I am unwell so that
I did not drill it is the first day that I have not been with the Company 36
soldiers to dinner with us & 4 not soldiers Mrs. Capt Fleck Walden buried
her little daughter age 9 months Materials to make our Co a flag arived &
the committy selected Miss C Stratton & my Daughter to superintend the
making of it
SOURCE: Edgar R.
Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2,
October 1925, p. 88
10 Oc Miss Claudear
Stratton & my Daughter presented our Comp with a Beautifull flag the Ladies
of Centerville made for us. at 20 min past 1 Oc we left with our Company for
Keokuk at dark we arrived at Blakesburg fed took supper & at 10 & ½ Oc
we started at 3 Oc arrived at the desmoin opposite Attumwa fed horses spred
down our blankets & laid down to sleep on the Bank of the beautifull river
SOURCE: Edgar R.
Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2,
October 1925, p. 89
11 Oc the Bellair
Company of volunteers came to town we formed in line & saluted them I then
assigned them their places for dinner which we had arranged previous afternoon
we had several speeches our companys then formed in line and paraded on the
square after we broke ranks G. Udell & Talbot took up a collection &
got over ten dollars to get our company a flag
SOURCE: Edgar R.
Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2,
October 1925, p. 86-7
Sunday morning the
regiment was ordered out on grand guard. Went up on hill some two miles from
camp—heavy firing heard in the distance—McArthur's division in the advance and
the rebels are falling back before him. As I sat on a log this morning about
church time I thought of many dear friends wending their way to church and how
the church bells were ringing at home, speaking of nothing but peace, while, in
dear old St. James, many are listening to the glorious anthems and the litany
of the church. I wondered to myself if any there give their thoughts to the
absent ones who loved their country better than all the pleasure and comforts
of home and are willing to die for it. How different here; everything speaks of
war and desolation—foraging wagon trains constantly coming in, bringing cattle,
pigs, chickens, turkeys, everything they can lay their hands on. On the other
side of the creek are regiments marching forward, their colors flying, bands
playing, men chewing, while in the distance is the sound of McArthur's guns or
rebel ones returning their fire. I would not be in Chicago if I could.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 5
Still in Hudson. Was routed
out twice last night, for no particular reason as far as I can discover, unless
it was to make a miserable night still more miserable. After forming in line
and standing there, half asleep, for awhile, the order, "Break Ranks"
would come and we would go back to our bunks, and so the night wore away. At
4.30 we were called again, marched out for our morning ablutions, and then
marched back again, wide awake, but pretty cross and ugly. We signed receipts
for one month's pay in advance, and then had breakfast. We did nothing more
until dinner time and were then told to take our haversacks and canteens with
us. After dinner we were each given a day's supply of bread and a canteen full
of coffee, and told to be ready to march at any minute.
Six P. M. On board the steamship Oregon, bound for New
York City. We had a busy time getting off. Crowds upon crowds of people lined
the way from the camp ground to the steamboat landing. The windows and the
house tops were also full. I don't see where so many people came from. Men,
women and children were waving flags, handkerchiefs or anything else that would
wave. They cheered us until hoarse. Bands played, every steam whistle in Hudson
was blowing, in fact every thing that could make a noise did so. Through it all
we marched, reaching out every little while for a final handshake, and a last
good-bye. Everyone seemed to know everybody else. I presume I shook hands with
a hundred that I never saw before and may never see again. But the heartiness
of it all, and the sincerity showed so plainly, that by the time the landing
was reached the tears were washing the dust from our faces. I am glad it is
over. No matter what comes next, it cannot be more trying than that march
through Hudson.
Later. The sail down the
Hudson is glorious. It is all new to me. As soon as we were clear from the dock
I got into the quietest place I could find and told my diary about it. I wish I
could better describe the doings about me. This will do to remind me of it all,
if I ever see these scribblings again, and if not those that do see them may
turn their imagination loose, feeling sure that it cannot overdraw the picture.
But there is no use trying to write any more. Confusion reigns, and I am going
to put away my dairy and take a hand in it.
SOURCE: Lawrence Van
Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p.
15-7
This evening finds us at the base of Kenesaw. We are reminded that this
name has gone to history, associated with deeds of valor; where Logan's battle
flag flapped against the sky. The heavens are all aglow to-night; to the
southward red columns of smoke are curling upward. Signal lights are twinkling
upon Kenesaw. Evidently Sherman is conversing with Howard and Slocum, his right
and left bowers.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 275
We have had several dress parades, in which we made a creditable appearance, considering the fact that no arms had been issued. On presenting the battalion to the commanding officer instead of the command Present Arms, as we had none to present, the order was Salute, which we executed as only recruits can. We have had rumors, not of war, but Muster in in the meantime the boys are generally up to something or other, to relieve the monotony of Left, Left, Left, from day to day. Some companies have attached flag-staffs to the fronts of the barracks, and our captain not wishing to be behind any others, ordered a detail to proceed to some man’s wood-lot and cut a suitable stick. We started with hatchets, tramping towards the Blue Hills, and finally secured a fine tall tree, which we cut, trimmed, and shouldered to camp, and putting it in position found it to be tallest in the line.
Geo. Russell kindly furnished us with a large flag and then E was high line. There is much emulation among the companies to be the one to lower the flag first, at sunset Russell attached about two pounds of lead to the hallyards, close to the flag, thoroughly greased the pulley, and then all it needed was one strong pull, and a pull altogether, and down comes the flag the quickest of any although our pole is much the tallest.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 7
$25.00 more to-day.
How the money comes in! Many people were here to-day, some from our
neighborhood.
Between our camp
duties and so much visiting the time flies fast. The ladies of Hudson presented
us with two beautiful flags to-day, and Colonel Cowles with a horse, saddle and
bridle. It was estimated that five thousand visitors were in camp to-day. We
are the 128th Regiment the State of New York has sent out. I wonder if such a
time was made over each one. There was good speaking when the presents were
made and accepted. We certainly are having a grand send-off.
Night. There is a
circus in Hudson to-night, and the guards have their hands full keeping the
128th in camp. Many get out, and the guard-house is full of those who were
caught making the attempt.
SOURCE:
Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 12-13
We stopped at Natchez for nearly an hour, and in that short space of time nearly every officer and man got decently drunk. Some of our crew went aboard other boats, not being sober enough to distinguish the difference. We got back the missing men at the wood-yard this morning. The ladies were out in full force on the bluffs, and during our stay presented us with a flag, in return for which we fired a salute of two guns. 12 o'clock. We have just come in sight of the Yankee boat, and the excitement of the chase or the terrible conflict will soon begin.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 67-8
Bright, but several inches
of snow fell last night.
The President wrote
a long letter to the Secretary yesterday concerning the assignment of
conscripts in Western North Carolina, at most only a few hundred, and the
appointment of officers, etc. A small subject.
Congress has passed
a resolution calling on the Secretary of War for information concerning certain
youths, alleged to have received passports to Europe, etc. Also one relating to
the Commissary-General's traffic in Eastern North Carolina, within the enemy's
lines. Also one relating to instructions to Gen. Smith, trans-Mississippi
Department, who assumes control of matters pertaining to the Treasury
Department.
General J. S.
Preston, Superintendent Bureau of Conscription, writes a long letter from South
Carolina indorsing an act of the Legislature authorizing the impressment of
one-fifth of the slaves between eighteen and fifty, for work on the
fortifications within the State, but also providing for impressment of an
additional number by the Confederate States Government. This, Gen. P. considers
a treasonable move, indicating that South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama,
Mississippi, etc. have a purpose to disintegrate Confederate authority, and
that they will not contribute another man, black or white, to the Confederate
service, to be commanded by Confederate States authority. And he has several
thrusts at Gen. Bragg and Gen. Kemper, and, indirectly, at the President, for
interfering with his bureau. I see nothing in the act to warrant his interpretations,
and I have no faith in his predictions.
W. F. D. Saussure
and others, Columbia, S. C., petition the government to send a corps of Lee's
army to save their State and Georgia from devastation, as there are no adequate
forces in them for defense. They confess that Richmond is important to hold,
but insist that Georgia and South Carolina must be defended to hold it, etc.
They are frightened evidently.
Gen. Withers,
Alabama, denounces the inefficiency of the conscript system.
Lieut. Beverly
Kermon writes from the Rappahannock that "thus far (to Jan. 1st) our
movements (in connection with Capt. T. N. Conrad) are perfectly secret."
The next day he was to go to the Potomac. What has the Secretary sent him there
for?
J. R. Bledsoe
presents a design for a "new flag," red, white, and blue cross, which
Gen. Lee thinks both original and beautiful. Judge Campbell has a box of
clothing, sent from London by J. B. Bloodgood.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 375-6
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.
MY DEAR SON: — I received a letter from your mother today in which she
says that you are expecting a letter from me.
I am very glad to hear that you are studying your lessons very well.
What a funny name your mother has for your brother “the Little
Soldier.” She thinks of calling him after one of her
ancestors, Captain Bilious Cook. I would prefer George Crook to such a queer
name as “Bilious."
We are having pleasant weather, and drill the
officers and men every day. All the officers of the brigade
were out today and we began with the musket drill, shoulder arms,
etc. You would like to see our brigade have dress parade. The four
regiments are formed in one line — the band and brigade flag in the
middle. It makes a fine display.
[Continued on December 2, 1864.]
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 541-2
[Continued from letter of November 30, 1864.]
December 2. — You would have enjoyed being here yesterday. It
was a fine warm day and we moved camp. One division of the
Sixth Corps left to go south via Washington, perhaps to Grant. We moved our
camp about a mile over to their ground. We are getting well fixed again. We
hauled over our flooring and bunks, and they left a great
deal of material, so we rather made by the change.
Your little letter pleased me very much. If you study hard you will soon
be able to write a good long one. Give my love to Grandma, “the
Little Soldier," and all the rest of your friends. If
I don't get home by New Year's, you must write me about the
holidays. — Good-bye.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 541-2
At two o'clock this morning the Second Division is huddled promiscuously around the headquarters of General Rosecrans, on the north side of Corinth. About three o'clock, a sheet of fire is seen to burst from a rebel battery planted during the night in the woods near the Purdy road; all morning it continues to send forth its glaring light; the air is full of bursting shell; the heavens seem all ablaze; the stars for a moment seem eclipsed. The light from the morning king is now flashing against the bayonets of the two hostile armies. Smoke and, wrathful messengers still continue to leap from the woods where the rebel monster frowns, and as its storm comes sweeping on its track, death follows in its wake, for some brave men are seen to fall, breathe quickly, and die. Our big guns at batteries Williams and Robinet now open upon this rebel battery with a roar that is hideous; sending echoes across the fields and through the surrounding woods that sound unearthly. This battery is soon disabled, and rebel heels are seen to fly heavenward, thus putting a stop to its deadly sweeps.
About eight o'clock the regiment is moved forward and placed in a position behind some temporary works constructed during the night. The position of the Second Division resembles an ox yoke, minus the bows; the First Brigade and Powell's battery forming the right curve, with the bulge facing the enemy north and northwest; the Second Brigade forming the center, facing northwest, and the Third Brigade forming the left curve, facing north and west. The position of the Third Brigade, commanded by Colonel Dubois, U. S. A., is as follows: The Seventh Illinois on the right with its right resting on the Purdy road, and in their order the Fiftieth and Fifty-seventh Illinois. Soon after taking our position in the great yoke of bayonets, Colonel Babcock is ordered to move forward, deploy his regiment and support Berge's sharp-shooters. We soon discovered the enemy crossing the railroad in large force. Upon making the discovery we are ordered to return to our position in the "yoke.” The enemy is now evidently making preparations to take Corinth, if possible, at the point of the bayonet.
While there is a lull in consequence of these preparations, we will review the situation. Here, marshaled upon Corinth's fields, can be seen thousands of determined warriors supporting their bristling steel, waiting to engage in the work of blood. There is silence along the Seventh's line, and we all feel that it will prove to be a line of stout hearts. The gallant Colonel Babcock and Lieutenant Colonel Rowett are at their posts. The commanders of companies, Captains Lawyer, Hunter, Johnson, Knowlton, McGuire, Perrin, Clark, and Lieutenants Estabrook, Pegram, Smith, Sullivan, Sweeny, Raymond, Ahern, Atchison and Gillson are resting upon their drawn swords. They will soon wield them and we know that they will be wielded so as to reflect glory and honor upon those who swing them. The story of the terrible days of the past assure us as much. The sun is now far up in the sky, but it is evident that ere it sinks to rest many a noble soldier will have laid himself down for a quiet, eternal sleep. We look across the fields; the ghastly stars and bars are seen peering from the woods; the drunken Arkansas legions under the command of General Caball are surging towards the Third Brigade's front, four regiments deep in columns of attack. The redoubt on the right is now taken; the right is giving way in confusion; there is a gap in the line to our right on the Purdy road; the attack on the left being slight, the Fifty-seventh is removed therefrom and thrown into this breach. At this period a battery in our rear on an elevation overlooking Corinth opens upon General Caball's charging column. The shot from this battery falling short, Sergeant Wheeler, of Company H of the Seventh, is thereby killed. The battle now rages furiously; many noble men are falling victims; streams of blood are flowing; the death archer is at work. The charging column is overwhelming; the Seventh is now driven from the temporary works; the yoke is broken; the regiment is retreating slowly; they are contesting manfully every inch of the ground. Falling back a short distance, Colonel Babcock and Lieutenant Colonel Rowett, with the ready assistance of the officers of the line, succeed in rallying the regiment, forming a line at a small house on the out-skirts of Corinth, where the Seventh stands like a pillar of fire. Volley after volley they are now sending into the Arkansas hosts. They seem determined though they die to keep the old flag in the wind. On, the storm king of battle rides. Reckless shot and shell are making deep furrows in the earth. The air is full of whistling minies; things look fearful. We stand amid the dead and dying. Smoke from iron mouths rolls everywhere; everything seems to be wrapped in flames. How can our thinned and almost famished Seventh stem this mad storm! For a few moments, the regiment's determined front staggers the enemy and throws them into confusion, but they have re-formed, and are now coming across the open field in terrible array. The regiment that has thus far stood up so manfully is now made to waver-the flag is seen to tremble. At this trying moment an aid comes dashing down the line (we believe it was Capt. Lovel) crying out, "Oh, noble Seventh! noble Seventh! stand the storm, it won't last long!” The battery on the hill in the rear still continues its firing. The Seventh being unable to stand against the overwhelming and sweeping rebel force, and being exposed to the fierce storms of this (our own) battery on the hill, again falls back and forms out of the line of its fire. In this retreat the gallant and brave Lieutenant Estabrook of Company E was killed. The battle all along the entire line is now raging desperately. The earth is trembling around Fort Robinet, wrathful thunder is rolling from her brazen guns. The battle smoke seems to roll against the sky. General Rogers and his Texan legions have thrown themselves into the ordeal there, but like grass before the mower's scythe his mad rangers are falling victims to a wicked ambition. We now turn our eyes, casting them along the Second Division's crippled line. They are fighting desperately against fearful odds, hotly contesting every inch of ground on the streets of Corinth. The regiments are broken up in small squads, commanded by Lieutenants and Sergeants. Colonel Babcock and Lieutenant Colonel Rowett, with a part of the regiment are now standing heroically with their trembling flag; the remaining part of the Regiment being disconnected from the colors, is engaged in heated contest on other parts of the field. Confusion reigns; darkness seems to be throwing her sable wings around the struggling Second Division. The main drift of the battle has been against them. General Davies, with the gallant Captains Lovel and Hanna, Colonel Dubois, Colonel Babcock, Lieutenant Colonel Rowett, and the brave officers of the line, have been laboring hard to check the adverse tide.
The sun is now passing down towards the western horizon. Will the battle be lost? will this brave army be crushed? will the flag be lowered? will the loyal people be compelled to bow their heads and drop tears over another ill-fated field ? No! Such a story shall not go to the hearts of the loyal people. We look away; we behold the right wing swinging around, hurling volley after volley into the flanks of the enemy. There is a reaction now; the Second Division rallies again, and led by General Davies, fights with renewed vigor. The rebel lines are seen to waver; our big guns are now mowing them down by hundreds. Seeing this wavering of the rebels, the men are encouraged. Colonel Babcock, with the Seventh, moves firmly and with power. The Fiftieth are making a glorious charge; a smile of triumph seems to be playing on every face. The enemy are being driven; foot by foot they are falling back from Corinth's field. The Union's proud banner is again advancing; loud shouts from our lines are making a din in the air. The dying heroes, as they pass away, leave ringing in our ears, “Follow the flag!” “Keep it up!” “Dont let it fall!”. Oh! what hearts! what glory! what manhood! A rebel retreat is ordered. The shouts of victory make the welkin ring. The old Seventh's flag in its shreds and ribbons seems to shed a halo of glory around its exultant and happy defenders.
Sergeant Newell and Corporal Bordwell, color bearers, deserve honorable mention for their gallantry in carrying our flag through this terrible battle. No braver soldiers ever moved on a battle-field. No one ever looked to the rear to see the Seventh's colors; but on the front line in the fiercest of the battle, their noble bearers were ever seen standing with them. They unfurled them in the battle wind and never let them go down. They seemed to be the pride of their hearts, and their faces looked sad when the fortunes of battle compelled them to carry them back. In the wide universe there is nothing so beautiful to behold as a brave man fighting for his country's flag; nothing more beautiful than to see fearless spirits like Sergeant Newell and Corporal Bordwell, bearing the proud banner of freedom through smoke and flame.
Night has now come, and the worn and almost exhausted Seventh lie down upon the blood-stained field to obtain some rest. Though we are all weary and tired, we feel glad in our hearts that the old flag has been honored to-day, and while we thus feel happy we feel sad when we look around us and see. that comrades and officers who were with us yesterday morning and this morning are with us no more. The following is the Seventh's casualties in the two days’ battle:
STAFF.—First Lieutenant William Brown, Quartermaster, mortally wounded; T. N. Francis, Adjutant, wounded in font; Fred W. Cross, Fife Major, wounded through mouth, severely.
COMPANY B. —John Fifer, killed; Wentworth D. Wolf, taken prisoner; John Devine, corporal, wounded in the face; W. Graham, corporal, wounded in left shoulder; L. D. Porter, private, wounded in left hand, finger off; Wm. Auld, wounded in left hand, severely; Wm. Nelson, wounded in left hand slightly.
COMPANY C. —E. R. Roberts, First Lieutenant, wounded in hand, finger off; W. H. Ferguson, Second Lieutenant, wounded in right arm, severely; Clark B. Alford, private, killed; G. W. Baldwin, private, wounded in right arm; Edgar. Campbell, private, wounded in right hand; J. Hamilton, private, wounded in hand, slightly; J Kopf, private, wounded in arm, slightly; William Shell, taken prisoner.
COMPANY D. —Sergeant F. Bradshaw, taken prisoner; Corporal T. Raymond, taken prisoner; T. M. Reeves, private, taken prisoner; W. H. Harris, private, taken prisoner; Michael Greely, private, taken prisoner; Michael Walsh, private, wounded slightly.
COMPANY E. —Henry N. Estabrook, Second Lieutenant, killed; John Tefft, private, killed; Jasper Eveland, private, wounded, leg amputated; William Robinson, private, wounded in hip; Albion P. Gossard, private, wounded in arm;. Thomas H. Watt, private, wounded in shoulder, severely; John B. Forbes, private, wounded in hip, severely; Joseph Lancaster, private, wounded in head, severely; Edwin R. Jones, private, wounded in head, severely; Martin V. Miller, sergeant, taken prisoner; John J. Frost, private, taken prisoner.
COMPANY F. —James Adams, private, killed; Bernard Keely, private, mortally wounded; R. C. Staples, private, wounded; Hans Hanson, private, wounded; Joshua S. March, private, taken prisoner.
COMPANY G.—William Hawks, private, wounded, finger off; D. C. Munson, corporal, wounded in thigh, severely.
COMPANY H. —Jacob L. Ring, First Lieutenant, wounded in breast, severely; Laban Wheeler, sergeant, killed; W.T. Taylor, private, wounded in hip, severely; Edmond H. Cook, private, wounded in foot, slightly; John D. Turner, corporal, taken prisoner; James M. Halbert, private, taken prisoner; John Fowler, private, taken prisoner; William T. Omay, private, taken prisoner.
COMPANY I. —John H. Shankland, first sergeant, wounded in chin, slightly; David Walker, private; wounded in ankle; Robert Walker, private, wounded in right shoulder; George Heisey, private, wounded in arm severely; Patrick Crowley, private, wounded in right foot, severely; John Mow, private, wounded in left leg, severely; Michael O'Connor, private, wounded in left hand; John W. Campbell, sergeant, taken prisoner; Peter Miller, private, taken prisoner; Wm. E. Norton, private, taken prisoner; Daniel J. Baker, private, taken prisoner.
COMPANY K. —Felix Lane, private, wounded slightly in the face; Richard Taylor, private, wounded slightly in the back; George Palmer, private, taken prisoner; David Lewis, private, taken prisoner; Mike Connerty, private, taken prisoner. Total number killed, 6; total number wounded, 43; total number taken prisoners, 21 ; sum total of losses, 70.
As we look over this roll of honor, we think of those noble hearts that have ceased their pulsations forever, and of those now bleeding, mangled and torn, lying in the Corinth hospitals. In the years to come, when the tocsin of war shall have been hushed and the country is at peace, may America's great loyal people drop tears to the memory of those fallen heroes, and throw a fostering arm around her maimed and crippled warriors whose glorious nobility will be traced back to the most sanguinary battlefields of the nineteenth century. As we cast our eyes around us, we are wont to say, oh! had we the picture emblazoned upon canvass, with all its horrifying details and gloomy shadows; could the loyal people but discern the ardor, the industry, the exertion, the valor, the iron arm of strength that was raised in these two days on Corinth’s bloody field; could they but feel the glow of patriotism that warmed the hearts and brightened the eyes of those noble ones, who went down to-day on this crimson field; could they but feel the inspiration of the hour when life was nothing and the country all, they would then know the importance of the hour and believe in the providence of God, who will guide the ship of state into a prosperous haven. The Seventh is now sleeping; they are weary; their loss has been heavy. Terrible were the shafts of war hurled against them. When the battle's smoke vanished away, we all bowed our heads in silence, when we remembered that the gallant officer and christian soldier, Lieutenant Henry N. Estabrook, of Company E, was with us no more, but was sleeping the eternal sleep on Corinth's field of glory.
History tells of many brave spirits; its pages are teeming with plaudits for its daring heroes. But the historian has never moved his pen to eulogize a truer manhood and a purer spirit than was embodied in the life and character of Lieutenant Estabrook. Possessing an excellence of character, a gentlemanly demeanor, and high-toned manhood, he won for himself the esteem of his men and fellow officers. Though he was engaged in working war's mad machine, it never cast a shadow upon his Christian character. His mind was ever dwelling upon things that were high, grand and noble; spurning that which was groveling and ignoble as beneath the dignity of a Christain [sic] gentleman. We saw him when he fell; when the Union army's center was giving way, and while waving his sword, and cheering his gallant men, he went down beneath the old Union's swaying flag, and as his life-blood ebbed away upon the altar of the world's last hope, a smile was seen to play upon his face; it was a smile of triumph, a smile of sunshine and of glory, and the indistinct language of his soul was, "Lo, peace is here.” And his spirit fied from this field of blood and death, home to God. A truer man, a better commanding officer, a braver soldier than Lieutenant Estabrook has never been stricken down on America's great battle-fields. No purer spirit ever fluttered for entrance at the windows of heaven. Though he is dead, his name will ever live in the memory of the Seventh, and especially in the memory of his noble company, who stood with him until he fell a martyr to freedom. The faithful historian will write his name among the crowned ones of immortality. And from the warrior's grand calendar no ribbon, nor belt, nor jeweled cross will ever bear a prouder name than that of Lieutenant Henry N. Estabrook.
Lieutenant Brown, regimental quartermaster, deserves honorable mention. He was mortally wounded on the first day, while endeavoring to get water to his famishing and suffering regiment. Stemming danger and death, with a noble determination to work his way to where the smoke of battle rolled around the Seventh, he fell amid the raging tempest, fell in the performance of his duty to his country and his men. Brave soldiers who went down in this great battle, you have won for yourselves a Peace to your ashes. May the patriot pilgrims who in the years to come pass this way, drop tears of grateful remembrance over your last resting place, and may they feel that you have gathered laurels, eternal and bright as a pyramid of stars. Every one, officers and men, played well their part in this great battle. Ever found where duty called, each one is worthy of honorable mention—hence we will leave Corinth without particularizing any one of the gallant survivors.
WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA, September 23, 1864.
DEAREST:- We fought the enemy again (yesterday] at Fisher's Hill near Strasburg. They had fortified a naturally strong position with great industry. It seemed impregnable, but General Crook contrived an attack, by going up a mountainside, which turned their position. My division led the attack. The victory was [as] complete as possible and, strangest of all, our loss is almost nothing.
Captain Douglass sits near me in excellent health. We are following the enemy. Shall be out of hearing for some time.
In the rush after the Rebels no flag was so conspicuous as yours. It seems a trifle larger than others, is bright and new, and as it went double-quick at the head of a yelling host for five miles, I thought how you would enjoy the sight. The color-bearer told me he should go to see you when the war was over. He is an American German, with a dark Indian face, full of spirit.
Captain Hastings' wound is severe but not dangerous. Captain Stewart, the best captain in [the] Thirteenth, ditto. Captain Slack killed. In the fight yesterday none were killed of your friends or acquaintances and very few hurt.
A train goes in a minute and I must send a line to Mother. Dr. Joe perfectly triumphant. He was at the head of the host yesterday. — Love to all.
P. S. – Since the wounding of Colonel Duval, I command the splendid old Kanawha Division — two brigades, now not over three thousand strong, but no better fighters live.
MRS. HAYES.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 511-2
