John G. Nicolay to John Hay, August 25, 1864

Washington, 25 August 1864

Hell is to pay.  The N. Y. politicians have got a stampede on that is about to swamp everything.  Raymond and the National Committee are here today.  R. Thinks a commission to Richmond is about the only salt to save us—while the Tycoon sees and says it would be utter ruination.  The matter is now undergoing consultation.  Weak-kneed d----d fools like Chas Sumner are in the movement for a new candidate—to supplant the Tycoon.  Everything is darkness and doubt and discouragement.  Our men see giants in the airy and unsubstantial shadows of the opposition, and are about to surrender without a fight.

I think that today and here is the turning point in our crisis.  If the President can infect R. and his committee with some of his own patience and pluck we are saved.  If our friends will only rub their eyes and shake themselves, and become convinced that they themselves are not dead we shall win the fight overwhelmingly.

SOURCE: Michael Burlingame, Editor, With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and other Writings of John G. Nicolay 1860-1865, p. 152

Major-General George B. McClellan to Abraham Lincoln, July 7, 1862

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,            

Camp near Harrison's Landing, Va., July 7, 1862.

Mr. PRESIDENT: You have been fully informed that the rebel army is in our front with the purpose of overwhelming us by attacking our positions or reducing us by blocking our river communications. I cannot but regard our condition as critical, and I earnestly desire, in view of possible contingencies, to lay before Your Excellency for your private consideration my general views concerning the existing state of the rebellion, although they do not strictly relate to the situation of this army or strictly come within the scope of my official duties. These views amount to convictions, and are deeply impressed upon my mind and heart. Our cause must never be abandoned; it is the cause of free institutions and self-government. The Constitution and the Union must be preserved, whatever may be the cost in time, treasure, and blood. If secession is successful, other dissolution’s are clearly to be seen in the future. Let neither military disaster, political faction, nor foreign war shake your settled purpose to enforce the equal operation of the laws of the United States upon the people of every State.

The time has come when the Government must determine upon a civil and military policy covering the whole ground of our national trouble. The responsibility of determining, declaring, and supporting such civil and military policy, and of directing the whole course of national affairs in regard to the rebellion, must now be assumed and exercised by you, or our cause will be lost. The Constitution gives you power sufficient even for the present terrible exigency.

This rebellion has assumed the character of a war. As such it should be regarded, and it should be conducted upon the highest principles known to Christian civilization. It should not be a war looking to the subjugation of the people of any State  in any event. It should not be at all a war upon population, but against armed forces and political organizations. Neither confiscation of property, political executions of persons, territorial organization of States, or forcible abolition of slavery should be contemplated for a moment.

In prosecuting the war all private property and unarmed persons should be strictly protected, subject only to the necessity of military operations; all private property taken for military use should be paid or receipted for; pillage and waste should be treated as high crimes, all unnecessary trespass sternly prohibited, and offensive demeanor by the military toward citizens promptly rebuked. Military arrests should not be tolerated, except in places where active hostilities exist, and oaths not required by enactment’s constitutionally made should be neither demanded nor received. Military government should be confined to the preservation of public order and the protection of political rights. Military power should not be allowed to interfere with the relations of servitude, either by supporting or impairing the authority of the master, except for repressing disorder, as in other cases. Slaves, contraband under the act of Congress, seeking military protection, should receive it. The right of the Government to appropriate permanently to its own service claims to slave labor should be asserted, and the right of the owner to compensation therefor should be recognized. This principle might be extended, upon grounds of military necessity and security, to all the slaves of a particular State, thus working manumission in such State; and in Missouri, perhaps in Western Virginia also, and possibly even in Maryland, the expediency of such a measure is only a question of time. A system of policy thus constitutional, and pervaded by the influences of Christianity and freedom, would receive the support of almost all truly loyal men, would deeply impress the rebel masses and all foreign nations, and it might be humbly hoped that it would commend itself to the favor of the Almighty.

Unless the principles governing the future conduct of our struggle shall be made known and approved the effort to obtain requisite forces will be almost hopeless. A declaration of radical views, especially upon slavery, will rapidly disintegrate our present armies. The policy of the Government must be supported by concentrations of military power. The national forces should not be dispersed in expeditions, posts of occupation, and numerous armies, but should be mainly collected into masses, and brought to bear upon the armies of the Confederate States. Those armies thoroughly defeated, the political structure which they support would soon cease to exist.

In carrying out any system of policy which you may form you will require a Commander-in-Chief of the Army-one who possesses your confidence, understands your views, and who is competent to execute your orders by directing the military forces of the nation to the accomplishment of the objects by you proposed. I do not ask that place for myself. I am willing to serve you in such position as you may assign me, and I will do so as faithfully as ever subordinate served superior.

I may be on the brink of eternity, and as I hope forgiveness from my Maker I have written this letter with sincerity toward you and from love for my country.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,                   

Major-General, Commanding.

His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN,

President.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 11, Part 1 (Serial No. 12), p. 73-4

Nineteenth Illinois Veterans.

The Nineteenth Illinois Veterans Club held a meeting at the Grand Pacific last evening, Colonel A. W. [Raffin] in the chair.  Letters of regret were read from General John B. Turchin and others who could not be present at the recent reception.

Comrade W. H. Christian offered the following resolution, which passed:

WHEREAS, It has come to the knowledge of this club that Captain O. E. Eames has prepared a paper giving incidents of the history of the Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, therefore,

Resolved, That he be requested to read the paper to this club at the next meeting.

After the transaction of routine business, the club adjourned to the first Tuesday in April.

SOURCE: “Nineteenth Illinois Veterans,” The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, March 3, 1880, p. 8.

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, August 18, 1864

CITY POINT, VA., August 18, 1864.

Major-General SHERMAN:

Richmond papers of the 17th give it as the opinion of military men that Atlanta can hold out one month yet. In the mean time, like Micawber, they expect something to turn up. If you can hold fast as you are now and prevent raids upon your rear you will destroy most of that army. I never would advise going backward even if your roads are cut so as to preclude the possibility of receiving supplies from the North, but would recommend the accumulation of ordnance stores and supplies while you can, and if it comes to the worst move south as you suggested. I have forced the enemy to move a large force north of the James River, and am now moving one corps by our left around Petersburg. I expect no great results, but will probably cut the Weldon road again, and will also demonstrate to the enemy that he has now the minimum garrison possible to hold his present lines with, and that to hold his roads he must re-enforce.

U.S. GRANT,            

Lieutenant-General

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 38, Part 5 (Serial No. 76), p. 569

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, September 12, 1864

CITY POINT, VA, September 12, 1864.

 Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

I send Lieutenant-Colonel Porter, of my staff, with this. Colonel Porter will explain to you the exact condition of affairs here better than I can do in the limits of a letter. Although I feel myself strong enough for offensive operations, I am holding on quietly to get advantage of recruits and convalescents, who are coming forward very rapidly. My lines are necessarily very long, extending from Deep Bottom, north of the James, across the peninsula formed by the Appomattox and the James, and south of the Appomattox to the Weldon road. This line is very strongly fortified and can be held with comparatively few men, but from its great length takes many in the aggregate. I propose when I do move to extend my left so as to control what is known as the South Side or Lynchburg and Petersburg road; then, if possible, to keep the Danville road cut. At the same time this move is made I want to send a force of from 6,000 to 10,000 men against Wilmington. The way I propose to do this is to land the men north of Fort Fisher and hold that point. At the same time a large naval fleet will be assembled there and the iron-clads will run the batteries as they did at Mobile. This will give us the same control of the harbor of Wilmington that we now have of the harbor of Mobile. What you are to do with the forces at your command I do not see. The difficulties of supplying your army, except when you are constantly moving beyond where you are, I plainly see. If it had not been for Price's movements Canby could have sent 12,000 more men to Mobile. From your command on the Mississippi an equal number could have been taken. With these forces my idea would have been to divide them, sending one-half to Mobile and the other half to Savannah. You could then move, as proposed in your telegram, so as to threaten Macon and Augusta equally. Whichever was abandoned by the enemy you could take and open up a new base of supplies. My object now in sending a staff officer is not so much to suggest operations for you as to get your views and have plans matured by the time everything can be got ready. It will probably be the 5th of October before any of the plans herein indicated will be executed. If you have any promotions to recommend send the names forward and I will approve them. In conclusion, it is hardly necessary for me to say that I feel you have accomplished the most gigantic undertaking given to any general in this war, and with a skill and ability that will be acknowledged in history as unsurpassed, if not unequaled. It gives me as much pleasure to record this in your favor as it would in favor of any living man, myself included.

U. S. GRANT,                       

Lieutenant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 39, Part 2 (Serial No. 78), p. 364-5

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Philip H. Sheridan, August 26, 1864—2:30 p.m.

CITY POINT, VA., August 26, 1864—2.30  p.m.                 

(Received 12.10 a.m. 27th.)

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Halltown, Va.:

I telegraphed you that I had good reason for believing that Fitz Lee had been ordered back here. I now think it likely that all troops will be ordered back from the Valley except what they believe to be the minimum number to detain you. My reason for supposing this is based upon the fact that yielding up the Weldon road seems to be a blow to the enemy he cannot stand. I think I do not overstate the loss of the enemy in the last two weeks at 10,000 killed and wounded. We have lost heavily, mostly in captured, when the enemy gained temporary advantages. Watch closely, and if you find this theory correct push with all vigor. Give the enemy no rest, and if it is possible to follow to the Virginia Central road, follow that far. Do all the damage to railroads and crops you can. Carry off stock of all descriptions, and negroes, so as to prevent further planting. If the war is to last another year, we want the Shenandoah Valley to remain a barren waste.

U.S. GRANT,            

Lieutenant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 43, Part 1 (Serial No. 90), p. 916-7

Abraham Lincoln to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, September 12, 1864

Executive MANsion,               

September 12, 1864.

Lieutenant-General Grant:

Sheridan and Early are facing each other at a dead-lock. Could we not pick up a regiment here and there, to the number of say ten thousand men, and quietly but suddenly concentrate them at Sheridan's camp and enable him to make a strike?

This is but a suggestion.

Yours truly,

A. LINCOLN.

SOURCE: John Hay & John G. Nicolay, Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 10, p. 233

Abraham Lincoln to Major General Philip H. Sheridan, September 20, 1864

EXECUTIVE MANSION,               

Washington, September 20, 1864.

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Winchester, Va.:

Have just heard of your great victory. God bless you all, officers and men. Strongly inclined to come up and see you.

A. LINCOLN.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 43, Part 1 (Serial No. 90), p. 61

In The Review Queue: Stolen

Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery

and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home

by Richard Bell

A gripping and true story about five boys who were kidnapped in the North and smuggled into slavery in the Deep South—and their daring attempt to escape and bring their captors to justice, reminiscent of Twelve Years a Slave and Never Caught.

Philadelphia, 1825: five young, free black boys fall into the clutches of the most fearsome gang of kidnappers and slavers in the United States. Lured onto a small ship with the promise of food and pay, they are instead met with blindfolds, ropes, and knives. Over four long months, their kidnappers drive them overland into the Cotton Kingdom to be sold as slaves. Determined to resist, the boys form a tight brotherhood as they struggle to free themselves and find their way home.

Their ordeal—an odyssey that takes them from the Philadelphia waterfront to the marshes of Mississippi and then onward still—shines a glaring spotlight on the Reverse Underground Railroad, a black market network of human traffickers and slave traders who stole away thousands of legally free African Americans from their families in order to fuel slavery’s rapid expansion in the decades before the Civil War.

Impeccably researched and breathlessly paced, Stolen tells the incredible story of five boys whose courage forever changed the fight against slavery in America.

About the Author

Richard Bell teaches Early American history at the University of Maryland. He has received several teaching prizes and major research fellowships including the National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar Award. His first book, We Shall Be No More: Suicide and Self-Government in the Newly United States, was published in 2012. He is also the author of Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home.

ISBN 978-1501169434, 37 Ink, © 2019, Hardcover, 336 pages, Maps, Photographs & Illustrations, Endnotes, Key Sources & Index. $27.00. To purchase this book click HERE.

6th Missouri Cavalry

Organized February 14, 1862, by consolidation of Wright's, Wood's and Hawkins' Battalions. Attached to District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to July, 1862. District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd (Cavalry) Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, to January, 1863 (6 Companies). 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of Tennessee, to April, 1863 (6 Companies). Headquarters 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to August, 1863 (6 Cos.). Cavalry Brigade, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to November, 1863 (6 Cos.). 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to January, 1864 (7 Cos.). 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1864. District of Southern Alabama. Dept. of the Gulf, to February, 1865. Separate Brigade, District of Baton Rouge, La., Dept. of the Gulf, February, 1865 (7 Cos.). Cavalry Brigade, District of Baton Rouge, La., to July, 1865. Dept. of Texas to September, 1865. Cos. "A," "D," "E" and "L" attached to District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to June, 1863. District of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1863. District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to muster out.

SERVICE.—Curtis' Campaign in Southwest Missouri and Arkansas February-March, 1862. Marshfield, Mo., February 9. Sugar Creek, Ark., February 17. Bentonville February 17. West Plains, Mo., February 19. Keytesville February 25. Battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6-8. Spring River March 13. Salem Spring River March 18 (Detachment). Scout through Gadfly, Newtonia, Granby, Neosho and Valley of Indian Creek and skirmish April 8. Scout from Batesville, Ark., June 16-17 (4 Cos.). White Oak Bayou, Miss., June 23 (Battalion). Near Fayetteville, Ark., July 15. Expedition to Coldwater, Miss., July 22-25 (Battalion). White Oak Bayou, Miss., July 29 (Battalion). Chariton Bridge, Mo., August 3. Montevallo August 7. Between Stockton and Humansville August 12. Stockton August 12. Neosho August 21. Hickory Grove August 23 (Co. "B"). Expedition from Clarendon, Ark., to Lawrenceville and St. Charles September 11-13. Occupation of Newtonia, Mo., October 4 (2nd Battalion). Expedition from Helena, Ark., to Grenada, Miss.. November 27-December 5. Oakland, Miss., December 3. Cane Hill, Boston Mountains, Ark. (2nd Battalion). Battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., December 7 (2nd Battalion). Near Helena, Ark., December 14 (Co. "E"). Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 20, 1862-January 3, 1863. Expedition from Milliken's Bend to Dallas Station and Delhi December 25-26, 1862. Expedition over Boston Mountains to Van Buren, Ark., December 27-29 (2nd Battalion). Reconnoissance toward White River and St. Charles January 13, 1863 (Squadron). Carthage January 23, 1863. Expedition from Young's Point, La., to Greenville, Miss., and Cypress Bend, Ark., February 14-29. Cypress Bend, Ark., February 19 (Detachment). Fish Lake, near Greenville, Miss., and Deer Creek, near Greenville, February 23 (Detachment). Operations from Milliken's Bend, La., to New Carthage March 31-April 17 (1st Battalion). Near Dunbar's Plantation, Bayou Vidal, April 7 (Detachment). Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Port Gibson May 1. Near Black River May 5. Raid on New Orleans & Jackson Railroad, near Crystal Springs, May 11. Jackson May 14. Champion's Hill May 16. Near Bridgeport May 17. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Mason's Ford. Big Black River, June 9. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Near Baker's Creek July 7. Bolton's Station July 8 (Detachment). Near Clinton July 8 (Detachment). Near Jackson and near Clinton July 9 (Detachment). Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Brookhaven July 18 (Detachment). Moved to the Dept. of the Gulf August. Near Morganza, La., September 8. Atchafalaya September 8-9. Hornersville, Mo., September 20 (2nd Battalion). Sterling's Farm, on Bayou Fordoche, near Morganza, September 27. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30. Reconnoissance toward Opelousas October 20. Opelousas, Barre Landing, October 21. Washington October 24. Bayou Bourbeaux November 2. Carrion Crow Bayou November 18. Bayou Portage, Grand Lake, November 23. Attack on Bloomfield, Mo., and pursuit to Brown's Ferry November 29-30 (2nd Battalion). Near Vermillionville, La., November 30. Branchville, Ark,, January 17, 1864 (Detachment). Branchville, Ivey's Ford, Pine Bluff, January 19 (Detachment). Red River Campaign March 10-May 22. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Bayou Rapides March 20. Henderson's Hill March 21. Monett's Ferry and Cloutiersville March 29-30. Natchitoches March 31. Crump's Hill, Piney Woods, April 2. Wilson's Farm April 7. Bayou de Paul, Carroll's Mill, April 8. Battle of Sabine Cross Roads April 8. Pleasant Hill April 9. About Cloutiersville April 22-24. Bayou Rapides Bridge and McNutt's Hill, Alexandria, April 27-28. Scout from Pilot Knob, Mo., to Gainesville, Ark., May 10-25 (2nd Battalion). Retreat to Morganza April 13-20. Wilson's Landing May 14. Avoyelle's (or Marksville Prairie) May 15. Old River L May 22. Operations in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas July 18-August 6 (2nd Battalion). Mazzard's Prairie, Ark., July 27. Osceola August 2 and 4. Elkchute August 4. Bayou Letsworth August 11. Operations in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas August 15-24 (2nd Battalion). Richland Creek, Ark., August 16 (Detachment). Expedition to Clinton, La., August 23-29. Olive Branch, Corelle River and Clinton August 25. Near Richwood's, Mo., October 4 (Detachment). Tyler's Mills October 7 (2nd Battalion). Expedition from Baton Rouge to Clinton, Greensburg, Osyke and Camp Moore October 5-9. Expedition from Baton Rouge to Brookhaven, Miss., and skirmishes November 14-21. Davidson's Expedition from Baton Rouge against Mobile & Ohio Railroad November 27-December 3. Expedition from Baton Rouge to Clinton and Comite River March 30-April 2, 1865. Duty in District of Baton Rouge, La., till July and the Dept. of Texas till September. Mustered out September 12, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 34 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 6 Officers and 273 Enlisted men by disease. Total 315.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1306-7

6th Missouri State Militia Cavalry

Organized at large February 27 to April 23, 1862. Attached to District of Central Missouri to June, 1862. District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1862. District of Central Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to July. 1863. District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1864. District of North Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1865. District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty at Cameron and in Central Missouri till June, 1862. Scout in Pettis County July 28-31, 1862 (Co. "F"). Arrow Rock July 29 (Detachment). Ordered to Sedalia, Mo., June 3, arriving June 15, and outpost duty there till August 30. Operations in Saline County July 29-August 2. Lone Jack August 15-16 (3 Cos.). Outpost duty at Warrensburg August 30-September 14. Newtonia September 13. At Sedalia till October 28. Camp Cole October 5. Lexington October 17. March to Harrisonville October 28-November 1. Action with Quantrell at Harrisonville November 3 (Co. "G"). Huntsville November 9. At Warrensville November 27, 1862, to March 15, 1863. At Warsaw till May 3. At Booneville till July. Camp Cole June 8. Florence July 10. Duty at Linn Creek. Warsaw and Osceola. Consolidated at Osceola July 20 and march to Springfield July 27-31. Pursuit of Coffee, Garden Hollow, near Pineville, August 9. Pineville August 13. March to Bentonville, Ark.; Fort Gibson C. N. and Honey Springs, and join Gen. Blount. Blount's Campaign in Indian Nation and Arkansas August and September. Perryville August 26. Scullyville, Ark., August 30-31. Devil's Back Bone September !. Capture of Fort Smith September 1. Expedition to Big Lake, Mississippi County September 7-30 (Detachment). Horse Creek September 17. March to Springfield, Mo., arriving September 18. Operations against Shelby and pursuit to Arkansas River September 22-October 26. Carthage October 2. Neosho October 4 (3 Cos.). Humansville October 16-17. Bloomfield October 22 (Cos. "A," "D," "E," "K," "L"). Harrisonville October 24. Buffalo Mountain October 24. Expedition from Springfield to Huntsville and skirmish November 8-18 (Detachment). Expedition from Springfield to Howell, Wright and Oregon Counties November 28-December 13. Duty at Springfield and in District of Southwest Missouri till July, 1865. Scout from Huston December 9-19. Operations in Northeastern Arkansas January 1-30, 1864. Sylamore Creek, Ark., January 23. Sylamore January 24. Scout from Springfield into Northern Arkansas February 23-March 9 (Detachment). Near Buffalo City, Ark., March 1. Bennett's Bayou March 2 (Detachment). Scout from Yellville to Buffalo River March 13-26 (Detachment). Richland Creek April 13-14 (Detachment). Expedition from Patterson to Bloomfield and Pilot Knob May 16-25 (Detachment). Near White Hare June 15 (Co. "E"). Operations in Randolph County July 23-24. Operations in Ray and Carroll Counties August 12-16. Near Roanoke September 10. Moreau Bottom, Jefferson City, October 7. Near Jefferson City October 8. Russellville October 9. Booneville October 9. Dover October 20. Little Blue October 21. Independence, Big Blue and State Line October 22. Westport October 23. Engagement at the Marmiton (or battle of Charlot) October 25. Mine Creek, Little Osage River, Marias des Cygnes, October 25. Newtonia October 28. Duty at Springfield and in Southwest Missouri till July, 1865. Mustered out July 18, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 48 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 104 Enlisted men by disease. Total 154.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1307

7th Missouri Cavalry

Organized February 20, 1862, by consolidation of Black Hawk Cavalry and Unattached Companies. Attached to Dept. of Kansas to June, 1862. District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, District of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to August, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Arkansas Expedition, to January, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to May, 1864. Clayton's Independent Cavalry Brigade, 7th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, to February, 1865.

SERVICE.—Operations about Miami and Waverly May 25-28, 1862. Scouts to Waverly, Miami, Franklin and Pink Hill June 4-10 (Cos. "H" and "I"). Pink Hill June 11 (Detachment). Haytown June 23 (Co. "B") Operations about Sibley and Pink Hill June 28-July 1 (Cos. "B," "D," "F" and "K"). Lotspeach Farm, near Wadesburg, July 9. Expeditions in Cass County July 9-11; on Blackwater, near Columbus, July 23. Lone Jack August 16 (5 Cos,). Occupation of Newtonia October 4. Battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., December 7. Van Buren December 21. Expedition over Boston Mountains December 27-29. Moved to Flat Creek February, 1863; thence to Rolla, Mo. Operations against Marmaduke April 17-May 2. At Pilot Knob, Mo., till July. Brownsville, Ark., July 25. Steele's Expedition against Little Rock, Ark., August 1-September 10. Grand Prairie August 17. Brownsville August 25. Bayou Fourche and capture of Little Rock September 10. Pursuit of Price September 11-14. Near Little Rock September 11. Expedition from Benton to Mt, Ida November 10-18. Reconnoissance from Little Rock December 5-13. Princeton December 8. Branchville January 17, 1864. Monticello March 18, 1864. Steele's Expedition to Camden March 23-May 3. Expedition from Pine Bluff to Mr. Elba and Longview March 27-31. Mt. Elba March 30 and pursuit to Big Creek. Mark's Mills April 25 (Detachment). Expedition from Pine Bluff September 9-11. Near Monticello September 10 (Detachment). Brewer's Lane September 11 (Detachment). Reconnoissance from Little Rock toward Monticello and Mt. Elba October 4-11. Expedition from Pine Bluff and skirmish January 7-9, 1865 (Detachment). Near Pine Bluff January 9. Consolidated with 1st Missouri Cavalry February 22, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 55 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 228 Enlisted men by disease. Total 291.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1307-8

7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry

Organized at large in Missouri March and April, 1862. Served unattached, Dept. of Missouri, to September, 1862. District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. Unattached, Army of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to June, 1863. District Central Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.—Post Oak Creek, near mouth of Briar, March 26, 1862. Warrensburg April 8. Warrensburg May 17 (Co. "G"). Pursuit of Poindexter August 8-15 (Detachment). Independence August 12. Scout from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Independence August 12-14. Expedition to Hickory Grove August 17-27 (1 Co.). Fayetteville, Ark., October 24. Scout from Linden to White River April 1-5, 1863 (Co. "G"). White River April 17. Scout from Newtonia to French Point and Centre Creek May 13-18 (Detachment). French Point May 15 (Detachment). Carthage May 16 (Detachment). Hartsville May 23. Mountain Store May 26. Carthage June 27-28. Scout from Sedalia August 25-28 (Detachment). Clear Fork August 26 (Detachment). Near Syracuse October 25 (Co. "H"). Warsaw October 7. Near Camp Cole October 9. LaMine Bridge October 10. Booneville October 11-12. Merrill's Crossing and Dug Ford, near Jonesborough, October 12. Blackwater October 12. Marshall, Arrow Rock, Blackwater, October 13. Jonesborough October 14. Warrensburg May 28, 1864. Near Dunksburg June 27-28 (Co. "K"). Wellington July 8. Operations near Wellington July 9-13. warder's Church July 10 (Detachment). Columbia July 12 (Detachment). Johnson County July 16. Clear Fork, near Warrensburg, July 16 (Detachment). Scout in Johnson County July 26-31 (Detachment). Blackwater River July 27 (Co. "G"). Big Creek July 28 (Co. "C"). Expedition from Warrensburg to Chapel Hill July 29-August 2 (Co. "K"). Near Chapel Hill July 30 (Co. "K"). Operations near Holden August 2-8. Merrick's Creek, near Holden, August 8 (Co, "K"). Operations in johnson county August 11-19 (Detachment). Near Holden August 12 (Detachment). Scout from Crisp's Mills on Big Creek August 25-30 (Co. "M"). Near Rose Hill August 26 (Co. "M"). Near Lone Jack September 1 (Detachment). Operations in Johnson County September 1-9 (Detachment). Expedition from Sedalia to Scott's Ford on Blackwater September 2-4. Scout in Lafayette County September 20-25 (Detachment). Arrow Rock Road September 23 (Detachment). Prince's Shoals, Osage River, Cole County, October 5-6. Near Jefferson City October 8. California and Booneville October 9. Near Booneville October 11-12. Sedalia October 15. Little Blue October 21. Independence, Big Blue and State Line October 22. Westport October 23. Engagement at the Marmiton or Battle of Charlot October 25. Mine Creek, Osage River, Marias des Cygnes, October 25. Scout from Warrensburg to Greenton Valley November 29-December 3 (Detachment). Scout from Camp Grover to Texas Prairie January 12-15, 1865 (Detachment). Scout from Warrensburg to Miami January 12-17 (Co. "I"). Scout from Warrensburg to Snibar Hills January 18-22 (Detachment). Scout from Warrensburg to Tabo Creek, etc., February 1-5 (Detachment). Scout in Lafayette County February 3-8. Scout from Warrensburg to Columbus and skirmish near Greenton March 19-23 (Detachment). Near Booneville May 3. Duty in Central District of Missouri till July. Mustered out July 11, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 56 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 6 Officers and 152 Enlisted men by disease. Total 218.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1308

Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, June 7, 1864

The Convention to-day is the absorbing theme but there is something from the army relative to the late fights that disturbs me. We have had severe slaughter. Brave men have been killed and maimed most fearfully, but Grant persists.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 46

Diary of Gideon Welles: Wednesday, June 8, 1864

The President was renominated to-day at Baltimore. A contest took place in regard to Missouri, and the wrong delegates were admitted by an almost unanimous vote. A strange perversion. There was neither sense nor reason nor justice in the decision. Rogues, fanatics, hypocrites, and untruthful men secured and triumphed over good and true men. Prejudice overcame truth and reason. The Convention exhibited great stupidity and actually stultified itself in this matter.

When the vote of the Convention was taken on the nomination for President, it was found the Missouri delegation who had been admitted were not in harmony with the Convention. They would not vote for Mr. Lincoln. He had all the rest of the votes. There was much intrigue and much misconception in this thing.

On the question of Vice-President there was greater diversity of opinion at the beginning, but ultimately and soon all united on Andrew Johnson. Personally I did not regret this result, although I took no part in its accomplishment. The delegates and papers of my State generally have disapproved of Hamlin’s course towards me, and I have no doubt it contributed to their casting a united vote at the start for Johnson. Hamlin and his friends will give me credit for influence which I do not possess, and ascribe to me revenge for malevolence I have never felt. Without cause and because I would not extend undue favor to one of his friends by official abuse, he has treated me coldly, discourteously, and with bad temper, —so much so as to attract attention and inquiry, and lead to opposition to his renomination.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 46-7

Diary of Gideon Welles: Thursday, June 9, 1864

There seems to be general satisfaction with the nominations made at Baltimore, and with the resolutions adopted. Except the nomination for Vice President, the whole proceedings were a matter of course. It was the wish of Seward that Hamlin-should again be the Vice, and the President himself was inclined to the same policy, though personally his choice is Johnson. This, I think, was the current Administration opinion, though with no particular zeal or feeling. Blair inclined to the policy of taking Hamlin, though partial to Johnson. I took no part and could not well take any. Yet to-day from several quarters it is said to me that Connecticut overthrew Hamlin, and that it was my doings which led to it. While this is not correct, I am nowise disposed to be dissatisfied with the change that has been made.

Concluded to retire the marine officers who are past the legal age, and to bring in Zeilin as Commandant of the Corps. There seems no alternative.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 51

Diary of Gideon Welles: Friday, June 10, 1864

The caucus of the New Hampshire members of the legislature friendly to the Administration has resulted in the substitution of Cragin for John P. Hale. This will be a sore and sad disappointment to Hale, who had until recently thought himself invincible in New Hampshire. Although I have no doubt he would make terms with the Copperheads if he could, they would not with him, and it therefore seems scarcely possible that it can be otherwise than he will be fully and finally defeated. I rejoice at it, for he is worthless, a profligate politician, a poor Senator, an indifferent statesman, not without talents, though destitute of industry, and I question his integrity. He has some humor, is fond of scandal, delights in defaming, loves to oppose, and is reckless of truth in his assaults. The country will sustain no loss from his retirement. As chairman of the Naval Committee and the organ of communication between the Navy Department and the Senate, he has rendered no service, but has been a constant embarrassment and obstruction. During the whole of this civil war, when all our energies and efforts were exerted in the cause of the Union and the country, no assistance, no word of encouragement even, has ever come to the Department from John P. Hale; but constant assaults, insinuations, and pronounced, if not wilful and deliberate, misrepresentations have emanated from him. Of course, I shall not regret his defeat, for though his term does not expire till the close of this Administration, and my connection with the Government may terminate at the same time, I am glad that his factious conduct is not indorsed by his State, and that the buffoon and vilifier will not be in a position to do further injury. He has been less offensive this session than heretofore, whether because he had become aware that his conduct did not meet the approval of the people and the election was at hand, I care not to judge. A letter from Admiral Gregory, inclosing a report from himself and Chief Engineer King on the Chimo, one of the light-draught monitors, gives a bad account. There have been mistakes and miscalculations in this class of vessels of a serious character. Stimers and Fox have had them in charge, and each has assured me that my apprehensions were groundless. Fox has been persistent in this matter, and assumed that the objections were wholly groundless. Admiral Gregory has also given me strong assurances that all was right. The Chimo, the first, would, he said, be a little deep, but this would be obviated in all the others, and not very bad in her case. I am not satisfied with Stimers’s management, yet Fox has in this matter urged what has been done. The report indicates unfitness on the part of Stimers, who miscalculated or made no calculation for displacement, has become vain, and feared to acknowledge his error.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 51-3

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard: Sunday, May 29, 1864

MEADOW BLUFF, May 29, 1864.

Dear UNCLE:— Contrary to my expectation when I wrote you a few days ago, we are still here. We are detained, I suppose, by different causes, but I suspect we shall move soon towards Staunton. We may drift into the army of Grant before a month. My proper brigade is now here and all of it camped in sight of where I now sit, viz., Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio, Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia. I have seen them all in line today. They form a fine body of troops. We are soon to lose the enlisted men of the Twenty-third who did not become veterans. I think a good many officers will leave at the same time. It is probable that the veterans of the Twelfth will go into the Twenty-third. If so it will make the regiment better and stronger than ever before.

We are not informed how Grant succeeds in getting into Richmond. You know I have always thought he must get the Western Army there before he can whip Lee. It looks a little now as if he might do it without Western help. We shall see,

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

I hear from Lucy that she is settled in a good boarding-house at Chillicothe.

S. Birchard.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 467-8

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes: Sunday, May 29, 1864

Meadow Bluff, Sunday, May 29, 1864.

Dearest: — Still here getting ready — probably delayed some by the change in Department commanders, but chiefly by rains and delays in obtaining supplies. All the brigade now here, camped in sight of where I now sit. We hardly know where we are to come out, but there is a general feeling that unless Grant succeeds soon, we shall turn up in his army.

You notice the compliment to Major Avery, “bravest of the brave.” A good many officers of [the] Twenty-third are talking of going out at the end of the original term, ten days hence. Major McIlrath bid us good-bye this morning. Major Carey is likely to take his place with the veterans of the Twelfth. . . .

My staff now is Lieutenant Hastings, adjutant-general, [Lieutenant William] McKinley, quartermaster, Lieutenant Delay, Thirty-sixth, commissary, and Lieutenant Wood, Thirty-sixth, aide — all nice gentlemen. I enclose Colonel Tomlinson's photograph which he handed me today.

Well, this is a happy time with us. — You must not feel too anxious about me. I shall be among friends.

A flag of truce goes in the morning after our wounded left at Cloyd's Mountain. There were four doctors and plenty of nurses left with them. . . . Love to all the boys.

Affectionately ever,

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 468-9

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: January 6, 1864

Yesterday Mr. Moffitt, Lieut.-Col. Ruffin's agent (commissary), was in the market buying beef for Gen. Lee's army! And this same Moffitt was in September selling beef to the same butchers (as they say) at from 40 to 50 cts. gross, the impressing price in the country being 20 cts.

On the 2d inst. Gen. Lee wrote the President that he had just heard of two droves of cattle from the West, destined for his army, being ordered to Richmond. [He does not say by whom, or for what purpose. He knew not.] He says he has but one day's meat rations, and he fears he will not be able to retain the army in the field. The President sent a copy of this to the Commissary-General, with a few mild remarks, suggesting that he shall get such orders from the Secretary of War as are necessary in such an emergency. In response to this the Commissary-General makes a chronological list of his letters to Gen. Lee and others, pretending that if certain things were not done, the army, some day, would come to want, and taking great credit for his foresight, etc. This table of contents he ran first to the department with, but not finding the Secretary, he carried it to the President, who returned it without comment to Col. N. yesterday, and to-day the Secretary got it, not having seen it before. Well, if Col. N. had contracted with Capt. Montgomery for the 1,000,000 pounds of salt beef, it would have been delivered ere this. But the Secretary never saw Capt. M.'s offer at all!

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 124-5