NOVEMBER 24th.—Fredericksburg not shelled yet; but the women and children are flying hither. The enemy fired on a train of women and children yesterday, supposing the cars (baggage) were conveying military stores. The Northern press says Burnside is determined to force his way, directly from the Rappahannock to Richmond, by virtue of superior numbers. The [...]
NOVEMBER 23th.—The cars which came in from the North last night brought a great many women, children, and negroes from Fredericksburg and its vicinity. The benevolent and patriotic citizens here had, I believe, made some provision for their accommodation. But the enemy had not yet shelled the town. There is a rumor that Jackson was [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 23—Last night I took the children over to Nani’s and stayed with her. Tonight she is with me. A group of Northern soldiers stopped and I gave them a letter to my husband. Three hours later General Marmaduke came with several thousand men. I let the rebels look [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, La Grange, Tenn., November 21, 1862. Every one seems to think that we will start about day-after to-morrow, Monday. We have drawn eight days’ rations, and 200 rounds of ammunition has also been drawn for our corps. I don’t think we have more than 14,000 in our corps, Logan’s and McKean’s [...]
Friday night, November 21st. Lying on my face, as it were, with my poor elbows for a support, I try to pass away these lonely hours. For with the exception of old Mrs. Carter, who is downstairs, and the General, who is elsewhere, Anna and I are the only white people on the place. The [...]
NOVEMBER 21st.—It rained all night, which may extinguish Burnside’s ardent fire. He cannot drag his wagons and artillery through the melting snow, and when it dries we may look for another rain. The new Secretary is not yet in his seat. It is generally supposed he will accept. President Davis hesitates to retaliate life for [...]
NOVEMBER 20th.—A letter from Brig. H. Marshall, Abingdon, Ky., in reply to one from the Secretary, says his Kentuckians are not willing to be made Confederate hog-drivers, but they will protect the commissary’s men in collecting and removing the hogs. Gen. M. criticises Gen. Brag’s campaign very severely. He says the people of Kentucky looked [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 20—As I stood at the window two men rode up. One was Fritz, and oh, what joy! All the women of the neighborhood came over. At midnight Julius came and said they would have to leave immediately. Fritz didn’t want to leave us alone again, but I knew [...]
November 19th. Since my last entry nothing has occurred worthy of note. This morning, at nine o’clock, we hoisted the Spanish flag at our fore, in honor of the Queen of Spain’s birthday.
NOVEMBER 19th.—Hon. James A. Seddon (Va.) has been appointed Secretary of War. He is an able man (purely a civilian), and was member of our Revolutionary Convention, at Metropolitan Hall, 16th April, 1861. But some thought him then rather inclined to restrain than to urge decisive action. He is an orator, rich, and frail in [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 18—Several men broke into our store and stole much. I ran through the rain to Schmitt who came over and nailed up the house. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 18 Today several fellows broke into the side door of the store and carried away much. Through [...]
Tuesday, November 18th. A note just came from mother, telling me that the most awful Yankees were coming to burn Linwood and take Port Hudson, and so this evening I must walk down to the cars with a chair to rest in until they came, and must certainly be in Clinton to-night. Delightful arrangement! I [...]
NOVEMBER 18th.—Well, the President is a bold man! He has put in Randolph’s place, temporarily at least, Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith—who was Street Commissioner in the City of New York, on the day that Capt. G. W. Randolph was fighting the New Yorkers at Bethel. Gen. Wise is out in a card, stating that in [...]
Camp at Lagrange, Tenn., November 17, 1862. Our whole regiment went on picket Saturday evening. Didn’t reach our posts until 9:30 p.m. Had plenty of fresh meat next day (notwithstanding stringent orders), and beautiful weather. Our going on picket saved us a tramp of 22 miles, for which I am duly grateful. They had a [...]
NOVEMBER 17th.—A profound sensation has been produced in the outside world, by the resignation of Mr. Randolph; and most of the people and the press seem inclined to denounce the President, for they know not what. In this matter the President is not to blame; but the Secretary has acted either a very foolish or [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 17 – This uncertainty is terrible. The women are despairing. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 17 This uncertainty is unbearable. We women are in despair. Lemke, W. J. The Hermanns of Old Hermannsburg: Washington County, Arkansas. Fayetteville, AR: Washington County Historical Society, 1965. Memoirs, Letters, and [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 16—The troops have gone north and we fear for the safety of our men folks. We dare not undress to sleep and even the children sleep with their clothes on. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 16 Now that everyone has gone away, this time northward, we [...]
November 16th. I was interrupted yesterday morning by Mrs. Badger, who wished to apply a few dry cups to my back, to which I quietly submitted, and was unable to move afterwards without pain, as a reward for my patience. But towards sunset came two dear letters that made me forget what I had suffered, [...]
NOVEMBER 16th, SUNDAY.—Yesterday the Secretary of War resigned his office, and his resignation was promptly accepted by the President.
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 15—When I awoke at 4 o’clock this morning, I thought everything was on fire. I ran to the window and saw everywhere camp fires, soldiers and horses, but did not know if they were Southerners or Northerners. It turned out they were part of Hindman’s Confederate army. I [...]
Camp at Lagrange, Tenn., November 15, 1862. We’re having more of a rest here than we anticipated when we arrived. Suppose that the organizing of the army into divisions and brigades delays us some; and, maybe, the change of commanders in the Potomac army has something to do with it. Or possibly we’re waiting for [...]
Saturday, November 15th. I think I grow no better rapidly. .Fortunately on Wednesday night they succeeded in turning me over; for my poor elbows, having lost all their skin, were completely used up. Now, if I go slowly and carefully, I can turn myself at the cost of some little suffering. . . . Yesterday [...]
NOVEMBER 15th.—”Now, by St. George, the work goes bravely on!” Another letter on my desk from the President to the Secretary. Well, being in an official envelope, it was my duty to open it, note its contents, and send it to the Secretary. The Secretary has been responding to the short espistle he received yesterday. [...]
HEAD QUARTERS, ANDERSON’S BRIGADE, November 14, 1862. My Dear Mother: As I have another good opportunity of sending a letter the other side of Richmond to be mailed, I thought I would avail myself of it. One of our surgeons will leave in the morning for North Carolina, so that I can have my letter [...]
NOVEMBER 14th.—An order has gone forth to-day from the Secretary of War, that no more flour or wheat shall leave the States. This order was given some time ago—then relaxed, and now reissued. How soon will he revoke it again? Never before did such little men rule such a great people. Our rulers are like [...]