SEPTEMBER 3d.—My article on the defenses of North Carolina seems to have silenced the censures of the cavilers.

Boston, September 3, 1861 I Persuaded Hale to insert a leading article about Russell in the Advertiser, which I send to Henry. The folly of our press in assaulting so savagely an agency so formidable as Russell has troubled me, and I’m glad to see that McClellan is wiser and spares a few civil words [...]

September 3, 1861 In response to a federal build-up in the West, Leonidas Polk orders Gideon Pillow to lead a force into Kentucky to take Columbus, Kentucky, on September 3, 1861, violating Kentucky’s declared “neutrality” and provoking the State and the majority of its citizens to adhere to the Union. Bushwhackers from northwestern Missouri undermine [...]

September 2d.–Mr. Miles says he is not going anywhere at all, not even home. He is to sit here permanently–chairman of a committee to overhaul camps, commissariats, etc., etc. We exchanged our ideas of Mr. Mason, in which we agreed perfectly. In the first place, he has a noble presence–really a handsome man; is a [...]

SEPTEMBER 2d.—I voluntarily hunted up Capt. Lee’s report, and prepared an article for the press based on its statements.

September 2, 1861 Vernon County, Missouri—Battle of the Mules [Confederate], Battle of Dry Wood Creek [Union] On September 2nd, Grant’s Federals occupied Belmont, preparatory to seizing Columbus, across the Mississippi river. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Sec. of the Treasury issued an appeal to the people for a national loan. Legislature [...]

Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston) September 1, 1862, There are in this State about two thousand wheat growers. The crop this season is a plentiful one, and yet flour is worth $30 per barrel. Now, with all due respect–which simply means our own interests considered–we propose to drop wheat-raisers, wheat-grinders, and wheat-ground sellers, for the present altogether. [...]

SEPTEMBER 1st.—The press and congressional critics are opening their batteries on the Secretary of War, for incompetency. He is not to blame. A month ago, Capt. Lee, son of the general, and a good engineer, was sent to the coast of North Carolina to inspect the defenses. His report was well executed; and the recommendations [...]

September 1st.–North Carolina writes for arms for her soldiers. Have we any to send? No. Brewster, the plainspoken, says, “The President is ill, and our affairs are in the hands of noodles. All the generals away with the army; nobody here; General Lee in Western Virginia. Reading the third Psalm. The devil is sick, the [...]

The first armed clashes of the war, the fall of Fort Sumpter (sic), the subsequent route of inexperienced men and officers at Bull Run, built up the confidence of the Southern armies. One effect of such reverses was to create suspicions in the minds of many men genuinely loyal to the Union. After the equally [...]

Cairo, September 1, 1861. We had blankets given us this last week and new accoutrements throughout. If they would only change our guns now we would have nothing but a move to ask for. A uniform was also furnished us last week. It is of excellent all-wool goods, and not so heavy as to be [...]

September 1, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Fight at Boone Court House, Va.; rebels routed and village burned. Fight at Bennett’s Mills, Mo. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

JUNE 30th.—My family engaged packing trunks. They leave immediately.

Camp Wright, Hulton, Penn., Sunday, June 30, 1861. Dear Sister L.:– Major General McCall was here on Friday and organized two new regiments for the war. There are now in this camp and Camp Wilkins about five thousand men. We had a review of all the troops in this camp Friday afternoon. The General expressed [...]

June 29th.–Mrs. Preston, Mrs. Wigfall, Mary Hammy and I drove in a fine open carriage to see the Champ de Mars. It was a grand tableau out there. Mr. Davis rode a beautiful gray horse, the Arab Edwin de Leon brought him from Egypt. His worst enemy will allow that he is a consummate rider, [...]

JUNE 29th.—I cannot support my family here, on the salary I receive from the government; and so they leave me in a few days to accept the tendered hospitality of Dr. Custis, of Newbern, N. C., my wife’s cousin.

JUNE 28th.—We have a flaming comet in the sky. It comes unannounced, and takes a northwestern course. I dreamed last night that I saw a great black ball moving in the heavens, and it obscured the moon. The stars were in motion, visibly, and for a time afforded the only light. Then a brilliant halo [...]

RICHMOND, Va., June 27, 1861.–-Mr. Meynardie was perfect in the part of traveling companion. He had his pleasures, too. The most pious and eloquent of parsons is human, and he enjoyed the converse of the “eminent persons” who turned up on every hand and gave their views freely on all matters of state. Mr. Lawrence [...]

JUNE 27th.—We have, I think, some 40,000 pretty well armed men in Virginia, sent hither from other States. Virginia has—I know not how many; but she should have at least 40,000 in the field. This will enable us to cope with the Federal army of 70,000 volunteers, and the regular forces they may hurl against [...]

Camp Wright, Hulton, Penn., Thursday, June 27, 1861. Dear Father:– One of the items of interest in the editor’s visit to Colonel McLane yesterday, is found in the Gazette of this morning, viz.: that throughout the whole day (yesterday) no marching orders or countermands were received. For a week or ten days the camp has [...]

Camp Wright, Hulton, Penn., Thursday, June 27, 1861. Dear Brother E.:– We’ve had pretty spicy times in camp for a week or ten days. Marching orders are given and immediately countermanded. It’s pack up, then unpack and make fun of it. One of the boys stuck up a picture–a courier driving at the top of [...]

June 27, 1861 Baltimore Marshal of Police George Proctor Kane arrested in Baltimore on the charge of treason, and sent to Fort McHenry. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Engagement between U. S. gun-boats Freeborn and Pawnee and the rebel batteries at Matthias Point, Va. : Capt. Ward, commander of the Potomac [...]

JUNE 26th.—The President revised one of my articles for the press to-day, suggesting some slight modifications, which, perhaps, improved it. It was not a political article; but designed exclusively to advance the cause by inciting the people of Virginia and elsewhere to volunteer for the war. Such volunteers are accepted, and ordered into active service [...]

JUNE 25th.—More accounts of battles and massacres in Missouri and Kansas. I never thought the Yankees would be permitted to ascend the Missouri River. What has become of the marksmen and deer hunters of Missouri? There has been also a fight at Leesburg, and one near Romney, Va. Blood has been shed in all of [...]