Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, August 10, 1863

We are living on fresh bread now; we got our first today, baked in the new oven. Each man is allowed to draw a one-pound loaf per day. We again have company drill twice a day, with dress parade at 5 o'clock. The weather is fearfully hot, day and night.

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

71st Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Todd, Troy, Ohio, September, 1861, to January, 1862. Mustered in February 1, 1862. Ordered to Paducah, Ky., February 10. Attached to District of Paducah, Ky., to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to April, 1862. Garrison at Fort Donelson, Tenn., to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, to September, 1863. Post of Gallatin, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to April, 1864. Unassigned, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, to August, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, to August, 1865. Dept. of Texas to November, 1865.

SERVICE. – Reconnoissance toward Columbus, Ky., February 25-March 3, 1862. Action at and occupation of Columbus March 3. Moved from Paducah, Ky., to Savannah, Tenn., March 6-10. Expedition to Yellow Creek, Miss., and occupation of Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 14-17. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Ordered to Fort Donelson, Tenn., April 16. Garrison duty at Fort Donelson and Clarksville, Tenn., and operations in Northern and Middle Tennessee till August. Action at Clarksville August 18. Post surrendered by Col. Mason. Fort Donelson August 25 (Cos. "A," "B," "G" and "H"). Cumberland Iron Works August 26 (Cos. "A," "B," "G" and "H"). Expedition to Clarksville September 5-10. Pickett's Hill, Clarksville, September 7. Garrison duty at Forts Donelson and Henry, Tenn., till August, 1863. Guard duty along Louisville & Nashville Railroad (Headquarters at Gallatin, Tenn.) till July, 1864. Expedition from Gallatin to Carthage October 10-14, 1863 (Detachment). Near Hartsville October 10 (Detachment). Expedition from Gallatin to Cumberland Mountains January 28-February 8. Winchester May 10 (Detachment). Relieved from garrison duty July, 1864, and ordered to join Sherman's Army before Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign July 31-September 8. Siege of Atlanta July 31-August 25. 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. At Athens, Ga., October 31-November 23. March to Columbia, Tenn., November 23-24. Nashville Campaign November-December. Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Huntsville, Ala., and duty there till March, 1865. Operations in East Tennessee March 15-April 22. Duty at Strawberry Plains and Nashville till June. Ordered to New Orleans, La., June 16, thence moved to Texas. Duty at San Antonio till November. Mustered out November 30, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 66 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 5 Officers and 132 Enlisted men by disease. Total 206.

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

Congressman Alexander H. Stephens to James Thomas*, May 17, 1844

Washington, D. C., May 17, 1844.

Dear Thomas, Your favour from Savannah was duly received yesterday and I feel greatly obliged to you for it. I was not unapprised of the movements of the Locos at home upon the new issue got up by Captain Tyler, nor was I at all surprised at it, as I remarked in the House. So soon as the late tariff bill “humbug” was disposed of I had no doubt as a party, like most men when publicly condemned in the last court, they would in mass cut out for Texas! And so it seems what I predicted as a result has come to pass. But it will avail them nothing. Mr. Tyler may consider that the people of this country are as much lost to all sense of national honor as he is of personal, and that they place no higher estimation upon good faith than he does, but he will find himself mistaken and will be brought to see that they do not look upon breach of faith, meanness and perfidy in the same light that he does. I wish I had time to write you a full letter upon this subject but I have not. Suffice it to say that the whole annexation project is a miserable political humbug got up as a ruse to divide and distract the Whig party at the South, or peradventure with even an ulterior view — that is the dissolution of the present Confederacy. That is not yet quite free from disguise but I only believe it lies near Mr. Calhoun's heart. And as for Tyler, he would willingly destroy a country which he has [word illegible] deceived and betrayed when he is satisfied that he can no longer be its chief ruler. He and Calhoun both know that the Senate would never prove themselves so lost to all sense of national honor and good faith as to ratify their treaty. This they know well. As for Tyler I do not know but he fool-like did think that perhaps others had as little regard for these qualities as himself and had as little abhorrence for meanness and perfidy as himself. But Calhoun knew better. It is all a trick — one of his desperate moves or strokes to produce dissention in the country for his own personal aggrandizement. But as I said, he will not succeed. Van Buren will be nominated at Baltimore, a kind of [schism?] will ensue and the dissenters will run a Texas man for the South and Van Buren will run at the North, and the whole for the purpose if possible of driving the election to the House where they know Van Buren will be elected. For it is now the general belief that without some such trick Clay's election is inevitable. So far as Tyler is concerned in the project it has been for his own aggrandizement. So far as Calhoun is concerned it has been done to [set?] up a Southern party. So far as the Locos are concerned — I mean by them the old Simon pures, it has been to distract the Whigs, upon the old principle “divide and conquer”. But again I say it will not succeed. When the people of Georgia see all these facts and know everything relating to the treaty it will be by all sensible men of all parties I think universally condemned. But I have not time to give you details. You may have seen it said in the papers that he (Tyler) has actually called out our military forces and stationed two regiments on the confines of Texas and several sail in the Gulph — a virtual declaration of war — without consulting Congress. This is true, and a greater outrage upon the constitution has never been committed by any President. I should not be surprised if he is impeached.

[P. S.] I have not got time to look over the [above?] to see if spelling is correct.

[Marginal P. S.] Chappell¹ is completely off, and every Whig should know it.

________________

* A prominent attorney of Sparta, Ga., whose daughter married Stephens's half-brother Linton Stephens in 1852.

¹ Absalom H. Chappell, Democratic congressman from Georgia, 1843-1845, standing for reelection in 1844.

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. 57-8

General John Bell Hood to Jefferson Davis, September 13, 1864

LOVEJOY'S STATION, GA., September 13, 1864.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

In the battle of July 20 we failed on account of General Hardee. Our success on July 22 not what it should have been, owing to this officer. Our failure on August 31 I am now convinced was greatly owing to him. Please confer with Lieutenant-Generals Stewart and S. D. Lee as to operations around Atlanta. It is of the utmost importance that Hardee should be relieved at once. He commands the best troops of this army. I must have another commander. Taylor or Cheatham will answer. Hardee handed in his resignation a few days since, but withdrew it. Can General Cobb give me all the reserve regiments he has?

 J. B. HOOD.

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. 78), p. 832; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 249

Lieutenant-General James Longstreet to General Robert E. Lee, March 20, 1865

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,

March 20, 1865.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding:

GENERAL: I presume that the enemy's next move will be to raid against the Danville railroad, and think that it would be well if we begin at once to make our arrangements to meet it. In order that we may get the troops that may be necessary to meet such a move I would suggest that we  collect all the dismounted men of Generals Fitz Lee, Rosser, and Lomax and put them behind our strongest lines, and draw out a corps of infantry and hold it in readiness for the raid. General W. H. F. Lee's dismounts might also be used behind our works to great advantage, with a cavalry force of 2,000 or 3,000 men to hold the enemy in check. I think that our infantry may be able to overtake the raiding column. If we can get a large cavalry three I think that we would surely be able to destroy the raiding force.

I remain, 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. 1329; James Longstreet, From Manassas to Appomattox, p. 650

John Brown to Mary Ann Day Brown, January 17, 1851

Jan. 17, 1851.

. . . I wrote Owen last week that if he had not the means on hand to buy a little sugar, to write Mr. Cutting, of Westport, to send out some. I conclude you have got your belt before this. I could not manage to send the slates for the boys, as I intended, so they must be provided for some other way. . . . Say to the little girls that I will run home the first chance I get; but I want to have them learn to be a little more still. May God in his infinite mercy bless and keep you all is the unceasing prayer of

Your affectionate husband,

John Brown.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 107

John Brown to Henry Thompson, March 15, 1851

North Hudson, N. Y., March 15, 1851.

I have drawn an order on you, payable in board of Mail-carrier, horse-feed, or oats, in favor of Mr. Judd for $7.09, which you will oblige me by paying in oats at forty cents per bushel, or in board as above, whichever he may choose. When you can sell my stuff please pay your father $2.00 for me. I also wish you to send on of my shingles that Hiram Brown carried out, two thousand to Alva Holt, as we settled about the oats on condition of my sending him two thousand. I wish you to open an account of debt and credit with me from this time on, as I shall have a good many errands to trouble you with. I wish you would notify Mr. Flanders by letter at once (if Nash calls on you for the $3.00) to go ahead with the suit. Mr. Kellogg told me he thought the Trustees would settle with me, were he to write to them. We are getting along very well; the boys are still ahead, and Jack is with us. Mr. Blood talked of taking the shingles before I sold the two thousand to Holt, and said he would go and look at them, and give me $1.50 per thousand for them if he liked them. I wish to do the handsome thing by him about it. Would be glad to have you see him about it. My love unceasing to Ruth.

Affectionately yours,

John Brown.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 107-8

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Dr. Joseph T. Webb, June 10, 1861

(Private — Don't show this out of the family.)

Cincinnati [columbus], June 10, 1861.

Dear Doctor: — We are not quite certain, but our matters probably stand this way. The governor makes up a regimental staff and assigns to it companies as far removed from it, usually, as possible. We are to be the Twenty-third Regiment and companies will be assigned, usually, from the north. The proposed companies are very fine ones. This policy naturally creates some embarrassment, and may, or may not, work well, but the governor takes the responsibility in a very manly way, and relieves us from all embarrassments. If there is trouble, it will be between the governor and the companies, not involving us in the least. We like our captains, and would get along with them well, if this policy don't interfere. Nothing can be said about surgeon at present. I suspect it is arranged, but can't guess how.

I can't say when I shall come down, but soon, to stay two or three days and fix up; probably about Saturday next. Lucy may gradually get ready my matters; not too many things; there will be time enough.

The camp is at the race-track four miles west. You need not talk much of my probable fix, as changes are possible. Love to all. I will write often.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

P. S. — Order at Sprague's a major's uniform for infantry; they have my measure; see Rhodes; also, a blue flannel blouse, regulation officer's; pants to be large and very loose about the legs; to be done the last of this week, or as soon as convenient. Blouse and pants first to be done.

Dr. Joseph T. Webb.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 22

Soldiers' Relief

It must not be forgotten by our citizens that the Soldiers’ Relief Convention will be held here on next Wednesday the 28th inst., commencing its sessions at 10 o’clock a. m.  A number of persons from other portions of the State will doubtless be in attendance, and the matter be systematized that much more good can be accomplished in future.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 26, 1862, p. 1

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, March 28, 1862

March 28th. Near Mount Jackson.

. . . My little army is in excellent spirits. It feels that it inflicted a severe blow upon the enemy. I stayed in camp last night bivouacking. To-day I am in the house of a Mr. Allen, where I am quite comfortable. This is a beautiful country. The celebrated Meem farm is near here, and is the most magnificent one that I know of anywhere. After God, our God, again blesses us with peace, I hope to visit this country with my darling, and enjoy its beauty and loveliness.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 247

War Claims Agency

Mr. R. D. Congdon and our old friend T. D. Eagal have opened a war claims agency, as will be seen by their advertisement, and will attend to securing claims of all kinds against the war departments, held by soldiers or their friends.  See their advertisement and list of references; the latter are among the best men in the State.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 26, 1862, p. 1

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, February 22, 1863

Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Division,

Fifteenth A. C, Young's Point, La.,

Opposite Vicksburg, Feb. 22, 1863.

My Dear Mother:

I send other papers, to show the condition and feeling of our army here towards General Sherman. The public have been systematically, basely, infamously imposed upon by the journals or their paid hirelings. God knows we have enough to endure from the apathy and indifference of friends at home to say nothing of traitors and open treason. You say “it may have been wise, but not well in General Sherman to muzzle the press.” You do not, cannot know all. General Sherman has had neither the power nor the will, to muzzle the press, but he has endeavored, and I am sorry to say, most unsuccessfully, to drive from among the camp followers of the army, the scoundrels, who by tergiversation, misrepresentations, and actual falsehood impose alike upon the credulity of the people and those who are honest among the conductors of the press. General Sherman has been actuated by the purest patriotism, and would not lend himself to the contemptible chicane and meanness by which certain individuals have been puffed up or written down. Therefore these villains have conspired and confederated together to slander him and villify his command.  One, . . . the correspondent of the New York . . . who wrote one of the most shamefully false articles of all that appeared (and all were false), describing the affair at Chickasas Bluffs, admitted to General Sherman, in my presence and in answer to my questions, that because General S. was known to be opposed to the presence of professional newspaper correspondents in the army, therefore he had determined to league with others of the fraternity who were here and revenge themselves by writing him down. That neither he nor they knew anything about him, but they had determined among themselves to renew the old slander of his insanity, because they supposed that would be most injurious to him. He also admitted that his letters were false, and based upon false information. This he did in writing, and was subsequently tried by court martial, his confreres, meanwhile, making their escape. His letter to the . . . was copied into the Vicksburg papers, and the enemy actually had the reading of it before we did, and became possessed of most valuable information to them. They had never regarded our falling back from the bluffs as a retreat, but supposed the withdrawal was stratagem on the part of Sherman, and cautioned their generals against the result. Immense plans were disarranged, and in consequence of their publications much public treasure has been wasted and many lives lost. We know that very many of these newspaper correspondents are paid spies. We know that many of them are in certain interests, some in that of cotton speculators, some in that of gold brokers, some paid by combinations of bankers, who all use the intelligence they give the people for the furtherance of specific views. Hence you perceive the mischievous tendency of the productions of these canaille against the public weal, as well as the government, but aside from this a far more terrible effect is produced in the demoralization of the army and the shaking of the confidence of the soldiers in their leaders. The withdrawal of the army from Chickasas was regarded as one of the most brilliant military achievements of the war, by the army. Officers were enthusiastic and it was regarded as equal to a victory in its effects upon the minds of the men. That the army was . . . in splendid condition for battle was evidenced by their conduct at Post Arkansas, immediately thereafter. Yet no sooner were the newspapers received than their spirits were dampened and their ardor cooled by the first intelligence they had received, that they had been defeated and that their favorite general was in disgrace (for they may say what they please in Ohio, General Sherman is the favorite of this army and to-day is the hero of the West in fact, whether he has the reputation or not). Very well! from whom does the information come to depress the feelings and outrage the sensibilities of the army? — not from the public at home, but through the public journals, who, to use the mildest terms, have been imposed upon by at most five or six individuals, each one of whom is infamous in character, and because of his infamy, is fit for his nefarious trade. They find themselves cramped, and with a fiendish malignity, gratify their private revenge at the expense of a nation. To pull down Sherman they would sacrifice his army, to sacrifice that, they would betray the commonwealth. . . . Some of the journalists have a character to sustain, these have none, and it is these that should be scourged like hounds from every corps, division, and regiment of our army, whenever or whatever its service. We endorse General Sherman fully in this matter, and I refer you to the enclosed document marked “A,” a copy of the original which was signed by all the officers of the “Old Division” with enthusiastic alacrity. The public are entitled to and should have early information of the movements of our armies, when such information may be transmitted without notice to the enemy, but all such information should be under supervision and censorship, for the most obvious reason, and no personal allusion to the character or behavior of any officer or soldier should be permitted; what that leads to the most obtuse can see. . . . For my record I point with what I believe is an honest pride to the official reports of my commanding generals, now part of the archives of the nation, and I would not exchange the autograph letters of General Sherman which I now enclose to you, for all or any of the newspaper fame that I have seen bestowed on any man.

If I succeed in securing my promotion through legislative channels, it is well; I think I deserve it. I think it not only due to me from my country, but that it will enable me to render her more effectual service. I do not ask it as a favor — I demand it as a right; and I am admonished that without the demand the right will not be accorded. Therefore, and properly, the action of my personal and political friends to bring me properly to the attention of the appointing power, to urge upon the Senate the propriety of remembering those who are placing their lives in peril to save the Republic, to remind the President of the propriety of selecting for his generals those who are most competent to lead his armies in the field. Whether I receive my promotion or not you and my friends will have been made to know that my immediate commanding generals think I deserve it, and that I have the confidence of my brother officers with whom I have served so long and so arduous a campaign.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 271-4

Major Schaeffer . . .

. . . of the glorious Iowa First, and latterly of the Curtis Horse, was buried with military honors at Dubuque on Thursday last.  In Tennessee, on the 5th inst., his men were fallen upon by the enemy ten times their number, Major S. was surrounded by six or eight rebel officers and ordered to surrender – having lost his saber and exhausted his revolver – which refusing to do, he was shot down.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 26, 1862, p. 1

Circular of Major-General George G. Meade, June 30, 1863

CIRCULAR.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

June 30, 1863.

The commanding general has received information that the enemy are advancing, probably in strong force, on Gettysburg. It is the intention to hold this army pretty nearly in the position it now occupies until the plans of the enemy shall have been more fully developed.

Three corps, First, Third, and Eleventh, are under the command of Major-General Reynolds, in the vicinity of Emmitsburg, the Third Corps being ordered up to that point. The Twelfth Corps is at Littlestown. General Gregg's division of cavalry is believed to be now engaged with the cavalry of the enemy near Hanover Junction.

Corps commanders will hold their commands in readiness at a moment's notice, and, upon receiving orders to march against the enemy, their trains (ammunition wagons excepted) must be parked in the rear of the place of concentration. Ammunition wagons and ambulances will alone be permitted to accompany the troops. The men must be provided with three days' rations in haversacks, and with 60 rounds of ammunition in the boxes and upon the person.

Corps commanders will avail themselves of all the time at their disposal to familiarize themselves with the roads communicating with the different corps.

By command of Major-General Meade:

 S. WILLIAMS,

 Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 15; 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. 416-7

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, August 9, 1863

I was detailed on a foraging party today. There were two hundred men and one hundred wagons, accompanied by a squad of cavalry as a picket guard. We went up the Yazoo river bottoms about five miles and loaded our wagons with green corn, which we found in abundance. It was very hot, and the work was strenuous, besides its being on the Lord's Day — but such is the life of a soldier.

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

70th Ohio Infantry

Organized at West Union, Ohio, October 14, 1861. Moved to Ripley, Ohio, December 25, thence to Paducah, Ky., February 17, 1862. Attached to District of Paducah, Ky., to March, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Tenn., to November. 1862. 3rd Brigade, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Memphis, 13th Army Corps, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, to August, 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps, to July, 1865. Dept. of Arkansas to August, 1865.

SERVICE. – Moved from Paducah, Ky., to Savannah, Tenn., March 6-10, 1862. Expedition to Yellow Creek and occupation of Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 14-17. Crump's Landing April 4. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Russell House, near Corinth, May 17. Occupation of Corinth May 30. March to Memphis, Tenn., via LaGrange, Grand Junction and Holly Springs June 1-July 21. Duty at Memphis till November. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign, operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad, November, 1862, to January, 1863. Moved to LaGrange, Tenn., and duty there till March 7, and at Moscow till June 9. Ordered to Vicksburg, Miss., June 9. Siege of Vicksburg June 14-July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Bolton's Ferry, Black River, July 4-6. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Camp at Big Black till September 26. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., thence march to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 26-November 20. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Tunnel Hill November 23-25. Mission Ridge November 25. March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn., November 28-December 28. Regiment reenlisted January 1, 1864. Veterans on furlough February. Duty at Scottsboro, Ala., till May. 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. Brush Mountain June 15. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Ruff's Mills July 3-4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Ezra Chapel July 28 (Hood's second sortie). 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. Reconnoissance from Rome on Cave Springs Road and skirmishes October 12-13. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Statesboro December 4. Near Bryan Court House December 8. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Fort McAllister December 13. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Columbia, S.C., February 16-17. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 30. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June, thence to Little Rock, Ark., and duty there till August. Mustered out August 14, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 70 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 188 Enlisted men by disease. Total 265.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1529-30

Thomas Ritchie to Congressman Howell Cobb.

Private.

Richmond [va.] — Monday evening — [May 6, 1844].

My Dear Sir: I am deeply sensible of the kindness you have shown me and the confidence you have reposed in me by your candid and manly letter. It is worthy of the character which I have heard ascribed to you by those who personally know you.

For 40 years (on Thursday next) have I been the Editor of a paper — and never have I seen the Republican party in so much danger. We are breaking up into factions. The great Dictator marching on to power with a strong and invincible party at his heels whilst we are divided by miserable contests and contemptible jealousies.

You ask me to interpose my good offices between the contending presses at Washington. I might as well attempt to stop the Ocean with a bullrush. The Globe now will hearken to no good counsels. An arrogant spirit presides over it at the very moment that it should most conciliate and bind us together. And again my able and noble friend, Dromgoole,¹ whose only fault in the world is on some occasions a dogged tenax propositi, is rushing before the public, instead of treating me like his real friend, and I trust in God, if not as able at least as pure and disinterested a politician as himself, by remonstrating with me privately, if he thought I had done wrong, and seeking by arguments to which I am never deaf, to bring me right. But, sir, Dromgoole is groping in the dark. He does not know the sentiment of Virginia. She will demand the annexation of Texas if it can be obtained. But he does not know the condition of things in relation to the presidential slate. Dromgoole and a hundred Globes cannot stop the current of public sentiment in the South. I send you confidentially a letter I received to-day from a Republican.

He is a lawyer in Petersburg. Don't show it but return it to me. I recd. 5 others of a similar character yesterday from different parts of the State.

I have this moment received the proceedings of the Democrats of this county (Henrico) assembled today at their Court House. The oldest, staunchest Republicans unanimously voted for relieving W. H. Roane and his colleagues of the Baltimore convention, from their instructions to vote for V. B.² and leaving them to their sound discretion. You know the character of W. H. Roane (former U. S. Senator and the devoted friend of Mr. V. B.). It was he not I, who passed the last Resolution which the Globe and Dromgoole attack. The meeting of Henrico to-day was about at one time, I understand, to instruct the Baltimore delegates to vote for no man who was not for Texas. As it was, they expressed their earnest desire for their Baltimore delegates to procure the nomination of a Democrat friendly to the immediate annexation of Texas.

I spoke very freely to Mr. Stiles, about what I thought was the duty of our friends in Congress, for no member, unless he be a delegate to the B. convention, to have anything to say to the presidential election and for them only to collect information about the candidates and await the public sentiment.

Do write me now and then. Inform me what is going forward.

[P. S.] Do cultivate the acquaintance of my friend, Gen. Bayley, the new member.

________________

¹ George C. Dromgoole, congressman from Virginia, 1835-1837, 1845-1847.

² Van Buren.

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. 56-7

General John Bell Hood to General Braxton Bragg, September 8, 1864 – 2:30 p.m.

LOVEJOY'S STATION, GA., September 8, 1864 – 2.30 p.m.

 General BRAXTON BRAGG:

I suggest that all the reserves of Georgia, under General Cobb, be ordered to this army since the prisoners have been removed; that Lieutenant-General Taylor be ordered to relieve General Hardee, bringing with him all the troops he can.

 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 38, Part 5 (Serial No. 76), p. 1030; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 249

Lieutenant-General James Longstreet to General Robert E. Lee, March 7, 1865

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,

March 7, 1865.

General R. E. LEE, Commanding:

GENERAL: I received a letter yesterday from a friend in the interior of North Carolina assuring me that there are large quantities of provisions in the State; that many have two and three years' supply on hand; and that gold will bring anything that we need to our armies. The gold is in the country, and most of it is lying idle. Let us take it at once, and [use] it to save Richmond and end the war. If we hold Richmond and save our cotton, the war cannot last more than a year longer. If we give up Richmond we shall never be recognized by foreign powers until the Government of the United States sees fit to recognize us. If we hold Richmond and let the enemy have our cotton, it seems to me that we shall furnish him the means to carry on the war against us. It looks to me as though the enemy had found that our policy of destroying the cotton rather than let it fall into their hands would break them down, and that it has forced them to the policy of sending on here to make a contract to feed and clothe our armies, in order that they may get the means of carrying on the war of subjugation. If we will keep our cotton and use our gold our work will be comparatively easy.

I remain, 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 2 (Serial No. 96), p. 1289; James Longstreet, From Manassas to Appomattox, p. 649-50

John Brown to Mary Ann Day Brown, November 28, 1850

Springfield, Mass., Nov. 28, 1850.

Dear Wife, —  . . . Since leaving home I have thought that under all the circumstances of doubt attending the time of our removal, and the possibility that we may not remove at all, I had perhaps encouraged the boys to feed out the potatoes too freely. . . .  I want to have them very careful to have no hay or straw wasted, but I would have them use enough straw for bedding the cattle to keep them from lying in the mire. I heard from Ohio a few days since; all were then well. It now seems that the Fugitive Slave Law was to be the means of making more Abolitionists than all the lectures we have had for years. It really looks as if God had his hand on this wickedness also. I of course keep encouraging my colored friends to “trust in God, and keep their powder dry.” I did so to-day, at Thanksgiving meeting, publicly. . . .  While here, and at almost all places where I stop, I am treated with all kindness and attention; but it does not make home. I feel lonely and restless, no matter how neat and comfortable my room and bed, nor how richly loaded may be the table; they have few charms for me, away from home. I can look back to our log-cabin at the centre of Richfield, with a supper of porridge and johnny-cake, as a place of far more interest to me than the “Massasoit”¹ of Springfield. But “there's mercy in every place.”

_______________

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 106-7