May 15, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

From the New Orleans Era, April 24

            There was an exciting time in the Varieties theatre last night.  The house was crowded, and many ladies were present, as it was a benefit occasion.  The play of Richelieu had progressed to the conclusion of the first act.  The curtain fell, and quiet reigned throughout the theatre, while without the elements were at war–the thunder rolling, lightning flashing in the windows, and the rain pouring down upon the roof.  The orchestra prepared to play as usual, when there was a sudden shout raised as if by preconcerted signal; the “Star Spangled Banner” was displayed in the second tier, and a general demand was made for “Hail Columbia.”  The orchestra hesitated, and the demand grew more loud and determined–the excitement increased–but still the music tarried.

            A portion of the audience began to leave, and calls of “come back, come back;”” let no one leave”–”he is a coward that flies now”–”we will have ‘Hail Columbia'”–mixed with shouts and all kinds of noises–threats and violent language–conspired to make the scene one of the most stormy and boisterous we have ever witnessed.  One man who was leaving with a lady stopped to expostulate, saying it was unjust to call for national airs while there were Confederates in the house; but he had scarcely spoken the words before he was surrounded by an angry crowd of Union men, and a struggle ensued in the dress circle, during which we saw a pistol drawn.  This served to increase the fright among the ladies, and several of them fainted.  Still the orchestra refused to answer the demand.

            In the midst of this exciting scene Mr. Baker appeared on the stage.  He was received with applause; and, upon asking what was the meaning of the demonstration, he was informed by Dr. Dostle that this being a Union city, the audience were determined that the national airs should be played; that the theatre had had a prosperous season, and had been patronized by Union people, and no symbol of the Union had been displayed, or national air played, during the entire season–and the present company were determined that “Hail Columbia” should be played before the performance proceeded any further.

            To this Mr. Baker answered, that he held permission from the military authorities and license from the city to conduct the theatre, and he had received strict authorities to allow nothing of a political character.  “‘Tis a lie, ’tis a lie,” from all parts of the house.  That only four weeks since he had received such orders from Captain Kilborn, and he dare not disregard them; therefore he could not comply with the demand. [continue reading…]

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 upper portion of the squadron.

A few days since the Mound City, Lieutenant Commander Byron Wilson, came up as far as Warrenton to reconnoitre, and see what guns were there likely to annoy our transports.

The rebels have been engaged for some months in building a strong casemated water battery, intending to mount 8 ten-inch guns on it. This work was built with cotton bales, covered with logs, the logs covered with railroad iron, and the whole covered with earth. On approaching the forts Lieutenant Commander Wilson sent a party on shore to reconnoitre; on climbing up the casemate to look in, the party discovered that a company of artillerists had taken refuge there, supposing themselves perfectly secure. Our men fired their revolvers into the crowd, and warned the vessel that rebels were about. Lieutenant Commanding Wilson then commenced shelling the fort, and in a short time it was all in a blaze; after burning strongly for some time, the whole work was destroyed. Thus ended a fort, in the space of an hour, which had taken the rebels five months to build, working mostly day and night. I proceeded to Warrenton this morning to be certain that the work was thoroughly destroyed; it required nothing more done to it—the Mound City had finished it. The rebels set all the houses containing their stores on fire as the gunboats approached, and what they left I ordered to be destroyed. Warrenton has been a troublesome place, and merits its fate.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral,
Com’dg Mississippi Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.

         ” . . . Lieut. J. called to see Mama and delivered both the letter and the overcoat. The letter was by far the most welcome of the two, as we had heard so little from you since the battle. . . . Though your first letter written by moonlight on a limber chest was the most romantic, the last was by far the most satisfactory and interesting.
         “Hood’s Division passed through several days ago and we girls had our usual fun, waving, &c., &c. Quantities of prisoners, thousands at a time, have passed also. 3,000 went through on the day that General Jackson’s funeral took place. Quite a misfortune happened last night in the way of the Tredegar Iron Works taking fire—or being set on fire as some people believe by Yankee spies. Genl. Anderson they say has lost an immense amount of money and it will seriously retard the making of arms. Mama is thinking of leaving town Monday, for what destination she does not know. She and Papa both think it useless to wait in Richmond for information of a pleasant locality, so they have determined to get on the cars and travel till they come to some agreeable stopping place. They will then write me of their whereabouts and I will join them, as soon as my examinations will be over, which will be the end of June. There is no news of any sort at present in Richmond. Everything jogs on as usual—and the devotees of the Capitol and Franklin St. take their usual promenades, and with the exception of a new face now and then, and a little variation in the way of stars and gold lace, all is the same as when you were here last winter. Richmond is looking beautifully just at present but in a few weeks the heat and dust will have become intolerable.”

Thursday, 14th.—Sent out as skirmisher; but was soon ordered in, as regiment had orders to move; have to wait until to-morrow at 7 o’clock for rations.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Thursday, 14th–News came today that Richmond was taken. I took a walk and reviewed the rebels’ works about here. They were strongly fortified with heavy ordnance on the high bluff, about two hundred feet above water, with the river for a distance of two miles running straight to the bluff. This made it a very dangerous place for our gunboats to approach. But after two days’ shelling, our gunboats with two or three transports succeeded in running the blockade and landing below the fort.^[1] The river coming with such force is fast washing away the bank and we hope that we may soon move from this place. The Third Brigade of Blair’s Division arrived late last night.

[1] At the time of the capture the first troops marched down and crossed the river onto high ground some two miles below, while our main army came into the rear of the enemy, who were compelled to surrender, leaving all their heavy guns.—A. G. D.

14th. Went down to H Co. after morning work and played chess. Beat Capt. N. three times and John Devlin four times. Cleaned up my revolvers. Col. Abbey appointed acting Brigade Com. Says Thede can be detailed here. Good. He has been sick with diarrhoea. Getting a little better. In evening read in “Les Miserables.” Has been a pleasant day. Girl of McGuire’s buried today. Alarmed last night. Morgan coming.

May.–A number of the teachers and pupils of the Academy have enlisted for the war. Among them E. C. Clarke, H. C. Kirk, A. T. Wilder, Norman K. Martin, T. C. Parkhurst, Mr Gates. They have a tent on the square and are enlisting men in Canandaigua and vicinity for the 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. I received a letter from Mr Noah T. Clarke’s mother in Naples. She had already sent three sons, Bela, William and Joseph, to the war and she is very sad because her youngest has now enlisted. She says she feels as did Jacob of old when he said, “I am bereaved of my children. Joseph is not and Simeon is not and now you will take Benjamin away.” I have heard that she is a beautiful singer but she says she cannot sing any more until this cruel war is over. I wish that I could write something to comfort her but I feel as Mrs Browning puts it: “If you want a song for your Italy free, let none look at me.”

Our society met at Fannie Pierce’s this afternoon. Her mother is an invalid and never gets out at all, but she is very much interested in the soldiers and in all young people, and loves to have us come in and see her and we love to go. She enters into the plans of all of us young girls and has a personal interest in us. We had a very good time to-night and Laura Chapin was more full of fun than usual. Once there was silence for a minute or two and some one said, “awful pause.” Laura said, “I guess you would have awful paws if you worked as hard as I do.” We were talking about how many of us girls would be entitled to flag bed quilts, and according to the rules, they said that, up to date, Abbie Clark and I were the only ones. The explanation is that Captain George N. Williams and Lieutenant E. C. Clarke, are enlisted in their country’s service. Susie Daggett is Secretary and Treasurer of the Society and she reported that in one year’s time we made in our society 133 pairs of drawers, 101 shirts, 4 pairs socks for soldiers, and 54 garments for the families of soldiers.

Abbie Clark and I had our ambrotypes taken to-day for two young braves who are going to the war. William H. Adams is also commissioned Captain and is going to the front.

May 14th. Commences, “for a change,” with stormy weather, squalls of rain, and continued so during forenoon of this day; at seven A. M. the despatch steamer L. A. Sykes came out of Red River, direct from Alexandria, and made fast alongside of us, bringing despatches from Gen. Banks to Commodore Palmer; also the gunboat Sachem arrived; at seven thirty the Sykes got under way and went up Red river. This is a fine and fast little steamer, and is of great service to us; at six forty five P. M. the U. S. steamer Arizona came down and out of Red River, with Brig.-Gen. Dwight as a passenger, on his way to Grand Gulf to take command of some of Gen. Banks’s forces there. He came on board and paid his respects to Commodore Palmer. Let me here remark that this gentleman and soldier but a short time since had a brother killed near Alexandria by some guerrillas, while in the performance of his duty, whose loss he feels very much. He was a Captain in the army, and at the time he was killed was carrying despatches from Gen. Banks to some part of his command, and was mounted, but unarmed; at seven P. M. the Arizona steamed on her way up the river, bound to Grand Gulf. Nothing more of importance occurred during the remainder of these twenty-four hours.

MAY 14th.—We have been beaten in an engagement near Jackson, Miss., 4000 retiring before 10,000. This is a dark cloud over the hopes of patriots, for Vicksburg is seriously endangered. Its fall would be the worst blow we have yet received.

Papers from New York and Philadelphia assert most positively, and with circumstantiality, that Hooker recrossed the Rappahannock since the battle, and is driving Lee toward Richmond, with which his communications have been interrupted. But this is not all: they say Gen. Keyes marched a column up the Peninsula, and took Richmond itself, over the Capitol of which the Union flag is now flying.” These groundless statements will go out to Europe, and may possibly delay our recognition. If so, what may be the consequences when the falsehood is exposed? I doubt the policy of any species of dishonesty.

Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, demands the officers of Forrest’s captives for State trial, as they incited the slaves to insurrection.

Mr. S. D. Allen writes from Alexandria, La., that the people despair of defending the MississippiValley with such men as Pemberton and other hybrid Yankees in command. He denounces the action also of quartermasters and commissaries in the Southwest.

A letter from Hon. W. Porcher Miles to the Secretary of War gives an extract from a communication written him by Gen. Beauregard, to the effect that Charleston must at last fall into the hands of the enemy, if an order which has been sent there, for nearly all his troops to proceed to Vicksburg, be not revoked. There are to be left for the defense of Charleston only 100 exclusive of the garrisons!

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

MAY 14TH.–Started again this morning for Jackson. When within five miles of the city we heard heavy firing. It has rained hard to-day and we have had both a wet and muddy time, pushing at the heavy artillery and provision wagons accompanying us when they stuck in the mud. The rain came down in perfect torrents. What a sight ! Ambulances creeping along at the side of the track–artillery toiling in the deep ruts, while Generals with their aids and orderlies splashed mud and water in every direction in passing. We were all wet to the skin, but plodded on patiently, for the love of country.

When within a few miles of Jackson, the news reached us that Sherman had slipped round to the right and captured the place, and the shout that went up from the men on the receipt of that news was invigorating to them in the midst of trouble. I think they could have been heard in Jackson. Sherman’s army at the right and McPherson in our immediate front, with one desperate charge we ran without stopping till we reached the town. The flower of the confederate forces, the pride of the Southern States who had never yet known defeat, came up to Jackson last night to help demolish Grant’s army, but for once they failed. Veterans of Georgia stationed as reserves were also forced to yield in dismay, and never stopped retreating till they had passed far south of the Capital which they had striven so valiantly to defend. To-night the stars and stripes float proudly over the cupola of the seat of government of Mississippi–and if my own regiment has not had a chance to-day to cover itself with glory it has with mud.

I shall not soon forget the conversation I have had with a wounded rebel. He said that his regiment last night was full of men who had never before met us, and who felt sure it would be easy to whip us. How they were deceived! He said [continue reading…]

May 14, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

BATTLE IN MISSISSIPPI.

JACKSON, Miss., May 13. The enemy yesterday advanced a column of ten thousand men upon Raymond, Miss., where GREGG had 4100 infantry and a few cavalry, but not artillery, to oppose them. Skirmishing began at nine o’clock, a.m. The enemy was continually reinforced until one o’clock, p.m., when he opened the battle heavily with musketry. GREGG fought for two hours, with musketry alone, when, learning that the enemy had again been heavily reinforced, and that the reinforcements were ready to engage, he retired slowly and in good order through Raymond, and made a stand at Mississippi Springs, where he has been reinforced by infantry and artillery. Colonel McGAVICK, of the Tenth Tennessee Regiment, was killed.

The firing today is very heavy and continuous, and seems to be approaching Jackson.

May 14, 1863, The New York Herald

By intelligence we published yesterday from Richmond, via Hooker’s army on the Rappahannock, our readers have learned that the celebrated Stonewall Jackson died on Sunday last, partly from pneumonia and partly from the effects of the amputation of his arm, rendered necessary by a wound be received in the battle on the Sunday before. The interment was to have taken place on Tuesday last. This event is a serious and an irreparable loss to the rebel army; for it is agreed on all hands that Jackson was the most brilliant rebel general developed by this war. Form his coolness and sagacity, rapid movements and stubbornness in the fight, and his invariable good fortune, he resembled Napoleon in his early career more than does any other general of modern times. According to the estimate formed of him by the Richmond Enquirer, the special organ of Jeff. Davis, the loss is greater to the rebels than if they had lost a whole division of their army. Their victory at Chancellorsville is therefore dearly bought. To him was largely due the victory at the first fight at Bull run. Here he received his nickname of “Stonewall,” from the firmness with which he and his regiment fought. His raid through the valley of the Shenandoah was a masterly stroke of strategy; for, while he kept McDowell’s and Banks’ corps employed and struck terror at Washington, by a rapid retrograde movement he appeared on the battle field, in the seven days’ fight on the Chickahominy, to turn the scale just at the critical moment, while McDowell was non est, like Patterson at Bull run. Again, when Pope was retreating from the Rapidan and the Rappahannock, Jackson, by forced marches, gained his flank, caused terrible [continue reading…]

May 14, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

            In referring to this enterprise some days ago, we omitted to give deserved credit to Mr. F. W. Maura, a worthy mechanic of Macon, who invented the entire machinery used in the establishment, and that without any previous knowledge on the subject.

            In addition to the specimens of their work alluded to some days ago, we have a sample of large wooden buttons, suitable for soldiers’ coats, &c., which are the best we recollect to have seen.

May 14, 1863, The New York Herald

We have some important news from the Southwest. General Grant had a severe action on Wednesday last, at Clinton, ten miles from Jackson, on the railroad, with a rebel force under General Bowen. The fight lasted all day, and the rebels were defeated. Reports are said to have reached General Grant that large reinforcements of rebels are coming from Mobile and Charleston to protect Vicksburg and Jackson, and that he (Grant) has accordingly fallen back to the river to await further support.

The stories circulated by the rebel authorities at Jackson, Miss., that our forces were beaten, after a severe battle of four hours duration, on the 4th inst., on the Big Black river, prove to be entirely without foundation. A telegraphic despatch from General Grant, dated the 6th, two days later than the reported fight, was received in Washington yesterday, and it makes no mention whatever of any battle at Anderson’s ferry on the 4th inst.

A skirmish between a party of sixty thousand rebels and a detachment of Union troops occurred on Tuesday between Franklin and Woodburn, Ky., on the railroad, in which the former were routed and driven back, our forces still pursuing them at last accounts on that night.

The rebels on front of Murfreesboro, Tenn., continue to exhibit symptoms of activity which keep the army of Gen. Rosecrans on the qui vive. The cavalry of the enemy is constantly changing its position. The rebel Generals Morgan and Wheeler are said to be at Liberty and Alexandria, with a force of 5,000 cavalry, and are supposed to be meditating an attack on Nashville. [continue reading…]

May 14, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

A gentlemen of this city, of military experience, and cool, clear judgment, who spent the greater part of last week on the battle field of Chancellorsville, gives us the following information, which may be depended on as being as nearly accurate as can be obtained in the absence of official reports. Our loss in killed, wounded and missing, he puts at 10,000, of whom about 2000 were taken prisoners, and of the remainder an unusually large percent wounded. He is confident these figures will cover our loss. That of the enemy he estimates at 20,000 including from 8000 to 10,000 prisoners, not counting the wounded who fell into our hands. He could not hear certainly of more than twenty-seven pieces of artillery captured; and we lost eight pieces, six of the Washington Artillery, and two of Capt. Parker’s battery, from this city. The number of small arms captured by us was immense, greater, our informant thinks, than in any former battle. The field was strewn with knapsacks, blankets and clothing, and with all the evidences of a complete rout. The fighting of our men was superb, and General Lee is understood to have been particularly pleased with the part borne in it by the artillery, which exhibited a decided improvement both in practice and ammunition – the latter being in part due to the recent invention of our townsman, Charles McEvoy. The artillery was frequently up in front with the skirmishers. The spirits of our men since the fight are at the highest pitch of exultation, and their enthusiasm for their great commander boundless. One circumstance only threw a shade over the army, the precarious condition of the heroic Jackson. The solicitude on this account was profound and universal. Great praise was awarded Gen. Stuart for the masterly manner in [continue reading…]

Near Vicksburg.

Wednesday, 13th.—Last night started at 9 o’clock and marched till 1 this morning. Rested until day. Started at daylight; crossed Big Black on railroad bridge at 11 A. M. Halted in line two miles from Edwards’ Station, near Vicksburg. Change of brigadier-generals to-day, General Taylor being superseded by General Cummings, of Georgia.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Wednesday, 13th.—I have just heard that my dear nephew, Will’by N., was wounded at Chancellorsville, and that his left leg has been amputated. He is at Mr. Marye’s, near Hamilton’s Crossings, receiving the warm-hearted hospitality of that house, now so widely known. His mother has reached him, and he is doing well. I pray that God may have mercy upon him, and raise him up speedily, for the Saviour’s sake.

Wednesday, 13th–After an early breakfast we left bivouac at 6 o’clock and took up our march. By noon we reached the Mississippi river, where we took boat, and going down about two miles landed on the east bank at Grand Gulf or Hard Times Landing—where the town once was. The town was destroyed just a year ago by the Union fleet, and there is nothing left but the streets and sidewalks. We went into camp here to stay until relieved.

13th. Took our horses out. Issued beef. Cleaned up and went over to town. Col. Abbey bought me a good woolen hat. John Ritter moved over to town–Div. saddler–good place. Took Thede some cheese. Diarrhoea. Sorry. Played chess with A. B.–got the worse. Rainy evening. No letters.

Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn.,
May 13, 1863.

I have been on a General Court Martial for the last ten days, and we will not, in all probability, adjourn for some weeks yet. We tried Governor Yates’ brother. He is Adjutant of the 6th Illinois Cavalry. Another little reverse on the Rappahannock. All right! My faith is still large—in the army, but the commanders and citizens can be improved. We think that Grant is going to beat them all yet. But his army is more responsible for his good fortune than himself. Do you notice that one of our “raids” missed fire? Straight into Georgia, I mean. Grierson’s and Stoneman’s make up for all the rest though. We are constantly active here, in fact our troops move so much that I am unable to keep the run of even our brigade.

May 13th. Commences with pleasant weather; firing commenced between the hours of one and two o’clock this morning, and continued up to three o’clock; it was heard to the southward; at daylight the gunboat Benton, with the General Price and tug Ivy, got under way and steamed up the river; at 10 o’clock a steam tug came down and out of Red river alongside of us, with despatches for Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter; gave her some coal; at two P. M., after finished coaling, the tug got under way and steamed up the Mississippi river in chase of the flag-ship Benton, and I think she was not long in overhauling this slow, cumbersome, and ungainly specimen of river craft. This afternoon the Albatross got under way and steamed up Red river; at six o’clock Albatross returned from her foraging trip up Red river; received from her a quantity of fresh beef.

MAY 13th.—Col. Gorgas, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, sent in to-day a report of the arms captured in the recent battle. It appears from his statement that, so far, only eight guns have been found, taken from the enemy, while we lost ten. Thus, it would appear, our papers have been “lying,” in regard to that item, as well as the Northern papers about the number of prisoners lost and taken. But, so far, we have collected 12,000 of the enemy’s small arms left upon the field, and 8000 of our own, indicating the number of our killed and wounded. But the New York journals say we captured only 1700 prisoners; whereas, up to this time, more than 6000 have arrived in Richmond; 5000 of whom leave to-day, paroled until exchanged. I doubt whether we lost 2000 prisoners in the battle.

The Philadelphia Press, just received, charges the government at Washington with circulating false reports, and is now convinced Hooker met with a most crushing defeat.

It is rumored the enemy are disembarking troops at the White House, York River. If this be so, it is to prevent reinforcements being sent to Lee.

The Governor of Alabama declares that Mobile is neglected, and says he will continue to protest against the failure of the government to make adequate preparations for the defense of the city.

I saw Gen. Wise to-day. He seems weather-beaten, but hardy.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

MAY 13TH.–Up early, and on the march to Jackson, as we suppose.

I dreamed of my bunk-mate last night. Wonder if his remains will be put where they can be found, for I would like, if I ever get the chance, to put a board with his name on it at the head of his grave. When we enlisted we all paired off, each selecting his comrade–such a one as would be congenial and agreeable to him–and as yesterday’s battle broke a good many such bonds, new ties have been forming,–as the boys say, new couples are getting married. If married people could always live as congenial and content as two soldiers sleeping under the same blanket, there would be more happiness in the world. I shall await the return of one of the wounded.

We arrived at Clinton after dark, a place on the Jackson and Vicksburg railroad. Yesterday a train ran through, the last that will ever be run by confederates. The orders are to destroy the road here in each direction. We expected to have to fight for this spot, but instead we took possession unmolested. “Cotton is king,” and finding a good deal here, we have made our beds of it.

May 13, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

FUNERAL OF GENERAL JACKSON.

RICHMOND, May 12. The funeral procession of General JACKSON today was a grand pageant. The streets along which it passed were thronged with ladies and gentlemen. The procession left the Governor’s mansion at 10 1/2 o’clock this morning, and marched in column, with bands of music, down Government street to Main street, up Main street to Second street, thence through Grace street to the Capitol, where the body was placed in the Hall of Congress. The President, the Cabinet, the Governor and other dignitaries, with the civil and military, were in the procession. The military escort consisted of infantry, cavalry and artillery. The body will be removed tomorrow to Lexington County, Va.

FROM THE WEST.

VICKSBURG, May 11. A coal barge ran past our batteries last night. The enemy’s fleet above is anchoring.

JACKSON, May 12. One thousand of GRANT’S cavalry entered and burned Crystal Springs, on the New Orleans Railroad, at noon yesterday. OSTERHAUS is reported to be at Cayuga, with one hundred and fifty cavalry and six or seven regiments of infantry. The enemy is reinforcing Willow Springs and Rocky Springs from the river. GRANT will probably advance eastward and not direct to Vicksburg.

We have reports from the river that General PRICE met and chastised the Yankees at St. Francis’ River. It was reported in Memphis that the Confederates had occupied Pittsburg, Pa. A despatch, dated Cincinnati, May 8, says that affairs at Dayton have been comparatively quiet. After 10 o’clock yesterday the troops from Cincinnati and Columbus began pouring in. Thirty of the ringleaders had been arrested, and every precaution had been taken to prevent a renewal of the riot.

A St. Louis despatch of May 5 says that the most prominent of the secessionists had [continue reading…]