Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, September 15, 1862

We pitched our tents and built our bunks today. It had rained all night and rained some more this afternoon. The men are not pleased with this camp ground, as it is low and level. There will be a great many on the sick list if we remain here. On account of the dry weather all summer, the springs no longer furnish the branch with running water, and we are compelled to get our drinking water from a stagnant pool. Our former camp here in Corinth, which we left in July, was on high ground and all had hoped that we would be permitted to occupy that spot, but we were disappointed in that — such is the life of a soldier.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 69

Brig. Gen. William T. Sherman's Headquarters Monument: Near Shiloh Church, Shiloh National Military Park

HEADQUARTERS, 5TH DIVISION,

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

BRIG. GEN. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, COMMANDING

Ft. Warren Prisoners

BOSTON, May 3.

Col. Davison, of the 3d Miss. Regiment captured at Ft. Donelson, died at Ft. Warren, on Tuesday.  His body has been sent to his friends.

Austin Smith, late navy agent at San Francisco, has been released from Ft. Warren, in exchanged for Wm. Ayers, of Philadelphia, who was captured while rambling over the battle field of Bull Run after the evacuation of Manassas.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Report on the Stevens Battery

NEW YORK, May 3.

It is understood that a board, recently appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to examine the Stevens’ Battery, has, after a full investigation, reported that it should be finished, but that some modifications be made in the details of the work remaining to be done.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Washington, May 3, [1862]

The latest accounts shows that there are now 168 Brigadier Generals, and that 26 in addition await senatorial action.  A favorable report has been made on the recommendation of Dan. E. Sickles, and there seems no doubt that he will soon be confirmed.  The bill proposing to limit the number of Brigadier Generals to 200, and Major Generals to 26, will in all probability become a law.

Thus far, or within two days applications have been filed for compensation for 42 of the slaves manumitted in the District of Columbia, under the emancipation act.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Powder Mill Explosion

BANGOR, Me., May 3.

A powder mill explosion occurred at Gatam yesterday.  Eight buildings exploded successively.  Two hundred barrels of powder were in them.  The hands were all at supper at the time.  Cause of the explosion unknown.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Thursday, July 9, 1863

The sad tidings from Vicksburg have been confirmed by subsequent accounts. The number of men fit for duty on the day of capitulation was only a little upwards of 7000. Flour was selling at $400 per barrel! This betrays the extremity to which they had been reduced.

A dispatch to-day states that Grant, with 100,000 men (supposed), is marching on Jackson, to give Johnston battle. But Johnston will retire — he has not men enough to withstand him, until he leads him farther into the interior. If beaten, Mobile might fall.

We have no particulars yet — no comments of the Southern generals under Pemberton. But the fall of the place has cast a gloom over everything.

The fall of Vicksburg, alone, does not make this the darkest day of the war, as it is undoubtedly. The news from Lee's army is appalling. After the battle of Friday, the accounts from Martinsburg now state, he fell back toward Hagerstown, followed by the enemy, fighting but little on the way. Instead of 40,000 we have only 4000 prisoners. How many we have lost, we know not. The Potomac is, perhaps, too high for him to pass it — and there are probably 15,000 of the enemy immediately in his rear! Such are the gloomy accounts from Martinsburg.

Our telegraph operators are great liars, or else they have been made the dupes of spies and traitors. That the cause has suffered much, and may be ruined by the toleration of disloyal persons within our lines, who have kept the enemy informed of all our movements, there can be no doubt.

The following is Gen. Johnston's dispatch announcing the fall of Vicksburg:

“JACKSON, July 7th, 1863.

“HON. J. A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR.

“Vicksburg capitulated on the 4th inst. The garrison was paroled, and are to be returned to our lines, the officers retaining their side-arms and personal baggage.

“This intelligence was brought by an officer who left the place on Sunday, the 5th.

“J. E. JOHNSTON, General.”

We get nothing from Lee himself. Gen. Cooper, the Secretary of War, and Gen. Hill went to the President's office about one o'clock. They seemed in haste, and excited. The President, too, is sick, and ought not to attend to business. It will kill him, perhaps.

There is serious anxiety now for the fate of Richmond. Will Meade be here in a few weeks? Perhaps so — but, then, Lee may not have quite completed his raid beyond the Potomac.

The Baltimore American, no doubt in some trepidation for the quiescence of that city, gets up a most glowing account of "Meade's victory" — if it should, indeed, in the sequel, prove to have been one. That Lee fell back, is true; but how many men were lost on each side in killed, wounded, and prisoners — how many guns were taken, and what may be the result of the operations in Pennsylvania and Maryland — of which we have as yet such imperfect accounts — will soon be known.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 374-5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, September 14, 1862

We started early this morning with General Crocker in command and marched fifteen miles without stopping to get a drink. But several of the men became overheated, for it was a dreadfully hot day and the roads were dusty. We reached Corinth at 1 p. m., and going out a mile south of town, stacked arms and remained there the rest of the day. We were nearly famished when we reached Corinth. Our road was on a pine ridge, hot and dusty, with a mile to water on either side, and it was utterly impossible for one to fall out of rank, get water, catch up and get back to his place in line. It was one of the hardest marches I have ever been on.¹ On passing through the town, by the college grounds, the young lady students worked hard at drawing water from the well and giving it to the men to quench their thirst. We bivouacked in a large cotton field, as our teams had not yet arrived with our tents. It commenced to rain about sundown and we lay on the ground without any protection.

__________

¹ The fast march and doing without water so long was all uncalled for, as after we got to Corinth we did nothing but lie around. — A. O. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 68

News From Pittsburg

The telegraph informs us that the news from Pittsburg is of the highest importance, but its transmission by telegraph is prohibited.  A citizen received a letter from his son on Saturday, dated Pittsburg the 29th, which stated that they were on the eve of a battle, and had orders to pack up everything in readiness for the “long roll.”  Even if a battle had been fought for was being fought there, we see no reason why the news should be contraband.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Relief Assosciation

This evening the members of the Relief Association, and the public generally, will bear in mind, is the monthly meeting of that Society.  It is needless to say that there ought to be a large attendance at the meeting.  Even before to-night a savage battle may have been fought at Corinth, and hundreds more of Iowa’s soldiers be stretched in death on the field, or suffering with gaping and agonizing wounds.  Let there be a full attendance, and let the spirit of the meeting be such that our soldiers, hearing of it, may realize that they have faithful friends here, ever solicitous for their welfare, and may feel assured that strong hands and eager hearts will render them abundant assistance, both when in health and when prostrated by sickness, or by wounds received in battle.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Pleasant Valley

The Union citizens of Pleasant Valley township, have done will in responding to the call made upon their liberality in aid of the wounded soldiers of Iowa.  As witness the following subscriptions:

JOHN L. DAVIES, Treasurer Soldiers’ Relief Association, Scott Co., Iowa:

DEAR SIR: – The following contributions have been made by the residents of Pleasant Valley, for the relief of the wounded soldiers from Scott county:

A J. Hyde	$3.00
Wm Geddes	2.00
G L Bentley	3.00
Thomas Jones	1.00
H W Honley	1.00
W W Davis	1.00
Bohn S Allen	1.00
Wm Allen	1.00
S S Blackman	.25
M F Jones	.50
J A Birchard	5.00
James Gibson	.50
Hiram Johnson	1.00
Adam Donaldson	1.00
J N Owens	.25
Wm Prechmore	.25
A P Westfall	.50
D S Hawley	1.00
G B Hawley	1.00
S H Henley	1.00
K VanEvers	2.00
G W  Fenno	2.00
John Evans	1.00
James Brown	.50
E R Wright	.50
Younge Stokes	2.00
D K Allen	.50
J A Taylor	.50
Newberry Olds	.50
Robert Fleming	1.00
A F Case	1.00
A B Fenso	1.00
Mr. and Miss Balker	1.00
Wm Wilson	1.00
And. Lindsay	.25
Philip Earheart	1.00
J F Coleman	1.00
Rufus Chaney	1.00
John H Robeson	1.00
Samuel Robeson	.45
W M Fry	.50
Eugene Birchard	.50
A Stranger	.25
A J Preston	1.00
A J Cramer	.25
G B Dopp	1.00
J D Custer	1.00
B Birchard	3.00
Total	$52.45

B. BIRCHARD.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, September 13, 1862

We started at 7 o’clock and marched fifteen miles. Bivouacked for the night on the banks of the Tuscumbie river. It was very warm and dusty marching, but all held their places in the ranks. It is said that the rebels’ cavalry which kept up close to our rear guard, had something to do with keeping the men in line, for anyone falling out behind would surely have been taken prisoner.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 68

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Wednesday, July 8, 1863

I am glad to copy the following order of Gen. Lee:

“HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

“CHAMUERSBURG, PA., June 27lh, 1863.

“General Orders No. 73.

“The commanding general has observed with marked satisfaction the conduct of the troops on the march, and confidently anticipates results commensurate with the high spirit they have manifested. No troops could have displayed greater fortitude, or better performed the arduous marches of the past ten days. Their conduct in other respects has, with few exceptions, been in keeping with their character as soldiers, and entitles them to approbation and praise.

“There have, however, been instances of forgetfulness on the part of some, that they have in keeping the yet unsullied reputation of the army, and that the duties exacted of us by civilization and Christianity are not less obligatory in the country of the enemy than in our own.

“The commanding general considers that no greater disgrace could befall the army, and through it, our whole people, than the perpetration of the barbarous outrages upon the innocent and defenseless, and the wanton destruction of private property, that have marked the course of the enemy in our own country. Such proceedings not only disgrace the perpetrators and all connected with them, but are subversive of the discipline and efficiency of the army and destructive of the ends of our present movements. It must be remembered that we make war only upon armed men, and that we cannot take vengeance for the wrongs our people have suffered without lowering ourselves in the eyes of all whose abhorrence has been excited by the atrocities of our enemy, and offending against Him to whom vengeance belongeth, without whose favor and support our efforts must all prove in vain.

“The commanding general, therefore, earnestly exhorts the troops to abstain with most scrupulous care from unnecessary or wanton injury to private property; and he enjoins upon all officers to arrest and bring to summary punishment all who shall in any way offend against the orders on this subject.

“R. E. Lee, General.”

We have no additional news from the battle-field, except the following dispatch from Winchester:

“Our loss is estimated at 10,000. Between 3000 and 4000 of our wounded are arriving here to-night. Every preparation is being made to receive them.

“Gens. Scales and Pender have arrived here wounded, this evening. Gens. Armistead, Barksdale, Garnett, and Kemper are reported killed. Gens. Jones, Heth, Anderson, Pettigrew, Jenkins, Hampton, and Hood are reported wounded.

“The Yankees say they had only two corps in the fight on Wednesday, which was open field fighting. The whole of the Yankee force was engaged in the last three days’ fighting. The number is estimated at 175,000.

“The hills around Gettysburg are said to be covered with the dead and wounded of the Yankee Army of the Potomac.

“The fighting of these four days is regarded as the severest of the war, and the slaughter unprecedented; especially is this so of the enemy.

“The New York and Pennsylvania papers are reported to have declared for peace.”

But the absence of dispatches from Gen. Lee himself is beginning to create distrust, and doubts of decisive success at Gettysburg. His couriers may have been captured, or he may be delaying to announce something else he has in contemplation.

The enemy's flag of truce boat of yesterday refused to let us have a single paper in exchange for ours. This signifies something — I know not what. One of our exchanged officers [sic] says he heard a Northern officer say, at Fortress Monroe, that Meade’s loss was, altogether, 60,000 men; but this is not, of course, reliable. Another officer said Lee was retiring, which is simply impossible, now, for the flood.

But, alas! we have sad tidings from the West. Gen. Johnston telegraphs from Jackson, Miss., that Vicksburg capitulated on the 4th inst. This is a terrible blow, and has produced much despondency.

The President, sick as he is, has directed the Secretary of War to send him copies of all the correspondence with Johnston and Bragg, etc., on the subject of the relief of Pemberton.

The Secretary of War has caught the prevailing alarm at the silence of Lee, and posted off to the President for a solution — but got none. If Lee falls back again, it will be the darkest day for the Confederacy we have yet seen.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 372-4

Deaths In Keokuk Hospital

April 28, Geo. Smith, Co. K, 17th Iowa regt.  29th, J. B. Hyatt, Co. H, 15th Iowa; J. E. Ross, Co. G, 17th Iowa.  30th, O. P. Compton, Co., C, 16th Iowa.  For particulars friends will address V. T. Perkins, undertaker of that city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Fort Warren Jones

The extinguished George W. Jones, once Senator from Iowa, more recently Minister to Bogota, and still later a resident of Fort Warren, with, it is supposed, his rebel son, taken prisoner at New Madrid, since, like his father, released on parole, dishonored our city with their presence Saturday.  When seen by our informant, they were conversing on the street with G. C. R. Mitchell and J. W. Churchill, Esqs.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

Harvey Tackitt, Private, Co. B, 39th Kentucky Infantry: Pension Index Card

SOURCE:  Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Fold3.com

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, September 12, 1862

We struck our tents at daylight and at 8 o’clock left Bolivar for Corinth, Mississippi, about forty-five or fifty miles distant. We marched fifteen miles and bivouacked for the night on the banks of the Hatchie river. The weather is very hot and the water is scarce, which, together with the dusty roads, makes traveling hard work. The men, however, are in good health and spirits; only a few found it necessary to call on the doctor for aid in having their accouterments carried.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 68

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Tuesday, July 7, 1863

It appears that the fighting near Gettysburg began on Wednesday, July 1st, continued until Sunday, the 5th, and perhaps longer. Up to Friday the Northern papers claim the advantage.

This morning at 1 P.M. [sic] another dispatch was received from the same (unofficial) source, stating that on Sunday the enemy made a stand, and A. P. Hill's corps fell back, followed by the enemy, when Longstreet's and Ewell's corps closed in their rear and captured 40,000 prisoners — who are now guarded by Pickett's division. It states that the prisoners refused to be paroled. This might possibly be true.

This account is credited. Col. Custis Lee, from the President's office, was in my office at half-past two P.M. to-day, and said nothing had been received from his father yet — but he did not deny that such accounts might be substantially true.

The President still keeps his eye on Gen. Beauregard. A paper from the general to Gen. Cooper, and, of course, referred to the President, in relation to the means of defense in his department, and a call for more guns, was sent back to-day, indorsed by the President, that by an examination of the report of Gen. Huger, he thought some discrepancies would appear in the statements of Gen. [Beauregard]. Thus, it would seem, from a repetition of similar [imputations], the President has strong doubts of Gen. [Beauregard's] accuracy of statements. He is quick to detect discrepancies.

Gen. D. H. Hill sends in a characteristic letter. He says the rivers are all swollen, and he can make no movement to-day in pursuit of Dix's army of the Pamunky — or rather "the monkey amy." He says that the Brooke Pike outer defenses are so defective in design, that a force there could be driven off in five minutes by the enemy's sharpshooters. He wants them amended, and a certain grove cut down — and recommends that engineers be put to work, with orders to leave their "kid gloves behind."  He thinks more is to be apprehended from an attack on Petersburg than Richmond; and requests that Gen. Wise be ordered to march thither from Chaffin's Bluff, on the first alarm. He had not heard of the reported victory of Lee.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 371-2

Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton to Major General Ulysses S. Grant, July 3, 1863

HEADQUARTERS,

Vicksburg, Miss., July 3, 1863.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,

Commanding United States Forces:

GENERAL: I have the honor to propose to you an armistice for several hours, with a view to arranging terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg. To this end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint three commissioners to meet a like number, to be named by yourself, at such place and hour to-day as you may find convenient.

I make this proposition to save the further effusion of blood, which must otherwise be shed to a frightful extent, feeling myself fully able to maintain my position for a yet indefinite period.

This communication will be handed you under a flag of truce by Maj. Gen. John S. Bowen.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36),  p. 283

Major General Ulysses S. Grant to Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, July 3, 1863

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,

In the Field, near Vicksburg, Miss., July 3, 1863.

Lieut. Gen. J. C. PEMBERTON,

Commanding Confederate Forces, &c.:

GENERAL: Your note of this date is just received, proposing an armistice for several hours, for the purpose of arranging terms of capitulation through commissioners to be appointed, &c.

The useless effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may choose, by an unconditional surrender of the city and garrison. Men who have shown so much endurance and courage as those now in Vicksburg will always challenge the respect of an adversary, and I can assure you will be treated with all the respect due to prisoners of war.

I do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no terms other than those indicated above.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36),  p. 60