MAY 24th Sunday.—We have had a fortnight of calm, dry, and warm weather. There is a hazy atmosphere, and the sun rises and sets wearing a blood-red aspect. At night the moon, dimly and indistinctly seen (now a crescent), has a somber and baleful appearance. This is strange at this season of the year; it [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 24TH.–Sunday; and how little like the Sabbath day it seems. Cannon are still sending their messengers of death into the enemy’s lines, as on week days, and the minnie balls sing the same song, while the shovel throws up as much dirt as on any other day. [...]
May 23d. After an uneventful ride we arrived at Sandy Hook at four o’clock this morning, getting our first view of the Potomac River. Orders received to turn out and form in line for a march. The road was along the side of the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal, under the Maryland Heights. The march continued [...]
MAY 23d.—The reports from Mississippi have not been confirmed by official dispatches, and it is understood that the President remarked yesterday, at dinner, that he was satisfied with the condition of affairs in that State. If this be so, Vicksburg must not only be still in our possession, but likely to be held by us [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 23D.–Our regiment lay in the rifle pits to-day, watching the enemy. For hours we were unable to see the motion of a man or beast on their side, all was so exceedingly quiet throughout the day. After dark we were relieved, and as we returned to the [...]
May 22d. We bid farewell to Fort Marshall and Baltimore. Marched across the city to the Camden Street railway station, Baltimore and Ohio R. R. After a long wait a train of box cars ready to receive us, into which we were packed and started on our journey. A slow tiresome ride in the old [...]
MAY 22d.—A letter from Gen. Howell Cobb, declining the offer of the Secretary of War, of the position of Quartermaster-General, was received to-day. His wife is ill, and he prefers to remain with her; besides, he doubts his qualifications—he, who was Secretary of the Treasury of the United States! He says, moreover, referring to the [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 22ND. –Last night mortar-shells, fired from the boats on the river in front of the city across Point Louisiana, fell thick over all parts of Vicksburg, and at three o’clock this morning every cannon along our line belched its shot at the enemy. Nothing could be heard [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., May 21, 1863. I am still sitting on this Court Martial. We may finish up this week. Everything is quiet here. To-day three or four regiments have gone out with seven days’ rations. All mounted. Rumors reach us daily that Grant is in a critical situation; but I can’t [...]
MAY 21st.—There was a rumor on the street last night that Gen. Johnston had telegraphed the President that it would be necessary to evacuate Vicksburg. This has not been confirmed to-day, and I do not believe it. It would be irremediably disastrous. Mr. N. S. Walker writes from Bermuda, May 11th, 1863, that seventeen additional [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 21ST.–We were relieved this morning before daylight, and slipped back to our camp as quietly as we could. The rifle pits where we watched were pretty close to the enemy, and we had to note every movement made by them. If they put their heads above their [...]
May 20th. We remained here until this date having the finest of times, when orders were received to pack up and report to the regiment at Fort Marshall. Orders having been received for the regiment to report to General Robert H. Milroy at Winchester, Virginia.
MAY 20th.—Reports from the West say we lost 3000 and the enemy 6000 men in the battle of the 15th inst., when Pemberton fell back over the Black River. Our forces numbered only 12,000, Grant’s three times that number. Something decisive must occur before Vicksburg in a few days. Mr. J. W. Henry writes from [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 20TH.–When I awoke this morning I offered thanks to God that my life had been spared thus far. We slept on our arms–something unusual. This day has been busily spent in making cautious advances toward the works of the enemy, and, although our progress seems to have [...]
May 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury (CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.) RICHMOND, Saturday, May 16. So far as I can learn, the fall of Jackson is based on a private telegram received yesterday from Mobile. The wires to that point have been cut, and the War Department professes ignorance. The greatest apprehensions are caused by the [...]
MAY 19th.—A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says a battle has been fought between Pemberton and Grant, between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, which lasted nine hours. Pemberton was forced back. This is all we know yet. Another letter, from Hon. W. Porcher Miles, remonstrating against the withdrawal of Beauregard’s troops, was received to-day. He apprehends the [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 18TH.–The army last night made pontoons, on which this morning the Black River has been crossed. McClernand is on the left, McPherson in the center, and Sherman on the right. In this position the three great corps will move to Vicksburg by different roads. We are nearing [...]
MAY 17th.—The last few days have been cool and dry; fine weather for campaigning. And yet we hear of no demonstrations apparently, though I believe Lee’s army is moving. Mr. Lamar, of Savannah (formerly president of the Bank of the Republic, New York), writes that he and others are organizing an Exporting and Importing Company, [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 17TH.–On the road to Vicksburg, resolved to capture the city or get badly whipped. We have not known defeat since we left Fort Donelson, and we propose to keep our good record up. We have seen hard times on some hotly contested fields, but mean to have [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 16TH.–We rolled out of bed this morning early, and had our breakfast of slapjacks made of flour, salt and water, which lie on a man’s stomach like cakes of lead–for we are out of all rations but flour and salt, though we hope soon for some variety. [...]
MAY 16th.—It appears, after the consultation of the generals and the President yesterday, it was resolved not to send Pickett’s division to Mississippi, and this morning early the long column march through the city northward. Gen. Lee is now stronger than he was before the battle. Gen. Pickett himself, with his long, black ringlets, accompanied [...]
May 16, 1863, The Charleston Mercury IMPORTANT FROM MISSISSIPPI. Rumors were rife in the city last night that the expected advance of GRANT’S forces into Mississippi had taken place, and that the city of Jackson had been occupied by the enemy. From what we can learn, we fear that this report is correct; although we [...]
MAY 15th.—The Tredegar Iron Works and Crenshou’s woolen factory were mostly destroyed by fire last night! This is a calamity. We have also intelligence of the occupation of Jackson, Miss., by the enemy. Thus they cut off communication with Vicksburg, and that city may be doomed to fall at last. The President is at work [...]
From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 15TH.–The familiar “Attention, battalion!” was heard from our Colonel, when we marched back upon the same road that had led us to Jackson, camping as usual at dark. We passed through Clinton, and the inhabitants were surprised to see us returning so soon, for they fully expected [...]
DESTRUCTION OF A WATER BATTERY AT WARRENTON BY THE MOUND CITY, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER BYRON WILSON. United States Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk, Yazoo River, May 15, 1863. Sir: I have the honor to report my return to this place, for a few days, to look after provisions, and make some arrangements with regard to the [...]