JULY 2d.—There has been some brilliant fighting by several brothers named Ashby, who led a mounted company near Romney. One of the brothers, Richard, was slain. Turner Ashby put half a dozen Yankees hors du combat with his own arm. He will make a name. We have accounts of an extraordinary exploit of Col. Thomas, [...]

Henry Adams to his brother, Charles Francis Adams, Jr. London, Tuesday, July 2,1861 My letters in the [New York] Times will give you pretty much all I have to say about politics. They are very correctly printed; at least the three first which are all that have reached me. There is no doubt in my [...]

Boston, July 2, 1861 There is little news politically, for I am no longer in the way of getting it. There is a marked improvement in the general feeling and in the tone of the press towards England and my apprehensions of trouble would have entirely subsided but that I cannot but fear future trouble [...]

July 2, 1861 General Robert Patterson crosses the Potomac at Williamsport, Maryland and moves towards Harpers Ferry. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Engagement near Martinsburg between Patterson’s (U.) and Jackson’s (R.) forces: rebels defeated. New Legislature of Virginia met and organized at Wheeling. The new government had already been recognized by [...]

A beehive is seen at top center on this note printed on blue paper. The company was headquartered in Alexandria and was incorporated on March 9, 1850. It is an elusive issuer in any grade. ___________ Mike’s notes: Note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following: – fade [...]

JULY 1st.—My family are gone. We have moved the department to Mechanics’ Hall, which will be known hereafter as the War Department. In an evil hour, I selected a room to write my letters in, quite remote from the Secretary’s office. I thought Mr. Walker resented this. He had likewise been piqued at the effect [...]

Cairo, July 1, 1861. Writing letters is getting to be harder work than drilling, and is more dreaded by the boys. Lots of people are visiting the camp now, many of them ladies, but I tell you that they use their fans more than their spy-glasses after a very few looks. I was up to [...]

The railroad, which ultimately ran 87 miles from Mount Jackson to Manassas, VA was begun in 1851 and essentially completed in 1859. It played a role in the audacious Great Train Raid pulled off by Stonewall Jackson in May 1861 which netted 67 locomotives and 386 cars which were removed, captured, or burned at the [...]

July 1, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 C. S. privateer “Sumter” escaped from the “Mississippi.” C. S. privateer “Petrel” escaped from Charleston. Late members of the Baltimore Board of Police arrested and sent to Fort McHenry. Fight at Buckhannon, Va. Skirmish at Falling Waters, Va. Engagement at Haynesville, Va. Skirmish [...]

August 2d.—Dr. Boykin and John Witherspoon were talking of a nation in mourning, of blood poured out like rain on the battle-fields—for what? “Never let me hear that the blood of the brave has been shed in vain! No; it sends a cry down through all time.” E N D

July 26th.—I do not write often now, not for want of something to say, but from a loathing of all I see and hear, and why dwell upon those things? Colonel Chesnut, poor old man, is worse—grows more restless. He seems to be wild with “homesickness.” He wants to be at Mulberry. When there he [...]

July 7th. Up early this morning. Waiting for our turn to come for our pay and discharge. July 7th, 1805. The Eighteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, disbanded. Its members free citizens again. The separation was somewhat sad. We were happy that the end had come. Now came the last good-bye, as we grasped each other by [...]

July 6th. Returned to Hartford to receive our ?nal discharge. Waiting. Reported we must pass one more night in camp. We won’t mind a little thing like that. Tomorrow we will go free.

July 4th. A great parade and reception to our regiment. The welcome home was a grand time. During the march, on the parade, many people were in tears, and we knew the reason why. Their husbands and boys did not come home. While we were happy we did not forget the good fellows and the [...]

July 4th.—Saturday I was in bed with one of my worst headaches. Occasionally there would come a sob and I thought of my sister insulted and my little sweet Williams. Another of my beautiful Columbia quartette had rough experiences. A raider asked the plucky little girl, Lizzie Hamilton, for a ring which she wore. “You [...]

July 1st. Arrived home last night at 9 o’clock. Great was the welcome home. Crowds were in waiting to receive us. Hearts full of thanksgiving that we were permitted to return to good old Connecticut. Soon made our way to our various homes.

June 30th. Very early this ?ne June morning our ?fe and drum corps went to the uppermost deck and beat the reveille, and played at all the river landings as the boat proceeded on up the river. It made good time, landing at Hartford about 7 o’clock, after a very pleasant journey from Martinsburg, West [...]

June 29th. After an all-night’s ride we arrived in Philadelphia early this morning. Left the cars, taking up the line of march, on through the city. Stopped at the refreshment rooms of the Cooper Shop, when a good breakfast was served by the good people of the city. Many soldiers will remember the Cooper Shop [...]

June 28th. Harper’s Ferry. A ?ne morning. Early on board train, waiting for it to move. At 8 A. M. the train began to move slowly along the banks of the Shenandoah River, on over the iron bridge across the Potomac River, into Maryland. The cheering was loud, with shouts of “ Good-bye old Virginia.” [...]

June 27th. Taps sounded later than usual last night. When the lights were put out we could not sleep for joy, as we were all so happy over the prospect of going home. I cannot write and do justice to those happy hours. Will remain with me as long as memory lasts. The hymns heard [...]

June 27th.—An awful story from Sumter. An old gentleman, who thought his son dead or in a Yankee prison, heard some one try the front door. It was about midnight, and these are squally times. He called out, “What is that?” There came no answer. After a while he heard some one trying to open [...]

June 26th. A bright Sunday morning. Everybody happy. Our last day in camp at Martinsburg, the Shenandoah Valley, where we have seen and passed through hard service during the past three years. As the time draws near we are anxious to go home, but there is somewhat of a feeling of sadness on leaving old [...]

June 25th. Orders received to prepare for muster-out. Details have been made from each company to help make out the muster-out papers. The .companies that were out of town on duty, ordered to report at regimental quarters. All duties given up. Peace and quiet reigns in town and through the country.

June 24th. Yesterday afternoon our regiment formed at camp, marched into town. Line was formed fronting headquarters, for dress parade and review by our Colonel. To our great surprise, sitting on the veranda at the house used for headquarters, with Colonel Peale, was the arch-traitor, Charles J. Faulkner, hated by the Union people and despised [...]