Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, June 23-24, 1863

Weather very hot.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 18

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, June 25, 1863

For some time General Logan's division of McPherson's corps had been mining under the rebel Fort Hill, one of the most prominent works and one capable of doing us a good deal of mischief. It was decided to explode the mine today and if the breach was sufficient, to go in as far as possible. We were all drawn up in line of battle to assist Logan or make a diversion in his favor if need be while all the batteries were to open on the rebel works to keep them engaged. He had 2200 pounds of powder in barrels in the mine but their fort was a strong one being at least twenty-four feet thick, of clay and sand. About four o'clock the mine was fired and was in a measure a success. There was no noise but an immense cloud of dirt, interspersed with bodies of men, thrown high in the air. At the same time firing from batteries and rifle pits was tremendous. Our men—the 45th Illinois—rushed into the breach which was made, but a partition of earth some three or four feet thick was blown up, over which our men fought all afternoon and night. Numbers were killed and wounded on both sides, but they held their ground. At night our regiment was ordered out to the advance works in our front, and which was not more than 40 feet from their works, where we remained all night and had two men seriously wounded by their hand grenades. To rest was impossible, as shells from our own and rebel batteries passed over our heads every few minutes; sometimes the shells would explode prematurely and the pieces fly among us; our escape was miraculous. We were in direct range of the different batteries; for instance: There were batteries planted at four different corners and we are in the center and the firing at each other, beside the thousands of minie bullets striking all around us, can give one an idea of how we were situated. We (Ransom Brigade) are also mining a fort in our front and will soon have it done. We are some 30 feet under ground now.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, pp. 18-9

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, June 26-30, 1863

Everything quiet; the assault was not successful. Regiment went out on picket duty on the 29th; out for 24 hours. Nothing occurred.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 19

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, July 1, 1863

Regiment under arms all afternoon. Logan exploded another mine. He blew up quite a large portion of their works and a number of rebels—seven lit inside our lines dead; one darky was alive and says he was blown up three miles. No assault made. Our mine not yet ready. Everthing indicates another general assault soon. Rumor says it will be on the 4th of July. Weather exceedingly hot.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 19

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, July 2, 1863

Nothing of interest but all hard at work on their mines and approaches. We are now under their fort and within ten feet of their lines. We have two pieces of artillery which was carried by hand up to our fort which is only a few feet from theirs. All are now expecting to assault.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 19

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, July 3, 1863

Great excitemenent. Rebels hung out flag of truce and General Grant has gone to meet General Pemberton. All are on the qui-vive to know what the terms are and if Grant will accept or if Pemberton will decline to accept Grant's; if so, look out for bloody work. Rumors are that Grant has given Pemberton until tomorrow to decide on his terms.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 19

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, July 4, 1863

Pemberton accepted Grant's terms which the reader of this must look to some history to see what they are. Orders came to hold ourselves ready to march into Vicksburg. Tremendous cheering along the whole line and well there might be, for forty-two such days I never hope to spend again.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 19

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, July 5, 1863

On the morning of the 3rd when the rebels hung the flag of truce from their fort on the Jackson road, word soon passed along our whole line to that effect and soon firing ceased and the works on both sides were lined with the soldiers of the different armies talking to each other. It must have astonished the Rebs to see we were so close upon them. In front of our brigade we could almost shake hands with them. How anxiously they and we felt as to what Pemberton's reply to Grant would be, and when about half past nine on the 4th we saw the stars and stripes float from the fort we had stormed unsuccessfully, the air was rent with cheers and how relieved we all felt. Orders soon came for us to get ready to march into the city. Logan's division in the advance and the 45th Illinois in the advance of the army owing to their gallantry in storming Fort Hill. The day was a terrible hot one. We packed knapsacks and were soon ready to march. It was hard work but soon we got on the Jackson road and were inside the rebel lines. We marched through long rows of arms, stacked on both sides of the road and their late owners sitting or standing quietly by them. There were no cheers as we passed through these men but the salutations were "How are you Yank?" "How are you Reb?" "Give us something to eat Yank," when our boys would throw them hard tack, coffee and what else they could spare. The march was a terrible one and notwithstanding that it was marching into Vicksburg. I never saw so many men affected by the heat. When we reached the Court House I saw our glorious banner floating from its dome where only in the morning the rebel flag had been waving to the breeze. Our men could restrain themselves no longer and gave one long, loud cheer. We marched around the Court House, which is a fine large building, and then halted, stacked arms while waiting for further orders. They soon came to us to march back to the fortifications and halt on the inside. We did so; reached them about dusk and bivouacked for the night. Captain Dickey of General Ransom's Staff soon came and ordered me on duty as "officer of the day" and to post guards for the night along the fortifications to keep the prisoners from escaping. I had a hard time of it but no one can appreciate my feelings of the satisfaction I had as I rested on a cannon which but a few ours before was shotted against us. The night was a beautiful one and in making my "rounds" I would come across groups of rebel prisoners who would be sitting by a fire discussing their fate. They were anxious to know what was going to be done with them, whether they would be sent North, which they feared; or paroled. They spoke of the incidents of the siege and of the assault on the 22nd of May and how they slaughtered us with so little loss to themselves. As I had eaten no dinner and but a cracker for supper, I was glad when morning came and I was relieved from duty. I slept during the morning as I was completely exhausted, and in the afternoon visited the rebel works opposite our front. I was amazed at their strength and, after we got in, how they could have slaughtered us. You must look to history as to the amount of war material and men surrendered. I was surprised to see their men so well dressed and looking so well. I asked some of them about their rations of mule meat and they say it was issued once, which was more for effect than anything else, as they told me themselves they could have lived several days longer without being starved on what they had, but many of them said they were afraid of what we might do on the 4th; well they might, for in the morning orders had been issued for a national salute of 34 rounds, shot from every gun in position around Vicksburg, and several mines were to have been exploded blowing up their forts. Taking it all in all, it was well for both sides as many thousands of lives would have been sacrificed on both sides in the assault.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, pp. 19-20

Discord at the North, published January 21, 1862

We learn from the New York Herald that that branch of the great Yankee nation, of which Greeley is the organ, is very much dissatisfied with the generalship of McClellan, and an agitation is on foot to compel him to resign. His dilatory proceedings are sharply commented on, and incompetency and treachery both assigned as reasons for the slow progress in subduing the Rebels. In the number of soldiers, field artillery, rifles, muskets and ammunition, they have (says the Tribune,) twice as many as the rebels—and surpass them in discipline, valor and all the essentials for successful war, except rulers and officers. In this latter particular it is admitted that the Rebels outstrip them. McClellan’s pretense that the Grand Army is not ready to advance is pronounced a falsehood. The whole Yankee nation is eager for fight—and is only restrained by the cowardice or venality of their officers. These last are directly charged with prolonging the war for the sake of high pay. “They don’t mean (Greeley says) that the Rebels shall be too severely whipped.” What suits them best is a war, all expense and little or no fighting, until the loyal States shall be exhausted, discouraged, disgusted and ready to buy a peace of Jeff. Davis by almost any possible surrender. The Government is said to be on the verge of bankruptcy by the preparations already made—tho’ no decisive result has been reached. The philosopher is convinced that without a change of men and measures, there is very faint prospect of any decisive result being attained at all. The removal of Cameron is a change in the wrong direction, and tends rather to inflame the spleen of the philosopher.

There is some show of justice in Greeley’s complaints. With all their vaunted resources the Yankees have achieved very little. It is not for us to point out the blunders of their strategy. But their failure so far corroborates the opinion we have long entertained, that they are not capable of public affairs or the conduct of a war.

SOURCE: “Discord at the North,” Richmond Daily Whig, Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday Morning, January 21, 1862, p. 2 col. 1

The following are the lists of the committees of arrangements and conference appointed in both branches of the [Virginia] State Legislature:

In the House of Delegates. — Messrs. Barbour, Newton, Robertson, Hunter, Sheffey, Grattan, Anderson, of Botetourt; Blue, McCamant, Rives, Jones, Saunders, of Franklin; Mallory.

In the Senate. — Messrs. Branch, Robertson, Collier, Wiley, Isbell, Newman, Johnson.

The remains of the deceased were, on the 19th of the month, Sunday, removed to the Capitol, where, at three o'clock in the afternoon, the solemn ceremony of laying the remains in state was performed, the body being disposed by Lieutenant-Governor Montague, Mr. Isbell, of the State Senate, and Mr. Bocock, member of Congress; the members of Congress, of the Senate of Virginia, and of the House of Delegates attending in procession.

SOURCE: Lyon Gardiner Tyler, The Letters and Times of the Tylers, Volume 2, p. 674

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, November 30, 1861

The Third is encamped five miles south of Louisville, on the Seventh-street plank road.

As we marched through the city my attention was directed to a sign bearing the inscription, in large black letters,

"NEGROES BOUGHT AND SOLD."

We have known, to be sure, that negroes were bought and sold, like cattle and tobacco, but it, nevertheless, awakened new, and not by any means agreeable, sensations to see the humiliating fact announced on the broad side of a commercial house. These signs must come down.

The climate of Kentucky is variable, freezing nights and thawing in the day. The soil in this locality is rich, and, where trodden, extremely muddy. We shall miss the clear water of the mountain streams. A large number of troops are concentrating here.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 84

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 1, 1861

Sunday has just slipped away. Parson Strong attempted to get an audience; but a corporal's guard, for numbers, were all who desired to be ministered to in spiritual things.

The Colonel spends much of his time in Louisville. He complains bitterly because the company officers do not remain in camp, and yet fails to set them a good example in this regard. We have succeeded poorly in holding our men. Quite a number dodged off while the boat was lying at the landing in Cincinnati, and still more managed to get through the guard lines and have gone to Louisville. The invincible Corporal Casey has not yet put in an appearance.

The boys of the Sixth Ohio are exceedingly jubilant; the entire regiment has been allowed a furlough for six days. This was done to satisfy the men, who had become mutinous because they were not permitted to stop at Cincinnati on their way hither.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 85

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 4, 1861

Rode to Louisville this afternoon; in the evening attended the theatre, and saw the notorious Adah Isaacs Menken Heenan. The house was packed with soldiers, mostly of the Sixth Ohio. It seemed probable at one time that there would be a general free fight; but the brawlers were finally quieted and the play went on. One of the performers resembled an old West Virginia acquaintance so greatly that the boys at once y'clepped him Stalnaker, and howled fearfully whenever he made his appearance.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, pp. 85-6

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 7, 1861

Moved three miles nearer Louisville and encamped in a grove. Have had much difficulty in keeping the men in camp; and this evening, to prevent a general stampede, ordered the guards to load their guns and shoot the first man who attempted to break over. Have succeeded also in getting the officers to remain; notified them yesterday that charges would be preferred against all who left without permission, and this afternoon I put my very good friend, Lieutenant Dale, under arrest for disregarding the order.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 86

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 12, 1861

In camp near Elizabethtown. The road over which we marched was excellent; but owing to detention at Salt river, where the troops and trains had to be ferried over, we were a day longer coming here than we expected to be. The weather has been delightful, warm as spring time. The nights are beautiful.

The regiment was greatly demoralized by our stay in the vicinity of Louisville, and on the march hither the boys were very disorderly and loth to obey; but, by dint of much scolding, we succeeded in getting them all through.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 86

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 13, 1861

Have been attached to the Seventeenth Brigade, and assigned to the Third Division; the latter commanded by General O. M. Mitchell. The General remarked to me this morning, that the best drilled and conditioned regiments would lead in the march toward Nashville.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, pp. 86-7

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 15, 1861

Jake Smith, the driver of the head-quarters wagon, on his arrival in Elizabethtown went to the hotel, and in an imperious way ordered dinner, assuring the landlord, with much emphasis, that he was “no damned common officer, and wanted a good dinner."

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 87

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 18, 1861

In camp at Bacon creek, eight miles north of Green river. Have been two days on the way from Elizabethtown; the road was bad. There were nine regiments in the column, which extended as far almost as the eye could reach.

At Louisville I was compelled to bear heavily on officers and men. On the march hither I have dealt very thoroughly with some of the most disorderly, and in consequence have become unpopular with the regiment.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 87

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 20, 1861

General Mitchell called this afternoon and requested me to form the regiment in a square. I did so, and he addressed it for twenty minutes on guard duty, throwing in here and there patriotic expressions, which encouraged and delighted the boys very much. When he departed they gave him three rousing cheers.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 87

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 21, 1861

A reconnoissance was made beyond Green river yesterday, and no enemy found.

We are short of supplies; entirely out of sugar, coffee, and candles, and the boys to-night indicated some faint symptoms of insubordination but I assured them we had made every effort possible to obtain these articles, and so quieted them.

Major Keifer was officer in charge of the camp yesterday, and when making the rounds last night a sentinel challenged, "Halt! who comes there?" The sergeant responded, "Grand rounds," whereupon the weary and disappointed Irishman retorted in angry tones: "Divil take the grand rounds, I thought it the relafe comin'."

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 87-8