Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, June 3, 1862

Flat Top Mountain, June 3, 1862.

Dearest:  — I am made happy by your letter of the 24th and the picture of Webb. Enclosed I send Webb a letter from Lieutenant Kennedy.

I am not surprised that you have been some puzzled to make out our movements and position from the confused accounts you see in the papers. Our log-book would run about this way: Flat Top Mountain, twenty miles south of Raleigh, is the boundary line between America and Dixie — between western Virginia, either loyal or subdued, and western Virginia, rebellious and unconquered. [Here follows an account of the movements and activities of the regiment during May, which is a repetition in brief of previous letters and Diary entries.] Here we are safe as a bug in a rug — the enemy more afraid of us than we are of them — and some of us do fear them quite enough. My opinion was, we ought to have fought Marshall at Princeton, but it is not quite certain.

All our regiments have behaved reasonably well except [the] Thirty-fourth, Piatt's Zouaves, and Paxton's Cavalry. Don't abuse them, but they were pretty shabby. The zouaves were scattered seventy miles, reporting us all cut to pieces, etc., etc. Enough of war.

The misfortune of our situation is, we have not half force enough for our work. If we go forward the enemy can come in behind us and destroy valuable stores, cut off our supplies, and cut through to the Ohio River, — for we are not strong enough to leave a guard behind us.

We look with the greatest interest to the great armies. Banks' big scare will do good. It helps us to about fifty thousand new men.

I nearly forgot to tell you how we were all struck by lightning on Saturday. We had a severe thunder-storm while at supper. We were outside of the tent discussing lightning — the rapidity of sound, etc., etc., Avery and Dr. McCurdy both facing me, Dr. Joe about a rod off, when there came a flash and shock and roar. The sentinel near us staggered but did not fall. Dr. McCurdy and Avery both felt a pricking sensation on the forehead. I felt as if a stone had hit me in the head. Captain Drake's arm was benumbed for a few minutes. My horse was nearly knocked down. Some horses were knocked down. Five trees near by were hit, and perhaps one hundred men more or less shocked, but strange to say “nobody hurt.”

All things still look well for a favorable conclusion to the war. I do not expect to see it ended so speedily as many suppose, but patience will carry us through.

I thought of you before I got up this morning, saying to myself, “Darling Lucy, I love you so much,” and so I do.

Affectionately,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 285-6

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Tuesday, February 4, 1862

Steamboat Dunleith, Ohio River. — A bright cold winter day; a good sail down the Ohio. Banks full. Beautiful river.

Reached home as the clock finished striking 12 midnight. A light burning in front room. Wife, boys, Grandma, all well. “Perfectly splendid.”

_______________

The entries in the Diary for the next few days are very brief. Tuesday, February 11, Hayes went to Columbus to visit his brother-in-law, W. A. Platt, and family; two days later to Delaware where he remained two days with his mother. The week-end he spent “happily at Fremont with Uncle. All the talk is of battles — the late victories at Roanoke Island, Fort Henry, and the pending struggle at Donelson.” Monday, the 17th, returning to Cincinnati, he hears “of the decisive victory at Fort Donelson as we reached Crestline and Galion. Joy and excitement, cannon, flags, crowds of happy people everywhere.” The following days at home in Cincinnati “getting ready to return to his regiment.”

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 198-9

General Joseph E. Johnston to Senator Louis T. Wigfall, December 15, 1862

chattanooga, Dec. 15, 1862.

My dear Wigfall:

On my return from Murfreesboro' a day or two ago I had the pleasure to find your letter, and the President. The latter is on a military tour, and has taken immediate command in this country. Unless he is greatly mistaken Mr. Seddon has not carried our point and reinforced Pemberton with Holmes's troops. On the contrary he says that H. has not had orders on the subject — requests or suggestions instead — which he thinks himself unable to comply with and therefore will not comply with. Pemberton must be reinforced. I have no other resource than the troops on this front, and must draw upon them. This has blown away some tall castles in the air. I have been dreaming of crushing Grant with Holmes's and Pemberton's troops, sending the former into Missouri, and with the latter, Bragg and Kirby Smith, marching to the Ohio. Our troops beyond the Mississippi seem to be living in great tranquillity.

Bragg's troops are in fine condition. Healthy looking and well clothed. In fine spirits too. I see no evidence of the want of confidence and dissatisfaction of which we heard so much in Richmond.

A great mistake has been made in the arrangement of my command. Mississippi and Arkansas should have been united to form it. Not this state and Mississippi, which are divided by (to us) an impassable river and impracticable country. The troops in Middle Tennessee could reach Fredericksburg much sooner than Mississippi. Then Genl. Holmes's communications depend upon our possession of the Mississippi. It is certainly his business to at least assist in the maintenance of his communications. The troops in Arkansas, as having a common object, could be naturally united.

You perhaps see no special object on my part in troubling you with this, and in truth I have no other than putting my troubles before one, who has a head to comprehend grand war, and a heart to sympathize with me.

I start, this afternoon, to Pemberton's Army. About 9,000 men are ordered from Bragg's — and I hope to bring back a great many stragglers who are scattered over the country S. W. of us.

A telegram from the War Department to the President gave us information of the fighting at Fredericksburg on Saturday. What luck some people have. Nobody will ever come to attack me in such a place.

Mrs. J. wrote to Mrs. Wigfall a day or two ago. This mild climate is very favorable to her. She is in excellent health and spirits.

I hope that you have good accounts of Halsey — of his health, I mean, for professionally there can be no doubt. Present me cordially to Mrs. Wigfall and the young ladies.

Very truly yours,

J. E. Johnston.

SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in ’61, p. 104-6

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Birchard A. Hayes, October 29, 1861

Camp Tompkins, Virginia, October 29, 1861.

Tuesday morning after breakfast.

My Dear Boy: — If I am not interrupted I mean to write you a long birthday letter. You will be eight years old on the 4th of November — next Monday, and perhaps this letter will get to Cincinnati in time for your mother or grandmother to read it to you on that day.

If I were with you on your birthday I would tell you a great many stories about the war. Some of them would make you almost cry and some would make you laugh. I often think how Ruddy and Webby and you will gather around me to listen to my stories, and how often I shall have to tell them, and how they will grow bigger and bigger, as I get older and as the boys grow up, until if I should live to be an old man they will become really romantic and interesting. But it is always hard work for me to write, and I can't tell on paper such good stories as I could give you, if we were sitting down together by the fire.

I will tell you why we call our camp Camp Tompkins. It is named after a very wealthy gentleman named Colonel Tompkins, who owns the farm on which our tents are pitched. He was educated to be a soldier of the United States at West Point, where boys and young men are trained to be officers at the expense of the Government. He was a good student and when he grew up he was a good man. He married a young lady, who lived in Richmond and who owned a great many slaves and a great deal of land in Virginia. He stayed in the army as an officer a number of years, but getting tired of army life, he resigned his office several years ago, and came here and built an elegant house and cleared and improved several hundred acres of land. The site of his house is a lovely one. It is about a hundred yards from my tent on an elevation that commands a view of Gauley Bridge, two and a half miles distant — the place where New River and Gauley River unite to form the Kanawha River. Your mother can show you the spot on the map. There are high hills or mountains on both sides of both rivers, and before they unite they are very rapid and run roaring and dashing along in a very romantic way. When the camp is still at night, as I lie in bed, I can hear the noise like another Niagara Falls.

In this pleasant place Colonel Tompkins lived a happy life. He had a daughter and three sons. He had a teacher for his daughter and another for his boys. His house was furnished in good taste; he had books, pictures, boats, horses, guns, and dogs. His daughter was about sixteen, his oldest boy was fourteen, the next twelve, and the youngest about nine. They lived here in a most agreeable way until the Rebels in South Carolina attacked Major Anderson in Fort Sumter. Colonel Tompkins wished to stand by the Union, but his wife and many relatives in eastern Virginia were Secessionists. He owned a great deal of property which he feared the Rebels would take away from him if he did not become a Secessionist. While he was doubting what to do and hoping that he could live along without taking either side, Governor Wise with an army came here on his way to attack steamboats and towns on the Ohio River. Governor Wise urged Colonel Tompkins to join the Rebels; told him as he was an educated military man he would give him the command of a regiment in the Rebel army. Colonel Tompkins finally yielded and became a colonel in Wise's army. He made Wise agree that his regiment should be raised among his neighbors and that they should not be called on to leave their homes for any distant service, but remain as a sort of home guards. This was all very well for a while. Colonel Tompkins stayed at home and would drill his men once or twice a week. But when Governor Wise got down to the Ohio River and began to drive away Union men, and to threaten to attack Ohio, General Cox was sent with Ohio soldiers after Governor Wise.

Governor Wise was not a good general or did not have good soldiers, or perhaps they knew they were fighting in a bad cause. At any rate, the Rebel army was driven by General Cox from one place to another until they got back to Gauley Bridge near where Colonel Tompkins lived. He had to call out his regiment of home guards and join Wise. General Cox soon drove them away from Gauley Bridge and followed them up this road until he reached Colonel Tompkins' farm. The colonel then was forced to leave his home, and has never dared to come back to it since. Our soldiers have held the country all around his house.

His wife and children remained at home until since I came here. They were protected by our army and no injury done to them. But Mrs. Tompkins got very tired of living with soldiers all around, and her husband off in the Rebel army. Finally a week or two ago General Rosecrans told her she might go to eastern Virginia, and sent her in her carriage with an escort of ten dragoons and a flag of truce over to the Rebel army about thirty miles from here, and I suppose she is now with her husband.

I suppose you would like to know about a flag of truce. It is a white flag carried to let the enemy's army know that you are coming, not to fight, but to hold a peaceful meeting with them. One man rides ahead of the rest about fifty yards, carrying a white flag — any white handkerchief will do. When the pickets, sentinels, or scouts of the other army see it, they know what it means. They call out to the man who carries the flag of truce and he tells them what his party is coming for. The picket tells him to halt, while he sends back to his camp to know what to do. An officer and a party of men are sent to meet the party with the flag of truce, and they talk with each other and transact their business as if they were friends, and when they are done they return to their own armies. No good soldier ever shoots a man with a flag of truce. They are always very polite to each other when parties meet with such a flag.

Well, Mrs. Tompkins and our men travelled till they came to the enemy. The Rebels were very polite to our men. Our men stayed all night at a picket station in the woods along with a party of Rebels who came out to meet them. They talked to each other about the war, and were very friendly. Our men cooked their suppers as usual. One funny fellow said to a Rebel soldier, “Do you get any such good coffee as this over there?” The Rebel said, “Well, to tell the truth, the officers are the only ones who see much coffee, and it's mighty scarce with them.” Our man held up a big army cracker. “Do you have any like this?” and the Rebel said, “Well no, we do live pretty hard,” — and so they joked with each other a great deal.

Colonel Tompkins' boys and the servants and tutor are still in the house. The boys come over every day to bring the general milk and pies and so on. I expect we shall send them off one of these days and take the house for a hospital or something of the kind.

And so you see Colonel Tompkins didn't gain anything by joining the Rebels. If he had done what he thought was right, everybody would have respected him. Now the Rebels suspect him, and accuse him of treachery if anything occurs in his regiment which they don't like. Perhaps he would have lost property, perhaps he would have lost his life if he had stood by the Union, but he would have done right and all good people would have honored him.

And now, my son, as you are getting to be a large boy, I want you to resolve always to do what you know is right. No matter what you will lose by it, no matter what danger there is, always do right.

I hope you will go to school and study hard, and take exercise too, so as to grow and be strong, and if there is a war you can be a soldier and fight for your country as Washington did. Be kind to your brothers and to Grandmother, and above all to your mother. You don't know how your mother loves you, and you must show that you love her by always being a kind, truthful, brave boy; and I shall always be so proud of you.

Give my love to all the boys, and to Mother and Grandmother.

Affectionately, your father,

R. B. Hayes.

Birchaed A. Hayes,

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 128-32

Diary of Gideon Welles: Friday, August 22, 1862

The President tells me he has a list of the number of new recruits which have reached Washington under the late call. Over 18,000 have arrived in just one week. There is wonderful and increasing enthusiasm and determination to put down this Rebellion and sustain the integrity of the Union. It is confined to no class or party or description: rich and poor, the educated and ignorant, the gentle and refined as well as the stout, coarse, and athletic, the Democrats generally as well as the Republicans, are offering themselves to the country.

Governor Dennison and Judge Swayne¹ of Ohio, with others, are urging in person the establishment of a line of armed and armored steamers on the Ohio River. The plan has been elaborated with much care, and has been before presented and pressed with some zeal. Distrust, no doubt, in regard to army management leads these men to seek naval protection. The Blairs are quoted to me as favoring the movement, and Fox has given them encouragement. It has not found favor with me at any time. It is now brought to my attention in such a way that I am compelled to take it up. I find that great names and entire communities in Ohio and Indiana, led on by the authorities of those States, are engaged in it. I told the principal agent, who, with Governor D., had a long interview with me, that my judgment and convictions were against it, for: First: I had no faith that light-draft gunboats would be a safe and reliable means of frontier river-defense. They might be auxiliary and essential aids to the army, but they cannot carry heavy armament, are frail, and in low stages of the water, with high banks which overlook the river, would not be effective and could hardly take care of themselves, though in certain cases, and especially in high water, they might greatly aid the army. Secondly: As a matter of policy it would be injudicious and positively harmful to establish a frontier line between Ohio and Kentucky, making the river the military boundary, — it would be conceding too much. If a line of boats could assist in protecting the northern banks of the Ohio they could afford little security to the southern banks, where, as in Ohio, there is, except in localities, a majority for the Union. I added that I should be opposed to any plan which proposed to establish frontier lines, therein differing from some of our best army officers; that I thought neither Ohio nor Indiana could, on deliberate consideration, wish the line of separation from hostile forces should be the northern boundary of Kentucky. It appeared to me the true course was to make their interest in this war identical with that of Kentucky, and if there were to be a line of demarcation it should be as far south as the southern boundary of Tennessee, and not the banks of the Ohio. The gentlemen seemed to be impressed with these general views.

_______________

¹ Noah H. Swayne, of the United States Supreme Court.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 87-9

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Friday, April 29, 1864

It is quite cool and cloudy, with some rain this afternoon. The Ohio river is rising fast. The veterans keep arriving daily at Cairo. The Seventeenth Army Corps is being reorganized as fast as possible and sent up the Tennessee river and landed at Clifton, and is then to march across to Huntsville, Alabama. Our mustering rolls are being made out and we are to be mustered in tomorrow. I received my discharge from the old service, dated December 31, 1863, and sent the certificate home for father to keep till I return.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 183-4

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: July 5, 1864

At daylight this morning the boat got under way, pushing on up the great Ohio. Passed the towns, Middlesport, Pomeroy, Syracuse, on the Ohio side, and Hartford, West Virginia. The farther up the river we go, have more trouble with low water. Sand bars are many. Again obliged to wade ashore. Later, go on board a smaller boat. It seems to make good time as it pushes along. Reported the boat will push along all night. This will close our second day on the water. A very pleasant and interesting trip. A good rest, good food, and very plenty. We are now in good condition, ready for duty. This will no doubt be our last night on board the boat. Another good rest, provided all things go well with us during the night.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 93-4

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

The day we celebrate. At dark last night the boat tied up at Charleston. Went ashore for a while. The town is located on a bluff, which we had to climb to reach it. As we saw it in the dark, it was a dirty looking place. Perhaps because it was a mining town. The boat left at daylight, going on, down the river. The boat being flat bottomed, to sail in shallow water, we came near tipping the thing over as we made a rush to one side, something having attracted our attention. The officers of the boat let out a yell "Trim ship!" and then explained that we must not do such a thing. We got our lesson, the way the boat tipped. We were careful after that.

Having a good time, as the boat goes slowly down the river, taking in all the points of interest. As we are near the Ohio River we pass Point Pleasant, on the Virginia side. Here we leave the Kanawah River and are out on the O-hi-o. Surprised when the boat headed down the river, as we supposed we were going up. After a run down the Ohio, about four miles, we landed at Gallipolis, and were ordered to go ashore. In the early morning, on the Kanawah River, we were allowed to celebrate for a while, by discharging our muskets.

At Gallipolis, Ohio, we were ordered to wait for a larger boat to take us up the river. Here the people were very kind, tried to make our stay happy. I bought a quart tin pail to use, taking the place of the one shot through at the battle of Piedmont. It had a cover, bail-handle. Up to this time I had used an old fruit can to make coffee in. While waiting for the boat, conversed with the people, who were very kind to us. Informed us it was reported Hunter's army was starving in the mountains of West Virginia. He was censured by the people and the press. It was also reported he could have taken Lynchburg, had he got there the day before. That could have been done by not stopping so long at Staunton and Lexington. I often wonder whether a true history of Hunter's raid to Lynchburg would ever be written and published.

As soon as the large boat arrived we were quickly on board, going up the O-hi-o. This being a holiday, many people were along the banks celebrating. They greeted us with cheers, firing guns. Whenever the boats came near the shores, the people came with baskets, filled with bread, cakes, and pies, and threw to the soldiers. It was laughable to see us catch pies. As our hands caught one, they would generally go to pieces, making many a hearty laugh. The people seemed to enjoy the fun while watching us eat whatever we caught. This trip up the Ohio River is very enjoyable, except when the boat runs aground or sticks on a sand bar. Then we were obliged to wade ashore, and perhaps walk from one to two miles, or until the boat got into deep water. At this time the river is very low. The boat seems to find all the sandbars. Shouting and cheers greet us as we go up the river. The boats carrying the soldiers were overloaded. A memorable trip for the 18th Connecticut Regiment. Owing to the low water, the boat will tie up for the night. The rest and change is very beneficial, also gave us time to talk over the past two months. It am very thankful that I was able to keep my place in the ranks, and not obliged to fall by the wayside. It is claimed we marched over seven ranges of mountains. Passed through four battles, six skirmishes, since we left Martinsburg. At times our suffering has been intense. Feel that we have suffered much for our country.

I am detailed to take charge of the guard for tonight, on board the boat, while tied up to the shore. Guard duty is kept up at all times. At times must act as a sergeant.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 91-3

Jefferson Davis to General John Bell Hood, November 7, 1864

RICHMOND, November 7, 1864.

(Via Meridian 11th.)

General J. B. HOOD:

No troops can have been sent by Grant or Sheridan to Nashville. The latter has attempted to re-enforce the former, but Earl's movements prevented it. That fact may assure you as to their condition and purposes. The policy of taking advantage of the separated divisions of Sherman's forces, by attacking him where he cannot reunite his army, is too obvious to have been overlooked by you. I therefore take it for granted that you have not been able to avail yourself of that advantage during his march northward from Atlanta, and hope the opportunity will be offered before he is extensively recruited. If you keep his communications broken he will most probably seek to concentrate for an attack on you. But if, as reported to you, he has sent a large part of his force southward, you may first beat him in detail, and subsequently without serious obstruction or danger to the country in your rear, advance to the Ohio River.

JEFFN. DAVIS.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 39, Part 3 (Serial No. 79), p. 896; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 273

Low Water on the Ohio

LOUISVILLE, May 18.

The steam-ram Switzerland has got aground in the canal, preventing the passage of boats.

The steamer Glendale, with hospital stores, for Pittsburg Landing, was obliged to return to Cincinnati, as there are but two feet of water on the Falls.  The Franklin will care forward her stores.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

IF you want wall papers of the newest patterns, go to Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady st.  *tf

THE cheapest and largest stock of Dry goods in the State is to be found at Whisler’s.

LADIES will find some beautiful styles of gilt curtain cornices at Sickels’ hardware store.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS can be realized by calling at Plummer’s and buying some of those new styles of wall papers.  *tf

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, for May is a superb number, altogether superior to that of April.  We advise ever one to get it and mentally digest its contents.

DECORATE your dwellings with some of those recherché patterns of wall paper wihc can be seen only at Plummer’s, no. 50 Brady street.  *tf

“ARTEMUS WARD,” The veritable, lectured in Keokuk on Tuesday evening.  We hope he will extend his travels up the big river.

SOMETHING NEW in the way of wall paper is coming, and will be opened at Plummer’s No. 50 Brady street, in two or three days.  Look out for the finest patterns ever seen in this part of the country.  *tf

LANDLORDS, paper your houses with some of the beautiful paper hangings which can be found only at Plummer’s.  Then on rent day, instead of being met at the door with a broomstick, you will be greeted with pleasant smiles.  *tf

JUST RECEIVED at Farrand’s another large invoice of infants and misses’ Straw Goods.  Also, gents’ Hats and Caps of all grades and styles, for sale at low figures, at Corner 2d and Main streets.

SNOW IN OHIO. – A friend has received a letter from Warren county, Ohio, which states, that the latter part of last week there fell one of the deepest snows they have had there this spring.  Trees in leaf and in bloom were so completely covered that neither leaf nor blossom was to be seen.  Farmers were feeling very much discouraged.

W. B. SLOAN. – The papers throughout the State who have been advertising for this citizen of Chicago the last year, have begun to find out that he is one of the class of men who never pay the printer, and are publishing him accordingly.  He is an arrant quack and imposter, and so far as the press is concerned, – not the law, mind ye – has about run to the end of his tether.

DRY GOODS. – We direct attention to the advertisement of Mr. C. S. Whisler, in to-day’s paper.  He is one of the most systematic advertisers in the city, purchases for cash and sells for cash, and any one who wishes to get the worth of his or her money, should give him a call.  They will find every article in his line of business, and at the most reasonable prices.

THE MISSISSIPPI river is now emphatically the Father of Waters.  It is within six inches of being as high as the flood of last year and lacks but twenty-seven inches of the great flood of 1851, the highest known since 1828, before the town of Davenport had a being. – Report was received yesterday of a rise of five feet yet to come, which would be equivalent to about three feet additional here.  If we send to Cairo such a body of waters, unless the Ohio river falls very rapidly, that city will be completely submerged.

APPEARANCE DOCKET. -  Four hundred cases have been entered in the Appearance Docket, ant the Court House, with memoranda of each case.  In all cases hereafter commenced, this docket will be a complete history.  The book is gotten up in the usual good style of Luse, Lane & Co., and Mr. Jenson, of the Clerk’s office, has done the clerical portion of the work very creditably.

MARRIED.

In Davenport on Thursday, April 29th, by Rev. W. Windsor, Mr. WM. THOMPSON and Miss  SARAH F. DUNCAN.

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

The Rebels taking a gloomy View of their Situation

The following significant article from the Richmond Examiner of the 16th inst., shows that the rebels are uncomfortably oppressed by the view of their present situation:

* * * “While the political leaders of the South have been reposing in dreams of approaching peace and while our accomplished captains of engineers have been expending their remarkable scientific ingenuity in the erection of works as wonderful, and almost as extensive and quite as valuable as the Chinese wall to resist invading forces from a given direction, the enemy have gradually and at leisure gathered up their immense resources and concentrated their tremendous energies to envelope the Confederacy with their armies and fleets and to penetrate the interior from some one of many alternate points.  Although they can now do nothing, they have their general programme in perfect order for execution when the weather changes in the ordinary course of the earth around the sun and it this moment we find ourselves in the face of superior forces wherever we look whether to the North, the East, or the West, or the South itself.  General Sydney [sic] Johnston has to strain every nerve to prevent the military as well as the geographical heart of the country from slipping out of his grasp.  Generals Joseph Johnson [sic] and Beauregard are held by McClellan on the Potomac as in a vice.  A gigantic armament is ready to attempt the descent of the Mississippi, and their fleet on the Atlantic seacoast and the Gulf are too freshly before the attention to require remembrance.  Such are the fruits of a policy purely defensive.  Without even the hesitancy which would come of a possible interruption, the enemy have thus surrounded the Southern Confederacy, and if permitted to repeat as often as may be desired their efforts to penetrate its heart, they will necessarily attain the place and the time where success awaits them.

“There is now but one chance of success from the net that has been coolly drawn around us. – it is to concentrate our energy on one point, and cut it through, to convert our defensive into an offensive war, and transfer the scene of at least part of these hostilities to the enemy’s own country.  Situated as we are it is only possible at one point – and that is Kentucky.  If the forces that we are dispersing to the four corners of the continent every day to meet the new menaces were collected under the hand of General Sydney Johnson [sic] till a column was formed sufficient to enable him to manoeuvre with some possibility of success over the plains of that region he might hurl back the army in front of him, at present, and penetrate the State of Ohio.  The attainment of the object would render worthless all the plans of the enemy.  The circle of armies would be in the condition of the constrictor whose back has been broken, the scene of war would be transferred to his own territory, and everyone who has witnessed the ravages of armies in any of the invaded districts of Virginia knows what a precious blessing is designated in that brief phrase.  He would be attacked beyond his defences.  The alarm and confusion of the United States would paralyze its Government and its Generals, and the entire arrangement by which we suffer now and dread great disasters in future would be immediately reversed.

“At present Gen. Johnson confronts superior forces of the enemy under Buell, one of the most cautious painstaking and able Generals on the other side.  General Buell has now; immediately in front of Johnson, an army of seventy six thousand men (Yes, 110, men – Eps) and can bring to bear on us, and other given points, thirty thousand more.  What the Confederate commander has may not be stated, but it is probably enough to hold his present strong position against any numbers that might attack him there or pass him on either side, get to his rear and cut off his supplies.  This he can do by leaving a sufficient army in front of Gen. Johnson while he can still send upon the right or left flank a force as large as he leaves behind.  That this is the plan of Buell is now no longer doubtful.  He has placed a force of 8,000 men at Glasgow, thirty miles to the eastward of Bowling Green threatening the rear of Gen. Johnson while it is within easy supporting distance of two other posts held in strong force by the enemy.  If the plan of Buell is successful it may result in a great disaster.  To defeat him it is absolutely necessary that more men should at once be sent to Bowling Green.  Gen. Johnson must have a force sufficient to attack Buell in front with a good chance of success and by so doing will not only defeat his scheme on the centre of the Confederacy, but immediately transfer the war to the State of Ohio, and thus save the whole South from the great danger of being overrun in the first fine weather of the coming spring.

“We are satisfied that, beyond the flattering possibilities of a foreign intervention, the only rational hope we can entertain of a speedy termination of this war, is to be found in an offensive campaign across the Ohio, from the point that Gen. Johnson now defends.  The best line of advance imaginable to strike at the vitals of the North which are the Lake States, is that through Kentucky.  The country is a plain, the people are not actively hostile, supplies without stint and the great resources of the North are beyond.  The enemy understand this and are making tremendous efforts to secure Kentucky to them without the possibility of escape.  This season of inaction, from the inclemency of the skies, is a precious boon of Providence to us, we can now determine on a plan, and prepare for its execution in a short time, that will render naught and abortive all the costly and complicated devices of the adversary.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

Army Correspondence

FORT HOLT, Ky., Jan. 23, 1862

The 7th Regiment reached Cairo last Saturday evening.  We found Cairo one big, deep quagmire.  Mud, mud, everywhere, of the blackest and most adhesive character.  Although we had been a whole week on the road from St. Louis, yet the authorities had neglected to provide any accommodations for our troops on their arrival.  The Regiment was quartered on board the steamer City of Memphis for the night.  The next day (Sunday) we were ordered to Bird’s Point, but on enquiry it was found that the barracks assigned us, were occupied by other troops. – Next we were told to take quarters in Cairo but here also, we found the 8th Wisconsin Regiment had preceded us and taken the only quarters available.  Finally we were ordered over here.  Accordingly we proceeded very early Monday morning to invade the sacred soil of Kentucky.  Ground was soon marked out for a camp when our tents were set up, and tent life once more commenced.  The weather is pleasant and we manage to live very comfortably.  Our camp is on a sand ridge which borders the river, and on the whole a very charming spot.  In front we have Cairo and Bird’s Point in full view, whilst between rolls the broad expanse of water formed by the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.  In spite of poor tents and previous hard usage, we consider ourselves very comfortably fixed.

How long we shall remain here is entirely unknown to us.  We are under orders however, to be ready to march at an hour’s notice.

The men are in good spirits and eager for active operations in the field.  We have with us a little over five hundred men – nearly all fit for active service.  Many of those wounded ant Belmont are rejoining their respective companies, and never more anxious than now to do battle in their country’s cause – the cause of Good and humanity.

I would here take occasion to acknowledge the reception of many articles for the sick and wounded of our regiment, from the “Ladies’ Aid Societies” of Burlington and vicinity.  The Congregationalist Church of Burlington has laid us under many obligations for the many and valuable additions it has made to our hospital stores.  The Old Zion Methodist Church, which has made generous provision for the unfortunate sufferers by the fatal fight at Belmont.  More recently Mr. David Leonard, Corresponding Secretary of the Ladies’ Aid Society of the District in which he lives, consigned to my care a valuable box of hospital stores for our wounded in the Mound City hospital.  This box was duly received there, and distributed amongst the Iowa troops, according to the expressed wishes of the donors.  Colonel Lauman has just received a box of hospital stores from the Episcopal Church of Burlington, and also another from Mr. Wm. Lynn, of Pleasant Grove, Iowa, both valuable boxes.  By means of these generous donations and other smaller ones not here enumerated our Regimental Hospital has been well supplied and the comfort of the sick and wounded very materially enhanced.

I doubt not it will be a great gratification to our Iowa friends to know that their efforts to benefit the sick and wounded of our brave State troops are duly appreciated and effective in accomplishing the object assigned.

The river is rising rapidly and my soon drive us from our Camping ground.

J. H. CLARK,

Chaplain of the Iowa Seventh

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, July 28, 1863

CAMP 18 M. E. OF VICKSBURG,

July 28, 1863.

Dear Brother:

Since my return from Jackson, I have been very busy — every general officer but two has gone on furlough, and everybody wants to go. . . .

The railroad comes within four miles of my tent, and I have its exclusive use and a telegraph at my elbow. If you come down you will find your name a passport, but should that fail you, see General Grant or McPherson in Vicksburg, and they will put you through. I don't think there is any danger on the river now unless it be on the Ohio, which you can avoid by taking cars to Cairo. Vicksburg is worth seeing, and a glance will tell you more than reams of paper why it took us six months to take the place. I am camped near Big Black, four and one-half miles northeast of where the railroad crosses it. My depot of supplies is at the crossing. Col. J. Condit Smith is my quartermaster, and should you reach that point before I am advised by telegraph, apply to him and he will send you to my camp. I have four divisions here much reduced, but still a good stock. In the riots of New York I recognize the second stage of this war, but I trust our Government will deal with them summarily. The war has progressed as fast and as successfully as should be.

Your brother,

W. T. SHERMAN

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 209-10

B. & O. R. R.

BALTIMORE, March 31. – the last rail completing the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, was laid 10 miles west of Harper’s Ferry, Saturday night, since when four hundred loaded cars have passed over the road.  Nearly 200 cars filled with produce, loaded at the Ohio river, have reached Baltimore.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Instructions to Collectors and Surveyors

WASHINGTON, March 31. – It has already been stated that the Secretary of the Treasury has issued instructions to the Treasury agents, collectors and surveyors, on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers dispensing with applications to the Secretary of War for licenses to trade, and authorizing the shipments of all goods not intended for aid to the rebellion to all places occupied by our forces in the Valley States.  The Secretary in his recently letter of instructions says:

You will hereafter cease collecting any percentage or fees, or preventing the transit or exchange of merchandize between citizens of insurrectionary portions of the country occupied or controlled by the forces of the United States, other than the usual charge of 20 cents for each permit so granted, or you will make no charges for permits for merchandize forwarded from any place in a loyal State to another in the same or like State, nor exercise any supervision over the trade of such States, except such as may be necessary to prevent supplies of any description from being furnished to the insurgents.  It is furthermore directed that no permits be granted for any articles forwarded by the military authorities to be transported into any territory occupied by the forces of the United States.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, October 1, 1862

MEMPHIS, Oct. 1, 1862.

Dear Brother:

I did not expect you would come if the confederates got possession of Kentucky. Even on the Mississippi the boats are fired on daily. I have been compelled to burn down one town and resort to retaliation. I understand Prentiss has ordered back from Helena a part of the forces towards St. Louis, on the ground that the confederates are again advancing on Missouri. I rather think you now agree with me that this is no common war, that it was not going to end in a few months or a few years. For after eighteen months’ war the enemy is actually united, armed, and determined, with powerful forces well handled, disciplined and commanded on the Potomac, the Ohio, the Missouri. You must now see that I was right in not seeking prominence at the outstart. I knew and know yet that the northern people have to unlearn all their experience of the past thirty years and be born again before they will see the truth. . . .

The South has united people and as many men as she can arm, and though our armies pass across and through the land, the war closes in behind and leaves the same enemy behind. We attempt to occupy places, and the people rise up and make the detachments prisoners. I know you all recognize in these facts simply that Mason is a coward, Ford an ass, McClellan slow, Buell over-cautious, and Wright timid. This may all be so, but the causes lie deeper. Everybody thought I exaggerated the dangers, so I have no right to an opinion, but I rather think many now see the character of the war in which we are engaged. I don't see the end or the beginning of the end, but suppose we must prevail and persist or perish. I don't believe that two nations can exist within our old limits, and therefore that war is on us and we must fight it out. . . .

When anybody tells you that I ever doubted your honesty and patriotism, tell him he says false. I may have said you were a politician and that we differed widely in the origin of this war, but that being in it, we fully agreed that it must be fought out. But you have more faith than I in the people. They are not infallible. People may err as much as men, as individuals and whole communities may err. Can the people of the North be right and the South too? One of the peoples must be wrong. . . .

Your brother,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 165-6

From Cairo

CAIRO, March 19. – The report published in the Chicago papers of the capture of Island No. 10 is considered premature.  It is not believed in Cairo.  At 11 o’clock yesterday, when the packet left Columbus, no such information had reached our forces there, and the reverberations of artillery, as if heavy cannonading was in progress, was distinctly heard.

The Ohio is extremely high and Cairo is in a fair way to be submerged.

The news from the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers is unusually scant and meager.

There have been no arrivals for twenty-four hours.

None of our gunboats have ascended the Tennessee higher than Savannah since the engagement of the Lexington with the rebel batteries at Pittsburg.

The Collection of 18 transports at Savannah in connection with circumstances known here but not considered proper for publication, indicates that the country about the Tennessee river near the Alabama line, is to be the theatre of extensive military operations.

The horses and mules captured at Donelson and condemned animals belonging to the Government, are being sold at auction to-day.  They bring from $25 to $50.

J. H. Winters, formerly a merchant of Napoleon Arkansas, accompanied by his brother, came to our pickets at Columbus, a few days since, and gave themselves into custody, saying that they wished to visit their friends in the North.  They were immediately arrested as spies, and are now in close confinement at this point, awaiting trial by military authorities.

Twenty secesh officers, wounded and captured at Donelson, are in custody here.

Capt. Waterhouse’s battery remains at Cairo.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

From Cairo

CAIRO, Feb. 26. – Cairo is quiet to-day, and nothing of interest has transpired.

All military news is kept profoundly secret, and under Secretary Stanton’s orders cannot be telegraphed.

The Mortar Fleet is finished and the mechanics leave for Chicago to-night.  The gun boats are lying in the stream.

Wounded soldiers are continually passing through here on their way home.

The Ohio is rapidly rising and nearly choked up with drift wood and the current very strong.

Nothing has transpired in reference to Columbus.  Reports from rebel sources represent that a stand will be made at Columbus, Randolph and Memphis, Tennessee.

Rebel forces are constantly concentrating at Memphis, and the streets are barricaded with cotton bales.

The rumored reports of the pasification of Tennessee is denied.  Late Memphis papers contain a savage war message from Harris.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

From Island No. 10

CAIRO, March 29.

After a lull in the bombardment of Island No. 10 for a few days, it was renewed vigorously yesterday.  The rebels appear to have received and put in position new guns of longer range, and responded more freely to our fire.  On both sides there is preparations going on slowly but surely for a fierce and decisive conflict.

Nothing important from Tennessee.

Gen. Strong made a hasty trip to the Island No. 10 yesterday.  It being his first release from arduous duties since command here was assigned to him.

Thos. A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War arrived this morning and left at ten o’clock for Island No. 10.  It is surmised his mission is more directly to ascertain precisely what additional ordnance is needed by our forces there.  Ammunition arrived to-day.

From Memphis he represents a general feeling of despondency in that city and vicinity, and that but little confidence is felt even in the large force concentrated at Corinth, which as variously estimated at from thirty-five to one hundred and fifty thousand.

Some soldiers barracks were burned here this morning.  Loss $2,500.

The Ohio river is falling.  The Mississippi is rising.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 1