Diary of Henry Greville, Ash Wednesday, March 5, 1862

The Federals, under the command of General Grant, have at last achieved a brilliant success, having captured Fort Donnelson after hard fighting, and (according to their own version), have taken 15,000 prisoners and a vast amount of war material, and the Confederates were in full retreat. This success will probably be attended by political consequences of great importance, as Fort Donnelson was the key of a strong position, and its capture will open the road to further advances. Already the New York papers proclaim that the rebellion is on the point of being crushed, and great rejoicings are going on throughout the Northern States. It remains to be seen whether the South will preserve its constancy under the great difficulties which now begin to surround them, and if they will be able to maintain the strife. The Times' says: “The recent triumphs, though they have undoubtedly improved the position of the North as regards any possible negotiation for a division of territory, have scarcely brought the Federal Government any nearer than before to a reconstruction of the Union.” Fanny Kemble complains to me in a letter I received from her to-day, not only of the gross ignorance but the wilful misrepresentation of American affairs by the “Times” newspaper.

Last night at Flahault's I met Lacaita, who is about to start for Turin, by no means in good heart at the state of affairs there, and regretting the fall of Ricasoli, whom he considers to be the most honest public man in Italy.

SOURCE: Alice Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville: 1861-1872, pp. 25-6

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, May 29, 1862

Our corps returned to Coal Harbor by four o'clock P. M. Seven hundred prisoners were brought in.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 44

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 19. — Reports of Lieut. Col. Samuel N. Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864.

No. 19.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Samuel N. Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry,

of operations December 15-30, 1864.

HDQRS. NINETIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,        

Near Lexington, Ala., December 30, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In accordance with circular from brigade headquarters of this instant, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the actions of the 15th and 16th instant, and the pursuit of General Hood's rebel forces to this place:

In accordance with orders received from brigade headquarters, my command was in line on the left of the Granny White pike at 6 a.m. on the 15th instant, and at 6.30 a.m. my regiment was relieved by a portion of Brigadier-General Cruft's command. At 7 a.m. it was in motion, moving across the Granny White pike by the right flank, following the Eighty-first Indiana. At 8.30 a.m. passed through our breast-works on the Hillsborough pike, and formed in line upon the right, the left of my regiment retired and resting near the pike· At 10 a.m. the skirmishers commenced advancing, and we moved over the crest of a hill in our front, obliquing to the left, our skirmishers driving the enemy in our front from his skirmish pits. A halt was ordered, during which the enemy used his artillery upon our lines. At 11 a.m. we were ordered forward a second time, the brigade making nearly a right half wheel, and throwing my regiment upon the left of the Hillsborough pike, its right resting upon the pike. In this advance of my battle line to enemy's rifle-pits I lost but one man wounded· A battery being ordered into position, my command was moved to the left until it connected with the right of The Third Division. In this position we remained until 2 p.m., when I was ordered forward by Colonel Kirby to take a hill 400 yards from my front and within rifle-range of the enemy's works. I advanced without opposition until reaching the crest of the hill, when the enemy opened upon me from his works· I immediately put my men under cover, and ascertaining that a dug road in my front afforded a better protection for my men, by order of Colonel Kirby, I moved my men forward to it, where they were well protected, and from this position I opened a vigorous fire upon them. At about 4 p.m. I observed them shifting rapidly to the left; this I communicated to Colonel Kirby, when a charge was ordered, to which the men responded with cheers, and in ten minutes my regimental flag [was] first on the enemy's works and my men pursuing them. I ordered a halt, and reforming my regiment, was placed by Colonel Kirby in position at right angles with the enemy's works, my right resting on their works. Formed thus, we moved forward, crossing the Granny White pike, and bivouacking 1,000 yards east of it, when my regiment was ordered to and built works parallel with the pike. In this action I lost thirty-two men in killed and wounded.

My entire command behaved with the greatest gallantry and enthusiasm, but I regret that in the enthusiasm and eagerness of my command to pursue the enemy that my command neglected to secure the trophies of war that we had captured from the enemy, both these and the prisoners falling into the hands of other commands coming up to our support.

16th, my regiment again formed left of the front battle-line of the brigade, and moving out of our works by the right flank, we shifted gradually toward the enemy's right. At 9.30 a.m. we moved forward in line of battle, supporting the Second and Third Brigades, our movements entirely controlled by the movements of those commands. At 11 a.m., in advancing through an open corn-field on the right of the Franklin pike, I had one man wounded by artillery; from that until the enemy was routed, and night found us in pursuit of the enemy, my command acted quietly and efficiently in the execution of all orders. We bivouacked on the right of the Franklin pike, six miles south of Nashville.

On the 17th instant moved in same order on the Franklin pike, and bivouacked on the north side of Harpeth River near Franklin, making a march of twelve miles. On the 18th crossed the Harpeth, and moving in the direction of Columbia marched eighteen miles, and bivouacked in six miles of Columbia. On the 19th moved one mile, halted, and bivouacked. On the 20th, p.m., crossed Rutherford's Creek, and bivouacked on the banks of Duck River, opposite Columbia, where we remained until the 22d, at 7 p.m., when we crossed Duck River, and moving through Columbia, bivouacked on the left of Mount Pleasant pike. On the 23d moved at 1 p.m. on the Pulaski pike, and bivouacked six miles south of Columbia. On the 24th moved at 1 p.m., marching thirteen miles, and bivouacked on the right of Pulaski pike. On the 25th moved at 8 a.m., reaching and passing through Pulaski, twelve miles. At 1 p.m. crossed Richland Creek and moved out six miles, in support of cavalry, marching sixteen miles, and bivouacking at 8 p.m. Remained in same position until 5.30 a.m., when we moved out the same road twelve miles, bivouacking at 2 p.m. on Sugar Tree Creek. On the 28th moved at 8 a.m. and made this point, a distance of twelve miles, at 5 p.m.

I cannot close my report without special mention of Color-Sergt. Jacob S. Cockerill for his gallantry in being first to plant his colors on the enemy's works, and would make special mention of other men, non-commissioned officers, and officers, but the universal good conduct and cheerfulness of the command throughout the battles and hard marches of the campaign will not admit of it.

Appended you will find a list of the killed and wounded of my command of the 15th and 16th instant.* Those that are marked slight were only thrown out of action during the first day; most of them now are with the command.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. N. YEOMAN,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade, &c.

_______________

HDQRS. NINETIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY.

LIEUTENANT: In compliance with circular from department headquarters of the 27th instant, I have the honor to forward the following statement in regard to a stand of rebel colors and several swords captured but not secured by my command on the 15th instant at Nashville, Tenn., and ask that you append it to my report of December 30, 1864:

The center of my regiment struck the enemy's works at the point where a rebel stand of colors was planted on the left of the fort heretofore mentioned in my report, the right of it reaching to the left wing of said fort. As the members of Company H crossed the works Privates Irvin, Brown, and others, of Companies C and H, saw a stand of rebel colors on the ground near the ditch, but the word was forward, and the command passed over the crest of the hill after the flying enemy, and, in the excitement of the chase, not pausing to collect any trophies. In substantiation of this statement I append the statement of James R. Vansickle, a private of Company H of my command, who came up after the regiment had crossed the works, and says that he saw a soldier with a stand of rebel colors, and asking him where he captured them, he said that he picked them up right there, where the Ninetieth Ohio crossed the works. He then asked him to what regiment he belonged, and he replied to the Ninth Indiana. Others of my command saw him with the colors, and substantiate this.

As to the swords, there were as many as three or four others besides the one forwarded by me, with its history, shown me by soldiers of my command, which I ordered them to keep, but being ordered to form a new line and move forward in line of battle through the brush until long after night-fall, the soldiers could not carry them and they threw them away.

I claim credit for my command for the capture of this stand of colors, and also the prisoners who passed through my regimental line to the rear, and respectfully forward the name of Private James W. Homey, of Company C, as a soldier who by his heroic conduct, in being first on and over the enemy's works, fixing his bayonet as he mounted them, has won the right to receive any testimonial that the Government may see proper to award as an acknowledgment of his conduct.

I am, as ever, your obedient servant,

S. N. YEOMAN,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

[Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.]

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 4 men killed and 29 men wounded.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), pp. 190-2

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 18. — Report of Maj. Edward G. Mathey, Eighty-first Indiana Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864.

No. 18.

Report of Maj. Edward G. Mathey, Eighty-first Indiana Infantry,

of operations December 15-30, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTY-FIRST INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,        

Near Lexington Tenn., December 30, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that on December 15, 1864, the Eighty-first Indiana Volunteers was ordered to advance against the enemy. At about 4 p.m. it charged up a hill, took the works in its front, capturing at the same time about 66 prisoners. The loss of the regiment was 3 commissioned officers and 19 men killed and wounded. One officer (Capt. E.M. Schell) was mortally wounded, and 4 men were instantly killed. On December 16 the regiment was in reserve, and in following up the front line a cannon-ball struck in the regiment, wounding 3 men, one severely, his leg being cut off. Since the above date we have been pursuing the enemy, but have not participated in any engagement.

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your, &c.,

E. G. MATHEY; Major,        

Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 4th Army Corps.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), pp. 189-90

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Thursday, March 30, 1865

At 12. last night the Jonnies made a charge out of their forts on the skirmish line, draw it in on the left where the 7th Vermont was stationed, camps wise all around & on the alert.     brisk firing for an hour, some rain falling about this time. At 3. A. M. co C. relieves Co E. on the skirmish line They come in all whole & were not drivn back. reported that about 30 of the 29th Iowa were gobbled by the 7th Vermont giving back & letting the Jonnies in their rear; The day passes so so. Artillery firing from both sides. Reb Mortar boats shell us considerably & heavy firing on the skirmish line all day, some of the heavy guns to be put in position tonight. This evening the reported capture of the men of the 29th is contradicted Co "C" is relieved after dark & bring off 3 prisoners with them, they were out sharp shooting & got to close They talk confidantly & say we can never take Mobile or Spanish Fort which by their act is manned by 6000 reinforcing every night, one Brigade of the 16th A. C. is sent off this P. M. as guard to supply train with rations for Genl Steele who is in the vicinity of Blakely & reports to Genl Canby that he can keep reinforcements from coming here by land or allow it. Genl C. says to allow it. (this is rumor) There is a telegraph from Genl Canbys Hd Qtrs to all the Div Hd Qtrs & to the landing at our new base about 4 miles from our position. The Rebels use heavier guns today. Have a chill this morning & feel quite ill all day.

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, pp. 581-2

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862

Camp Cairo Illinois.  Glorious news this morning, Ft. Donelson is taken, Fifteen Thousand prisoners and an immense quantity of arms and ammunition. A salute of 34 Guns fired by order of Col. Buford in commemoration of the event.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, February 18, 1862

Prisoner taken at Donelson are continually arriving Lt. Williams detailed with a squad of 50 men on fatigue duty in town A salute of 10 Guns was fired at 10 O'clock in honor of Gov. Yates and Suit who arrived to day also Gov. Morton. Weather fair.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236

Private John C. West to Mary Stark West, May 20, 1863

ON THE RAPIDAN,        

MAY 20TH, 1863.

MY PRECIOUS WIFE:

I am at last safely encamped with the Fourth Texas Regiment in a beautiful grove of chestnut on a hillside about one mile from Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan about seventy-five or eighty miles from Richmond, and must say that I feel better and happier and of a clearer conscience than since the war commenced.

We have no tents and few blankets, mine being lost, you know, and being replaced by a light one which Aunt Mary Stark gave me. The ground is hard but the weather is pleasant and water fine. I did not believe I could feel so well satisfied so far from you, but, thank God, that I have a full and perfect faith on one point, viz: that whatever may await me, heaven will protect you and the children. I have not felt uneasy for a moment on that subject, and this morning I took out my Bible and opened it by chance and found the (104th) one hundred and fourth Psalm on the mighty power and providence of God. Can you not trust in such a power and enjoy yourself and feel satisfied? I do not want you to be sad a moment on my account.

I am perfectly well and have bacon, bread and a clear conscience. I have consummated the desire of my heart in connecting myself with this brigade. I intend to remain with it until it returns to Texas under a reign of peace, or I expect not to return at all. All of the Waco boys are well except Allen Killingsworth. I am afraid he is dangerously sick. He was in the hospital a month ago and came out too soon. He has a high fever and flux and is very weak this morning.

Billy Dunklin and all the rest are well. We have been encamped at this place for a week and may be ordered to move at any moment. I knew everything the brigade was doing when I was at home and on the way here, but am unable to find out anything about it now. We know less than anybody else. Tom Williams is the same old Tom. The whole brigade is in fine spirits, and it really does seem strange to see men who have lost so many friends seem so careless and happy. They sometimes talk almost like bullies at a street corner, except with a mild, calm air of determination and no swagger. The usual feeling seems to be, "We can't be whipped, but we may all be killed." I am satisfied that an imprudent leader could carry them to destruction. I met Tom Lipscomb yesterday on the cars. He is a major in Hampton's Brigade, in Butler's Regiment. Your brother, Lamar Stark, has been scouting in the enemies lines for more than six months. A few days ago he got into a fight; he was captured and Gillespie Thornwell was killed. Lamar is now a prisoner in the Old Capitol at Washington. Some of them have been exchanged already by lot, but Lamar was not drawn. He is well treated and will doubtless be exchanged soon. I learned this from Lipscomb, who got it from returned prisoners; so do not despond about him.

If you ever get my letter in which I make some suggestions about your coming to Columbia, you must let them be qualified by any change in the condition of our affairs in the West. Leave the servants by all means, all of them, and do not go more than $500.00 in debt. If you try it, write to me from Jackson, Mississippi. As soon as I get too sick to march or get wounded I will come to Columbia. You and Bro. Burleson, Mrs. Pearre, Miss Lambden, Dr. McDonald and Mrs. Carter must pray for me.

Your husband, faithfully ever,

JOHN C. WEST.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 60-3

Private John C. West to Mary Stark West, May 25, 1863

CAMP ON THE RAPIDAN,        

MAY 25TH, 1863.

MY PRECIOUS WIFE:

I have written to you by every opportunity I have had since I left home, and have sent letters by mail and by individuals. I wrote to you yesterday by mail and to-day I am writing again because Mr. Robertson, of Texas, in our company, is going home on sixty days furlough and will take the letter to Waco. My letters are in substance pretty much the same because I felt so uncertain about your getting them that I repeated things which I was anxious for you to know; so you must not think that I am especially "exercised" on a particular subject of any character because it is mentioned in successive letters. We are camped in a beautiful grove of large chestnut trees on a hillside, about a mile from Raccoon Ford. We have no tents and the ground is hard and a little rocky. My fine blanket and shawl were stolen between Branchville and Columbia.

I have left my overcoat with Miss Mary E. Fisher, Franklin Street, between Sixth and Seventh, at Richmond, and all of my other effects, except a change of clothing, at Columbia; and since I have come to camp and gotten a haversack (there are no knapsacks) I have taken out one suit of underwear and put all my remaining effects in my carpetsack to be sent to Richmond; so you see my load is quite light. You need never trouble yourself to send me anything but letters and cheerful hopes. We cannot fight and carry baggage, and my supply will last for three years with what mother can send me. It is no use to have clothes which must be thrown away on every march. We are now about to change our camp and have four days rations cooked, but do not know what we are to do or where to go.

I saw Tom Lipscomb yesterday. He is a major in Hampton's Brigade. He told me that Lamar Stark was taken prisoner in the same fight in which Gillespie Thornwell was killed. Some of them have been exchanged and Lamar will soon be. He is being well treated. This is reported by some of the exchanged prisoners. All of the Waco boys are well except Allen Killingsworth. He has been very dangerously sick with flux and high fever. He is not altogether out of danger but a great deal better. We are trying to find a private house for him as we are to leave here to-day. I have said something in previous letters about your coming to Columbia, and have stated my plans so fully in two letters, one by mail and the other by hand, that I will only say here that if it is as easy for you to get through as when I left you may try it if you choose, but leave all the servants at home. You must get a good escort to Jackson, Mississippi.

I opened my Bible on the first day I arrived at camp, and the first place my eyes fell upon was the 104th Psalm. Cannot a God of such power preserve me and you, or take care of you without me. Be cheerful and do not borrow trouble on my account. I forgot to say that we have plenty of bread and meat and the finest water I ever saw. To-day is a chilly, damp day, and it is raining a little. We will sleep wet to-night as there is no way to keep blankets dry. Aunt Mary Stark gave me a blanket in Columbia. Kiss the little darlings for me, and be assured that whatever befalls or awaits me is all right. God does it and He does all things well.

Your husband, faithfully ever,

JOHN C. WEST.

P. S.—John Darby, my old classmate, is our division surgeon, and gives general satisfaction to every one. He is very much in love with Miss M—— P——.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 63-5

Private John C. West to Mary Stark West, May 30, 1863

CAMP ON THE RAPIDAN,        

MAY 30TH, 1863.

MY PRECIOUS WIFE:

I write you a few lines by an Irishman who has just gotten a discharge from our regiment. I merely write to take the chance of letting you know that I am well and well satisfied. I am afraid that the Irishman will get drunk and lose this, so I have no heart to write you as fully as I would wish, besides I have only a few moments to write in.

We are five miles from the rest of the brigade on picket duty at Raccoon Ford. All of our company are doing well except Allen Killingsworth, who is sick at a private house about five miles off. He is getting better. I have written you a great many letters, and trust that this may reach you safely. Your daguerreotype is a great consolation to me; I look at it every day and remember the 49th Chapter and 11th verse of Jeremiah and feel satisfied, although a letter from home would be a great pleasure to me. I have nothing with me but the clothes on my back and a change of underclothing. I trust that our affairs may so result at Vicksburg as to leave the way open for you to make a visit to Columbia. I have laid out the plan for you in three or four letters. The principal features are for you not to go more than $500.00 in debt, and to leave the servants at home; to get a good escort to Jackson, and as much farther as you can, and then trust to conductors and your own good sense the rest of the way. You need not make or send anything to me as I am unable to march with it, and will have to throw it away. Mother gave me a nice pair of pants; they were cut out and made for $1.50. Lamar was taken prisoner and Gillespie Thornwell killed about three weeks ago. Lamar has been exchanged and is now with his command. Kiss the little darlings for me. I missed the pleasure of seeing Mac in Columbia; she had gone to Charleston. Tell the servants howdy for me, and tell them I say, obey you. Don't forget Stark's lessons.

Your husband, faithfully ever,

JOHN C. WEST.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 68-9

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, Friday, February 22, 1863

On guard. Stood picket in a large cotton field which contains five or six hundred acres of cotton, unpicked. I went back to the cane brake and got a fish pole. The guard of our forage train came in contact with some cavalry in the vicinity of Old River and routed them. In the course of the proceedings a Negro teamster hopped off his horse, drew a revolver and shot a Reb who had just shot one of our Captains, and took two prisoners.

SOURCE: Seth James Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells, Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, p. 40

Diary of Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones, Friday, December 5, 1862

Enroute. Took up the line of march through mud and rain early. In the morning the rain that was continually falling made the road almost unpassable for the artillery. Crossed the Tallahatchie with difficulty, passed fortifications which might have given us much trouble to pass had they been held by their builders. Met thirty prisoners. Halted at Abbeville about two hours at noon, then pushed on. Night overtook the train while crossing a lagoon [Herrington's Creek], which was very difficult. Stood in the road till 8 P. M., when finding it impossible to cross, we came into park on the road-side in an old cornfield, slept on the tarpaulin, no shelter.

SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 17

Diary of Musician David Lane, October 1, 1863

We have pitched our tents in rear of our guns and still occupy the same position. Our trap was set for a band of guerillas who have been operating a few miles south of us. Our cavalry—sent out to drive them in—encountered them yesterday, killed several, took a few prisoners, and are in pursuit of the remainder. We busy ourselves by arresting everything and everybody that comes our way. Citizens are all taken before Acting Brigadier General Leisure, who asks them all sorts of questions, gathering, in this way, much valuable information—administers the Oath of Allegiance, grants protection papers, etc. Deserters are constantly coming in, mostly from Bragg's army. I saw two North Carolinians last evening.

They say Beauregard and Longstreet are at Chattanooga—also that the Rebels burned Charleston and evacuated. We are kept very close, no man-not even officers' cooks-being allowed to cross over to the city. From the best information I can get, I conclude Bragg has sent a force to operate on Rosa's rear, threatening this place in their course. Nine bushwhackers were brought in last night and were taken to headquarters.

These wretches are being hunted from their hiding places in the mountains with untiring zeal by the Home Guards.

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 99-100

Diary of Private William S. White, August 7, 1862

We camped within a few miles of Malvern Hill last night, and to-day our forces reoccupied the hill without any opposition, capturing some seventy-five or a hundred prisoners. This move, on the part of McClellan, is only a feint to hide some other move of greater importance, and it is the general impression that he is about to evacuate his position at Harrison's Landing, taking his forces nearer Washington to calm the fears of Lincoln and his Cabinet.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 2, 1863

Night verry high wind with incessant heavy rain, our canvas tents shelter us well from the storm but the storm of wind gave us some uneasiness, we feared our stakes might draw & our tents capsize About 2 Oc a Rebble boat Bracele came up with a flag of truce & anchored opposite town to exchange the crew of our boat Blue Wing which they captured a fiew days since. Mr. Oldfield who knows the Capt of the Blue Wing told me that he David Hugle was at heart a traitor & he believed that the taking of his boat with government stores was as Hugle wished it to be, & Oldfield shook hands & talked with Harry Nolen of Cincinatti who was one that came on shore to see about an exchange & his wife is in Cincinatti sewing to Support herself & family & the citty helps to keep her. At 4 Oc we ware on dress perade

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 102

Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop, Thursday, August 6, 1864

The sick carried early to the gates but not received; ordered to be brought at 2 p. m. Doctors have got it into their heads that some system is necessary, and so much crowding at the gate was unnecessary and detrimental; so they ordered all back but the sick of eleven detachments and that none come tomorrow but those designated. Many are taken out. It gives hope that they are going to try to help us. Men persist in flattering themselves that we are soon to be relieved. I guard against disappointment and defer hope while action is deferred. The wolf at the door will not go away bloodthirsty until driven. They brought us to Georgia according to a decision of powers that be, that no shelter should be furnished Yankee prisoners. They will not release us for our sake, have disregarded our rights and purposely wronged us. Their cause is desperate; they fight for unprovoked revenge. They fiercely kill with bullets and designedly and half disguisedly plot our lingering death, seeking to profit their cause by our suffering. They began the war in hasty spite; it will end in hellish revenge. If they believe in their cause, need we hope for mercy? Has the government raised its hand to strike out one right the North claims for itself? Have we not compromised our sense of justice to appease unreasoning wrath, and have they not placed the dagger to our hearts? Now shall we be delivered by the murderers from the hands of their agents? Not till the last pillar has been broken and the hell-born spirit that incited this war shall rule no more, will their nefarious plotting cease. Yet we have hope which all of this surmounts, they must fail.

A PRISONER'S SONG.

Strident, yet more strident,

Sound the notes of war.

In our hearts confident

Behold the end afar.

Patient, yet more patient,

We'll bear the pains of fate.

Awake, oh, spirits latent,

And ward the blows of hate!

Higher, and yet higher,

Raise the hope of love;

Let faith new strength inspire

And make us stalwart prove.

Calmer, and yet calmer,

Wait we for the light,

Through savage din and clamor,

The passing of this night.

Freedom, on forever,

O, swiftly onward stride,

Enslaving bonds to sever,

And in this land abide!

Steady, and more steady,

Let our armies go;

They are strong and ready,

They move-it seems so slow!

Starving, we are starving!

We are sinking in distress;

Disease is gnawing-carving;

Our foes do sore oppress.

Help us to see the sunlight

Of victory and feel

Treason's bane has ceased to blight,

E'er death our eyes shall seal.

There is no danger from robbers and Thompson and I walk in the cool of the evening and talk about these things. A sensible companion in tribulation, is worth a thousand fools in peace if one appreciates him. The happiest man I ever saw was a man happy under miserable circumstances; the most miserable man is one wretched when surrounded with the benefits of life, with a vacant heart, a volcanic head, an iceberg and a fiery furnace freezing and burning his nature at the same time. To be contented, to be happy here, in one sense, is a mysterious art, yet the plainest fact.

"There is a Divinity that shapes our ends,

Rough hew them as we will."

We know now how to appreciate a man who is a living statue, not a human straw, a weed, jostled by every breeze, whipped about by adverse winds. We feel like him, believe in him; we are encased in steel. He is one, at least, who appreciates us. He has not only got the poetry of our best poets, but he has the heart, and the head; not only the rhyme but the sentiment.

Recently an interesting episode occurred, but it was not devoid of cruelties incident to this place. It reveals qualities of noble patriotism and keen foresight with a tinge of stern romance. A Georgian is a prisoner here.

Early in 1861 when the war-spirit had become rampant and Georgia was swayed by men like Toombs a man whose name is said to be Hirst, probably assumed, lived not many miles from this prison, who resolved for the Union. He went North, leaving his wife at home, and joined a Western regiment. In a battle between Sherman and Johnston's armies he was captured. He was recognized by a Georgia Reserve, while carrying a sick man out, who in peaceful days lived near him. The recognition was mutual and friendly. From him he got some news of his wife, the first in three years. It was arranged to get a note to her, telling of his imprisonment. In a few days the guard was on duty and tossed the wife's letter over the dead-line in a ball of clay. Two days later the woman came before Wirz and asked an interview. It was granted, the lady to stand outside the gate thirty paces, the man at the gate, neither to speak. At sight of each other they spoke each other's names endearingly. The interview was abruptly ended, the woman ordered away, the man driven into prison. The next day she came again bringing clothing and provisions which she begged Wirz to send him. Wirz promptly ordered her away, warning her never to come again, and sent soldiers to escort her off the ground. The husband was then brought before him and an effort made to enlist him in the Rebel service. This was resented, when he was bucked and gagged and locked in the dungeon, being brought out and maliciously punished at intervals for several days. Failing to impress him into the service, by advice of doctors he was turned into the stockade. [Note.—After leaving Andersonville I, learn he escaped from a train conveying prisoners from there, after Atlanta fell. He probably visited his family and later joined Sherman's forces.]

STACK ARMS.

 

See, an officer in quest of men,

To do some work the Rebels need;

Invites us from this prison pen

To work for them while brothers bleed!

Foreswear our country, Southron? No!

For its cause is true and high!

Join the hosts of Freedom's foe?

Far better starve; in prison die!

We fight for section, Southron? No;

We fight that liberty may spread

O'er all the land that freemen know,

Where, too long, the slave had tread.

We fight for justice in the land

Where freeman's voice has been suppressed;

It shall be heard, from strand to strand,

And every wrong shall be redressed.

Patriotic to fight for wrong

Because 'tis in your section built?

To fight this evil to prolong

Does but enhance the master's guilt.

Patriotism knows no line

That shall Freedom's law restrain;

The die is cast, 'tis God's design

That slavery shall no more remain.

Ah, heed the call of destiny!

The black and white shall both be free;

And stack your arms, for liberty

O'er North and South alike shall be.

Stack arms, brave Southrons, and repent

You ever raised them 'gainst the right.

You know the force of brave dissent;

'Tis murder now to longer fight!

The "Stars and Bars" pull down, pull down;

They lead you wrong, in Slavery's ways,

More hateful than King George's crown

Our fathers spurned in other days.

SOURCE: John Worrell Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, pp. 98-102

Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop, Thursday, August 11, 1864

Recent improvements in camp are timbers laid across the swamp on the west side north of the stream for 20 rods, this will help escape the filth in passing from north to south. A flume and bridge has been made which improves washing facilities; also a road from the north to the stream in the east part. We have more variety of food but scanty allowance, to-wit: corn bread, rice, a curious kind of bean, old and wormy. For several days a small piece of poor beef has come with cooked rations, hardly a mouthful, and in lieu a little sorghum molasses. We have built bake ovens of sand and clay. When several of us have raw meal, we club together to bake it, it being sweeter baked than smoked on a small fire. It economizes fuel, encourages the hope it will not have to be eaten raw. There are five very sick men within a few feet, groaning day and night. It is remarkable with what tenacity life clings to emaciated, corrupted frames.

Williams of the 111th N. Y., of Lyons, N. Y., a boy of education, talent and refinement, a nephew of Hon. Alex. Williams, visited us. He is declining rapidly and engages our sympathy It is a joy to cheer such a sweet spirit. He showed us the likeness of a beautiful girl, remarking that he never expected to see her again, and wept bitterly. We all parted with him regretfully. (He died in September).

I was again struck today by one of the daily duties of men. Passing from north to south through camp I see them stripped, examining clothing for lice. Immediately after roll call they "have a louse," or a "skirmish" or a "peeling off" as they express it from head to heels to give the "gray backs" a cleaning out. These pestering varmints infest clothing, sticking along the seams. Where the torments come from, how they grow in a day, or an hour, is a mystery. Drawing our minds down to hunting lice is humiliating; but the man who don't isn't respectable; we feel disgraced in his company Once a day is tolerable, twice better, three times makes a man of the first order. Neglect this, and he is soon over run, pitied, loathed, hated, sneered and snarled at. Lice polute and sap his blood, he loathes himself and dies. They crawl in droves over the sick, herd in his ears, gnaw him, shade in his hair deep as the hair is long. Talk about "gophers" in the army, no name for this! They sap the life of the strongest. Men who fight their lice effectually every day are brave, meritorious. But wouldn't we be pretty guests for parlor bedrooms! Trousers under the pillow! What would the tidy chambermaid say at Hotel Eagle?, Charming guests for ladies, lousy, brown, yellowed bloated, dirt-eating, wallowing Yankees! And we do laugh though it is not a laughing matter. But I am the only bachelor in our notable family of eight; should we be wafted to Northland from Dixie tonight, no one would be obliged to submit to my embraces. Poor, indeed!

SOURCE: John Worrell Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, pp. 105-6

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, July 5, 1863

On the morning of the 3rd when the rebels hung the flag of truce from their fort on the Jackson road, word soon passed along our whole line to that effect and soon firing ceased and the works on both sides were lined with the soldiers of the different armies talking to each other. It must have astonished the Rebs to see we were so close upon them. In front of our brigade we could almost shake hands with them. How anxiously they and we felt as to what Pemberton's reply to Grant would be, and when about half past nine on the 4th we saw the stars and stripes float from the fort we had stormed unsuccessfully, the air was rent with cheers and how relieved we all felt. Orders soon came for us to get ready to march into the city. Logan's division in the advance and the 45th Illinois in the advance of the army owing to their gallantry in storming Fort Hill. The day was a terrible hot one. We packed knapsacks and were soon ready to march. It was hard work but soon we got on the Jackson road and were inside the rebel lines. We marched through long rows of arms, stacked on both sides of the road and their late owners sitting or standing quietly by them. There were no cheers as we passed through these men but the salutations were "How are you Yank?" "How are you Reb?" "Give us something to eat Yank," when our boys would throw them hard tack, coffee and what else they could spare. The march was a terrible one and notwithstanding that it was marching into Vicksburg. I never saw so many men affected by the heat. When we reached the Court House I saw our glorious banner floating from its dome where only in the morning the rebel flag had been waving to the breeze. Our men could restrain themselves no longer and gave one long, loud cheer. We marched around the Court House, which is a fine large building, and then halted, stacked arms while waiting for further orders. They soon came to us to march back to the fortifications and halt on the inside. We did so; reached them about dusk and bivouacked for the night. Captain Dickey of General Ransom's Staff soon came and ordered me on duty as "officer of the day" and to post guards for the night along the fortifications to keep the prisoners from escaping. I had a hard time of it but no one can appreciate my feelings of the satisfaction I had as I rested on a cannon which but a few ours before was shotted against us. The night was a beautiful one and in making my "rounds" I would come across groups of rebel prisoners who would be sitting by a fire discussing their fate. They were anxious to know what was going to be done with them, whether they would be sent North, which they feared; or paroled. They spoke of the incidents of the siege and of the assault on the 22nd of May and how they slaughtered us with so little loss to themselves. As I had eaten no dinner and but a cracker for supper, I was glad when morning came and I was relieved from duty. I slept during the morning as I was completely exhausted, and in the afternoon visited the rebel works opposite our front. I was amazed at their strength and, after we got in, how they could have slaughtered us. You must look to history as to the amount of war material and men surrendered. I was surprised to see their men so well dressed and looking so well. I asked some of them about their rations of mule meat and they say it was issued once, which was more for effect than anything else, as they told me themselves they could have lived several days longer without being starved on what they had, but many of them said they were afraid of what we might do on the 4th; well they might, for in the morning orders had been issued for a national salute of 34 rounds, shot from every gun in position around Vicksburg, and several mines were to have been exploded blowing up their forts. Taking it all in all, it was well for both sides as many thousands of lives would have been sacrificed on both sides in the assault.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, pp. 19-20

Diary of Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones: Thursday, November 27, 1862

Moscow. Our boys returned in the afternoon having been out to Collierville, eighteen miles distant, burned a bridge, came upon a party of rebs, capturing three. Weather cold and clear. Health improving.

SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, pp. 14-5

Diary of Dr. Alfred L. Castleman, December 4, 1861

The story of yesterday's fight is all bosh. There were no two hundred prisoners taken—no fifteen killed—no fight—not a rebel seen! Munchausen must have been the legitimate son of a camp, or rather, the camp must be the legitimate progenitor of the whole race of Munchausen.

But it is surprising how camp life enhances the capacities of some men. I left home in July a dyspeptic. I came to Camp Griffin, in October, weighing one hundred and thirty-nine pounds. I record here, as something worth my remembering, an extract of a letter written to-day to a friend inquiring how camp life affected my health:

“ * * * I weigh now one hundred and fifty pounds. I have almost recovered my appetite. With other things in proportion, I now take three cups of coffee for breakfast, three cups tea at dinner, two cups at tea, and eat five meals a day, or suffer from hunger. My last meal is usually taken at 11 to 12 o'clock at night, and consists of one or two chickens, or a can of oysters, with a pot of English pickled cauliflower. With that I contrive to get through the night.

"But with the morrow's rising sun

The same dull round begins again."

"Last night, however, I was so unfortunate as to have no chickens. My can of oysters was sour, and I had to put up with a single head of boiled cabbage, half a dozen cold potatoes, and some cold boiled beef. I wonder what I shall do when we get away from the neighborhood of Washington to where there is no market, no oysters, no chickens, no cabbage, no cauliflower, 'no nothin'.' I shall be compelled to settle back to dyspepsia, and have no appetite."

SOURCE: Alfred L. Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day January, 1863, p. 59