Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Monday, June 7, 1864 - First Entry

This has been one of the most exciting days we have ever had here. At half past six we gave the soldiers breakfast, and filled their haversacks. But at breakfast we heard of Gen. Elzey's arrival in town, and of the burning of the woollen factory of which Mr. P. is part owner, at Port Republic. After breakfast, we all went down street, to see the passage of the troops, 1700 men; G.'s company among them. Poor fellows! It was melancholy to see them with the bouquets with which the ladies had saluted them, in their hands. Such a mockery in the fresh, brilliant-looking flowers, and their soiled, jaded appearance. I knew they were marching to meet the enemy, and must be brought into action at once, and I could not but know that many of them would soon lie down in death. A courier arrived, as they came through the place, with news of an engagement a few miles from Staunton, in which Gen. Jones was killed. He had just reached the place — had only a small portion of his command with him, but he collected parts of some scattered commands, and attempted to withstand the enemy. His own troops fought bravely, but the others ran shamefully: Jones threw himself into the thickest of the fight to rally them, and fell dead. It is a great loss; he was esteemed a fine officer; was an attached friend of Gen. Jackson.

All has been wild excitement this afternoon. Stages and wagons loaded with negroes poured in from Staunton. Everybody was in alarm. In the midst of it, after hearing that the enemy was in possession of Waynesboro and Staunton both, we went to the daily prayer meeting. There Dr. White calmed the people by a succinct statement of facts, so far as it was possible to obtain them. . . .

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 183-4

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, August 17, 1864

No rain today — the first day without rain during this month. A train load of sick and wounded came in today from the front. The railroad is in running order again after the raid by General Wheeler, in which he tore up about two miles of track near Dalton, Georgia. It is reported that Wheeler has been captured with eight hundred of his men.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 210

Colonel Charles Russell Lowell to Josephine Shaw Lowell, August 9, 1864

Halltown, Aug. 9, 1864.

I've been ever so busy lately; I've hardly had time to sleep or think, except Sunday, when I slept all day, having been up all the night before. I am to have the 3d Brigade, — 1st Division in the New Cavalry Corps, — nothing very stunning, I fear, but good enough for a beginner. General Merritt has the Division. Everything is chaos here, but under Sheridan is rapidly assuming shape. It was a lucky inspiration of Grant's or Lincoln's to make a Middle Military Division and put him in command of it; it redeems Lincoln's character and secures him my vote, if I have one.

It is exhilarating to see so many cavalry about and to see things going right again.¹

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¹ July 26. Colonel Lowell was now released from his service against guerrillas, by an order to report with his regiment to General Wright in the Shenandoah Valley. They did duty with the Sixth Corps until August 9th, when General Sheridan was given command of the new department, and gave Lowell the “Provisional Brigade.”

After the regiment took the field, of course Mrs. Lowell could no longer , stay with her husband, so returned to her parents in Staten Island, and never saw him in life again.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 323, 457

Brigadier-General John Sedgwick to his Sister, June 4, 1862

Camp Near Richmond, June 4, 1862.

My dear sister:

This is the first leisure moment I have had since the actions of May 20 and June 1, and I have scarcely time now to write a word to assure you of my safety. I am sure you will be glad to hear that my troops behaved admirably, and before the fight was over the General congratulated me upon the manner in which the division was brought into action and the splendid behaviour of the men.

The Prince de Joinville rode up to me and said: “I congratulate you, General, on the admirable behaviour of your troops. You have won a great victory.” I will, at some future time, give a description of the fight, which lasted two days. We are now bivouacked in advance of the battle-field. The loss in my division was light, although in some of the others it was heavy. My personal friends are all safe, although many of them were in the hottest of the fight. We have still more fighting to do before entering Richmond, although we are within a few miles of it. A few reinforcements are coming in, but not enough to fill the casualties that have taken place. Our losses in battle have been considerable, and still greater by sickness. The disasters we have lately received are owing to the division of our troops ordered from Washington, and against the remonstrances of General McClellan. This will always be the case when persons entirely ignorant of military matters take the direction. I hope my next letter may be from Richmond, but man proposes and God disposes. The floods we have experienced in the last month have been very heavy; all the streams are so swollen and the bridges carried away that it is impossible to move artillery. By great exertion I got all of mine up, but now we could not move. With much love to all, you know I am ever

Your affectionate brother,

J. s.

SOURCE: George William Curtis, Correspondence of John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 49-50

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, December 18, 1861

Camp Union, Fayetteville, Virginia, December 18, 1861.

Dearest: — You will think I have nothing to do but to write to you. I can't let a good chance slip without sending you word that “I am well and doing well and hope, etc.” Sergeant McKinley, an old soldier, or rather I ought to say an experienced soldier, offers so generously to go and see you that I must let him. Birch ought to hear him talk. He has many scars received in battle, and Birt would like to hear about them. He is trusty.

Love to all the boys and ever so much for yourself. I suspect I am getting more anxious about you than the people at home. You must keep up good heart. We shall be together pretty soon again. If we have another little boy, we will have enough for a file in four ranks — which Birtie knows, I suppose, is requisite for a march by the flank. “Companions in battle” they are called. If it is a daughter, why bless you darling, won't we have a nice family? . . .

This is our fourteenth beautiful day and prospects of more, tell Joe. — Love to all.

Affectionately, dearest, your

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 162

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: September 25, 1861

Mr. Benjamin and Gen. Winder, after granting a special interview to Messrs. G. and R., have concluded to let them depart for Pennsylvania and New York! Nor is this all. I have an order from Mr. Benjamin to give passports, until further orders, to leave the country to all persons who avow themselves alien enemies, whether in person or by letter, provided they take no wealth with them. This may be a fatal policy, or it may be a trap.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 81

Diary of Mary Boykin Chesnut: December 10, 1863

Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Lyons came. We had luncheon brought in for them, and then a lucid explanation of the chronique scandaleuse, of which Beck J. is the heroine. We walked home with Mrs. Davis and met the President riding alone. Surely that is wrong. It must be unsafe for him when there are so many traitors, not to speak of bribed negroes. Burton Harrison¹ says Mr. Davis prefers to go alone, and there is none to gainsay him.

My husband laid the law down last night. I felt it to be the last drop in my full cup. '”No more feasting in this house,” said he. “This is no time for junketing and merrymaking.” “And you said you brought me here to enjoy the winter before you took me home and turned my face to a dead wall.” He is the master of the house; to hear is to obey.

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¹ Burton Harrison, then secretary to Jefferson Davis, who married Miss Constance Cary and became well known as a New York lawyer. He died in Washington in 1904.

SOURCE: Mary Boykin Chesnut, Edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary, A Diary From Dixie, p. 263-4

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: Sunday. September 14, 1862

Just returned from church. Mr. K. gave us a delightful sermon on our dependence on God as a people. “When Moses held up his hand, then Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, then Amalek prevailed.” Oh, that our hands may always be “held up” for our cause and armies! Next Thursday (18th) is the day appointed by our President as a day of thanksgiving for our successes. His proclamation is so beautiful that I will copy it:

To The People Of The Confederate States:

Once more upon the plains of Manassas have our armies been blessed by the Lord of Hosts with a triumph over our enemies. It is my privilege to invite you once more to His footstool, not now in the garb of fasting and sorrow, but with joy and gladness, to render thanks for the great mercies received at His hands. A few months since our enemies poured forth their invading legions upon our soil. They laid waste our fields, polluted our altars, and violated the sanctity of our homes. Around our capital they gathered their forces, and with boastful threats claimed it as already their prize. The brave troops which rallied to its defence have extinguished their vain hopes, and under the guidance of the same Almighty hand, have scattered our enemies and driven them back in dismay. Uniting those defeated forces and the various armies which had been ravaging our coasts with the army of invasion in Northern Virginia, our enemies have renewed their attempt to subjugate us at the very place where their first effort was defeated, and the vengeance of retributive justice has overtaken their entire host in a second and complete overthrow. To this signal success accorded to our arms in the East has been graciously added another, equally brilliant, in the West. On the very day on which our forces were led to victory on the plains of Manassas, in Virginia, the same Almighty arm assisted us to overcome our enemies at Richmond, in Kentucky. Thus, at one and the same time, have two great hostile armies been stricken down, and the wicked designs of our enemies set at naught. In such circumstances it is meet and right that, as a people, we should bow down in adoring thankfulness to that gracious God who has been our bulwark and defence, and to offer unto Him the tribute of thanksgiving and praise. In His hand is the issue of all events, and to Him should we in a special manner ascribe the honour of this great deliverance. Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, do issue this, my proclamation setting apart Thursday, the 18th day of September, as a day of thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God, for the great mercies vouchsafed to our people, and more especially for the triumph of our arms at Richmond and Manassas, in Virginia, and at Richmond in Kentucky; and I do hereby invite the people of the Confederate States to meet on that day, at their respective places of public worship, and to unite in rendering thanks and praise to God for these great mercies, and to implore Him to conduct our country safely through the perils which surround us, to the final attainment of the blessings of peace and security.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at Richmond, this fourth day of September, A. D 1862.

JEFF. DAVIS, Pres. of the C. S.

J. P. BENJAMIN, Sec. of State.

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 152-4

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 6, 1864

No sooner is one alarm over than another comes. Mr. P. took me down to the hospital this morning, to see some wounded cadets, one of whom was wounded in seven places, and will probably die. As we returned, and were stopping at Mr. Sam Moore's, to see a V. M. I. professor who had a piece of his skull grooved out by a minnie ball, we were startled by the news that the enemy were at Milboro'. We reached the church just as the services were closing, so did not go in. Found that Gen. W. E. Jones's command was approaching the town, only two miles out. At dusk, in walked Capt. George Junkin and another officer; they belong to Jones' division, and have left their companies five miles out, to come in and pass the night with us. We were just about to have our bread and milk supper handed; but of course more substantial fare had to be prepared for tired soldiers; so we all had real coffee, biscuits, and bacon; a royal repast for these times. . . .

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 182-3

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, August 16, 1864

There was a heavy rain this afternoon. All is quiet and there is no train in today from the front. I sold my American lever watch today for $33.50, which is $4.50 more than I paid for it in Davenport, Iowa.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 210

Colonel Charles Russell Lowell to Josephine Shaw Lowell, July 11, 1864

Tenallytown, July 11, 1864.

There is no end of confusion out here, and very little known of the enemy. I took over our 1st squadron, with a miscellaneous assortment from the Dismounted Camp, to within two miles of Rockville this morning, met a superior force of Rebs (nothing very fierce, however) and fell gradually back towards Tenallytown, they following with a gun and a gradually diminishing column. They are reported approaching similarly on the 7th St. road, — it looks at present more like a move to mask heavier movements than like a serious effort against this part of the fortifications. I gather from what I hear that you are cut off from Baltimore and cannot do otherwise than stay.

We had only two men wounded this morning, neither seriously, — several horses, among others Ruksh, very slightly, just across the back behind the saddle, injuring an overcoat for me as once before on the Peninsula. As Ruksh had a sore back before, it did not pay him to get this scratch.

Am I not “good” to write such narratives to you ? — it is attributable to the flies and the heat and the company I am in.¹

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¹ On July 6th, General Early, arriving by the usual back door of the Shenandoah, crossed the Potomac, and soon after took Frederick, the second city in importance of Maryland. After defeating the small force of General Lew Wallace, he pushed on towards Washington, on July 11th. The day before, Lowell, ordered by General Augur to send one regiment of his brigade to the defence of Washington, sent the Second Massachusetts, and obtained leave to go with it. At 6.30 A.M. on the 11th, Colonel Lowell, now in command of all the available cavalry, began skirmishing, and caused the enemy's advance to fall back several miles, to their reserves, which in turn forced his command back to the infantry picket lines before Tennallytown, a suburb of Washington.

July 12. Colonel Lowell reported that, with three companies dismounted, he had turned the enemy's right flank and driven them back about one and a half miles, while Lieutenant-Colonel Crowninshield drove them one mile on the Rockville pike.

July 13. Early found Washington well defended by the Sixth and Nineteenth Army Corps, just arrived to the rescue, and began his retreat through Rockville, Md. He was followed up closely by the cavalry. Colonel Lowell, through the morning and up to 2.10 P.M., sends to headquarters frequent detailed reports of the enemy. At 2.30 he reports: “My despatch was here interrupted by the report of a large number of rebels being met just through the town [Rockville] by my advance-guard [part of Second Massachusetts under Crowninshield], who charged at once. My advance was then dismounted and, after a sharp skirmish there, checked a good strong charge of the rebels, after being driven nearly through the town by them. [This was his own brilliant saving of the day described in the biographical sketch.] We fell back to the edge of the town and established a strong dismounted skirmish line, holding them. Learning they were endeavouring to flank us, I retired to a situation two miles from Rockville, slowly. My regiment in the town, I fear, was mostly enveloped by the enemy, and are very severely whipped.'” Nevertheless, Lowell's men repulsed four charges in Rockville, and next day a great many of his “missing” rejoined the command.

Brigadier-General Hardin, U.S.A., in command in that part of the defences, reported in his despatches, “the information given by Colonel Lowell was always reliable.” Colonel Warner, commanding the First Brigade in the defences, in his reports gives Lowell high praise for intelligent activity.

The Second Massachusetts Cavalry, with provisional battalions, all under Lowell, accompanied the Sixth Corps, pursuing Early across the Potomac and through the Blue Ridge gaps to beyond the Shenandoah River. General Wright of this corps had, by General Grant's advice, been given command in this repulse of Early. The regiment, with its colonel, now went back to their camp at Falls Church, July 23 d.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 321-2, 455-6

Brigadier-General John Sedgwick to his Sister, May 27, 1862

Camp Fourteen Miles From Richmond,

May 27, 1862.

My dear sister:

I did not expect to write again till after reaching Richmond unless we received some repulse. A few days now must tell the story. I think the presumption now is that no great battle will be fought before entering the city and that they are delaying us for the purpose of evacuating. Other persons are equally certain that a desperate fight must take place before they will give up the city. I cannot tell which rumour to favour. From the tone of their papers and the country proper, one cannot believe that the loss of Richmond and their other cities will have the least effect towards peace.

Yesterday we had strawberries and green peas, raised in gardens. They will be plentiful hereafter if the people will sell; if not, our men have a way of getting them.

There is a considerable sickness amongst us of a malarial nature, but it is decreasing as we approach higher ground. I wish you had some of the rain that we are having now.

With much love to all at Eliza's, believe me, as ever,

Your affectionate brother,

J. S.

SOURCE: George William Curtis, Correspondence of John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 48-9

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Wednesday, December 18, 1861

Fayetteville, Virginia, Camp Union. — Another fine day. Sergeant John McKinley, Company G, left for Mount Vernon this morning; took a letter to Lucy and a watch to be repaired. He is a character, an erect, neat, prompt old soldier. English of Lancaster, or rather Irish of England, he talks the most profuse flattery, but it does win, fulsome as it is. He does his whole duty. As he left me he said “I want to see that ‘Lieutenant’ from before your name. Every good man should go up.”

Drilled as usual. Weather very warm at evening. "Jeff Davis," a boy who came into Camp Chase with Company A and who drilled like an old sergeant, though aged but thirteen, returned yesterday from Cleveland.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 161-2

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: September 24, 1861

The time is up for the departure of alien enemies. This is the last day, according to the President's proclamation. We have had no success lately, and never can have success, while the enemy know all our plans and dispositions. Keep them in total ignorance of our condition and movements, and they will no more invade us than they would explore a vast cave, in which thousands of rattlesnakes can be heard, without lights. Their spies and emissaries here are so many torch-bearers for them.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 81

Diary of Mary Boykin Chesnut: December 9, 1863

“Come here, Mrs. Chesnut,” said Mary Preston to-day, “they are lifting General Hood out of his carriage, here, at your door.” Mrs. Grundy promptly had him borne into her drawing-room, which was on the first floor. Mary Preston and I ran down and greeted him as cheerfully and as cordially as if nothing had happened since we saw him standing before us a year ago. How he was waited upon! Some cut-up oranges were brought him. “How kind people are,” said he. “Not once since I was wounded have I ever been left without fruit, hard as it is to get now.” “The money value of friendship is easily counted now,” said some one, “oranges are five dollars apiece.”

SOURCE: Mary Boykin Chesnut, Edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary, A Diary From Dixie, p. 263

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: September 12, 1862

No news from the army, except a letter in the morning's paper speaking of General Lee's being pleased with his reception in Maryland, and that our troops are foraging in Pennsylvania. I hope so; I like the idea of our army subsisting on the enemy; they certainly have subsisted on us enough to be willing that we should return the compliment. Took leave of our nephew, Benjamin Harrison McGuire, this morning; he has been here on sick-leave, and has gone in pursuit of his regiment, which is now across the Potomac. Poor child! it was hard to see him go off alone, with his child-like countenance and slender figure; but he is already a veteran in the service, and has a most unflinching, undaunted spirit.

Took a ride this evening with Mrs. D. through the beautiful environs of this city. After getting beyond the hospitals, there was nothing to remind us of war; all was peaceful loveliness; we talked of days long passed, and almost forgot that our land was the scene of bitter strife. Sometimes I almost fancy that we are taking one of our usual summer trips, with power to return when it terminates; and then I am aroused, as from a sweet dream, to find myself a homeless wanderer, surrounded by horrors of which my wildest fancy had never conceived a possibility, in this Christian land and enlightened day.

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 152

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 4, 1864

Such a blessed deliverance! Mr. P. was all ready to start out with the scouting party — his horse saddled — to start in an hour, when a messenger came in with the tidings that J. had had a sharp skirmish with an advance party of Averill, and on McCausland's coming up with 4 regiments, they retreated. McCausland is now between us and the enemy. General Jones is coming on from Salem; so we feel respited.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 182

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Monday, August 15, 1864

It is quite warm. All is quiet. There is nothing new from the front. A large number of men left the hospital this morning for the front. I would like to go, too, but the doctor tells me that I can do more good by staying here and caring for the sick. This is my birthday — twenty-two years old today.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 210

Edwin M. Stanton to General William Robinson, December 30, 1860

Private.

Washington City, 30th December, 1860.

Dear Sir:

I am truly grateful for your hearty message of good will and congratulation and for your promise that the State of Pennsylvania can be relied on for whatever aid may be needed to preserve our imperiled Union.

We are enveloped in a great deal of dust and fog, but the smudge is not so thick that I cannot distinctly discern treason all around us.

Judge Black and myself have been dumbfounded by a meeting of the President, as President, with the so-called South Carolina commissioners. At first we agreed to resign at once, but after going carefully over the subject thought it better to state our objections or views in writing before taking any step that might later be considered precipitate.

Judge Black is closer to the President than myself and exercises a great deal of influence over him. He will present the written objections, which I have just prepared, and stand by for the purpose of extricating the President from his present peril.

If he shall refuse to recede, it seems to me there is no escape for Black, Holt, and myself except resignation.

I tremble to think that the administration is already semi-officially committed to the theory that South Carolina is an independent nation or “republic” capable of negotiating treaties; and if that theory shall not be completely broken down, followed by reinforcements to hold our beleaguered and threatened Southern forts, there will not be a semblance of the Union left on March 4, next.

I fear that your offer of help on the part of Pennsylvania may be founded on a necessity greater than yourself or the public now discern.

I have written Judge Loomis to bring you to the house when you arrive in Washington next week. I shall be happy to have your company under my roof. Although for over a week breakfast has been my only meal at home, I look forward to more time early next month. Extending to you the compliments of the season, believe me,

Very truly yours,

Edwin M. Stanton.

To General William Robinson.

SOURCE: Frank Abial Flower, Edwin McMasters Stanton: The Autocrat of Rebellion, Emancipation, and Reconstruction, p. 90-1

John B. Floyd to James Buchanan, December 27, 1860

Council Chamber, Executive Mansion,

December 27th, 1860.

Sir:—It is evident now, from the action of the commander at Fort Moultrie, that the solemn pledges of this Government have been violated by Major Anderson. In my judgment, but one remedy is now left us by which to vindicate our honor and prevent civil war. It is in vain now to hope for confidence on the part of the people of South Carolina in any further pledges as to the action of the military. One remedy only is left, and that is to withdraw the garrison from the harbor of Charleston altogether. I hope the President will allow me to make that order at once. This order, in my judgment, can alone prevent bloodshed and civil war.

john B. Floyd,

Secretary of War.

To The President.

SOURCE: John Bassett Moore, Editor, The Works of James Buchanan, Volume 12, p. 167