MAY 3d.—We have no further news from the army, except the usual skirmishing. A number of our wounded arrived last evening. An officer reports that, from what he could see of the enemy’s conduct, the soldiers do not come to the point with alacrity. He thinks they fight with reluctance, and are liable to be routed any hour by inferior numbers.

Troops were sent up in special trains last night, and also this morning. These are some of the regiments which Gen. D. P. Hill had in North Carolina; and hence the complaints of Gov. Vance, that his State did not have its just proportion of the protection of the government. Of Longstreet’s movements, I am not advised. But there will be news enough in a few days.

The President’s health is still precarious, and he is still threatened with the loss of his remaining eye.

The Vice-President was in my office yesterday, and told me his health is quite as good as usual. One would suppose him to be afflicted with all manner of diseases, and doomed to speedy dissolution; but, then, he has worn this appearance during the last twenty years. His eyes are magnificent, and his mind is in the meridian of intellectual vigor.

There has been some commotion in the city this afternoon and evening, but no painful alarm, produced by intelligence that the enemy’s cavalry, that cut the road at Trevillian’s depot, had reached Ashland and destroyed the depot. Subsequent rumors brought them within eight miles of the city; and we have no force of any consequence here. The account was brought from Ashland by a Mr. Davis, who killed his horse in riding eighteen miles in one hour and a half.

Later in the day a young man, sixteen years old (Shelton), reached the city from Hanover on a United States horse, the enemy having foraged on his father’s farm and taken his blooded steed. He says, when he escaped from them (having been taken prisoner this morning) 1500 were at his father’s place, and three times as many more, being 6000 in all, were resting a short distance apart on another farm; but such ideas of numbers are generally erroneous. They told him they had been in the saddle five days, and had burnt all the bridges behind them to prevent pursuit. It was after this that they cut the road at Ashland. They professed to have fresh horses taken from our people, leaving their own. I think they will disappear down the Pamunky, and of course will cut the Central and York River Roads, and the wires. Thus communication with Lee’s army is interrupted!

The Fredericksburg train, of course, failed to arrive to-day at 6 P.M.; and it is rumored there were 700 of our wounded in it, and that a great battle was fought yesterday by Lee. These are rumors.

Telegram

May 3,1863.

The enemy was dislodged from all his positions around Chancellorsville and driven back towards the Rappahannock, over which he is now retreating. We have to thank Almighty God for a great victory. I regret to state that Gen’l Paxton was killed, Gen’l Jackson severely and Gen’l Heath and D. H. Hill slightly wounded.

(Signed) R. E. Lee,
Gen’l Commdg.

May 2d. Commences with clear and pleasant weather. Nothing occurred worthy of mention during nearly the entire day, the regular routine of naval discipline being gone through with on this day as upon all other days; at eight thirty o’clock, P. M., lights seen up Red River and reported from lookouts at mast-head; beat to quarters, and got ship ready for action. In a short time they made their appearance coming out of Red River, signalizing to us by different colored lights; as soon as they came within hailing distance, hailed them; they gave us to understand that they were respectively the U. S. gunboats Arizona and Estrella from Brashear City; they steamed on ahead of us, and anchored close in shore.

Saturday, 2d–The weather has been warm and quite pleasant for several days and the roads are drying fast. Things are very quiet here. Colonel Hall is now in command of our brigade. We have drill twice a day, though this afternoon there was none, in order to give the boys time to wash their clothes and clean up for inspection. I received $5.00 from Captain McLoney, for the month of April, as cook for the officers’ mess.

2nd. Major Purington ordered on a scout with 150 men towards Traversville. 7th on the Albany road, I went along. Learned there were 900 rebels in the fight yesterday. Cheke among them. Went to a house and saw another wounded man, wounded in the charge near Monticello, hit in thigh. Rode four to eight miles, leg bleeding, Arthur Brannon of Lebanon, Ky., Shewarth’s Regt., wished the war had never commenced, still willing to fight. Citizens represented nearly 100 wounded. All demoralized. Officers could not get them to stand ground. Got into camp at 8 P. M. Rained during the night. I got wet enough.

MAY 2d.—The awful hour, when thousands of human lives are to be sacrificed in the attempt to wrest this city from the Confederate States, has come again. Now parents, wives, sisters, brothers, and little children, both in the North and in the South, hold their breath in painful expectation. At the last accounts the two armies, yesterday, were drawn up in battle array, facing each other. No water flowed between them, the Northern army being on this side of the Rappahannock. We have no means of knowing their relative numbers; but I suspect Gen. Hooker commands more than 100,000 men, while Gen. Lee’s army, perhaps, does not exceed 55,000 efficients.

Accounts by passengers, and reports from the telegraph operators at the northern end of the line, some ten or twelve miles this side of the armies, indicate that the battle was joined early this morning. Certainly heavy cannonading was heard. Yet nothing important transpired up to 3 P.M., when I left the department, else I should have known it. Still, the battle may be raging, without, as yet, decisive result, and the general may not have leisure to be dictating dispatches.

Yet the heavy artillery may be only the preliminary overture to the desperate engagement; and it seems to me that several days might be spent in manœuvring into position before the shock of arms occurs, which will lay so many heads low in the dust.

But a great battle seems inevitable. All the world knows the fighting qualifications of Gen. Lee, and the brave army he commands; and Gen. Hooker will, of course, make every effort to sustain his reputation as “fighting Joe.” Besides, he commands, for the first time, an army: and knows well that failure to fight, or failure to win, will consign him to the same disgrace of all his predecessors who have hitherto commanded the “Army of the Potomac.”

It is certain that a column of Federal cavalry, yesterday, cut the Central Railroad at Trevillian’s depot, which prevents communication with Gordonsville, if we should desire to send heavy stores thither. And some suppose Lee is manœuvring to get in the rear of Hooker, which would place the enemy between him and Richmond! He could then cut off his supplies, now being drawn by wagons some twenty or thirty miles, and spread alarm even to Washington. But, then, how would it be with Richmond, if Hooker should accept the position, and if the force at Suffolk should advance on the south side of the river, and gun-boats and transports were to come, simultaneously, up the York and James? Has Hooker the genius to conceive such a plan? Suppose it were so, and that he has shipped his supplies from the Potomac—the supplies which Stuart expects to capture—with the desperate resolution, abandoning his base on the Rappahannock, to force a junction with the heavy detachments south and east of this city? A Napoleon would get Richmond—but then Lee might get Washington! Longstreet’s corps is somewhere in transitu between Petersburg and Gordonsville, and would no doubt be ordered here, and it might arrive in time. Our defenses are strong; but at this moment we have only Gen. Wise’s brigade, and a few battalions at the batteries, to defend the capital—some 5000 in all.

This is mere speculation, to be succeeded speedily by awful facts. The inhabitants here do not doubt the result, although there is a feverish anxiety to get intelligence. There is no such thing as fear, in this community, of personal danger, even among the women and children; but there is some alarm by the opulent inhabitants, some of whom, for the sake of their property, would submit to the invader. One thing is pretty certain, Richmond will not fall by assault without costing the lives of 50,000 men, which is about equal to its population in ordinary times.

Well, I am planting potatoes in my little garden, and hope to reap the benefit of them. I pay 50 cts. per quart for seed potatoes, and should be chagrined to find my expenditure of money and labor had been for the benefit of the invader! Yet it may be so; and if it should be, still there are other little gardens to cultivate where we might fly to. We have too broad and too long a territory in the revolted States to be overrun and possessed by the troops of the United States.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

MAY 2ND.–As the sun peeped over the eastern horizon, we slipped out of camp and went our way rejoicing. Oh, how beautiful the morning; calm and pleasant, with the great variety of birds warbling, as though all was peace and quiet. When camping in the darkness of night, our surroundings astonish us in the broad day light. We scarcely know our next door neighbor until the morning light gleams upon him. While waiting orders to move, many thousand troops passed to the front, so I think our regiment will see another day pass with unbroken ranks. We have the very best fighting material in our regiment, and are ever ready for action, but are not particularly “spoiling for a fight.” Our turn will come, as it did at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and many other fields of glory. It is quite common to hear soldiers who have never seen the first fight say they are afraid they will never get any of the glories of this war. They never “spoil” for the second fight, but get glory enough in the first to last them. When our regiment was living upon soft bread and luxuries of sweet things from home, while camped in the rear of Covington, Kentucky, we thought that the war would be over and our names not be spread upon our banners as the victors in a battle. There is glory enough for all. We stopped awhile in Port Gibson, and the boys found a lot of blank bank currency of different denominations, upon the Port Gibson bank. They signed some of them, and it is quite common to see a private of yesterday a bank president to-day. This may not become a circulating medium to a very great extent, but it is not at all likely that it will be refused by the inhabitants along our route when tendered in payment for corn-bread, sweet potatoes, etc. In the afternoon we stopped awhile, and taking advantage of the halt made coffee, which is generally done, whether it is noon or not. There is a wonderful stimulant in a cup of coffee, and as we require a great nerve tonic, coffee is eagerly sought after. Dick Hunt, of Company G, and Tom McVey, of Co. B, discovered a poor lonely confederate chicken by the roadside. By some hen strategem it had eluded the eyes of at least ten thousand Yankees, but when the 20th Ohio came along the searching eyes of these two members espied its place of concealment. They chased it under an outhouse, which was on stilts, as a great many of the southern houses are. Dick being rather the fleetest crawled under the house and secured the feathered prize, but Tom seeing his defeat in not securing a “preacher’s dinner,” found a coffee-pot under another corner of the house, which he brought to daylight, and it proved to be full of silver coin mostly dollars. These he traded off to the boys for paper, as he could not carry his load. How foolish it is for the Southern people to flee and leave their beautiful property to the foe. We only want something to eat. There are some who would apply the torch to a deserted home, that would not do so if the owners remained in it. It is quite common here to build the chimneys on the outside of the houses, and I have noticed them still standing where the house had been burned. The march to-day, towards Black River, has be en a very pleasant one. I suppose Grant knows where he is taking us to, for we don’t, not having had any communications with him lately upon the subject.

May 2, 1863, Natchez Daily Courier

            There can be nothing more puzzling than the analysis of one’s feeling on the battle-field.  You cannot describe them satisfactorily to yourself or others.  To march steadily up to the mouth of a hundred cannon while they pour out fire and smoke, and shot and shell in a storm that mows the men like grass, is horrible beyond description–appalling.  It is absurd to say a man can do it without fear.  During Hancock’s charge at Fredericksburg, for a long distance the slope was swept by such a hurricane of death that we though every step would be our last, and I am willing to say, for one, that I was pretty badly scared.  Whatever may be said about “getting used to it,” old soldiers secretly dread a battle equally with new ones.  But the most difficult thing to stand up against is the suspense while waiting, as we waited in Fredericksburg, drawn up in line of battle on the edge of the field watching the columns file past us and disappear in a cloud of smoke, where horses and men and colors go down in confusion, where all sounds are lost in the screaming shells, the cracking of musketry, the thunder of artillery, and knowing our turn comes next, expecting each moment the word “Forward.”  It brings a strange kind of relief when “Forward” comes.  You move mechanically with the rest.  Once fairly in for it, your sensibilities are strangely blunted, you care comparatively nothing about the sights that shock you at first; men torn to pieces by cannon shot becomes a matter of course.  At such a time, there comes a latent sustenance from within us, or about us, which no man anticipates who has not been in such a place before, and which most men pass through life without knowing anything about.  What is it?  Where does it come from?

May 2, 1863, (Marshall) Texas Republican

County Court, Call Session, April 28.

            At a call session of the County Court, for administrative Police, began and held at the court house in the city of Marshall, in and for Harrison county, commencing on the 28^th day of April, A. D., 1863; present and presiding Hon. Geo. Lane, Chief Justice, J. S. Powell, J. Y. Coller, E. B. Blalock, and John J. Kennedy, County Commissioners, S. R. Perry, Sheriff, and B. F. Friderici, County Clerk. 

            It is ordered by the Court that T. A. Harris be and is hereby appointed Commissary Agent in and for Harrison County to purchase provisions and keep them at some proper place and sell them to the families and widows of soldiers, and widows and orphans unable otherwise to obtain the same, at cost.  It is ordered that the sum of two thousand dollars be appropriated for said purposes, and that drafts be drawn on the Treasurer by the Clerk for said amount in favor of said agent, as he may find it necessary to use the same. 

            Ordered that said agent shall receive such compensation for his trouble as may be just. 

            Ordered that said Agent report to the Court at each regular term the amount of provisions purchased, and amount paid for same, and the amount sold, and to whom, with the prices, and the amount of provisions on hand, specifying articles. 

            Minutes signed. 

George Lane, Chief Justice. [continue reading…]

May 2, 1863, Standard (Clarksville, Texas)

Fort Arbuckle }
April 6, 1863. }

Ed. Standard:

I believe my last was written to you a day or two before our Col. was to have a conference with the chiefs of the Seminoles, Commanches, Caddos, Anadakos &c. Well the meeting came on according to appointment. The Col, Surgeon Kearby, Dr. Hobson, late Post Surgeon, Capt. Hooks, and Capt. Elliott, with some 30 men from Co’s. D and I, went up to Cherokee town the Caddo village starting on a bright and beautiful morning, the 1swt April, and arriving at Cherokee town at 1 p.m. with our Battle Flag blowing out full in a stiff breeze and the trumpet sounding, we rode up to the village in column of twos, and discovered just before us at the right of the village, a round grove in which was an assemblage of Indians. We rightly inferred that this was a place of council, and dismounted we found a number of Seminoles, Caddoes anadakos and commanches waiting for us, and also two white men. Those we found were Capt. Dial, Quartermaster, and Lt. Patterson, adjutant of Jumpers Battalion. Jumper himself being down in the bottom adjacent, to see Jose Maria, an Anadako chief, who was sick confined to his lodge.

Jumper soon came up, accompanied by Capt. Factor his Interpreter, a half breed Seminole. Lt. Col. Jumper is a full blood Seminole dark expressive countenance, serious. He is six feet 2 or three inches high, stout built was dressed in a blue military frock with the large cape of a Cavalry overcoat on his shoulder; a black hat sent him from Richmond with broad lace band, and some ornaments, and down the stripes of his blue military pants were broad stripes of gold lace. I was told by Dr. Hobson that the Confederate States had sent him last year, a handsome full uniform. He had a semi-savage and imposing look, and makes a good impression by his manner and bearing and style of speech. He speaks no English, [continue reading…]

May 2, 1863

“We have had a glorious fight this afternoon. Drove the Yankees from the start and kept them going as fast as we could follow until dark. Major Beckham and Capt. Breathed and I were with my Howitzer which was the first piece of Artillery fired. The fight began about half past five. The first shot the Yankee Artillery fired was a spherical case: one of the bullets struck me on the arm. It was however, entirely spent. Three of our pieces and one of McGregor’s were the only ones of the Horse Artillery engaged. I wrote last night, but don’t know whether you got it. Don’t look to hear from me until the fighting is over, for there are no mails. It is all mere chance as to getting a letter to you. Out of our three pieces we only lost one man. He was killed. I write by moonlight on a limber chest and on Yankee paper. Our men in the highest possible spirits. Everything is bright.”

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

May 1st. The first day of May commences with clear and pleasant weather. This afternoon the Admiral despatched the ram Switzerland up the river as far as Grand Gulf, for news of what was going on in that quarter. At nine o’clock this evening, a rocket was reported as seen sent up Red River, and soon after a steamer’s light was seen coming down. Immediately the rattle was sprung, giving the alarm, and a few minutes afterwards all hands were at their guns and stations, while nearly all, officers and men, believed it was one of our own transports from Brashear City, via Berwick’s Bay and Atchafalaya River; still, they might be mistaken, and it was proper to be prepared against a surprise should it prove to be the enemy. Soon the vessel made her appearance, coming out of Red River, and signalized, by means of different colored lights, her number. Had she been a little dilatory in doing so, I have no doubt but a fight would have been the upshot of the matter, since the men were all anxious for the fray, and ready, with fifteen broadside guns, twelve of them nine-inch, bearing on their target, and only waiting for the old hero, the Admiral, to give them the order. She proved to be the U. S. gunboat and transport Arizona. Upon our hailing her and asking in trumpet voice what steamer that was, all was excitement unbounded among officers and crew, and a few moments of stillness and suspense followed ere she returned an answer to our inquiry; when her answer was known, joy pervaded the hearts of all; three cheers were heartily given, the retreat beat, and every one left his quarters, thanking Him whose sun is made to shine upon the just and the unjust, that such success had crowned our efforts, and communication through another channel with our army, and New Orleans was now open to us, by the arrival of this long-expected visitor and stranger. The Arizona came to off our starboard quarter, and sent a boat with her Captain in same on board of us, with despatches from General Banks to Admiral Farragut ; after communicating with us, she wended her way back again, via Red and Atchafalaya Rivers to Brashear City.

Jeff has had the laugh on us for a long time, but now the tables are turned, and we come in to relieve him and take a spell at this pleasant recreation. I wonder how he likes it? Any how, we can now say, “Jeff, as you like it; this is kind of hard treatment of you, showing that we d_______ d Yankees have very little respect for your feelings; we know how arduously you have served your constituents, and that you need some rest. It shall not be denied you, and we shall take sole charge of affairs on the Mississippi, likewise Red River, until Port Hudson and Vicksburg fall.”

May 1st.—Rumored fighting going on below. General Tracy killed; went into ditches in front of Barton’s Brigade. Dick Anderson came from home and brought us nice box of provisions; cooked two days’ rations. Started towards Grand Gulf 6 P. M. Marched until 2:30 A. M. Reported heavy fighting the last two days.

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

Friday, 1st–News came that General Sherman has again made an attack on Haines’s Bluff, the same as last fall when the plan failed because General Grant failed to co-operate with him. The plan is to be tried again this spring. A large ammunition train passed through here for Carthage, Louisiana. General Crocker left the command of our brigade, to take command of the Seventh Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps. The boys are all sorry to see him leave.

1st. Commenced moving across at 4 and all the regiments over by 9 A. M. Some fortifications on both sides of the river; Zollicoffer’s old huts still there. Moved on and overtook the 1st Battalion at Monticello. H, E, M in advance of column continually. Skirmishing. Four miles beyond M. found the rebels in force on two roads leading to Albany and Traversville. Howitzers, 1st. Ky., 45th O. V. I. on the Albany roads, 2nd O. V. C. on Traversville. In line near the woods. Co. D dismounted to fight on foot. Rebels broke. Pike fired 5 rounds at them, 500 or 600 yards, wounding some. Gave my canteen to one wounded man. Pursued two or three miles, ordered back. Several prisoners. Ate supper where one wounded 1st Tennessee man was, Andrew Johnson. Marched back to Monticello.

MAY 1st.—Gov. Vance writes that Gen. Hill desires him to call out the militia, believing the enemy, balked in the attempt on Charleston, will concentrate their forces against North Carolina. But the Governor is reluctant to call the non-conscripts from the plow in the planting season. He thinks the defense of North Carolina has not been adequately provided for by the government, and that his State has been neglected for the benefit of others. He asks heavy guns; and says half the armament hurled against Charleston would suffice for the capture of Wilmington.

A protest, signed by the thousands of men taken at Arkansas Post, now exchanged, against being kept on this side of the Mississippi, has been received. The protest was also signed by the members of Congress from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Capt. Causey, of the Signal Corps, writes that there are only a few battalions of the enemy on the Peninsula; but that rations for 40,000 men are sent to Suffolk.

Gen. Lee announces the crossing of the Rappahannock at Port Royal (which the Yankees pillaged) and at places above Fredericksburg. Gen. Stuart is hovering on their flank. A great battle may happen any moment.

L. E. Harvey, president of Richmond and Danville Railroad, asks for details to repair locomotives, else daily trains (freight) must be reduced to tri-weekly trains–and then the army cannot be sustained in Virginia.

Hon. Mr. Garnett asked (and obtained) permission for a Mr. Hurst (Jew?) to pass our lines, and bring Northern merchandise to Richmond for sale. He vouches for his loyalty to Virginia. Congress has before it a bill rendering this traffic criminal.

By Osborn H. Oldroyd

MAY 1ST, 1863.– Logan’s Division, to which we belonged, embarked on transports, that had passed the batteries at Vicksburg and Grand Gulf, last night, about two miles below the latter place, where we had marched down the Louisiana levee to meet the boats. Crossing the Mississippi river, we landed at Bruinsburg, and left that place this forenoon at 10 o’clock, marching twelve miles over dusty roads and through a hilly and broken country. Although the boys were tired, their minds were diverted with the scenery of a new State. After crossing the great Mississippi, we bade farewell to Louisiana and its alligators, and are now inhaling the fragrance and delightful odors of Mississippi flowers. Arriving near Port Gibson about dark, found that the advance of McClernand’s corps had defeated the enemy, who had marched out from Vicksburg to check our army. The fight was quite spirited, and the rebels hotly and bravely contested every foot of ground, but they were overpowered, as they will be in every engagement they have with us. Having only two day’ rations in our haversacks, guess we will have to eat rather sparingly of them, for our wagon train is not on the road. Should rations run short, we will have to forage off the country; but even the supplies from that source will not feed Grant’s large army. We were well satisfied, however, that the stars and stripes were victorious, in this battle, without our assistance. We did not smell the battle afar off, but heard cannonading through the day, and fully expected to take a hand in it. When we stopped, as we supposed, for the night, our Colonel drew the regiment into line, and said Gen. McPherson had asked him if his regiment was too wearied to follow the retreating enemy. When the question was put to the men, every one wanted to go, and started on the trail with the swiftness of fresh troops, marching as rapidly as possible until 10 o’clock, then camped in a ravine for the night. During this rapid movement, we did some skirmishing. The Confederate army had retreated, and we made the tail of it fly over the road pretty lively.

            “The battle was fought, and the victory won;
Three cheers for the Union! the work was well done.”

Porter’s Gunboats in front of Grand Gulf

May 1, 1863, Southern Banner (Athens, Georgia)

    Circumstances beyond our control compel us to issue a half sheet this week.–By leaving out all but legal advertisements, and using small type, we are enabled to give nearly as much reading matter as usual.

June 1, 1863, The New York Herald

Progress of the Negro Enlistments.

Correspondence of Mr. Samuel R. Glen.

NEWBERN, N.C., May 26, 1863.

Since my last, per the Emilie, nothing of an important character has occurred. As was anticipated, the rebels retired from before the works of the late Colonel Jones, of the Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania, during the night of the 23d, and nothing was to be seen of them on the 24th, although they kept up a semblance of their presence by keeping their camp fires burning all night. The embalmed body of the lamented Colonel Jones will be taken North by the Albany, in charge of Captain Cecil Clay and Lieutenant A. A. Clay, both relatives of the deceased, and officers in the fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Suitable and impressive ceremonies were paid to the remains of the departed hero by Major General Foster and the chief officers in this district of his department.

The enlistments in General Wild’ proposed colored brigade are progressing under better auspices than was at first supposed would be the case. The recruits on the first day numbered fifty-six; on the second, one hundred and fifty; one the third, one hundred, and at about the same rate for the days following. Instead of receiving any opposition from the commanding and post officers, those engaged in the undertaking [continue reading…]

Title: “Gone off with the Yanks”; A land flowing with milk and honey; A scouting party; An old campaigner
Creator(s): Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895, artist
Date Created/Published: [between 1861 and 1876]
Medium: 1 drawing.
Summary: Four vignettes about the American Civil War on one sheet.
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20764 (digital file from original item) LC-USZ62-79163 (b&w film copy neg.)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.

Call Number: DRWG/US – Forbes, no. L32 (A size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Notes:
….Part of “Life studies of the great army.”
….Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.1.326)
….Forms part of: Morgan collection of Civil War drawings.

___________
Mike’s notes:

Note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
– fade correction,
– color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
– selected spot and/or scratch removal

May 1, 1863, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Texas)

            Some ungallant scamp, in the Atlanta Intelligencer, gives his views as follows in regard to women, or rather the style of women he does and don’t prefer:

            Thin, spare made women, who look as though they lived on steel chips and saw filings, whose salient points and bony angles, exhibit unapproachable turrets and bastions, are seldom generous.  Selfishness and imperiousness characterize them.  They represent the nondescript animal termed malicious gossip, and rare birds of raven wings and cypress shadows, they are.  Births and funerals are luxuries to them.

            But commend me to a fat woman.  Their broad-faced, dimple cheeked, double chinned, waddling, ponderosity style, their genial smiles and inimitable good humor gives constant promise of good cheer and the welcome disposition to laugh, and especially to feed you well.

            The lean, thin woman, of moral surface, makes a good, cool, summer wife.

            My choice is the golden mean, embonpoint, dimpled cheeks, auburn hair, luscious eyes, not a beauty; easy going, intelligent and one hundred and sixty pounds weight.

May 1, 1863, Southern Confederacy (Atlanta, Georgia)

She is modest, she is bashful,
            Free and easy, but not bold–
Like an apple, ripe and mellow,
            Not too young, and not too old.
Half inviting, half repulsing,
            Now advancing, and now shy,
There is mischief in her dimple,
            There is danger in her eye.
She has studied human nature,
            She is schooled in all her arts,
She has taken her diploma
            And the mistress of all hearts
She can tell the very moment
            When to sigh and when to smile;
Oh! a maid is sometimes charming,
            But a widow all the while.
You are sad?  how very serious
            Will her handsome face become;
Are you angry?  she is wretched,
            Lonely, friendless, tearful, dumb.
Are you mirthful?  how her laughter,
            Silver sounding, will ring out;
She can lure and catch, and play you
            As the angler does the trout.
Ye old bachelors of forty
            Who have grown so bold and wise,
Young Americans of twenty,
            With your lovelooks in your eyes,
You may practice all the lessons
            Taught by Cupid since the fall,
But I know a little widow,
            Who could win and fool you all.

May 1, 1863, Charleston Mercury

            A young lady of Louisiana, whose father’s plantation had been brought within the enemy’s lines, in their operations against Vicksburg, was frequently constrained by the necessities of her situation to hold conversation with the Federal officers.  On one of these occasions a Yankee official enquired how she managed to preserve her equanimity and cheerfulness amid so many trials and privations, and such severe reverses of fortune.  Our army, said he, has deprived your father of two hundred negros and literally desolated two magnificent plantations.

            She said to the officer–a leader of that army, which had for months hovered around Vicksburg, powerless to take it with all their vast appliances of war, and mortified by their repeated failures:  “I am not insensible to the comforts and elegancies which fortune can secure, and of which your barbarian hordes have deprived me; but a true Southern woman will not weep over them, while her country remains.  If you wish to crush me, take Vicksburg.”   

Canton (Miss.) Commonwealth.

May 1, 1863, Daily Mississippian (Jackson, Mississippi)

            The Fort Brown Flag of March 20^th gives a detailed account of the capture and release of the renegade Judge Davis.  A party of Texas Rangers crossed the Rio Grande, surrounded the house in which Davis and Montgomery were lodged in company with a number of renegades, which at first showed fight, but they soon ran over the sandhills losing three men killed and some wounded.–Montgomery and Davis were brought over to the Texas side.  Montgomery is said to have been hung immediately after he was landed.  The Mexican authorities acted very promptly and very calmly.  Governor Lopez simply made a demand for the surrender of the captured individuals, and as soon as General Bee could obtain possession of Davis he returned him to the Mexican authorities.