Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, Sunday, March 15, 1863

Last night about supper-time, ten of Company E under command of Acting-Corpl. Emerson, were sent to Gen. Wessels as headquarters guard, and after a severe night's duty in keeping the general's horses all right and his staff from straggling, were suddenly marched at "double quick" back to camp, to find the regiment packing and getting ready to start. We bade good-by to the old barrack after a hearty supper, and with flags furled and no music wended our way down town and aboard the steamer "Escort." Company E was stationed forward, and as it was dark we could see nothing, but found the soft places and turned in. We will miss Russell and his mule this trip, as he is on duty in New Berne and cannot leave. As we passed across Craven Street we saw him with his father, and bade them good-by, telling him to look out for what boxes might come. Not a very safe man, with his reputation as a forager, to leave our boxes with; but it is the best we can do.

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. 42

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Wednesday, February 22, 1865

The 28th Wis embark on the Belle ve Dere. Raining still. Our wagons loaded on Bell ve & detail sent arond with them, the Regt to go by car to lake Ponchertrain Genl A. J. Smiths Corps landing 4 miles below on the east side continues to rain & blow. Washingtons Birthday hundreds of flags & a national salute.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 575

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Thursday, March 26, 1863

Drill two hours and dress parade. A document from Gov. Lubbock of Texas read, giving an account of presentation of flags of 4th and 5th Texas Infantry of Virginia to the State. Also one or two captured by our Regiment.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 10

Diary of 4th Corporal Bartlett Yancey Malone: July 11, 1862

we got sum flages and put them up And Mr. I. H. Compton arrived at our camp today on a viset

SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 23

Diary of Lucy Larcom, April 21, 1861

The conflict is deepening; but thanks to God, there is no wavering, no division, now, at the North! All are united, as one man; and from a peaceful, unwarlike people, we are transformed into an army, ready for the battle at a moment's warning.

The few days I have passed in Boston this week are the only days in which I ever carried my heart into a crowd, or hung around a company of soldiers with anything like pleasure. But I felt a soldier-spirit rising within me, when I saw the men of my native town armed and going to risk their lives for their country's sake; and the dear old flag of our Union is a thousand times more dear than ever before. The streets of Boston were almost canopied with the stars and stripes, and the merchants festooned their shops with the richest goods of the national colors.

And now there are rumors of mobs attacking our troops, of bridges burnt, and arsenals exploded, and many lives lost. The floodgates of war are opened, and when the tide of blood will cease none can tell.

SOURCE: Daniel Dulany Addison, “Lucy Larcom: Life, Letters, and Diary,” pp. 89-90

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, January 22, 1863

The rain is continuous: over a week now of steady weather, and nothing but inside drills, under Lieut. Newell, who is always trying, and generally succeeds, to "PUT IN MORE SNAP, MEN!" interspersed with bayonet drills on our own hook, and occasionally, when it holds up for a few hours, Col. Lee stretches our legs with a drill outside.

At dress parade lately the order was read directing the following victories to be inscribed upon the flags of the regiments, batteries, &c., which were on the Goldsboro expedition:

KINSTON, DECEMBER 14, 1862.

WHITEHALL, DECEMBER 16, 1862.

GOLDSBORO, DECEMBER 17, 1862.

On account of the resignation of Captains Lombard and Reynolds, the rank of Capt. Richardson is advanced, he becoming third. Consequently "E" is color company, a position not only of honor to the captain and his men, but in some positions in which we may be placed it means dangerous work. We hope we may carry them well, and when we give them up either to some other company or when we are disbanded, it will be with the same pride that we take them now.

Several of the company are a little under the weather, but no fever cases yet. We have been fortunate, while other companies are having quite a number of sick men.

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. 34

Flag Presentation.

Hon. John Wentworth having notified me that his premium flag for the Sixth Ward is ready for presentation, the Republicans of the said Ward are requested to meet at West Market Hall this (Tuesday) evening at 7 o’clock to make arrangements for receiving said flag at the Wigwam on Wednesday evening next.

DANIEL D. WAITE.

President of Club.

SOURCE: “Flag Presentation,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Tuesday, May 15, 1860, p. 1, col. 4

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, September 3, 1862

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

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, September 12, 1862

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

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, August 16, 1862

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

Diary of Captain Joseph Stockton, November 30, 1862

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

Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne, September 5, 1862

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

Diary of Sergeant Daniel L. Ambrose: November 13, 1864

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

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, September 5, 1862

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

Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne, August 30, 1862

$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

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, February 24, 1863

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

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: January 4, 1865

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

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: October 2, 1864

Cloudy and calm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We have a flag of our own we prefer.

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

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to James Webb Hayes, November 30, 1864

CAMP RUSSELL, ARMY OF THE SHENANDOAH, VIRGINIA,

November 30, 1864.

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

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to James Webb Hayes, December 2, 1864

[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.

Your affectionate father,

R. B. HAYES.

MASTER JAMES WEBB HAYES,
Chillicothe.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 541-2