Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, January 27, 1862

Jan. 27th.

We find all sorts of communication with home fairly cut off. Gen. Sherman has been long planning some expedition against Fort Pulaski. At length it has started from Hilton Head, and Gen. Sherman, with his characteristic caution has closed all communication, fearful that otherwise, through letter, or in some other manner his plans might be revealed. I trust when the embargo is raised, the same steamer that carries this to you, will bear accounts of some new success from our expedition.

I am sorry Uncle Phelps is disappointed that he did not have the pleasure of reading my name in print. Why, I read the other day (in the Herald), how I commanded an enterprise at which I was not even present. So much for newspaper glory! After Bull Run, numbers who never left New York, had themselves puffed for gallant conduct by a mercenary press. Pooh! Mother, your reputation outside the circle of those who can see, is not worth the words that picture it. I have to laugh when I think of Brig.-Gen. of the Irish Brigade, and the affrighted Captain beating a quick retreat from Bull Run, swearing that the South had fought well and deserved its independence — that it was useless to resist a free people, and the sooner we recognize the South the better.

Since then has become a great hero, by the mighty powers of quackery.

Well, dear Mother, Good-bye.

Yours affectionately,

W. T. Lusk.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 119-20

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, March 18, 1865

March 18, 1865

This morning I sent you a telegraph, which may be rather late, I fear, though I sent it at the earliest chance. It was to ask you to pay a day's visit here, and see the army, as a curiosity. Mrs. Meade is coming with a party in a special boat from Washington. . . .

You probably are aware that yesterday was the nativity of the Holy Patrick, in whose honor the Irish Brigade, of the 2d Corps, got up a grand race, with a printed programme and every luxury. The weather, which had been most evil the night before, unexpectedly cleared up and the day was fine, exceedingly. We found the course laid out near the Cummings house, in rear of what you remember as the noted Peeble house. There was a judge's stand, flaunting with trefoil flags, and a band beside the same, which had been accommodated with a couple of waggons, in lieu of orchestra. Then there were plenty of guards (there need be no lack of such) and a tent wherein were displayed plates of sandwiches. Alas! this was the weak point, the bitter drop in the Irish festa. The brigade, with an Irish generosity, had ordered a fine collation, but the steamer, bad luck to her, had gone and run herself aground somewhere, and poor Paddy was left to eat his feast the day after the fair. Nevertheless, we didn't allow such things to stand in the way, and the races proceeded under the august auspices of General Humphreys, who didn't look exactly like a turfman, and had a mild look of amusement, as he read out: “Captain Brady's grey mare.” —  Captain Brady bows. “Captain—, Hey? What is that name? I can't read the writing.” “Murphy,” suggests General Miles. “Oh, dear me, of course, yes; Captain Murphy's bay gelding.” “No! red,” suggests Miles. “Ah, yes, to be sure — red.” “Here,” says the long-expectant Murphy. Then a bugler blows at a great rate and the horses are brought to the line; the bugler blows at a great rate some more, and away they go. There were a good many different races, some of which were rather tiresome, by reason of the long waiting and the fact that none of the horses were really racers, but only swift officers' steeds, which were not enough trained to go round regularly, but often would balk at the hurdles and refuse to go round at all. Wherefrom we had tragic consequences: for one, scared by the crowd and by the brush hurdle, bolted violently and knocked down a soldier; and Colonel von Schack, in another race, had his horse, which had overleaped, fall on him heavily.  . . . Everything was extremely quiet and orderly, and no tipsy people about. . . .

[Mrs. Meade, with a large party, including Mrs. Lyman, arrived at City Point on the evening of March 22. The next two days were spent in visiting the front, and in excursions on the river. On the morning of the 25th, it was found that the Confederates had made an unexpected attack. The visitors were shipped back to Washington, and their hosts made for the front.]

SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness to Appomattox, p. 321-2

Afternoon Report

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5. – Herald Correspondence. – The only event yesterday was the assumption of his command by General Thos. F. Meagher, who accompanied by Gen. Shields took command of the Irish Brigade amidst great enthusiasm.  Gen. Shields addressed the troops in most effective terms.

Capt. Griffin’s battery did some splendid shooting to-day at Masons Hill.  They fired a dozen rounds with Schrepnell shell from two 12-pounder Parrott guns at a tree 1,600 yards distant.  All the shells but one exploded, and every shot struck within a few feet of the tree.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6. – Those who voted against Bright’s expulsion, were, Nays, Bayard, Cowan, Carlisle, Harris, Kennedy, Upham, Nesmith, Pearce, Powell, Rice, Salsbury, Ten Eyek, Thompson and Willey. – 14.  Yeas. 32.

The Vice President said that as two-thirds had voted in favor of the resolution, it was adopted.

(Tribune Correspondence.) – It is believed that Secretary Stanton will speedily take in fact as he has commenced in form, the conduct of the war, which usage and departmental law gives him the right to do.

The scene at the close of the expulsion of Senator Bright was dramatic.  There was a desperate decisiveness in the “no” with which Mr. Bayard answered to his name.  When Mr. Carlisle of Virginia voted “no” the flutter was significant and loud.  He had been counted only among the doubtful.

The Californians, McDougal and Simmons, were at first absent, but not a moment too soon they came in, and 32 votes declared the law that in the American Senate hereafter no traitor shall occupy a seat.  When the result was announced the galleries burst into applause, but was checked instantly

Mr. Bright bundled up the portable property on his desk, turned his back upon the Court which had tried him, went to Secretary Forney’s room and drew his pay to the last cent, and with a defiant stride passed into the Public Land Committee room, where his wife awaited him.  In her presence the actor’s costume fell.  The ruined politician sat down and haggard and crushed, contemplated the wreck he had made of his fortunes.

Mr. Arnold was authorized to-day to report fully the views of the Lake and River defence Committee on the fortifications of the frontier and the army and equipping of vessels for the Lakes.  Their recommendations will be thorough.

It is said Gov. Morgan’s nomination as Maj. General, will be rejected by the Senate.  If it is confirmed it is apprehended every Governor of every free State will claim this rank and emolument.

The New York Times Paris correspondent states that a secret dispatch from Jeff Davis had been furnished the Governments of France and England which gives full details of the military and commercial resources of the confederacy, and which points out in detail the advantages which France would derive by aiding in the establishment of the new Government.  In its details of military resources, France is expected to see that the Confederacy is able to resist the North forever, which entitles them to recognition, while in its commercial details are seen the enticing phantom of free trade and commercial riches.

Times Washington Correspondence – Vallandigham, Pendleton and Corning, with Morrill, Conkling, Horton and a few others, held a caucus this P. M. and agreed to compromise all their proposed amendments of the demand Treasury Note scheme in one bill, with the view to making a stronger combination against the bill of the committee of Ways and Means, which the Administration has endorsed as indispensable to maintaining the Government and carrying on the war.  The vote may be close, but the chances are decidedly in favor of the legal tender clause.

Hon. Jno. Parker, U. S. Consul at Honolulu, has arrived here with important information from that Government.  He says agents have been sent to England to hypothecate the entire group of the Sandwich Island to Great Britain.

The President has approved the bill authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to strike from the pension rolls the names of all such persons as have or may hereafter take up arms against the Government of the United States, or who have in any manner encouraged the rebels or manifested a sympathy with their cause.  It is known that some persons in the West, after drawing their pensions, have openly joined the enemy, while others who have not taken this extreme step have openly sympathized with the rebels and drawn their pensions.  The law just passed affords a partial remedy against disloyal pensioners receiving money from the Government.

– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 1