Diary of Sarah Morgan: September 10, 1862

Yesterday I was interrupted to undertake a very important task. The evening before, mother and Lilly happened to be in a store where two officers were buying materials for making shirts, and volunteered to make them for them, which offer they gladly accepted, though neither party knew the other. They saw that they were friends of Charlie, so had no scruples about offering their services; the gentlemen saw that they were ladies, and very kind ones, besides, so made no difficulty about accepting. Lilly undertook one of purple merino, and I took a dark blue one. Miriam nominally helped her; but her very sore finger did not allow her to do much. Mother slightly assisted me; but I think Lilly and I had the best of the task. All day we worked, and when evening came, continued sewing by the light of these miserable home-made candles. Even then we could not finish, but had to get up early this morning, as the gentlemen were to leave for Port Hudson at nine o'clock. We finished in good time, and their appearance recompensed us for our trouble. Lilly's was trimmed with folds of blue from mine, around collar, cuffs, pockets, and down the front band; while mine was pronounced a chef d'oeuvre, trimmed with bias folds of tiny red and black plaid. With their fresh colors and shining pearl buttons, they were really very pretty. We sent word that we would be happy to make as many as they chose for themselves or their friends, and the eldest, with many fears that it was an “imposition” and we were “too good,” and much more of the same kind, left another one with Charlie for us. We cannot do too much, or even enough, for our soldiers. I believe that is the universal sentiment of the women of the South.

Well, but how did we get back here? I hardly know. It seems to me we are being swayed by some kind of destiny which impels us here or there, with neither rhyme nor reason, and whether we will or no. Such homeless, aimless, purposeless, wandering individuals are rarely seen. From one hour to another, we do not know what is to become of us. We talk vaguely of going home “when the Yankees go away.” When will that be? One day there is not a boat in sight; the next, two or three stand off from shore to see what is being done, ready, at the first sight of warlike preparation, to burn the town down. It is particularly unsafe since the news from Virginia, when the gunboats started from Bayou Goula, shelling the coast at random, and destroying everything that was within reach, report says. Of course, we cannot return to our homes when commissioned officers are playing the part of pirates, burning, plundering, and destroying at will, with neither law nor reason. Donaldsonville they burned before I left Baton Rouge, because some fool fired a shotgun at a gunboat some miles above; Bayou Sara they burned while we were at General Carter's, for some equally reasonable excuse. The fate of Baton Rouge hangs on a still more slender thread. I would give worlds if it were all over.

At Mrs. Haynes's we remained all night, as she sent the carriage back without consulting us. Monday we came to town and spent the day with Lilly. How it was, I can't say; but we came to the conclusion that it was best to quit our then residence, and either go back to Linwood or to a Mrs. Somebody who offered to take us as boarders. We went back to Mrs. McCay's, to tell her of our determination, and in the morning took leave of her and came back home.

We hear so much news, piece by piece, that one would imagine some definite result would follow, and bring us Peace before long. The Virginia news, after being so great and cheering, has suddenly ceased to come. No one knows the final result. The last report was that we held Arlington Heights. Why not Washington, consequently? Cincinnati (at last accounts) lay at our mercy. From Covington, Kirby Smith had sent over a demand for its surrender in two hours. Would it not be glorious to avenge New Orleans by such a blow? But since last night the telegraph is silent.

News has just come of some nice little affair between our militia in Opelousas and the Yankees from New Orleans, in which we gave them a good thrashing, besides capturing arms, prisoners, and ammunition. “It never rains but it pours” is George's favorite proverb. With it comes the “rumor” that the Yankees are preparing to evacuate the city. If it could be! Oh, if God would only send them back to their own country, and leave ours in peace! I wish them no greater punishment than that they may be returned to their own homes, with the disgrace of their outrages here ever before their eyes. That would kill an honest man, I am sure.

SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's Diary, p. 219-22

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Tuesday, February 25, 1862 – 8:30 a.m.

Cincinnati. — A. M., 8:30, bright, cold, gusty, started in cars on Marietta Railroad; reached Hamden, junction of railroad to Portsmouth, about 2 P. M.; twenty-five miles to Oak Hill on this railroad; Cuthbert, in quartermaster department under Captain Fitch at Gauley Bridge, my only acquaintance. Took an old hack — no curtains, rotten harness, deep muddy roads — for Marietta [Gallipolis]. The driver was a good-natured, persevering youngster of seventeen, who trudged afoot through the worst holes and landed us safely at Gallipolis [at] three-thirty A. M., after a cold, sleepless, uncomfortable ride. He said he had joined three regiments; turned out of two as too young and taken out of the third by his father. Poor boy! His life is one of much greater hardship than anything a soldier suffers.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 200

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: Tuesday. September 16, 1862

The papers to-day give no account of our army in Maryland. General Loring has been successful in the Kanawha Valley, in driving the enemy, taking prisoners, and 5,000 stand of arms, etc. Our success in the West still continues. Kentucky is represented to be in a flame of excitement. General Kirby Smith asks for 20,000 stand of arms to be sent him to arm Kentuckians, who are rushing to his standard. Cincinnati preparing for defence, etc.

Yesterday I was surprised and delighted to see my nephew, W. B. C. After passing through the bloody fight at Manassas, he found he could not march into Maryland, in consequence of the soreness of his wound received last spring at Kernstown. He gives a graphic account of our army's trials, tribulations, and successes at Manassas. Our dear ones all passed safely through the fights.

Winchester once more disenthralled. My dear S. B. S. about to return to her home there — but in what state will she find it? When Jackson drove Banks down the Valley, Dr. S., in passing through Winchester, stepped into the open door of his house; found it had been Banks's headquarters; the floors covered with papers torn up in haste; the remnant of the General's breakfast on the dining-room table, and other unmistakable signs of a recent and very hurried departure.

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 154-5

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, November 4, 1861

Camp Ewing, November 4, 1861.

Dear Uncle: — Your letter of October 21 came to hand the day before yesterday. I am very glad you are so much better. If you will now be careful, I hope you will be able to get comfortably through the winter. You have no doubt heard that Matthews has been promoted to a colonelcy and has left us. I have been promoted to his place of lieutenant-colonel. We regret to lose him. He is a good officer. I have now been relieved from duty as judge-advocate, and will hereafter be with my regiment. The colonel of our regiment is a genial gentleman, but lacks knowledge of men and rough life, and so does not get on with the regiment as well as he might. Still, the place is not an unpleasant one.

The enemy has appeared in some force, with a few cannon, on the opposite side of New River at this point, and on the left bank of Kanawha lower down, and are, in some degree, obstructing our communications with the Ohio. To get rid of this, we are canvassing divers plans for crossing and clearing them out. The river here is rapid, the banks precipitous rocks, with only a few places where a crossing, even if not opposed, is practicable; and the few possible places can be defended successfully by a small force against a large one. We are getting skiffs and yawls from below to attempt the passage. If it is done, I shall do what I can to induce the generals to see beforehand that we are not caught in any traps.

This is Birch's birthday — a cold, raw November morning — a dreadful day for men in tents on the wet ground. We ought to be in winter quarters. I hope we shall be soon. We are sending from this army great numbers of sick. Cincinnati and other towns will be full of them. . . .

[R. B. Hayes.]

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 137-8

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes

Camp Near Weston, Virginia

Wednesday, P. M., July 31, 1861.

Dear Mother: — How you would enjoy sitting by my side on this beautiful hill and feasting your eyes on the sweep of hills that surrounds us. Nothing in Vermont is finer. The great majority of the people here are friendly and glad to have us here to protect them from the Secessionists. This is agreeable; it puts us in the place of protectors instead of invaders. The weather is warm, but a good breeze is blowing. The water is good; milk and blackberries abundant, and the location perfectly healthy. . . .

           

The village is a pretty one with many good residences and nice people. The State is, or was, building near where we are encamped a large lunatic asylum — an expensive and elegant structure. The war stops the work. This part of Virginia naturally belongs to the West; they are now in no way connected with eastern Virginia. The only papers reaching here from Richmond come by way of Nashville, Louisville, and Cincinnati. The courthouse and several churches are creditable buildings, and the shrubbery and walks in the private grounds are quite beautiful.

Do not allow yourself to worry if you do not hear often. I think of you often. Love to Laura and all.

Affectionately, your son,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 51

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Helen Smith, September 15, 1862, 2 a.m.

CAMP ON HERNANDO ROAD, NEAR MEMPHIS,

2 O'CLOCK A.M., Sept. 15, 1862.

MY DEAR SISTER:

At eleven o'clock last night as I was about to “turn in” an orderly came dashing up through the rain with despatches advising me that the Brigadier-General commanding had reliable information that our pickets were to be attacked this night or morning, rather, by the enemy's cavalry, and ordering me to double my picket guard. Being some distance from our main army and my outside pickets being three miles distant from me, and having a six-gun battery under my command attached to my regiment, after giving my orders and disposing of my forces, I feel indisposed for sleep and know not how I can better put in the residue of the night than by writing to my dear sister Helen, whose affectionate letter of the 8th inst. with inclosure is now before me, being this day received.

I send you a picture of General Sherman and staff, numbered thus —

1. Lieutenant Taylor, 5th Ohio Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp.

2. Major J. H. Hammond, Assistant Adjutant-General.

3. Captain Dayton, 6th Ohio Infantry, Aide-de-Camp.

4. Major Taylor, of Taylor's Battery, Chief of Artillery.

5. Capt. J. Condict Smith, Division Quartermaster.

6. General Sherman.

7. Col. Thos. Kilby Smith, of 54th Ohio Inf. Zouaves.

8. Captain Shirk, U.S.N., Commander of gunboat Lexington, which threw the shells at Shiloh.

9. Major Hartshorne, Division Surgeon.

10. Col. W. H. H. Taylor, 5th Ohio Cavalry.

11. Capt. James McCoy, 54th Ohio Inf. Zouaves, Aidede-Camp.

12. Major Sanger, 55th Illinois Inf., Aide-de-Camp.

These, with two exceptions, were together and did service at the battle of Shiloh; the names of some of them will adorn the pages of history. The Quartermaster looms up among them like Saul among the prophets, a head and shoulder above the rest. He stands six feet four and a half inches high in his stocking feet, and I have a private in the ranks in my regiment who is three inches taller than he.

Tell mother she need not be alarmed about Sherman's sanity; his mind is sound, his intellect vigorous. He is a man for the times. His enemies are seeking to destroy him. The whole article she sends is replete with falsehood. No city in the Union has a better police, is more accurately governed than Memphis. It is sufficient for me to say to mother that the whole article is false from beginning to end. Tell dear mother I will write her shortly; that meanwhile, to be of good cheer. The game of war is fluctuating — their turn now, ours perhaps to-morrow.

And all night long I have waited and watched; the gray dawn is now streaking the eastern sky. No warning shot from the picket guard, all is still, all quiet, as though smiling peace still blessed the land. I have written and paced the sentry's beat at intervals; now sounds the reveille\ The stirring fife and prompt sharp sound of the drum break upon the morning air. The camp is all aroused. My labor for the night is done. Its result a copy of verses and not very interesting letter. It will bring proof, however, that I have thought of you, that for the whole night at least you have been in my thoughts till dawn.

I don't think that Cincinnati is in immediate danger from Smith; he will probably retire. His mission was to watch Morgan at the Cumberland Gap. It was so easy a thing to do, that he made his advance farther than was intended. Bragg is the general to watch. He and Buell will, I think, it is likely, have a big battle. If he is victorious, good-by, Cincinnati. Anyhow I must think she is a doomed city.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 242-4

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, September 23, 1862

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

CAMP ON HERNANDO ROAD, NEAR MEMPHIS,

Sept. 23, 1862.

MY DEAR MOTHER:

This anniversary¹ will be remembered by you and me, probably the most interested parties to the transaction it commemorates. As the matter is unimportant to all the world and the rest of mankind, perhaps at this late day the less we say about it the better. I know you are thinking of me, wherever you are, or whatever you may be doing at this very moment, and by the present writing you will be assured of being in my thoughts.

There are one or two facts in my history connected with the month of September. All the important changes that have transpired to me date in that month, and on the 23d I am never at home. I have no recollection of passing that day with my family for very many years, back even to my childhood, always travelling like the Wandering Jew.

It is a good while since I have heard from you or from wife. I suppose mail communication is in a great way suspended. I write letters with some anxiety. From the publication in the Commercial of 19th inst., I imagine wife was in Cincinnati at that time. I shall expect soon to hear of your being with her. The fate of that city is not yet decided. I think it rests with Buell. If Bragg outgenerals him, Cincinnati will be burned. We have exaggerated rumors of McClellan's success; I cannot yet believe them. Halleck has massed his forces and hurled them upon Lee's army in retreat. Massing forces is Halleck's forte. I do not see now the annihilation of the enemy's Army of the Potomac. That will have a strange effect upon this war. Then we shall begin to change front. I expect stirring times here in two or three weeks, not sooner. My pickets had a little brush with guerillas last night. Guerillas are utterly contemptible; they possess neither honor nor courage. Save in light affairs of this character and one expedition into Mississippi, some account of which I gave in a recent letter to dear Helen, my time has been actively occupied during my sojourn here in perfecting the drill of my regiment and fitting it for active service in the field.

Memphis, as I have remarked in former letters, has been a very opulent city. The centre of a vast system of railways, favorably situated upon the banks of the Mississippi, with a splendid landing; a great mart for cotton, the staple of a widespread and most fertile bottom in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, by which it is immediately surrounded; wealth in actual cash, gold, and bullion from European factors has flowed in upon its inhabitants with continuous tide and now is evidenced by luxury and taste in the building, furnishing, and adorning of their residences and public buildings. The people I have met are sufficiently well educated and refined. All of course are intensely Southern. There are to-day, perhaps, six hundred Union people in Memphis to six thousand secessionists dyed in the wool. Its climate is delightful and the country about is remarkable for its adaptability to the cultivation of fruits and flowers. It is historical; from here De Soto saw for the first time the wide and turbid stream of the Father of Waters. Thus far through swamp and wilderness he had forced his weary way in search of gold and precious stones. Fort Pickering, now manned and armed for offence and defence, was the site of his first camp. Immortalized by our Western artist Powell in his painting which fills the last panel that was vacant in the rotunda of the Capitol, its name will perhaps go down to posterity as the scene of bloody conflict during the civil war. Our history now is red in blood, and scarlet dyed are the sins of the nation. I have just been reading Governor Ramsey's proclamation and message to the legislature of Minnesota. The Northwestern Indians are up in arms to renew the massacres that chilled us with horror in the annals of the early pioneers. Again is the reeking scalp torn from the living victim's head. Again is the unborn child torn quivering from its mother's womb and cast quivering upon her pulseless heart; again is the torch applied to the settler's cabin, the forts and blockhouse besieged by the ruthless savage, the tomahawk and rifle ever busied in their murderous work. Many hundreds of men, children, and women are known to have been butchered in a manner too sickening and revolting to write about, and the homes of thirty thousand made desolate.

Distracted by civil war in which no issue is fairly made, harassed by the savage tribes in the front and rear, England only waiting for a salient point — the Republic totters. What and when will be the end?

I did myself the pleasure of copying for Helen's benefit some lines of wife, which you have doubtless received and read ere this. They are the reflex of her pure mind — chaste, sweet in expression, and the surcharge of her agonized spirit. “Waiting, watching, and weeping, her heart's blood is running to tears.” God bless her and you; verily the evil days are upon us. “When the brother delivers up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death.'”

We hear of wars and rumors of wars. . . . It is woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in these days. My poor wife! how often I think of these prophecies as I reflect upon her condition, charged with the sole care of those five helpless children. God help and sustain her in this hour of trial. You can now better understand, and perhaps better than ever before, why I wanted my family, all I have on earth, to love to be together to mutually sustain each other. No property in times like these, however vested, is safe. I could tell you of heartrending instances of deprivation of property and its consequences here at the South. We are passing through a great revolution, truly; “the end is not yet.”

As servants of the government, we do not know where next we may be called to perform service. My impression is that our corps will be retained in the valley of the Mississippi and do battle to keep open its navigation. We shall probably take Vicksburg and garrison the principal towns on the Mississippi to the Gulf and up the Red River. The events of the next few weeks will determine. I do not expect to be inactive long. I hope not. My horses are waxing fat and neigh impatiently in their stalls. I prefer the field to the camp.

_______________

¹ His forty-second birthday.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 239-42

Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes, May 10, 1861

Great events the last month. April 12 and 13, Fort Sumter [was] attacked and taken by the South Carolina troops by order of the Government of the Confederate States at Montgomery. Sunday evening, April 14, news of Lincoln's call for 75,000 men [was] received here with unbounded enthusiasm. How relieved we were to have a Government again! I shall never forget the strong emotions, the wild and joyous excitement of that Sunday evening. Staid and sober church members thronged the newspaper offices, full of the general joy and enthusiasm. Great meetings were held. I wrote the resolutions of the main one, — to be seen in the Intelligencer of the next week. Then the rally of troops, the flags floating from every house, the liberality, harmony, forgetfulness of party and self — all good. Let what evils may follow, I shall not soon cease to rejoice over this event.

The resolutions referred to were published in the Gazette of the 16th [of] April and in the Intelligencer of the 18th.

[The resolutions were as follows:

"Resolved, That the people of Cincinnati, assembled without distinction of party, are unanimously of opinion that the authority of the United States, as against the rebellious citizens of the seceding and disloyal States, ought to be asserted and maintained, and that whatever men or means may be necessary to accomplish that object the patriotic people of the loyal States will promptly and cheerfully furnish.

"Resolved, That the citizens of Cincinnati will, to the utmost of their ability, sustain the general Government in maintaining its authority, in enforcing the laws, and in upholding the flag of the Union."]

 SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 16

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, August 8, 1862

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

CAMP NEAR MEMPHIS, Aug. 8, 1862.

Your letter of the 1st inst. has just been received. I cannot understand why eight days should be consumed in the transit of mail matter when the individual requires only two to pass over the same ground. The army, however, is always scolding the mails, and perhaps without reason. We ought to be thankful for any intelligence, however tardy.

Our tents are pitched in pleasant places near the city, plenty of shade and pure water. The health of my men would improve if they would practise self-denial in food; but the temptation in the shape of green corn, fresh fruit and vegetables is too much for their frail nature to withstand. If I can get them safely through September, they will be in good training for a fall and winter campaign. My own diarrhoea has never left me — I suppose never will. I have lost flesh and strength, but I do not suffer save from the inconvenience and loss of rest at night. Sometimes it is checked slightly, but I think it is chronic and beyond the power of medicine. No furloughs or leaves of absence are granted from this division of the army, on account of sickness or for any other cause. I have asked furloughs for officers and men who have died, and whose lives, I am assured by the surgeons, might have been saved by change of air and alleviation from the miseries of the camp, but never with any success. I would not ask a furlough for myself, I would not take one if offered; but it would be worse than useless to ask. It will be long before I shall see family or friend. This hard, pitiless war will never come to an end in my lifetime. Last night three of my officers, who were badly wounded at Shiloh, returned. Two of them were shot very severely, one having his kidney, lung, and liver pierced with a Minie-ball; and yet, strange to say, he is here to-day reported for duty, while men who got only flesh wounds died. I thought they would not return to their regiment, but they felt the peculiar fascination that few are able to resist. Their welcome by their old comrades in arms was very affecting. Strong men embraced and wept. Those who had stood shoulder to shoulder during the two terrible days of that bloody battle, were hooped with steel, with bands stronger than steel; and those who might have been discharged, the scars of whose honorable wounds were yet raw, forsook friends and the comforts of home to come to their regiment, to the society of their companions. This is the great impelling feeling, though duty, patriotism, and “death's couriers, Fame and Honor, called them to the field again.” No officer whose honor is dear to him can be away now; absence from post is a burning shame and will be a lasting disgrace.

It is not probable that Sherman will be ordered to Vicksburg for some time, if at all. Meanwhile the drill and the discipline of the troops is rigidly enforced. Brig.-Gen. Morgan L. Smith, under whose command the “54th” is brigaded, is a martinet almost to tyranny.

I do not deem it beyond the range of the probabilities of this war that Cincinnati be attacked. Buell will have his hands full to prevent it. The city would be a tempting prize to soldiers.

You had better have an eye on this matter in the making of your fall arrangements. I don't want to write that which will give you uneasiness. I do not regard it as at all certain that Bragg would push his columns up between Curtis and Buell; but it is certain that there is a good deal of disaffection in Kentucky. If Richmond is evacuated — and disease and want of commissary stores may compel this — then desperate men in large guerilla bands may precipitate themselves upon a city so far as I know undefended. The South is a united people; they have over one million and a half of fighting men, their soldiers are better drilled and better disciplined than ours, they are better armed and fight as well, and above all it is far easier for them to keep their regiments filled up to the maximum number, than it is for us. Every man, who is able to fight, is willing to fight. The women, the children, the old, the feeble, take pride in the army, and cheer those on to glory whom they think are winning it in the defence of their homes, their firesides, and the heritage of their fathers.

I saw a sweet little girl the other day the very image of Bettie and very much like her in manners; of course I courted and petted her, notwithstanding she was a most bitter little “Secesh.” It was most amusing to hear her philippics, but I could not help loving her for Bettie's sake, and the little witch, as evidence that I had won her favor, though a “Yank,” came with her father to my camp. She is the first child I have spoken to for six long months, if I make an exception of the occasional pickaninny, an insect with which this sunny South abounds. It was very amusing on the march to see whole flocks of them, generally nude, by the roadside in the care of some ancient mother of the herd.

Enclosed please find an effusion from the pen of Col. Tom Worthington, a brother of the General, with whom I have become quite intimate; the lines were almost if not quite impromptu, written and handed me just after the battle, though since, I believe, published. The allusion to the azalia is very happy; the whole air was redolent with their perfume on the day of the battle, and more than once I caught a handful of them, while my horse was treading among the dead.

This afternoon I am invited to a grand review of the 8th Missouri, and to meet all the field officers of the division at General Sherman's headquarters. Within two or three days we present General Sherman with a sword, and I am expected to make the presentation speech at a grand dinner, at which I suppose nearly all the officers, certainly all the field and staff, will be present. As I remarked of General Smith, so Sherman is a martinet, but he is a soldier, every inch, and as brave as they make them. I fought by his side all day from seven o'clock in the morning till dark on Monday, sat by him when his horse was shot, and saw his hand grazed by a cannon ball. He's every inch a soldier and a gentleman and a chieftain. Colonel Worthington don't like him, which is strange, for they are both West Pointers, but the fact is the Colonel is a little jealous that he has not a higher command.

My prince of horses, Bellfounder, is in splendid health, his neigh rings out long and loud whenever he sees me. You shall ride him if he ever gets home.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 232-5

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, July 23, 1862

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

MEMPHIS, July 23, 1862.

MY DEAR MOTHER:

I seize the briefest moment to advise you of my health and well being.

We marched into Memphis day before yesterday; shall occupy the city and probably remain for some time. This will be the new base of operations. I found a heavy mail waiting me, and among my letters was overjoyed to see one from you. You may well be sure it was the first I tore open to read, and it was read before I had dismounted, though I had been in the saddle without food or drink since two o'clock in the morning, and it was twelve meridian, under as hot a sun as you can conceive it possible for one to exist under. The mercury stood at 101° in the shade that morning at seven o'clock. The only evil result of that day's march, however, so far as I am concerned, is the loss of the skin of my nose, which was completely peeled off. I can't answer your affectionate letter now, but will do so in a day or two, if I can get an hour's leisure. I have been constantly on the go, our troops are not yet encamped, and as Officer of the Day, my duties have been exceedingly onerous.

I should be glad to come home, but a furlough is a thing impossible; Sherman won't listen to a request even from a sick or dying man; certainly not from one who is at all useful in the service. Even if it could be obtained, I should not like to take a furlough now for many reasons. I am in for the war and the war will be a long one.

Memphis has been an opulent city, laid out in magnificent proportions, containing superb houses, elegant grounds, etc. The people who are left are almost all “Secesh.” The males between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years are ordered off; to-morrow is their last day of grace; consternation, of course, prevails. The headquarters are besieged with ladies asking protection for themselves and families; a very large proportion of them are wives of officers in the Confederate army. They are all bitter as snakeroot, but nevertheless demand, not ask, that protection their natural protectors were unable or unwilling to give.

Few of these can yet realize that war has now commenced in right good earnest; that hereafter desolation and havoc will follow the wake of our army. Heretofore we have preached peace, and sought with the inhabitants of the country through which we have marched, even upon the battlefield, to cultivate friendly relations, warring only with the men-at-arms, fighting to-day with the owners of the property which we detail forces to protect to-morrow. Our famishing and thirsty soldiers as they toiled under the burning sun in the summer days' march have been prevented almost at the point of the bayonet from assuaging their thirst at the roadside well, from pulling an onion from the garden or seizing an apple from the bough on the premises of the men armed and after their heart's best blood. Now this will all be changed. We shall “burn, sink, and destroy!” We shall teach these ingrates that we can punish with a rod of iron, that we can not only meet and vanquish them on the field, but that we have the nerve and the will to sweep them and all they hold dear clean off from the face of the earth.

I hear they are most thoroughly panic-stricken in Cincinnati; that the enemy have been encamped at Florence, only nine miles in front, and that they have some reasons to expect a raid.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 231-2

Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, February 13, 1861

CINCINNATI, February 13, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE: — We are all well. Mother is in better health; went to church Sunday, and was able to enjoy the Lincoln reception yesterday. The great procession and crowd could be seen well from our windows and steps, and all had a good view of the President. He is in good health; not a hair gray or gone; in his prime and fit for service, mentally and physically. Great hopes may well be felt.

Lucy and I went with a jolly party of friends to Indianapolis on Monday, and returned on the Presidential train to Cincinnati, seeing all the doings here and on the road. We heard Lincoln make several of his good speeches, talked with [him], etc., etc. Regards to all.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 4-5

Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, May 12, 1861

CINCINNATI, May 12, 1861.

There are fifteen thousand troops encamped near the city with more pouring in, provisions have risen above New York prices. The whole city is up in arms and all business, save in the supply shops, has ceased. The courts have virtually adjourned. The embargo upon the exportation of our great staple, pork, has ruined thousands. The steamboat interest is at an end. God knows what the result will be.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 169

Major General William T. Sherman to Ellen Ewing Sherman, August 20, 1862

MEMPHIS, August 20, 1862.

. . . I see the Cincinnati papers are finding fault with me again. Well, thank God, I don't owe Cincinnati anything, or she me. If they want to believe reporters they may. Eliza Gillespie can tell you whether I take an interest in the sick or no. I never said I did not want cowards from the hospital. I said the Sanitary Committee had carried off thousands who were not sick, except of the war, and for my part I did not want such to return. Men who ran off at Shiloh and escaped in boats to Ohio and remain absent as deserters will be of no use to us here. This is true and those deserters should know it; but the real sick receive from me all possible care. I keep my sick with their regiments, with their comrades, and don't send them to strange hospitals. Our surgeon has a very bad way of getting rid of sick instead of taking care of them in their regiments, and once in the general hospitals they rarely return. This cause nearly defeated us at Shiloh, when 57,000 men were absent from their regiment without leave. McClellan has 70,000 absent from his army. This abuse has led to many catastrophes, and you can't pick up a paper without some order of the President and Secretary of War on the subject.

If the doctors want to do charity let them come here, where the sick are, and not ask us to send the sick to them. As to opening the liquor saloons here, it was done by the city authorities to prevent the sale of whiskey by the smugglers. We have as little drunkenness and as good order here as in any part of the volunteer army.

Cincinnati furnishes more contraband goods than Charleston, and has done more to prolong the war than the State of South Carolina. Not a merchant there but would sell salt, bacon, powder and lead, if they can make money by it. I have partially stopped this and hear their complaints. I hope Bragg will bring war home to them. The cause of war is not alone in the nigger, but in the mercenary spirit of our countrymen.

SOURCES: M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Editor, Home Letters of General Sherman, p. 231-2.  A full copy of this letter can be found in the William T Sherman Family papers (SHR), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556, Folder CSHR 1/147.

Major General Ulysses S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant, September 17, 1862

Corinth, Mississippi,

September 17th, 1862

Dear Father:

A letter from you and one from Mary were received some time ago, which I commenced to answer in a letter addressed to Mary, but being frequently interrupted by matters of business it was laid aside for some days, and finally torn up. I now have all my time taxed. Although occupying a position attracting but little attention at this time there is probably no garrison more threatened today than this.

I expect to hold it and have never had any other feeling either here or elsewhere but that of success. I would write you many particulars but you are so imprudent that I dare not trust you with them; and while on this subject let me say a word. I have not an enemy in the world who has done me so much injury as you in your efforts in my defence. I require no defenders and for my sake let me alone. I have heard this from various sources and persons who have returned to this Army and did not know that I had parents living near Cincinnati have said that they found the best feeling existing towards me in every place except there.

You are constantly denouncing other general officers and the inference with people naturally is that you get your impressions from me. Do nothing to correct what you have already done but for the future keep quiet on this subject.

Mary wrote to me about an appointment for Mr. Nixon. I have nothing in the world to do with any appointments, no power to make and nothing to do with recommending except for my own staff. That is now already full.

If I can do anything in the shape of lending any influence I may possess in Mr. Nixon’s behalf I will be most happy to do so on the strength of what Mary says in commendation, and should be most happy if it could so be that our lot would cast us near each other.

I do not know what Julia is going to do. I want her to go to Detroit and board. She has many pleasant acquaintances there and she would find good schools for the children.

I have no time for writing and scarcely any for looking over the telegraphic columns of the newspapers.

My love to all at home.

ULYS.

SOURCE: Jesse Grant Cramer, Editor, Letters of Ulysses S. Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 90-2

The Hospitalities of Cincinnati

How fitting and beautiful it was that Cincinnati, the City of Pork, should offer a tribute of eggs to Wendell Phillips, the Advocate of Ham, or at [least, the descendants of Ham!]

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3.  Editors Note: the bracketed text was cut off when the newspaper was microfilmed.  The same article appeared in Vanity Fair, April 5, 1862 and I have used that article to reconstruct the missing text in this article.

Hog Packing in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Price Current furnishes the following statement of the hog packing in that city:

Having obtained a report of the business done at each of the pork-packing establishments, we are now able to give the exact number of hogs packed, which is less than we had supposed, for, owing to the large number of hogs which were received by wagon, we did suppose the packers’ reports would have over run the number of our receipts, as we gathered them from week to week during the season.  We presume that the increase of wagon hogs was taken by butchers for city use, there being but a light supply of slop-fatted, as compared with other years, so that instead of the packers’ report overrunning ours, it does not come up to it by over 10,000 head.

In our paper of the 12th of February we published our last weekly report of receipts, giving the aggregate up to that date, 484,408.  The number packed, the average weight and yield of lard per hog, past and the previous season, compare as follows:

No. Packed		Av. Weight		Yield of Lard
1860 -	1,488,799	221	5-35	38	9-16
1861 -	2,478,267	224	23-34	29	4-18

We did not obtain the yield of lard from all the packers, but got the average weight from all but three.  The above figures, however, as regards the yield of lard, are probably as accurate as necessary.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 2

The Ladies Of Cincinnati After The Mayor

Forty-six ladies of Cincinnati have petitioned the Legislature to impeach and remove from office Mayor Hatch, of that city.  This is doubtless on account of the Wendell Phillips mobbing affair which, it is charged, was winked at by the Mayor.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

The citizens of Cincinnati cannot . . .

. . . brook the outrage perpetrated upon the good name of their city by the recent mob at the Opera House on the occasion of the appearance of Wendell Phillips, and so have sent him an invitation to repeat his lecture in that city on his return east, when they pledge themselves to “see him through.”  Mr. Phillips will probably accept the invitation.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

From the Davenport Relief Committee

CINCINNATI, March 4, 1862.

EDITOR OF GAZETTE:  I know not whether any other member of our committee has written you anything of the details of our work, and as this is the lonely moment of leisure I have had since our arrival at Cairo, I will endeavor to give you a few items, which you can make use of as you deem best.  The names of the killed and wounded have been reported by telegraph, and therefore it is not necessary for me to report them here.

The committee, after many and vexatious delays, arrived in Cairo at 7 o’clock p.m. on the Friday following their departure, and immediately commenced work to carry out the object of their mission; and although the rain poured down and the mud was inexpressibly deep, yet the committee kept on until they obtained some reliable information of the gallant Iowa 2d, and more particularly of the companies B and C, of our own town.  We finally found the headquarters of our pleasant friend, Quarter-master D. B. Sears, who had taken under his special care young Morrison, of Co. C, from whom we obtained the particulars of our first dispatch, and the probable whereabouts of our wounded soldiers.  We then had the good fortune to meet Dr. Truesdale of Rock Island, who introduced us to R. Bowman, regiment surgeon from the same town, (who, by the way, has since been promoted to brigade surgeon,) and to his kindness we are indebted for comfortable lodgings, provided for us in the hospital under his charge.  The following morning we went abord the steamer Hazel Dell, which arrived during the night with a large number of wounded, among whom was Geo. Hall; and from him we obtained additional particulars, which formed the substance of our second dispatch.  Here too was an opportunity for us to do some work, as there was no persons aboard to dress the wounds of these gallant defenders of the Union.  Dr. Maxwell, L. J. Conter and myself, together with Dr. White of Iowa City, immediately went to work, and while the balance of our committee were ashore and perfecting plans for future operations, we dressed the wounds, and thereby relieved the suffering to a great degree of 83 of our brave boys, all of whom appeared cheerful and bore their sufferings without a murmur.

We now found it impossible to get passes to enable us to reach our wounded at Mound City, Paducah and other points, unless we enlisted in the service as volunteer surgeons and nurses, and placing ourselves exclusively under the direction and control of the military authorities, which we immediately did, not knowing where we would be ordered to.  But after a delay of an hour or so we received our orders to proceed. – Drs. Maxwell and McCarn to report themselves at Paducah, and Gifford, Linderman, Center and myself to report to Surgeon Franklin at Mound City hospital.  Here the committee became divided, having to take different boats to reach the two points.

We arrived at Mound City about 8 p.m., delivered our papers to Dr. Franklin, who received us very cordially, saying that he was glad to see us, that there was plenty of work for us to do, and ordered supper and lodgings to be prepared for us; and also ordered us to report to him at 7 o’clock in the morning, and he would assign us to duty.  After receiving our instructions, we went in and through the hospital, which contained from 800 to 1,000 wounded soldiers.  Here indeed can be seen the dark side of war, a reality of suffering which no pen can describe or tongue tell, and yet these noble men bear it all with a heroism that is hardly imaginable.  Occasionally we found one whose sufferings were so intense that he would implore his attendants to put an end to his life as the only relief to him.  We soon found all of our Iowa boys that had been sent to this point, and were much gratified to find that all from Cos. B and C were in a condition promising ultimate recovery.  H. B. Doolittle is the most seriously wounded, being shot in the lower part of the abdomen, though the left shoulder and through the calf of the leg. – He seemed to be getting along very well until Monday morning, when erysipelas set in, and he was removed to a ward in the hospital set aside for these cases.  As this was a very unfavorable place for him, by the advice of Dr. Maxwell, who had now joined us here, we obtained a private room and immediately removed him thither, when he commenced improving immediately.  As all the rest of our boys are getting along well, I will not stop to particularize their cases, but proceed with the details of our work.  We did not confine our labors to the Iowa boys, but when we saw them properly cared for, assisted others were most needed, working early and late in assisting to dress wounds, at which Mr. Center proved himself equal to the task, and up to Tuesday morning Mr. Center and myself had dressed or assisted in dressing the wounds of 180 sufferers.  Tuesday morning orders were received from headquarters to remove 500 of the wounded by boat to Cincinnati.  This order entailed more work on us, but we succeeded in getting all of Cos. B and C that were here, and some others of the Iowa 2d to the number of 16, on board of one boat and in comfortable quarters; and then, through the kindness of Dr. Dunning, post surgeon, secured the appointment of Dr. Maxwell as first assistant surgeon, and myself as ward master on the boat, which gave us a position that enabled us to do all that could be done for our Iowa boys.  Through proper exertions we also procured permission for Mrs. J. C. Magill, who formerly lived in Davenport and who was hear rendering invaluable service, to go with us on the boat in the capacity of matron, and in this we were very fortunate, as the accommodations of the boat for preparing food for so many were very limited.  But for her exertions the men would have suffered with hunger, and the particular interest she took in the boys of the 2d Iowa entitle her to the thanks or some more valuable testimonial from our citizens.

We arrived at Cincinnati at 12 o’clock Sunday, and by means of the ample arrangement of the sanitary committee of this place, in two hours, had our whole charge transferred to the hospital, which is a mile from the landing.  Our boys are now very comfortably, and I may say pleasantly situated.  The building in which they are is divided into small rooms, capable of accommodating from five to twelve patients, and well ventilated, thereby avoiding that sickening and polluted atmosphere which always exists in large hospitals, with large rooms filled with patients.  On my visit to the boys to-day I found them all in the best of spirits, anxious to get well and return to their regiment, to again pay their compliments to the secesh, who, by the way, express themselves unable to return them in so pointed a manner.  We are enjoying the hospitalities of Mr. Doolittle, brother of our gallant color bearer, while here.

I regret to have to inform you that Dr. Maxwell is quite sick from exposure and over exertion, in performing his duties on our trip up the river; but is better to-day, and will probably be able to get out to-morrow or next day.  I was quite exhausted myself, but a day’s rest has sufficiently restored me to enable me to perform my duties.

I must now go back to Paducah, to report the work of our committee there.  Drs. Maxwell and McCarn reported themselves to Gen. Sherman, who is a very gentlemanly person, giving them every attention, and who gave them permission to visit all the hospitals and labor where most needed. – They found quite a number of Iowa boys, some who had been sick for some time, and were out of money or means of any kind to help themselves with, and to whom they gave immediate assistance.  Dr. Maxwell was assigned to duty on board a steamer loaded with the wounded and ordered to Mound City.  On the passage down he had some very important duties to perform, in the way of surgery.  On arriving at Mound City the hospital was so full that no more patients could be received, and the boat proceeded to Cairo for further orders, but the Doctor stopped at Mound City as instructed.

The day we left for this place, Mr. Gifford and Dr. McCarn started for Fort Donelson, and as to what they have accomplished I know not, as I have not heard from them since; but I have no doubt they will be able to make a good report.  Judge Linderman and Mr. Center we left at Mound City with H. B. Doolittle.

It is a very happy and to our boys a very fortunate affair that our citizens took such an interest in their welfare, for without the aid of volunteer surgeons and nurses, not only from Davenport but various other points, many of our soldiers would have suffered and died from want of care.  I do not mean by this any disrespect of inefficiency to our army surgeons, for in most cases they are unceasing in their labors to alleviate the suffering of our soldiers, but Government had made no adequate preparations for an emergency like this, and although it seemed as though the labor that has been performed by the ladies in all the various localities, in preparing bandages, &c., was labor thrown away; yet the last two weeks has proven quite the contrary, for all has been used, and more too, and it is now very difficult to procure adequate supplies for the wants of the different hospitals.  When we left Mound City there was not a bandage or hospital supplies of any kind that could be spared, and we had to go back to Cairo, to get what we had for the trip, which was a very short allowance. – There is much more to be said on this subject, but time will not permit, but I would say to the ladies, keep on preparing and furnishing these hospital supplies, and your labors will be rewarded in the comfort which is thereby given to the wounded soldiers.

L. C. BURWELL.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 2

Glorious News From Kirby Smith

Covington and Newport, Ky. Captured!!

CINCINNATI SURRENDERED!!

All U. S. Property to be Seized!!

GRENADA, Miss., Sep. 8. – The Memphis Argus of the 7^th contains the following dispatch:

The steamboat “B” arrived last evening about four o’clock from Cairo.  A gentleman on board had a copy of an extra just issued from the Cairo Gazette office previous to the departure of the “B” which states substantially as follows:

On Thursday morning the Federal forces at Covington and Newport, Kentucky, were marched out to meet Gen’l Kirby Smith, who was nine miles off.  After an hour’s march Gen’s Smith was encountered, and the Federal forces were drawn up in line of battle, and ordered to fire.  When they had fired one round it was discovered that the Confederates were an overwhelming force, and the Federal force was ordered to fall back.  Gen’l Smith advancing upon them.  When the Confederates reached Covington, and Newport, Gen’l Smith demanded the surrender of both places, which was complied with, he taking possession on Friday morning 10 ½ o’clock.

A flag of truce was then sent across the river, and the surrender of Cincinnati demanded – two hours being allowed the authorities to comply.  The Mayor asked for four hours, which was granted.

Gen’l Smith in response to inquires informed the citizens that private property would be respected, but all united States property must be delivered up.

- Published in The Daily Rebel, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Wednesday, September 10, 1862, p. 1

Note: This article also appeared, with minor differences in the text, under the headline “News By Telegraph” in The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, South Carolina, September 10, 1862, and is transcribed here.