August 2026

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

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

Tuesday, August 20.—Weather clear and temperature, out of the sun, quite cool and pleasant. Called on the governor and had an agreeable interview with him. Returned the calls also of the Dutch and French commanders. Received the visits of two Dutch commanders and several citizens. Made arrangements for receiving a supply of coal. The French [...]

“It was our first meal in the army and consisted of boiled potatoes, fried bacon and baked beans.”–Alexander G. Downing.

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Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Tuesday, 20th–I went early this morning to Inland, where all who enlisted were to meet and go to Davenport.[i] Several of the friends came in to see us off. There were forty-five of us and at 9 o’clock we left in wagons for Davenport. After a hot, dusty ride we arrived at Davenport at 4 [...]

“General Lyon killed and his troops routed.”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

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

August 20.—We are rejoicing over a victory at Springfield, Missouri—General Lyon killed and his troops routed. Our loss represented large. I have only seen the Northern account. No news from home, and nothing good from that quarter anticipated. We are among dear, kind friends, and have the home feeling which only such genuine and generous [...]

“I was at home most of the day contriving what course to pursue for the time being.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

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Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1861. Many people in the City were much alarmed last night at a report that “the rebels had crossed the River below and were marching on Washington.” Similar rumors are constantly afloat. Went to the Express Office and sent off (as requested) Lieut Martins trunk which was left with me. Called at [...]

5th Excellsiors

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Library of Congress

74th Infantry Regiment . Civil War . Fifth Excelsior Regiment; Fifth Regiment, Sickles’ Brigade. This regiment was recruited under the special authority of the War Department, issued to Gen. D. E. Sickles; organized under Col. Charles K. Graham at Camp Scott, L. I., and mustered in the service of the United States for three years [...]

A Diary of American Events.–August 20, 1861

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The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

August 20.–General Rosecrans issued the following card to the press, dated Clarksburg, Va.:–The General Commanding the Army of occupation in Western Virginia, and the Department of the Ohio, invites the aid of the press to prevent the enemy from learning, through it, the position, strength, and movements of the troops under his command. Such information [...]

Civil War Day-By-Day

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Civil War Day-by-Day

August 20, 1861 The pro-Union Second Wheeling Convention calls for the creation of the state of Kanawha A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Skirmish at Hawk’s Nest, in the Kanawha Valley, Va.: 4,000 rebels attacked the barricades of the 11th Ohio Regiment, and were driven back with the loss of 50 killed. [...]

Sharpes Rifles and More for Kansas

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Miscellaneous document sources

1856 Tuesday New York 19 Aug W F M Arny Dear Sir, I succeeded yesterday in getting our Tabernacle Committee to pass Resolution paying over the Funds to the Chicago Com. I have sent Winchell to Hartford for 50 Sharpe’s Rifles & are negotiating here for 2 or $3,000 worth of side arms. Col Topliff [...]

“Rumors of the “rebels” crossing the River into Maryland. Hard fighting expected soon near the City.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

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Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

MONDAY 19 This will pass for a rainy day and a disagreable one. I was at Genl Porters office (Provost Marshall), a great crowd there after “passes” to Virginia. The Court Marshall was sitting in the same building. I saw four of the mutineers of the NY 79th who were awaiting their trial. They were [...]

“After a world of confusion…, we got off at daylight.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

August 19. Monday.–No more rumors. A tolerably pretty day. At 12 M. [midnight] got orders to quietly strike tents and with three days’ rations and the minimum amount of baggage move to Buckhannon. Two companies, Captain Drake’s and Captain Zimmerman’s, had just returned from a scouting expedition to Walkersville, etc. No rest yet. After a [...]

General Scott issues a comprehensive pass to Eliza and Georgy to give them access to outlying camps and hospitals.—Woolsey family letters.

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Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Government hospitals were multiplying in Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria. As regiments were ordered forward extemporized camp hospitals were broken up, and patients were sent back to these large general ones in the rear. By this time J. H. had ordered his horses and carriage sent on from Fishkill for our use and we were constantly driving [...]

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

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

Monday, August 19.—Day broke clear, had all hands at quarters at 5:30 a.m., daylight. The strange steamer got up steam and ran toward us. Got our anchor and stood down for her. Hoisted the French colors. Soon afterwards the stranger hoisted French colors also. Hauled down the French colors and hoisted our own, and continued [...]

John B. Jones goes to the presidential mansion and requests to see Jefferson Davis.—A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital.

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Civil War Day-by-Day

AUGUST 19th.—The Secretary has gone to Orange C. H., to see Col. Jones, of the 4th Alabama, wounded at Manassas, and now in a dying condition. Meeting with Mr. Benjamin this morning, near the Secretary’s door, I asked him if he did not think some one should act as Secretary during Mr. Walker’s absence. He [...]

William Howard Russell’s Diary: “‘Battle expected to-morrow’ has been a heading in the papers for the last fortnight.”

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My Diary North and South – William Howard Russell

Next day (19th) the rain fell incessantly. The mail was brought in by a little negro boy on horseback, and I was warned by my letters that an immediate advance of McClellan’s troops was probable. This is an old story. “Battle expected to-morrow” has been a heading in the papers for the last fortnight. In [...]

A Diary of American Events.–August 19, 1861

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The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

August 19.–The bill admitting Missouri into the Southern Confederacy, on certain conditions, was passed by the “Confederate” Congress. The conditions are, that Missouri shall duly ratify the Constitution of the Southern Confederacy, through her legally constituted authority, which authority is declared to be the government of Gov. Jackson, who was lately deposed. President Davis is [...]

Civil War Day-By-Day

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Civil War Day-by-Day

August 19, 1861 Henry Halleck promoted to Major General. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 U. S. Sec. of War issued an order calling upon governors of States to send immediately to Washington all regiments and parts of regiments within their respective jurisdictions. U. S. Sec. of State ordered that all persons [...]

“There is a general rising among the Rebels. They rob and murder the Union men, and the latter come to us for help.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

August 18. Sunday.–Last night, about ten or eleven, five companies of Colonel Moor’s (Second German Regiment) Twenty-eighth Regiment arrived from Clarksburg under Lieutenant-Colonel Becker. My partner, L. Markbreit, is sergeant-major. This morning, raining hard. Exciting rumors and news. A Tennessee regiment and force coming through the mountains east of Sutton–a battery of four guns, one [...]