Major-General Daniel A. Butterfield to Major-General Winfield Scott Hancock, July 1, 1863 – 1:10 p.m.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

July 1, 1863 – 1.10 p.m.

Major-General HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding has just been informed that General Reynolds has been killed or badly wounded. He directs that you turn over the command of your corps to General Gibbon; that you proceed to the front, and, by virtue of this order, in case of the truth of General Reynolds' death, you assume command of the corps there assembled, viz, the Eleventh, First, and Third, at Emmitsburg. If you think the ground and position there a better one to fight a battle under existing circumstances, you will so advise the general, and he will order all the troops up. You know the general's views, and General Warren, who is fully aware of them, has gone out to see General Reynolds.

LATER – l.15 p.m.

Reynolds has possession of Gettysburg, and the enemy are reported as falling back from the front of Gettysburg. Hold your column ready to move.

Very respectfully, &c.,

 DANL. BUTTERFIELD,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

(Copy to Major-General Howard.)

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 37; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27, Part 3 (Serial No. 45), p. 461

Brigadier-General James Shields: Saint Mary's Cemetery, Carrollton, Missouri

Saint Mary’s Cemetery

Carrollton, Carroll County, Missouri

GENERAL

JAMES SHIELDS

BORN IN COUNTY TYRONE, IRELAND

MAY 10, 1810

DIED IN OTTUMWA, IOWA

JUNE 1, 1879

SOLDIER

JURIST

STATESMAN

ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES UNDER AN ACT

OF THE CONGRESS APPROVED MARCH 15, 1910.

[On The Right Side:]

CERRO GORDO

CHAPULTEPEC

[On The Back:]

UNITED STATES

SENATOR FROM

ILLINOIS

MINNESOTA

AND

MISSOURI

[On The Left Side:]

WINCHESTER

PORT REPUBLIC

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, August 16, 1863

We had regimental inspection this morning at 8 o'clock. The regiment showed itself in splendid order. A man from the Fifteenth Iowa was buried this morning, having died of fever.¹ Some of the sick boys of our regiment started home today on their furloughs. Mark Titus was the only one from our company, though some of the boys still have the fever.

_______________

¹ John Chrismore, Knoxville, Iowa. He died August 15th and was buried In National Cemetery at Vicksburg, Section G, grave 172. — Roster Iowa Soldiers, Vol. II, p. 926.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 135

79th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, August, 1862. Ordered to Kentucky September 3, 1862. Advance to Crittenden, Ky., September 7. thence moved to Louisville, Ky. Attached to Ward's Brigade, 12th Division, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. Ward's Brigade, Post of Gallatin, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to August, 1863. Ward's Brigade, Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to January, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to April, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1865.

SERVICE. – March to Frankfort, Ky., October 3-9, 1862. Occupation of Frankfort October 9, and duty there till October 26. Expedition to Lawrenceburg in pursuit of Morgan October 10-13. March to Bowling Green, Ky., October 26-November 4, thence to Scottsville and to Gallatin November 25, and duty there till December 11. Moved to South Tunnel December 11, and duty there till February 1, 1863. Duty at Gallatin till June 1. Moved to Lavergne June 1, thence to Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 2, and to Lavergne July 29. To Nashville, Tenn., August 19, and duty there till February 24, 1864. March to Wauhatchie Valley, Tenn., February 24-March 10, and duty there till May 2. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 2-September 8. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Cassville May 19. Advance on Dallas May 22-25. New Hope Church May 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 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Golgotha or Gilgal Church June 15. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes Creek June 19. Kolb's Farm June 22. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochoe River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Occupation of Atlanta September 2-November 15. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Occupation of Robertsville, S.C., January 30. Lawtonville February 2. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro, N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. 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 20. Grand Review May 24. Mustered out June 9, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 54 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 91 Enlisted men by disease. Total 146.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1533

General John Bell Hood to General Braxton Bragg, October 2, 1864

PALMETTO, GA., October 2, 1864.

General B. BRAGG,

Richmond, Va.:

To-night my right will be at Powder Springs with my left at Lost Mountain. This will, I think, force the enemy to move on me or to move south. Should he move toward Augusta all available troops should be sent there, with an able officer of high rank to command. Could General Lee spare a division for that place in such an event?

J. B. HOOD,

General.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 39, Part 2 (Serial No. 79), p. 880; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 256

Lieutenant-General James Longstreet to Colonel Walter H. Taylor, March 30, 1865

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,

March 30, 1865.

Col. W. H. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General:

Your letter expressing the views of the commander-in-chief in reference to the policy to be pursued in raising negro troops is received. I am apprehensive that we shall have applications and evidence enough to take from us more men than we can well spare at this critical moment in our affairs. It seems to me that any person who has the influence to raise a company or regiment by going home could do so as well by letters to his friends at home. If I am right in this opinion an order announcing that the officers of the companies and regiments of colored troops would be appointed from the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates on duty with our armies would have the effect of bringing back more absentees than we should lose by making the appointments. If we may judge of our future success in getting up new organizations by the past we may rely upon it that many will furnish the necessary evidence and go home and there remain for eight or ten or twelve months. I think that it would be well to publish a general order explaining more clearly the policy indicated in your letter in order that a better general understanding may exist among the parties who may desire to furnish evidence of their ability to get up new organizations; otherwise I may adopt rules which would not be as favorable to the officers and men of this command as those of other commands.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 J. LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant-General.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 46, Part 3 (Serial No. 97), p. 1367; James Longstreet, From Manassas to Appomattox, p. 653

John Brown to Henry and Ruth Brown Thompson, April 6, 1853

Akron, April 6, 1853.

I have thought a good deal how to arrange as well as possible in regard to a home, should I live to go back to North Elba. I am a good deal at a loss how to divide the land so as to accommodate both families in the best way; and I wish to call your attention to that matter, as you may perhaps be able to think of some way that will exactly suit all hands. I would be glad if Henry will send me his views freely in regard to the following questions, namely: Are you fond of the business or care of a sawmill? Are there any springs on that part of the lot lying east of the river, so situated as to accommodate a family on that side; or do you think there is a prospect of getting a good well where the strip is of some width, and the face such as would be convenient to build on? Would you divide the land by the river, or by a line running east and west? Will it be any damage to you if you defer building your house until we can hit on some plan of dividing the land, or at least for another year? If I was sure of going back next spring I should want to get some logs peeled for a house, as I expect to be quite satisfied with a log-house for the rest of my days. Perhaps by looking over the land a little with a view to these things, you can devise a plan that will suit well. I do not mean to be hard to please; but such is the situation of the lot, and so limited are my means, that I am quite at a loss. Will it be convenient to have the ground that is gone over on the east side of the river got into grass this season? . . . I can think of but little to write that will be worth reading. Wishing you all present and future good, I remain,

Your affectionate father,

John Brown.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 109

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, June 14, 1861

Camp Jackson, Near Columbus,

Friday P. M., June 14, 1861.

Dear Uncle: — I received from Cincinnati two letters from you, and am very sorry to hear of your ill health. If you are not likely to come here soon, let me know, and I will certainly visit Fremont, when I can get leave to go home. The business here will require attention for a few days yet, before we get into an established routine. I shall probably leave here in about a week, and can then, if you wish it, visit you one day. If you were well, you would enjoy a few days here. Laura could send you out in the morning, and there are hosts of conveyances back.

I enjoy this thing very much. It is open-air, active life, novel and romantic. Hotter than Tophet in the sun, but a good breeze blowing all the time.

Our arrangement of regimental matters has turned out to be a capital one so far. We are in command of the whole camp, and, as Colonel Rosecrans is absent, Matthews and I are starring it. What we don't know, we guess at, and you may be sure we are kept pretty busy guessing.

My want now is a good horse. A small or medium-sized animal of good sense, hardy and kind, good looking enough, but not showy, is what I want. A fast walk, smooth trot, and canter are the gaits. I don't object to a pacer if he can walk and gallop well. Don't bother yourself to find one, but if you happen to know any, let me know. I am busy or I would write more.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. Birchard.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 25

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, May 5, 1862

Staunton, May 5th.

Since I last wrote to my darling I have been very busy. On Wednesday last I left my position near Swift Run Gap, and moved up the south fork of the Shenandoah to Port Republic, which is about three miles from Weyer's Cave. I would like to see the cave, for I remembered that my little pet had been there, and that gave me a deeper interest in the great curiosity. The road up the river was so treacherous that I could only advance about six miles per day, and to leave the road was at the risk of sinking yet deeper in the quicksands, in which that locality abounds. The country is one of the loveliest I have ever seen. On Saturday the march was resumed, and we crossed the Blue Ridge at what is known as Brown's Gap, and thus entered into Eastern Virginia. I stopped with a very agreeable family named Pace. Here I expected to pass the Sabbath, but on Sunday morning I received a despatch stating that part of the enemy's force had arrived within one day's march of Brigadier-General Edward Johnson's camp. Under the circumstances I felt it incumbent upon me to press forward, and I arrived here last evening, where I am stopping at the Virginia House. The troops are still coming in. The corps of cadets of the Virginia Military Institute is here.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 254-5

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, April 3, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Div.,

Fifteenth Army Corps,

Camp Before Vicksburg, April 3, 1863.

My Dear Mother:

We are fully aware of the feelings toward Sherman. We know the antagonism against the Army of the Southwest. We know the efforts of traitors at home, and those who are not called traitors but who nevertheless would rejoice at the failure of his army to open the Mississippi, jealousy is rampant; war, more terrible civil war than we have yet known, will desolate the North as well as the South. My friends at home will remember my prophecies two years and one year ago. The rebellion, revolution, call it what you will, is not understood.

David Stuart has been rejected by the Senate. He is now neither general nor colonel, and is only waiting from day to day an order to relieve him from his command. Of course it will affect me and at once. He was my immediate ranking commander, and his place will be filled, I suppose, by Frank Blair. I shall not be immediately affected in my command — that is, I shall retain my brigade — but aside from this I am seriously and personally grieved. General Stuart has been my near, dear, and most intimate friend; his place as such to me in the army can never be filled. Of splendid genius, most liberal education, wonderful accomplishments, as scholar, orator, lawyer, statesman, and now soldier. With the courage and chivalry of a knight of old, and the sweetness and fascination of a woman, he won me to his heart, and no outrage . . . has affected me more than his rejection. I have no patience to write about it or think about it. The blow was unexpected by all of us. Generals Grant and Sherman, Stuart and I never thought of such a thing — could not guard against it. When I first reported at Paducah with my regiment to General Sherman, at my own request, for I had known him in Washington, I was brigaded with him. We went directly into service and together. We fought side by side at the battle of Shiloh, till he was wounded, when I assumed his command. We made all the advances to Corinth together and rode side by side in the long marches through Tennessee. We fought at Chickasas Bayou and at Arkansas Post, and advanced together at “Young's Point.” Many and many a long night's watch I made with him, many a bivouac in the open air through night and storm and darkness, always sharing our canteens and haversacks. Had I been killed he would have perilled life to save my body. Was my honor assailed, he the first to defend it; little I could ask of him he would not grant, and when I say to you that he was really the only real, true, thoroughly appreciative friend I have in the army who I care much about, you may imagine how irreparable is my loss. His character is not well understood in the community, because an unfortunate notoriety attached to him in the . . . case.

His own sufferings therein turned him prematurely gray in a very few months. His father was a partner of John Jacob Astor in the celebrated American Fur Company, and made for Astor ten millions of dollars. He was educated at Andover and in Boston, and was the protégé of Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis. He was brought into life very early, and married into the Brevoort family in New York, but being a great favorite of General Cass, was brought into politics in Michigan. At a very early age he was Prosecuting Attorney of Detroit, and immediately afterwards represented the Detroit district in Congress; there I made his acquaintance. He abandoned political life to take the solicitorship of the great Illinois Central Railroad, which gave him the control of the railway influence of the entire State and Northwest; and he abandoned stipulated salaries of eighteen thousand dollars per annum to enter the service, having expended upwards of twenty thousand dollars to put two regiments into the field. He has travelled largely in Europe and in Canada; his family are in the army and navy, he is exceedingly familiar with military life and has a most decided taste for it. His record is clean and bright, one to be proud of; he exerts a wider and better influence than any other man in this army, and why he should have been thrown over is a mystery.

The roses are blooming here and the figs are as large as marbles, the foliage is coming out green and the mocking birds hold high carnival. This is a famous country for flowers and singing birds. My horses are all well. If there was any safe opportunity, and I thought you could manage them, I would send two or three home; they are very high-strung and want a master's hand. Bugles and bayonets don't tend to depress the spirits of a good horse, and mine are the best in the army.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 283-5

Brigadier-General John Buford to Major-General George G. Meade, July 1, 1863 – 10:10 a.m.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION,

Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 – 10.10 a.m.

The enemy's force (A. P. Hill's) are advancing on me at this point, and driving my pickets and skirmishers very rapidly. There is also a large force at Heidlersburg that is driving my pickets at that point from that direction. General Reynolds is advancing, and is within 3 miles of this point with his leading division. I am positive that the whole of A. P. Hill’s force is advancing.

 JNO. BUFORD,

 Brigadier-General, Commanding.

General MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 36; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27, Part 1 (Serial No. 43), p. 924

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, August 15, 1863

This is my birthday — twenty-one years old today. I was detailed to help dig a grave for the body of Rufus C. Walter, of Company G, who died last night. He had been wounded and lived here in camp in a hammock which was tied to trees, or to posts set in the ground when there were no trees.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 135

78th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Zanesville, Ohio, October, 1861, to January, 1862, and mustered in January 11, 1862. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 11-16. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, District of West Tennessee, to March, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. Unattached, District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 16, 1862. Expedition toward Purdy and operations about Crump's Landing, Tenn., March 9-14. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Capture of Jackson June 7. Duty at Bethel and Grand Junction till August. Bolivar August 30. March to Iuka, Miss., September 1-19. Battle of Iuka September 19 (Reserve). Duty at Bolivar till November. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign, operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad. November 2, 1862, to January 20, 1863. Reconnoissances from LaGrange toward Colliersville November 5 and November 8-9. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., January 20, thence to Lake Providence, La., February 22, and to Milliken's Bend, La., April 17. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Port Gibson May 1. Forty Hills and Hankinson's Ferry May 3-4. Battles of Raymond May 12; Jackson May 14; Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4, and duty there till February, 1864. Clinton July 16. Expedition to Monroe, La., August 20-September 2, 1863. Expedition to Canton October 14-20. Bogue Chitto Creek October 17. Regiment reenlisted January 5, 1864. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2, 1864. Baker's Creek February 5. Wyatt's February 13. Meridian February 14-15. Canton February 26. Veterans on furlough March and April. Moved to Clifton, Tenn., thence marched to Ackworth, Ga., May 5-June 8. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign June 8-September 8. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Howell's Ferry July 5. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Leggett's or Bald Hill July 20-21. Battle of Atlanta July 22. 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. Duty near Atlanta till October 15. Moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., and duty guarding railroad near Chattanooga till November 13. Little River, Ala., October 27. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Pocotaligo, S.C., January 14. Barker's Mills, Whippy Swamp, February 3. Orangeburg 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 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June, and there mustered out July 11, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 71 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 280 Enlisted men by disease. Total 355.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1533

John Brown to Mary Ann Day Brown, December 27, 1852

Utica, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1852.

. . . I seem to be pretty much over the effects of the ague, except as to my sight, which is some impaired, and which will not probably ever become much better. I made a short visit to North Elba, and left them all well and very comfortable, one week ago to-day.  . . . The colored families appear to be doing well, and to feel encouraged.  They all send much love to you. They have constant preaching on the Sabbath; and intelligence, morality, and religion appear to be all on the advance. Our old neighbors appear to wish us back. I can give no particular instructions to the boys, except to take the best care of everything, — not forgetting their own present and eternal good. If any young calves come that are nice ones, I want them to be well looked after, and if any very mean ones, I would have them killed at once. I am much pleased to get such a good account from the boys, and from Anne and Sarah.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 108-9

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, June 12, 1861

Columbus, June 12, 1861.

Dear Force: — You can't regret more than I do the issue of this business, so far as you are concerned. I have tried to get two companies (so as to include you and Company A of G. G.¹) admitted. Failing in that, I tried one, but the thing is all settled, and the governor fears to disturb the elements again.

Our regiment promises to be an exceedingly pleasant one. We are the first regimental officers on the ground. Our colonel will command in this camp until a brigadier-general arrives. We are the best known persons, and the struggle is to get into our regiment from all quarters. The camp is yet higgledy-piggledy and will require some labor to bring it up. But all goes on rapidly. We have been busy as bees a large part of the time in the scorching sun; but so far, it [is] great fun. I enjoy it as much as a boy does a Fourth of July.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

M. F. Force, Esq.

­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________

¹ Guthrie Greys.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 24-5

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, April 16, 1862

Near New Market.

This morning is warm and spring-like, and this country is one of the most beautiful that I ever beheld. . . . On last Wednesday the enemy advanced on me at one o'clock A. M., and I fell back to this place, where I arrived on Friday. My route was through New Market and Harrisonburg. I am about midway between Harrisonburg and Stannardsville. The enemy did not advance as far as Harrisonburg on the Valley turnpike. The advance of the two armies is within a few miles of each other. ... I do want so much to see my darling, but fear such a privilege will not be enjoyed for some time to come.

Swift Run Gap.

. . . Dr. Dabney is here, and I am very thankful to God for it. He comes up to my highest expectations as a staff-officer.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 253-4

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, March 27, 1863

“young's Point,” La., March 27, 1863.

My Dear Wife:

On the 17th inst., ten days ago, my command, with the residue of General Sherman's old division, was suddenly ordered to reinforce Admiral Porter's fleet of gunboats, which had advanced up Steele's Bayou, with a view to an attack upon Yazoo City. The order came after midnight; and by daybreak we were embarked upon transports and under weigh, leaving our horses, transportation, and all impedimenta behind. The infantry accomplished all that was expected, but the Admiral was frustrated in his designs. To-night we are returned to our old camping ground and I am accepting General Grant's hospitality, and propose to stay on board the Magnolia, his headquarters.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 282-3

Major-General George G. Meade to Major-General John F. Reynolds, July 1, 1863

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

July 1, 1863.

Major-General REYNOLDS,

Commanding, &c., Gettysburg:

GENERAL: The telegraphic intelligence received from General Couch, with the various movements reported from Buford, seem to indicate the concentration of the enemy either at Chambersburg or at a point situated somewhere on a line drawn between Chambersburg and York, through Mummasburg and to the north of Gettysburg.

The commanding general cannot decide whether it is his best policy to move to attack until he learns something more definite of the point at which the enemy is concentrating. This he hopes to do during the day. Meanwhile, he would like to have your views upon the subject, at least so far as concerns your position. If the enemy is concentrating to our right of Gettysburg, that point would not at first glance seem to be a proper strategic point of concentration for this army.

If the enemy is concentrating in front of Gettysburg or to the left of it, the general is not sufficiently well informed of the nature of the country to judge of its character for either an offensive or defensive position. The numbers of the enemy are estimated at about 92,000 infantry, with 270 pieces of artillery, and his cavalry from 6,000 to 8,000. Our numbers ought to equal it, and, with the arrival of General French's command, which should get up to-morrow, exceed it, if not too much weakened by straggling and fatigue.

The general having just assumed command, in obedience to orders, with the position of affairs leaving no time to learn the condition of the army as to morale and proportionate strength compared with its last return, would gladly receive from you any suggestions as to the points laid down in this note. He feels that you know more of the condition of the troops in your vicinity and the country than he does. General Humphreys, who is at Emmitsburg with the Third Corps, the general considers an excellent adviser as to the nature of the country for defensive or offensive operations. If near enough to call him to consultation with you, without interference with the responsibilities that devolve upon you both, please do so. You have all the information which the general has received, and the general would like to have your views.

The movement of your corps to Gettysburg was ordered before the positive knowledge of the enemy's withdrawal from Harrisburg and concentration was received.

Very respectfully, &c.,

 S. WILLIAMS,

 Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Copy to Major-General Howard.)

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 33-4; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27, Part 3 (Serial No. 45), p. 460-1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, August 14, 1863

All is quiet. Orders came today to send all of the sick home on thirty-day furloughs.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 135

76th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Sherman, Newark, Ohio, October 5, 1861, to February 3, 1862. Moved to Paducah, Ky., February 9, thence to Fort Donelson, Tenn. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, District of West Tennessee and Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862, Helena, Ark., District of Eastern Arkansas, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of the Tennessee, December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 11th Division, 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to September, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, to July 1865.

SERVICE. – Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn, February 13-16, 1862. Expedition toward Purdy and operations about Crump's Landing, Tenn., March 9-14. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., 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. Expedition to Milliken's Bend, La., August 16-27. Capture of Steamer "Fair Play" August 17. Milliken's Bend August 16 and 18. Expedition up the Yazoo August 20-27. Bolivar August 22 and 25. Greenville August 23. Expedition to Pilot Knob, Mo., October 22-November 12. Expedition from Helena against Arkansas Post, Ark., November 16-21. At Helena 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 January 17-23, and duty there till April. Expedition to Greenville, Black Bayou and Deer Creek April 2-14. Deer Creek April 7. Black Bayou April 10. Demonstrations on Haines and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 2. Moved to join army in rear of Vicksburg, Miss., via Richmond and Grand Gulf, May 2-14. Fourteen Mile Creek May 12-13. Jackson May 14. 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. Bolton's Depot July 16. Briar Creek near Canton July 17. Canton July 18. Camp at Big Black till September 23. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., thence march to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 23-November 20. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Alabama October 20-29. Cherokee Station October 21 and 29. Cane Creek October 26. Bear Creek, Tuscumbia, October 27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Battles of Lookout Mountain November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn., November 28-December 8. Moved to Alabama and duty at Paint Rock till May, 1864. Regiment reenlisted January 4, 1864. 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 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Ezra Chapel, Hood's second 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. Ship's Gap, Taylor's Ridge, October 16. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Reconnoissance to Salkehatchie River, S.C., January 20. Salkehatchie Swamp February 2-5. South Edisto River February 9. North Edisto River February 12-13. Congaree Creek February 15. Columbia February 16-17. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-24. 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 21. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June, and there mustered out July 15, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 82 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 5 Officers and 265 Enlisted men by disease. Total 361.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1532

Alexander H. Stephens to James Thomas, July 16, 1844

Macon, Ga., July 16,1844

Dear Thomas, Your favour of the 8th inst. came to hand a few days ago just as I was getting in the cars on my departure from home, and I have not had time since then or rather an opportunity of sufficient [word illegible] to send you an earlier answer. I will if it is in my power be with you on the 27th inst. but I am not certain that I can. The day before I shall be at Crawfordville where I hope also to meet you, and on the 24th I shall be at Washington I expect. The travel and fatigue I fear will be almost too much for me. I am here to-day, and to-morrow shall if nothing prevents go over to Clinton where there is to be a meeting the next day. Meriwether¹ and E. A. Nisbet are to be there. Jenkins and myself were at Eatonton last Saturday; and in all parts I have been in, as well as those from which I have heard, the prospect is good. In some counties it is reported that we will sustain loss etc., but upon a close examination I find that in nearly all instances the rumor is false. The Locos seem determined to do what they can by gasconnading, and the only effect of it is I think to arouse the Whigs and make them energetic, and that is all we want. Chappell² from what I learn here will be badly beaten in this district. I am informed by the most intelligent and observing men in such matters that he will do us no injury in this and Monroe county and no other county except Upson and Meriwether, and very little in those. My news from Cherokee is good. Miller and Lumpkin³ have had a meeting and discussion at Decatur, in which they say Miller got decidedly the advantage. Lumpkin complained of ill health and got out in that way. The Whigs are up and doing. I saw here last night men from Cobb, Pike, Monroe, Twiggs and Pulaski and all are zealous. Colquitt and Haralson⁴ and young Alford and Samford and Chappell were all here last week and literally stormed the castle, but to no effect. And I assure you the prospect as far as I have seen is quite as good for our carrying the State as it was at the same time in 1840, if not better — and there is no comparison hardly between the indications now and this time last year, for our people are now fully up and aroused, and this is all we have ever wanted in order to succeed at an election.

_______________

¹ James A. Meriwether, Eugeniua A. Nisbet, and Charles J. Jenkins were Georgia Whig leaders.

² In the congressional election of 1844, Absalom H. Chappell was narrowly defeated in the third district by his Whig opponent, Washington Poe.

³ John H. Lumpkin, Democrat, defeated H. V. M. Miller in the fifth district by a heavy majority.

⁴ Hugh A. Haralson was elected in the fourth district. Colquitt, Alford and Samford were Democratic speakers in the campaign, but were not candidates.

SOURCE: Ulrich Bonnell Phillips, Editor, The Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911, Volume 2: The Correspondence of Robert Toombs, Alexander H. Stephens, and Howell Cobb, p. 59-60

Jefferson Davis to General John Bell Hood, September 28, 1864

OPELIKA, ALA., September 28, 1864.

General JOHN B. HOOD,

Headquarters Army of Tennessee:

GENERAL: I have anxiously reflected upon the subject of our closing conversation, and the proposition confidentially mentioned. It seems to me best that I should confer with General Beauregard, and if quite acceptable to him, to place him in command of the department, embracing your army and that of General R. Taylor, so as to secure the fullest co-operation of the troops, without relieving either of you of the responsibilities and powers of your special commands, except so far as would be due to the superior rank and the above assignment of General Beauregard. He would necessarily, if present with either army, command in person. Before final action there will be time for you to communicate with me, and I shall be glad to have your views. In the mean time you will of course proceed as though no modification of existing organization was contemplated.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

 JEFFN. DAVIS.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 39, Part 1 (Serial No. 78), p. 880; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 255

Lieutenant-General James Longstreet to General Robert E. Lee, March 28, 1865

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,

March 28, 1865.

General R. E. LEE, Commanding, &c.:

Your telegram asking if we can spare General Pickett's division as a supporting force to our cavalry is received. I suggested that it should be sent on that service because I was apprehensive that our railroad would be in danger of being broken up behind us, leaving us without supplies sufficient to hold Richmond until our communication south could be re-established; or in case Sheridan went to North Carolina, his mounted force would be too formidable for that of General Johnston's, and that General Johnston's army would be in great danger if we should not re-enforce him. I do not think that we can well spare the division, but I think that we would choose a lesser risk by sparing it in case Sheridan's cavalry makes either of these moves contemplated than we would by holding him here to await the result of these operations. The enemy seems now to count upon taking Richmond by raiding upon our lines of communication and not by attacking our lines of work. I think, therefore, that we should endeavor to put a force in the field that can contend against that of the enemy. If Grant sends off his cavalry he can hardly intend to make any general move of his main army until its return. In every aspect of affairs, so far as I am advised, I think that the greater danger is from keeping too close within our trenches. If we can remain where we are, independently of the railroad, and if General Johnston would be safe with such a force operating against him in addition to Sherman's, we had better keep the division here. You know much more about all those points than I do and are much better able to decide upon them. My supply train is in from Northern Neck and starts back to-morrow for other provisions. If there is any impropriety in sending it back please telegraph me as soon as you receive it that I may recall it. We have about 100,000 pounds of meat near Dublin and 18,000 at New Boston. The commissary of subsistence complains that the railroad agents will not ship the meat unless it is boxed. This cannot always be done. If you can in any way aid us in this matter we shall do very well for some time to come.

I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

 J. LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant-General.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 46, Part 3 (Serial No. 97), p. 1360; James Longstreet, From Manassas to Appomattox, p. 652-3

John Brown to Henry Thompson, February 6, 1852

Elizabethtown, Feb. 6, 1852.

Dear Henry, — Mr. Judd is wanting to buy a large quantity of oats, for which he is now paying one cent per pound, cash. He also wants to buy a supply for his teams that carry the mail to Saranac, for the next season. He says oats that have rye mixed with them will be worth as much by the pound for his own teams as those which have none. Thinking it might be of advantage to you to know of this, and perhaps to see him, I concluded to send you a line at any rate.

Affectionately yours,

John Brown.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 108

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, June 12, 1861

Columbus, June 12, 1861.

Dear Uncle: — We are in Camp Jackson — hot, busy, and jolly. Colonel Rosecrans is an energetic, educated West Pointer, very cheerful and sensible. Judge Matthews you know. We are on good terms with our captains, and the whole thing pleases me vastly; but I see no chance of getting out to see you; so you must come here one of these days. We are in the suds yet; still I would enjoy a visit even now. I cannot say more now. Good-bye.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

P. S. — We were sworn in to-day; our commissions are from the 7th.

S. Birchard.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 24

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Colonel Samuel Bassett French, March 21, 1862

colonel, — Please request the governor¹ to order three thousand muskets to Staunton at his earliest convenience for the militia of this district. None of the militia beyond the county, except five hundred from Augusta, have yet arrived, but they are turning out encouragingly. There are three religious denominations in this military district who are opposed to war. Eighteen [men] were recently arrested in endeavoring to make their escape through Pendleton County to the enemy. Those who do not desert will, to some extent, hire substitutes, others will turn out in obedience to the governor's call; but I understand some of them say they will not “shoot.” They can be made to fire, but can very easily take bad aim. So, for the purpose of giving to this command the highest degree of efficiency, and securing loyal feelings and co-operation, I have, as these non-combatants are said to be good teamsters and faithful to their promises, determined to organize them into companies of one hundred men each, rank and file, and after mustering them, with the legal number of company officers, into service, assign them to the various staff departments without issuing arms to them; but if at any time they have insufficient labor, to have them drilled, so that in case circumstances should justify it, arms may be given them. If these men are, as represented to me, faithful laborers and careful of property, this arrangement will not only enable many volunteers to return to the ranks, but will also save many valuable horses and other public property, in addition to arms. . . . All I have pledged myself is that, as far as practicable, I will employ them in other ways than fighting, but with the condition that they shall act in good faith with me, and not permit persons to use their names for the purpose of keeping out of service.

_______________

¹ John Letcher, Governor of Virginia.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 251-2

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Walter Smith, March 16, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade,

Camp Before Vicksburg, March 16, 1863.

My Dear Mother:

I have changed quarters again and am now domiciled in a tolerably comfortable home under the same roof, and messing, with General Sherman. My despatches are delayed, and I now open my package to advise you of the receipt of your affectionate letter by Captain McCoy, who also brought me a small keg of whiskey, most acceptable.

I note your enclosures and all you say about my promotion. As you will perceive by the enclosed testimonial (not the copy I intended to send — a certified one from headquarters, and which for the present I intend to keep) that my record is as near perfection as anyone could hope. I am satisfied and can afford to wait for my country as long as she can wait for me. You have done everything, and I have not been backward. We need not worry about it.

General Grant and General Sherman have done everything for me they could — will do anything I ask that they can do. I know I am honored with the friendship of both and the entire confidence of one.

If you do write to General Grant, and I cannot say whether it would be advisable or not, I would rather the letter should not come through me, or know anything about it. I do hope you received General Sherman's noble reply to yours; it was due before the dates of your letter March 3d.

You must not suppose me reckless; I am not so. It is true I have been singled out for many a shot, and God alone has protected me, but I go upon the battlefield to do my duty; nothing more. I take no risks that the service does not demand. I think too much of my family to throw away my life.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 281-2

Major-General George G. Meade to Major-General John Sedgwick, July 1, 1863

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

July 1, 1863.

Commanding Officer Sixth Corps:

I am directed by the commanding general to state that it would appear from reports just received that the enemy is moving in heavy force on Gettysburg (Ewell from Heidlersburg, and Hill from Cashtown Pass), and it is not improbable he will reach that place before the command under Major-General Reynolds (the First and Eleventh Corps), now on the way, can arrive there.

Should such be the case, and General Reynolds find himself in the presence of a superior force, he is instructed to hold the enemy in check, and fall slowly back. If he is able to do this, the line indicated in the circular of to-day will be occupied to-night. Should circumstances render it necessary for the commanding general to fight the enemy to-day, the troops are posted as follows for the support of Reynolds' command, viz,: On his right, at Two Taverns, the Twelfth Corps; at Hanover, the Fifth Corps; the Second Corps is on the road between Taneytown and Gettysburg; the Third Corps is at Emmitsburg.

This information is conveyed to you that you may have your corps in readiness to move in such direction as may be required at a moment's notice.

Very respectfully, &c.,

 S. WILLIAMS,

 Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 31; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27, Part 3 (Serial No. 45), p. 462

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, August 13, 1863

It is rumored that our brigade is to go to Natchez, Mississippi, in a few days, but we cannot tell whether it is true or not. I was on police duty today, for the first time, down in Vicksburg. There are more than a hundred men detailed each day to keep order in the city, and nobody is allowed on the streets without a pass from the provost marshal. We work on eight-hour shifts, and each man has a certain part of a street to patrol for two hours at a time, after which he is off duty for a period of four hours. I was on duty in a residence district, and while I was walking my beat, a lady came out of her home for an afternoon's walk. I of course had to ask her to show her pass. I must have looked pretty fierce to her, with loaded gun, fixed bayonet and all accouterments on. I asked her kindly for her pass and she answered that she had none, whereupon I told her what my orders were; that she would have to return to her home and not come out on the streets again without a pass, or I would have to take her to the provost marshal's office. She thanked me very politely as I closed her gate, saying that she wanted to obey orders and that she would send out and procure a pass before going on the street again. This lady is certainly experiencing war at her own dooryard, yet she showed the good breeding of the Southern lady.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 134-5

74th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Xenia, Ohio, October 5, 1861, to March 27, 1862. Ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, February 24, 1862, and duty there till April 20. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., April 20-24. Attached to Dumont's Independent Brigade, Army of the Ohio, to June, 1862. Unattached, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. 7th Brigade, 8th Division, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Center 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, to June, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Dumont's Expedition over the Cumberland Mountains, Tenn., June, 1862. Guard duty along railroad between Nashville and Columbia, Tenn., till September 3. Siege of Nashville September 12-November 7. Fort Riley near Nashville October 5. Gallatin Pike near Nashville October 20. Duty at Nashville till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty 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. Davis Cross Roads or Dug Gap September 11. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-21. Rossville Gap September 21. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Regiment reenlisted January 1, 1864. Veterans on furlough January 25-April 12. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Mill Springs Gap May 19. 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 11-14. 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. Utoy Creek August 5-7. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro, N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. 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 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June, and duty there till July. Mustered out July 11, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 51 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 105 Enlisted men by disease. Total 164.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1531

75th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp McLain, Cincinnati, Ohio, November 7, 1861, to January 8, 1862. Left State for Grafton, W. Va., January 28, 1862. Attached to Milroy's Command, Cheat Mountain, District West Virginia, to March, 1862. Milroy's Brigade, Dept. of the Mountains, to April, 1862. Schenck's Brigade, Dept. of the Mountains, to June, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Gordon's Division, Folly Island, S.C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to February, 1864. 1st Brigade, Ames' Division, District of Florida, to April, 1864. District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to October, 1864. 4th Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to December. 1864. 1st Brigade, Coast Division, Dept. of the South, to January, 1865. 4th Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – March to Huttonville February 17-March 1, 1862. Expedition to Lost River Region April 1-12. Action at Monterey April 12. Battle of McDowell May 8. Retreat to Franklin May 10-12. Franklin May 29. Pursuit of Jackson to Shenandoah Valley. Strasburg and Staunton Road June 1-2. Mt. Jackson June 3. New Market June 4. Harrisonburg June 6. Battle of Cross Keys June 8. At Middletown till July 7, and at Sperryville till August 8. Reconnoissance to Madison Court House July 16-19. Battle of Cedar Mountain August 9. Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Freeman's Ford August 22. Battle of Bull Run August 29-30. Duty in the Defences of Washington, D.C., till December. Expedition from Centreville to Bristoe Station and Warrenton Junction September 25-28. March to Fredericksburg, Va., December 10-15. "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth till April 27. Woodstock and Cedar Run February 26. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. Moved to Morris Island, S.C., August 6-12. Siege operations against Fort Wagner, Morris Island, S.C., and against Fort Sumpter and Charleston August 18-September 7. Capture of Fort Wagner and Gregg, Morris Island, September 7. Moved to Folly Island, S.C., and duty there till February 22, 1864. Expedition to John's and James' islands February 6-14. Ordered to Jacksonville, Fla., February 22, 1864. Regiment mounted and duty in the District of Florida till December 8. Expedition from Jacksonville to Cedar Creek April 2. Cedar Run April 2. Expedition to Headwaters of the St. Johns and Kissinee Rivers April 25-May 10, destroying and capturing a large amount of stores and property. Action near Jacksonville April 28. Near Camp Finnegan May 25. Expedition from Jacksonville to Camp Milton May 31-June 3. King's Creek, S.C., July 3 (Detachment). Raid from Jacksonville to Baldwin July 23-28. Near Trail Ridge July 25. Action at St. Mary's Trestle July 26. Camp Baldwin August 12. Raid on Florida Railroad August 15-19. Gainesville August 17. Expedition to Enterprise September 28. Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "F" and "G" mustered out October and November, 1864. Balance moved to Hilton Head, S.C., December 8-10. Pocotaligo Bridge, S.C., December 29. Returned to Florida January, 1865, and duty at District Headquarters, Jacksonville, and at Tallahatchie, Fla., till July. Mustered out July 15, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 110 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 101 Enlisted men by disease. Total 217.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1531-2

Stones River National Cemetery

UNITED STATES

NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERY.

STONE’S RIVER.

ESTABLISHED JUN 23^RD 1865.

INTERNMENTS 6139.

KNOWN 3817.

UNKNOWN 2333.

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, June 10, 1861

Columbus, Monday, 10 P. M., June 10, 1861.

Dearest Lu: — I have just sent Judge Matthews to bed in the room over the library, and I thought I'd write a few words to my dear wife before sleeping. We have been at the camp all the afternoon. Our quarters are not yet built; all things are new and disorganized; the location is not nearly so fine as Camp Dennison, but with all these disadvantages, we both came away feeling very happy. We visited our men; they behaved finely; they are ambitious and zealous, and met us in such a good spirit. We really were full of satisfaction with it. We are glad we are away from the crowds of visitors who interfere so with the drills at Camp Dennison.

When we reached town, Judge Matthews learned that Bosley was elected over the Grays; he was more than content with it.

I shall not need things in a hurry; take time, and don't worry yourself. I shall probably be down the last of the week; I shall only be prevented by the absence of Colonel Rosecrans and Judge Matthews. The colonel has accepted and will be here Wednesday.

There is a good band in camp; several well drilled companies. We shall have four thousand men by Saturday. Ours is the best regiment: two companies from Cleveland, one from Sandusky, one from Bellefontaine and one from Ashtabula, under a son of J. R. Giddings — a pleasant gentleman and a capital company.

But I must stop this. You know how I love you; how I love the family all; but Lucy, I am much happier in this business than I could be fretting away in the old office near the courthouse. It is living. My only regret is that you don't like our location. We shall probably spend the summer here, or a good part of it, unless we go into Virginia. No more tonight. Much love.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 23-4

Major General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, April 11, 1862

April 11th.

I am very much concerned at having no letter this week, but my trust is in the Almighty. How precious is the consolation flowing from the Christian's assurance that “all things work together for good to them that love God!”  . . . God gave us a glorious victory in the Southwest¹, but the loss of the great Albert Sidney Johnston is to be mourned. I do not remember having ever felt so sad at the death of a man whom I had never seen.  . . . Although I was repulsed in the attempt to recover Winchester, yet the enemy's loss appears to have been three times that of ours. In addition to this, the great object which required me to follow up the enemy, as he fell back from Strasburg, seems to have been accomplished very thoroughly. I am well satisfied with the result. Congress has passed a vote of thanks, and General Johnston has issued a very gratifying order upon the subject, one which will have a fine effect upon my command. The great object to be acquired by the battle demanded time to make known its accomplishments. Time has shown that while the field is in possession of the enemy, the most essential fruits of the battle are ours. For this and all of our Heavenly Father's blessings, I wish I could be ten thousand times more thankful. Should any report be published, my views and object in fighting and its fruits will then become known. You appear much concerned at my attacking on Sunday. I was greatly concerned, too; but I felt it my duty to do it, in consideration of the ruinous effects that might result from postponing the battle until the morning. So far as I can see, my course was a wise one; the best that I could do under the circumstances, though very distasteful to my feelings; and I hope and pray to our Heavenly Father that I may never again be circumstanced as on that day. I believed that so far as our troops were concerned, necessity and mercy both called for the battle. I do hope the war will soon be over, and that I shall never again have to take the field. Arms is a profession that, if its principles are adhered to for success, requires an officer to do what he fears may be wrong, and yet, according to military experience, must be done, if success is to be attained. And this fact of its being necessary to success, and being accompanied with success, and that a departure from it is accompanied with disaster, suggests that it must be right. Had I fought the battle on Monday instead of Sunday, I fear our cause would have suffered; whereas, as things turned out, I consider our cause gained much from the engagement.

_______________

¹ At Shiloh.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 248-9

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Walter Smith, March 10, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Division,

Fifteenth Army Corps, On Board Str. "swallow,"

Near Young's Point, La., March 10, 1863.

My Dear Mother:

As you will notice from my dates from shipboard, I have changed somewhat the locus in quo since my last; fairly driven out by the high waters. The Mississippi proved rather too much for the engineer, and declined the narrow limits of the canal in paying tribute as called for, therefore we had to “take water” for fear of being drowned. I suppose the crevasses may be repaired, in which case we shall remain here till the experiment of the canal is fairly tested. When I have more time I will write you all about it.

I am glad you saw Sergeant White who, as lately from me, could make himself interesting. I send all such, of high and low degree, to you, because they can answer many a question and relate many an incident that would escape my notice or memory.

I enclosed you a copy of petition from my entire brigade for my promotion. I will send you copies of the endorsements of my commanding generals, which were very handsome. It has not yet been submitted to General Grant, who is, however, my warm personal friend and who will doubtless say as much as the others. Then so far as the army is concerned, to use General Sherman's own language, “my record is perfect.” I would not exchange it for that of the best puffed man in America. If promotion does not come, my family and friends at least will know that I deserve it; and I believe all proper effort has been made to secure it.

March 13, 1863.

I have taken up my quarters for the present with General Sherman; I found the boat unhealthy and disagreeable. I shall write again in a day or two.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 279-81

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 30, 1863

Headquarters, Taneytown, June 30, 1863.

All is going on well. I think I have relieved Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and that Lee has now come to the conclusion that he must attend to other matters. I continue well, but much oppressed with a sense of responsibility and the magnitude of the great interests entrusted to me. Of course, in time I will become accustomed to this. Love, blessings and kisses to all. Pray for me and beseech our heavenly Father to permit me to be an instrument to save my country and advance a just cause.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 18

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, August 12, 1863

We had a fearful windstorm today, though no rain. Everything in camp is moving along fine and the boys are quite cheerful. We have plenty of wood, canebrake and Spanish moss for our use and our camp is in good shape.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 134

73rd Ohio Infantry

Organized at Chillicothe, Ohio, and mustered in December 30, 1861. Duty at Camp Logan till January 24, 1862. Moved to Grafton, W. Va., thence to Fetterman January 24-26, and to New Creek February 3. Attached to Cheat Mountain, District Western Virginia, to March, 1862. Schenck's Brigade, Dept, of the Mountains, to June, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1863, and Army of the Cumberland, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Expedition to Romney, W. Va., February 6-7, 1862, and to Moorefield February 12-16. Moved to Clarksburg February 18, and duty there till March 20. Moved to Weston, W. Va., March 20, and duty there till April 10. Moved to Join Milroy at Monterey. Battle of McDowell May 8. Woodstock June 2. Mt. Jackson June 3. New Market June 4. Harrisonburg June 6. Battle of Cross Keys June 8. At Middletown till July 7, and at Sperryville till August 8. Expedition to Madison Court House July 16-19. Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16 to September 2. Freeman's Ford August 22. Battles of Bull Run August 29-30. Duty In the Defences of Washington, D.C., till December. Reconnoissance to Bristoe Station and Warrenton Junction September 25-28. March to Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-16. "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth till April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24. Camp at Bristoe till September 24. Moved to Bridgeport, Ala., September 24-October 3. Duty at Bridgeport and Stevenson, Ala., till October 24. Reopening Tennessee River October 24-29. Battle of Wauhatchie, Tenn., October 28-29. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Tunnel Hill November 24-25. Mission Ridge November 25. March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn., November 28-December 17. Regiment reenlisted January 1, 1864, and Veterans on furlough till March. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Demonstrations on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Cassville May 19. New Hope Church May 25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and batties about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Gilgal or Golgotha Church June 15. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes Creek June 19. Kolb's Farm June 22. 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. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Occupation of Atlanta September 2-November 15. March to the sea November 15. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Lawtonville, S.C., February 2. Reconnoissance on Goldsboro Road, N. C., March 14. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro, March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. 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 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June and duty there till July. Mustered out July 20, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 167 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 149 Enlisted men by disease. Total 321.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1530-1

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, March 1, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Division,

Fifteenth Army Corps, March 1, 1863.

My Dear Wife:

I am much indebted to the Sisters of St. John for their prayers in my behalf, and you must so tell them from me. Ask them to take good care of our poor wounded soldiers. We have no Sisters in this army. Is not this strange? I have seen some two or three women on the hospital boats, but they are poor concerns. Catholic Sisters would be a mercy in ministering to our hospital. No tongue can tell or mind conceive the anguish and neglect and suffering of the sick and dying soldiers in camp — and their graves! such graves! I fear from your remark of Sergeant White that he reports me as being profane. I trust not. I sometimes do get a little mad, and they say I make the fur fly, and swear the hair off the men's heads, but the recording angel sheds tears so copiously in these sad times that a few must fall on my page of errors.

I can't help being amused when I hear the officers and orderlies ask outside my tent if the old general is in, or how is the old general to-day. I think my heart and feelings are fresh yet, though they are circumscribed.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 278