Saturday, July 4, 2026

Horatio Nelson Taft

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THURSDAY 4 The weather has been delightful and very favorable to the great Military Review. Twenty three Regiments, or over twenty thousand men, marched past the Prests House on the Ave. It was a great display for NY, for it was a Review of only the NY Regts by Maj Genl Sanford. Genl Scott, the [...]

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

Mary Chesnut’s Diary; Her husband writes: ““We are very strongly posted, entrenched, and have now at our command about 15,000 of the best troops in the world….”

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July 4th.–Russell abuses us in his letters. People here care a great deal for what Russell says, because he represents the London Times, and the Times reflects the sentiment of the English people. How we do cling to the idea of an alliance with England or France! Without France even Washington could not have done [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

Our Paper

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Arkansas True Democrat [Little Rock], July 4, 1861 Newspapers, as well as other institutions, North and South, are constantly succumbing to the storm, but the True Democrat still weathers it bravely and securely. No matter at what sacrifice to ourselves pecuniarily, we intend the True Democrat shall live and issue regularly during the war; but [...]

Miscellaneous document sources, News of the Day

The Ladies of Little Rock

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Arkansas True Democrat [Little Rock], July 4, 1861 When the tocsin of war was sounded throughout the land none were more prompt to respond to their country’s call than Arkansians, and none in the State more prompt than the citizens of Little Rock and Pulaski county. Pulaski county has furnished and sent to the seat [...]

Miscellaneous document sources, News of the Day

More office politics in the rebel war office.

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JULY 4th.—These simple things provoked some remarks from the young gentlemen in the department, and gave rise to predictions that he would soon supplant us all in the affections of the Secretary. And he is nimble of foot too, and enters the Secretary’s room twice to Col. B.’s or Major T.’s once. I go not [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

William Howard Russell’s Diary: “Independence” day.—Meeting of Congress.—General state of affairs.—Interview with Mr. Seward.—My passport.—Mr. Seward’s views as to the war.—Illumination at Washington.—My “servant” absents himself.

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July 4th.–”Independence Day.” Fortunate to escape this great national festival in the large cities of the Union where it is celebrated with many days before and after of surplus rejoicing, by fireworks and an incessant fusillade in the streets, I was, nevertheless, subjected to the small ebullition of the Washington juveniles, to bell-ringing and discharges [...]

My Diary North and South – William Howard Russell

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Thursday, July 4.—Weather cloudy, with a few rain squalls during the morning. At daylight descried two sail ahead. Gave chase and came up with, first the U. S. brigantine Cuba, and secondly with the U.S. brigantine Machias, of the everlasting State of Maine. Captured them both and took them in tow for Cienfuegos; speed, 5 [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“Our prospect of getting home becomes more and more dim; my heart sinks within me, and hope is almost gone.”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

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July 4.—This day General Scott promised himself and his Northern friends to dine in Richmond. Poor old renegade, I trust he has eaten his last dinner in Richmond, the place of his marriage, the birthplace of his children, the home of his early friendships, and so near the place of his nativity and early years. [...]

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

Civil War Day-By-Day

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July 4, 1861 The Kansas Flag is introduced Leonidas Polk is put in charge of the Confederate Department Number 2. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 The anniversary of the Independence of the United States celebrated with greater feelings of patriotism than ever before throughout the Northern States. The XXXVIIth Congress assembled [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day