A cold day; deep snow (eight inches) on the ground. [I] am the centre of congratulations (on promotion to generalship) in the camp. General Duval and staff, Colonel Comly, etc., drink poor whiskey with me! A rational way of doing the joyful, but all we have!
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 546
CAMP RUSSELL, VIRGINIA, December 12, 1864.
DEAR UNCLE:— The snow is at least eight inches deep. A fierce northwester has been blowing for the last fifteen hours and the cold is intense. I fear that men on the picket line will perish of cold. We probably notice severe weather more when living as we are in rather poor tents, but I certainly have seen nothing worse than this even on the shore of the lake.
The campaign in the Valley has closed. The Rebel infantry has all been withdrawn. Our own is leaving rapidly. It goes to Grant. The destination of Crook's command is not yet known. It probably waits news from Sherman.
I shall ask for a leave of absence as soon as we get orders to go into winter quarters, which may come any day.
I have been promoted to brigadier-general. The honor is no great things, it having been conferred, particularly at the first part of the war, on all sorts of men for all sorts of reasons; but I am a good deal gratified, nevertheless. It is made on the recommendation of General Crook, approved by Sheridan. This at the close of such a bloody campaign is something; besides, I am pleased that it seems so well received by officers and men of the command. It has not yet been officially announced, and will not be for perhaps a week or so.
I am very glad Governor Chase is Chief Justice. I had almost given up his appointment. I received letters from Swayne's friends urging me to write in his behalf. I heard nothing of the kind from the friends of Governor Chase. I suppose they felt safe. I replied to Perry and others that I was for Governor Chase.
It seems I have a place at West Point at my disposal. It is quite encouraging to know that my district abounds in young Napoleons. I hear of a new one almost every mail. The claim of one is based largely on the fact that he has two brothers in the service. I happen to know that they (both officers) have been so successful in finding soft places in the rear that neither of them after more than three years' service, has ever been in a battle!
I begin to feel very anxious about Sherman. His failure would be a great calamity in itself. Besides, it would bring into favor the old-fogy, anaconda style of warfare. Boldness and enterprise would be at a discount. If he has made a mistake, it is in not moving with more celerity.
We ought to have another draft without delay – or rather another call for troops, to be followed by a draft if volunteering failed to produce the required number within a reasonable period.
The board of which Admiral Farragut is President is in session. Their
duties to advise on the subject of promotion for meritorious conduct in battle.
I am not disposed to act under this law without consultation with and advice
from earnest men in the service. There is a disposition to place Porter in
advance by Fox, to which I cannot assent unless it comports with the views and
opinions of senior men, who are entitled to speak on a question that so nearly
concerns them. Admiral Porter is a man of courage and resources, but has
already been greatly advanced, and has some defects and weaknesses.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the
Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866,
p. 235
Cold and raw all day. First snow fell this evening. General
Crook gave me a pair of his brigadier-general shoulder-straps this
afternoon. A rank cheapened by poor appointments. I feel it an honor, conferred
as it is at the close of a bloody campaign on the
recommendation of General Crook approved by General Sheridan.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 545
A dispatch from Gen. Lee says the enemy is moving down toward Fredericksburg, and yesterday the advance of our army encountered his right wing at Spottsylvania Court House, and repulsed it “with great slaughter.” Strong language for Lee.
A dispatch received this morning said the enemy was advancing on the railroad. Subsequently cannon could be heard in the direction of Drewry's Bluff.
The tocsin has been sounding all day, for the militia, which come slowly, after being summoned and dismissed so often. I fear, when they are sent over the river, if all the men at the defenses on the north side are sent over also, that a cavalry raid from the north may dash into the city and burn the bridges on the James; then our army would be in a "fix." I have expressed this apprehension to the Secretary, and asked him to arm the old men, for the defense of the bridges, public buildings, etc. He awaits events. Mr. Hunter and other public characters are looking very grave.
The following dispatch was received to-day from Weldon, via Raleigh and Greensborough, N. C.:
May 8th. The enemy destroyed the wire from Stony Creek to within three miles of Belfield, a distance of about fifteen miles. Our men and employees are repairing it, and we hope to have communication reopened to-morrow.
W. S. HARRIS.
Col. Preston, Superintendent of Bureau of Conscription, has written another letter to the Secretary, urging the promotion of Captain C. B. Duffield, who threatens to leave him for a position with Gen. Kumper, at Lynchburg, where he can live cheaper. He says he has urged the President, to no avail.
The Secretary has roused himself. Since 3 P.M. he has issued a call “TO ARMS!” All men capable of bearing arms are requested to report to Gen. Kemper, Franklin Street, to be armed
and organized “temporarily" for the defense of the city. Gen. Ransom had previously issued a placard, calling on officers and men on furlough to meet in Capitol Square for temporary organization. This may involve some etiquette, or question of jurisdiction between the generals. Gen. Winder is utterly ignored.
I have just heard that the Departmental Battalion has been marched across Mayo's Bridge to the fortifications of Manchester, on the south side of the river. The militia regiment will go to the place on the north side heretofore occupied by them.
Another dispatch from Gen. Lee, received since 3 P. M. to-day, says Grant attacked him again yesterday, after the slaughter by our Gen. Anderson, and was handsomely repulsed. Grant's tactics seem to be to receive his stripes by installments.
Another truly fine spring day.
The ominous silence on the Rapidan and Rappabannock continues still. The two armies seem to be measuring each other's strength before the awful conflict begins.
It is said the enemy are landing large bodies of troops at Yorktown.
Major-Gen. Ransom has been assigned to the command of this department; and Gen. Winder's expectations of promotion are blasted. Will he resign? I think not.
The enemy's accounts of the battle on the Red River do not agree with the reports we have.
Neither do the Federal accounts of the storming of Fort Pillow agree with ours.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 192-3
Troops are moving to-day in almost every direction. It seems that the old Second Division is collecting together for some forward movement. This evening the command receives marching orders; ordered to have prepared two day's cooked rations in haversacks, also to move with two hundred rounds of cartridges to the man, forty in the cartridge box, and the remaining one hundred and sixty to be hauled in the wagons. These orders to the Seventh, we are inclined to think, mean business. There is certainly a storm coming. God only knows how soon the terrible din will be heard; only knows how soon there will be a rattle of musketry and a clash of steel; when more blood will flow, more hearts will bleed, and more tears will fall. If such days come again, throwing around these stout hearts war's fierce realities, may the spirit of the great Jehovah control the wrathful storms and nerve the Union soldier, that he may not falter.
PROMOTIONS. Up to this date the following promotions have been made in the regiment, for meritorious services performed in battle at Fort Donelson:
Colonel John Cook to be Brigadier General.
Lieutenant Colonel A. J. Babcock to be Colonel, vice Cook, promoted.
Major R. Rowett to be Lieutenant Colonel, vice Babcock, promoted.
Captain Monroe to be Major, vice Rowett, promoted.
Adjutant B. F. Smith promoted to Captain and A. A. G., on General Cook's staff.
Second Lieutenant Newton Francis to be First Lieutenant of Company I, vice Johnson, promoted.
First Lieutenant Newton Francis to be Adjutant, vice Smith, promoted.
First Sergeant Thomas McGuire to be Second Lieutenant of Company A, vice Renick, resigned.
Second Lieutenant Thomas McGuire to be First Lieutenant of Company A, vice Kimball, resigned.
First Sergeant Ben. Sweeney to be Second Lieutenant of Company A, vice McGuire, promoted.
First Lieutenant Hector Perrin to be Captain of Company B, vice Monroe, promoted.
Second Lieutenant O. D. Ells to be First Lieutenant of Company B, vice Perrin, promoted.
First Lieutenant Edward S. Johnson to be Captain of Company I, vice Mendell, killed.
First Sergeant John E. Sullivan to be Second Lieutenant of Company I, vice Francis, promoted.
Second Lieutenant John E. Sullivan to be First Lieutenant of Company I, vice Francis, promoted.
First Sergeant Joseph S. Fisher to be Second Lieutenant of Company I, vice Sullivan, promoted.
For meritorious service performed at Shiloh :
Sergeant George W. Wheeler to be Captain of Company A, vice Ward, killed.
Second Lieutenant J. L. Ring to be First Lieutenant of Company H, vice Myres, killed.
First Sergeant Thomas J. Pegram to be Second Lieutenant of Company H, vice Ring, promoted.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 88-90
I GET PROMOTED.
Today a sergeant, corporal and eight privates from each company have
been detailed to manipulate the big guns. I had the honor of being selected
from my company, and was assigned the left gun, a most dangerous and hazardous
position. I feel proud of my promotion and am sure I shall sustain the honor of
the artillery service. For a day or two we shall be under the, instructions of
a battery sergeant who will instruct us in loadings and firings. We shall also
have to inform ourselves from a small book, giving instruction in loading, and
firing, and in calculating distances, elevations and depressions of the guns.
My gun on the left occupies a very commanding position, being some ten feet
higher than the other guns. From the top of the parapet to the bottom of the
ravine, it is some 30 or 40 feet, and a part of the way nearly perpendicular. I
have a range of the whole clearing and covering both the other guns; because of
its great natural strength and commanding position, I have dubbed it the
Malakoff. I being the senior sergeant, am styled on all hands, by both officers
and men, as the chief of artillery, a rank I accept and have assumed all the
privileges which that rank implies.
The little steamer Undine plies between town and this port, making her
trips mornings and afternoons, giving us frequent and easy transit to town. I
intend giving my command two or three passes a day, so they can visit town if
they wish to. I am going to be liberal with them, and then if their
professional services should be required, I shall expect them to stand by those
guns and fight like bloodhounds till the last armed foe expires.
A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
There is among army officers a constant jealousy and strife for
promotion and rank, watching and looking after each other, fearful lest some
one may be assuming some rank or taking some privileges that do not belong to
him. I have been giving my men passes out of camp, and these passes have been
honored at headquarters. In consequence of that a spirit of envy and jealousy
entered the breasts of the infantry officers; it made them feel sore and uneasy,
so they consulted together and decided that that could no longer be allowed.
They informed me that I was exceeding my authority in passing men out of camp.
Being in a minority and not caring to exhibit any stubbornness so trifling a
matter I magnanimously waived my authority to issue the passes, but it was a
big come down for the chief of artillery. When I wish to leave I simply look in
at headquarters and say to the captain.“I propose going out.” If there is
anything in the pitcher he always says, “You had better come in, and
take something before going.” The captain is as generous as he is brave, and
brave men are always generous.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass.
Volunteer Infantry, p. 96
THE MAJOR'S EAGLES.
At last the major's eagles, which have so long been winging their flight this way, have alighted on his shoulders, and he looks as pert and gamy as a wildcat. Bully boy! long may you wave!
Promotions will now come along right' smart, and I have no doubt I have been thought of for some important position, but I shall decline all promotions; I had rather be a doorkeeper at the guardhouse than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 85
An application of Capt. C. B. Duffield, for a lieutenant-colonelcy, recommended by Col. Preston, came back from the President to-day. It was favorably indorsed by the Secretary, but Gen. Cooper marked it adversely, saying the Assistant Adjutant-General should not execute the Conscription act, and finally, the President simply said, “The whole organization requires revision.—J. D.” I hope it will be revised, and nine-tenths of its officers put in the army as conscripts.
Raining this morning, and alternate clouds and sunshine during the day.
One of the clerks who was in the engagement, Tuesday night, March 1st, informed me that the enemy's cavalry approached slowly up the hill, on the crest of which the battalion was lying. At the word, the boys rose and fired on their knees. He says the enemy delivered a volley before they retreated, killing two of our men and wounding several.
Reports from the Eastern Shore of Virginia indicate that Gen. Butler's rule there has been even worse than Lockwood's. It is said that the subordinate officers on that quiet peninsula are merely his agents, to tax and fine and plunder the unoffending people, never in arms, and who have, with few exceptions, “taken the oath” repeatedly. One family, however (four sisters, the Misses P.), relatives of my wife, have not yielded. They allege that their father and oldest sister were persecuted to death by the orders of the general, and they could not swear allegiance to any government sanctioning such outrages in its agents. They were repeatedly arrested, and torn from their paternal roof at all hours of the day and night, but only uttered defiance. They are ladies of the first standing, highly accomplished, and of ample fortune, but are ready to suffer death rather than submit to the behests of a petty tyrant. Butler abandoned the attempt, but the soldiery never lose an opportunity of annoying the family.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 168
I had a telegram from Tom this morning, stating that Colonel Stedman was mortally wounded and would probably not survive the night, that General Ord desired his promotion without delay, that it might be received before his death, and wishing me to call at once on the President. I did so, who responded readily to the recommendation, and I then, at his request, saw Secretary Stanton, who met me in the right spirit.
While at the President's Blair came in, and the President informed us he had a telegram from Greeley, desiring the publication of the whole peace correspondence. Both Blair and myself advised it, but the President said he had telegraphed Greeley to come on, for he desired him to erase some of the lamentations in his longest letter. I told him while I regretted it was there, the whole had better be published. Blair said it would have to come to that ultimately. But the President thought it better that that part should be omitted.
I remarked that I had seen the Wade and Winter Davis protest. He said, Well, let them wriggle, but it was strange that Greeley, whom they made their organ in publishing the protest, approved his course and therein differed from the protestants. The protest is violent and abusive of the President, who is denounced with malignity for what I deem the prudent and wise omission to sign a law prescribing how and in what way the Union shall be reconstructed. There are many offensive features in the law, which is, in itself, a usurpation and abuse of authority. How or in what way or ways the several States are to put themselves right — retrieve their position - is in the future and cannot well be specified. There must be latitude given, and not a stiff and too stringent policy pursued in this respect by either the Executive or Congress. We have a Constitution, and there is still something in popular government.
In getting up this law it was as much an object of Mr. Winter Davis and some others to pull down the Administration as to reconstruct the Union. I think they had the former more directly in view than the latter. Davis's conduct is not surprising, but I should not have expected that Wade, who has a good deal of patriotic feeling, common sense, and a strong, though coarse and vulgar, mind, would have lent himself to such a despicable assault on the President.
There is, however, an infinity of party and personal intrigue just at this time. A Presidential election is approaching, and there are many aspirants, not only for Presidential but other honors or positions. H. Winter Davis has a good deal of talent but is rash and uncertain. There is scarcely a more ambitious man, and no one that cannot be more safely trusted. He is impulsive and mad and has been acute and contriving in this whole measure and has drawn Wade, who is ardent, and others into it. Sumner, I perceived, was bitten before he left Washington. Whether he has improved I am not informed. Sumner is not a constitutionalist, but more of a centralist than the generality of our people, and would be likely to sanction what seem to me some of the more offensive features of this bill. Consolidating makes it more a government of the people than of the States.
The assaults of these men on the Administration may break it down. They are, in their earnest zeal on the part of some, and ambition and malignity on the part of others, doing an injury that they cannot repair. I do not think Winter Davis is troubled in that respect, or like to be, but I cannot believe otherwise of Wade and others; yet the conduct of Wade for some time past, commencing with the organization of the present Congress in December last, has, after the amnesty proclamation and conciliatory policy of reconstruction, been in some respects strange and difficult to be accounted for, except as an aspiring factionist. I am inclined to believe that he has been bitten with the Presidential fever, is disappointed, and, in his disappointment, with a vague, indefinite hope that he may be successful, prompted and stimulated not only by Davis but Colfax, he has been flattered to do a foolish act.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 94-6
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