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
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
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
Monday, May 26, 2014
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
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