This morning we still remain undisturbed in our bower camp. Troops are hourly passing us, moving southward.
The roads are very dusty; water is becoming scarcer; what we have is of an inferior quality; we need rain very much.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 79-80
To-day we remain in camp. It is rumored to-night that the troops in our rear are moving back towards Corinth.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 80
THE NEW YEAR.
By the blessing of God we have entered the portals of another year. Who knows what storms within it hide? Who can tell how many of us will enter on another year? but let us not despond; let us look with bright hopes to the future, going manfully forward, overcoming all obstacles in our path. We know the hardships, privations and dangers through which we have passed the last year, perils by sea and perils by land, meeting death in a thousand forms, but by an unseen hand have been brought safely through. It has now been fifteen months since our regiment was organized, and we then thought that by this time the trouble would be over and the rebellion would have become a thing of the past. But not so; it seems to have taken deeper root and there is no telling when it will end. It is true our armies have met with many successes and have also met with some reverses; the army of the Potomac has met with nothing but disaster from the first and will probably meet with nothing else until let alone by the war office at Washington. The enemy has a number of cruisers afloat making havoc with our merchant marine, and every success of their army inspires them with fresh hope and courage. I am reminded of what my new-found friend here in town told me a few days after we came here, that I would, if nothing happened to me, serve out my three years and could then re-enlist. I thought then the man was crazy, now I am not quite sure but he was the better prophet of the two.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 85
THE MAJOR'S EAGLES.
At last the major's eagles, which have so long been winging their flight this way, have alighted on his shoulders, and he looks as pert and gamy as a wildcat. Bully boy! long may you wave!
Promotions will now come along right' smart, and I have no doubt I have been thought of for some important position, but I shall decline all promotions; I had rather be a doorkeeper at the guardhouse than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 85
WE LEAVE FOR PLYMOUTH.
NEWBERN, After months of idleness in camp, at last comes a change. At 4 o'clock p. m., orders came to break camp, pick up our traps and be ready to march in half an hour. Dark found seven companies of is on board the steamer Escort, bound for Plymouth. Companies A, E and H were left to follow on another boat. The night being dark and stormy we waited till morning before leaving.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 85
Heavy northeast storm blowing this morning. Steamer starts down the river and enters the sound about 10 o'clock, wind increases, the sound grows rough, the boat rolls, the boys grow sick, the water breaks on deck and many of them get wet; altogether the passage is rather unpleasant.
We arrive at the north end of the sound, near the entrance to Croaton sound, about 9 p. m., and anchor for the night.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 86
This morning finds the storm unabated.
The boat starts at daylight, passing Roanoke island, and enters the Albemarle, arriving at Plymouth late in the afternoon, where we make our quarters in a large warehouse on the wharf.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 86
The garrison here consists of companies G, Capt. Swift, and H, Capt. Sanford, of the 27th Massachusetts; company D, Capt. Howard, of the 5th Massachusetts; company C, Capt. Cliffton, of the 1st North Carolina Union volunteers, and part of a company of North Carolina cavalry.
Several gunboats lying in the river. The fellows here are telling us bear stories about one rebel General Garnett (whoever he is) and his brigade which is hovering around here. I think he must be quite a harmless character to let so small a garrison as this go undisturbed, but it is possible he has a wholesome fear of Capt. Flusser and his gunboats. This town has undergone quite a change since we were here last fall. During the winter the enemy made a dash in here, setting the town on fire, burning up the central and business portion of it. These people have singular ideas; they seem to think that by destroying their property, they are in some way damaging is, bit if we destroy any property it is a great piece of vandalism. I reckon they will sometime see their mistake and repent of it in dust and ashes.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 86
GEN. FOSTER ARRIVES.
Gen. Foster arrived this morning and went to work laying out a fort and other defences which we are to build. That job done, he took companies F, I and K of the 25th and H of the 27th Massachusetts with a party of marines, and a boat howitzer (on board his boat, the John Ferrin,) and left on some sort of an excursion up the Chowan river. The general is no idler, he is always on the move and seeing that everybody else is. He is ubiquitous, turning up at any time in all parts of his domain, and keeping everybody within fifty miles on the qui vive.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 86
PITCHING CAMP.
We have cleared off the debris from a portion of the burnt district and pitched our camp there. The colonel might take a little more pride in showing us up to the naval officers at dress parade than he did when we were here last fall, but he is in command of the post; Lieut. Col. Moulton is in command of the regiment and he will do the honors. The 46th Massachusetts has arrived and will pitch their camp on the right of us, in the burnt district.
WORK ON THE FORT.
Work commenced today on the defences. Capt. Foster of Company D is to be superintendent and general boss. I was detailed to take command of a working party from my company. Now this was all new business to me. I knew nothing about building forts, so I stood with my men and looked on.
This was not very hard work, but after a spell the captain said, “Bring your men this way." The order was promptly responded to, and the boys set to work. I thought they worked well enough, although I noticed that the bank in front of them did not rise very fast, but I supposed that was owing to the hardness of the soil. After a while they complained of feeling tired; I told them to rest, and they squatted. After that they seemed to be tired pretty much of the time. The captain would come along and ask me why my men were not working. I would answer him that they were tired, and after resting would bundle their spades right smart. At night we had a bank thrown w about a rod long and nearly a foot high, but the boy's worked well and I know they will sleep well after it.
Companies A, E and I arrived yesterday, and also the companies of the expedition who left with the general, except company I, which remains at Edenton for a few days.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 86-7
CHURCH SERVICE.
Church service today for the first time in several weeks; we occupied the Methodist church. Chaplain James discoursed on neutrality. He said there could be no such thing as neutrality; a man must be one thing or the other, and those who do not declare for the government, should be treated as its enemies. The house was well filled with soldiers and the galleries running around three sides of the house were filled with darkies, who somewhat resembled an approaching thunder squall.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 87
uce [?] for me to go Home. All things considered I have no inclination, Enough of this. I sent 5 Dollars in A Letter the other Day[.] I sent Twenty Dollars to father by Samuel Rockhold[.] William, I like this Place and think I shall Locate here[.] I wish you to visit my children and let me hear from them often[,] write often[.] yours with Respect[,]
J. W. Orendorff
SOURCE: This letter was listed for sale on Ebay.com on March 22, 2021
The United States flag must protect all its defenders, white, black, or yellow. Several negroes in the employ of the Government in the Western Department have been cruelly murdered by your authorities and others sold into slavery. Every outrage of this kind against the laws of war and humanity which may take place in this department shall be followed by the immediate execution of the rebel of highest rank in my possession. Man for man, these executions will certainly take place for every one sold into a slavery worse than death. On your authorities will rest the responsibility of having inaugurated this barbarous policy, and you will be held responsible in this world and in the world to come for all the blood thus shed.
In the month of August last you declared all those engaged in arming the negroes to fight for their country to be felons, and directed the immediate execution of all such as should be captured. I have given you long enough to reflect on your folly. I now give you notice that unless this order is immediately revoked I will at once cause the execution of every rebel officer and every rebel slaveholder in my possession. This sad state of things may be kindly ordered by an all-wise Providence to induce the good people of the North to act earnestly and to realize that they are at war. Thousands of lives may thus be saved.
The poor negro is fighting for liberty in its truest sense, and Mr. Jefferson has beautifully said, "In such a war there is no attribute of the Almighty which will induce him to fight on the side of the oppressor."
You say you are fighting for liberty. Yes, you are fighting for liberty—liberty to keep 4,000,000 of your fellow-beings in ignorance and degradation; liberty to separate parents and children, husband and wife, brother and sister; liberty to steal the products of their labor, exacted with many a cruel lash and bitter tear; liberty to seduce their wives and daughters, and to sell your own children into bondage; liberty to kill <ar20_449> these children with impunity, when the murder cannot be proven by one of pure white blood. This is the kind of liberty—the liberty to do wrong—which Satan, chief of the fallen angels, was contending for when he was cast into hell.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 14 (Serial No. 20), p. 448-9
You will remember
while we were at Montgomery, when the first commissioners were sent to
Washington with a view to settle and adjust all matters of difference between
us and the United States, without a resort to arms, you desired me to be one of
those clothed with this high and responsible trust. I then declined, because I
saw no prospect of success — did not think, upon a survey of the whole field,
that I could effect anything good or useful in any effort I could then
make on that line. You will allow me now to say that at this time I
think possibly I might be able to do some good not only on the immediate
subject in hand, but were I in conference with the authorities at Washington on
any point in relation to the conduct of the war, I am not without
hopes that indirectly I could now turn attention to a general adjustment
upon such basis as might ultimately be acceptable to both parties and stop the
further effusion of blood in a contest so irrational, unchristian, and so
inconsistent with all recognized American principles.
The undertaking,
I know, would be a great one. Its magnitude and responsibility I fully realize.
I might signally fail. This I also fully comprehend; but still, be assured, I
am not without some hopes of success, and whenever or wherever I see any
prospect of the possibility of being useful or of doing good I am
prepared for any risk, any hazards, and all responsibilities commensurate with
the object. Of course, I entertain but one idea of the basis of final
settlement or adjustment; that is, the recognition of the sovereignty of the
States and the right of each in its sovereign capacity to determine its own
destiny. This principle lies at the foundation of the American system. It was
what was achieved in the first war of Independence, and must be vindicated in
the second. The full recognition of this principle covers all that is really
involved in the present issue. That the Federal Government is yet ripe
for such acknowledgment I, by no means, believe, but that the time has come
for a proper presentation of the question to the authorities at Washington I do
believe — such presentation as can be made only in a diplomatic way. While,
therefore, a mission might be dispatched on a minor point, the greater
one could possibly, with prudence, discretion, and skill, be opened to view and
brought in discussion in a way that would lead eventually to successful
results. This would depend upon many circumstances, but no little upon the
character and efficiency of the agent. It so occurs to me, and so feeling I
have been prompted to address you these lines. My object is, solely, to inform
you that I am ready and willing to undertake such a mission with a view to such
ulterior ends, if any fit opportunity offers in the present state of our
affairs in relation to the exchange of prisoners, or any other matter of
controversy growing out of the conduct of the war, and if also you
should be of opinion that I could be useful in such position. I am at your
service, heart and soul, at any post you may assign me where I see any prospect
of aiding, assisting, or advancing the great cause we are engaged in and of
securing with its success the blessings of permanent peace, prosperity, and
constitutional liberty.
Should the present
position of affairs in your opinion be suitable, of which I am not so well
informed as you are, and this suggestion so far meet your approval as to cause
you to wish to advise further with me on the subject, you have but to let me
know; otherwise no reply is necessary, and none will be expected.
With best wishes
for you personally and our common country in this day of her trial, I remain
yours, etc.,
SOURCE: A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, Including the Diplomatic Correspondence, 1861-1865, Volume I: First Congress, Third Session, p.339-41
Sir: Having accepted your patriotic offer to proceed as a military commissioner under flag of truce to Washington, you will receive herewith your letter of authority to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States. The letter is signed by me, as Commander in Chief of the Confederate land and naval forces.
You will perceive
from the terms of the letter that it is so worded as to avoid any political
difficulties in its reception. Intended exclusively as one of those
communications between belligerents which public law recognizes as necessary
and proper between hostile forces, care has been taken to give no pretext for
refusing to receive it on the ground that it would involve a tacit recognition
of the independence of the Confederacy. Your mission is simply one of humanity,
and has no political aspect.
If objection is
made to receiving your letter on the ground that it is not addressed to Abraham
Lincoln as President, instead of Commander in Chief, etc., then you will
present the duplicate letter which is addressed to him as President and signed
by me as President. To this letter objection may be made on the ground that I
am not recognized to be President of the Confederacy. In this event you will
decline any further attempt to confer on the subject of your mission, as such
conference is admissible only on the footing of perfect equality.
My recent
interviews with you have put you so fully in possession of my views that it is
scarcely necessary to give you any detailed instructions, even were I at this
moment well enough to attempt it. My whole purpose is in one word to place this
war on the footing of such as are waged by civilized people in modern times,
and to divest it of the savage character which has been impressed on it by our
enemies, in spite of all our efforts and protests. War is full enough of
unavoidable horrors under all its aspects to justify and even to demand of any
Christian rulers who may be unhappily engaged in carrying it on to seek to
restrict its calamities and to divest it of all unnecessary severities. You
will endeavor to establish the cartel for the exchange of prisoners on such a
basis as to avoid the constant difficulties and complaints which arise, and to
prevent for the future what we deem the unfair conduct of our enemies in
evading the delivery of the prisoners who fall into their hands; in retarding
it by sending them on circuitous routes, and by detaining them sometimes for
months in camps and prisons; and in persisting in taking captive noncombatants.
Your attention is
called also to the unheard-of conduct of Federal officers in driving from their
homes entire communities of women and children, as well as of men, whom they
find in districts occupied by their troops, for no other reason than because
these unfortunates are faithful to the allegiance due to their States, and
refuse to take an oath of fidelity to their enemies.
The putting to
death of unarmed prisoners has been a ground of just complaint in more than one
instance; and the recent execution of officers of our army in Kentucky, for the
sole cause that they were engaged in recruiting service in a State which is
claimed as still one of the United States, but is also claimed by us as one of
the Confederate States, must be repressed by retaliation if not unconditionally
abandoned, because it would justify the like execution in every other State of
the Confederacy; and the practice is barbarous, uselessly cruel, and can only
lead to the slaughter of prisoners on both sides — a result too horrible to be
contemplated without making every effort to avoid it.
On these and all
kindred subjects you will consider your authority full and ample to make such
arrangements as will temper the present cruel character of the contest, and
full confidence is placed in your judgment, patriotism, and discretion that,
while carrying out the objects of your mission, you will take care that the
equal rights of the Confederacy be always preserved.
SOURCE: A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, Including the Diplomatic Correspondence, 1861-1865, Volume I: First Congress, Third Session, p.341-3
Headquarters, Richmond,
July 2, 1863.
Sir: As Commander in Chief of the land and
naval forces now waging war against the United States, I have the honor to address
this communication to you, as Commander in Chief of their land and naval
forces.
Numerous
difficulties and disputes have arisen in relation to the execution of the
cartel of exchange heretofore agreed on by the belligerents, and the
commissioners for the exchange of prisoners have been unable to adjust their
differences. Their action on the subject of these differences is delayed and
embarrassed by the necessity of referring each subject as it arises to superior
authority for decision. I believe that I have just grounds of complaint against
the officers and forces under your command for breach of the terms of the
cartel, and, being myself ready to execute it at all times in good faith, I am
not justified in doubting the existence of the same disposition on your part.
In addition to
this matter, I have to complain of the conduct of your officers and troops in
many parts of the country, who violate all the rules of war by carrying on
hostilities not only against armed foes but against noncombatants, aged men,
women, and children; while others not only seize such property as is required
for the use of your forces, but destroy all private property within their
reach, even agricultural implements; and openly avow the purpose of seeking to
subdue the population of the districts where they are operating by the
starvation that must result from the destruction of standing crops and
agricultural tools.
Still, again,
others of your officers in different districts have recently taken the lives of
prisoners who fell into their power, and justify their act by asserting a right
to treat as spies the military officers and enlisted men under my command, who
may penetrate for hostile purposes into States claimed by me to be engaged in
the warfare now waged against the United States, and claimed by the latter as
having refused to engage in such warfare.
I have
heretofore, on different occasions, been forced to make complaint of these
outrages, and to ask from you that you should either avow or disclaim having
authorized them, and have failed to obtain such answer as the usages of
civilized warfare require to be given in such cases.
These usages
justify, and indeed require, redress by retaliation as the proper means of
repressing such cruelties as are not permitted in warfare between Christian
peoples. I have, notwithstanding, refrained from the exercise of such
retaliation, because of its obvious tendency to lead to a war of indiscriminate
massacre on both sides, which would be a spectacle so shocking to humanity and
so disgraceful to the age in which we live and the religion we profess that I
cannot contemplate it without a feeling of horror that I am disinclined to
doubt you would share.
With the view,
then, of making one last solemn attempt to avert such calamities, and to attest
my earnest desire to prevent them, if it be possible, I have selected the
bearer of this letter, the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, as a military
commissioner to proceed to your headquarters under flag of truce, there to
confer and agree on the subjects above mentioned; and I do hereby authorize the
said Alexander H. Stephens to arrange and settle all differences and disputes
which may have arisen or may arise in the execution of the cartel for exchange
of prisoners of war, heretofore agreed on between our respective land and naval
forces; also to agree to any just modification that may be found necessary to
prevent further misunderstandings as to the terms of said cartel; and finally
to enter into such arrangement or understanding about the mode of carrying on
hostilities between the belligerents as shall confine the severities of the war
within such limits as are rightfully imposed not only by modern civilization
but by our common Christianity.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 343-4
Started at 7 a. m., moved one-half mile and laid still two hours waiting for Hazen and Smith to straighten out ahead of us.
I thought I'd tell you how we had been bored today, fooling along the road from 7 a. m. until 3 o'clock in the night, making five miles, but it disgusts me to think of it. Crossing the river is what delayed us. The Rebels held Hazen there four or five hours and shot a few men for him, but he run the 48th Illinois through some swamps on their flank, crossed and got some prisoners. They are from Hood's army and just got here yesterday. This North Edisto is about like the other branch. The 17th Corps crossed below our right, and the 20th on our left. Can't hear anything of the 14th or Kilpatrick. It is freezing now and has been very cold all day, yet to get clear water for dinner hundreds of the men waded out to the middle of the pond (muddy on the border) over their knees in water. They think nothing of it. It was the 2d Brigade 2d Division that waded the swamp and the river to flank the Rebels from the crossing. A large number of foragers waded with them just for devilment. It was from middle to arm-pit deep and I suppose they waded at least a mile. They got 54 prisoners, and the rest threw down guns, knapsacks and everything that impeded their flight. The flanking party did not lose a man. The men of this army surprise me every day with their endurance, spirit and recklessness.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 344-5
Made 18 miles to-day. Rear guard for the corps in the morning, but the 2d and 3d Divisions took a right hand road and in the p. m. the 4th Division also went to the right. We followed a cow path to camp. Passed through two large turpentine camps. The boys fired most all the trees and nearly burned us up. The smoke made the road very disagreeable. There is not much destruction of property since Logan's last order. Hear of no skirmishing. The chivalry give us very little trouble, never stop but at rivers. Foragers get a good many animals. Provisions plenty. Hear nothing of the left wing, or Kilpatrick.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 345
EXPLANATORY Note. Until this time the 15th Army Corps had never had a Corps Badge, though the other corps commanders had long tried to induce General Logan to adopt one. Yielding at last to their solicitations he issued the following order:
The adoption of the cartridge box as the distinguishing badge of the 15th Corps is said to have originated in this way: Before the battle of Missionary Ridge a soldier in the 11th Army Corps asked an Irish soldier of the 15th Corps what the badge of his corps was.
“And phwat is that badge thing?” he asked.
Being told and having no badge to show in reply, he answered, slapping his cartridge box: “It's that, wid 40 rounds!”
_______________
Nearing Columbia, S. C., February 14, 1865.
Good road to-day. Fine rolling country. Sand with pine wood and scrub oak. Saw the wagoners use their locks to-day for the first time since we crossed the Oconee, in Georgia. Logan's escort got after some Johnnie foragers to-day and captured four wagons and 50 or 60 horses and mules. The Rebels are shooting from the other side of the river and there was a lot in front of us when we stopped here. Lee is said to be in front with 40,000 men. It seems to be the opinion that we will have a fight. Can probably tell better to-morrow night. Rain all p. m., and still quite cold. Wear overcoats all the time.
