NOVEMBER 3d.—The right wing of Lee’s army has fallen back as far as Culpepper County, and the enemy advances. Active movements are speedily looked for; many suppose a desperate attempt to take Richmond. Our government has decided that no one shall be permitted to go North for thirty days. A requisition for heavy guns to [...]
Sunday, November 2d. Yesterday was a day of novel sensations to me. First came a letter from mother announcing her determination to return home, and telling us to be ready next week. Poor mother! she wrote drearily enough of the hardships we would be obliged to undergo in the dismantled house, and of the new [...]
NOVEMBER 2d, SUNDAY.—I watch the daily orders of Adjutant and Inspector-Gen. Cooper. These, when “by command of the Secretary of War,” are intelligible to any one, but not many are by his command. When simply “by order,” they are promulgated by order of the President, without even consulting the Secretary; and they often annul the [...]
NOVEMBER 1st.—Gen. Winder’s late policemen have fled the city. Their monstrous crimes are the theme of universal execration. But I reported them many months ago, and Gen. Winder was cognizant of their forgeries, correspondence with the enemy, etc. The Secretary of War, and the President himself, were informed of them, but it was thought to [...]
OCTOBER 31st.—If it be not a Yankee electioneering trick to operate at the election in New York, on the fourth of November, the Northern correspondence with Europe looks very much like speedy intervention in our behalf. Winder has really dismissed all his detectives excepting Cashmeyer, about the worst of them. If we gain our independence [...]
October 30th. Camp fires were kept burning very late last night. The boys are singing, dancing, making speeches, and having a very merry old time. All seem happy. This morning the regiment formed in line for our march out of the old fort. When outside of the walls cheering began as the happy boys went [...]
OCTOBER 30th.—The Commissary-General is in hot water on account of some of his contracts, and a board of inquiry is to sit on him. The President has delayed the appointment of Gen. E. Johnson, and Gen. Echols writes that several hundred of his men have deserted; that the enemy, 10,000 or 15,000 strong, is pressing [...]
October 29th. Marching orders received. Our last day and night at Fort McHenry. Great rejoicing over the prospect of leaving the old place. Packing up and getting ready for an early start on the morrow. Singing and very happy in camp.
OCTOBER 29th.—There was a rumor yesterday that the enemy were marching on Weldon; but we have no confirmation of it to-day. Loring, after all, did not send his cavalry into Pennsylvania, I presume, since nothing has been heard of it. The Charleston Mercury has some strictures on the President for not having Breckinridge in Kentucky, [...]
OCTOBER 28th.—Gen. Bragg is here, but will not probably be deprived of his command. He was opposed by vastly superior numbers, and succeeded in getting away with the largest amount of provisions, clothing, etc., ever obtained by an army. He brought out 15,000 horses and mules, 8000 beeves, 50,000 barrels of pork, a great number [...]
OCTOBER 27th.—From information (pretty direct from Washington), I believe it is the purpose of the enemy to make the most strenuous efforts to capture Richmond and Wilmington this fall and winter. It has been communicated to the President that if it takes their last man, and all their means, these cities must fall. Gen. Smith [...]
Sunday, 26th October. This place is completely overrun by soldiers passing and repassing. Friday night five stayed here, last night two more, and another has just gone. One, last night, a bashful Tennesseean, had never tasted sugar-cane. We were sitting around a blazing fire, enjoying it hugely, when in answer to our repeated invitations to [...]
OCTOBER 25th.—Many severe things are alleged against the President for depriving Beauregard of the command of the Western army. It is alleged that Bragg reported that the enemy would have been annihilated at Shiloh, if Beauregard had fought an hour longer. Now, it appears, that Bragg would have annihilated the enemy at Perryville, if he [...]
Friday, October 24th. A letter from Jimmy, the first we have received since New Orleans fell. It was dated the 10th inst., and he spoke of being on the eve of running the blockade, and going to Liverpool “to represent our unfortunate navy,” as he says, though I am at loss to imagine what he [...]
OCTOBER 24th.—Bragg is in full retreat, leaving Kentucky, and racing for Chattanooga—the point of interest now. But Beauregard, from whom was taken the command of the Western army, day before yesterday repulsed with slaughter a large detachment of the Yankees that had penetrated to the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, Thus, in spite of the fantastic [...]
OCTOBER 23d.—The Gov. of Florida calls for aid, or he thinks his State will fall. Albert Pike, writing from Texas, says if the Indian Territory be not attended to “instantly,” it will be lost. Per contra, we have a rumor that Lee is recrossing the Potomac into Maryland.
Wednesday, 22d October, Linwood. We left Clinton this morning, and have just now arrived by the cars. Charlie came in last evening, to our great surprise, so we did not scruple to leave Lilly. . . . The Baton Rouge party returned late this evening. In spite of all preparation, Gibbes was horrified at the [...]
OCTOBER 22d.—Back at the department at work, but not much to do yet. The mails are not heavy. We have Bragg’s report of the battle of Perryville. He beat the enemy from his positions, driving him back two miles, when night set in. But finding overwhelming masses accumulating around him, he withdrew in good order [...]
OCTOBER 21st.—Still nothing definite from Kentucky, more than the retreat of Bragg. Gen. Loring is here—he would not act upon the suggestions of Lee, and so he is recalled. The government is uneasy about Richmond. They want a portion of Lee’s army sent hither. But Lee responds, that although he is not advised of the [...]
October 21, 1862, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois) From the Chicago Post. Our readers will remember some mention made in these columns of Mr. Montgomery, a gentleman connected with the Vicksburg Whig, who endeavored to escape from that place on board a federal boat carrying a flag of truce, but was given up by the officer [...]
OCTOBER 20th.—The news from Kentucky is very vague. It seems there has been a battle, which resulted favorably for us, so far as the casualties are concerned. But then Bragg has fallen back forty miles, and is probably retiring toward Cumberland Gap, that he may not be taken in the rear by the enemy’s forces [...]
Clinton, October 19th, Sunday. What an unexpected change! I am surprised myself! Yesterday as the Baton Rouge party were about leaving, Miriam thought Lilly would be lonesome alone here with her sick baby, and decided that we should leave by the cars, and stay with her until mother returned. There was no time to lose; [...]
October 18th, Saturday. Last night mother arrived from Clinton with Gibbes and Lydia, who had gone there the day before to get her to go to Baton Rouge.
OCTOBER 18th.—Major-Gen. Jones telegraphs from Knoxville, Tenn., that a wounded officer arrived from Kentucky, reports a victory for Bragg, and that he has taken over 10,000 prisoners. We shall soon have positive news. A letter from Admiral Buchanan states that he has inspected the defenses of Mobile, and finds them satisfactory. I traversed the markets [...]
OCTOBER 17th.—The article in the Whig is backed by one of a similar character in the Examiner. We shall see what effect they will have on the policy adopted by the Secretary of War. Although still unofficial, we have confirmatory accounts of Bragg’s victory in Kentucky. The enemy lost, they say, 25,000 men. Western accounts [...]