Sep
30
September 30, 1862, A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary
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by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 30TH.—Lincoln’s proclamation was the subject of discussion in the Senate yesterday. Some of the gravest of our senators favor the raising of the black flag, asking and giving no quarter hereafter.
The yellow fever is raging at Wilmington, North Carolina.
The President, in response to a resolution of inquiry concerning Hyde, the agent who procured a substitute and was arrested for it, sent Congress a letter from the Secretary of War, stating that the action of Gen. Winder had not been approved, and that Mr. Hyde had been discharged. The Secretary closes his letter with a sarcasm, which, I think, is not his own composition. He asks, as martial law is still existing, though the writ of habeas corpus is not suspended, for instructions as to the power of the military commander, Winder, to suppress tippling shops! Several members declared that martial law existed in this city without any constitutional warrant. There is much bad feeling between many members and the Executive.
No fighting has occurred on the Peninsula, and I believe Gen. Wise has returned with his forces to Chain’s Bluff.
Sep
30
Yankee Rule in Florida.
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September 30, 1862, The Charleston Mercury
The Savannah News has intelligence of an instance of Yankee barbarity in Florida, without a parallel, thus far, during this war:
Not content with taking possession of the town of St. Augustine, and extending their hateful tyranny over the good people of the place, the Commandant issued orders, some days ago, for all the women and children, whose near relatives were in the Confederate service, to prepare to leave the town. A steamer was in readiness, and on the 24th instant about one hundred women and children were forced to go aboard, without the slightest idea of their destination. The vessels sailed out of port, but nothing has been heard of her up to this time. A letter from Lake City, dated September 24, says: ‘All quiet on the St. Johns. Six gunboats at the mouth of the river and in Nassau Sound.’
Sep
30
September 30, 1862, The Charleston Mercury
An association of negros, called the ‘Freedmen Society,’ met in New York last week. Several speeches were made, in one of which it was stated that a negro woman who had earned $50 at Hilton Head, S.C., was robbed of it by a Yankee while on her way to New York. Robert Small, the negro who ran the steamer Planter from the wharf at Charleston, gave the following account of his exploit:
‘I am called to tell the story of my escape from Charleston. I do it with the greatest pleasure in the world. A hint from a shipmate led me to think about making my escape; I thought so much, I dreamed about it. I told my dream to my friend, and he agreed with me. We had a meeting at my house and all agreed to be led by me. On the 12th of May we had another meeting, and agreed to start the next day. We had four heavy guns on board. I wished we had more to make the boat sail easier. That night we came on board the Planter one at a time, so as not to create suspicion. Abraham, my friend, carried the trunk, as though he was taking it to his boat. The women and children were hid away in the engine room of another boat. Abraham kept watch that night, and called me about twelve o’clock; the moon was shining right up and down. About three o’clock the fire was started, and the wind blew the smoke over the city. I was scared. I feared the people would think there was a fire near the wharf, but nobody came. We moved out of our position, but had to return to take the women on board, and the boat moved so nicely up to her place we did not have to throw a plank or tie a rope. It was early, so we steamed slowly down to Fort Johnson. I didn’t want to appear in front of the fort in the dark, for fear they might suspect me. At the right time I gave the signal — two long blows and a short one. I put on the captain’s straw hat, and stood so that the sentinel could not see my color. When beyond the range of the guns we put on plenty of steam. I hoisted a white sheet, taken from the bed, and reached the blockading vessels in safety, and we were received with cheers. A man and his wife, who had escaped from Charleston in rice barrels, were next introduced. A handsome collection for the Freedmen’s Society concluded the exercises.
Sep
30
The Defensive Policy.
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September 30, 1862, The Charleston Mercury
Our readers are aware that, from the commencement of the existing war, we have condemned the inactive defensive policy of the Administration, and have advocated an active aggressive policy in carrying it on. We took it of course, for granted, that the aggressive policy was practicable, by throwing into the field a sufficient number of men. If the Government did not choose to adopt this policy, and preferred the defensive policy, there was an easy way apparently to justify it, by never having in the field a force adequate to carry out the aggressive policy. This, in fact, was the position of the Confederacy at the opening of the present campaign last Spring. Our forces were too feeble everywhere to assail our enemies. Consequently we were overwhelmed by superior numbers everywhere. The defensive policy was a necessity, from being our choice. Whose fault was it that we had not troops in the field to assume the aggressive, and meet our enemies on our frontiers, and march into their country? The whole of the last Winter was passed without a single measure being proposed by the Administration or passed in Congress, which could put our armies, either in the East or West, in a condition to march upon our foes. The fatal consequences we all know. We are rejoiced now to find that the overwhelming majority of the popular branch of Congress approve of the policy we so early advocated, and which exposed us to some unmerited obloquy. The Military Committee reported to Congress certain resolutions, approving of the late military movements in Virginia, the second of which is as follows:
Resolved, That Congress has heard with profound satisfaction of the triumphant crossing of the Potomac by our victorious army, and assured of the wisdom of that masterly movement, reposes with entire confidence on the distinguished skill of the Commanding General, and the valor of his troops, to achieve, under favor of the Great Ruler of nations, new triumphs, relieve oppressed Maryland, and advance our standards into the territory of the enemy. Read more
Sep
30
A Growing Evil.
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September 30, 1862, The Charleston Mercury
The free people of color in Charleston are, in general, an orderly and very respectable class; but the present anomalous condition of our city affairs is, and for some time has been, made the occasion for daily promenades of colored street-walkers in the most public streets. It is high time that it were summarily checked. Some of these women are seen riding about the city in hired carriages, making purchases at the stores, and occasionally have gone so far as to have hacks at church to ride off after the services.
We have been repeatedly requested to bring this nuisance to the attention of the city government, and to urge, for the sake of public decency, the nuisance be abated.
Sep
30
News by Telegraph. — Excitement in the New York Stock Market.
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September 30, 1862, The Charleston Mercury
RICHMOND, September 29. — In New York on the 25th instant, speculative stocks advanced three to four per cent., and the amount of sales was unprecedentedly large. Gold advanced to 121, but afterwards fell to 120. Exchange was held at 132. The Herald says: ‘Wall street was frantic. Such an inflation of prices, such a reckless scramble for money, such immense transactions in gold, many of which are unprecedented, Wall street has not seen in many a long day.’
Sep
30
The News from Richmond.
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September 30, 1862, The Charleston Mercury
(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.)
RICHMOND, Saturday, September 27.
Abuse is again being heaped on the Richmond press, they publish nothing but the deeds of Virginia soldiers. This is not just. I do not believe there is a particle of favoritism in any city paper, and I am sure that they chronicle the deeds of other soldiers with equal pleasure. They are only too glad to get well written accounts of the exploits of any of our troops, come from what State they may.
The Dispatch pays a very just tribute to our private soldiers, from which I extract a sentence or two: ‘The most profound sympathies of every generous heart must be awakened by the toils, the sufferings and the matchless daring of these heroic men.’ ‘They have done all without even the prospect of reward, or even distinction.’ ‘It is a touching sight to behold these modest, war worn heros, often without an arm or a leg, by whom even a kind word or a look is received as a benefaction, and who are often treated with official insolence by those who are not worthy to tie the latchets of their shoes.’
If the Yankees are busy building war ships, we are not quite idle. Now and then we have mysterious intimations of great things to be done. Of late, these winks and nods are becoming peculiarly significant. It is to be hoped that some one thing will be finished in time not to be just too late to be of any use, except for a big up.’
An instance of heroism which occurred at Cedar Run, and did much to decide the fortunes of the day, ought to be recorded. When, by the breaking of some certain regiments, a large portion of the 2d brigade of Jackson’s division, then commanded by Winder, became surrounded and were made prisoners, a Captain Horton, of Scott Read more
Sep
30
Interesting from the South.
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September 30, 1862, Daily Times (Leavenworth, Kansas)
Correspondence of the Times.
Ritchie’s Indians have a Fight—They Resort to their Barbarous mode of Warfare.
Prisoners Shot.
Near Fort Scott, Sept. 24, 1862.
Ed. Times:—A long line of white tents stretching across the prairie, indicates the “Camp” of the 2nd regiment, but if you should look for the 886 men, rank and file, (the aggregate strength of the regiment according to the morning report,) you would look in vain. The entire available strength of the regiment, now in camp, would not reach, I am confident, 150 men. But they are all, or the most of them, off on duty. On the 19th, Capt. Russell and Lieut. Ballord, with about 100 men, went with Col. Cloud south. Capt. Gardner, with some 80 men, has been gone four days on a foraging expedition; Capt. Ayers, with 30 odd men, was sent as an escort with Col. Solomon; Capt. Crawford, with a Lieut. and 60 odd men, has been sent to escort a supply train to the 2nd Indian H. G. Capt. Robb’s battery is close by, but still it leaves us with a small force, and, of course, camp life is rather dull; still we are not lacking in excitement. Rumors from below indicate the presence of danger and warm work. Last night a messenger came from the 2nd regiment, Indian Home Guards, stating that the enemy in large force was within 10 miles of them, and asked for reinforcements immediately. Col. Cloud and Capt. Russell have started out below to reconnoitre. To-day the news reached us that Col. Ritchie has fallen back to within six miles of our camp, and that nothing has been heard from Col. Cloud and Capt. Russell since they left. How much credit these rumors are entitled to, it is not for me to say. If a fevered imagination, aided by a nervous debility, (too often the case,) is not the cause, then you may look out for exciting news very soon. Read more
Sep
30
The Situation.
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September 30, 1862, The New York Herald
Gen. McClellan has advanced his headquarters three miles nearer to Harper’s Ferry, of which place we now hold undisputed possession. Some important move of our army is spoken of, but cannot be definitely referred t just now. The pickets of both armies occupy opposite sides of the Potomac, and are in constant sight of each other, near Shepherdstown, but by common consent they do not fire, as was formerly the uncivilized custom. Yesterday morning a large force of our cavalry crossed the river on a reconnoitering party, at Blackburn’s ford, and had not returned at latest accounts.
One of the most exciting and extraordinary events of the day is the unfortunate collision between Generals Nelson and J.C. Davis, at the Galt House, in Louisville, by which the former lost his life. We publish in another column all the details which have reached us concerning this unhappy and disgraceful affair. It would appear that a personal quarrel existed between Generals Nelson and Davis for some time past, and that on the occasion of the fatal rencontre in the hotel some harsh language was used by Nelson to Davis, and it is said that blows were administered by the former. General Davis borrowed a pistol from a friend, and following General Nelson up stairs, shot him through the heart. Such is the story as we learn it, and it is sad enough, for both were valuable officers, and had rendered good service in the Western campaign.
The particulars of the capture of Augusta, Ky., by the rebels, which we announced yesterday, have reached us from Cincinnati. It appears that the place was attacked by six hundred and forty mounted rebels, with two cannon, under the command of a brother of the guerilla chief John Morgan. The Union forces, under Colonel Bradford, numbering one hundred and twenty men, took refuge in houses and fired from windows, killing and wounding ninety of the rebels. Among the mortally wounded was Lieutenant Colonel Prentice, a son of George D. Prentice, of the Louisville Journal. The rebels set fire to the houses, and two squares of the town were burned. Our loss was nine killed and Read more
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