Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, September 24, 1863

There is no news of importance. I have entirely recovered and am in good health again. Our regiment, as also the entire brigade, is slowly regaining its strength and increasing in number. The boys from the hospitals are taking their places and those on furlough are returning and bringing new recruits with them.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 144

Diary of Charles H. Lynch: December 1862

Much cold rain and snow-storms. Near our camp was a great neighborhood for pigs. They were allowed to roam about, running through our camp. Colonel warned the people to keep them out. It did no good. Colonel shot one, wounding it. Members of our company captured and dressed it. Company C had fresh pork for dinner. The owner tried to collect pay. The Colonel promised if the pigs were kept out of camp for two weeks he would pay. In less than three days the pigs were in camp again.

The routine for each day. Roll call at 6 A. M. Breakfast at 7. Guard mount, 8.30. Company drill, 9 to 11. Dinner, 12. Battalion drill, 2 to 4. Clean up for dress parade at 5 P. M. Supper at 6. Roll-call, 9. Taps, 9.30. On guard duty every other day and night. Much sympathy in this vicinity for the South. Railroads are kept well guarded.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 11-12

117th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Portsmouth, Ohio, September 15, 1862. Ordered to Kentucky October 2. Camp at Ashland, Ky., till January, 1863. Attached to District of Eastern Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio. Moved to Paintsville, Ky., January, 1863; thence to Covington via Peach Orchard, Louisia and Catlettsburg, February. Duty at Covington till May. Designation of Regiment changed to 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery May 2, 1863 (which see).

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1546

Alabama State Monument: Shiloh National Military Park

C. S. A.

ALABAMA

[Inscribed on the right side of the monument:]

C. S. A.

ALABAMA INFANTRY

4th Battalion, Maj. James M. Clifton.

16th Regiment, Lieut. Col. J. W. Harris.

17th Regt. Lieut. Col. Robert C. Fariss.

18th Regt. Col. Eli S. Shorter.

19th Regt. Col. Joseph Wheeler.

21st Regt. (Lieut. Col. Stewart W. Cayce

(Maj. Frederick Stewart.

22nd Regt. (Col. Zach C. Deas (Wounded)

(Lieut. Col. John C. Marrast

25th Regt. (Col. John Q. Loomis (Wounded)

(Major George D. Johnston

26th Regt. (Col. John G. Coltart (Wounded)

(Lieut. Col. William D. Chadick

31st Regt., Lieut. Col. Montgomery Gilbreath.

[Inscribed on the back of the monument:]

C. S. A.

ALABAMA

TO THE

LASTING MEMORY OF THE HEROES

FROM ALABAMA

WHO FOUGHT AT SHILOH

APRIL 6-7 1862

_____

ERECTED BY THE ALABAMA

DIVISION

UNITED DUAGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY

1907

[Inscribed on the left side of the monument:]

C. S. A.

ALABAMA GENERAL OFFICERS AT SHILOH.

Brig. Gen. Jones M. Withers, 2nd Div. 2nd Army Corps.

Brig. Gen. Sterling A. M. Wood, 3rd Brig. 3rd Army Corps.

ALABAMA CAVALRY

Gen. Bragg’s Escort, Company, Capt. Robert W. Smith.

First Battalion Capt. Thoms F. Jenkins

Miss. And Ala Battalion, Lieut. Col. Richard H. Brewer.

First Regiment, Col. James H. Clanton.

ALABAMA ARTILLERY.

Gage’s Battery, Capt. Charles P. Gage.

Ketchum’s Battery, Capt. Wm. H. Ketchum.

Robertson’s Battery, Capt. Felix H. Robertson

John Brown to Ruth Brown Thompkins, January 5, 1847

Springfield, Mass., Jan 5, 1847.

Dear Daughter Ruth, —Yours dated the 20th and Jason's dated the 16th of December were both received in season, and were very grateful to our feelings, as we are anxious to hear from home often, and had become very uneasy before we got word from Jason. We are middling well, and very much perplexed with our work, accounts, and correspondence. We expect now to go home, if our lives and health are spared, next month, and we feel rejoiced that the time is so near when we hope to meet you all once more. Sometimes my imagination follows those of my family who have passed behind the scenes; and I would almost rejoice to be permitted to make them a personal visit. I have outlived nearly half of all my numerous family, and I ought to realize that in any event a large proportion of my journey is travelled over. You say that you would like very much to have a letter from me, with as much good-advice as I will give. Well, what do you suppose I feel most anxious for in regard to yourself and all at home? Would you believe that I ever had any such care on my mind about them as we read that Job had about his family (not that I would ever think to compare myself with Job)? Would you believe that the long story would be that ye sin not, that you form no foolish attachments, and that you be not a companion of fools?

Your affectionate father,

John Brown

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 142-3

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, July 8, 1861

Camp Chase, July 8, 1861.

Dear Uncle: — Lucy came up to Columbus with Birtie Saturday evening. They have both been out once, and Birch twice to see me in camp. It is very pleasant to see them about. We are jogging on in routine duties. The only variation is the advent of twenty-three Secessionists, held as hostages for Union men seized in Virginia. On the release of the Union men, our prisoners were sent home yesterday.

I fear from the tenor of McLelland’s letters, and what Hale told me, that you are not getting rid of your cough. I hope you will do so soon. It is too bad that you should be unwell now. You would enjoy a little campaigning with me very much, and I would so enjoy having you along.  . . .  — Good-bye.

R. B. Hayes.

S. BlRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 37-8

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, August 25, 1862

The enemy has taken a position, or rather several positions, on the Fauquier side of the Rappahannock. I have only time to tell you how much I love my little pet dove.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 331

Rebecca Buffum Spring to the Family of John Brown, November 30, 1859

Eagleswood, Perth Amboy, N. J., Nov. 30th, '59.

To the family of Mr. John Brown.

Dear Friends:

I would gladly say some words of my own to comfort you, and carry you through this great trial and affliction, but I have them not. May the God of your dear father sustain you as He has him.

I heard also from your mother yesterday. Her note came part way with your father's letter. She is with most lovely and excellent friends, who will do all in their power to sustain her. I like better to have Mrs. Brown with Mrs. Lucretia Mott than in any other place, except in that prison. I should like better to have her there in that now sacred place which is now

“‘In the very verge of heaven.’”

SOURCE: Lillie Buffum Chace Wyman and Arthur Crawford Wyman, Elizabeth Buffum Chace, 1806-1899: Her Life and Its Environment, Volume 1, p. 352

Brigadier General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, September 7, 1863

New Orleans, Sept. 7, 1863.

I open my letter to enclose a couple of cartes, one of General Grant, the other you will probably recognize. I will send the cartes of the residue of the staff to-morrow. They were all taken hurriedly, the weather intensely hot and the time noon, when we were all pretty tired, having had no sleep for two or three nights.  . . . Some day, when I 'm in a better humor, and get all my toggery together, I 'll have one taken in full uniform for you. The Adjutant-General of the United States lent me his coat to be taken in, and his figure being smaller than mine, makes me look pinched in the breast; it was as much as I could do to button it over.

General Grant is much improved this morning, and I think will be out soon again. Meanwhile, we are all very quiet and comfortably provided for. My diet being soft shell crabs and pompinot and nice fish that is brought me from the Gulf. General Banks calls, and all the other generals, and we are at no loss for society.

P. S. — There is a group of the General and his staff finishing while I write. Send in a few days.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 335-6

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, August 31, 1863

August 31, 1863.

I send you to-day some scraps from the newspapers. The first is an extract from the London correspondent of the Presbyterian, which Ben. Gerhard¹ sent to me, and which I consider very flattering; for if there is any reputation I aspire to, it is that of a gentleman. The next is the account of the grand presentation from Forney's Chronicle, which is the best and most accurate account I have seen.² The speech is accurately reported, with one exception, and that is where I am made to say, “I hoped the people of Pennsylvania would re-elect Governor Curtin.” I said nothing of the kind, and made no allusions to elections. Just before I went on the stand, _____ came to me and said: “If you can say anything in favor of Curtin, it will help us greatly.” I replied: “I don't know, Mr. _____, what you mean by helping you. You know I have nothing to do with politics; but it was my intention before you spoke to me to allude to Governor Curtin and his services in behalf of the volunteers from Pennsylvania.” “Well,” said he, “that is all we want.” I did say all that I am reported to have said, except the allusion to his re-election, which was put in by _____. This was bad enough; but in to-day's paper _____ comes out in an editorial (which I send you), puffing Curtin and quoting my speech in italics.

The more I examine my sword the more I am delighted with its beauty. It is really most chaste and artistic. It seems a pity, though, to waste so much money on an article that from its great value is actually rendered useless.

We are having a little excitement to-day, in an expedition that has been sent down the river, to attempt to destroy two gunboats which the enemy recently surprised and captured at the mouth of the Rappahannock. The expedition was ordered from Washington, and I hope it will prove successful.

The conscripts are coming in now pretty fast. To-day for the first time over a thousand arrived. They are generally pretty good men, and I trust the example made of the five deserters, who were shot on Saturday, will check the evil of desertion. This execution was witnessed by a very large number of soldiers, and I am told the only remark made was, “Why did they not begin this practice long ago?” Not a murmur against the justice or the propriety of the act was heard. Indeed, the men are the most anxious to see this great evil cured, as they know their own security will be advanced thereby.

_______________

¹ Benjamin Gerhard, brother-in-law of Mrs. Meade.

² The article mentioned is an editorial, and only extracts of the speech are given. The speech was reported in full in the New York Tribune, August 31, 1863. See Appendix E.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 145-6

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, September 23, 1863

The weather is quite cool and the boys are beginning to fix up for winter by siding up the tents and building chimneys. There is some prospect of our brigade having to remain here for the winter. The Second Brigade of our division is still at Natchez. We are raising our tents and bunks about twenty-four inches from the ground. The openings around the tents we close up with boards torn from buildings, and having the wedge tent which accommodates four, we build our bunks for two men, one on either side, with the fireplace and chimney in the rear between the bunks. This makes a pretty good house for winter quarters.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 144

Diary of Charles H. Lynch: November 1862

The most important event was our first Thanksgiving in camp. Passed very pleasantly. A good dinner, with games of foot and base-ball. The day closing with dress parade. Many visitors from Baltimore and some from Connecticut. The weather during November was very fine for camp life. Barracks were built for winter quarters to take the place of tents.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 11

116th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Marietta and Gallipolis, Ohio, and mustered in September 18, 1862 (Cos. "F" and "K" mustered in October 28, 1861, and joined Regiment at Buckhannon, W. Va.). Left State for Parkersburg, W. Va., October 16; thence moved to Clarksburg and Buckhannon. Moved to New Creek November 9, and to Moorefield December 12. Attached to Railroad Division, West Virginia, to January, 1863. Romney, W. Va., Defenses of the Upper Potomac, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to March, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, Elliott's Command, 8th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of the Susquehanna, July, 1863. McReynolds' Command, Martinsburg, W. Va., Dept. of West Virginia, to December, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, West Virginia, to April, 1864. 1st Brigade. 1st Infantry Division, West Virginia, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, Independent Division, 24th Army Corps, Army of the James, to June, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Moorefield, W. Va., December 15, 1862, to January 10, 1863. Moorefield January 3. At Romney till March 17. Near Romney February 16. At Winchester, Va., till June. Operations in Shenandoah Valley April 20-29. Scout toward Wardensville and Strasburg April 20. Scout to Strasburg April 25-29. Bunker Hill June 13 (Cos. "A" and "I"). Battle of Winchester June 13-15. Retreat to Harper's Ferry, W. Va., June 15-16; thence to Washington, D.C., July 1-4, and Join Army of the Potomac at Frederick, Md., July 5. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24. Wapping Heights, Va., July 23. At Martinsburg, W. Va., August 4, 1863, to April 29, 1864. Skirmish at Hedgesville October 16, 1863 (Detachment). Sigel's Expedition from Martinsburg to New Market April 29-May 16, 1864. Battle of New Market May 15. Advance on Staunton May 24-June 6. Piedmont June 5. Occupation of Staunton June 6. Hunter's raid on Lynchburg June 10-July 1. Lynchburg June 17-18. Ordered to the Shenandoah Valley July. Battle of Kernstown-Winchester, July 24. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 7-November 28. Charlestown August 21, 22 and 29. Berryville September 3, Battle of Winchester, Opaquan Creek September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. Cedar Creek October 13, Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Duty at Opequan Crossing November 18 to December 19. Moved to Washington, D.C., December 19; thence to Aiken's Landing, Va, Siege of Petersburg and Richmond December 27, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9, Hatcher's Run March 29-April 1. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Rice's Station April 6. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Duty at Richmond, Va., till June. Mustered out June 14, 1865. Companies "F" and "K" consolidated with 62nd Ohio Infantry.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 90 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 88 Enlisted men by disease. Total 185.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1546

Diary of Thomas Ebenezer Thomas: Friday, Dec. 2, 1859

Ossawatomie Brown (John), hanged to-day in Virginia, as a traitor, for his mad inroad at Harper's Ferry. A stern Cromwellian fanatic; but probably a much better man than those who execute him. The Lord reigneth: let the earth rejoice"!

SOURCE: Alfred A. Thomas, Editor, Correspondence of Thomas Ebenezer Thomas, p. 109

John Brown to Mary Ann Day Brown, September 29, 1846

Springfield, Sept. 29, 1846.

Dear Mary, —  . . . Your letter dated the 20th was received last night, and afforded me a real though a mournful satisfaction. That you had received, or were to receive, a letter from either John or Jason I was in perfect ignorance of till you informed me; and I am glad to learn that, wholly uninfluenced by me, they have shown a disposition to afford you the comfort in your deep affliction which the nature of the case would admit of. Nothing is scarcely equal with me to the satisfaction of seeing that one portion of my remaining family are not disposed to exclude from their sympathies and their warm affections another portion. I accept it as one of the most grateful returns that can be made to me for any care or exertion on my part to promote either their present or their future well-being; and while I am able to discover such a feeling, I feel assured that notwithstanding God has chastised us often and sore, yet he has not entirely withdrawn himself from us nor forsaken us utterly. The sudden and dreadful manner in which he has seen fit to call our dear little Kitty to take her leave of us is, I need not tell you how much, in my mind; but before Him I will bow my head in submission and hold my peace.  . . . I have sailed over a somewhat stormy sea for nearly half a century, and have experienced enough to teach me thoroughly that I may most reasonably buckle up and be prepared for the tempest. Mary, let us try to maintain a cheerful self-command while we are tossing up and down; and let our motto still be Action, Action, — as we have but one life to live.

Affectionately yours,

John Brown.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 142

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, July 6, 1861

Camp Chase, July 6, 1861.

Dearest: — I have written to John Herron to supply you with what money you need for the present, and I suppose it will be convenient for him to do so out of a loan I made him some time ago. It does not seem like Saturday. The Fourth was like Sunday here. Colonel Matthews and I formed the regiment into a hollow square (rather oblong, in fact). I read the Declaration and he made a short pithy speech and wound up with cheers for the Union; and no more duty during the day. In the evening there were fire-balls and a few fireworks. A little shower this morning laid the dust, a fine thing in our little Sahara.

Colonel Matthews came in last night from Columbus, saying he rode out with the surgeon of the Twenty-sixth — the one intended for us — “and what an escape we have made. He is a green, ignorant young doctor who has all to learn.” I suppose Dr. Joe is getting ready to come; we hear nothing from him; I hope we shall see him soon. I am seeing to his hut which is building today. Uncle is rather better but not decidedly so. We have a lot of Secessionists from Virginia — a good camp sensation. I went in late last night after ball-cartridges, which stirred up the soldiers with its warlike look. I esteem these armed sentinels about as dangerous to friends as to foes. Here is our style of countersign. Done up Know-nothing fashion. Love to all and much for your own dear self.

Affectionately,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 37

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to General Robert E. Lee, August 11, 1862 – 6:30 a.m.

August 11th, 6.30 A. M.

On the evening of the 9th, God blessed our arms with another victory. The battle was near Cedar Run, about six miles from Culpepper Court-House. The enemy, according to statements of prisoners, consisted of Banks's, McDowell's, and Sigel's commands. We have over four hundred prisoners, including Brigadier-General Price. Whilst our list of killed is less than that of the enemy, we have to mourn the loss of some of our best officers and men. Brigadier-General Charles S. Winder was mortally wounded whilst ably discharging his duty at the head of his command, which was the advance of the left wing of the army. We have collected about fifteen hundred small-arms and other ordnance stores.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 327

Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Susan B. Anthony, December 23, 1859

Seneca Falls, December 23, 1859.

Dear Susan, — Where are you? Since a week ago last Monday, I have looked for you every day. I had the washing put off, we cooked a turkey, I made a pie in the morning, sent my first-born to the depot and put clean aprons on the children, but lo! you did not come. Nor did you soften the rough angles of our disappointment by one solitary line of excuse. And it would do me such great good to see some reformers just now. The death of my father,¹ the worse than death of my dear Cousin Gerrit,² the martyrdom of that grand and glorious John Brown — all this conspires to make me regret more than ever my dwarfed womanhood. In times like these, everyone should do the work of a full-grown man. When I pass the gate of the celestial city and good Peter asks me where I would sit, I shall say, “Anywhere, so that I am neither a negro nor a woman. Confer on me, good angel, the glory of white manhood so that henceforth, sitting or standing, rising up or lying down, I may enjoy the most unlimited freedom.” Good night.

_______________

¹ Judge Cady became suddenly blind in April, 1859, and died on October 31st.

² In October John Brown made his famous raid on Harper's Ferry. On November 2 he was found guilty and condemned to be hung. This tragedy unsettled for a time the mind of his friend and supporter Gerrit Smith.

SOURCE: Theodore Stanton & Hariot Stanton Blatch, Editors, Elizabeth Cady Stanton as Revealed in Her Letters, Diary and Reminiscences, Volume 2, p. 74-5

Brigadier General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, September 6, 1863

New Orleans, Sept. 6, 1863.

My last was dated from Natchez, advising you of my intent to come here. Yours of 21st was received at this point day before yesterday. Our trip down the river was safe and pleasant, and we were fortunate in not being fired upon by the guerillas. The steamboat Julia, which preceded us, was fired upon and three men wounded. Our reception in New Orleans was very brilliant — serenades, calls, a magnificent evening reception or levee by General Banks, and yesterday a grand review. The parade grounds are some eight miles from the city. We rode out on horseback, and I am sorry to say our festivities were or are interrupted by a rather serious accident. The two generals and their staff made a large cavalcade. General Grant was riding a fine but unbroken horse and on our return the animal shied upon a carriage and fell; he was in advance and at rapid speed; the officer following was out of place, and rode over him and the trampling of the horse bruised him severely. We took him in a state of insensibility into a roadside inn before which the accident occurred, and where he now lies in the room in which I write. His thigh is badly injured and he cannot move his leg, but he is better this morning and I think can be moved in a day or two; with the residue of his staff, I remain to take care of him.

The weather here has been sultry until to-day; a fine breeze is stirring and I think we shall soon have rain. It was intensely hot during the review, which was tedious, there being some fifteen thousand troops to be reviewed at once. My clothes were dripping wet with perspiration, as if I had been in a rainstorm, — but then I had motion, gladsome motion, and “motion to an endless end is needful for man's heart.”

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 334-5

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, August 27, 1863

August 27, 1863.

To-morrow is the grand presentation day. I have not made the slightest preparation in the way of a speech, and have not the slightest idea what I shall say. Governor Curtin, I understand, is to make the presentation address; so, of course, I shall be overwhelmed with his eloquence and perhaps dumfounded. On reflection, I thought it absurd for me to make any labored effort; that it being entirely out of my line, I should most likely do worse than if I just trusted to luck and said what at the time seemed to me pertinent and suitable.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 145