inclosed publication in the Memphis Evening Bulletin of June 13, instant, entitled “Congratulatory Order of General McClernand,” with a request that I should notice it, lest the statements of fact and inference contained therein might receive credence from an excited public. It certainly gives me no pleasure or satisfaction to notice such a catalogue of nonsense—such an effusion of vain-glory and hypocrisy; nor can I believe General McClernand ever published such an order officially to his corps. I know too well that the brave and intelligent soldiers and officers who compose that corps will not be humbugged by such stuff.

If the order be a genuine production and not a forgery, it is manifestly addressed not to an army, but to a constituency in Illinois, far distant from the scene of the events attempted to be described, who might innocently be induced to think General McClernand the sagacious leader and bold hero he so complacently paints himself; but it is barely possible the order is a genuine one, and was actually read to the regiments of the Thirteenth Army Corps, in which case a copy must have been sent to your office for the information of the commanding general.

I beg to call his attention to the requirements of General Orders, No. 151, of 1862, which actually forbids the publication of all official letters and reports, and requires the name of the writer to be laid before the President of the United States for dismissal. The document under question is not technically a letter or report, and though styled an order, is not an order. It orders nothing, but is in the nature of an address to soldiers, manifestly designed for publication for ulterior political purposes. It perverts the truth to the ends of flattery and self-glorification, and contains many untruths, among which is one of monstrous falsehood. It substantially accuses General McPherson and myself with disobeying the orders of General Grant in not assaulting on May 19 and 22, and allowing on the latter day the enemy to mass his forces against the Thirteenth Army Corps alone. General McPherson is fully able to answer for himself, and for the Fifteenth Army Corps I answer that on May 19 and 22 it attacked furiously, at three distinct points, the enemy's works, at the very hour and minute fixed in General Grant's written orders; that on both days we planted our colors on the exterior slope and kept them there till nightfall; that from the first hour of investment of Vicksburg until now my corps has at all times been far in advance of General McClernand's; that the general-in-chief, by personal inspection, knows this truth; that tens of thousands of living witnesses beheld and participated in the attack; that General Grant visited me during both assaults and saw for himself, and is far better qualified to judge whether his orders were obeyed than General McClernand, who was nearly 3 miles off; that General McClernand never saw my lines; that he then knew, and still knows, nothing about them, and that from his position he had no means of knowing what occurred on this front. Not only were the assaults made at the time and place and in the manner prescribed in General Grant's written orders, but about 3 p.m., five hours after the assault on the 22d began, when my storming party lay against the exterior slope of the bastion on my front, and Blair's whole division was deployed close up to the parapet, ready to spring to the assault, and all my field artillery were in good position for the work, General Grant showed me a note from General McClernand, that moment handed him by an orderly, to the effect that had carried three of the enemy's forts, and that the flag of the Union waved over the stronghold of Vicksburg, asking that the enemy should be pressed at all points lest he should concentrate on him. Not dreaming that a major-general would at such a critical moment make a mere buncombe communication, I instantly ordered Giles A. Smith's and Mower's brigades to renew the assault under cover of Blair's division and the artillery, deployed as before described, and sent an aide to General Steele, about a mile to my right, to convey the same mischievous message, whereby we lost, needlessly, many of our best officers and men.

I would never have revealed so unwelcome a truth had General MCClernand, in his process of self-flattery, confined himself to facts in the reach of his own observation, and not gone out of the way to charge others for results which he seems not to comprehend. In cases of repulse and failure, congratulatory addresses by subordinate commanders are not common, and are only resorted to by weak and vain men to shift the burden of responsibility from their own to the shoulders of others. I never make a practice of speaking or writing of others, but during our assault of the 19th several of my brigade commanders were under the impression that McClernand's corps did not even attempt an assault.

In the congratulatory order I remark great silence on the subject. Merely to satisfy inquiring parties, I should like to know if McClernand's corps did or did not assault at 2 p.m. of May 19, as ordered. I do not believe it did, and I think General McClernand responsible.

With these remarks I leave the matter where it properly belongs, in the hands of the commanding general, who knows his plans and orders, sees with an eye single to success and his country's honor, and not from the narrow and contracted circle of a subordinate commander, who exaggerates the importance of the events that fall under his immediate notice, and is filled with an itching desire for "fame not earned."

With great respect, your obedient servant,

W. T. SHERMAN,        

Major-General, Commanding.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36), p. 162-3

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: July 4, 1863

HE FOURTH OF JULY! The siege is at last ended. Behold the white flag now waving over the rebel ramparts. Vicksburg has at length surrendered. Speed the glad news to our loved ones at the North, who, during our long trial, have helped us with their prayers. Speed it to the entire forces of the Union, that they may all take courage and move again. 

We are all full of rejoicing, as the event will no doubt prove a death-blow to the rebellion in the Southwest. Vicksburg has been the boast of the enemy, who thought it to be impregnable, and they confidently defied the Army of the West to take it. But by the untiring energy, skill and forecast of our gallant leader, U. S. Grant, aided by the willing and brave hearts about him, Vicksburg has been taken, and over it the stars and stripes now float proudly in all their majestic beauty. How glad I am that I have been one of those who have endured the trials requisite to plant our banner there. And while rejoicing over our success, let us not forget those who have died on these fields of honor. While we surviving raise Liberty's ensign over Vicksburg, let us remember the graves at Raymond and Champion Hills. And in after years, when we meet to refresh the memory of soldier days, let our dead here around Vicksburg never be forgotten. Let us think of them as standing guard over our dearly-won prize, until the final rollcall, when each shall be “present” or “accounted for." 

"They struggled and fell, their life-blood staining 

The assaulting foeman's hand; 

And clasping freedom's flag, sustaining, 

Cried, God save our native land. 

Let angels spread their wings protecting; 

Let sweetest flowers ever bloom; 

And let green bays, our faith reflecting, 

Mark each martyr's sacred tomb." 

Now that the enemy have resigned possession of Vicksburg, I trust the wicked rebellion will not fail soon to near its end, when all our boys in blue will have leave, at will, to present arms to the girls they left behind them. A star heralding the coming peace already seems to twinkle in the sky. We rejoice not less over our triumph to-day because it was consummated upon the glorious Fourth. And while we rejoice for our country, we show no unworthy exultation over the fallen, to whom we extend the sympathy of victors. 

Our division, under its commander, General Logan, marched into the city in triumph, and there took command and completed the long desired event-raising the star spangled banner over the court house cupola. 

"The armies of the Union 

    Round Vicksburg long had lain; 

For forty-seven days and nights 

    Besieging it in vain. 

Then came the morning of the Fourth, 

    Our Nation's jubilee- 

Ah, could the news this hour go north- 

    In Vicksburg soon we'll be. 

The siege is done, the struggle past. 

    On this eventful day 

Glad triumph crowns us, as, at last, 

    Our thanks to God we pay. 

Above the vanquished walls I stand, 

    My country, proud to see 

The festive hosts, with flag and band, 

    Parading gloriously. 

O, glorious Fourth! O blissful day! 

    How hearts of thousands swell 

To see such toils such hopes repay, 

    Such dangers end so well.” 

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 74-5

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: March 15, 1862

The boys came out this morning, looking a little the worse for wear, lame, sore and stiff; but with a good bumper of whiskey to lubricate their stiffened joints, and a little stirring around to take the kinks out of their legs, a good breakfast, hot coffee, etc., they soon resumed their normal condition. There is not much doing today except lying around in quarters or looking over the town. Negroes are coming in by the hundred, and the city is full of soldiers and marines traveling about and having things pretty much their own way. Guards are sent out to patrol the streets and assist Capt. Dan, the provost marshal, in preserving order preparatory to putting on a provost guard and bringing the city under law and order. Some enterprising party has hoisted the old flag on the spire of the church on Pollock street. There let it proudly wave; let it catch the first beams of the morning, and let the last rays of the setting sun linger and play amid its folds; let it gladden the hearts of every lover of liberty and loyalty, and let it be a notice to these deluded and ill-advised people around here, that it will never again give place to their traitorous rag of secession.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 46-7

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, February 28, 1862

This morning we are lying on the river at Nashville, Tennessee, having arrived here last night from Clarksville, on the steamer Diana. From the deck of the steamer we behold waving from Tennessee's capitol dome “old glory," which was presented to General Nelson by one of Tennessee's patriot sires, upon his advent into the city; a banner that was presented when rebels were dominant, and the angry passions of wicked men surged around its devoted lover's head; but now it can wave unmolested, for the free winds chant their requiem over there.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 44-5

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Tuesday, February 18, 1862

This morning a fatigue party is detailed from the Seventh to help bury the dead on the battle field, and those who died from wounds received in battle, who are now lying in every house in Dover (a small village on the banks of the Cumberland inside the fortifications). All day yesterday the fatigue parties were engaged burying the noble slain. War is indeed a mad machine, terrible in its work.

Silently extended on the gory main,

The fallen warriors mid the carnage lay;

No hand was there to ease the racking pain,

And staunch the life blood ebbing fast away.

But when the old flag comes home to Tennessee, over the Union soldiers' graves will be built up all that their posterity shall desire of order and government.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 42-3

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, February 19, 1862

This morning it is raining very hard. A large number of troops have found shelter in the rebel barracks, but some are still out in the woods without blankets. (For once the Seventh is more fortunate.) But they are cheerful and their spirits run high when, they look at the old flag and see where and how far into Tennessee they have borne it.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 43

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, February 21, 1862

To-day we are marched on board the steamer Tigress, and soon are moving up the Cumberland river. The weather is pleasant. The scenery along the river, the cliffs, the vales and the hills, crowned with beautiful cedars, are imposing. The negroes flock to the shore and their hearts seem to bound as they behold their deliverers coming up the river with the old Union's banner proudly waving.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 44