Secretary of War.
Saturday, January 1, 2022
General Robert E. Lee to James Seddon, June 29, 1864—8:30 p.m.
Secretary of War.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: June 26, 1864
Hot and dry, but breezy.
A dispatch from Gen. Lee, 9 P.M. last evening, says nothing of moment occurred along the lines yesterday. Our loss in the unsuccessful attempt of Gen. Haygood [sic] to storm a portion of the enemy's works, on Friday, was 97 killed and wounded, and 200 missing
Gen. Hampton dispatches Gen. Lee that he attacked the enemy's cavalry in Charles City County, Friday, and drove them out of their intrenchments, pursuing them eight miles, nearly to Charles City Court House. The enemy left their killed and wounded on the ground, and strewn along the route. Gen. Lee says Gen. H. deserves much credit. The enemy (a portion of Sheridan's force) are still prevented from forming a junction with Grant.
Flour fell yesterday from $500 to $300 per barrel.
An official report shows that we lost no arms or ordnance stores of consequence at Staunton. Communications will be restored in that direction soon. The Valley and Western Virginia, being clear of the enemy, the fine crop of wheat can be gathered.
Beauregard is in disgrace, I am informed on pretty good authority; but while his humiliation is so qualified as not to be generally known, for fear of the resentment of his numerous friends, at the same time he is reticent, from patriotic motives, fearing to injure the cause.
It is stigmatized as an act of perfidy, that the Federal Government have brought here and caused to be slaughtered, some 1600 out of 1900 volunteers from the District of Columbia, who were to serve only 30 days in defense of the Federal city. At the same time our government is keeping in the service, at hard labor on the fortifications, Custis Lee's brigade of clerks, who were assured, when volunteering, that they never would be called out except to defend the fortifications of the city, built by negroes!
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: June 27, 1864
Bright and hot-afterward light showers.
By the papers we learn that President Lincoln has been on a visit to Grant's army. If Grant does not accomplish some great wonder in a few days, his campaign will be noted a failure, even in the North.
We learn to-day that gold is now at $2.15 in the North.
The raiders are beginning to pay the penalty of their temerity; besides Hampton's fight with them, on this side the James River, we learn that W. H. F. Lee has struck them a blow on the south side.
Saturday, November 13, 2021
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: June 14, 1864
Clear and cool.
Gen. Grant has
changed his base—disappearing from the front of Lee in the night. He is
supposed to be endeavoring to get his army below the city, and in communication
with Butler on the south side.
A dispatch from Gen.
Lee says Gen. Hampton has defeated Sheridan.
Forrest has gained a
victory in the West.
Lincoln has been
nominated Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, for Vice-President.
Gen. Whiting writes
that supplies from abroad are coming in abundantly at Wilmington, N. C.
If we can only
preserve our communications with the South, I regard the campaign, if not the
war, pretty nearly at an end, and Richmond safe! Grant has failed, after doing
his utmost to take Richmond. He has shattered a great army to no purpose; while
Lee's army is as strong as ever. This is true generalship in Lee. But Grant can
get more men.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 231
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: June 20, 1864
A fog; subsequently
dry and dusty, but the sun in a haze, like Indian summer.
As I feared; there
is trouble with Beauregard. He drew off his troops from in front of Bermuda
Hundred to reinforce the fewer regiments at Petersburg, and saved that
city, and Gen. Lee had to drive the enemy off again from the abandoned line. It
is said Beauregard acted contrary to orders, and has been suspended from
command by order of the President. At all events, Lee is at Petersburg.
Sheridan's raiders
are near the city again, followed and preceded by Wade Hampton and Fitz
Lee. Their cannon has been heard all the morning
Mr. Secretary
Memminger has resigned.
Monday, June 14, 2021
Major Charles Wright Wills: March 12, 1865
Fayetteville,
N. C., March 12, 1865.
We are camped
a couple of miles from town. Marched about 13 miles to-day. Had to put down
pontoons at both branches of Rockfish creek. At the town of Rockfish, the 17th
A. C. burned a factory, throwing about 150 women out of employment. One of our
gunboats came up to this place to-day with dispatches for Sherman. It went back
before our division got in and took a lot of mail.
The 14th A.
C. is garrisoning this place, but the 17th got in first. The 97th Indiana boys,
who were captured back at Lynch's Creek, all got away from the enemy and back
to us to-day, five of them. Sherman said yesterday that the campaign ends only
with the war. Hear that Hampton whipped Kilpatrick splendidly. Don't think that
is any credit to him. Also hear that Bragg whipped Schofield at Kingston, that
Thomas has Lynchburg, and 30,000 other rumors. In the last 23 days the
commissary has issued only two and one half days' of bread. I lost my sword
to-day. Left it where we stopped for dinner. We have lost so much sleep of late
that at every halt half the command is asleep in a minute. I lay down and told
them not to wake me for dinner nor until the regiment moved. The regiment had
started when Frank woke me, and I got on my horse too stupid to think of
anything. Did not miss my sword for five miles, when I went back for it, but no
use. Foragers for the last week have been counting on rich spoils in the town,
and many of them have not reported to their regiments within six or eight days,
camping every night with the extreme advance. The day before the place was
taken, five men who were 15 miles ahead of the column ventured into town. They
were gobbled and one of them killed. Next morning 100 foragers hovered around
town until the column was within about six miles, when the foragers deployed as
skirmishers, and went for the town.
There were
about 1,000 Rebel cavalry herein who fell back before our boys skirmishing
lively, clear through the town, when they suddenly charged our fellows and
scooped them. Our loss in killed, wounded and captured is 25 or 30. They killed
several after they captured them, and one they hung up by the heels and cut his
throat. Our boys retreated about a mile from town, and went in again in more
solid order. They were too scattered the first time. They were successful and
routed Johnny, who left six dead in the streets.
SOURCE:
Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 360-1
Major Charles Wright Wills: March 16, 1865
About 14
miles to-day. About a dozen swamps, as many showers, three hard rains, and an
awfully rough march. The men waded, I should think altogether, one-half mile of
water from ankle to waist deep. They went through every swamp yelling like
Indians. Rained all yesterday and last night. I saw peach and thorn blossoms,
some wintergreen and arbor vitae growing wild. Two days like this would
demoralize a citizen much. We drew three days' hard bread to-day to last five.
In the 26 preceding our division drew besides sugar and coffee, only two and
one-half days' of hard bread. Very poor country to-day. The boats brought us
some late papers.
The latest
account of Sheridan capturing Early. Don't believe it. Saw Herald's account
of the inauguration. The writer should be shot. Of half a dozen boats that come
to Fayetteville, only two brought cargoes, and both of them oats. Ridiculous,
40,000 pair of shoes would have been sensible. Many of the men are barefoot.
Sherman and Hampton are having a spicy correspondence on murdering foragers.
Think Hampton is a little ahead at this date. Have only seen the first letter
on each side. There is talk of a fight at Goldsboro. I do hope this army will
get two weeks in camp before it battles. It is a little too loose now for
heavy, steady work. General Wood says that Sheridan with four divisions of
cavalry is coming through to join us.
SOURCE:
Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 362-3
Major Charles Wright Wills: March 18, 1865
Fifteen
miles, good roads, men only waded in swamps. Whole corps in camp before dark.
Well settled country and oceans of forage. Our foragers and the 7th Illinois
"mounted thieves" had a nice little fight to-day. Came near scaring
Wade Hampton's chivalry out of their boots; four dead Yanks, and 11 Rebels is
said to be the result. Our fellows run them off to the left of our road into
the 14th and 20, who hurried their march a little. We are 27 miles from Goldsboro
and 18 from Faisons on the railroad, which point we will probably make
to-morrow and possibly get our mail. If I don't get at least six letters from
you I will be much disappointed. We are much amused over the Rebel papers we
get. All seem to take “gobs” of comfort from Lee's declaration that
"Tecumseh” can and must be whipped. Several of them assert that our
treatment of citizens is good. Don't believe a word of it, though I wish it
were so.
Monday, February 8, 2021
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 2, 1864
A slight snow on the ground this morning—but bright and cool. Last night, after I had retired to bed, we heard a brisk cannonading, and volleys of musketry, a few miles distant.
This morning an excitement, but no alarm, pervaded the city. It was certainly a formidable attempt to take the city by surprise. From the number of disgraceful failures heretofore, the last very recently, the enemy must have come to the desperate resolution to storm the city this time at all hazards. And indeed the coming upon it was sudden, and if there had been a column of 15,000 bold men in the assault, they might have penetrated it. But now, twenty-four hours subsequently, 30,000 would fail in the attempt.
The Department Clerks were in action in the evening in five minutes after they were formed in line. Capt. Ellery, Chief Clerk of 2d Auditor, was killed, and several were wounded. It rained fast all the time, and it was very dark. The enemy's cavalry charged upon them, firing as they came; they were ordered to lie flat on the ground. This they did, until the enemy came within fifteen yards of them, when they rose and fired, sending the assailants to the right and left, helter-skelter. How many fell is not yet known.
To-day Gen. Hampton sent in 77 prisoners, taken six miles above town—one lieutenant-colonel among them; and Yankee horses, etc. are coming in every hour.
Gov. Vance writes that inasmuch as Judge Pearson still grants the writ of habeas corpus, and discharges all who have put substitutes in the army, on the ground of the unconstitutionality of the act of Congress, he is bound by his oath to sustain the judge, even to the summoning the military force of the State to resist the Confederate States authorities. But to avoid such a fatal collision, he is willing to abide the decision of the Supreme Court, to assemble in June; the substitute men, meantime, to be left unmolested. We shall soon see the President's decision, which will probably be martial law.
Last night, when it was supposed probable that the prisoners of war at the Libby might attempt to break out, Gen. Winder ordered that a large amount of powder be placed under the building, with instructions to blow them up, if the attempt were made. He was persuaded, however, to consult the Secretary of War first, and get his approbation. The Secretary would give no such order, but said the prisoners must not be permitted to escape under any circumstances, which was considered sanction enough. Capt. —— obtained an order for, and procured several hundred pounds of gunpowder, which were placed in readiness. Whether the prisoners were advised of this I know not; but I told Capt —— it could not be justifiable to spring such a mine in the absence of their knowledge of the fate awaiting them, in the event of their attempt to break out, —— because such prisoners are not to be condemned for striving to regain their liberty. Indeed, it is the duty of a prisoner of war to escape if he can.
Gen. Winder addressed me in a friendly manner to-day, the first time in two years.
The President was in a bad humor yesterday, when the enemy's guns were heard even in his office.
The last dispatch from Gen. Lee informs us that Meade, who had advanced, had fallen back again. But communications are cut between us and Lee; and we have no intelligence since Monday.
Gen. Wilcox is organizing an impromptu brigade here, formed of the furloughed officers and men found everywhere in the streets and at the hotels. This looks as if the danger were not yet regarded as over.
The Secretary of War was locked up with the Quartermaster and Commissary-Generals and other bureau officers, supposed to be discussing the damage done by the enemy to the railroads, etc. etc. I hope it was not a consultation upon any presumed necessity of the abandonment of the city
We were paid to-day in $5 bills. I gave $20 for half a cord of wood, and $60 for a bushel of common white cornfield beans. Bacon is yet $8 per pound; but more is coming to the city than usual, and a decline may be looked for, I hope. The farmers above the city, who have been hoarding grain, meat, etc., will lose much by the raiders. . .
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 163-5
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 7, 1864
Bright and frosty morning; cloudy and warm in the evening. Cannon and musketry were heard this morning some miles northwest of the city. Probably Gen. Hampton fell in with one of the lost detachments of the raiders, seeking a way of escape. This attempt to surprise Richmond was a disgraceful failure.
The Secretary of War has gone up to his farm for a few days to see the extent of injury done him by the enemy.
Mr. Benjamin and Assistant Secretary Campbell are already “allowing” men to pass to the United States, and even directly to Washington. Surely the injury done us by information thus conveyed to the enemy hitherto, ought to be a sufficient warning.
Gen. Bragg has resolved to keep a body of 1500 cavalry permanently within the city and its vicinity.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 167-8