1st Lieutenant Charles Fessenden Morse, March 15, 1862

Camp Near Winchester, March 15, 1862.

I never thought to head a letter as this is headed until after a hard fight, but so it is. I will give you a short journal of things as they happened to us since I wrote mother last Sunday.

Monday morning about two thirty, we were again awakened by C. Wheaton, Jr., with the orders, “Wake your cooks; cook three days' rations; reveille at five; breakfast immediately after; march at seven.”

Reveille and breakfast took place per order, but marching orders did not arrive until past eleven, when they came post haste, ordering us to leave tents and baggage and march at once, as General Gorman, who had gone on with his brigade, was threatened with an attack. Start we did and marched eleven miles to Berryville, but saw no enemy. Our brigade was marched into a wood to bivouac; we stacked arms in line of battle and then allowed the men to get straw from a neighboring stack to make themselves comfortable with. With the help of rails borrowed from fences, various styles of shelter were rigged up. We made one to accommodate four of us, that was quite comfortable, although the night was cold and windy, with occasional rain squalls. Hogan and Tom (Captain Williams' servant), built us a fire, and then went foraging for a supper; they succeeded in getting two or three slices of raw bacon, some hard boiled eggs and a canteen of milk. With these, we made a good supper, toasting the bacon to a delicate brown and making some good tea in my faithful tea pot. I have got to be a pretty good campaigner, now, and never start on any kind of a march without my rubber blanket, my thick woollen one and a haversack containing a little bag of tea, coffee and sugar, some hard bread, a piece of salt pork and my aforementioned tea and coffee pot. With these articles, I can make myself and several others happy, no matter where we bring up.

Rolled up in our blankets, with a fire at our feet, we enjoyed a good night's sleep. The next morning was very pleasant, although cool; breakfast was a repetition of supper; in fact, almost every meal up to date has been, varying bacon with pork and tea with coffee. We passed the day lazity; four or five regiments and as many batteries came up in the morning and camped near us. Wednesday was a beautiful, warm day with us; our company was detailed for “Grand Guard.”

About five o'clock that afternoon, we received orders to draw in our vedettes and report with the company at the camp as soon as possible, as the brigade had received marching orders. We joined the regiment on the Winchester road. It was a fine, clear moonlight night and we had a very good road. We marched until nearly half past twelve, to within a mile of Winchester, and bivouacked in a very thick pine wood. The trees were so thick that we officers all lost each other, each one, on finding a comfortable place, settling himself for the rest of the night. I was lucky enough to stumble across Hogan and got my blanket; after a good cup of coffee, I rolled up under a pine tree and slept soundly until morning. Looking around me at daylight, I saw Captain Williams not twenty yards from me, alongside of Charley Horton, Captain Savage and several other officers. George Bangs and Captain Goodwin presented a lamentable appearance, not having brought any blankets. Our wagons came up in good season for the men to get their breakfasts, and at ten, or thereabouts, we pitched our camp in a neighboring field. Yesterday, Bob Shaw and I walked into Winchester to see the sights. It is a rather decayed-looking town, larger than Frederick; some fine houses, not many. We saw Mason's house, now used by the field officers of the Fifth Connecticut; the shops and stores are almost empty, but will probably revive rapidly. We took dinner at Taylor's Hotel, a pretty large house; a great many officers there. While we were in town, a skirmish took place on the Strasburg road four or five miles from town, resulting in our capturing between twenty and thirty prisoners; we saw them marched into town, some in uniform, some not.

SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 41-3

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: August 4, 1864

Fine morning. Had an early swim in the good clean waters of the Monocacy River. Later hunted up some bait, sat under a large tree to try my luck at fishing. Always keep a hook and line by me. Had very good luck. Dressed the fish at the river, went back to the camp, cooked them, and shared the fish with the boys. Only trouble was, I did not have enough for all our company. A battle had been fought at this point a few weeks before, between the forces of General Lew Wallace and the Confederate leader Early. Additional rations were given to us, one potato, one onion, large size. A long time since we had vegetables. They were all right. We boiled and ate them.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 110

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: March 3, 1862

Commenced a letter to Theodore but did not finish. Bathed all over and changed my clothes. Got my washing done and some baking.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 8

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 23, 1864

Left New Castle very early this hot morning. No air in these valleys of Virginia and West Virginia. Most of our rations consist of fresh meat. It is brought in to us in the night and cooked in the night, broiled on the end of a ramrod. It is hard to keep out of our minds, but is generally believed that we are eating horse and mule meat. When we left Cedar Creek on this raid, General Hunter informed us that we might be obliged to eat horse flesh before our return. At that time we were ordered to be careful of our rations.

All the roads in the mountains and valleys are bad, hard for our feet. It is now thought that we are in the Alleghany Mountains. In spite of all our hardships we cannot help admiring the scenery. How we could enjoy it if we had plenty to eat and could take our time marching along. Up and down, over the mountains we go, until we reach the Sweet Springs, twenty-six miles from New Castle. Here we are to stop for the night. Large fine buildings here. A resort. Deserted. Generals Hunter and Crook located headquarters in a large, fine building. Our regiment stopping nearby. Rations for tonight, plenty of fresh meat and coffee. While we are all tired, foot-sore, and near used up, there is but little growling or fault-finding. Keep up courage very well as we endure these hardships, all for our country. While the days are hot, the nights are cool.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 84

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 22, 1864

In camp late last night after a long hard march. A good night's rest. The ground for a bed and the sky for a covering. Sadly in need of rations. On the march pass the ruins of many army wagons being burned up to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy. Many horses and mules are giving out, drop for the lack of feed and rest. It is hard pulling those wagons over these rough mountain roads. All horses and mules that cannot be driven or led are shot to prevent the enemy from getting them, as all they need is rest and feed for most of them. War is a cruel thing. I wish it was over.

In conversation, while on the march, with Captain Meigs, Engineer Corps, he thought we ought to break up the gang of guerillas following in the rear. Asked us boys if we were ready to fight them, the answer was yes. Many are dropping out by the roadside, too weak and used up. Reported we march from ten to thirty-five miles a day. Clothing and shoes giving out. Very little forage can be found in these mountains and valleys. Our route takes us over the Potts Mountains, very high. Our suffering is intense, as many are barefooted.

Just at dark we reach the town of New Castle and go into camp for the night.

Thankful that we are to get a night's rest. Two of our company found a bag of flour. It was portioned out to each member. Mixed with water we had pan-cakes (toe-jam). We have plenty of coffee, no sugar. A little coffee goes a good ways. Some of our boys stole a bag of coffee from General Sullivan's headquarters. He was our division commander. Of course it could not be found, as it found its way in many haversacks.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 83-4

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: June 9, 1864

This morning still finds us at Staunton. Called out early. Marched through the town. Destruction goes on. It certainly looks bad for this town. It seems to be a part of war. A large Confederate hospital is located here, also a retreat for the insane. Among the buildings destroyed are large tobacco warehouses, much of the contents thrown into the streets. Tobacco plenty. Many of our boys carried much of it into the Confederate hospital, giving it to the poor fellows confined there. They were pleased and thankful, some even saying they were glad we came, so I was informed by those who went to the hospital.

Our regiment scouting through the country along the line of the railroad, picking up horses and cattle wherever we found them. Also protect the boys of the 5th New York Heavy Artillery who were busy destroying the railroad. By the time we leave here there won't be much left in this vicinity.

Our scouts manage to find some meal and flour. We are getting a part of our living in this vicinity. We use a half of a canteen for a frying pan, a stick for a handle, so we have pancakes, or, as the boys call them, toe-jam, and fresh meat. The buildings destroyed in town and along the line of the railroad were factories and warehouses, and some public buildings. To my knowledge no dwelling houses were burned up. In camp tonight.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 73

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: June 8, 1864

Again routed out early. Into line on the march through town to continue our work of destruction. Piling up ties, place the rails on top, set fire to the ties. When the rails become hot in the center, they warp or bend, making them useless. The march out of town, along the railroad, destroying it, makes very hard work for us, as we put in a long day, and not very much food. We manage to pick up some corn meal and a little flour, which we make into pan-cakes, called by the boys, Toe-Jam. Some of the boys received bruises and jams in the work on the railroad. There is much kicking over the hard work.

In camp tonight, talking over the events of the day, wondering what the morrow has in store for us. Many buildings and much property in town have been destroyed by fire, by order of General Hunter. Many of the women look sad and do much weeping over the destruction that is going on. We feel that the South brought on the war and the State of Virginia is paying dear for her part. The loss of our good boys brings us many sad hours. We cannot help think, and wonder who will be the next one to give his life for our country.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 72-3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, August 10, 1863

We are living on fresh bread now; we got our first today, baked in the new oven. Each man is allowed to draw a one-pound loaf per day. We again have company drill twice a day, with dress parade at 5 o'clock. The weather is fearfully hot, day and night.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 134

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, August 6, 1863

The Eleventh received pay today; I got $26.00, my full payment for the two months, for the Government has discontinued the “allotment rolls,” as sending a portion of a soldier's pay to his parents is called. Our colonel ordered a bake oven for the regiment, so in a few days we will draw fresh bread instead of hardtack.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 133

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, June 15, 1863

Our brigade is all broken up, most of it being on picket duty facing Johnston's army and acting as a reserve, and doing police duty between the two lines of battle. Johnston is reported to be out on the Big Black river with about ten thousand men, in an attempt to get into Vicksburg, but he's afraid to come for fear of getting whipped. The boys are having fine times picking blackberries and plums. I quit cooking for the captain, and was recommended as a first-class cook. John Lett took my place as cook for the officers.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 122

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, May 2, 1863

The weather has been warm and quite pleasant for several days and the roads are drying fast. Things are very quiet here. Colonel Hall is now in command of our brigade. We have drill twice a day, though this afternoon there was none, in order to give the boys time to wash their clothes and clean up for inspection. I received $5.00 from Captain McLoney, for the month of April, as cook for the officers' mess.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 112

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, April 29, 1863

The teams all went back to the landing this morning for provisions and the boys cleaned up our camping ground. We have first-rate grub now, hard crackers, sowbelly, green tea, besides fresh beef every fifth day. We draw full rations every five days when in camp, and every three days when on the march. The boys live fine. I wrote a couple of letters today.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 112

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, April 14, 1863

Another rainy day. I went to town two miles up the river this morning in a canoe, with the cook of Company K (I am taking cooking lessons from him) to buy provisions. I bought ten pounds of ham and other things for $3.95. I wrote a letter home to Albert Downing and enclosed $10.00 in it. General Quimby's Division landed at Lake Providence this afternoon. It is reported that the expedition that was trying to find a way to get the army past Haines's Bluff on the Yazoo river has been forced to give it up on account of the floods. The river is flooded for a hundred miles up from the mouth, and four miles on either side. It is thought that they will have to run the fleet past the batteries at Vicksburg and march the army down the Louisiana side and then across the river on high ground below Vicksburg.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 109-10

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, April 5, 1863

We had company inspection at 10 o'clock this morning and regimental inspection at 5 p. m. I did not go out on inspection, having to prepare an elaborate dinner (some of that codfish), and after dinner I had a good many dishes to wash — tin plates, cups and knives and forks. I read the following chapters today: Isaiah, ninth chapter, second to the eighth verse; Psalms, twenty-second chapter.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 108

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, March 31, 1863

Warm and pleasant today. More troops passed down the river. I commenced cooking for the captain and officers of our company.¹ I was considered a pretty good cook at home, but having so few utensils here, I fear there will be quite a contrast.

__________

¹ It seems that Private Downing was to get $5.00 per month as cook. See the entry for May 2d. — Ed.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 107

Pittsburg Landing, May 7 [1862].

MR. E. RUSSELL, Cor. Secretary Scott Co. Relief Association –

ESTEEMED SIR:  I have arrived from Hamburg general hospital.  I consented to be assigned, for the present, to the 8th ward of that institution, after having assisted Dr. Varian, post surgeon, to establish it.  I have 160 of the sick of the 2d cavalry, 5th, 10th, 3d and 17th infantry of Iowa volunteers under my care.  They are doing quite as well as we could hope for under the circumstances – have lost none, have nurses plenty, but need good cooks.  This is the mistake.  Good cooks are what is most needed in our hospitals.  Fruits, potatoes, onions, barley, whisky and lots of peppers are needed too.  Mrs. Harlan and Mrs. Burnell are here somewhere.  I believe Dr. G. is still in the 3d Iowa.  The army is advancing to-day three miles – they must fight or run, I think, this week; are skirmishing now.  The cannon are booming – it’s exciting music, but brings no terror.  The army is in excellent spirits, although much sickness is in it.  See that the good people of Davenport do not turn out promiscuously as a crowd to help here in case of a battle, but send a few working men.  I shall do all I can to keep posted as to the wants of our troops, and relieve them as far as that can be done with my means.

Yours,

A. S. MAXWELL.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 14, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, November 24, 1862

We draw rations now of equal parts of meal, flour and crackers, and in amount equal to a one-pound loaf of bread. We have no means for baking bread, so each man turns over his flour and corn meal to the company cook, who boils it into a mush. Then at the noon hour he calls out and the men go and get their portions. Some of us fry the mush with a little bacon, which makes a very palatable dish. But I cannot understand why it is, that with a railroad open to our base of supplies, the quartermaster cannot draw full rations of crackers for the men.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 84

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, October 11, 1862

We were routed out this morning at 1 o’clock and started for Corinth, seventy miles distant. It soon began raining, and after marching six miles in the rain we met our provision train. We stacked our arms by the roadside, drew some rations and had a good square meal again. The hard-tack and coffee, with the bacon broiled on our ramrods in the fire, tasted mighty good — better than any pound cake eaten at home. While resting here and feasting, a number of the boys who had gone into the negro huts, caught up with us. They were in the cabins, nice and dry, and thought when we were routed out in the night, that it was to form in line, but in the morning found out their mistake and hastened to catch up with the command. A few of them were taken prisoners by the rebel cavalry following us. After our meal we continued our march till we reached the Tallahatchie river, and bivouacked in heavy timber on the banks of the river. We traveled thirty-five miles today, the weather being quite cool.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 75-6

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, October 8, 1862

We did not get into bivouac until late last night, and again started on our march early this morning. We marched until 3 p. m., when we halted to rest, going into bivouac for the night in a large field of cow-peas, near the town of Ripley, Mississippi. We ran out of rations and foraging parties were sent out. They brought in sweet potatoes and fresh pork, which is all we have to eat. I picked some cow-peas and cooked them; they are rather strong, yet better than nothing to eat. The report is that the rebels have scattered out and escaped, and that we shall not follow them any longer. We are so far from our base of supplies that we are in danger of being captured.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 75

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, September 22, 1862

No news of importance. Rain last night. Foraging parties are bringing in all the fresh pork that we can use, besides plenty of sweet potatoes. Our crackers, having been kept in storage so long, are musty and full of the weevil web, and there are no trains from Corinth to bring a fresh supply. We often clean them the best we can and bake them again in ashes or in skillets.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 71