Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 23, 1864

On the march at six a. m. Rebels had crossed Caney river at the ford and taken possession of three high hills on the opposite bank, and planted a battery of six guns on the highest one, next to the ford, and our artillery were unable to dislodge them. So a force of infantry, one regiment of which was the First Louisiana, were ordered to move up the river, about two miles, cross over and threaten their left flank and rear. After crossing we passed through a deep swamp. On the first hill we saw nothing of the enemy until we came to the foot, where there was a wide field. We found the enemy here in force. A regiment of Zouaves from New York city charged on them and they retreated up the second hill followed by the pu[r]suing regements. Between this hill and the third one next the ford there was a narrow field through which ran a stream of water crossed by a bridge. General Birge ordered a company of mounted infantry, belonging to the thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers commanded by Lieutenant Mesner to cross the bridge and ride through the field and then followed with the Second brigade marching by the flank; the First Louisiana on the right. A short distance beyond the bridge to the left was a shallow ravine. As soon as the First Louisiana was across and filed to the left, toward the ravine, the rebels opened a destructive fire of grape and musketry into Lieutenent Mesner's company, and the First Louisiana from the opposite hill. The company of mounted infantry was literally cut to pieces, and Lieutenant Mesner was pierced with three bullets, and died soon after. The First Louisiana fell back into the ravine. General Birge came riding back, hatless, and ordered the men to lie down in the ravine. Captain Felton and myself, did not obey orders: we wanted to see what was going on, and the writer of this came very near paying the penalty for his curiosity with his life. There was a small hickory sapling about as large as ones arm, standing about three feet in front of us. A bullet struck it, about breast high, penetrating it about half way through, i stood just in line and had it not been for that sapling, these pages never would have been written. The Second and Third brigades were soon on the move, charging up the steep hill, but the birds had flown. A messenger came stating that the troops were crossing the ford, and we marched round the base of the hill to it, and encamped on the bank of the river. I have been told by those that were fighting by the ford, that they drove the enemy from the hill: but I always thought the Second and Third brigade, creeping around on their left flank, and threatening their line of retreat, had something to do with it: for their position above the ford and plain below, was so far above them that artilery must have been entirely ineffective, and musketry could not reach them: so that a flank movement was the only remedy as I believe. We lost one hundred and fifty in killed and wounded. The First Louisiana had six wounded, none killed.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 100-3

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 21, 1864

Yesterday orders to be ready to move at an hours notice. At five p. m., we left Grand Ecore and marched all night until three a. m. of the next day when we encamped by the side of Caney river.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 19, 1864

Finished breastworks all round from the river on the right to the same on the left.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 14, 1864

Meanwhile Commodore Porter was in the river quite a number of miles above Pleasant Hill where the battle was fought with more than half of the United States Navy. General Banks got a dispatch through to him, stating that “he was defeated and on the retreat”. This of course compelled Porter to retreat: as the absence of the army uncovered the river banks and let loose the whole rebel army upon him, West of the Mississippi river. That led him a lively dance all the way down until they arrived at Grand Ecore. He states in his report that the rebel General Green in command “had his head shot off” in a raid on the gun boats and the management of the rebel army fell into the hands of “drunken Dick Taylor who was entirely incompetent to conduct it”. Green deserved all he got, for in speaking of this incident J. T. Headly says in “Farragut and his Naval Commanders”, that the rebels had made their attack in the most difficult part of the river where four or five of our vessels were fast in the mud and others along side of them trying to pull them off. The advance consisted of 3000 men commanded by General Green, their best general. He soon found that his men could not stand our fire: but he determined not to retreat, and forced his troops up to the edge of the banks where our gunboats fairly mowed them down. He finally got his head shot off, and nearly all his officers having been killed around him, the rest retreated in disorder, cut up as they fled.

This was the victorious army that had defeated Banks the day before, and flushed with victory, had pounced on Porter. On this day I was detailed to take charge of a fatigue party to unload our affects off the Shinango. At twelve o'clock noon, we crossed the river and took our position in line in the piney woods at the breast works.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 97-9

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 13, 1864

We found Bank's whole army here having been badly defeated at Pleasant Hill, forty miles above on the nineth and tenth instant and had retreated back to this place with his whole army. The story of the battle so far as I could learn from those who participated in it, was as follows: The objective point was Shrievesport on this river about sixty miles above. General Curtis from Arkansas and General Banks from New Orleans were both marching upon it intending to form a junction there. But Banks did not take the wiley rebel General Green into the account. With a strong force of Texas troops he stepped between the approaching armies first attacking Curtis and driving him back towards Arkansas and then turning upon Banks. South of Shrievsport is a dense forest through which the road passes. In this forest Green placed his troops disposing them in the form of the letter A with the apex towards the city where he planted a battery in the road. The Union cavalry was in the advance followed by the baggage train. As soon as the head of the column reached the battery they opened fire. The wings closed upon the baggage train, shot the mules and drivers, piling up the wagons in terrible confusion making the road utterly impassable, while the forest was so dense a rabbit could hardly crawl through; the enemy had it pretty much all his own way. The long baggage train was all captured with its valuable stores besides most of the cavalry was either killed or captured. The remaining few that escaped fell back on the infantry support which was a day's march in the rear. Of course the enemy pursued them until they met the infantry and then it was their turn to retreat; which they did without stopping to fight long. The infantry pursued them about eight miles, but it was a useless chase as their commissary stores were all gone and they were compelled to retreat. They fell back to Grand Ecore and threw up entrenchments and this is where we found them.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 95-7

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 12, 1864

Passed the mouth of Cane river at daylight. In the afternoon we were hailed at a plantation by a man wanting to sell cotton. The bait was a good one and the prow of the boat was soon pointing to the shore and our erst while planter walked leisurely up the bluff and took a position under an old shed on the bank and stood waiting results. Meanwhile Col. Fiske, and the Captain of the boat stood in conversation on the hurricane deck and at the same time watching events. I could not read their thoughts but suddenly one of the wheels stopped and begun to back and if ever I saw a steamboat turn round that one made the quickest time within my recollection and it did not stop after it got round either but made good time until we were well out of range of that boat landing. The getting of the old planter out of harms way probably saved us from being all cut to pieces, as the bluff was twenty feet high with the levy ten feet on top of it, behind which the enemy was undoubtedly concealed so that there would have been no show at all for us. The plan was well laid, if plan it was, but it did not work. At four p. m., we arrived at Grand Ecore. The First Louisiana and thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers landed on the left bank opposite the city. The Shinango got aground in trying to land and we were taken off by the “Ohio Bell”.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 94-5

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: March 28, 1864

After tying up to the bank all night for fear of sharp shooters along the shore in the woods; we passed Fort De Russey at Snaggy Point. This fort had the honor of being taken twice by our gun boats: the first time by Commander Farragut before the seige of Port Hudson, about May 1, 1863 and a few days before this, Snaggy Point is at a sharp bend in the river which is very shallow in low water on account of sunken logs in the stream. It has special advantages as a location for a fort mainly from the fact that it commands a view of the river for a long distance above and below. It was here we had such an interesting time going up the river in July of 1860 when I was on my way to Texas. We were on a small stern wheel boat named the “News Boy” with a cargo of grain. We were two days getting round this point. They unloaded the grain into lighters and snaked the boat over the logs by hitching to trees and winding the rope round the capstan. I never dreamed of seeing a fort here at that time but strange things happen in this world sometimes. Arrived at Alexandria at four p. m. and encamped on the same ground we did the year before, on the Rapides Bayou. The falls in the Red River at this place will not admit of navigation more than six months in the year and the river had begun falling at this early date in March so that the gun boats had difficulty in getting up over the falls and a noble large transport loaded with army stores and general merchandise was already hopelessly stranded on the rocks: so we had to witness the painful sight of her going up in smoke and flame with all her valuable cargo. When I went up that river in July of sixty alluded to before, there was hardly water enough going over these same falls to drive a saw mill, let alone floating all the United States Navy in the Western waters: and General Banks had it there at that time, all above the tails and as the sequel will show it cost us no little trouble to get the boats down again. We were here brigaded with the one hundred and fifty-ninth and ninetieth New Ycrk and the thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers, General Grover's Division.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 92-4

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: March 26, 1864

At about noon of this day on board the steamboat Illinois we left our good old home at the fort in Donaldsonville and steamed up the broad Mississippi river for Alexandria, Louisiana. We had passed so many happy days in that old fort that it had come to seem very much like home to the First Louisiana and so far as I was concerned I did not leave it without some regrets: but war is war and I consoled myself by looking forward to the time when the victory would be gained and we could enjoy the fruits of it with the loved ones at home.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 91

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: March 27, 1864

We passed Baton Rouge and Port Hudson entering the mouth of Red river at about noon. On the way up two men hailed us from the shore in the woods. We took them in and found they were deserters from the gun boats at Fort De Russey. Poor fellows, they could get nothing to eat along that river but aligators: and I guess the hard tack and salt junk tasted good to them. They were turned over to the Essex when we arrived at the fort and what happened to them after that we never stopped to learn.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 91

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 26, 1864

Culpepper C. H., Va., April 26, 1864.

. . . General Grant's request to have General Banks relieved from duty in the field the President declines to accede to till he has heard further from the Red River expedition. I trust in God Banks may retrieve himself. My heart beats fearfully for the brave men he commands. Many of them I know personally. They are of the heroes of Vicksburg. . . .

SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins, p. 425

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 23, 1864

Culpepper C. H., Va., April 23, 1864.

. . . Clear, dry weather. . . .

Burnside's corps commenced moving up from Annapolis today to join this army. The moment it arrives we will be ready for action. Reports from Sherman, Butler and Sigel are all as cheering as we could hope for under the circumstances. The enemy have attacked Plymouth in Butler's Department and been repulsed. This initiatory move of theirs will delay Butler somewhat in his preparations for cooperation with the movements of this army. Sherman and Sigel will both be in readiness without doubt at the appointed time, as will, we trust, General Butler, notwithstanding this attack at Plymouth. In Sherman, Meade and Butler, General Grant has three Generals, all in important commands, whom he can trust. They are all three loyal to their country, friends of the General, and consequently with no ambitions to be gratified that look not to the success of our arms in obedience to and in accordance with his orders and plans.

General Sigel shows a fine disposition, and I have great hopes that he is a much better officer than General Pope gave him credit for being. He is active in his preparations for the part he is to perform in the coming campaign, is subordinate as far as I am able to judge, and has unquestionably the interest of the country at heart.

As yet no official report has been received from General Banks. General Grant has discharged his duty faithfully in this matter by suggestions to the President that Banks be relieved by General J. J. Reynolds in the command of the Gulf Department. What the President will do we don't as yet know. General Banks may be, and I have no doubt is, a splendid man on presentations, but certainly as a soldier he is a failure. The men under his command are to all intents and purposes dead to the service. Private information would indicate that we have retrieved much that we had lost in the Red River affair. I hope this may be true.

The Fort Pillow Massacre is one of the most brutal and horrible acts of fiendishness on record. If it is true as reported, and the Confederate authorities endorse and approve it, I hope the tongue of every Northern person who would speak in justification of them or their cause may cling to the roof of their mouths. This might make dumb many who profess to be my friends, but certainly could not hush to me the sweet voice of the wife I love, for at such acts of cruelty and barbarism her noble and queenly nature will ever revolt.

Reports from the front are that Lee is massing all his cavalry near Fredericksburg with a view to advance against us, which may be true, but I doubt it. . . .

SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins, p. 422-3

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 22, 1864

Culpepper C. H., Va., April 22, 1864.

. . . We have been reviewing the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, General Hancock commanding. It was the finest display of troops I ever witnessed at one review, twenty-two thousand men in all, in one clear, open field, with their glittering arms, their banners (many of them battle worn) and bands of music, all conspired to fill one with emotions of pride that he, too, was an American soldier fighting for the perpetuation of the principles of civil and religious liberty for our Republican form of Government. Never on but one occasion before have I seen so many men at one view, and that was not on review. It was in the second day's fight at Chattanooga. The whole of Thomas's army, numbering nearly twenty-five thousand men,¹ moved upon the enemy's works across an open plain much like the field we were on to-day, but how different were my feelings from what they were to-day. As regiment after regiment of the brave men moved by I could but feel that many a one with proud and elastic step was marching to the end of time, the very farthest verge of which they had already reached, and such was the case. How eagerly my mind contrasted the pageantry, the grandeur of to-day with that of actual conflict at Chattanooga, and the mind would run along the lines of the not distant future and picture these brave men amid the din and heat of the coming terrible conflict. How different will they then appear to those whom Heaven spares to see them. They are full of hope and confidence, and in their buoyancy of spirit, their cheerful soldierly satisfaction I place the fullest confidence. They feel that they can whip Lee. This is much in our favor. I believe they can and will. Every effort is being made to concentrate troops from all sections here, and much has already been accomplished. From New York City alone we get three thousand men, or thereabouts, that have been for months virtually dead to the service. In all the Northern States are many troops, kept mainly that some of our major generals might have commands in Peace Departments commensurate with their rank. These are all being gathered up and brought to the front. I assure you nothing is left undone that should be done to give us victory. Victory here is what would be of much service to us. The Red River expedition appears to have been a terrible failure. Porter has his gunboats, several of them far up towards Shreveport, with the river falling so that he is prevented by sand-bars from either going forward or returning, and is waiting for rain and a rise in the river. I feel much anxiety for him.

You ask me if General McClellan is to have a command. He is not, for the present at least. You also ask me what kind of a general General Meade is. He is a man of real sterling worth, and is evidently the best general who has yet been honored with the command of this army. He is well liked by both men and officers, and no change is demanded by them. This you can rest assured is true, anything in the newspapers to the contrary notwithstanding. . . .

_______________

¹ Probably considerably in excess of 25,000.

SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins, p. 421-2

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 20, 1864

Culpepper C. H., Va., April 20, 1864.

. . . The news is that Longstreet has at last reached Lee and that thirteen thousand troops are on the way from Mobile to join Lee. There is no doubt of the truth of this information. General Banks has been badly defeated near Shreveport, we learn through the press, but no official intelligence has yet been received from him. The fact is, he has permitted his expedition to straggle in detachments up the Red River, instead of moving in mass, so as to be able to meet the enemy in force should he venture an attack. Finding him advancing in this loose and desultory manner, they concentrated heavily against Banks's advance, and severely defeated it, with a loss of 2,000 men.

Among the killed I notice Cyrus E. Dickey, captain and assistant adjutant general to General Ransom. He was a brave and noble soldier and worth a dozen of the Banks Union Sliding Generals. General Ransom, also a personal friend of mine, was severely wounded. I hope this blunder of Banks may place him where he really belongs — in retirement.

The success of our Republican institutions depends upon our defeating the armies of the rebellion in battle, and while the God of humanity and of liberty is on our side, He will not permit us to triumph except through honest, patriotic, unselfish men. Banks is in the wrong place. I pray God different fortune may attend him hereafter than heretofore. Much, very much, depends upon the faithful execution of the orders entrusted to him in the coming campaign. May he lose sight of self and for once become imbued with the true spirit that ever insures success. Up to this time he seemed to have studied how to make his Government responsible for his failures, and he certainly reads military instructions with a view to giving them a different construction from that which their author intended. I measure the man aright, you can be assured.

The enemy is reported to be massing a heavy force on our left near Fredericksburg, some suppose with a design to attack us. For my part, I do not believe he means any such purpose, especially in that direction. We are fast assembling a large army here, and perhaps ere you read what I am now penning, especially if it takes my letters as long to reach you as it does yours to reach me, a terrible battle will be fought and the campaign in this quarter ended. I pray for victory to our arms; I know the same prayers go up daily from your pure heart and that our prayers meet in Heaven far separated as we are. Should I meet my fate in the conflict, know, dearest, that one at least has fallen whose every heart's pulsation was for his God, his country's honor and the welfare of his dear wife and children. . . .

SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins, p. 420-1

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, March 28, 1864

March 28, 1864.

. . . To-day has been mild and cloudy, threatening rain. Everything is quiet along our lines, but in our camps is a burning desire for something to be done which will break the monotony prevailing in this vicinity, and the only fear I entertain is that the General's restlessness, and the spirit animating the troops will make him commence operations before he is sufficiently prepared. You know, I believe more in the infallibility of numbers than in the infallibility of generals, no matter how great their reputation.

Everything we hold dear as patriots and pride ourselves in as Americans, is staked more certainly upon the impending campaign than upon any which has preceded it. We are close upon the beginning of the fourth year of the war and notwithstanding all our successes in the West and South, our National Capital is still beleaguered by a formidable and unbroken army of the enemy. Unless this army of foes is defeated and broken, and our Capital relieved of its fierce frowns, we cannot hope that the recognition of the rebel government will be much longer postponed by European Governments, a recognition which while it would not necessarily precipitate us into a war with the powers making it, would tend to raise the hopes of our enemy. And worst of all, it would tend much towards the further prostration of our national finances. In this view of the case no steps should be taken that would in the least possible way promise anything less than certain success.

I believe a victory, great and decisive, is within our grasp — that we have men enough which may be spared from other points, to be brought here, to increase our numbers to so far beyond those of the enemy, do all he can, as to ensure victory. In other words, we may in this manner “organize victory,” and this is the only way to organize it.

General Grant returned this afternoon from Washington much disgusted with the news from General Banks, who was to have been at Alexandria on the Red River by the 17th instant, but instead of being there was on the 18th instant still at New Orleans, while the forces from Sherman had promptly reached Alexandria in pursuance of orders, but will have to wait there for weeks for the tardy and I might say immovable Banks. This delay of his may delay greatly our spring operations.

This proves to me that politicians cannot be soldiers and entrusted with great and responsible commands. It may, however, be providential, for it opens the General's eyes to the character of men he has to command, and fixes in a measure the limit to which he may trust them. Thank God there are generals whom he knows and can trust implicitly to carry out his orders, and that promptly. . . .

SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins, p. 407-8

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, March 10, 1864

It rained all day yesterday, and today it is quite cool. The expedition that is going up the Red river left this afternoon. Regiments are leaving every day for the North, going home on their veterans' furloughs. We are still on guard at the roundhouse.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 173

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, March 8, 1864

I was detailed with six men from the Eleventh under me, as special guard at the roundhouse. We were detailed about midnight to relieve the Ninety-fifth Illinois, which will accompany a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps down the river, and then on an expedition up the Red river. The Seventeenth Army Corps is going home on veterans' furlough.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 173

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, January 25, 1865

Washington, D. C, January 25, 1865.

You will doubtless be surprised at the heading of this note. On the 17th inst. I received from the Secretary of War a telegram ordering me to repair without delay to the Adjutant-General of the United States. The same day General Thomas ordered a steamboat to transport me to Paducah, from thence I came hither almost on the wings of the wind, staying neither for fog, flood, nor mountain pass, though I was befogged near Louisville, and snowed up one night in the Alleghenies. Still, considering the distance, I made marvellously good time, and arrived here last night. I discover that I have been summoned to appear before the Committee on the Conduct of the War (of Congress), probably to testify in reference to the Red River expedition.

I shall know to-morrow. My stay here will be only temporary, and I shall probably from here be ordered back to Eastport or wherever my command is. You may think it strange that I could not stop for at least a day, but I dared not. I had been pretty well up to the time I was ordered here, but that very day my old complaint came back upon me with great violence and lasted every day of my journey, and I feared to make a halt lest I should be detained as I was before. To-day I am a good deal better. I have not heard one word from home since the letters that reached me at Nashville.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 379

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, April 29, 1864

Mississippi Squadron, Flag Ship “Cricket,”

Alexandria, April 29, 1864.

My Dear Wife:

I am safe after a most severe campaign. I had three fights, battles, on my own hook, inasmuch as I had the honor of bringing up the rear of the army to this point. These three fights were exclusively my own, and in every instance entirely victorious. I have only time to say that my opinion is, we (I mean A. J. Smith's command) will get through safely to the Mississippi; after that, there will be work enough for us. I will give you full details so soon as opportunity offers. Meanwhile, rest assured of my health and personal safety. Admiral Porter is safe and sitting by my side as I write. He is a noble fellow, game as a pheasant; so is old A. J. a perfect trump.

I hope you are all well. I am in first rate spirits, stiff upper lip, “never say die.” Do not be discouraged about me, in the slightest degree. We can whip these fellows whenever we get the chance.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 362-3

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, March 24, 1864

Alexandria, La., March 24, 1864.

My Dear Mother:

We have had some skirmishing in making reconnaissance, and have taken one entire battery, horses and harness. Some four hundred prisoners and some six hundred horses. General Banks has not yet arrived, but is momentarily expected. The country on the north side of the river is pine woods and for the most part barren, though rolling and beautiful on the south side — that upon which Alexandria is situated. It is exceedingly rich and very highly cultivated in cotton and sugar plantations. Corn, clover, and other grasses grow, the clover especially, with wonderful luxuriance. The perfectly flat nature of the country gives a sameness that is wearisome, but at first view the beauty of the plain, as one rides through the plantations, is enchanting. Hereabouts they are all well-watered by the bayous and these can be led by ditching in any direction. The planters, taking advantage of this, have beautified their grounds with lakes and wandering streams, upon the shores of which to the water's edge grows the white clover, carpeting the ground at this season with its rich green leaves, the sod cut away for parterres and flowerbeds, all shaded with beautiful pines, Japan plums, pride of China, and others, the names of which you would not recognize, of the beauty of which you can hardly form an idea. Their houses are not very elegant. The Southerner as a general rule does not care much about his house; so that it has plenty of piazza (gallery, as they call it here), is painted white, with Venetian blinds at all the openings, he is satisfied. Some of the wealthiest of them have spent their lives in log houses, and the wigwam at Mackacheek would be entirely en regle as the mansion house of a sugar estate. They find all their enjoyment in the open air, and shelter from the rain and night dew is all they ask.

The inhabitants hereabouts are pretty tolerably frightened; our Western troops are tired of shilly shally, and this year will deal their blows very heavily. Past kindness and forbearance has not been appreciated or understood; frequently ridiculed. The people now will be terribly scourged. Quick, sharp, decisive, or, if not decisive, staggering blows will soon show them that we mean business. I anticipate, however.

The State of Louisiana founded a Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, not long since, of which General Sherman, by election, was made superintendent, and which he abandoned to take up arms for his government. The building is a fine, large, very expensive one, situate some four miles from Alexandria, and was thoroughly provided with all the adjuncts of a large college. It has recently been used as a hospital by the rebels. The people cherish the name of General Sherman, and mourn his loss. He had great popularity here. My newspaper dates are to the 14th inst. My news very vague. I have the intelligence of the promotion of Lieutenant-General Grant, General Sherman and General McPherson. This is all right. With the old woman I may say to you, “I told you so.” One year ago there was a fearful pressure made against all these officers, Grant and Sherman especially. Where are those, now, who villified them? I do not know if you preserve them, but I must ask, if you do, to look at some of my letters written during last February and March.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 361-2

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, March 19, 1864

Friday, March 19th.

A messenger has just arrived with despatches from below, and a mail, but no letters for me. I have nothing of importance to add, hardly enough in what I have written to repay perusal; you must not permit yourself to suffer anxiety on my account; the good God whose arm till now has shielded me will care for me to the end. It may be permitted us to meet again and again I may enjoy the pleasure of home. If not, let us all pray that we meet in Paradise.

I see by some newspapers that are brought with this mail that the expedition into Mississippi is misrepresented and misunderstood. I assure you it was entirely successful and all was accomplished that was intended or desired.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 360-1