Major-General Richard Taylor to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, June 27, 1863

HDQRS. DIST. OF W. LA., Alexandria, June 27, 1863.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT, Comdg. United States Forces near Vicksburg:

GENERAL: Your communication of the 22d instant, attributing to the troops of my command, upon evidence furnished you by a white man, certain acts disgraceful alike to humanity and to the reputation of soldiers, has just reached me. In reply, I beg to say that I remained at Richmond and in its vicinity for several days after the skirmish to which you allude, and had any officer or negro been hung the fact must have come to my knowledge, and the act would most assuredly have met with the punishment it deserved. The hanging of a white sergeant by Colonel [I. F.] Harrison's cavalry is, I am satisfied, likewise a fabrication. I shall, however, cause this matter to be thoroughly investigated, and should 1 discover evidence of such acts having been perpetrated the parties shall meet with summary punishment. My orders at all times have been to treat all prisoners with every consideration.

As regards negroes captured in arms, the officers of the Confederate States Army are required by an order emanating from the General Government, to turn all such to the civil authorities, to be dealt over with according to the laws of the State wherein they were captured.

I remain, your obedient servant,

 R. TAYLOR.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 443-4

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Richard Taylor, July 4, 1863

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,

Near Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.

Maj. Gen. R. TAYLOR,

Commanding Confederate Forces, Alexandria, La.:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 27th of June, disclaiming the act of hanging Union soldiers who were taken prisoners by your forces near Milliken's Bend on the 7th of June, is just received. I could not credit the story, though told so straight, and I am now truly glad to hear your denial. The prisoners taken by our forces have not been subjected to any harsh treatment in consequence of the statements detailed in my former letter.

In the matter of treatment of negro soldiers taken prisoners, I do not feel authorized to say what the Government may demand in regard to them, but having taken the responsibility of declaring them free, and having authorized the arming of them [sic] and another for the white soldiers.

This, however, is a subject I am not aware of any action having been taken upon.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

 U.S. GRANT.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 469

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant’s General Orders, No. 25, April 22, 1863

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 25.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE,

Milliken's Bend, La., April 22, 1863.

I. Corps, division, and post commanders will afford all facilities for the completion of the negro regiments now organizing in this department. Commissaries will issue supplies, and quartermasters will furnish stores, on the same requisitions and returns as are required from other troops. It is expected that all commanders will especially exert themselves in carrying out the policy of the Administration, not only in organizing colored regiments and rendering them efficient, but also in removing prejudice against them.

II. In accordance with General Orders, No. 85, Adjutant-General's Office, series 1862, army corps commanders will cause to be issued to all convalescent small-pox patients an entire suit of clothing, free of charge, on being reported for duty by their medical officer. It will be the duty of surgeons in charge of pest-houses to see that all clothing worn by the patients during their sickness is destroyed, and all other necessary precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease. In the absence of corps commanders, issues of clothing required by this order will be directed by the highest military commander nearest the pest-houses.

By order of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant:

 JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 220

60th Ohio Infantry Reorganized

Organized at Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, February to April, 1864. Left State for Alexandria, Va., April 21, 1864. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River, Va., May 3-June 15, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7. Spottsylvania May 8-12. Ny River May 10. Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Ox Ford May 23-24. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion July 30, 1864. Six-Mile House, Weldon Railroad, August 18-21. Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2. Reconnoissance on Vaughan and Squirrel Level Road October 8. Boydton Plank Road, Ratcher's Run, October 27-28. (Co. "K" organized November and December. 1864); 9th and 10th Independent Companies Sharpshooters as Companies "G" and "H," February 25, 1865.) Fort Stedman March 25, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Occupation of Petersburg April 3. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Surrender of Lee and his army at Appomattox Court House April 9. Moved to Alexandria, Va., April 21-28. Duty there and at Washington, D.C., till July. Grand Review at Washington May 23. Mustered out July 28, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 110 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 130 Enlisted men by disease. Total 243.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1525

Madison Wellman, Private, Co. D, 15th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery

Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes, May, 19, 1861

We find a good deal of difficulty in getting new companies or regiments accepted for the war, but we shall persevere.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 18

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, November 15, 1862

Camp Near Memphis, Nov. 15, 1862.

I have abundance of good food, but only take one meal a day, and that a very light one. This morning one of my lady friends in the neighborhood sent me in a most luxurious breakfast, a roasted rabbit with jelly sauces, and all that sort of thing, flanked by four quails with three or four different preparations of bread and other little matters, and after the whole thing had been elaborately spread upon a nice white cloth, I had it all bundled up and sent off as a present to Mrs. Sherman.

I have a great many compliments of this kind and beautiful flowers sent to me, and all sorts of pleasant messages. Last night I passed the evening in company with General Sherman at Bishop Otie's, the Episcopal bishop of this diocese. He has lovely daughters. One of them entertained me with charming songs and harp accompaniment — a most beautiful girl and very accomplished.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 249

Proclamation of Ignatius Donnelly, Governor ad interim of Minnesota, April 16, 1861

STATE OF MINNESOTA.

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR.

whereas, The Government of the United States in the due enforcement of the laws has for several months past been resisted by armed organizations of citizens in several of the Southern States, who, precipitating the country into revolution, have seized upon and confiscated the property of the nation to the amount of many millions of dollars, have taken possession of its forts and arsenals, have fired upon its flag, and at last, consummating their treason, have under circumstances of peculiar indignity and humiliation assaulted and captured a Federal fort, occupied by Federal troops; and,

Whereas, All these outrages it is evident are to be followed by an attempt to seize upon the national capital and the offices and archives of the government; and,

Whereas, The President of the United States recurring in this extremity to the only resource left him — the patriotism of a people, who through three great wars, and all the changes of eighty-five years have ever proved true to the cause of law, order and free institutions — has issued a requisition to the governors of the several states for troops to support the government .

Now Therefore, In pursuance of the law and of the requisition of the President of the United States, I do hereby give notice that volunteers will be received at the city of St. Paul for one regiment of infantry, composed of ten companies, each of sixty-four privates, one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals and one bugler. The volunteer companies already organized, upon complying with the foregoing requirements as to numbers and officers, will be entitled to be first received. The term of service will be three months, unless sooner discharged. Volunteers will report themselves to the adjutant general at St. Paul, by whom orders will at once be issued, giving all the necessary details as to enrollment and organization.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the state at St. Paul, this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.

[seal.]                                                                                                                     Ignatius Donnelly,

By the Governor.                                                                                               Governor ad interim

J. H. Baker,

Secretary of State.

SOURCE: Minnesota. Board of Commissioners on Publication of History of Minnesota in Civil and Indian Wars, Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, Volume 2, p. 3

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 16, 1863

Camp Near Manassas, June 16, 1863.

George¹ wrote to you yesterday and informed you the army had been withdrawn from the Rappahannock. We are now collecting in the vicinity of this place and Centreville, awaiting orders; I presume, also, the development of the enemy's movements. He has not as yet followed us from the Rappahannock, and it is reported that he is in heavy force up the Valley of the Shenandoah, having taken Harper's Ferry and advanced to Chambersburg. I think Lee has made a mistake in going into Maryland before meeting our army. I hope his movement will arouse the North, and that now men enough will be turned out, not only to drive him back, but to follow and crush him. If his course does not awake the North from the lethargy it has been in, nothing will ever save us. We have had the usual hard service of active operations for the last few days, loss of rest and hard riding, but both George and I stand it very well.

_______________

¹ Son of General Mcade.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 385-6

Proclamation of Alexander W. Randall, Governor of Wisconsin, April 16, 1861

To The Loyal People of Wisconsin:

For the first time in the history of this Federal Government, organized treason has manifested itself within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it. The Proclamation of the President of the United States tells of unlawful combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary manner, and calls for military forces to suppress such combinations, and to sustain him in executing the laws. The treasures of the country must no longer be plundered; the public property must be protected from aggressive violence; that already seized, must be retaken, and the laws must be executed in every State of the Union alike.

A demand made upon Wisconsin by the President of the United States, for aid to sustain the Federal Arm, must meet with a prompt response. One Regiment of the Militia of this State, will be required for immediate service, and further services will be required as the exigencies of the Government may demand. It is a time when, against the civil and religious liberties of the people, and against the integrity of the Government of the United States, parties and politicians and platforms must be as dust in the balance. All good citizens, everywhere, must join in making common cause against a common enemy.

Opportunities will be immediately offered to all existing military companies, under the direction of the proper authorities of the State, for enlistment to fill the demand of the Federal Government, and I hereby invite the patriotic citizens of the State to enroll themselves into companies of seventy-eight men each, and to advise the Executive of their readiness to be mustered into service immediately. Detailed instructions will be furnished on the acceptance of companies, and the commissioned officers of each regiment will nominate their own field officers.

In times of public danger bad men grow bold and reckless. The property of the citizen becomes unsafe, and both public and private rights liable to be jeopardized. I enjoin upon all administrative and peace officers within the State renewed vigilance in the maintenance and execution of the laws, and in guarding against excesses leading to disorder among the people.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin, this 16th day of April A. D. 1861.

By the Governor,

ALEX. W. RANDALL

L. P. Harvey, Secretary of State,

SOURCE: Edwin Bentley Quiner, The Military History of Wisconsin, p.47

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, July 29, 1863

We passed a miserable night, for we had no tents and the ground was wet from yesterday's rain; besides, the ground is so rough and hilly that we can hardly find a place big enough to camp on. Things dragged on slowly this morning, so I had a chance to run around some to view the fortifications. The rebels were strongly fortified, and had dug large caves under ground at the foot of the hills just off from the roadway to protect themselves from our shells. Troops are going aboard the transports, some down the river to reinforce General Banks at Port Hudson, and others north to aid General Dodge in Tennessee and northern Mississippi.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 132

60th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Gallipolis, Ohio, and mustered in February 25, 1862. Moved to New Creek, Va., April 27-30. Served Unattached, Kanawha District, West Virginia, to April, 1862. Cluserett's Advance Brigade, Dept. of the Mountains, to June, 1862. Piatt's Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. Miles' Command, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., September, 1862.

SERVICE. – Duty at Franklin May 25, 1862. Pursuit of Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley June. Mt. Carmel Road, near Strasburg, June 1. Strasburg and Staunton Road June 1-2. Harrisonburg June 6. Battle of Cross Keys June 9. Moved to Strasburg June 19-22, thence to Middletown June 24, and duty there till July. At Winchester, Va., till September 2. Evacuation of Winchester september 2, and retreat to Harper's Ferry. Defence of Harper's Ferry September 11-15. Bolivar Heights September 14. Surrendered September 15. Paroled as prisoners of war September 16 and sent to Annapolis, Md.; thence to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill. Mustered out November 10, 1862.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 9 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 30 Enlisted men by disease. Total 42.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1524-5

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, November 11, 1862

CAMP NEAR MEMPHIS, Nov. 11, 1862.

My Dear Wife:

My life is now in comparison to what it has been somewhat monotonous, though full of daily incidents that a year ago would have been excitement enough for any one, a circumstance then that would have caused comment for a month, is now passed over without a second thought. Last night one of my pickets shot a soldier of the 6th Missouri who was attempting to escape from guard. He was a splendidly formed man, and as I looked at him this morning, stripped for washing before burial, shot directly through the body with one of our large Minie-balls, and saw the little unconcern of all about him — even he who shot him — I began to realize better than ever before how valueless human life has become; within an hour the man was buried out of sight and the thing quite forgotten.

It is Indian summer weather, and were it not for the dust, different from anything in my experience in the way of dust, would be delightful; I am in the saddle the greater part of the time and keep three horses pretty well tired down. I never thought I could ride so much without fatigue. Last Friday I was Officer of the Day and rode all day until eleven o'clock at night, came back to camp, changed horses, made the grand round and did not dismount till half-past five o'clock in the morning. That day I rode twenty-two and a half hours out of the twenty-four, and then taking only an hour's nap, reported for duty. I know I rest better in the saddle than in the chair, and almost as well as lying down.

I think I shall be in good trim for a winter campaign. We shall take the field probably in about three weeks. The other day the field officers of our brigade surprised General Sherman by calling in a body and presenting him with sword, sash, belt, etc. — presentation and acceptance very affecting. We were all together at the plains of Shiloh. After presentation invited him to wine supper at hotel; speeches, talk, etc., and a good time generally. Mrs. Sherman, with the General, called upon me this morning, and indeed just left as I sit down to write. She is a very pleasant woman; the more I see of her the better I like her. She often comes to my camp and both she and the general are very hospitable to me; indeed, I believe I eat at their table oftener than at my own. There are several ladies residing not far from my camp, and one in Memphis, with whom I have become acquainted, and at whose house I often visit. It is agreeable to me, as I mess quite alone.

There was a grand Union demonstration in the city yesterday — a procession and the theatre thrown open, and girls dressed in white and mounted on a car to be dragged through the streets and one representing a goddess of liberty, who ought to be chained to a rock and kept there the balance of her days, and a grand band and flags fluttering, and speeches made from the stage by distinguished citizens and military men, and a hurrah, and the General with his staff and me on his right hand, caprioling and cavorting through the streets and standing on balconies, with waving hats and dancing plumes and brass buttons glittering in the sun, and new uniforms covered with dust and other free soil, and many little ragged boys and small girls with unkempt hair and the backs of their gowns gaping wide, and “the Union, it must be preserved,” and General Washington, looking like a superannuated ass with his ears cropped close, and “Esto Perpetua” and “flag of the free heart's hope and home,” and divers other strange devices, all done up in white cotton and carried about on sticks by sundry patriots at the remarkably low price of two dollars a day and whiskey thrown in, and a major and invited guests and the presentation of a Star Spangled Banner, long may it wave, by patriotic ladies of Memphis to Union Club, and all the rest of it done up in a rag after the approved style of Plymouth Rock, and the 4th of July and the 8th of January, and Washington's birthday. Vox populi, vox Dei.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 247-8

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 13, 1863

Camp Above Falmouth, June 13, 1863.

Everything continues very quiet, and two corps having been moved above me on the river, I feel quite secure and comfortable. Reynolds moved up yesterday, and stopped to see me as he passed. He told me that being informed by a friend in Washington, that he was talked of for the command of this army, he immediately went to the President and told him he did not want the command and would not take it. He spoke, he says, very freely to the President about Hooker, but the President said he was not disposed to throw away a gun because it missed fire once; that he would pick the lock and try it again. To-day I hear Hooker is going to place Reynolds in command of the right wing of the army — that is, his corps, Birney's and mine.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 385

Senator John Sherman to William Dennison, Governor of Ohio, April 20, 1861

Mansfield, Ohio

 April 20th/61

My dear Sir

I am very anxious to render any service to the Govmt in my power prior to the meeting of Congress.

From Sandusky I telegraphed to you this desire in hopes I might be made serviceable in the staff of some Gen'l Officer or some position consistent with my slender knowledge of military duties and with my official duties as a Member.

I wish no pay or emolument and still hope you may assign me some such position as I indicate. If you do it I will obey your orders if you do not I will go to Phil or Washington.

I much fear a great disaster at the Capitol before we are prepared to meet it.

Yours Truly,

John Sherman

Gov Dennison –

SOURCE:  This letter is housed in the Library of Congress in Washington, D. C., and was accessed on May 27, 2014, on the website of the United States Senate, upon which there is a transcript and a high resolution digital scan of the letter.

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, July 28, 1863

We started early this morning and though it was hot and sultry, we reached Vicksburg at 10 a. m. So we finally entered Vicksburg after more than eight months in trying to take the place. In the afternoon we moved out a few miles to the north of town and went into bivouac. While in Vicksburg we saw some of the paroled prisoners leaving for their homes. They were indeed sorrowful-looking beings — all in rags and without food; yet they were ready to fight for their cause to the bitter end.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 132

59th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Ripley, Ohio, September 12, 1861. Moved to Maysville, Ky., October 1. Nelson's Campaign in Kentucky October-November. Action at West Liberty October 21. Olympian Springs November 4. Ivy Mountain November 8. Piketown November 8-9. Moved to Louisa, thence to Louisville and to Columbia, Ky., December 11. Attached to 11th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, to-December, 1861. 11th Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Ohio, to March, 1862. 11th Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. 11th Brigade, 5th Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Left Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 21st Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to September, 1864. Unattached, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, to October, 1864. Tullahoma, Tenn., Defences of Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, Dept. of the Cumberland, to October, 1864.

SERVICE. – Duty at Columbia, Ky., December 11, 1861, to February 15, 1862. March to Bowling Green, Ky., thence to Nashville, Tenn., February 15-March 8. March to Savannah, Tenn.; March 18-April 6. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Occupation of Corinth May 30, and pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 12. March to Stevenson, Ala., via Iuka, Miss., Tuscumbia, Florence, Huntsville and Athens, Ala., June 12-July 24; thence to Battle Creek and duty there till August 20. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 20-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-22. Battle of Perryville October 8 (Reserve). Nelson's Cross Roads October 18, March to Nashville, Tenn., October 22-November 7, and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. At Murfreesboro till June. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-26. Orchard Knob November 23. Tunnel Hill November 24-25. Mission Ridge November 25. Pursuit to Graysville November 26-27. March to relief of Knoxville November 28-December 8. Operations in East Tennessee till April, 1864. Action at Charleston December 28, 1863 (Detachment). Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Demonstrations on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton May 8-13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Adairsville May 17. Near Kingston May 18-19. Near Cassville May 19. Advance on Dallas May 22-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Pickett's Mills May 27. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 10-14 Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Transferred to 23rd Army Corps and ordered to Tullahoma, Tenn., thence to Nashville, Tenn., October 24. Mustered out October 31, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 45 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 109 Enlisted men by disease. Total 157.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1524

Proclamation of Oliver P. Morton, Governor of Indiana, April 16, 1861

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR.

Whereas, An armed rebellion has been organized in certain States of this Union, having for its purpose the overthrow of the Government of the United States;

And WHEREAS, The authors and movers in this rebellion have seized, by violence, various forts and arsenals belonging to the United States, and otherwise plundered the Government of large amounts of money and valuable property;

And Whereas, Fort Sumter, a fortress belonging to the United States, the exclusive possession and jurisdiction over which were vested in the General Government by the Constitution of the United States, has been besieged by a large army, and assaulted by a destructive cannonade and reduced to submission, and the National flag hauled down and dishonored;

And Whereas, The President of the United States, in the exercise of the power vested in him by the Federal Constitution, has called upon the several States remaining true to their allegiance to aid him in the enforcement of the laws, the recovery of the National property, and the maintainance of the rightful authority of the United States;

Now, therefore, I, Oliver P. Morton, Governor of the State of Indiana, call upon the loyal and patriotic men of this State, to the number of six regiments, to organize themselves into military companies, and forthwith report the same to the Adjutant General, in order that they may be speedily mustered into the service of the United States. The details of the organization are set forth in the instructions of the Adjutant General, herewith published.

OLIVER P. MORTON, Governor.

Lewis Wallace, Adjutant General.

Indianapolis, April 16, 1861.

SOURCE: William H. H. Terrell, Indiana in the War of the Rebellion, p. 332

Oliver P. Morton, Governor of Indiana, to Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861

Executive Department Of Indiana,

Indianapolis, April 15,1861.

To Abraham Lincoln,

President of the United States:

On behalf of the State of Indiana, I tender to you, for the defence of the Nation and to uphold the authority of the Government, ten thousand men.

oliver P. Morton,

Governor of Indiana.

SOURCE: Indiana Republican State Central Committee, Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana: A Sketch of His Life and Public Services, p. 15

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to His Daughters, October 23, 1862

Camp Near Memphis, Oct. 23, 1862.

My Dear Daughters:

I must address you together as I would talk to you. Would to God that I could see you and talk to you; yet, perhaps, it is better I should not. I should love you too well and you would be taken away from me, or the petty cares of every day would make me appear less tender in my manner than I am in heart. You will always love me, I know, whatever distance or time separates.

I am in very great trouble and grief this morning, and cannot write as cheerfully as I could wish. My favorite horse “Bell” was stolen from me two days ago and to me his loss is irreparable. He is the best and handsomest horse I ever saw. In all my experience of horses, whether belonging to others or myself, I have never known his equal. He had improved very much the past year, even amid the vicissitudes of the campaign, and had become thoroughly trained in all his duties. He was the horse par excellence of the army, in whom all officers and men alike of all the different regiments and brigades took equal pride. No one seemed to grudge or envy me the ownership of him. He was a creature of beauty that seems to be a joy to all. He knew me and loved me like a child, and would always neigh and stretch out his neck to be fondled whenever I approached him, and rejoiced when I mounted him. He carried me through both days at Shiloh and many a skirmish since over the long marches under the burning summer sun, always with high courage, gallant and enduring, never complaining for food or water, though often deprived of both. I have slept many and many a night under a tree with his bridle in my hand. I believe under God's mercy I owe my life to him. Money could not have bought him from me, nor friendship parted us, and now to lose him in this pitiful way is almost more than I can bear. If he had fallen in battle I would have accepted his loss as the fate of war, but to be stolen, disfigured, branded, passed from hand to hand like a common pad, I could almost cry like a very baby when I think of it. He was never sold, his owner kept him from a foal till he came to my possession and he would recognize no one but me for his master. One day during a lull in the storm of battle (it was at Russell House, the last engagement I was in) I had a presentiment he would be killed. Shot and shell had fallen around us, and partly for that presentiment, partly in abstraction and rest, I pulled some hairs from his mane and plaited them to keep as a memento, if he should go under. That little braid is all I have left of the proudest game horse in America.¹ Do you see, my dear daughters, I am not in the vein to write you a very pleasant letter to-day, though the weather is delightful, the air balmy, the woods still green, though the leaves are falling, ripened but not frosted. It is Indian summer, but without the tints that gild the forest in Ohio. There is a little smoky haze in the atmosphere and a peculiar rustle of the leaves and grass, that tells the autumn is well-nigh over, yet I am told that warm weather here runs nearly into Christmas.

______________

¹ He was subsequently recovered.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 245-6

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 11, 1863

Camp, June 11,1863.

This army is weakened, and its morale not so good as at the last battle, and the enemy are undoubtedly stronger and in better morale. Still, I do not despair, but that if they assume the offensive and force us into a defensive attitude, that our morale will be raised, and with a moderate degree of good luck and good management, we will give them better than they can send. War is very uncertain in its results, and often when affairs look the most desperate they suddenly assume a more hopeful state. See the changes and transitions at Vicksburg, to say nothing of our own experience. This makes me hope that it will be our turn next time. The day before yesterday Pleasanton, with all the cavalry and two brigades of infantry, crossed just above us, and had a very brilliant affair with the enemy's cavalry, who it appears were just ready and about starting on a grand raid, some say into Pennsylvania.¹ They outnumbered us, but after handling them pretty severely, Pleasanton came back. The Lancers particularly distinguished themselves, though I am sorry to hear with considerable loss.²  It is said Major Morris³ is missing, supposed to have been thrown from his horse and fallen into the enemy's hands. Captain Davis⁴ was killed. Lennig⁵ is missing, believed to be wounded. Captain Leiper⁶ is missing. Lieutenant Ellis⁷ is wounded. Lieutenant Colladay,⁸ missing. Charley Cadwalader⁹ was with them, also Captain Dahlgren, of General Hooker's staff. This latter officer says he was with Morris, and had just jumped a ditch, when his horse was shot. On dismounting, and looking around, he saw Morris's horse without a rider, and he thinks Morris was thrown in jumping the ditch. Charles Coxe¹⁰ is all right, so also is Willie White,¹¹ who had two horses shot under him, and broke two sabres. Newhall¹² was on Pleasanton's staff, and was not with the regiment when it made a dashing and gallant charge on a battery, getting hi among the guns, which they would have captured had they been promptly supported. Harry Winsor¹³ is safe, also Welsh.¹⁴ I am glad the regiment has had a chance and so brilliantly availed themselves of it. George¹⁵ is quite disgusted with his luck, but I tell him a live dog is better than a dead lion.

The backing out of Burnside's course towards the Chicago Times looks suspicious on the part of the President. If peace can be secured without loss of honor, no one would be more rejoiced than I; but I do not see how this can be brought about, with matters as they stand at present. If we could only thoroughly whip these fellows two or three times, regular out-and-out defeats; but I don't advocate peace until we have clearly shown them, as we ought to have done long since, our superiority in the field. I can hardly expect you to enter fully into these views, but if you had been humiliated as I have been by seeing your cause and party defeated when they should be victorious, you would be roiled, too, and would not be willing to give up till things assumed an aspect more consistent with your pride and honor.

We are now on the qui vive to know what the enemy are going to do. I am removed from Hooker's headquarters and know nothing of what is going on, either of plans or surmises. In some respects this is convenient, as I am spared much speculation. In other respects it is not so agreeable, because I like to form my own judgment on what is going on, and to make my preparations accordingly. If Lee is going to assume the offensive, I presume he will not long delay; but whether he will move to our right, trying to get between us and Washington, or whether he will move up the valley as he did last summer, or whether he will attack us here, are questions the future only can solve. All we can do is to be on the lookout and ready. Perhaps Hooker may find a chance to assume the offensive and reverse matters, as the enemy did at Chancellorsville. This I think would be good luck for us.

_______________

¹ Battle of Brandy Station, Va., June 9, 1863.

² "Rush's Lancers," 6th Pa. Cav.

³ Robert Morris, Jr., of Philadelphia, captured and died in Libby Prison.

⁴ Charles B. Davis, of Philadelphia.

⁵ Thompson Lennig, of Philadelphia.

⁶ Charles L. Leiper, of Philadelphia.

⁷ Rudolph Ellis, of Philadelphia.

⁸ Samuel R. Colladay.

⁹ Charles E. Cadwalader, of Philadelphia.

¹⁰ Charles B. Coxe, of Philadelphia.

¹¹ William White, of Philadelphia.

¹² Frederick C. Newhall, of Philadelphia.

¹³ Henry Winsor, Jr., of Boston.

¹⁴ Osgood Welsh, of Philadelphia.

¹⁵ Son of General Meade.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 383-5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, July 27, 1863

Our brigade started for Vicksburg at 4 o'clock this afternoon. We moved only four miles, when we stopped for the night. The country is very rough and the heavy rains have made the roads very muddy.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 132

Lieutenant-Colonel John Rawlins to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, June 6, 1863 – 1 a.m.

Before VICKSBURG, MISS., June 6th, 1863, 1 A. M.

DEAR GENERAL:

The great solicitude I feel for the safety of this army leads me to mention, what I had hoped never again to do, the subject of your drinking. This may surprise you, for I may be, and trust I am, doing you an injustice by unfounded suspicion, but if in error, it had better be on the side of the country's safety than in fear of offending a friend.

I have heard that Dr. McMillan at General Sherman's a few days ago induced you, notwithstanding your pledge to me, to take a glass of wine, and to-day when I found a box of wine in front of your tent, and proposed to move it, which I did, I was told you had forbid its being taken away, for you intended to keep it until you entered Vicksburg, that you might have it for your friends; and to-night, when you should, because of the condition of your health, if nothing else, have been in bed, I find you where the wine bottle has just been emptied, in company with those who drink and urge you to do likewise; and the lack of your usual promptness and decision, and clearness of expressing yourself in writing, conduces to confirm my suspicion.

You have the full control over your appetite, and can let drinking alone. Had you not pledged me the sincerity of your honor early last March, that you would drink no more during the war, and kept that pledge during your recent campaign, you would not to-day have stood first in the world's history as a successful military leader. Your only salvation depends upon your strict adherence to that pledge. You cannot succeed in any other way. . . .

As I have before stated, I may be wrong in my suspicions, but if one sees that which leads him to suppose a sentinel is falling asleep on his post, it is his duty to arouse him; and if one sees that which leads him to fear the General commanding a great army is being seduced to that step which he knows will bring disgrace upon that General and defeat upon his command, if he fails to sound the proper note of warning, the friends, wives and children of those brave men whose lives he permits to remain thus in peril, will accuse him while he lives, and stand swift witnesses of wrath against him in the day when all shall be tried.

If my suspicions are unfounded, let my friendship for you and my zeal for my country be my excuse for this letter; and if they are correctly founded, and you determine not to heed the admonitions and prayers of this hasty note, by immediately ceasing to touch a single drop of any kind of liquor, no matter by whom asked or under what circumstances, let my immediate relief from duty in this department be the result. I am, General,

Yours respectfully,

JOHN A. RAWLINS.

SOURCES: James Harrison Wilson, The life of John A. Rawlins, p. 128-9; John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 322-3

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball, June 5, 1863

Head Quarters, Dept. of the Tn.

Near Vicksburg, June 5th/63

Brig. Gen. N. Kimball,

Comd.g Advance Forces,

Mechanicsburg Miss.

GEN.

Your dispatch is just received. I will renew my instructions not to run any risk of having your forces cut off from the main body. If Mechanicsburg is not safely tenable fall back to Oak Ridge Post Office or Hain’s Bluff as necessity may dictate. Should you move back of course you will direct the transports and Gunboats at Satartia to fall back to such position as will be most advantageous to you.

I am exceedingly anxious to learn the probable force of the enemy on the West side of the Black River. Keep me constantly informed of all you may be able to learn.

Very respectfully

U. S. GRANT

Maj. Gen. Com

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8: April 1-July 6, 1863, p. 316

Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball to Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Rawlins, June 5, 1863

HEADQUARTERS KIMBALL'S PROVISIONAL DIVISION,

Satartia, Miss., June 5, 1863.

COLONEL: I find the enemy in force at Yazoo City. About 6 miles above here are 8.000, at Liverpool. The whole force on this (the Big Black) river is 20,000 infantry and cavalry and twenty-five guns. The force between the Yazoo and Black Rivers is under [W. H. T.] Walker. Johnston's headquarters are still at Canton, where he is massing troops; rumor says 60,000.

My cavalry penetrated to the Big Black River yesterday, and burned the ferries east of this place, but I find it impossible to go farther north on the Big Black as the enemy hold the country in force.

General Mower is occupying Mechanicsburg, and I am doing everything possible to obstruct an advance should one be made by the enemy. Should it be desired to hold this place in such a case, more force will be required and more artillery. Should I not be able to beat or repulse them, I shall hold to the very last.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Lieut. Col. JOHN A. RAWLINS,

Assistant Adjutant-Genera1.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 387

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General John A. McClernand, June 6, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS., June 6, 1863.

Maj. Gen. JOHN A. MCCLERNAND,

Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps:

I am going up to Mechanicsburg. Cannot be back before to-morrow night. Make all advance possible in approaches during my absence. Communications signaled to Haynes' Bluff will reach me.

U.S. GRANT.

(Copies furnished Major-Generals Sherman and McPherson.)

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 387

58th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, October 1, 1861, to January 28, 1862. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, February 10, 1862; thence to Fort Donelson, Tenn. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. Helena, Ark., District of Eastern Arkansas, to November, 1862, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 11th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to February, 1863. Detached duty on ironclads Mississippi Squadron to September, 1863. 1st Brigade 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, to September, 1864. Post and Defences of Vicksburg, Miss., to September, 1865.

SERVICE. – Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 14-16, 1862. Expedition toward Purdy and operations about Crump's Landing, Tenn., March 9-14. Battle of Shiloh April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Memphis, Tenn., June 1-17, and duty there till July 24. Moved to Helena, Ark., July 24, and duty there till October 5. Expedition to Milliken's Bend, La., August 16-27. Capture of Steamer "Fair Play" August 17. Milliken's Bend August 18. Haines Bluff August 20. Bolivar August 22 and 25. Greenville August 23. Moved to St. Genevieve, Mo., October 5. Expedition to Pilot Knob October 22-November 12. Moved to Helena, Ark., and Expedition against Arkansas Post, Ark., November 16-21. At Camp Steele, Helena, Ark., till December 22. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point, La., January 17-21. Assigned to duty by Companies on the ironclads of the Mississippi Squadron February 8, and participated in the following service: Attack on Fort Pemberton March 13. Expedition up Steele's Bayou March 16-22. Deer Creek, "Long Taw," March 21. Running Vicksburg Batteries April 15. Grand Gulf April 29. Haines Bluff April 30-May 1 and 6. Expedition up Wachita to Trinity May 8-12. Fort Beauregard May 10-12. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Yazoo City May 23. Lake Providence June 10. Patrol duty on the Mississippi River from mouth of Red River till July 26. Expedition to Grand Gulf July 10-17. Grand Gulf July 16. Relieved from duty with the fleet and ordered to Vicksburg, Miss. Provost duty at Vicksburg July, 1863, to September, 1865. Old members ordered to Columbus, Ohio, December 24, 1864. Mustered out January 14, 1865. Veterans and Recruits consolidated to a Battalion of five Companies and mustered out September 16, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 85 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 215 Enlisted men by disease. Total 305.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1524

The Star-Flag Of The Free

(From the Ledger.)

BY GEORGE F. MORRIS.

“The Union now and forever — ONE and inseparable.” — WEBSTER. 

“United we stand — divided we fall.” — PROVERB.

This is the price of Liberty,

“Eternal vigilance and care;”

Sustain the star-flag of the free,

Our Union — represented there.

No traitor shall, with recreant hand,

Remove it from its place on high—

The symbol of our native land,

Which might the world in arms defy!

Oh ye, who cherish Liberty,

And every hope that on her waits,

Preserve for your posterity

The perfect Union of the States.

The stars that flutter to the breeze,

Were cluster'd there at Freedom's call—

Stern Fate foreshadowed all of these,

If sundered, would to ruin fall!

Then read, ye sons of Liberty,

And mark the homely proverb well,

Words that denote your destiny

Should States this solemn truth repel.

In Union there is strength and peace,

In separation endless wars—

Guard, bravely guard, till time shall cease,

Our country's free-born Flag of Stars.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 2

Shall Demagogues rule our Country?

The Democrat is puzzled.  It thinks it very strange if the Democratic party be dead, as some of its leaders have asserted, that republicans should kick its carcass.  It is true the old Democratic party is occasionally held up as a warning; that the civil war is instanced as the fruits of its policy in upholding slavery; and its most favored leader, now in retirement at Wheatland, pointed at as the man under whose administration the war was fomented; still it is not at that defunct political organization the blows of the republican party are aimed, but at the effort that is being made to resurrect it.  In the present distracted condition of the country the people of the North should be one in sentiment, one for the Union under all circumstances and not paralyze their strength by divisions among themselves.

If the Democratic party be dead, argues our neighbor, what the necessity of keeping up the Republican organization?  We answer, because it chimes with the popular sentiment of the North and the fact of its ceasing to exist would be taken as prima facie evidence that its principles were no longer entertained by the people, and the consequence would be, the immediate revival of the Democratic party on the broad basis of slavery as its foundation.  But as they are pro-slavery in principle, they hope with the aid received from the slaveholders of the South, after peace shall have been declared, to have a powerful political organization.  Hence, the leniency toward rebel slaveholders, which they constantly preach, their opposition to every enactment that favors the confiscation of rebel property, and their desire for compromise.  While they know that their party must be organized upon a slavery basis, they are not blind to the fact that it cannot receive much strength from the North, but must look for its element of power to the South.

It was the political demagogues of the South that seized upon the favorable moment to plunge our country into civil war.  Had the judgment of the people been consulted, there would have been no war.  So it is now with the same class of “rule or ruin” men, who, wishing for power, and regardless of the means of obtaining it, would combine the elements of treason into a political party, that they may be foisted into office.  If they succeed in their nefarious intentions our government will be founded upon Sicilian soil, liable at any moment to be disrupted by the internal fires of civil dissension.

Never in the history of our country has there been a time more favorable to the founding of our Republic upon a rock, against which the storms of party strife may beat without avail, then than the present.  If now the great question of human slavery – which contains within it the seeds of dissolution, and with which incorporated in it no nation can long exist on earth – be settled – the very God of Heaven will smile upon us, and we shall become the most prosperous and powerful people on the face of the globe.  But if we throw aside our present advantages, disregard our present opportunities, and permit ourselves to be ruled by a parcel of demagogues, who will fasten this incubus upon us, we will have gained nothing by civil war, and still continue to live under a Government possessing the same element of discord that came so near effecting our ruin.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 2

Simon Cameron to Richard Yates, Governor of Illinois, April 15, 1861

WASHINGTON, April 15, 1861.

His Excellency, Richard Yates:

Call made on you by to-night's mail for six regiments for immediate service.

SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

SOURCE: T. M. Eddy, The Patriotism Of Illinois, Volume 1, p. 78

Proclamation of Richard Yates, Governor of Illinois, April 15, 1861

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 15, 1861.

I, Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, hereby convene the Legislature of the State, and the members of the twenty-second session of the General Assembly are hereby required to be and appear in their respective places, at the Capitol, on TUESDAY, the twenty-third day of April, A. D. 1861, for the purpose of enacting such laws and adopting such measures as may be deemed necessary, upon the following subjects: The more perfect organization and equipment of the militia of the State, and placing the same upon the best footing to render assistance to the General Government in preserving the Union, enforcing the laws and protecting the property and rights of the people; also, the raising of such money and other means as may be required to carry out the foregoing object; and also to provide for the expenses of such session.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed at the City of Springfield, the 15th day of April, A, D. 1861.

RICHARD YATES.

By order of the Governor:

O. M. HATCH, Secretary of State.

SOURCE: T. M. Eddy, The Patriotism Of Illinois, Volume 1, p. 78-9

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 8, 1863

June 8, 1863.

I think for the present the storm has blown over. Both Lee and Hooker appear to be playing at cross-purposes. Hooker took it into his head that Lee was moving and made preparations accordingly. These preparations were construed by Lee into a movement on our part, etc. Sedgwick is still, I understand, across, below Fredericksburg, but is unmolested by the enemy. Pleasanton, with a large force of cavalry, will cross above to-day, and push his way towards Culpeper and Gordonsville, to see what they are doing in that direction.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 383

Proclamation of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, April 17, 1861

PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, The President of the United States has made a requisition on the Executive of the State of Iowa for one regiment of militia, to aid the Federal Government in enforcing its laws and suppressing rebellion. Now therefore I, Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of the State of Iowa, do issue this proclamation and hereby call upon the militia of this State immediately to form, in the different counties volunteer companies, with the view of entering the active military service of the United States for the purpose aforesaid. The regiment at present required will consist of ten companies of at least seventy-eight men each, one captain and two lieutenants to be elected by each company.

Under the present requisition only one regiment can be accepted, and the companies accepted must hold themselves in readiness for duty by the 20th of May next at farthest. If a sufficient number of companies are tendered, their service maybe required. If more companies are formed and reported than can be received under the present call, their services will be required in the event of another requisition upon this State. The nation is in peril. A fearful attempt is being made to overthrow the Constitution and dissolve the Union. The aid of every loyal citizen is invoked to sustain the General Government.

For the honor of our State let the requirement of the President be cheerfully and promptly met.

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD

Iowa City, April 17, A. D. 1861.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 114

Francis M. Harmon, Private, Co. F, 15th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, July 26, 1863

We were relieved by an Iowa brigade from Sherman's army, which just arrived, but we remained in bivouac all day, awaiting orders. One of General Sherman's foraging trains came in; they are going to forage for oats. News came that there was fighting going on at Charleston, South Carolina. It was quite hot this morning, and in the afternoon we had a hard rainstorm. A great many of the boys in camp here are sick with the chills, while others are almost worn out by the hard service.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 131

57th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Vance, Findlay, Ohio, September 16, 1861. Moved to Camp Chase, Ohio, January 22, 1862. Ordered to Paducah, Ky., February 18. Attached to District of Paducah, Ky., to March, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to May. 1862. 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. 1st Brigade, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Tenn., to November, 1862. 4th Brigade, 5th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Memphis, 13th Army Corps, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to September, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps, to July, 1865. Dept. of Arkansas to August, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Paducah, Ky., till March 6, 1862. Moved to Savannah, Tenn., March 6-10. Expedition to Yellow Creek and occupation of Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 14-17. Expedition to Eastport, Miss., and Chickasaw, Ala., April 1-2. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Corinth Road April 8. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Russell House, near Corinth, May 17. March to Memphis, Tenn., via La-Grange, Grand Junction and Holly Springs June 1-July 18. Rising Sun, Tenn., June 30. Duty at Memphis till November. Expedition from Memphis to Coldwater and Herando, Miss., September 8-13. Skirmish at Wolf Creek Bridge September 23. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign. "Tallahatchie March" November 26-December 13. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 20, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28, 1862. Chickasaw Bluff December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Expedition to South Bend, Arkansas River, January 14-15. Moved to Young's Point, La., January 17-21, and duty there till March. Expedition to Rolling Fork, Miss., via Muddy, Steele's and Black Bayous and Deer Creek March 14-27. Demonstration on Haines and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 2. Movement to join army in rear of Vicksburg, Miss., via Richmond and Grand Gulf May 2-14. Battle of Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Duty at Big Black till September 27. Moved to Memphis, thence march to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 27-November 20. Operations on Memphis & Chattanooga Railroad in Alabama October 20-29. Bear Creek, Tuscumbia, October 27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Tunnel Hill November 23-25. Foot of Missionary Ridge November 24. Mission Ridge November 25. Pursuit to Graysville November 26-27. March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn., November 28-December 8. Reenlisted January 1, 1864. Veterans on furlough February-March. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Demonstrations on Resaca May 8-13. Near Resaca May 13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 5. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 6-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Ezra Chapel, Hood's 2nd Sortie, July 28. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Clinton November 21-23. Ball's Ferry and Georgia Central Railroad Bridge November 23-25. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Fort McAllister December 13. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Salkehatchie Swamps, S.C., February 2-5. Holman's Bridge, South Edisto River, February 9. North Edisto River February 12-13. Columbia February 16-17. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 30. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June 2; thence to Little Rock, Ark., and duty there till August. Mustered out August 14, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 77 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 234 Enlisted men by disease. Total 319.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1523-4

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 6, 1863

CAMP ABOVE FALMOUTH, June 6, 1863.

My last letter told you that my corps had been moved up the river, charged with the duty of guarding the several crossing places, and preventing, if possible, the passage of the river by the enemy. General Hooker had received intelligence which induced him to believe Lee was about attempting a manoeuvre similar to the one we tried last month. I have consequently been actively employed riding about, superintending the posting of troops, giving instructions, etc. As yet everything has been very quiet on our part of the line. To-day, however, Hooker had reason to believe most of the enemy had left his immediate front on the heights back of Fredericksburg. He accordingly undertook to throw a bridge across, where Franklin crossed last December. About five o'clock yesterday evening we heard heavy firing, which lasted nearly two hours, which, I understand, was our batteries, endeavoring to drive the enemy from the rifle-pits they had dug to oppose the construction of the bridge. I do not know whether we succeeded or not, as, being some miles away, I have no means of ascertaining. It has been my opinion for some time that Lee would assume the offensive so soon as he was reinforced sufficiently to justify him in doing so; but whether he has yet commenced is, I think, not positively settled. Nor have I quite made up my mind what he will do when he moves. I should think it would be policy on his part to endeavor to overcome this army before he undertakes any invasion of the North. His experience of last summer should teach him the danger of leaving an army on his flank and rear, and if he can once destroy or cripple this army, he will have no opposition to his progress of invasion. It is this reasoning which makes me wonder at the supineness and apathy of the Government and people, leaving this army reduced as it has been by casualties of battle and expiration of service, and apparently making no effort to reinforce it.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 382-3

Frank Blais, Private, Co. C, 11th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, July 25, 1863

Our brigade returned to the bridge and went into camp, with Colonel Chambers in command of the entire post. Our army field hospital is located here and the convalescents are being cared for in it. Refugees by the thousands are at this place and are still pouring in by the hundreds from every direction, ahead of Sherman's returning army. It is a wonderful sight to see; they are of all colors and ages, though mostly women and children. I bought a gold pen today from the sutler for $2.00, and had the misfortune to lose it before night.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 131

56th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Morrow, Portsmouth, Ohio, and mustered in December 12, 1861. Moved to Paducah, Ky., thence to Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 12-15, 1862. Fort Donelson February 15-16. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. Helena, Ark., District of Eastern Arkansas, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 12th Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of the Tennessee, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 12th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to August, 1863, and Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1864. Defences of New Orleans, La., Dept. of the Gulf, to April, 1866.

SERVICE. – Expedition toward Purdy and operations about Crump's Landing March 9-14, 1862. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Memphis, Tenn., June 1-13, and duty there till July 24. Germantown and Lafayette Station June 25. Ordered to Helena, Ark., June 24, and duty there till April, 1863. Gorman's Expedition from Helena to Eunice August 28-September 5, 1862. Expedition against Arkansas Post November 16-21. Ordered to Milliken's Bend, La., April 11, 1863. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Port Gibson May 1. Fourteen-Mile Creek May 12. Battle of Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Ordered to New Orleans, La., August 13. Duty there till September 13, and at Berwick Bay till October. Western Louisiana ("Teche") Campaign October 3-November 30. Grand Coteau November 3. At New Iberia till December 17. Moved to New Orleans December 17, thence to Madisonville January 22, 1864, and duty there till March 1. Moved to New Orleans March 1. Red River Campaign March 10-May 5. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Battle of Sabine Cross Roads April 8. Pleasant Hill April 9. Monett's Ferry, Cane River, April 23. At Alexandria April 26-May 4. Davidson's Ferry, Red River, May 4-5. Natchitoches May 5. Dunn's Bayou, destruction of Transport "Warner," May 5. Veterans absent on furlough May to July. Return to New Orleans, La., and duty in the Defences of that city till April, 1866. Expedition from New Orleans to Mandeville January 15-17, 1865 (Detachment). Non-Veterans mustered out November, 1864. Regiment mustered out April 25, 1866.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 55 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 156 Enlisted men by disease. Total 216.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1523

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, October 16, 1862

CAMP ON HERNANDO ROAD, NEAR MEMPHIS,

Oct. 16, 1862.

MY DEAR WIFE:

A stupid publication in the Commercial of the 13th inst. causes me anxiety lest you should be made to suffer in the belief that I am the interesting individual referred to. For good or for evil the newspapers are bound to misspell my name, to destroy my identity, to take away, as far as possible, my individuality, and now they propose to publish me wounded. I think, however, your good sense will enable you to locate me right. The number of my regiment, my brigade and division under General Sherman will enable my family to place me. There is no telegraph from this point or I would telegraph you. I have just returned from a reconnoissance into Mississippi. We met no enemy and had not even a skirmish. I commanded the expedition. Temporarily my command is somewhat more independent than it was and I have had artillery assigned to my command in connection with my regiment. My duties are very active. The weather is cooler, and my health improving. If we should have frost it would be everything to me.

They had a big fight at Corinth. Many of my personal friends have gone under, among them Jim Jackson, formerly member of Congress from Kentucky. I knew him intimately in Washington and renewed my acquaintance with him before Corinth in the field. His was a gallant, noble spirit. God! how many of them are gone, to “barter breath for fame.” That was a bloody, bloody fight while it lasted; I mean the dash on Corinth. Rosecrans has immortalized himself. He's a splendid soldier. I can't tell what our movements will be; Sherman knows as little of them as any one; coming events will determine. I do not think we shall be marched from this point for some weeks, unless upon expeditions to return.

I am writing as usual hastily, to save the mail; the fact is, I eat, drink, sleep, walk, ride, talk, write in a hurry. I am hurrying through life; as poor father used to say, “I was born in a hurry and shall die in a hurry.” Time never sped so fast with me.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 244-5

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 3, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, Va., June 3, 1863.

George made his appearance this morning; he seems quite delighted with the change in his position, and particularly tickled at being made a captain. Lieutenant Colonel Webb (son of James Watson Webb), who is on my staff, has just returned from a short leave in New York. He says every one in New York is talking of the fight at Chancellorsville, and is well posted up in all its details.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 382

General John Bell Hood to General Braxton Bragg, September 3, 1864 – 1:45 p.m.

LOVEJOY'S STATION, GA., September 3, 1864 – 1.45 p.m.

General BRAXTON BRAGG,

Richmond, Va.:

For the offensive, my troops at present are not more than equal to their own numbers. To prevent this country from being overrun re-enforcements are absolutely necessary.

J. B. HOOD.

SOURCES: John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 245; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 38, Part 5 (Serial No. 76), p. 1016