Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Monday, January 26, 1863

Henry Selover and I recited tactics I translated some Virgil.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 11

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Tuesday, January 27, 1863

Butter 35. Studied the second part, School of Battalion.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 11

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Wednesday, January 28, 1863

I was sick. Adjutant excused me from guard mount. I cleaned my gun. Studied music lesson, etc.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 11

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Thursday, January 29, 1863

Feel some better and did my office business. Made out a new roster for February. Very blustery, snowy, a howling, blustering storm.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 11

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Friday, January 30, 1863

Whitney and train returned. I sold my gold watch for $28 and bought a silver lever, $23, and sold it to Norton. Received $7. He owes me $16. I bought a silver Lepine for $17. Singing school. Sore eyes.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 11

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Saturday, January 31, 1863

I wrote off eight orders for officers. Battalion drill. Paper, postage, 10.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 11

Jefferson Davis to John Jenkins, September 21, 1847

(From Vicksburg Sentinel, September 29, 1847.)

Brierfield, Sept. 21st, 1847.

John Jenkins Esq:

Dear Sir:—In your paper of the 1st inst., I observed a notice of a long article in the "Mississippi Advertiser," being an attack upon my "friends" in general, and myself in connection with the fact, that the 2d Mississippi Regiment, had offered to elect me their Colonel, and that I declined to accept. Much stress is laid upon a paragraph in a number of your paper issued whilst I was in Mexico, referring to a rumor that I would probably become the commander of the 2d Mississippi Regiment. I saw the paragraph, and at the same time a notice of it in a New Orleans paper, which treated the rumor as ridiculous. Either or both views seemed to me very unimportant, as no vacancy existed, and there was no prospect that one would happen. Col. R. Davis left his Regiment on leave of absence, not to resign, but to make such arrangements as would enable him to return to his command, and remain during the war. This information communicated to me, by himself, I frequently gave to others, to correct an impression that he would not return.

He rejoined his Regiment very soon after I left Monterey. Ill health has subsequently compelled him to resign, and a vacancy thus unexpectedly occurred. In the mean time your paragraph, which the Advertiser considers as so effective, had become old, if you can bear the supposition, perhaps Sir, it was forgotten in the 2d Regiment; the more supposible, as the report you noticed came from them, and could acquire no additional importance by travelling back. The "Advertiser" says: "The announcement of the rumor of some circumstances, had time to reach the camp of the 2d Regiment in Mexico, and also the refusal of the tender of the Brigadier Generalship." Now, Sir, I have just said I thought the announcement had too much time, and I have some reason to believe the refusal had not enough. A Physician formerly a member of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, now on duty in the medical staff of the division which includes the 2d Mississippi Regiment, wrote to me from camp Buena Vista, on the 10th July; five days before the letter of the committee, from whose letter I make the following extract: "The 2d Mississippi, leave for Augua Nueva, in a few days, and more troops are expected up. We were all delighted to hear that you have been promoted to Brigadier, and would take command of this Division."

The idea of electing me Colonel of the 2d Mississippi Regiment, I have been informed by some of the officers, was as old as its organization; and repeatedly when we were at Monterey, members of the 2d Mississippi Regiment, expressed a wish, in the event of their Colonelcy becoming vacant to have my services in that capacity. These will remember, whilst I acknowledged the compliment, the extent to which I always discouraged the proposition, and will recognize in the third reason of my letter to their committee a principle they have heard me more fully present. By them my reply might have been anticipated, yet if they supposed I could not resist an invitation so generously and unexpectedly given, they were not far wrong. Had

I been physically able, and free to accept, they would probably have been right.

Now, Sir, to return to the article of the "Advertiser," having gratuitously made the supposition, that the invitation of the 2d Regiment, was procured to subserve some purpose, and be refused, the editor with all the solemnity of an indictment proceeds: "If Col. Jefferson Davis has, at any time, or in any form," &c &c, to instruct me what it is requisite for me to do in the case. To the low suspicion, I have nothing to reply. It must find its rebuke in every ingenuous mind, and its refutation must come from my friends of the 2d Mississippi Regiment, who best know the degree of its falsehood. How an unprejudicated mind could originate such things, it is difficult to conceive. Nor is it more easy for me to imagine whose vanity has been wounded, whose envy excited, whose jealousy has prompted him to this misrepresentation of a free offering, an honorable distinction, which my fellow citizens of the 2d Regiment, have been pleased to confer upon me.

At the close of the Advertiser's article, is a call for information as to the ground on which I declined the proffered command. Those who volunteer advice, ought to have a great deal of information, and I am happy to have it in my power to contribute any. I therefore send you for publication the correspondence in relation to this transaction. It is comprised entire, in two letters herewith enclosed. No. 1 the letter of the committee, No. 2, a copy of my reply.

Very truly your friend,

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, pp. 96-8

A. McWillie and others to Jefferson Davis, July 16, 1847

(From Vicksburg Sentinel, September 29, 1847.)

Buena Vista, Mexico,        

July 16th, 1847.

Genl. Jefferson Davis—Sir: — As you will doubtless have learned before this reaches you, the office of Colonel of the 2nd Mississippi Rifles will be vacated on the 1st of September next, by the resignation of Col. Reuben Davis.

Feeling a deep interest in the selection of his successor, the officers held a meeting on last evening to ascertain, if possible, who was the choice of the regiment.

Knowing and appreciating the high reputation you have acquired as commander of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, there was on the part of the meeting a unanimous expression of opinion in your favor, and the undersigned were appointed a committee to ascertain the preference of the whole regiment, to communicate with you upon the subject, and to know if you would accept the command if tendered to you. We have made such enquiry among the men, and we are happy to be able to state, that you are the unanimous choice of the whole regiment. We therefore request that you will communicate to us at the earliest practicable period, what your views are upon the subject, so that we may communicate the same to the regiment. Permit us to indulge the hope personally that it may not be incompatible with your wishes and interests to assume the command, and that we may soon have the pleasure of greeting you as our leader.

We have the honor to be,
                                           Very respectfully,

        Your ob't serv'ts,

A. McWILLIE,        

Capt. 2nd Miss. Rifles,

E. DOWSING,        

1st Lieut. 2nd Miss. Rifles,

F. AMYX,        

1st Lieut. 2nd Miss. Rifles,

A. J. TRUSSEL        ,

2nd Lieut. 2nd Miss. Rifles.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, pp. 98-9

Jefferson Davis to A. McWillie and others, August 19, 1847

(From Vicksburg Sentinel, September 29, 1847.)

Brierfield, Warren co., Miss.,        

August 19th, 1847.

Gentlemen:—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your most gratifying letter of the 16th ult., conveying to me the information that my esteemed friends of the 2nd Mississippi Riflemen unanimously offer to elect me their regimental leader.

The honorable post you offer has every thing to commend it to me; it is the free gift of Mississippians; it invites me to field service in a region where the energy and health of the troops will not be impaired by the climate, and it assures me of being in the column of the general in whom I have unmeasured confidence.

Your proposition under all the circumstances which attend it, is an honor of which the highest reputation might well be proud, and for which I feel more grateful than I have power to express. In declining a station so honorable, so acceptable to my tastes, feelings and associations, and offered in a manner so highly complimentarily, I have three reasons to submit to you in justification of my decision:

1st. I have not so far recovered from my wound as to be able to travel immediately; the probable date of your advance admits of no delay in one who would join you in your present position, and the anticipated character of your movement, in the event of an advance, renders it doubtful whether an individual could join you on the march.

II. Before the receipt of your letter I had accepted a commission to fill a vacancy in our Representation in the U. S. Senate.

III. I have held that vacancies occurring in the field afford opportunities to reward merit among yourselves, and that policy dictates, and esprit du corps demands, that promotions should thus be made. I feel that your kindness has made me an exception to a rule, and that I best show myself worthy of your generosity by declining to take advantage of it.

Though I shall not be with you to share the glory, it is permitted me to hope that at no distant day the fortune of war will give you an opportunity to fulfill the expectations of you, so early and confidently announced by myself, in common with your many friends and admirers.

To you alone now is Mississippi's standard confided. Rent and blood-stained it may be; but in your hands, can never be dishonored. It may droop with the cypress, but will be crowned with the laurel.

For yourselves, gentlemen, please receive my sincere thanks, for the grateful terms in which you have conveyed the flattering wishes of my friends and fellow citizens of the 2nd Mississippi Rifles, to whom I pray you make my acknowledgements acceptable.

With assurances of the deep interest I will always feel in your prosperity and fame, and with the hope that under the blessing of peace we may be early reunited at home. I am very cordially,

Your friend and ob't serv't.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Messrs. Capt. A. McWillie, Lieut. E. Dowsing, Lieut. F. Amyx, Lieut. A. J. Trussell, committee 2nd       Mississippi Rifles.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, pp. 99-100

Jefferson Davis to Caleb Goldsmith Forshey, September 24, 1847

(From Natchez Courier, October 6, 1847.)

Brierfield, Miss., Sept. 24, 1847.

C. G. Forshey, Esq., of Com. of Invitation:

Dear Sir—When I received the letter of your committee, inviting me on behalf of the citizens of Concordia, to a Barbecue to be given on the 30th inst., as a compliment to the character and gallant services of Gen. Z. Taylor, I hoped it would have been in my power to meet you on an occasion to me so interesting, and grateful to the warm personal attachment I feel for the patriot hero whom you propose to honor. Valuable and brilliant as have been the public services of Gen. Taylor, attracting the admiration and gratitude of his countrymen throughout our broad Union, those who have known him best will equally remember and honor him for the purity, the generosity, and unostentatious magnanimity of his private character. His colossal greatness is presented in the garb of the strictest republican simplicity; and to this no doubt in a great degree may be referred the feeling you describe when you say, "we are learning to regard him with a filial affection."

To speak of Gen. Taylor as one who has known him long and well, I will say, that his life has been devoted to the service of his country for no other reward than the consciousness of serving it well-and that for many years past, the goal of his desires has been a private station, as soon as his official obligations would permit, to retire to the enjoyment of a sovereign citizen of the United States.

Before closing I will refer to a recent and characteristic exhibition of his disinterested patriotism, which has not received all the attention, I think it deserves. He was called on by the administration for his opinion as to the best mode of prosecuting the war with Mexico. In view of the embarrassments which surrounded Gen. Scott, and the importance of the operations in which he was engaged, Gen. Taylor recommended that a portion of his own command be sent to reinforce the Southern column. For the good of his country, he sacrificed his long deferred hope of an advance at the moment of its fulfillment, and doomed himself to the worst punishment of a soldier-inactivity on a line of defence. For the good of his country all personal ambition, all rivalry were forgotten he gave his vest also to the man who had taken his coat, and left him exposed to the storm of "Buena Vista."

Permit me to offer you for the occasion:

General Taylor—The soldier who "never surrenders;" the citizen whose love is "for the country, and whole country;" the man whose sacrifices are all of himself.

Accept for yourselves, gentlemen of the committee, and please tender to those whom you represent, assurances of my high esteem and the regret which I feel at not being able to meet you as invited.

Very respectfully, yours,

Jefferson Davis.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, pp. 101-2

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 9, 1863

Received orders to move tomorrow. Our camp life at Smith's Plantation has been as pleasant as we could wish. Our time was spent in batallion and company drills and dress parades. Part of the time we were engaged in building bridges across the bayou for troops to cross on which would shorten the distance materially between Milliken's Bend and Grand Gulf, or Carthage, which is opposite. One of the wonders of the day was our men bringing a small steamboat through the bayou from the Mississippi with commissary stores and ammunition, something I believe was never done before. This plantation is a large sugar and cotton plantation and has several large sugar works and cotton gins on it. It is a valuable one, worth before the war many hundreds of thousands of dollars, but as the darkies have all left, there is no saying what it is worth today. I enjoy the morning and evening walks, as the weather then is delightful. I saw quite a number of acquaintances pass on their way to the front. Among them Batteries A and B, Chicago Light Artillery. We have heard of the battles in the front and that our armies have been victorious. One day quite a number of rebel prisoners passed to the rear. Our orders are to move in as light marching order as possible. I take nothing but what my saddlebags will hold, namely, a change of underclothing and tooth brush and comb. Captain James, with two companies, C and I, have been detailed some seven miles from the main camp to guard a bridge over a bayou. I rode down to see them and found them contented and happy, indulging in blackberries to their hearts' content. I enjoyed them myself. We heard the guns at the attack on Grand Gulf, which was a strongly fortified place, and which defied the gunboats. It was taken by troops crossing below and forcing their works. Companies C and I returned to the regiment last night.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 13

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 10, 1863

Left camp on Smith's Plantation early this morning. Marched to Perkin's Landing, on the Mississippi River. Men on half rations; everything reduced to the smallest allowance possible.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 13

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 11, 1863

Reveille at four o'clock; started on our march after a "hearty cup of coffee." Struck inland and marched around Lake St. Joseph, through one of the most beautiful countries I ever saw; the plantations large and residences elegant; one in particular, Judge Bowie's, was one of the most elegant places in the South; the flower garden eclipsed anything of the kind I ever saw. Most of the men had bouquets stuck in their muskets. My horse had his head decorated with them. This elegant place was in ruins by the time we got there. The house had been burned, as were most of the residences around the lake, and all the cotton gins. Most of the owners had fled and left their houses to the care of the servants. I must say that the officers did what they could to prevent it, and General Ransom halted the brigade and said he would have any of his command severely punished if caught in the act of setting fire to any building, yet while he was talking, flames burst forth from half a dozen houses. Marched eighteen miles.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, pp. 13-4

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 12, 1863

Started at 5 a. m. Marched to "Hard Times" landing, on the Mississippi, where we immediately embarked on board a transport and were ferried across to Grand Gulf. Visited the fortifications, which were most extensive and almost impregnable; our forces coming up in the rear forced the Rebs to evacuate them.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 14

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 13, 1863

72d Ill. detailed as rear guard. A large train of supplies and ammunition going out to the armies in advance. Roads terribly dusty and weather exceedingly hot. Met hundreds of "contrabands" going into Grand Gulf. No one can imagine the picturesque and comic appearance of the negroes, all ages, shapes and sizes. All seemed happy at the idea of being free, but what is to become of them the men can be made soldiers, but women and children must suffer. Encamped in a beautiful grove; not having tents, we bivouacked in the open air.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 14

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 14, 1863

Commenced our march at 4 a. m. Marched to the Big Sandy River, where we had quite an exciting time. A courier from the river rode by and reported that Richmond had been taken. There was great enthusiasm among the men. Marched about twenty miles today.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 14

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 15, 1863

Weather warm and roads dusty. Marched over the battlefield of Port Gibson, where McPherson cleaned the rebels out most effectually. Twenty-two miles today.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 14

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 16, 1863

Started at four a. m. Reached Raymond by ten o'clock. The churches were full of the wounded rebels and our men, for there had been quite a fight here, as well as at Port Gibson. We had cleaned the rebels out and our men were in the best of spirits. While resting here, heard firing in the distance. Started at quick time; men were drawn up in line of battle about five miles from Raymond, across a road, but the enemy had gone around us. Orders came to move forward in a hurry. Met some brigades resting on the road, but General Wilson of Grant's staff hurried us forward across fields and arrived at Champion's Hill just as the enemy fled. We were pushed forward to the front and slept on the field of battle. Dead rebels and Union soldiers were lying all around us. The enemy had fled across the Big Black River. Our victory had been complete, captured over two thousand men, seventeen pieces of artillery and a number of battle flags. Marched twenty-five miles today.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 14

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 17, 1863

Drove the enemy across the Big Black River, capturing quite a number, with artillery; built a bridge, taking the timber from cotton gins and houses in the neighborhood. The Rebs had burned the railroad bridge, as well as the wagon bridge. We were thrown across in advance and thrown out as skirmishers until the division could cross. There was a hard fight at this place, but nothing could withstand the impetuosity of our men; I never saw them in such spirits. Rations short and all are glad to get what they can. It was here an incident occurred which, had it turned out differently, might have affected my position in the army. While at Grand Gulf it was intimated to me by Colonel Wright that there had been an order received from General Grant's headquarters detailing myself, with two companies of the regiment, as provost guard at the headquarters of General Grant. It was entirely unsolicited by myself and unbeknown to me, but Colonel Starring thought I had a hand in it and felt very sore about it. I paid no attention to it as I did not want it, nor would I accept it could I get out of it. I paid no further attention to it until after the battle of Champion's Hill. As we were marching along the road to the front, General Grant and staff came along. General Rawlins, chief of staff, asked me why I had not reported with my companies, as ordered. I told him I had never seen the order and I had no opportunity of reporting until that moment. There was no further time for talking as the road was crowded with troops, and all pressing to the front. That night I saw General Ransom, who was a friend of mine, and asked him to help me out of the detail. He said to come up in the morning to his quarters. I did so, and he gave me a note to General Grant, asking him to relieve me from the detail. I took it, rode to the front where the battle of the Big Black was going on, and found General Grant and staff watering their horses in a pond of muddy water. I presented the note to General Rawlins, who read it and then handed the same to General Grant. He read it and excused me. I asked General Rawlins if I could be of any service:— he said to hurry back and tell Ransom to hurry to the front, as there was a sharp fight going on. I did so, reported to Ransom with my instructions, and he marched the men harder than they had ever been marched before, but the victory was won before they got up. This incident I write to show that I would rather stay with my regiment than be on General Grant's staff.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, pp. 14-5

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, May 18, 1863

Roads terribly dusty and weather hot. Marched quick time; water scarce, rations reduced, consisting of two pieces of hard tack and half rations of coffee a day since leaving Grand Gulf. Sherman's corps got ahead of us. Reached our long-looked-for destination at last, the rear of Vicksburg. We arrived about dusk a mile outside of the rebel fortifications. Sherman's corps marched to the right of the Jackson Road, the one on which we entered, their right extending to the Mississippi River (north of Vicksburg), McPherson's corps coming next, and Ransom's brigade being in the front. took position on Sherman's left, and McClernand's corps coming in on another road took position on McPherson's left, and at last we had the rebels hemmed in Vicksburg, the goal of our hopes for months past, the object of so many hard marches, the rebel stronghold in the West, the only point that kept the Mississippi River from being free to the North. The 72d Ill. was thrown out as advance guard that night and myself as officer of the guard. Although completely worn out I did not dare to sleep, but kept moving from point to point all night. At one time a party of cavalry came riding along the road on which I had posted some men, and although dressed in our uniform my men would not let them pass until they had sent for me. I recognized one of the officers and permitted them to go through. A large fire was burning in Vicksburg, but we could not discover what it was. We knew there would be bloody work for the morrow, as we would have to assault their works to get into Vicksburg.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 15