Up to to-day nothing. But this morning at 4 we were ordered to cook up all our rations, and be ready to march in one hour. We left Kinston by rail at 12 M. Got to Goldsboro at 3, went through to Weldon, left here at 5 P.M., and got to Petersburg, Va., on the morning of the 18th; left there at 6 P.M. Katz and myself went uptown—ate two suppers. Had a very good time while in town. We camped all night on Dunn's Hill.
Slight rain in the
morning.
There is an ugly
rumor on the streets to-day—disaster to Gen. Hood, and the fall of Atlanta. I
cannot trace it to an authentic source; and, if true, the telegraph operatives
must have divulged it.
A dispatch from
Petersburg states that there is much cheering in Grant's army for McClellan,
the nominee of the Chicago Convention for the Presidency.
I think the
resolutions of the convention amount to a defiance of President Lincoln, and
that their ratification meetings will inaugurate civil war.
The President has
called upon the Governor of Alabama for the entire militia of the State, to be
mustered into the service for the defense of the States. It is dated September
1st, and will include all exempted by the Conscription Bureau as farmers. Every
farm has its exempted or detailed man under bonds to supply meat, etc.
I incline to the
belief that Hood has met with disaster at Atlanta. If so, every able-bodied man
in that State will be hunted up for its defense, unless, indeed, the Union
party should be revived there.
There will be a new
clamor against the President, for removing Johnston, and for not putting
Beauregard in his place.
But we may get aid
from the North, from their civil dissensions. If Lincoln could precipitate
500,000 additional men upon us now, we should be compelled to give back at all
points. But this he cannot do. And the convention at Chicago did not
adjourn sine die, and may be called again at any time to
exercise other functions than the mere nomination of
candidates, etc.
Cloudy and pleasant.
Still we have no
authentic account of the details of the fights on the north side of the James
River. We know we lost two brigadier-generals, and that we captured some 600
prisoners. Of the number killed and wounded on either side is all conjecture,
although a semi-official statement makes our loss but "light.”
Nevertheless, I
happen to know that the President rode out yesterday, and remained until late
in the night: for Mr. Craddock, his special detective (and formerly his
messenger), whom he sent for to accompany him, assures me while on the field
there was a flag of truce to bury the dead, and that the slaughter had been
large. Our cavalry had suffered; but he thinks the enemy's infantry lost many
more men than all our slain together. He says, moreover, that only one negro
prisoner reached the city. The rest, thrust forward, being killed on the field
in action, I suppose.
At 2 P.M. a rumor
began to be expanded that a terrific and probably a decisive battle was going
on at Petersburg. One report says the enemy assaulted our lines, the operations
on this side of the river having been more a feint to draw our forces away;
another that Gen. Beauregard attacked the enemy, finding their troops in large
force had crossed over to this side, and this in the absence of Gen. Lee, he
taking the responsibility. Be this as it may, some stir was in the cabinet: and
the Secretary of War was with the President from 11 A.M. till 3 P.M. This might
be on "appointments and promotions," and it might be on Beauregard.
About 5 P.M. brisk
artillery firing was heard in a southeast direction, which increased in
rapidity, and apparently became nearer the city, until musketry could be
distinctly heard from all parts of the city. My daughter Anne and her younger
brother, Thomas, had walked out to Hollywood Cemetery, where they could not
only hear the firing, but could see the lines of smoke below the city, on the
left or north bank. Between 6 and 7 P.M. the sound seemed to recede, indicating
that the assault had been repulsed; and finally all was silent again. It is
probable the battle raged likewise on the south side of the river, and it may
be hoped the assault on Petersburg was similarly repulsed. We shall know
to-morrow.
Clear and hot.
All quiet at
Petersburg. President Lincoln was at Fortress Monroe on Sunday last, after the
explosion and its failure.
The Northern papers
acknowledge that Grant sustained a terrible disaster at Petersburg, losing in
killed, wounded, and missing 5000. They say the negro troops caused the
failure, by running back and breaking the lines of the whites. The blacks were
pushed forward in front, and suffered most.
From the same source
we learn that our troops have penetrated Pennsylvania, and laid the city of
Chambersburg in ashes. This may be so, as they have burned some half dozen of
our towns, and are now daily throwing shell into Charleston, Atlanta, and
Petersburg.
A letter to the
Secretary from J. Thompson, in Canada (per Capt. Hines), was received to-day.
He says the work will not probably begin before the middle of
August. I know not what sort of work. But he says much caution is necessary. I
suppose it to be the destruction of the Federal army depots, etc. in the United
States.
Public meetings and
the public press continue to denounce in unmeasured terms the high schedule of
prices recently sanctioned by the Commissary and Quartermaster's bureaus. And,
although the schedule has been modified, much odium will attach to all
concerned in it. A large farmer, at the rates fixed for his products, would
realize, perhaps, $200,000 per annum.
Clear and warm. Bought fifty cabbage-plants and set them out before breakfast
Gen. Early met Gen. Hunter at Snicker's Gap, and whipped him.
All quiet at Petersburg. Grant must be dead, sure enough.
Gen. Bragg left the city some days ago. The following is a verbatim dispatch received from him yesterday:
MONTGOMERY, ALA., July 19th, 1864.
COL. J. B. SALE:—The enemy still hold West Point Railroad Forces are moving forward to dislodge them. Gen. S. D. Lee in forms me 5000 (13th Army Corps) passed Vicksburg on the 16th, supposed to be going to White River. Reported Memphis, 19th Army Corps, Franklin left New Orleans on the 4th for Fort Monroe, 13,000 strong. Ought not Taylor's forces to cross the Mississippi?
I hear nothing from Johnston.
Telegraph me to Columbus, Ga.
B. BRAGG, General.
The President yet remains with the army, and the indications are that a great and perhaps final battle is near. Tom writes me, dating his letter “Headquarters Army of the James, near Hatcher's Run,” saying he had scarcely slept for forty-eight hours, the army having commenced moving on the evening of the 27th, and his letter was dated the evening of the 29th. General Ord must, therefore, have moved his army from before Richmond, crossed the James, and got below Petersburg. I infer, therefore, that the demonstration will be on that plan, and I trust defeat and capture of Lee and his army.
Greeley's letter of last summer to the President, urging peace for our “bleeding, bankrupt, ruined country” has been published in England. This was the letter which led to the Niagara conference. I advised its publication and the whole correspondence at the time, but the President was unwilling just then, unless Greeley would consent to omit the passage concerning our ruined country, but to this Greeley would not consent, and in that exhibited weakness, for it was the most offensive and objectionable part of his letter.
How it comes now to be published in England I do not understand. I should have preferred its appearance at home in the first instance. Poor Greeley is nearly played out. He has a morbid appetite for notoriety. Wishes to be noted and forward in all shows. Four years ago was zeal or willing — to let the States secede if they wished. Six months later was vociferating, “On to Richmond.” Has been scolding and urging forward hostile operations. Suddenly is for peace, and ready to pay the Rebels four hundred millions or more to get it, he being allowed to figure in it. He craves public attention. Does not exhibit a high regard for principle. I doubt his honesty about as much as his consistency. It is put on for effect. He is a greedy office-hunter.
Clear and warm.
The news of the capture of 1600 Federals, 4 guns, etc., yesterday at Petersburg, has put the people here in better humor, which has been bad enough, made so by reported rapes perpetrated by negro soldiers on young ladies in Westmoreland County. There has been talk of vengeance, and no doubt such atrocities cause many more to perish than otherwise would die.
A Mr. Sale, in the West, sends on an extract from a letter from Col. —— proposing to the government to sell cotton on the Mississippi River for sterling exchange in London, and indicating that in this manner he has large sums to his own credit there, besides $100,000 worth of cotton in this country. Col. —— is a commissary, against whom grave charges have been made frequently, of speculation, etc., but was defended by the Commissary-General.
Mr. Harvey [sic], president Danville Railroad, telegraphs to Gen. Bragg to send troops without delay, or the road will be ruined by the raiders. Bragg sends the paper to the Secretary of War, saying there are no troops but those in the army of Gen. Lee, and the reserves, the latter now being called out. Ten days ago, Mr. Secretary Seddon had fair warning about this road.
The news (in the papers) of the cutting of our railroad communications with the South creates fresh apprehension among the croakers.
But at 12 m. we had news of the recovery of the Weldon Road last evening, and the capture of 500 more prisoners.
We have nothing from the south side raiders since their work of destruction at Burkesville, cutting the Danville Road.
Mr. Hunter sheds tears over his losses in Essex, the burning of his mill, etc. But he had been a large gainer by the war.
There is a rumor of fighting at Petersburg to-day.
Hot and dry.
Twelve hundred Federal prisoners passed our door to-day, taken at Petersburg—about half the number captured there during the last two days.
The news of the cutting of the Danville Railroad still produces despondency with many. But the people are now harvesting a fair crop of wheat, and the authorities do not apprehend any serious consequences from the interruption of communication with the South — which is, indeed, deemed but temporary, as sufficient precaution is taken by the government to defend the roads and bridges, and there seems to be discussions between the generals as to authority and responsibility. There are too many authorities. Gen. Lee will remedy all this.
The clerks are still kept out, on the north side of the James River, while the enemy is on the south side—the government, meantime, being almost in a state of paralysis. Such injustice, and such obtuseness, would seem to be inexcusable.
The Secretary has sanctioned the organization of a force in the Northern Neck, to capture and slay without mercy such of the enemy as may be found lurking there, committing outrages, etc.
The President still devotes much time to the merits of applicants for appointments on military courts, brigadier-generals, etc.
It is reported that Grant has announced to his army that the fighting is over, and that the siege of Richmond now begins. A fallacy! Even if we were unable to repair the railroads, the fine crop of wheat just matured would suffice for the subsistence of the army—an army which has just withstood the military power of the North. It is believed that nearly 300,000 men have invaded Virginia this year, and yet, so far from striking down the army of Lee with superior numbers, we see, at this moment, the enemy intrenching himself at every new position occupied by him. This manifests an apprehension of sudden destruction himself!
But the country north and east and west of Richmond is now free of Yankees, and the railroads will be repaired in a few weeks at furthest. Gen. Hunter, we learn to-day, has escaped with loss out of the State to the Ohio River, blowing up his own ordnance train, and abandoning his cannon and stores. So we shall have ammunition and salt, even if the communication with Wilmington should be interrupted. No, the war must end, and is now near its end; and the Confederacy will achieve its independence. This of itself would suffice, but there may be a diversion in our favor in the North—a revolution there—a thing highly probable during the excitement of an embittered Presidential campaign. Besides, there may at any moment be foreign intervention. The United States can hardly escape a quarrel with France or England. It may occur with both.
WE LEAVE YORKTOWN.
On the afternoon of the 4th we went aboard the boats and dropped anchor at Fortress Monroe at dusk. The next morning we started up the James river. The river was alive with boats, schooners, tugs, gunboats, monitors and everything that could float, all loaded to their fullest capacity with troops, horses, artillery and all the paraphernalia of war. We passed Jamestown in the afternoon. Nothing now remains to mark the spot where the first settlement in Virginia was made, but a pile of bricks which composed a part of one of the buildings. We reached City Point just before night. Gen. Heckman's brigade landed on the Bermuda Hundred side and bivouacked a short distance from the landing, all the other troops remaining aboard the boats. The gunboats and monitors commenced fishing for torpedoes and working their way up the James and Appomatox rivers.
The next morning, the 6th, the troops commenced to land and Heckman's brigade was ordered to advance. We marched up the country six or seven miles, getting on to high ground and what is called Cobb's Hill. From here the spires of the churches in Petersburg can be seen, while in front of us is a kind of valley. At this point the Appomatax river turns in a southwesterly direction. On the banks between us and Petersburg was a battery. This is called a good position and here we halted. We sat here under a burning sun, watching the long lines of troops come up and file off to the right into the woods towards the James river until past the middle of the afternoon, at which time the whole of the 18th and 10th corps, comprising the army of the James, under Gen. B. F. Butler, had arrived.
HECKMAN'S BRIGADE LEADS OFF THE DANCE.
About 4 p. m., Gen. Heckman is ordered to make a reconnoisance towards the Petersburg and Richmond railroad. We moved down the valley in a southwesterly direction, and when about three miles out the 27th Massachusetts were advanced as skirmishers. A mile or two farther on we began to hear scattering shots, indicating that our skirmishers had found game. We hurried on and found the enemy in a shallow cut, on a branch railroad running from Port Walthal to the Petersburg and Richmond road. A sharp skirmish ensued, lasting till near dark, when Heckman withdrew, having accomplished his purpose of finding the enemy. In this skirmish the 25th lost four killed and several wounded.
The next morning, the 7th, we moved on them in force, Gen. Brooks' division moving directly on the Petersburg and Richmond railroad. Heckman's brigade, with a section of a battery, were ordered to occupy the ground of the night before. The enemy were in strong force and opened on us with artillery. Heckman paid no attention to that, but moved his battalions into line on the field in columns by division, and ordered them to lie down. The 25th were partially covered by a slight roll of ground in our front, while the 27th Massachusetts on our left were badly exposed to the enemy's fire and were suffering severely. Heckman saw the situation and ordered Col. Lee to move his regiment to the rear of us. He then ordered forward his artillery, placing them in battery in our front and set them to work. They made the rail fences and dust fly right smart. After a few shots had been fired a loud explosion was heard, followed by a big cloud of smoke, dust and debris in the enemy's line. One of their caissons had blown up, and our boys rose up and gave rousing cheers. Our guns continued shelling them, but got no return fire, their ammunition was probably exhausted and their guns perhaps disabled.
There was no infantry firing on either side, we simply holding our line and watching events. Heavy firing was heard over on the railroad. Brooks was at them and a fight for the railroad was going on. We were masters of the situation here and were able to protect his flank. About noon the enemy got an old gun into position and commenced throwing chunks of railroad iron at us. This caused considerable sport among the boys and they would cheer them lustily every time they fired, but a few shots from our guns, put a quietus on that sport. I have often read and heard of that kind of practice, but never saw any of it until
In the afternoon a battery of four 20-pounder parrott guns drove up, taking positions on a roll of ground some 20 rods in our rear and commenced firing. I at first thought they were shelling the enemy in front of us, and was a little surprised at it as all was quiet on both sides. But I soon noticed they were not. I got permission from Capt. Emery and went up there. Here was a signal officer, and nearly half a mile away to the northwest was a group of men signaling to this battery. The guns were at quite an elevation, and they would train them a little to the right or left, as directed by the signal officer. They were throwing shells over the woods and dropping them among the enemy on the railroad, some two miles away. Those shells were reported to be very annoying to the enemy and of great service to Brooks. It was splendid artillery practice and I was greatly interested in it. While watching them shy those shells over the woods I wondered where those devils over there thought they came from.
Towards night it was signaled that Brooks had accomplished his purpose, tearing up several miles of road and was drawing back to our line. The day's work was over and we drew back to Cobb's Hill. In this day's fight the 27th Massachusetts sustained the greatest loss, while the 25th suffered the worst in last night's affair. The heat was intense, and the men suffered severely, many of them being prostrated and carried back in ambulances.
Clear and pleasant
weather, but dusty.
The Departmental
Battalion marched away, last night, from the Chickahominy (guarding a ford when
no enemy was on the other side!) for Chaffin's Farm, on the James River. They
were halted after marching an hour or so, and permitted to rest (sleep) while
the rest of the brigade passed on.
When Custis awoke he
was alone, the battalion having left him; and he was ill, and knew not the
road. So he set out for the city, with the intention of going down the river
road this morning. But he grew worse after reaching home. Still, he resolved to
go; and at 8 A.M., having marched all night nearly, he set out again, and met
his sergeant—who had likewise diverged as far as the city—who said if he was
really too ill to march, he would deliver the captain a surgeon's certificate
to that effect, which would be a sufficient explanation of his absence. So,
Surgeon C. Bell Gibson, upon an examination, pronounced him sick,
and certified to the captain that he could not be fit for service for a week or
ten days. At 3 P.M. he is in bed with a raging fever.
There was a fight at
Malvern Hill yesterday, the enemy being repulsed.
There was also
another assault on Petersburg, repulsed three times; but the fourth time our
forces, two regiments, were forced back by overwhelming
numbers from the outer line of defenses..
To-day it is
reported that they are fighting again at Petersburg, and great masses of troops
are in motion. The war will be determined, perhaps, by the operations of a day
or two; and much anxiety is felt by all.
A letter from Hon.
G. A. Henry, on the Danville Railroad, saying only 1000 men were there to
defend it, with but two cannon without appropiate ammunition!
Soon after a
dispatch came from Col. Withers, at Danville, stating it was reported 10,000 of
the enemy were approaching the road, and only thirty-two miles distant. He
called for reinforcements, but stated his belief that the number of the enemy
was exaggerated.
I delivered these to
the Secretary myself, finding him engaged writing a long letter to Gen. Kirby
Smith, beyond the Mississippi!
In this moment
of doubt and apprehension, I saw Mr. Randolph,
formerly Secretary of War, and Mr. G. A. Myers, his law colleague, at the
telegraph office eagerly in quest of news.
To-day the President
decided that Marylanders here are “residents," or "alien
enemies;" if the former, they must fight-if the latter, be expelled. A
righteous judgment.
Last night, as
Custis staggered (with debility) upon the pickets at the fortifications of the
city, not having a passport, he was refused permission to proceed. He then lay
down to rest, when one of the pickets remarked to him that he was not
"smart, or he would flank them.” Custis sprang up and thanked him for
the hint, and proceeded to put it in practice.
The Examiner to-day
says that Col. Dahlgren, a month before his death, was in Richmond, under an
assumed name, with a passport signed by Gen. Winder, to go whithersoever he
would. think this probable.
At 3 P. M. the wires
cease to work between here and Petersburg, and there are many rumors.
But from the
direction of the wind, we cannot hear any firing.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 232-3
Clear and cool.
All quiet round the
city; but Petersburg was assaulted yesterday and successfully defended.
The battalion of
clerks still remains at Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy. The pickets hold
familiar conversation every day with the pickets of the enemy, the stream being
narrow, and crossed by a log. For tobacco and the city papers our boys get
sugar, coffee, etc. This intercourse is wrong. Some of the clerks were compelled to
volunteer to retain their offices, and may desert, giving important information
to the enemy.
I had snap beans
to-day from my garden. I have seen none in market.
Bright, warm,beautiful. We have a sensation to-day, but really no excitement. A dispatch from Gen. Lee (dated last night) says the enemy opened the battle yesterday, and the conflict continued until night put an end to the carnage. He says we have many prisoners, captured four guns, etc., losing two generals killed, one, Gen. J. M. Jones. But our position was maintained, and the enemy repulsed. Doubtless the battle was renewed this morning.
Some fifty-nine transports and several iron-clad gun-boats, monitors, etc., came up the James River yesterday and last night. A heavy force was landed at Bermuda Hundred, within a few miles of the railroad between Richmond and Petersburg.
And the enemy likewise came up the Peninsula, and there was fighting this morning on the Chickahominy.
Thus the plan of the enemy is distinctly pronounced, and the assaults were designed to be made simultaneously. Yet there is no undue excitement.
A dispatch from Gen. Pickett at Petersburg, this morning, to Gen. Bragg, asked if he (Bragg) intended to defend the railroad between Richmond and Petersburg. He said, "the enemy will attack the road to-day, marching from Bermuda Hundred, I think."
At 3 P.M. we are waiting with anxiety for news from all quarters.
Both my sons marched out in the Department Battalion. Two Tennessee regiments marched down to Drewry's Bluff yesterday, and Hunton's brigade, that left there yesterday, were ordered back again last night. It is said troops were passing south through the city all night. And I know heavy forces are on the way from North Carolina. Gen. Pickett likewise has the greater part of his division in supporting distance. So, if the enemy have not cut the road by this time, it is probably safe, and the expedition will be a failure. If Lee defeats Grant, the city will certainly be saved. All the local troops are out.
Gen. Beauregard is expected to-day, but it is reported he is sick at Weldon. On the 3d inst. the following dispatch was received from him:
KINSTON, N. C.
GEN. COOPER.
Orders should be given for the immediate re-establishment of fisheries at Plymouth and Washington, also to get large supplies of pork in Hyde. County and vicinity.
G. T. BEAUREGARD, General.
On this the Commissary-General indorsed that the matter had been attended to-had, indeed, been anticipated.
The best indication of the day (to me) was the smiling face of Mr. Hunter as he came from the Secretary's office. He said to me, “The ball is opening well.”
The President and his aids rode over the river to-day: what direction they took I know not; but this I know, he has no idea of being taken by the enemy. And he cannot think the city will be taken, for in that event it would be difficult for him to escape.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 199-200
Nothing new, only plenty of bad weather and hard work. We received marching orders at 9 A.M. We arrived in Petersburg at 5 P.M. Saw several friends there. Left Petersburg at 8 o'clock that night in cars for Wakefield. Arrived there at 11 A.M.
SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 11
We yesterday had word that our forces had mined and blown up a fortification in front of Petersburg. All sorts of stories were current, some of them absurdly wild and ridiculous. Petersburg was said to be in flames. Our army were reported to have undermined & large portion of the city. Men of sense gave credit to the absurdity. I went over to the War Department, and Stanton showed me a telegram from Grant, stating the mine had been sprung, but the result is inconclusive, and evidently, I think, a disappointment. Stanton seemed uncertain and confused.
Exciting and silly stories prevailed about the raid into Pennsylvania. Street rumors put the Rebels at 40,000, and the press states that number, but reports are contradictory. Am still of the opinion that the force is small and the scare great. Governor Curtin and all Harrisburg are doubtless in a ferment. Was told the bells in Harrisburg were all ringing an alarm. I asked if it included the dinnerbell of Governor Curtin, for he would be frantic to stir up the people, and never disbelieved the largest fib that was sent abroad.
Had a letter from Tom this A.M., dated at Headquarters of the 18th Army Corps, at midnight of the 29th, stating an assault was to be made in the morning. Could not give details. There would be a sharp conflict, and he would do his duty. Bidding good-bye and sending love to all. This evening we hear from him after the fight, that he was well but tired and exhausted.
The President went yesterday to Fortress Monroe to meet General Grant, by prior arrangement, which made me distrust final operations at Petersburg, for if such were the fact, he could not well be absent. The President tells me the movement was well planned and well executed up to the closing struggle, when our men failed to do their duty. There must, I apprehend, have been fault in the officers also, not Grant, who originates nothing, is dull and heavy, but persistent.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 89-90
