June 13, 1863, The Charleston Mercury (CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY. RICHMOND, Tuesday, June 9. Perhaps it is all the better for the public sanity that no more telegrams come from Jackson. We are in the dark, too, in regard to LEE’S army. It is thought that EWELL, LONGSTREET and STUART have crossed the Rappahannock, probably [...]
June 12th. All is ready for our scouting trip, rations, with a good supply of ammunition, and equipment all in good condition. Tonight finds us still in camp, ready to start.
JUNE 12th.—A beautiful, bright warm summer day—and yet a little somber. The surprise of Stuart, on the Rappahannock, has chilled every heart, notwithstanding it does not appear that we lost more than the enemy in the encounter. The question is on every tongue—have our generals relaxed in vigilance? If so, sad is the prospect! But [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 12TH.–We expect to be paid off soon, as the pay-rolls are now being made out. Money cannot do us much good here among the hills, but we can send it home. Many a family is dependent [...]
June 11th. Orders received to prepare for three days’ scouting up the valley. A sharp lookout must be kept for the enemy through the valley and the mountain passes. Tonight we have three days’ rations all prepared for an early start on the morrow.
JUNE 11th.—It appears that the enemy design to attack us. The following is Lee’s dispatch: “CULPEPPER, June 9th, 1863. “To GENERAL S. COOPER. “The enemy crossed the Rappahannock this morning at five o’clock A.M., at the various fords from Beverly to Kelly’s, with a large force of cavalry, accompanied by infantry and artillery. After a [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 11TH.–Stayed in camp to-day with the exception of about an hour. The rebs have succeeded in planting a mortar, which has sent a few big shells into our quarters. This sort of practice did not last [...]
JUNE 10th.—We have news of a fight on the Rappahannock yesterday, above Fredericksburg, the enemy having crossed again. They were driven back. There are also reports from Vicksburg, which still holds out. Accounts say that Grant has lost 40,000 men so far. Where Johnston is, we have no knowledge; but in one of his recent [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 10TH.–The heat of the sun increases, and we must improve our quarters. Accordingly a part of the day has been spent in cutting cane and building bunks with it on the side of the hill. Such improvements protect us better from the sun. Last night I sat [...]
June 9th, Tuesday. My dear Brother, who is always seeking to make somebody happy, arranged a dinner-party at the lake for us Saturday. There was quite a number of us, as, besides ourselves and the five children, we had Mrs. Price and her children, Mrs. Bull, and three nurses. . . . There are no [...]
JUNE 9th.—There is rumor that the President has received bad news from the West. This may be without foundation; but it is a little strange that we are not in receipt of authentic accounts of transactions there. Time, however, will reveal all things. Lee is “marching on,” Northward, utterly regardless of the demonstrations of Hooker [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 9TH.–To-day our regiment was at the front. The rebels kept pretty quiet; they are learning to behave very well. In fact they might as well lie low and save their powder. Our men have been employed digging a ditch leading up to Fort Hill, when they intend [...]
JUNE 8th.—Well, the enemy have thrown another column over the Rappahannock, below Fredericksburg. This is probably a manœuvre to arrest Lee’s advance in Culpepper County. But it won’t do–Lee’s plans cannot be changed—and this demonstration was in his calculations. If they think Richmond can be taken now, without Lee’s army to defend it, they may [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 8TH.–Another day born in the midst of the rattle of shot and shell. Each day finds us more firmly entrenched amid these hills, until we begin to feel ourselves impregnable. [...]
Headquarters, Left Wing 16th Army Corps, Lagrange, Tenn., June 7, 1863. We had occupied our very pleasant quarters but two days when an order came for us to pack up for Vicksburg. Received the order at dark and by daylight the next morning we were in Lagrange. General Oglesby had moved his headquarters here and [...]
JUNE 7th.—I saw yesterday a specimen of the President’s elaborate attention to the matter of appointments. Lient.-Gen. A. P. Hill having asked for a military court to his corps, and having recommended the officers, the President, with his own hand, laid down the rule of selection for the guidance of the Secretary, viz.: the State [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 7TH.–The 20th was at the front all day, sharp shooting. There is a good deal of danger in this kind of business, but we have our fun at it notwithstanding. Another effigy hoisted a little above [...]
JUNE 6th.—We have not even a rumor to-day from Mississippi. The Examiner has made a pretty severe attack on Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, for the great number of persons he has “allowed” to pass into the enemy’s country. It does not attribute the best motives to the Judge, who was late coming over [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 6TH.–Still banging away. I took a horseback ride around the line to the left in the rear of McClernand’s corps. Everywhere I went I was met with the familiar zip, zip, of rebel bullets flying promiscuously [...]
JUNE 5th.—More unofficial dispatches from the Mississippi. It is said Kirby Smith has defeated the enemy at Port Hudson; but how could his army get over the river? It is also stated that Grant’s losses have been 40,000, and ours 5,000. Who could have computed them? But they go on to say nothing has .been [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 5TH.–The siege is still progressing favorably. There is joy in our camp, for Uncle Sam has again opened a clothing store, which we shall patronize, asking nothing about price or quality. The boys cheered lustily when they saw the teams drive in, and heard what they were [...]
Middleton, Tenn., June 4, 1863. We made another little change yesterday. The regiment is now guarding the M. C. & R. R. from Grand Junction to Pocahontas. We are in detachments of two companies each. H Company is with mine. We marched 23 miles to make this point yesterday, and arrived at 10 o’clock p.m. [...]
JUNE 4th.—To-day we have characteristic unintelligible dispatches from Mississippi. They say, up to third instant, yesterday, everything is encouraging; but the Memphis papers say Grant’s losses have not been so large as was supposed. Then it is reported that Grant has retired to Grand Gulf. Yet it is expected the town will be stormed in [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd JUNE 4TH.–We move at last. We left camp as the sun rose, reaching our old quarters in front of the rebel Fort Hill in the afternoon. Glad we are to get here. A great change has taken place during our ten days’ absence. More rifle-pits have been made [...]
JUNE 3d.—Gen. Lee communicates to the department to-day his views of the Montgomery letter to Gen. Forrest, a copy of which was sent him by Governor Vance. He terms it “diabolical.” It seems to have been an official letter, superscribed by “C. Marshall, Major and A. A. G.” Gen. Lee suggests that it be not [...]