To-day we are in sight of the blue hills of Western Virginia. Many years have rolled by since I roamed over those hills and with boyish ardor pursued the flying game. But, alas! Yankee soldiers have taken the place of that mountain game, and I hunt them now, though I don't like to catch too many at once.
We camped to-night in Orange county, about two miles from Gordonsville.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127
We reached Rapidan Station this evening and expect to remain here several days. This is a beautiful country, and is studded with many splendid mansions. The Rapidan River soon furnished me with a splendid mess of fresh fish for my supper.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127
Rained hard all night, but I managed to get under a wagon and it interfered but little with my rest.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127
WASHINGTON, February 12, 1858.
MY BELOVED DAUGHTER—I
received your beautiful note from Cortland this morning, and was pleased with
your affectionate remembrance. Washington is full to overflowing; gay, to
dissipation; swollen, to extravagant dimensions; sleepy, to stupidity; and
rouged, to redness. Your friends and acquaintances inquire for you cordially. I
would not have you here in this intoxicating whirl of party-going for anything
I could name. It has proceeded to a pass which is destructive of physical and
moral health. I am glad you are at home to comfort and console your dear
mother with the affectionate attentions of the only darling child left us
there.
The mail is about to
close. In haste.
SOURCE: John R.
Dickinson, Editor, Speeches, Correspondence, Etc., of the Late Daniel
S. Dickinson of New York, Vol. 2, pp. 509-10
A fine day, but a
hard one for all. We were ordered out early, and marched across the city, over
the long bridge, to the large plain, where we were reviewed by Gen. Foster. It
was a splendid sight. About all that is left to Gen. Foster of the 18th Corps
was on the field,—about 12,000 or 13,000 men, including cavalry and artillery,
and was the largest body of men we ever saw together; but it was tiresome to us
who did the marching, and we were glad to be in the old quarters again.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 40
For the last two
days we have had no drill out of doors, and very little guard. It has rained
steadily. The "Dudley Buck" arrived yesterday with a large mail, and
a lot of boxes have also made their appearance. We were mustered for two
months' pay this forenoon, and in the afternoon, between the showers, began one
of a series of base-ball games between men of the 23d and ours; but the rain
postponed it to the dim future. We find our barracks just the thing this
weather, much better than tents, and thank our stars and the United States
Government for them.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 40
Rain, and nothing
but rain; only the cleanest companies relieved, and we caught it again, and
some of us are checked as extra guard. And now for the first time our regiment is
broken. Two companies, and "B," going yesterday on picket at
Batchelder's Creek, a few miles out of New Berne, towards Kinston. We have been
idle now quite a while, and think it most time to be moved. Some say we are
going as provost guard down town, but all we can do is to wait and take what
comes. Frank Learned has been appointed corporal in place of Ramsey, who joined
the band.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, pp. 40-1
It has cleared up
and is quite cold. We sent off a large mail this morning. Last night we came
very near having our barracks destroyed. The funnel of one of the stoves
dropped against the roof, igniting the boards, and as we had all turned in, it
burned through the roof before it was discovered by a sentry. After burning a
hole five feet square we mastered it, and turned in again.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 41
To be noted. Our
company was declared the cleanest company! Consequently no
guard for us to-morrow.
Notwithstanding
our camp is quite sickly, we have had no
cases till now. Whitney was taken down suddenly while on guard on the night of
the 4th. He was quite sick for a few days, but is now better, and we hope will
be all right soon.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 41
A little incident
occurred yesterday, which is very gratifying to some of the boys, showing the
confidence our captain places in their word, and what a narrow chance others of
us had. Saturday is generally cleaning up day, and we understood there was to
be no battalion drill. At noon Sergt. White notified us that there would be a
drill at half-past one o'clock P.M. Three or four of us happened to be close to
the cook-house door, and of course cleared out. Robbins was outside and out of
hearing; we asked him to go with us, and he, being innocent of the order just
promulgated, fell in. We put in no appearance till dress parade, but nothing
was said till tattoo roll-call, when those who were absent were questioned.
Robbins was the first victim, being nearer the right of the line than any of
us. The question was, "Did you hear the order given by Sergt. White?"—"
No, sir."—"Where were you?"—" Outside the building,
sir." Which answers were satisfactory. When the captain came a little
short of the centre of the company and found another victim, the brilliant idea
struck the culprit to say, "I was with Robbins, sir." (So he was,
afterwards.) Robbins corroborated this, and the captain, not happening to ask
if the order was heard, passed; and one more was saved. It was a narrow escape,
and perhaps the white part of the fib saved the guard-house a temporary
boarder.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 41
There has been
nothing worthy of mention since the last date, excepting the heavy rain, till
last night, when we had an opera, "Il Recruitio," which was
excellently rendered. Gen. Foster and lady, and other officers and their
ladies, attended; the two barracks of "F" and "B" being
filled from top to floor.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 41
We were expecting a
gay time to-day, it being the first anniversary of the capture of New Berne. It
was reported that besides a review we were to have various salutes and plenty
of beer. We were awakened about five o'clock by a salute, and, although we
growled at the early hour, started out to see the fun. We soon found the
saluting was done with shotted guns. Belger and Morrison were posted on
the river bank, firing as fast as they could. The old "Hunchback,"
using her 100-pounder, and a little farther down stream, the
"Delaware" pegging away at the woods beyond the little fort where the
92d N.Y. Regiment was stationed, they firing also and the river alive with shot
and shell from the rebels. We were immediately ordered out in "light
marching order," and it looked as if our breakfast as well as our beer
would get stale.
Rumors were plenty.
About ten o'clock it was reported that we were going across the river to
relieve the troops there, but stayed quietly where we were, hearing everything
and seeing very little. By four P.M. everything was quiet, and the company
returned to barracks. A mail was distributed, and the boys are busy answering
letters, for the boat leaves in the morning.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, pp. 41-2
Last night about
supper-time, ten of Company E under command of Acting-Corpl. Emerson, were sent
to Gen. Wessels as headquarters guard, and after a severe night's duty in
keeping the general's horses all right and his staff from straggling, were
suddenly marched at "double quick" back to camp, to find the regiment
packing and getting ready to start. We bade good-by to the old barrack after a
hearty supper, and with flags furled and no music wended our way down town and
aboard the steamer "Escort." Company E was stationed forward, and as
it was dark we could see nothing, but found the soft places and turned in. We
will miss Russell and his mule this trip, as he is on duty in New Berne and
cannot leave. As we passed across Craven Street we saw him with his father, and
bade them good-by, telling him to look out for what boxes might come. Not a
very safe man, with his reputation as a forager, to leave our boxes
with; but it is the best we can do.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 42
(Private.)
MARTINSBURG, VA., July 23, 1857.
MY DEAR SIR: Though
I have ceased to take interest in politics, and hang on loosely to them for a
while longer, somewhat as a matter of habit, and somewhat as a matter of
necessity, I have promised a friend that I would communicate a few facts to
you, and now proceed to redeem my promise.
While spending a few
hours in Washington, a day or two ago, and since I have been here, I have
ascertained that a good deal of maneuvering is going on in relation to the
Senatorial election in Virginia. From what I have heard, I am satisfied that
Gov[ernor] Wise is very anxious to be elected to the
Senate. His hopes in that direction were a good deal chilled by the result of
the Virginia elections last Spring, but within a few weeks past, they have been
very much revived. He thinks that if he could place you, in a position of known
antagonism to the administration, and stand forward himself as the
administration candidate he would easily beat you. Therefore his friends are
representing you as fully endorsing all that our good friends of "The
South" have said about Walker and Kansas, and are endeavouring to produce
the belief that hostility to Walker and his Kansas policy springs out of and
indicates a spirit of settled hostility to the administration.
As I came through
Washington the city was rife with rumours of your open and avowed hostility to
Buchanan and his Cabinet.
Our friend Co[lone]l
Orr of So[uth] Carolina who is a warm administration man told me that he heard
with great concern that you had made a speech in which you attacked them
fiercely. Since I came here, a friend of ours (Mr. John B. Hoge) has told me
that the scheme has been worked with effect in this region,
and is fraught with danger in the West at least.
I am clearly and
openly hostile to Walker and his Kansas policy, but I do not think that either
principle or policy requires it to be carried to the extent of opposition to
the administration. They are acting badly towards us it is true, but they ought
not to be permitted to drive us into opposition, except upon some ground which
would be patent to the public. This is my view of the matter but it is probably
badly taken. You can judge best of the course proper for you to take. I
intended merely to give you facts.
The result of the
elections in our region of the State was in this point of view, very favorable.
So Edmundson writes me it was in his. I am nearly at the end of my race
politically. I want however to see the true men in our State, prospered and
advanced, and the intriguers thwarted and I will sing the "nunc
dimittes" with full glad heart.
(P. S.) That
"mendacious vagabond" who writes to the Herald from Richmond persists
in declaring that the Parsons [?] Bill was gotten up by your friends to injure
Buchanan's prospects in Virginia for the Presidential nomination.
SOURCE: Charles Henry
Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association
for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of Robert M. T.
Hunter (1826-1876), pp. 210-1
PETERSBURG, [VA.,] July 24th, 1857.
MY DEAR SIR: I had a
letter from Letcher this morning. He, as other of your friends, sees the
insidious attempts of the Enquirer and Examiner to
strike at you over the shoulders of the South. Nothing would
gratify Wise more than to make up an issue with you on the Kansas imbroglio.
Already some of his friends are striving to produce the idea that Pryor has
been writing at your dictation and speaks your sentiments. This is roundly
asserted in administration circles at Washington our friends can not be too
careful. Pryor has gone too far and has already done mischief. The sooner he is
checked the better. The policy of your friends is the strict line of defence,
this renders your position impregnable. We are weakening the moment we set on
the other task. The obvious course is to avoid all issues tendered by the
opposition. Nothing will serve to foil them half as effectually. Wise is half
dead for a hobby. I might say he would give his kingdom (not on this earth but
in heaven (?) "for a horse." There is no special obligation that I am
aware of on our part to furnish him one.
1 Prominent in local politics in northwestern
Virginia.
SOURCE: Charles
Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of
Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), pp. 211-2
ALEXANDRIA, [VA.], July 24th, 1857.
MY DEAR SIR: From
all that I can learn the opposition in this State to your reelection next
Winter are actively though secretly at work in getting up an organization
against you in various parts of Virginia. I am told that Hughes of the Richmond
Examiner is exceedingly busy writing letters in all directions to members elect
of the Legislature. Floyd from his point of attack at Washington leaves nothing
undone when an opportunity is presented, and Wise is using the power of his
position to accomplish the same object. My brother James, who is well posted in
these matters, has within a few days past expressed to me the opinion that he
was satisfied there was a formidable opposition getting up
against you in this way.
I have concluded
from my own responsibility to drop you a hurried line upon the subject, to warn
you of the danger in the distance, and to suggest that you give your friends
throughout the State timely notice of these operations, and urge them to
establish and perfect their own organization without delay.
So far as the
Legislature stood in the beginning our Party certainly was largely in the
ascendancy, but there is no telling what action an unscrupulous and unresisted
organization may effect. If we should be beaten next winter, the Southern
Rights Party in Virg[ini]a will be hopelessly prostrate, never to rise again in
our time. I shall continue to endeavor to keep a sharp look out upon the
movements before referred to, and hope in my humble way to plant a thorn
occasionally in their path, but would advise you, who have so much at stake, to
telegraph your friends in different sections of the State and put them on their
guard against the operations of the other side.
SOURCE: Charles
Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of
Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), pp. 212-3
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 25, 1857.
DEAR SIR: Having a
few moments leisure, I have concluded to address you on the subject of the
Senatorial election next winter. Not having the least doubt of your
re-election, it has created surprise in my mind to hear some of the friends of
Gov. Wise express themselves in the most sanguine terms as to the probability
of his succeeding you. Gov. Wise and Mr. Faulkner seem to be on very friendly
terms just now. It is said Mr. F[aulkner] is to help Wise to the Senate, while
Gov. W[ise] is to use all his influence to secure Mr. F[aulkner]'s nomination for
governor, and at the expiration of Mr. F[aulkner]'s gubernatorial term he
expects to succeed your colleague in the Senate. It is well to be on your guard
against the movements of these aspiring gentlemen.
Walker's course in
Kansas has caused the administration much trouble. The cabinet, I have reason
to believe are divided on the subject, and that the position of Georgia has
rather weakened Mr. Cobb's influence.
Forney is causing
much uneasiness. It is whispered that Cobb is concerned in the movement, and that
the new paper will support him for the nomination next time. I
know that the conductors of the "Union," are very jealous of the
movement, and are of the above opinion.
The feud in Indiana
between the friends of Gov. Bright and Gov. Wright has not been quieted by the
appointment of Gov. W[right]1 and will brake out again at no early
day.
There is no friendly
feeling existing between Messrs. Bright and Douglas. Mr. D[ouglas] blames Gov.
B[right] for the way in which the Indiana delegation voted at Cincinnati.
There is some talk
of De Witt purchasing the interest of R. M. Smith in the Virginia Sentinel. I
expect Gov. Smith will not favor the plan. Some of Gov. S[mith]'s constituents
are blaming him for recommending a fellow named Wileman Thomas, from his district, for
a high position here. Thomas is a notorious scoundrel, bankrupt in politics,
morals, and purse. He was a know nothing, attended the Winchester convention,
but was denied admittance, because he was self appointed. He procured the
recommendation of several respectable gentlemen, and then obtained the
endorsement of Gov. Wise to the genuineness of their democracy. I mention this
matter for fear he may annoy you with his importunities. I should not be
surprised if he received an appointment, as he voted for Mr. Buchanan, which
absolves a man from all sins against the democratic party.
1 Joseph Albert Wright, governor of Indiana,
1849-1857; a Representative in Congress, 1843-1845; Senator, 1862-1863;
Minister to Prussia, 1857-1861, also 1865-1867.
SOURCE: Charles
Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of
Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), pp. 213-4
Went on a scout from
Murfreesboro' with our whole division, marched 5 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S.
Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 27
Marched 8 miles and
encamped for the night.
SOURCE: Adam S.
Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 27
