Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, October 24, 1863

The weather is quite cool. I worked all day building a fireplace in my tent, while my bunk-mate was out on duty. The boys are all fixing up for winter just as if we were going to stay here all winter.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 149

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: September 25, 1863

Our regiment with supplies and munitions ordered to Martinsburg, West Virginia. Packing up, getting ready to march.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 29

7th Ohio Cavalry – “River Regiment”

Regiment organized at Ripley, Ohio, October, 1862, and duty there till December, 1862. First Battalion (Cos. "A," "B," "C," "D"), ordered to Lexington, Ky., November 22, 1862, and duty there till December 21. 2nd Battalion ordered to Lexington, Ky., December 20, 1862, and 3rd Battalion to same point December 31, 1862. Attached to District of Central Kentucky, Dept. Ohio, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, District of Central Kentucky, to April, 1863. 1st Provisional Cavalry Brigade, 23rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to June, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, to August, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, to November, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Dept. Ohio, to May, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of Kentucky, 5th Division, 23rd Army Corps, to July, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to August, 1864. Mounted Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to September, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to November, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, Wilson's Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 6th Division, Cavalry Corps, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Cavalry Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--1st Battalion participated in Carter's Raid into East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia December 21, 1862, to January 5, 1863. Passage of Moccasin Gap December 29, 1862. Actions at Zollicoffer Station December 30. Watauga Bridge, Carter's Station, December 30 (Cos. "A," "D"). Regiment participated in operations in Central Kentucky against Cluke's forces February 18-March 5, 1863. Slate Creek near Mt. Sterling February 24 and March 2. Operations against Pegram March 22-April 1. Dutton's Hill March 30. Expedition to Monticello and operations in Southeast Kentucky April 26-May 12. Monticello May 1. Rocky Gap, Monticello, June 9. Carter's Raid in East Tennessee June 16-24. Knoxville June 19-20. Roger's Gap June 20. Powder Springs Gap June 21. Scout to Creelsborough June 28-30. Pursuit of Morgan July 1-25. Buffington Island, Ohio, July 19. Operations against Scott in Eastern Kentucky July 26-August 6. Near Rogersville July 27. Richmond July 28. Lancaster July 31. Paint Lick Bridge July 31. Lancaster August 1. Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee August 16-October 19. Winter's Gap August 31. Expedition to Cumberland Gap September 4-9. Capture of Cumberland Gap September 9. Carter's Station September 22. Zollicoffer September 24. Jonesboro September 28. Blue Springs October 5 and 10. Sweetwater October 10-11. Pursuit to Bristol October 11-17. Blountsville October 13-14. Moved to Rogersville October 17-19. Knoxville Campaign November 4-December 23. Action at Rogersville November 6. Stock Creek November 14. Defence of Cumberland Gap during siege of Knoxville November 17-December 5. Morristown December 10. Cheek's Cross Roads December 12. Russellville December 12-13. Bean's Station December 14. Rutledge December 16. Blain's Cross Roads December 16-19. Rutledge December 18. Stone's Mill December 19. New Market December 23. Dandridge December 24. Mossy Creek December 26. Operations about Dandridge January 16-17, 1864. Kimbrough's Cross Roads January 16. Dandridge January 17. Operations about Dandridge January 26-28. Fair Garden January 27. Ordered to Nicholasville, Ky., FebrUary. Operations against Morgan in Kentucky May 31-June 20 (Detachment). Cynthiana June 12. March to Atlanta, Ga., July 4-26. Siege of Atlanta July 26-September 2. Stoneman's Raid to Macon July 27-August 6 (Co. "D"). Clinton and Macon July 30 (Co. "D"). Hillsborough July 30-31 (Co. "D"). Sandtown and Fairburn August 15. At Decatur till October 4. At Atlanta till November 6. Moved to Nashville, Tenn. Nashville Campaign November-December. Henryville November 23. Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Duck River Crossing November 28. Columbia Ford November 29. Franklin November 30. Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. West Harpeth River and Franklin December 17. Spring Hill December 18. Richland Creek December 24. Pulaski December 25-26. Moved to Gravelly Springs, Ala., and duty there till March, 1865. Wilson's Raid from Chickasaw, Ala., to Macon, Ga., March 22-April 24. Montevallo March 31. Ebenezer Creek near Mapleville April 1. Selma April 2. Montgomery April 12. Columbia, Ga., April 16. Capture of Macon April 20. Scout duty in Northern Georgia till May 15. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., and duty there till July. Mustered out July 4, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 26 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 197 Enlisted men by disease. Total 229.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1477-8

Hannibal Hamlin to George Ashmun, May 30, 1860

WASHINGTON, May 30, 1860.

Gentlemen, — Your official communication of the 18th inst., informing me that the representatives of the Republican party of the United States, assembled at Chicago on that day, had by unanimous vote selected me as their candidate for the office of Vice-President of the United States, has been received, together with the resolutions adopted by the convention as its declaration of principles. These resolutions enunciate clearly and forcibly the principles which unite us, and the objects proposed to be accomplished. They address themselves to all, and there is neither necessity nor propriety in entering upon a discussion of any of them. They have the approval of my judgment, and in any action of mine will be faithfully and cordially sustained. I am profoundly grateful to those with whom it is my pride to cooperate for the nomination so unexpectedly conferred. And I desire to tender through you to the members of the convention my sincere thanks for the confidence thus reposed in me. Should the nomination which I now accept be ratified by the people, and the duties devolved on me of presiding over the Senate of the United States, it will be my earnest endeavor faithfully to discharge them with a just regard for the rights of all.

It is to be observed in connection with the doings of the Republican convention, that the paramount object with us is to preserve the normal conditions of our territorial domains as homes for freemen. The able advocate and defender of Republican principles whom you have named for the highest place that can gratify the ambition of man comes from a State which has been made what it is by the special action in that respect by the wise and good men who founded our institutions. The rights of free labor have been there vindicated and maintained. The thrift and enterprise which so distinguish Illinois, one of the most flourishing States of the glorious West, we would see secured to all the territories of the Union, and restore peace and harmony to the whole country by bringing back the government to what it was under the wise and patriotic men who created it. If the Republicans shall succeed in that object, as they hope to, they will be held in grateful remembrance by the busy and teeming millions of the future ages.

I am, very truly yours,

H. Hamlin.

To the Hon. George Ashmun,

President of the Convention, and others of the Committee.

SOURCE: Charles Eugene Hamlin, The Life and Times of Hannibal Hamlin, p. 351; David W. Bartlett, The Life and Public Services of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, p. 356-7

Senator James W. Grimes to Elizabeth S. Nealley Grimes, December 5, 1860

Washington, December 5, 1860.

Secession of one or more States is inevitable. The members of both Houses are in remarkable good-humor, but everybody seems firmly resolved to adhere to his professed principles and course of action. We are getting into deep water, and it is doubtful what shore we shall reach. Mr. Fessenden urges me every day to send for you.

SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes, p. 131-2

John Brown to his Children, June 4, 1855

Rockford, Winnebago County, Ill., June 4, 1855.

Dear Children, — I write just to say that I have sold my cattle without making much sacrifice, and expect to be on my way home to-morrow. Oliver expects to remain behind and go to Kansas. After I get home I expect to start with my family for North Elba as soon as we can get ready. We may possibly get off this week, but I hardly think we can. I have heard nothing further as yet from the boys in Kansas. All were well at home a few days since.

 SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 193

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Laura Platt, August 4, 1861

Near Weston, Virginia, August 4, 1861.

Dear Laura: — As we ride about this exceedingly pretty country and through this reasonably decent village, I am reminded of young ladies in Ohio by occasionally meeting a damsel wearing a stars-and-stripes apron, or by seeing one who turns up her nose at the said stars, etc.

We are leading camp life again — watching Secessionists, studying geography, sending and receiving scouts and couriers and sich like. Colonel Matthews has gone with the five companies of the right wing forty-four miles further up into the hills. We shall follow him if there are any hostile signs up there, and he will return to us if such sign fail him.

You and Jeanie A— have been of use. The bandages are used in dressing the shocking wound of young Jewett of Zanesville — a lieutenant, handsome, gallant, and intelligent. Just the person you would wish to serve in this way. Dr. Joe hopes he will not be crippled. At first it seemed that he must lose his foot; but your bandages or something else are bringing him up. It will be perhaps months before he can walk.

The court-house here (about like yours) is a hospital for the sick and wounded of all the regiments hereabouts. It would be a glorious thing if some Florence Nightingales would come here. They could be immensely useful, and at the same time live pleasantly in a pretty mountain village, safe as a bug in a rug. Won't you come? It is easy getting here and cheap staying. Too hot under canvas to write much. Love to all.

Your uncle,

R.

Miss Laura Platt,

Columbus.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 56

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, April 19, 1863

Saturday. Yesterday I received your letter, but you did not say a word about coming to see your esposo. I do hope that ere this you have received mine, saying you could come, and that you at once got an escort and started. There is no time for hesitation if you have not started. There is increasing probability that I may be elsewhere as the season advances. But don't come unless you get a good escort. I am not certain that I can get accommodations for you; but I don't think there will be any difficulty about it, as I hope some kind neighbor would try to make us comfortable for the short time that you may remain. I think that we might get in at Mr. Yerby's, which is less than a mile from my headquarters.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 422

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, December 20, 1863

Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, December 20, 1863.

As to the Christmas box you ask about, it is hardly necessary to send it, as the Frenchman who messes me provides me liberally with everything, and these boxes are very expensive. I expect you will have your hands full with the children at Christmas, and I think you had better throw into this fund the amount you would expend on me for a box and mufti.

I have had several visitors recently. One was the Chevalier Danesi, a young Sardinian officer, who has come to this country with a view of serving in our army. The other was an English gentleman, from Liverpool, an original Union man, who desired to see our army in the field. Danesi brought me a letter from McClellan, and the Englishman one from Mr. Seward, Secretary of State. They both spent a day very pleasantly, and I endeavored to be civil to them.

I suppose you have seen Greeley's apology about the New Jersey letter. After he found it was written to a loyal Republican, he changed his tune about the character of its contents. I wonder what these people want if they are not satisfied with my services and my practical devotion to their cause?

You ask me about Grant. It is difficult for me to reply. I knew him as a young man in the Mexican war, at which time he was considered a clever young officer, but nothing extraordinary. He was compelled to resign some years before the present war, owing to his irregular habits. I think his great characteristic is indomitable energy and great tenacity of purpose. He certainly has been very successful, and that is nowadays the measure of reputation. The enemy, however, have never had in any of their Western armies either the generals or the troops they have had in Virginia, nor has the country been so favorable for them there as here. Grant has undoubtedly shown very superior abilities, and is I think justly entitled to all the honors they propose to bestow upon him.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 162-3

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, November 16, 1864

Headquarters Armies Of The Un1ted States,

City Point, Va., Nov. 16, 1864.

I write not to give interesting intelligence, but simply to advise you that I am in the land of the living, at City Point, on James River, that waters the sacred soil, and that I am about as far to the front on my way to Richmond as it is this day safe to go.

The James reminds me a good deal of the lower Mississippi, and so far as I have come, its banks are studded with points of interest, and historical in the war. At Fort Monroe, I saw the finest fleet that, perhaps, has ever been collected in the American waters. Leaving Washington in a steamer for this place, I passed Alexandria, Point Lookout, Harrison's Landing, Newport News, Fort Powhatan, Wilson's Landing, Jamestown Island. If the children will look at the map, they will discover that we descend the Potomac, scud along Chesapeake Bay, and at Fort Monroe ascend the James, so that they can get upon my track. There is no news here proper for me to write. General Grant is in good health and spirits and I hear as late as last Wednesday from Sherman, who also is well.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 364-5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, October 23, 1863

It rained all day, but that did not affect our camp routine. I was on camp guard, and large details were out at work, as every day, on the fortifications.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 149

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: August 15, 1863

A field hospital and camp was established to the north on the Chambersburg road, about two miles from town. A fine location. Plenty of good, clear, running water. The change was not only good for us but very beneficial to all the prisoners, and they enjoyed it very much. Good air and grounds for them to walk about. A provost guard was on duty in town to preserve the peace and protect the town. We were on the alert all the time. Reports of cavalry raids from Virginia into Maryland caused us to turn out in the night and double the line of pickets on the road to Williamsport, near the ford crossing the Potomac. We have very pleasant recollections of Hagerstown. Nothing very serious happened while we were there. Some of the people were very strongly in sympathy with the South. The 4th Connecticut Regiment was at that town a year before we were. They left a good impression there and were well spoken of by the people. We became well acquainted in Hagerstown and vicinity. We traded with farmers coffee, sugar, and hardtack, for eggs, butter, and vegetables. We lived well at that place. All things come to an end. Marching orders received. The prisoners were ordered to be sent to Chambersburg, Penn. At this camp we conquered the army of the pedicules, and became free of the pest.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 28-9

6th Ohio Cavalry

Organized at Warren, Ohio, October 7, 1861. Duty at Warren till January, 1862, and at Camps Chase and Dennison, Ohio, to May, 1862. Moved to Wheeling, W. Va., May 13, thence to Strasburg, Va., and Join Fremont's army. Attached to Mountain Department to June, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Corps, Pope's Army of Virginia, to July, 1862. Cavalry Brigade, 1st Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. Cavalry Brigade, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to February, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to August, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to October, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to May, 1865. Dept. of Virginia to August, 1865.

SERVICE. – Strasburg, Va., June 1, 1862. Woodstock June 2, Mr. Jackson June 4. New Market June 5. Harrisonburg June 6. Battle of Cross Keys June 8. Near Mt. Jackson June 16. Rapidan River August 3-4 and 12. Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Fords of the Rappahannock August 16-23. Kelly's Ford August 21. Catlett's Station August 21-22. Fant's Ford, Great Run, August 23. Thoroughfare Gap and Haymarket August 28. Battle of Bull Run August 29-30. Expedition from Centreville to Bristoe and Warrenton Stations September 25-28. Reconnoissance to near Warrenton October 12. Thoroughfare Gap October 17-18. Haymarket October 19 (Detachment). Operations on Orange & Alexandria Railroad November 10-12. Reconnoissance from Chantilly to Snicker's Ferry and Berryville November 28-30. Berryville November 30. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15 (Detachment). Scout to Luray Valley December 22. Kelly's Ford March 17, 1863. Stoneman's Raid April 27-May 8. Brandy Station, Stevensburg, Beverly Ford, June 9. Aldie June 17. Middleburg June 19. Upperville June 21. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Monterey July 4. Smithburg July 6. Williamsport and Hagerstown July 6-7. Boonsboro July 8. Jones' Cross Roads near Williamsport July 10 and 13. Hagerstown July 11-13. Falling Waters July 14. Jones' Cross Roads July 15. Barber's Cross Roads September 1. Scout to Middleburg September 10-11. Advance from the Rapidan to the Rappahannock September 13-17. Culpeper Court House September 13. Rapidan Station September 15. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Warrenton or White Sulphur Springs October 12-13. Auburn Bristoe and Bristoe October 14. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. New Hope Church November 27. Reconnoissance to Front Royal January 1-4, 1864. Custer's Raid into Albemarle County February 28-March 1. Near Charlottesville February 29. Stannardsville March 1. Burton's Ford, Rapidan River, March 1 (Detachment). Rapidan Campaign May 3-June 15. Todd's Tavern May 5-6. Wilderness May 6-7. Todd's Tavern May 7-8. Corbin's Bridge May 8. Sheridan's Raid to the James River May 9-24. Childsburg and Davenport May 9. North Anna May 9-10. Ashland, Ground Squirrel Church and Yellow Tavern May 11. Brook's Church or fortifications of Richmond May 12. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Haw's Shop May 28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor May 31-June 7. Sumner's Upper Bridge June 2. Sheridan's Trevillian Raid June 7-24. Trevillian Station June 11-12. Mallory's Cross Roads June 12. Black Creek or Tunstall Station and St. Peter's Church, White House, June 21. St. Mary's Church June 24. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 24, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Warwick Swamp July 12, 1864. (Poolesville, Md., July 12, Detachment.) Demonstration north of the James July 27-29. Deep Bottom and Malvern Hill July 27-28. Lee's Mills July 30. Demonstration north of the James August 13-20. Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18. Six Mile House, Weldon Railroad, August 20-21. Dinwiddie Road near Ream's Station August 23. Ream's Station August 25. Arthur's Swamp and Poplar Grove Church September 29-October 2. Expedition into Surrey County October 16-19. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28. Stony Creek Station December 1. Reconnoissance to Hatcher's Run and skirmishes December 8-10. Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, February 5-7, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Dinwiddie Court House March 30-31. Five Forks April 1. Amelia Springs and Jettersville April 5. Sailor's Creek April 6. Farmville April 7. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Expedition to Danville April 23-29. Duty in Sub-District of the Appomattox, Dept. of Virginia, till August. Mustered out August 7, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 52 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 177 Enlisted men by disease. Total 238.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1476-7

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, December 18, 1863

Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, December 18, 1863.

To-day Captain Chauncey handed me your letter of the 13th inst.

As to politics and politicians, as I never have had anything to do with them, and have personal friends in all parties, I don't see why I am to fear them now. I think I can keep them in their proper places. Already the Tribune has charged that the gentleman in New Jersey, my correspondent, is George B. McClellan, and asks why this is not openly avowed. I have no political aspirations. I have the ambition to prove myself a good soldier, and intend to try to afford evidences of this to the last. Major Jim Biddle has gone on leave; so you will hear all the latest news from the camp.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 162

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, October 24, 1864

Quincy, Sunday, Oct. 24, 1864.

My Dear Mother:

After strange, and what would be considered in any other age, romantic vicissitudes, I find myself once more in the land of my birth, with the same surroundings, changed so little as to be a marvel, that made my sum of childhood life. I have had for years an earnest longing to look again upon the everlasting hills, the eternal rocks, and changing seas of this New England coast, and being so near could not resist the temptation to gratify my desires. I am glad I came, and feel much benefited in health and spirits. I have met most of our kith and kinsfolk who, like their trees, are rooted in the soil.

To-day, thus far, I rest; if you were with me to join in the calm enjoyment, the serenity of happiness, the sweet content of this glorious, autumnly sunny Sunday, that is mine, here so close to my birthplace, hallowed to you by so many recollections, I should be supremely blest, “to sit at good men's feasts, to hear the holy bell that knolls to church,” far from war and war's alarms, the bracing breeze rustling the leaves all tinged with the hectic hues of autumn, just ready to fall, but lingering, clinging to the swinging bough, giving sweet music as to the wind they sing their parting lay; to listen to the pattering of children's feet upon the bridge where my first footsteps ventured, the babbling of the same old brook, here confined between trim borders, there in its freedom merrily dancing in the sunlight; to wander through the same old rooms, sit in the same old chairs, eat from the same old spoons, hear the familiar household words from the same lips that well-nigh half a century ago gave greeting. Ah, well-a-day, you and I are growing old, dear mother, and as we drift by rapidly upon the stream of time we clutch convulsively at these old landmarks and for a while would fain stay our progress onward to the boundless gulf that is beyond. We cheat ourselves in thought, that in good sooth we do linger, while even all else is passing away, that while inanimate objects, that from associations seem self-identified, remain apparently unchanged, we, by mere contact, rejuvenate our stay, or receive the virtues of the waters of Lethe. Yet, when the real comes back, it is good to know that in imagination we have triumphed over time, that in mere enjoyment of imagination, we have caught some glimpse of the glorious immortality yet to come.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 363-4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, October 22, 1863

We are glad to be at home again in camp after eleven days' absence. Most of that time we were in bivouac without any protection — two nights in soaking rainstorms. Our heavy duties begin again — fatigue duty and camp guard, fourteen of our number being on guard today. Our regimental payrolls for two months' pay were made out and we signed them today. There is no news from the army in the East, and all is quiet here in the West.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 148-9

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: July 24, 1863

Marching orders. Broke camp. After a short march, go into camp on high ground near the Potomac River. Plenty of water here where we could bathe and wash our clothes, hang them on the bushes and wait for them to dry. We also used the river water to drink and make coffee. The current ran very swift at this point.

(During my army life I drank, made coffee, fished, bathed, washed my clothes, waded through, its blue waters. When clear it was blue as one looked at it. When storms came it was yellow, the color of Virginia and Maryland mud.)

We only enjoyed our camp near the Potomac for a few days, when marching orders were received, to report at Hagerstown, Maryland, about ten miles from Sharpsburg, or about eight from our camp. At Hagerstown the Seminary and the grounds were used for a rebel prison and hospital, where we were to do guard and picket duty. Many of the poor fellows confined there died from wounds and disease. While the duty was not very laborious, it was not very pleasant. This is a fine section of Maryland, scenery fine. A large spring, walled in, in the center of the city, from which we obtained water. Quite a large number were confined here as prisoners of war. Here we also came in contact with an army of pedicules, which kept us very busy fighting them. Our boys claimed they bore on their backs the letters C. S. A., Confederate States America. The Seminary and grounds covered quite a tract of land. Our camp was placed as far as could be and still be on the grounds enclosed.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 27-8

5th Ohio Cavalry

Regiment originally organized at Camp Dick Corwin, near Cincinnati, Ohio, October 23-November 14, 1861, as 2nd Ohio Cavalry. Designation changed by Gov. Dennison November, 1861. Duty at Camp Dick Corwin till November 5, 1861, and at Camp Dennison, Ohio, till March, 1862. Ordered to Paducah, Ky. 2nd Battalion left Cincinnati, Ohio, February 28, and 1st and 3rd Battalions on March 1, 1862. Attached to District of Paducah, Ky., March, 1862. Sherman's 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to April, 1862. 1st and 2nd Battalions attached to 4th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. District of Memphis, Tenn., to September, 1862. District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862. Lee's 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. Lee's 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to April, 1863. 4th Brigade, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army Corps, to August, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to October, 1863. 3rd Battalion (Cos. "E," "H," "I" and "K") attached to 3rd Division, Army Tennessee, April, 1862. 2nd Division, Army Tennessee, to July, 1862, 2nd Division, District of Corinth, Miss., to November, 1862. Unattached Cavalry, District of Corinth, Miss., 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. Tennessee, to December, 1862. District of Corinth, Miss., 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Corinth, 16th Army Corps, to May, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to August, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to October, 1863. Regiment attached to Headquarters 15th Army Corps October, 1863, to April, 1864. Cavalry, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, to October, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Kilpatrick's 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to January, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division, to June, 1865. Dept. of North Carolina to October, 1865.

SERVICE. – March from Danville to Savannah, Tenn., March 10-11, 1862. Expedition to Mobile & Ohio Railroad to destroy bridges March 14-15. Beach Creek Bridge, Tenn., March 13. Near Eastport, Miss., March 14. Burnsville March 14-15. Reach Pittsburg Landing March 15. Skirmish Pittsburg Landing March 16. Reconnoissance toward Corinth March 16. Black Jack Forest March 16 (Detachment). Near Shiloh Church March 24 (1st and 2nd Battalions). Purdy Road near Adamsville March 31 (Co. "I"). Expedition to Chickasaw, Ala., and Eastport, Miss., April 1. Near Monterey, Tenn., April 3. Crump's Landing April 4 (Detachment). Battle of Shiloh April 6-7. Corinth Road April 8. Beech Creek Bridge April 13 (3rd Battalion). Affair with Cavalry April 14. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Pursuit to Tuscumbia River June 1-6. March to Memphis, Tenn., via LaGrange and Grand Junction June 10-July 27 (1st and 2nd Battalions), and duty there till September. Horn Lake Creek August 16 (Cos. "A," "C"). 3rd Battalion at Corinth, Miss., till August, 1863. 1st and 2nd Battalion moved from Memphis to Jackson, Tenn., September 6-12, 1862. Battle of Corinth, Miss., October 3-4 (3rd Battalion). Pursuit to Ripley October 5-12 (3rd Battalion). Battle of the Hatchie, Metamora, October 5, 1862 (1st and 2nd Battalions). Chewalla October 5 (3rd Battalion). Ruckersville and near Ripley October 7 (3rd Battalion). Guard Mobile & Ohio Railroad at Glendale October 15 to November 8, 1862 (3rd Battalion). Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. About Oxford, Miss., December 1-3, 1862. Free Bridge December 3. Water Valley Station December 4. Coffeeville December 5. Raid from Corinth to Tupelo December 13-19 (3rd Battalion). Operations against Forest December 18, 1862, to January 3, 1863 (1st and 2nd Battalions). Lexington December 18, 1862. Salem Cemetery near Jackson December 19. Davis Mills, Wolf River, December 21 (Cos. "B," "M"). Guard Memphis & Charleston Railroad till March, 1863 (1st and 2nd Battalions), and duty at and about Memphis, Tenn., till August, 1863 (1st and 2nd Battalions). Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., to Coldwater, Miss., April 18-24, 1863. Tuscumbia, Ala., February 22 (3rd Battalion). Hernando April 18. Perry's Ferry, Coldwater River, April 19. Expedition from Memphis toward Hernando, Miss., May 23-24 (Detachment). Scouts from Memphis toward Hernando, Miss., May 26 and 28 (Detachments). Operations in Northeast Mississippi June 13-22 (3rd Battalion). Operations in Northeastern Mississippi June 15-25 (1st and 2nd Battalions). New Albany and Coldwater June 19 (3rd Battalion). Hernando June 20 (3rd Battalion). Adkin's Plantation, Mud Creek Bottom, Rocky Crossing, Tallahatchie River and Hernando, June 20 (3rd Battalion). Near Memphis July 16 and 18. At Camp Davies till October. Wartrace September 6. Joined Gen. Sherman at Chickasaw, Ala., and march to Chattanooga, Tenn., leading advance. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Alabama October 10-30. Cane Creek and Barton's Station October 20. Dickson's Station October 20. Cherokee Station October 21. Cane Creek and Barton's Station October 26. Bear Creek, Tuscumbia, October 27. Cherokee Station October 29. Barton's Station October 31. Guarding trains, escort and courier duty during battles of Chattanooga, Tenn., November 23-25. Pursuit to Ringgold, Ga., November 26-27. March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn., November 28-December 8. Near Loudon December 2. (3rd Battalion Joined Long's Brigade in Knoxville.) Expedition to Tellico Plains after Longstreet's trains December 6-11. Report to Gen. Howard at Athens, Tenn. Picket Hiawassee River and courier duty between Grant and Burnside. Regiment veteranize at Larkinsville, Ala., January, 1864. Near Kelly's Plantation, Sulphur Springs, April 11 (Detachment). Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to September 8. Advance guard of 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, to near Rome, Ga. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Old Church June 13. March to Kingston June 22. Duty there and at Cartersville guarding railroad till November 7. Cartersville July 24. Canton August 22. Shadow Church and Westbrooks near Fairburn October 2 (Detachment). Marietta October 4. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Bear Creek Station November 16. East Macon, Walnut Creek, November 20. Waynesboro November 27-28. Buckhead Creek or Reynolds' Plantation November 28. Rocky Creek Church December 2. Ebenezer Creek December 8. Siege of Savannah. December 10-21. Altamaha Bridge December 17. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Williston, S.C., February 8. North Edisto February 12-13. Monroe's Cross Roads March 16. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro, N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. Goldsboro March 23. Advance on Raleigh April 10-13. Raleigh April 13. Morrisville April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Picket near Raleigh till April 30. Duty in Sub-District of Morgantown, District of Western North Carolina, Dept. of North Carolina, to October, 1865. Mustered out October 30, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 26 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 140 Enlisted men by disease. Total 170.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1475-6

John Brown to his Children, May 7, 1855

Rockford, Winnebago County, Ill., May 7, 1855.

Dear Children, — I am here with my stock of cattle to sell, in order to raise funds so that I can move to North Elba, and think I may get them off in about two weeks. Oliver is here with me. We shall get on so late that we can put in no crops (which I regret), so that you had perhaps better plant or sow what you can conveniently on “95.”¹ I heard from John and Jason and their families (all well) at St. Louis on the 21st April, expecting to leave there on the evening of that day to go up the Missouri for Kansas. My family at Akron were well on the 4th inst. As I may be detained here some days after you get this, I wish you to write me at once what wheat and corn are worth at Westport now, as near as you can learn. People are here so busy sowing their extensive fields of grain, that I cannot get them even to see my cattle now. Direct to this place, care of Shepard Leach, Esq.

 SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 193

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, August 4, 1861

Weston, Virginia, August 4, 1861.

Dear Mother: — I write often now, as we soon pass out of reach of mails. We hear the news by telegraph here now from all the home towns, but mails are uncertain and irregular. We are very healthy, but the weather is hotter than any I have known in a great while. Our wounded lieutenant, Jewett, is doing well. His father is here nursing him. The fine large hospital for all this region of country, having one hundred patients belonging to different regiments, is in charge of Dr. Joe. It is the courthouse. The people here do not find us much of a nuisance. Of course, in some respects we are so, but all things considered, the best of the people like to see us. I mean to go to church this pleasant Sunday. My only clerical acquaintance here is an intelligent Catholic priest who called to see Colonel Scammon. I have been cross-examining a couple of prisoners — one a Methodist preacher — both fair sort of men, and I hope not guilty of any improper acts. Good-bye.

Affectionately,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 55