MARCH 4th.—The enemy bombarded Fort McAlister again yesterday, several gun-boats opening fire on it. It lasted all day; during which one of the iron-clads retired, perhaps injured. We had only two men wounded and one gun (8 in. columbiad) dismounted. The fort was but little injured. Recent Northern papers assert that their gun-boats have all [...]
MARCH 3d.—We like our new quarters—and the three Samaritan widows, without children. They lend us many articles indispensable for our comfort. It is probable they will leave us soon in the sole occupancy of the house. There is ground enough for a good many vegetables—and meat is likely to be scarce enough. Bacon is now [...]
MARCH 2d.—The enemy burnt the steamship Nashville on Saturday near Savannah. She was employed taking provisions to Fort McAlister. I think it was destroyed by an incendiary shell. There is a rumor to-day of the burning of railroad bridges between this and Fredericksburg. I signed an agreement to-day with Mr. Malsby to publish my new [...]
MARCH 1st.—To-morrow we remove to new quarters. The lady’s husband, owning cottage, and who was confined for seven months among lunatics, has returned, and there is not room for two families. Besides, Mrs. G. thinks she can do better taking boarders, than by letting the house. What a mistake! Beef sold yesterday for $1.25 per [...]
FEBRUARY 27th.—No news from any quarter to-day. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is discontented with his command in the West. The armies are too far asunder for co-operative action; and, when separated, too weak for decisive operations. There is no field there for him, and he desires to be relieved, and assigned to some other command. [...]
FEBRUARY 26th.—We have good news from Vicksburg to-day. The Queen of the West, lately captured by us, and another gun-boat, attacked the Indianola, the iron-clad Federal gun-boat which got past our batteries the other day, and, after an engagement, sunk her. We captured all the officers and men.
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Jackson, Tenn., February 25, 1863. I guess it’s full two weeks since I wrote you last, excepting a half sheet a few days ago. My reason is that it has been raining ever since, and my tent leaks so that (that’s rather a larger story than I think you’ll swallow, so [...]
Wednesday, February 25th. Here we are still, in spite of our expectations. Difficulty on difficulty arose, and an hour before the cars came, it was settled that mother should go to Clinton and make the necessary arrangements, and leave us to follow in a day or two. Two days more! Miriam no more objected than [...]
FEBRUARY 25th.—On the 18th inst. the enemy’s battery on the opposite side of the Mississippi River opened on Vicksburg. The damage was not great; but the front of the town is considered untenable. The Conscription bill has passed the United States Senate, which will empower the President to call for 3,000,000 men. “Will they come, [...]
Tuesday [February] 24th. Meeting Miriam by mere accident on the road last evening and hearing of our surprising journey to Georgia, Mr. Halsey came to spend a last evening with us, and say good-bye. What a deluge of regrets, hopes, fears, etc. Perfectly overwhelming. Why had I not told him of it the night before? [...]
FEBRUARY 24th.—Gen. Longstreet is now in command of Gen. Smith’s late department, besides his own corps. Richmond is safe. Our papers contain a most astonishing speech purporting to have been delivered by Mr. Conway, in the United States Congress. Mr. C. is from Kansas, that hot-bed of Abolitionism. He is an avowed Abolitionist; and yet [...]
Monday, February 23d. Here goes! News has been received that the Yankees are already packed, ready to march against us at any hour. If I was up and well, how my heart would swell with exultation. As it is, it throbs so with excitement that I can scarcely lie still. Hope amounts almost to presumption [...]
FEBRUARY 23d.—I saw a letter from Gen. Lee to day, suggesting to the government on appeal to the Governors of the States to aid more directly in recruiting the armies. He says the people habitually expect too much from the troops now in the field; that because we have gained many victories, it does not [...]
Sunday, February 22d, 1863. Mother has come to me! O how glad I was to see her this morning! And the Georgia project, which I dared not speak of for fear it should be mere talk and nothing more, is a reality. – Yes! we are actually going! I can hardly believe that such good [...]
FEBRUARY 22d.—This is the anniversary of the birth of Washington, and of the inauguration of President Davis, upon the installation of the permanent government of the Confederate States. It is the ugliest day I ever saw. Snow fell all night, and was falling fast all day, with a northwest wind howling furiously. The snow is [...]
FEBRUARY 21st.—Major-Gen. Hood’s division passed through the city today, and crossed over the river. I hope an attack will be made at Suffolk. It is too menacing a position to allow the invader to occupy it longer. No attack on Charleston yet, and there is a rumor that the command of the expedition is disputed [...]
FEBRUARY 20th.—We have exciting news from the West. The iron-shod gunboat, Queen of the West, which run past Pemberton’s batteries some time since, captured, it appears, one of our steamers in Red River, and then compelled our pilot to steer the Queen of the West farther up the river. The heroic pilot ran the boat [...]
February 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury The correspondent of the Jackson Appeal, writing from Vicksburg on the 12th inst., says: From present appearances one is led to infer that the enemy near this city is about perfecting his arrangements for an offensive move, and that the shock of battle cannot be much longer delayed. For [...]
February 20, 1863, The New York Herald Our White Oak Church Correspondence. NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, Va., Feb. 16, 1863. Great excitement was created here during the last day or two, owing to a rumored movement in advance of our pontoon trains. On inquiry I learn that the movement was nothing more than the returning [...]
February 20, 1863, The New York Herald No movement has been made in General Hooker’s army within the past few days. Our correspondence from there today, however, is very interesting. The men are in good spirits and in far better condition than the roads. The enemy are said to be considerably reduced in numbers, and [...]
FEBRUARY 19th.—The resignation of Gen. Gustavus W. Smith has been accepted by the President. It was well done—the acceptance, I mean. Who will Gen. Winder report to now? Gen. Winder has learned that I am keeping a diary, and that some space in it may be devoted to the history of martial law. He said [...]
February 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury It will be seen, by reference to General Orders No. 10, that Governor BONHAM, in the exercise of his powers as Commander-in-Chief of the forces of the State of South Carolina, has called upon the militia composing the Fourth Brigade, the 2d, 14th, 15th and 39th Regiments of militia, [...]
February 19, 1863, The New York Herald WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 1863. HIGHLY IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS AND RUMORS. There are some very important movements on foot in this city. The present apparent immobility of the army and the suggestive proceedings of Congress are indicative of this fact. There are besides a great many rumors in circulation in [...]
February 19, 1863, The New York Herald Our intelligence today from the Army of the Potomac does not indicate any movements of importance. It appears from reliable statements that the enemy is working most industriously at their breastworks, which they are throwing up on the river flats opposite Falmouth and in front of Fredericksburg, so [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Jackson, Tenn., February 18, 1863. The prominent rumor to-day, and one in which there seems to be considerable stock taken, is that Governor Yates has obtained authority from the general government to have several regiments from Grant’s army returned to Illinois, as a kind of public police. That is, to repress [...]