• Motor Coaches and Class A Motorhomes Class B Motorhomes and Vans Class C Motorhomes Fifth Wheel Trailers Travel Trailers Tear Drop Trailers Tent and Folding Trailers Truck Campers Off Road RVs Civil War Books by state: Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin

April 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

FROM CHATTANOOGA.

CHATTANOOGA, April 27. — Nashville files of the 21st instant have been received. The Cumberland River has fallen forty inches on Harpeth Shoals. Col. RELBURN, of the 2d Iowa Cavalry, has been appointed Inspector of Cavalry for the Army of the Cumberland. General MINTY commands all the cavalry in ROSECRANS’ army. A Washington telegram of the 20th states, on the authority of Ex-Governor HICKS, that a secret organization has been unearthed in Maryland, the members of which were sworn to join the Confederates on the first favorable opportunity. A St. Louis telegram says that 3000 rebels attacked Fayetteville, Ark., on the 18th. The Federal loss in the affair was 5 killed and 17 wounded. The Yankee official report of the battle of Murfreesboro‘ states the number of their killed and wounded in that action to have been 19,340. The Captain of General ROSECRANS’ body-guard has deserted and gone home.

Hon. WASHINGTON BARROW arrived on Saturday and took rooms at the Crutchfield House.

FROM BRAGG’S ARMY.

TULLAHOMA, April 27. — WHEELER’S command has returned to McMinnville. The enemy’s pickets are near Tuscumbia. All is quiet in front.

(In addition to the above telegrams, we have received a quantity of the usual unintelligible gibberish from Jackson, Miss., which we forbear to print. — MERCURY)

April 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

From a gentleman of St. Augustine, Florida, who, with his family, was taken to Beaufort by the Yankees, the Savannah Republican gathers the following information of the situation of affairs in Beaufort up to last Saturday:

There are at Beaufort three regiments of whites and two of blacks, all of which, were encamped near the town. There are no gunboats at the town or nearer than Hilton Head. The iron-clads are still at the latter place undergoing repairs. The Yankees manifest great disappointment at the result at Charleston, and severe, in their bitterness, that the place shall yet be taken, even at the cost of their last man. The privates of the army, though, are thoroughly disgusted with the war and anxious to see it closed on any terms. Our informant heard them speaking freely of their loss on the iron-clads, which they said was very heavy. The negros make but trifling soldiers; they unvariably run in a fight and often shoot each other at the posts through awkwardness or mistake. At Jacksonville, after the first fire they came running back into the town at a long trot, and were half frightened out of their wits. Some twenty of them were killed in the engagement with Finegan’s men.

Beaufort now stands on a common, all the fences and out-door improvements having been destroyed together with the ornamental growth of the place. It is kept quite clean and in a wholesome condition. The houses are occupied by both whites and blacks, many of the latter being installed in the stately halls, once the seat of fashion and refinement.

April 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The healthy influence of the Tax Bill, which has just become a law, is already making itself felt in the provision market. Since the leading features of the tax have obtained publicity, the decline of prices, in flour, rice and other articles of food, has been steady and unmistakable. A variety of reasons are given to account for the fall; some attributing it to the sudden contraction of the currency by the recent funding of so many millions of our redundant currency in Confederate bonds; and others alleging as a cause, the restrictions lately imposed upon inter-State shipments for the purposes of speculation. Both these circumstances, doubtless, have contributed, in a measure, to bring about the reduction of prices; but the agency that has been mainly instrumental in effecting the welcome change is, in fact, the new Confederate tax.

At no time, we feel convinced, has there existed any real scarcity of food in the Southern States. But in every community, besides and distinct from the speculators and extortioners, there have been timid capitalists, who, investing their funds in an accumulation of provisions, and refusing to sell, rather with a view to security than profit, have virtually withdrawn from the market a very large proportion of its natural supplies. An artificial scarcity has thus been produced, while, in truth, there was abundance in the land.

But during the last three weeks, prices have reached their acme, and there is reason to believe that the decline which has begun is not yet ended. The new wheat and corn crops promise to be the heaviest ever known in the South, and will, ere long, be pressing into the market. The policy of importing provisions in large quantities has already been inaugurated, the well known Charleston firm, whose enterprise and tact has already, in other respects, conferred incalculable benefits upon the country, taking the lead in this last and most important development of the blockade trade. With the prospect of this early and active competition in the market, and with the certainty of the heavy tax upon hoarded produce which must be paid early in the summer, it is not strange that holders should everywhere be cautiously relaxing their grasp upon their accumulated supplies. Nor need we be surprised to find that, as those supplies, so long withheld, are wisely yielded to the demand, there occurs such a tumble in the price of food, as will add new nerve to the arms of our soldiers in the field, and send joy and thankfulness to the hearts of the whole people.

April 28, 1863, Natchez Daily Courier

It seems that some five or six other ladies were arrested with the daughter of Gen. Battle.  The Winchester Bulletin says they were arrested for “passing the Federal lines without authority,” and after a few day’s imprisonment at Nashville, were sent up North to Camp Chase.  The order arresting them, stated that they were to be imprisoned for the war.  We have already noticed their arrival at Camp Chase.  Those of our officers and men who have been captives in this bastile, only can form a correct estimate of the horrible privations these ladies will be subjected to.

April 28, 1863, The New York Herald

Everything was quiet in General Hooker’s army yesterday; but there were rumors afloat that a movement was about to be made, and that a collision with the enemy was not very improbable. Mr. Seward, together with the Prussian and Swedish Ministers, accompanied by a number of ladies, attended a review of the army yesterday, and proceeded from thence to Fortress Monroe.

The news from Tennessee today is important and interesting. The Texan Rangers of General Van Dorn’s Legion, were attacked yesterday morning at daybreak, eight miles out from Franklin, Tenn., by General Gordon Granger’s cavalry, 700 strong, under Colonel Watkins, of the Sixth Kentucky cavalry. The enemy were surrounded and defeated. Nearly two hundred prisoners were taken. Among them was Colonel Brooks, commandant of the rebel camp, and several officers. The camp and equipages of the enemy were destroyed, and about three hundred horses and mules were captured.

A startling rumor prevailed in Nashville and Murfreesboro yesterday, that the rebel Gen. Bragg had been shot dead by Gen. J.C. Breckinridge, in a recontre at Tullahoma. It was known that a hostile feeling had existed between them for some time. Difficulties had been existing for a long while, and this termination of the quarrel, should the report prove true, need not create any surprise.

The latest news from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, states that the loss of the rebels in the recent attack was about sixty killed and two hundred wounded. It was reported that General Marmaduke was in great danger of being cut off. A despatch, dated at the Cape yesterday, from Colonel Pomeroy, says: — ‘The enemy are moving off fast, and General McNeil was starting in pursuit. There is no doubt but General Vandeveer will strike him today.’ Read more

April 28, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)

            This Association will commence business today in the house formerly occupied by Mr. E. A. Smith, on the east side of Broad street, below the Bank of Columbus.

            Its object, as the public has already been advised, is to buy provisions and sell them at cost to the families of absent soldiers and others whose means are not sufficient to enable them to pay war prices.  The want of transportation, with the inadequate supply has advanced the price of provisions beyond the ability to buy of many honest, but poor people in our community.  The large number of laborers, too, which the stagnation of the regular channel of industry has thrown upon the cities, has not permitted the wages of labor to advance in a ratio corresponding with the advance in the price of provisions, and, in consequence, much suffering has been entailed upon a most deserving class of our population.  Under the beneficent operations of the plan inaugurated to-day, it is expected that at least the profits of the merchant will be saved to the consumer. This to the needy laboring man is no inconsiderable item.  It may enable him to put shoes on his feet and clothing on his body, or to provide these little comforts to his wife and little ones.

            The object and end of this Association are thus briefly stated:  the rest is in the hands of the farmers of the country.  After all that we have done, if we cannot secure the generous encouragement and co-operation of this class of our fellow-citizens, failure is inevitable.—We, therefore, earnestly appeal to them to assist us—not indeed with their money, but with their trade.  We ask in the name of those whose natural protectors, even now, are standing on the brink of battle, ready with their lives to defend everything we possess or hope for in this life; in behalf of those to whom succor and relief is the direct command of the Almighty—the suffering poor—that our association receive from provision raisers and others thro’out the country that encouragement to which its noble purpose entitles it.  While affording them an opportunity of contributing to the needy, we shall at the same time make it to their interest to trade with us. Read more

by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 27TH. —A dispatch from Montgomery, Ala., states that the enemy have penetrated as far as Enterprise, Miss., where we had a small body of troops, conscripts. If this be merely a raid, it is an extraordinary one, and I feel some anxiety to learn the conclusion of it. It is hard to suppose a small force of the enemy would evince such temerity. But if it be supported by an army, and the position maintained, Vicksburg is doomed. We shall get no more sugar from Louisiana.

 by Gideon Welles

April 27, Monday. Finished and gave to the President my letter on the subject of mails on captured vessels. It has occupied almost every moment of my time for a week, aided by Eames, Watkins, and Upton, and by suggestions from Sumner, who has entered earnestly into the subject.

The President was alone when I called on him with the document, which looked formidable, filling thirty-one pages of foolscap. He was pleased and interested, not at all discouraged by my paper; said he should read every word of it, that he wanted to understand the question, etc. He told me Seward had sent in his answer this morning, but it was in some respects not satisfactory, particularly as regarded the Adela. He had sent for Hunter, who, however, did not understand readily the case, or what was wanted.

August 6, 1862, Arkansas True Democrat, Little Rock

Capt. J. Field, quartermaster of Col. Sweet’s (Texas) regiment, just returned from Richmond, has placed us a thousand obligations for a full file of the Richmond papers during and after the great battle. We will endeavor in our next, to give our readers such particulars of the battle as we can gather.

Capt. Field was at Richmond during the whole of the battle, and describes it as a most brilliant affair. He also witnessed, while at Natchez, the descent of the federal fleet down the Mississippi river. He says the Yankees have abandoned the attack upon Vicksburg, and are leaving the river. We know the fleet above Vicksburg has done the same. Thus the daring project of taking the Mississippi river is a failure.

August 7, 1862 , Savannah Republican (Georgia)

Mr. Editor—There are some facts connected with the Savannah market to which I desire to call the attention of the people of Georgia and South Carolina, who live convenient to this city:

Sweet potatoes are selling here at 25 cents a quart, or $8 per bushel; green corn at 5 cents an ear, or six ears for 25 cents; peaches, for from 15 to 40 cents a quart; watermelons of ordinary size at 50 to 75 cents, and the largest, weighing from twenty to thirty pounds, at $1 and $1.25 each; chickens, (half-grown) at $1 a pair; butter at 70 and 75 cents a pound; lard at 40 cents a pound; eggs at from 40 to 60 cents a dozen.

Again: Pine wood sells for $7 a cord, and oak wood $9 a cord.

I have enumerated some of the leading articles, with their prices, in order to show the people around Savannah what profits they are allowing to slip through their fingers for want of a little energy.

I am informed that peaches sell in Macon and Augusta at $1 per bushel. I also learn that thousands of bushels in and around Aiken, S. C., are rotting for want of a market. This fruit could be picked in the afternoon and sold in this market the following morning. Why do […..] a penny both to their own and our advantage? They have the fruit, and we have the money, as is shown by the ready sales of fruit here at such extortionate prices. Why will not the producer engage some reliable agent here and supply the market?

Equally astonishing is the fact that the prices of wood should rule so high where two railroads and one river leading into the city are lined with millions of cords, which could be sole here for more than a hundred per cent profit. A little energy would put money in the purses of many whose produce and wood are now selling for but little and rotting on their land.

Buyer.

April 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

FROM BRAGG’S ARMY.

TULLAHOMA, APRIL 24. — We have further news from McMinnville that the enemy has destroyed several bridges, burned a cotton factory, the depot buildings, one engine and three cars, and then retreated towards Murfreesboro‘. Our troops are in fine condition and spirits; it is not believed that the enemy will dare to attack them. We have advices from Tuscumbia that three Yankee regiments had attempted to advance, but were held in check by Colonel Roddy’s Cavalry.

TUSCUMBIA, April 25. — The enemy is falling back. All is quiet in front.

CHATTANOOGA, April 25. — Passengers by the train just arrived report that Gen. DODGE, at the head of a Yankee force, estimated at from 5000 to 10,000 had advanced ten miles east of Tuscumbia. Colonel RODDY was disputing their advance and retiring before them slowly, in order to gain reinforcements.

FROM MISSISSIPPI.

OKALONA, MISS., April 25. — Our cavalry engaged the enemy yesterday at Birmingham. The fight lasted two and a half hours. The enemy was completely routed; 15 were killed and a large number wounded. Colonel HATCH, of the 2d Iowa Cavalry, was seen to fall from his horse, which ran into our lines and was captured. Our loss was 1 killed and 20 wounded. The destruction of the bridge prevented pursuit.

JACKSON, MISS., April 25. — At noon today the enemy demanded the surrender of the town of Enterprise; but Gen. LORING arrived with timely reinforcements. The enemy, reported to number from 500 to 1500 cavalry, retreated without a fight.

The water at Fort Pemberton has fallen four feet, and is still falling at the rate of two inches per day.

April 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The new arrangements for the transmission of telegraphic news throughout the Confederacy are now, we suppose, in full operation, and we have a fair opportunity of estimating the advantages that have resulted from the change. To our mind, those advantages, so far, are of a very questionable character. The agents of the Association have, it is true, been multiplied, and so have the charges of the Association against the several newspapers; but so far from any corresponding improvement having taken place in the practical working of the system, it seems to us that the press telegraphic arrangements were never in a worse plight than now. In the telegrams from Richmond, there is no perceptible difference, either as to quality or quantity, from those formerly received; but we cannot say as much for the despatches from the newly established agencies in the West. Every day the wires bring us a budget of […..] from that quarter, generally unintelligible and invariably devoid of interest. Indeed, so sorely has our patience been tried in this respect, that we have learned to spare our readers the infliction of the senseless jargon of Western war reports so industriously telegraphed to this city. But we seldom escape with the perusal of a single worthless despatch. It not unfrequently happens that we receive from different agencies, two or more accounts, all equally vague, and all designed to convey information of the same highly uninteresting rumor or event. We beg the active superintendent of the Associated Press to note this pleasant state of affairs, and, if he cannot dissuade his Western agents from sending so comprehensive a batch of the rumors and speculations of their respective neighborhoods, at least to require them, in preparing their despatches, to adopt a style less spasmodic and perplexing.

April 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The sloop Eagle, Capt. BRENNON, laden with upland cotton, tobacco, &c., bound from Savannah for Nassau, got under weigh from her anchorage in St. Augustine Creek, Thursday night, about 8 o’clock, and proceeded to Warsaw Sound to go to sea. While passing Cabbage Island, the Yankee signal corps sent up rockets; no reply having been given to the signals in the Sound, Capt. BRENNON supposed that the coast was clear and that he could proceed to sea. About two o’clock, Friday morning, some two miles inside of Warsaw Sound, the sloop came immediately abreast and within one hundred yards of a three masted Yankee gunboat. The former was immediately put on the beach, Capt. BRENNON and his crew taking to their yawl boat with such of their effects as they could save, the vessel having been previously scuttled and fired. Capt. BRENNON and his crew, after a hard pull against a strong ebb tide, arrived at Thunderbolt about nine o’clock on Friday morning. The Eagle and her cargo was owned by Mr. MARCUS COHEN of Savannah and Mr. A.M. COHEN of Waresboro’, Georgia, and the whole was valued at $5000.

April 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.)

RICHMOND, Thursday, April 23.

Certain farmers in Powhatan County, in this State, acting as arbitrators under the new law, declared the price of clover hay in that County should be twenty dollars the hundred weight. This went through the regular channels to the War Department, and thence to the Senate, which at once passed an amendment to the effect that when the Government agent is not satisfied of the justice of an arbitration, he shall proceed, nevertheless, to impress the property desired, give a receipt for it, endorsing on the award his reasons for disputing the justice of the price asked, and forwarding the same to the head of his Department, where the dispute shall be decided.

One of our papers is much exorcised at this action, which it denounces as the result of passion, rashness, haste and the want of manful intelligence. The farming and planting interests will not be better pleased. It seems strange there should be trouble about bread and meat, when there is none about the lives offered on the altar of the country. In this State the exchange of commodities has done more to bring out supplies than anything else. Last summer, when salt was offered at the country seats in exchange for bacon, the most incredible quantities came forth. The same would be the case now if the Government could spare sugar in place of salt; but it cannot.

It is well settled here, by men of all shades of opinion, that the war is to go on — the peace party at the North being non-existent or non effective, and the chances of foreign intervention quite as remote as they have even been. Hence there is much casting about for the chances not only of offence but of defence. Victories achieved on our own soil appear Read more

April 27, 1863, The New York Herald

The news from New Orleans is most important and encouraging. Gen. Banks has done able service in that region, as we announced on Wednesday. The details of this brilliant affair reached us by the Fulton yesterday. Severe battle was fought on Friday, the 17th inst., at the Vermillion Bayou, in which, after a hard contest with the rebel batteries and a strong force of infantry, our troops gained a complete success, driving the enemy from his position, capturing his guns, and taking fifteen hundred prisoners. In addition to this the batteries at Bute la Rose were silenced by our fleet, the valuable salt works of Petite Anse, which supplied the whole interior with this indispensable article, were captured, and a number of the rebel boats were destroyed, during the expedition of General Banks into the Bayou Teche region. Thus the finest portion of Louisiana is at the command of the Union forces, and rebellion in that quarter is tottering.

Meantime the attack upon Cape Girardeau, Mo., by the rebels, under Marmaduke, has not only proved a failure, but a severe defeat for the enemy. After a fight of three hours with General McNeill they were gloriously repulsed. Reinforcements of men and gunboats reached McNeill during the fight, and he is now in a position to maintain himself against another attack. At last accounts the enemy was still retreating. Our loss in killed and wounded was only twenty.

From Tennessee we learn that General Bragg is in occupation of Manchester with a large army. Some deserters state that the Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri troops in Bragg’s army have lately been very mutinous, and much trouble has been experienced in putting it down. The Tennesseeans, it is said, laid down their arms, refusing to do duty. Read more

by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 26TH.—This being Sunday I shall hear no news, for I will not be in any of the departments.

There is a vague understanding that notwithstanding the repulse of the enemy at Charleston, still the Federal Government collects the duties on merchandise brought into that port, and, indeed, into all other ports. These importations, although purporting to be conducted by British adventurers, it is said are really contrived by Northern merchants, who send hither (with the sanction of the Federal Government, by paying the duty in advance) British and French goods, and in return ship our cotton to Liverpool, etc., whence it is sometimes reshipped to New York. The duties paid the United States are of course paid by the consumers in the Confederate States, in the form of an additional per centum on the prices of merchandise. Some suppose this arrangement has the sanction of certain members of our government. The plausibility of this scheme (if it really exists) is the fact that steamers having munitions of war rarely get through the blockading fleet without trouble, while those having only merchandise arrive in safety almost daily. Gen. D. Green intimates that Mr. Memminger, and Frazer & Co., Charleston, are personally interested in the profits of heavy importations.

April 26, 1863, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)

You have put the children to bed, Alice—
            Maude, and Willie, and Rose,
They have lisped their sweet “Our Father,”
            And sunk to their night’s repose.
Did they think of me, dear Alice?
            Did they think of me and say,
“God bless him, and God bless him,
            Dear father, far away!”

O, my very heart grows sick, Alice,
            I long so to behold
Rose, with her pure white forehead,
            And Maud with her curls of gold;
And Willie, so gay and sprightly,
            So merry and full of glee—
O, my heart yearns to enfold ye,
            My smiling group of three.

I can bear the noisy day, Alice—
            The camp life, gay and wild,
Shuts from my yearning bosom
            The thoughts of wife and child.
But when the night is round me,
            And under its strong beams,
I gather my cloak about me,
            I dream such long, sad dreams! Read more

by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 25TH.—We have bad news from the West. The enemy (cavalry, I suppose) have penetrated Mississippi some 200 miles, down to the railroad between Vicksburg and Meridian. This is in the rear and east of Vicksburg, and intercepts supplies. They destroyed two trains. This dispatch was sent to the Secretary of War by the President without remark. The Enquirer this morning contained a paragraph stating that Gen. Pemberton was exchanging civilities with Gen. Sherman, and had sent him a beautiful bouquet! Did he have any conception of the surprise the enemy was executing at the moment? Well, Mississippi is the President’s State, and if he is satisfied with Northern generals to defend it, he is as likely to be benefited as any one else.

Gen. Beauregard is urging the government to send more heavy guns to Savannah.

I saw an officer to-day just from Charleston. He says none of the enemy’s vessels came nearer than 900 yards of our batteries, and that the Northern statements about the monitors becoming entangled with obstructions are utterly false, for there were no obstructions in the water to impede them. But he says one of the monitors was directly over a torpedo, containing 4000 pounds of powder, which we essayed in vain to ignite.

April 25, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Milliken’s Bend Correspondence.

MILLIKEN’S BEND, La., April 17, 1863.

Last night the long anticipated attempt to force a passage of the batteries at Vicksburg was undertaken with eminent success. Several days since it was determined that, in one grand and combined movement, a sufficient number of transports and gunboats to give us control of the river below should be sent there, in order to co-operate with the land force already in a position to push the crisis of the campaign to an end. In view of this, the Benton, as flagboat, The Tuscumbia, Lafayette, Pittsburg, Louisville, Carondelet, the ram General Price and three transports — the Forest Queen, Silver Wave and Henry Clay — were put in readiness to execute their dangerous mission.

At half-past ten the boats left their moorings at the mouth of the Yazoo and steamed down the river, the Benton, bearing Admiral Porter, taking the lead. The order of succession was left as circumstances might require, the flagboat taking the advance and the Tuscumbia the rear; then followed the transports.

Upon rounding the point and appearing in good range, the batteries above the town immediately opened fire with more noise than effect. As the boats approached the point opposite the town, a terrible concentrated fire of the centre, upper and lower batteries, both water and bluff, was directed upon the channel, which here ran within one hundred yards of the shore. At the same moment innumerable floats of turpentine and other combustible materials were set ablaze, some merely to give light, others in hopes of setting fire to some of the boats of the fleet. These lights were all located or set adrift from the Louisiana side, on the point, which, it seems, in view of an attempt to run the blockade was occupied by a small party of the enemy, specially designed for the purpose. In the face of all this fire, all the boats save one made their way with but little loss of men or material. Read more

April 25, 1863, The New York Herald

We give very full particulars today of the abandonment of the siege of Washington, N.C., by the rebels, the destruction of their earthworks by our troops, and the inexhaustible perseverance of General Foster’s gallant command in holding out with only twelve hundred men against a force of seventeen thousand, and finally compelling them to retire. General Foster has again returned to Newbern, everything being quiet in his army. General Naglee made a brilliant dash upon the rear guard of the enemy as they were retiring in the direction of Greenville, on the 8th inst., completely scattering them, and taking several prisoners.

We give in another column a list of the killed and wounded at Suffolk and on the Nansemond, in the fights of the 19th, 20th and 21st instant. It is estimated that the rebel loss is at least eight to our one. The battery captured from the rebels on the 30th instant has been removed to a place of safety, and can be turned upon the enemy to good advantage when required.

The late Southern papers to the 21st instant contain some interesting news from the Southwest. The Richmond Whig of that date, on the authority of a despatch from Jackson, Miss., says that the rebel General Chalmer’s command has repulsed four thousand of our cavalry, artillery and infantry, at Coldwater; that the Union troops retreated in great haste and confusion, General Chalmers pursuing energetically.

The same journal reviews the late attack on Charleston, and scoffs at the idea of its having been merely a reconnoissance. It regards it as the best attack the Union forces were able to make after two years’ preparation. It says:— “We whip them so easily that it is hard to distinguish between their battles and their reconnoissances, their fights and their feints. It was not to be supposed that little Beauregard would in two hours and thirty minutes by the watch have repulsed and defeated a grand assault that was two years preparing. But he did.” Read more

April 25, 1863, Standard (Clarksville, Texas)

Fort Arbuckle
Indian Territory
March 30^th 1863

Dear Standard:—

            On yesterday (Sunday) morning, the 29^th rode into Arbuckle, and took formal possession relieving Capt. Scanland and Squadron, who had held possession for the previous two months.

            There was a high wind blowing, and our battle flag floated out in its full dimensions, as we rode up the hill our trumpet sounding, the small garrison gathered around lazily to look at the newcomers.  Our column filed into the central square of the Post, was halted and dismounted and stood by their horses until arrangements for occupancy were perfected, by the examination and selection of quarters.  On the previous evening the Col. and Capt. Hooks of Red River had called upon Capt. Scarland, and the Col. issued the order relieving Capt. Scarland, who commenced preparations for his departure.—We came here with two companies, Co. D, Capt. Hooks, and Co. I, Capt. Elliott; having left Co. K Capt. Warren at Tishemingo, to scout for runaway negroes and other depredators.  A day or two previous to our arrival, Gov. Harris of the Chickisaws, with a small party, had come upon some runaway negroes, killed two, and captured three.  All trains from Washita to Arbuckle travel with scouts.  We found encamped in the vicinity, Co. B Capt. Wilson and Co. H Capt. Brown, who were sent down on the Red River line, this morning and will be replaced here by four other companies.  Capt. Warren will also come up in a few days, and four or five companies will be thrown forward to Elm Springs 30 miles above here, and scout across the country westward.  We shall investigate the statement about the big camp of Indians on the Canadian.  Our Colonel holds a conference day after to morrow, with Chiefs of the Seminoles, Osages, Comanches, Ionies, Anadachoes, Caddoes, and Tonkoways.  He will meet them at Cherokee-town about 15 miles north of this, and will be accompanied by an escort.  He has all necessary authority to make all desirable arrangements and alliances with them; and it is understood that they have long waited his coming, having been informed that he would bring a force sufficiently imposing for protection.  The Indians named are not numerous, but useful allies for frontier protection.—The Tonkaways were nearly exterminated by the Comanches last year.  The tongs have invariably been friends of the Texans.  One of them a very sensible looking old fellow, who calls himself “Jeff Davis” came with two squaws to our camp below Washita, and asked for the “big captain,” and after obtaining rations for himself and family; presented a hair rope of his own manufacture to the Col; his presentation address being “me—give you.”  Of course he knew, that to a cavalry Read more

April 25, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Despatches from Port Hudson on the 17th state that Farragut had gone up the river with the Hartford, Albatross and Switzerland. This move is no doubt in conjunction with that of Admiral Porter, above, in sending the eight gunboats down to Vicksburg on Thursday night. If the gunboats which passed Vicksburg succeed in joining Farragut’s forces, there will certainly be warm work at Grand Gulf. Our batteries there have been greatly strengthened since Farragut passed that point.

The concentration of thirty thousand troops at Corinth, and the sending of thirteen regiments designed to act as cavalry in Mississippi, denote that the Federals have adopted a new plan, or revived an old one, of flanking Vicksburg by way of Jackson. Let the enemy’s object be what it may, one fact is certain — there will be stirring times at an early day in Mississippi, involving events in which the fate of this struggle may be virtually decided.

The enemy has laid waste everything on the west side of Deer Creek for a distance of thirty miles. On the east side but little was done, Colonel Ferguson having destroyed all the bridges, thus preventing their advance. Every gin and all the fodder and corn from Smith & Hood’s to Dr. Thomas’, has been destroyed, and five or six hundred negros carried away, together with hundreds of horses and mules. Major Lee, father-in-law of Col. Ferguson, fared better than any planter on the route, losing but two or three negros. Some of the Yankee officers proposed marrying his house servants, if they would go off with them, but the negros preferred being the slaves of Major Lee to being the wives of Yankees. Numerous other acts of vandalism were perpetrated by them, which we have not space to enumerate.

The Vicksburg Whig of the 18th gives some additional particulars of the late passage of Federal gunboats by our batteries at that point. The fleet consisted of the gunboats Benton, General Price, Cincinnati and Tuscumbia; rams Aleck Scott and Lafayette, and transports Henry Clay, Forest Queen and Silver Wave — the latter a stern wheel steamer. The Henry Clay was among the first boats to come down, but ere she passed Hoadley’s guns it was discovered she was in a sinking Read more

April 25, 1863, (Marshall) Texas Republican

            Having made vigorous efforts to procure printing paper from beyond the Mississippi river, we shall make another as early as it can be got through.  The latest accounts are of a very discouraging character.  One of the largest paper mills in the Confederacy has been recently burned down, and others are about to close for the want of material to make paper.  The Montgomery Mail contains a very gloomy article on the subject of paper.  Many newspapers, it states, will have to suspend, and the most fortunate to diminish their size.  We have sufficient paper for our present dimensions to last until the first of August.

April 25, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

FROM RICHMOND.

RICHMOND., April 24. — The Baltimore Sun of the 21st says that Colonel Zarvona has been exchanged, and, with other prisoners, is now on his way South.

R.O. DICKSON, Clerk of the House of Representatives, was killed today by one of his assistants, R.E. FORD, of Kentucky. The shooting occurred at the corner of Bank and Tenth streets, and caused great excitement.

FROM MISSISSIPPI.

PANOLA, MISS., APRIL 23. — The enemy has been reinforced, and is advancing southward. CHALMERS advanced to Hernando, but fell back before the enemy. He is now here, having retreated without loss of any kind.

FROM TENNESSEE.

CHATTANOOGA, APRIL 23. — Further advices from the front confirm the news that the enemy is in position at McMinnville. He burned the cotton factories and a quantity of stores. It is reported that the enemy has withdrawn a column of 2000 men at Beach Grove, eight miles from Wartrace. Heavy skirmishing is going on; but no general engagement is anticipated.

April 25, 1863, The New York Herald

NEWBERN, N.C., April 21, 1863.

The rebels have abandoned their attack on Washington, N.C., giving it up as a hopeless task. The fortitude and plucky perseverance with which General Foster and his little band of twelve hundred men held out successfully and kept at bay for many days and nights seventeen thousand of the enemy constitute an achievement without a parallel in the history of the war, and one which has endeared this popular and victorious leader still more strongly to his command.

Gen. Heckman’s brigade, which arrived here from Port Royal, with the rest of Gen. Foster’s troops still at that place, are so anxious to return to this department that they offer to re-enlist for the war if they can be allowed to return to the Old North State and fight under their old commander.

An order was promulgated on the 18th inst. by Gen. Foster ordering all the rebel sympathizers and government paupers outside of our lines.

Gen. Naglee and staff arrived here from New York last Tuesday, and left the next day at the head of an expedition in pursuit of the enemy. The return of this gallant and distinguished hero was the occasion of a flattering ovation. After a successful operation against the rebels he returned this day to this place with the commander of the department.

Rebel deserters are coming in daily. They confirm the reports of disaffection and starvation in the rebel army.

← Previous Page — Next Page →

• 
  
  

• Spam Blocked

  381,891 spam comments

  blocked by
  Akismet

• Fort Sumter and Charleston Webcam

  

  Check out the Historic Charleston & Fort Sumter 360° Zoom, Pan & Tilt Webcam

•  

  April 2007

  S	M	T	W	T	F	S
  « Mar				May »
  1	2	3	4	5	6	7
  8	9	10	11	12	13	14
  15	16	17	18	19	20	21
  22	23	24	25	26	27	28
  29	30

• Archives

  Select Month January 2011  (1) September 2008  (32) August 2008  (31) July 2008  (31) June 2008  (50) May 2008  (52) April 2008  (58) March 2008  (63) February 2008  (53) January 2008  (51) December 2007  (53) November 2007  (59) October 2007  (54) September 2007  (48) August 2007  (54) July 2007  (121) June 2007  (366) May 2007  (347) April 2007  (328) March 2007  (211) June 1863  (1) May 1863  (4) March 1863  (13) February 1863  (193) January 1863  (82) December 1862  (31) November 1862  (50) October 1862  (439) September 1862  (557) August 1862  (233) July 1862  (327) June 1862  (294) May 1862  (316) April 1862  (45) March 1862  (63) February 1862  (46) January 1862  (64) December 1861  (64) November 1861  (61) October 1861  (33) September 1861  (31) August 1861  (33) July 1861  (34) June 1861  (33) May 1861  (38) April 1861  (213) March 1861  (194) February 1861  (186) January 1861  (196) 0  (2)

• Feeds and Admin

  • Login
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org

• Categories

  • A Soldier’s Story of the Siege of Vicksburg (63)
  • Administrivia (7)
  • Blogroll (1)
  • Civil War (5924)
  • Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office (368)
  • Diary of the Union Secretary of the Navy (333)
  • Rebel War Clerk's Diary (1225)
  • War Diary of a Union Woman in the South (83)

• Administrivia

  • Privacy Policy

• Interesting History Related Blogs

  • American Heroes’ Memorial
  • Civil War Bookshelf
  • The Blog of Henry David Thoreau
  • Mason-Dixon Wild West

• Sites I check

  • CW Interative’s - This Week in the Blogs