Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, July 29, 1862

Camp Green Meadows, July 29, 1862.

Dear Mother: — I received a letter from you dated the 17th July — one from William dated 22d July, and another from you dated June 3, yesterday. I begin to have hopes that your birthday letter may yet turn up. Letters are rarely lost, even in this region. The Rebels captured one of our mails early in May, and may have got your letter.

I am glad you are enjoying so much. It is not at all unlikely that I may have an opportunity to visit you in August or September for a day or two. I shall do so if it is possible without neglecting duty.

We are not as busy here as we would like to be, but we are delightfully camped, and among a friendly people. The greater part of them are preparing to move to Ohio and Indiana, fearing that we may go off and let the Rebels in to destroy them. We receive many letters at this camp from Rebels who are in Camp Chase as prisoners. Their wives and relatives call almost daily to inquire about them and for letters.

Last Sunday I dined at a Union citizen's near here. There were eleven women there whose husbands or brothers were at Camp Chase. I took over a lot of letters for them. Some were made happy, others not so. There had been sickness and death at the prison, and the letters brought tears as well as smiles.

Good-bye. — Affectionately, your son,

Rutherford.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 312-3

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: February 5, 1864

Have been reading over the last few pages of my diary. It sounds well, but the rebel flag still floats over Belle Isle. Our escapade was a grand fizzle, and all hands have been punished in more ways than one in the last few days. Bossieux suspected something going on among us and had us secretly watched, and long before we had made a move toward fulfilling our projected plans we were thrown into a guard house on the island; next morning taken out of it, and underwent a severe cross-questioning He found our rebel clothing, food we had packed, found the lock to the boat broke, and numerous other signs of an abandonment. Well, the result has been that we were bucked and gagged twice a day for an hour each time, and for four hours each of us carried a big stick of wood up and down in front of the gate, a guard to prick us with his bayonet if we walked too slow to suit him. Then Hendryx has been strung up by the thumbs. Nights we have been thrown into a damp, cold guard house to shiver all night. Every day now for six days we have walked with our sticks of wood so many hours per day, and last night were turned inside with all the prisoners to stay, Bossieux says, till we rot, he can place no dependence in us.

SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p. 30

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Wednesday, October 26, 1864

Little better; bad headache if I bear reading or use my eyes.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 147

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 7, 1863

The President is sick, and has not been in the Executive Office for three days. Gen. Toombs, resigned, has published a farewell address to his brigade. He does not specify of what his grievance consists ; but he says he cannot longer hold his commission with honor. The President must be aware of his perilous condition. When in adversity, some of those he has trusted, discuss the bases of reconstruction; and when we are prosperous, others, in similar positions, agitate the question of reorganization — the motive of both being his ruin. But I suppose he has calculated these contingencies, and never anticipated paving a bed of roses to recline upon during the terrible, and sometimes doubtful struggle for independence.

The rumor that Vicksburg had fallen is not confirmed; on the contrary, the story that the Indianola, captured from the enemy, and reported to have been blown up, was unfounded. We have Gen. Pemberton's official assurance of this.

Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, a Pennsylvanian, sent into the department to-day, with a request that it be filed, his oath of allegiance to this government, and renunciation of that of the United States, and of his native State. This would indicate that the location of his nativity has been the subject of remark. What significance is to be attributed to this step at this late day, I know not, and care not. An error was committed in placing Northern men in high positions to the exclusion of Southern men, quite as capable of filling them.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 269-70

Officers of the 1st Louisiana Infantry (USA)

In active service during the Siege of Port Hudson

FIELD AND STAFF

Colonel — Richard E. Holcomb of Connecticut. Killed in action June 14, 1863. William O. Fisk of Massachusett. Promoted to Colonel, June 15, 1863.

Major — Charles H. Grosvenor of Ohio.

First Surgeon — Seth C. Gordon of Maine.

Second Assistant Surgeon — Richard H. Meserve of Maine.

Quartermaster — James A. Leonard of Mass.

Chaplain — Samuel M. Kingston of Ireland.

Captains — William George of Denmark. Frances Felton of Prussia, Alonzo W. Persons of Massachusetts; Henry G. Ingham of Pennsylvania; Charles May of Saxony; George Shemenauer of Baden, Germany; George A. Mayne of Vermont; James T. Jenner of England; John R. Parsons of Massachusetts.

First Lieutenants—James T. Smith, of Ireland; Thomas L. Scott of Massachusetts; Marcena C. S. Gray of Maine; Martin V. B. Hill of Massachusetts; Rudolph Krause of Hanover; Henry T. Carter of Maine.

Second Lieutenants — George M. Severy of Maine; Devereux E. Jones of Canada; George G. Smith of Vermont; Charles S. Leonard of Massachusetts; Adolph Charpenter of France; John Kline of Germany; James M. Gardner of Scotland; Richard Byrne of Ireland; John Kearney of Ireland; Michael H. Dunne of Ireland.

Commissioned Officers of Co C. First Louisiana Regt Infty Vols.

Captain — Francis Felton.

First Lieutenant — Thomas L. Scott.

Second Lieutenant  — George G. Smith.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 147

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Monday, August 22, 1864

Am not feeling well; marched nearly all night; arrived at Halltown heights at daylight; went into our old position; am now on picket on the right of our line; enemy followed us up and skirmished with our rear guard “right smart” all day. About 11 o'clock a. m. the First Division was sent out on the pike; rumored it's driven the enemy back; hard thunderstorm from 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock p. m.; quite cool this evening.

SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 138

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney, Friday, December 19, 1862

Up at 4 A. M. Off on foot for the ferry at 7. Boys started with the Indian warwhoop. All in good cheer. Quite a long walk. Bid Kansas goodbye before noon and were off on hog cars at Weston. At St. Joseph got a lunch, pie, bread and ham. Got some hay. Bill and I fixed a bed. 34 in a freight car, all lay down, piled top of one another.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 50

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Sunday, May 7, 1865

In camp reading all day. Men down the river at 10 A. M. report the fleet of 3 gunboats & 40 transport 40 mile above & will be down tomorrow night. Orders to keep arms bright & in order to march through the streets of Mobile. Hear a salute fired at Mobile at 12. M, At 6. P. M. hear a salute fired at Mobile those who counted said there were 34 guns. Sprinkles a little just at sun down. Preaching in camp in the evening. at 9. P. M. begins raining hard

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 599

Diary of Gideon Welles: Friday, April 24, 1863

Little of importance at the Cabinet meeting. Seward left early. He seemed uneasy, and I thought was apprehensive I might bring up the subject of the Peterhoff mails. It suits him better to have interviews with the President alone than with a full Cabinet, especially on points where he knows himself wrong. I did not feel particularly anxious that the subject should be introduced to-day, for I am not fully prepared with my reply, though busily occupied on the subject-matter, giving it every moment I can spare from pressing current business.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 285-6

Diary of John Hay: November 28, 1863

The Secretary of State came in this morning and gave me his contribution to the President's Message, relating exclusively to Foreign Affairs.

He then said he had a matter to submit which was strictly confidential: — “I saw a great while ago that the President was being urged to do many things which were to redound to the benefit of other men, he taking the responsibility and the risk. I preferred to leave to these men the attitude they coveted, of running before, and shouting for the coming events. I preferred to stay behind, to do with and for the President what seemed best, to share with him the criticism and the risk, and to leave the glory to him and to God.

“Among other measures to unite good men and to divide the opposition was the Loyal League Association of the country. I saw very early that they would be valuable in bringing over to our side the honest War Democrats, and I therefore encouraged them as far as possible with my influence and my money. Soon I discovered a wheel within the enterprise — a secret, Know Nothing, Masonic Order with signs and pass-words. They asked me for money. They sent to me from California for charters. Not to make trouble I complied with all requests. You will see for what purpose this machine is being used.” Here he handed me a scrap of paper on which was scrawled in Thurlow Weed’s handwriting: — “Loyal Leagues, into which Odd Fellows and Know Nothings rush, are fixing to control delegate appointments for Mr. Chase.” Seward still scribbling, said: —  “If you want to be cheated, join a secret society. They are all swindlers. If I have an idiosyncrasy it is a hatred of secrets. The Consul at London tells me that he has received trustworthy information of an alliance between France and the rebels; but his sources of information being secret, he cannot give his authority. I answer, asking him what right he has to have a secret from the President concerning public affairs, and directing him to lay his information, whatever it may be, before the American Minister at London.”

He handed me a paper upon which he had copied this extract: — “The more I reflect, the less I am inclined to trust the Pa. proposition. The public men of that State are queer.”

I am to give both to the President.

SOURCES: Clara B. Hay, Letters of John Hay and Extracts from Diary, Volume 1, p. 130-2; For the whole diary entry see Tyler Dennett, Editor, Lincoln and the Civil War in the Diaries and letters of John Hay, p. 128-30.

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Tuesday, July 29, 1862

Camp Green Meadows. — Returned from [to] Camp Green Meadows today. General Cox thinks Colonel Scammon will be ordered to act as brigadier by the President; that a vacancy in the colonelcy of the Twenty-third will thus occur; that I had better hold on for the present before accepting the Eighty-third [Seventy-ninth]. As I have no notice that the Governor has made the appointment, I shall have nothing to act on for some days, if at all. But drafting is the thing!

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 312

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: January 28, 1864

No officers over from Libby for a few days past. Nearly all the clothing issued. A few days more will close up the clothing business, and then probably all the outsiders will be sent inside; and for fear such will be the case we have decided upon to-morrow night for the escape (which I have not said much about in my diary). The nights are dark and cloudy. Messrs. Mustard and Hendryx both sleep outside now, and I must manage to, both to-night and to-morrow night. I have been two weeks trying to get a map of Virginia, and have at last succeeded. A negro brought it to me from the city. It has cost over thirty dollars Confederate money — at the North would have cost twenty five cents, I would not take for it, unless I could get another one, one thousand dollars in gold. We are well rigged, have some food saved up to take along; in good health and determined to get away. Lieut. Bossieux suspects, and today took the pains to say in our hearing that he knew an escape among the outsiders was in view, and as sure as there was a God in heaven if we tried it and got caught, and we surely would be, he would first shoot all he could before catching us, and the balance would be tied up and whipped every day until he got tired, as long as we lived. We must expect trouble. It does not change us in the least; if anything, makes us the more determined to get away. To-night we are to start, and I will write down the plans we have, running the risk of the rebels getting hold of it. At a few moments past eleven and before midnight the guard will let us cross his beat and go to the water's edge. We all have rebel clothing which we are to wear, furnished partly by a negro, and partly by the guard who helps us off. We take the quarter-master's boat, which we unlock, and having been furnished the countersign give it to the picket who will pretend that he thinks we are rebel guards going over to the city, in case we are caught, which will screen him in a measure. Having passed him, we get into the boat and row across the river, give the countersign to the guards on the other side of the river, and talk with them a little, being ourselves posted on general information regarding the place. To quiet their suspicions if they have any, we then start up into the town and when out of sight of the guards take a turn to the left, and go straight to the Richmond jail; taking care to avoid patrols &C. We will then meet with a negro who will guide us ten miles up the river, and then leave us in charge of friendly blacks who will keep us through the next day and at night pilot us farther along toward our lives. If possible, I shall steal the rebel flag, which is kept nights in the lieutenant's tent, and a few other relics, to take along with me. The big bell in Richmond strikes six, and we close our diary, hoping never to look upon it again until we return to free our fellow prisoners, with the glorious army of the .North. Now we leave our diary to finish preparations for the flight for freedom. May God aid us in this land of tyranny, where we have met nothing but suffering. Good bye, Belle Isle and Prison. Hail! Freedom, Home, Friends, and the Grand Army of the Old Flag!. What is in store for us in the future?

SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p. 28-30

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Tuesday, October 25, 1864

Sit up. Not much better.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 147

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 6, 1863

I have meditated on this day, as the anniversary of my birth, and the shortening lapse of time between me and eternity. I am now fifty-three years of age. Hitherto I have dismissed from my mind, if not with actual indifference, yet with far more unconcern than at present, the recurring birthdays which plunged me farther in the vale of years. But now I cannot conceal from myself, if so disposed, that I am getting to be an old man. My hair is gray — but nevertheless my form is still erect, and my step is brisk enough. My fancies, tastes, and enjoyments have not changed perceptibly; and I can and often do write without glasses. I desire to live after this war is over, if it be the will of God — if not, I hope to exist in a better world.

We have no news of interest to-day. A letter says the noncombatants, even the women and children, heedless of danger, were voluntary spectators of the bombardment of Vicksburg the other day. The shells often exploded near them, and behind them, but the-fascination was so great that they remained on the ground; even one had an arm carried away by a ball! Can such a people be subjugated?

Houses (furnished) are beginning to be offered more plentifully than ever before; their occupants and owners finding their ordinary incomes insufficient for subsistence. I suppose they mean to find in the country an escape from famine prices prevailing in the city.

There is a rumor this evening of the fall of Vicksburg; but that rumor has been whispered here several times during the last few months. No one believes it. When Vicksburg falls, many an invader will perish in its ruins.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 269

Officers of the Thirteenth Connecticut Infantry

Connecticut Infantry Volunteers

New Haven, Conn., March 17, 1862

FIEI.D AND STAFF.

Colonel — Henry W. Birge, of Norwich.

Lieut. Colonel — Alexander Warner, of Woodstock.

Major — Richard E. Holcomb, of East Granby.

Adjutant — William M. Grosvenor, of New Haven.

Quartermaster — Joseph B. Bromley, of Norwich.

Surgeon — Benjamin N. Commings, of New Britain.

Assistant Surgeon — George Clary, of Hartford.

State Surgeon — Nathaniel P. Fisher, of Norwich.

Chaplain — Rev. Chas C Salter, of New Haven.

NON COMMISIONED STAFF.

Sergeant Major — George W. Whittlesey, of Norwich.

Quartermaster Sergeant — Andrew T. Johnson, of Montville.

Com. Sergeant — G. Tracy.

Hospital Steward — William Bishop.

Drum Major — Joseph Hadley, of New London.

LINE OFFICERS.

Co. A, (New Britain, 101 men) Capt. Henry I. Bidwell, 1st Lieut. John E. Woodruff, 2d Lieut, Chas. H. Cornwall.

Co. B. (Sharp Shooters, 108 men) Capt. Apollos Comstock, 1st Lieut. William E. Bradley, 2d Lieut. William C. Beecher.

Co. C, (Litchfield, 98 men) Capt. Charles D. Blinn, 1st Lieut. Isaac F. Nettleton, 2d Lieut. Charles C. Tibbetts.

Co. D, (Litchfield and New Haven, 87 men)  Capt. Cyrus E. Prindle, 1st Lieut. Perry Averill 2d Lieut. Joseph H. Meredith.

Co. E. (Hartford and Tolland, 93 men) Capt. Eugene Tisdale, 1st Lieut E. Emmons Graves, 2d Lieut. William P. Miner.

Co. F. (Norwich and Hartford, 90 men) Capt. James J. McCord, 1st Lieut. Charles J. Fuller, 2d Lieut. John C Abbott.

Co. G, (Windham, 102 men) Capt. Sylvester G. Gilbert, 1st Lieut. Dennison H. Finlay, 2d Lieut. Joseph S. A. Baker.

Co. H, (New Haven, 87 men) Capt. Homer B. Sprague, 1st Lieut. Jonah F. Clark, 2d Lieut. Julius Tobias.

Co. I, (New London and Litchfield, 100 men) Capt. Henry L. Schleiter, 1st Lieut. Frank Wells, 2d Lieut. Joseph Strickland.

Co. K, (New Haven, 80 men) Capt. Alfred Mitchell, 1st Lieut. Jared D. Thompson, 2d Lieut. William F. Norman.

Total number, 969.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 145-6

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Sunday, August 21, 1864

Well, a soldier's life is a strange one to lead! I got up about 8 o'clock a. m. received an order for inspection at 9 o'clock a. m. got nearly ready when it commenced raining and inspection was delayed. Then before we had inspection about 10 o'clock a. m. a lively fusilade commenced on the pike in our front with the skirmishers; looks to me like a surprise; everybody acts so, too; have been hustling all day to throw up rifle pits and to-night finds us in line behind a formidable breastwork; skirmishing still continues briskly. The Vermont brigade reestablished the skirmish line. Our brigade has lost two men killed and eleven wounded.

SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 138

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney, Thursday, December 18, 1862

After a good breakfast, cousin went up to camp with me. Officers gone. Went back to town and the Planters. Introduced him to Capts. Seward and Welch. Went about town with him. Enjoyed all. Went to fort and helped in turning over property. In the evening went with Bill Porter and Nichols to theatre. Officers there. “Pizarro.” Rolla played well. Wanted to go to Festival but dared not.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 50

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Saturday, May 6, 1865

About 8.30 hear a boat whistle soon after hear loud cheering at the landing Know the news is good. News soon reaches camp that Genl Taylor has surrendered to Genl Canby & Com. Farring to Admiral Thatcher, that the details at work on the fort have been set to chopping wood for the fleet which the boat was to go up to escort down This Div is ordered to Mobile on the said fleet. I go to the landing & see the steamer Crawford just starting up the river with the white flag on the Jackstaff, she is ½ loaded with parolled soldiers going home Hear that Jonston had surrendered again conditions all right. Every one is in high spirits & the opinion is 4 to 1 that we celebrate the 4th of July at home Every available team Is hauling cord wood from the country to the landing, see a man who says he had just come from Columbus Ky to Mobile by rail, Go to river to bathe in the evening notice the Octarara Is gone Has been quite warm all day.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 598-9

Diary of Gideon Welles: Thursday, April 23, 1863

Favorable, though not very important, news from lower Virginia and North Carolina.

My letter of the 2d and telegram of the 15th to Porter have been effective. The steamers have run past Vicksburg, and I hope we may soon have something favorable from that quarter.

Senator Sumner called this p.m. to talk over the matter of the Peterhoff mail. Says he has been examining the case, that he fully indorses my views. Seward, he avers, knows nothing of international law and is wanting in common sense, treats grave questions lightly and without comprehending their importance and bearings. He calls my attention to the opinion of Attorney-General Wirt as to the rights of the judiciary.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 285

Diary of John Hay: November 27, 1863

I dined to-day at Wise’s with Mr. Everett. He is a very delightful old gentleman in his personal and family relations. His talk to his grandchildren was very winning and graceful.

SOURCES: Clara B. Hay, Letters of John Hay and Extracts from Diary, Volume 1, p. 130; For the whole diary entry see Tyler Dennett, Editor, Lincoln and the Civil War in the Diaries and letters of John Hay, p. 128.