Brevet Major Luman Harris Tenney: Chronology

THE TENNEY FAMILY
TAKEN IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA IN 1879

Luman Tenney, N. Amherst, O. Born Oct. 1, 1841.

1860    Very pleasant arrangement with F. (first). Went to Vermont in September. Taught school in Sudbury. Success. Visited Will at Williams. Stood by B. F.

1861    Maple sugar in Spring; foot tramp to Canada; returned through Pennsylvania; arrived August in Oberlin. Enlisted in 2nd O. C. Sept. 9th.

1862    With regiment in Missouri, Indian Territory, Fort Scott, and back to Ohio in December

1863    Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.  East Tennessee Campaign.  Morgan raid.  Summer furlough in Oberlin.  More Pleasant relations.

1864    Furlough in March. Virginia Campaign. Promoted to Captain. B. F. shoulder-straps Christmas.

1865    Five Forks and Appomattox. Brevetted Major. Mustered out in July, St. Louis. Was in Washington Review. Few enjoyments—enjoyments ceased. In Sept. came to St. Louis. Blind Asylum. In December to Alabama. Cotton at Demopolis.

1866    Cotton crop and missionary works. Went Sandusky in May; local on Register. Oberlin excursion. Engagement July 11. Pleasant relations rest of year. First congregational Sunday-School.

1867    Happily married Apr. 16. Trip to New York; entertained by C. G. Stave business in Sandusky with Dorsey. Everything went merry as a marriage bell.

1868    Still happy and in every way prosperous. B. F. boy born May 4. The next important event was the B. F. reunion in Sandusky. Visited by Delos and Fred. B. F. cup presented; speech by W. N.

1869    Organized Sandusky Tool Co.; dissolved partnership with Dorsey. Visit from Delos, Carlie and Fannie Hudson. Profanity and repentance.

1870    Sought new worlds to conquer. Explored Lake Superior. Discovered the N. Pac. railroad enterprise and the foundations of a wondrous city at the head of the Lake. Invited Delos to come and drive a corner-stake with me. He came and I went east to sell N. Pac. bonds. Theodore Edward born Feb. 16.

1871    Continued work at bonds much of time. Real estate business in Duluth not successful. Made trip to Salt Lake and did the Mormons. Delos took the public schools. Visited Charley in spring and fall. Fannie in Oberlin part of year.

1872    Delos returned to St. Louis. Associated myself with H. Turner in Red River Colony scheme, which promised well, but turned out poorly. Mary Emeline born Aug. 27. Visited Ohio and Phila.

1873    Continued colony enterprise with varying success till the panic in fall, when the enterprise was abandoned—failure. Will visited me in the summer. Visited mother and Melissa in Philadelphia.

1874    Moved to Glyndon in the spring, combining wheat-farming, merchandizing and landselling. Store profitable; lost crop of grain by grasshoppers. Superintendent of Clay County schools.

1875    Business continued prosperous. Crops destroyed by grasshoppers. Organized Teachers' Institute for Northern Minnesota. Visited Fort Garry. Brother Arthur and Charley with us.

1876    Aug. 1st removed to Minneapolis, continuing business at Glyndon. Fairly prosperous. Eddy Williams' Church. Young Ladies' Bible Class. More at home than for several years. Visit from father Andrews.

1877    Business in safes and scales at Minneapolis, also old business at Glyndon. The event of the year was B. F. reunion at Delos'. Visited Ohio.

Note—Luman Harris Tenney was born in Minneapolis, Minn., May 18, 1877, after this last entry was written. Died in Sanford, Florida, Dec. 25, 1882.

FRONT VIEW OF THE ANDREWS-TENNEY HOME
TAKEN IN 1912
THE TENNEY FAMILY RESIDED HERE AFTER 1882

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 174-8

Diary of Captain Luman Harris Tenney: The B. F. Group

THE B. F. GROUP
STANDING—DELOS HAYNES
SEATED—FRED ALLEN, WILL HUDSON, CHARLEY FAIRCHILD, LUMAN TENNEY

The following extract from a letter written by Charles G. Fairchild explains the meaning of the term B. F.

“When we were boys of 13 or 14 we had a literary society. As my brother Henry and I came home one night he complained to my father that a few of the older boys—“big fry” he called them—got all the offices, though the small ones outnumbered them. From this date the terms “Big Fry” and “Little Fry” became catchwords and were bandied back and forth until finally the “Big Fry” were rounded up into an exclusive inner set of five members. Nothing was made of this in the literary society. But in the long summer afternoons we “B. F.’s” used to gather somewhere, get some lemons and sugar if they were in any way obtainable, take a long time in drinking a little lemonade, and listening perhaps to an improvised story or two from one of our members who was especially gifted in this line. At one time an illustrated paper in the interest of the “B. F.” appeared. It was entitled “The Thunderbolt,” laboriously written by hand and passed from member to member for perusal.

Not a boy of us realized that our club meant anything, but when marriage came and there followed a Bertha Frances, a Bernard Frederick and a Barbara Frances, all first born babies bearing the initials “B. F.”, we first began to realize that “B. F.” had struck tap roots deep in our hearts. From an unplanned beginning with no organization, nothing sober or specially rational, with no thought of the future, we had come, under cover of old jokes and an accidental name, to prefer each other, to like each other, to love each other.

What does “B. F.” stand for? Perhaps for the greatest thing in the world. If we could only all love each other in a senseless, foolish way—simply love each other, with no questions asked and no special thought—what a changed world this would be.”

This seal was adopted by the B. F.'s as their “coat of arms.” The motto “Unus amore” was unearthed from the classics by one of the members; the introduction of periods between the first three letters opening the way for this unique translation:

“Unus amore,” one in love; “more,” in custom; “ore,” in face; “re,” in fact. The “unus” being read into each sentence amplifies the original motto as follows: “One in love, one in custom, one in face, one in fact.”

It was at the last reunion of the B. F. boys held in March, 1877, at the home of Delos R. Haynes in St. Louis, Mo., that the idea was conceived of each one writing a brief account of his life since the year 1860. This meant recalling the history of eighteen years, but each “B. F.” did this, and the five accounts were carefully put together in good form for preserving.    F. D. T

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 172-3

Diary of Captain Luman Harris Tenney

Note—The diary closes with the following resumé. F. D. T.

In eight months fought

• Eight Battles
• Thirty Skirmishes

Receipts for

• 18 pieces Artillery
• 19 Caissons
• 12 Ambulances
• 200 Wagons
• 900 Small Arms
• 1700 Prisoners
• 400 Horses

During service passed through

• 12 States
• 1 Territory

Marched 22000 Miles

Watered horses in the rivers

Ohio	Cumberland	Rapidan
Mississippi	Tennessee	Rappahannock
Missouri	Holston	York
Osage	Potomac	Chickahominy
Kansas	Antietam	James
Marais des Gypres	Shenandoah	Appomattox
Arkansas	Bull Run	Nottaway
	Roanoke

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 169-70

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 1, 1863

This morning the ground is frozen hard. There was no battle yesterday, only heavy skirmishing. Both armies were drawn up in line of battle, and the front lines slept on their arms. Some froze to death. This morning the enemy opened with artillery—but no battle ensued that we are aware of.

At the last accounts from Bragg he was still retiring, near Dalton. His army must be nearly broken up.

Bragg, it is rumored to-day, has been relieved.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 110

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 2, 1863

No battle yet, though still hourly expected on the old field near the Rappahannock. And we have nothing definite from the West.

The appointment of Beauregard to succeed Bragg is not officially announced; and the programme may be changed.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 110

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 3, 1863

Meade recrossed the Rapidan last night! This is a greater relief to us than the enemy has any idea of. I hope the campaign is over for the winter.

And we have authentic advices of a terrible check given the enemy at Ringgold, Ga.; their killed and wounded being estimated at 2000, which caused Grant to recoil, and retire to Chickamauga, where he is intrenching.

After all, it is doubted whether Beauregard is to succeed Bragg. Lieut.-Gen. Hardee is in command, temporarily, and it may be permanently. Bragg was relieved at his own request. I know he requested the same thing many months ago. A full general should command there.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 110

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 4, 1863

The only thing new to-day is a dispatch from Gen. Longstreet, before Knoxville, stating that he had been repulsed in an assault upon the place, and calling for reinforcements, which, alas 1 cannot be sent him.

Hon. Mr. Henry, from Tennessee, estimates our loss in prisoners in Bragg's defeat at but little over 1000, and 30 guns. We captured 800 prisoners.

We have intelligence to day of the escape of Brig.-Gen. Jno. H. Morgan from the penitentiary in Ohio, where the enemy had confined him.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 110-1

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 5, 1863

It has begun to rain again; and yet the clerks are kept at Chaffin’s Bluff, although the roads are impracticable, and no approach of the enemy reported.

There is not a word of news from the armies on the Rapidan or in Georgia.

A collision between the Confederate and State authorities in Georgia is imminent, on the question of “just compensation” for sugar seized by the agents of the Commissary-General—whose estimates for the ensuing year embrace an item of $50,000,000 to be paid for sugar. The Supreme Court of Georgia has decided that if taken, it must be paid for at a fair valuation, and not at a price to suit the Commissary-General. It is the belief of many, that these seizures involve many frauds, to enrich the Commissaries.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 111

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 6, 1863

It is clear and cold again. Custis came home last evening, after a week's sojourn at Chaffim’s Bluff, where, however, there were tents. Some 1500 local troops, or “National Guards,” had been sent there to relieve Pickett's division, recalled by Lee; but when Meade recrossed the Rapidan, there was no longer any necessity for the “Guards” to remain on duty. A brigade of regulars goes down to-day. Custis says it was the third day before ammunition was issued! Yesterday he heard shelling down the river, by the enemy's gun-boats.

I had a conversation with Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, to-day. He anticipates a collision between the Confederate and State authorities on the impressment question. He says the law was intended to secure subsistence for both the people and the army; but there is not sufficient grain in the States. Therefore the army must have what there is, and the people must go without. I differed with him, and maintained if a proper distribution were made there would be enough for all.

To-morrow Congress assembles. It is to be apprehended that a conflict with the Executive will ensue—instead of unanimity against the common enemy—and no one living can foretell the issue, because no one knows the extent of capacity and courage on either side.

The President has made his cabinet a unit.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 111-2

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 7, 1863

Cold and clear. Gen. Longstreet telegraphs to-day from Rutledge, Tenn., some fifty miles northeast of Knoxville, and says he will soon need railroad facilities. He is flying from superior numbers, and may be gathering up supplies.

Governor Vance writes distressfully concerning the scarcity of provisions in certain counties of North Carolina, and the rudeness of impressing agents.

Lieut.-Gen. Hardee telegraphs from Dalton that 5000 cavalry, besides two brigades of Buckner's command, are with Longstreet, and that other troops ought to be sent him (H.) to compensate for these detachments.

Mr. L. S. White obtained another passport yesterday to go to Maryland, on the recommendation of Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance.

There was a quorum in Congress to-day; but the message was not sent in.

A five-dollar gold piece sold at auction on Saturday for $140— $28 in Confederate notes for one of gold.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 112

Private Daniel L. Ambrose: July 3, 1861

An alarm to-night; "long roll" beaten; the men formed in line; no ammunition; considerable confusion; three rounds issued to the men while in line; false alarm, caused by the firing of the pickets.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 9

Private Daniel L. Ambrose: July 4, 1861

July 4th—Dawns gloriously. The national salutes roll from the Illinois shore, sending their joyous music southward, telling a story that runs back to the morning of the Republic. At 10 o'clock the regiment is formed and marched to the grove, where they listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel Cook. Oration by Chaplain Davis. Valedictory by Captain Joslyn

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 9

Private Daniel L. Ambrose: July 7, 1861

The regiment's period of enlistment is now drawing to a close, and it has not been out of its native State. The drums are now beating for volunteers to fill up the call made on the fourth of May for three years'troops. The Seventh stood on the banks of the Ohio. They looked southward and they knew that they had not been down there where the wicked enemies of freedom trailed the old flag. They had performed the engagements the government had required of them; but sanguine hearts had been disappointed, and the country was calling again for defenders. The majority of the Seventh say they will stay; that they will re-enlist; that they will harken to every demand the country makes for the defense of her honor and glory. Those re-enlisting are given a short furlough to their homes[.]

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 9-10

Private Daniel L. Ambrose: July 25, 1861

[A]fter returning to Mound City, the regiment is mustered out of the three months' service the twenty-fifth of July, and on the same day is mustered into the three years' service by Captain Pitcher, U. S. A.

The story of Bull Run's battle field is now borne to our ears. Its wail has gone to the hearts of a throbbing people. The hearts of the men beat high to carry the flag into the Southland. This part of the Seventh's history I have seen fit to make brief; being anxious to lead the reader on as fast as possible to the days when the deep intonations of battle were heard. Days when the dogs of war barked loudly in tones of thunder around where the old Seventh's flag ofttimes stood encircled by a barricade of steel.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 10

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 9, 1863

Orders this morning to draw two days' rations, pack up and be ready to move at a moment's warning. We drew hard-tack, coffee, bacon, salt and sugar, and stored them in our haversacks. Some take great care so to pack the hard-tack that it will not dig into the side while marching, for if a corner sticks out too much anywhere, it is only too apt to leave its mark on the soldier. Bacon, too, must be so placed as not to grease the blouse or pants. I see many a bacon badge about me—generally in the region of the left hip. In filling canteens, if the covers get wet the moisture soaks through and scalds the skin. The tin cup or coffee-can is generally tied to the canteen or else to the blanket or haversack, and it rattles along the road, reminding one of the sound of the old cow coming home. All trifling troubles like these on the march may be easily forestalled by a little care, but care is something a soldier is not apt to take, and he too often packs his “grub” as hurriedly as he “bolts” it. We were soon ready to move, and filled our canteens with the best water we have had for months. We did not actually get our marching order, however, until near three o'clock P. M., so that being anxious to take fresh water with us, we had to empty and refill canteens several times. As we waited for the order, a good view was afforded us of the passing troops, and the bristling lines really looked as if there was war ahead.

O, what a grand army this is, and what a sight to fire the heart of a spectator with a speck of patriotism in his bosom. I shall never forget the scene of to-day, while looking back upon a mile of solid columns, marching with their old tattered flags streaming in the summer breeze, and hearkening to the firm tramp of their broad brogans keeping step to the pealing fife and drum, or the regimental bands discoursing “Yankee Doodle” or “The Girl I Left Behind Me.” I say it was a grand spectacle—but how different the scene when we meet the foe advancing to the strains of “Dixie” and “The Bonny Blue Flag.” True, I have no fears for the result of such a meeting, for we are marching full of the prestige of victory, while our foes have had little but defeat for the last two years. There is an inspiration in the memory of victory. Marching through this hostile country with large odds against us, we have crossed the great river and wil1 cut our way through to Vicksburg, let what dangers may confront us. To turn back we should be overwhelmed with hos[t]s exulting on their own native soil. These people can and will fight desperately, but they cannot put a barrier in our way that we cannot pass. Camped a little after dark.

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 11-12

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 10, 1863

Left camp after dinner. Dinner generally means noon, but our dinner-time on the march is quite irregular. Advanced unmolested till within about three miles of Utica, and camped again at dark.

This forenoon my bunk-mate (Cal. Waddle) and I went to a house near camp to get some corn bread, but struck the wrong place, for we found the young mistress who had just been deserted by her negroes, all alone, crying, with but a scant allowance of provisions left her. She had never learned to cook, and in fact was a complete stranger to housework of any kind. Her time is now at hand to learn the great lesson of humanity. There has been a little too much idleness among these planters. But although I am glad the negroes are free I don't like to see them leaving a good home, for good homes some of them I know are leaving. They have caught the idea from some unknown source that freedom means fine dress, furniture, carriages and luxuries. Little do they yet know of the scripture—“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” I am for the Emancipation Proclamation, but I do not believe in cheating them. This lady's husband is a confederate officer now in Vicksburg, who told her when he left she should never see a Yankee “down thar.” Well, we had to tell her we were “thar,” though, and to our question what she thought of us, after wiping her eyes her reply was we were very nice looking fellows. We were not fishing for compliments, but we like to get their opinions at sight, for they have been led, apparently, to expect to find the Lincoln soldier more of a beast than human. At least such is the belief among the lower sort. Negroes and poor whites here seem to be on an equality, so far as education is concerned and the respect of the better classes. I have not seen a single school-house since I have been in Dixie, and I do not believe such a thing exists outside of their cities. But this war will revolutionize things, and among others I hope change this state of affairs for the better.

War is a keen analyzer of a soldier's character. It reveals in camp, on the march and in battle the true principles of the man better than they are shown in the every-day walks of life. Here be has a chance to throw off the vicious habits of the past, and take such a stand as to gain a lasting reputation for good, or, if he dies upon the field, the glory of his achievements, noble 'deeds and soldierly bearing in camp will live in the memory of his comrades. Every soldier has a personal history to make, which will be agreeable, or not, as he chooses. A company of soldiers are as a family; and, if every member of it does his duty towards the promotion of good humor, much will be done toward softening the hardships of that sort of life.

This is Sunday, and few seem to realize it. I would not have known it myself but for my diary. I said, “boys this is Sunday.” Somebody asked, “how do you know it is?” I replied my diary told me. Another remarked, “you ought to tell us then when Sunday comes round so we can try to be a little better than on week days.” While in regular camps we have had preaching by the Chaplains, but now that we are on the move that service is dispensed with, and what has become of the Chaplains now I am unable to say. Probably buying and selling cotton, for some of them are regular tricksters, and think more of filling their own pockets with greenbacks than the hearts of soldiers with the word of God.

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 12-13

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: December 28, 1861

RUMORS.

The camp is full of rumors about our leaving, but I hardly think any one knows much about it as yet, although it is quite probable we shall leave before long. The expedition is all here and has been perfected in drill. Nothing that I can see prevents us from leaving at any time. When we break this camp we can count our happy time over, that we have seen our best days of soldiering. Campaign life in the held, as I understand it, is at the best a life of hardship, privation and danger, and the man who expects much else, will be grievously disappointed.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 16

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: January 1, 1862

A DULL DAY.

The new year is ushered in with a light fall of snow and very cold weather. There is just snow enough to prevent drills or any sports the boys may have been anticipating. Altogether the day will be a dull one. The sutler, anticipating our removal, has not much to sell or steal. The sutler is regarded as the common enemy of the soldier, and when forced contributions are levied on him it is considered entirely legitimate and rather a good joke. The boys will have to content themselves with card playing and writing letters home. We have just got a new stove running in my tent, and Long Tom is detailed today to supply it with wood. I think we shall make a comfortable day of it, if Tom does his duty. Things certainly begin to look like leaving; the harbor is full of vessels, transports, gunboats and supply ships. Appearances indicate that somebody will hear it thunder somewhere along the southern coast before very long.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 16

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: January 5, 1862

ORDERS TO LEAVE.

Orders have been issued to break camp and go aboard the transports tomorrow morning. The boys are now breaking the frozen ground around the tent pins, packing their knapsacks and getting ready for a start. We have been here so long it seems almost like leaving home to break up and go out on untried scenes.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 16-17

Captain Charles Wright Wills: August 5, 1864

August 5, 1864.

After the fight of the 28th July, we advanced on the 30th, 31st and April [sic] 1st, when we came to a strong line of Rebel rifle pits, densely populated, and their main works about 400 yards behind the pits.

On the 2d details from each brigade in the corps were ordered to drive the Rebels out of said pits. It was done, our division capturing 78 prisoners. The Rebels tried to retake them, but failed, of course, leaving with our boys, among other dead, a colonel and a major. Only one company (K), of our regiment was in the fight; it had two men wounded. I was on picket there the next day; 'twas a lively place, but I lost no men. Some of the men fired over 100 rounds. The 23d and 14th Corps have swung around on our right, the object being to throw our line across the Macon railroad. We have heard that Stoneman was captured with 400 men at Macon. Kilpatrick started on a raid yesterday. Stoneman burned a Rebel wagon train of 600 wagons, and sabered the mules. Cruel, but right. The 14th Corps yesterday gobbled 700 prisoners. There are a few Rebel riflemen who keep the bullets whistling around us here; they killed a Company E man 20 yards to the right on the 4th. Health of the regiment never better, and that is the best index of the morale.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 288