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 by Foster and Hunter. If it hangs fire, it will be sure to miss the mark.

February 21, 1863, The New York Herald

Our news from the Southwest indicates the approach of stirring events. The Union troops are now in view of the city of Vicksburg, and the mortar boats were towed down and ready for action yesterday. A barge containing seven thousand bushels of coal followed the example of the ram Queen of the West, and run the blockade at Vicksburg on Saturday night, passing harmlessly through in the dark. The gunboat Conestoga destroyed Bolivar Landing, a scattered village fifty miles above Memphis. The river is rapidly overflowing its banks on the Louisiana side to such an extent that the little town of DeSoto, opposite Vicksburg, is now nearly under water, and it is thought that the whole peninsula will ere long be submerged. The Queen of the West has gone up Red river on the hunt for rebel boats supposed to be lying there.

There is no news from the Army on the Rappahannock today. Everything remains quiet in that direction. Our intelligence from New Orleans, by the steamers General McClellan and George Cromwell, which arrived yesterday, is very interesting. Great fears are expressed of a crevasse, which would inundate the Crescent City and destroy a great amount of lives and property. The Delta newspaper had been suppressed by General Banks, but it was to be issued again by new editors, under the name of the Era. Our correspondence, with the General Orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Department, will be found full of interest. The news from Havana and Mexico, brought by the steamship Eagle, which arrived here yesterday, does not represent any improvement in the condition of the French army in Mexico. On the contrary, it seems that the invaders are suffering severely from disease and the continual vigilance of the irregular soldiers of that republic. Our Havana correspondent gives a very impartial review of the facts; but from all that can be gathered, it seems that until General Forey receives strong reinforcements he will not be able to storm the Mexican intrenched works at Puebla. On the occasion of the great fight at Tampico, already reported in our columns, several vessels and rifled cannon fell into the hands of the Mexicans. Almonte had issued a new proclamation. The news from Havana is full of interest, containing, as it does, some Spanish comments on Southern independence.

Our correspondent in the Bahamas, dating at Nassau, N.P., on the 16th of February, informs us that the law officer of the British Crown had prosecuted some local pilots for taking Unites States gunboats over the banks of the Bahamas, and that the parties were convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. The report of the loss of the Oreto had [continue reading…]

February 21, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The recent daring adventure of the scout, J.J. MAGEE, and his comrades R.F. GELSTON, BARTON WELLS and R.O. REYNOLDS, deserves more detailed mention than our brief notice of last Saturday morning, and we have been at some pains to gather the particulars. The party, in a small canoe, made a landing on Hilton Head Island on Wednesday night, about 9 oclock – WELLS and REYNOLDS remaining with the boat in a safe retreat, while MAGEE and GELSTON secreted themselves in a thicket to await daylight for the accomplishment of their purpose, which was no less than to capture a Yankee, with the view of eliciting information of the recent movements of the enemy’s forces. Daybreak revealed to them their situation, which appeared to be a very exposed one – the wood scarcely affording sufficient protection to conceal them in a crouching position. They found, too, that they were within a hundred yards of the picket station. Making up their minds that they would have to keep close to avoid detection, they lay on the ground, with the prospect of having to remain in this posture until evening. At 8 o’clock a.m., when the guard was relieved, the Yankees passed to and fro almost within reaching distance. Their conversation, however, was not of interest. During the morning as many as forty persons passed and repassed. About 3 o’clock p.m. a soldier turned into the thicket, and approached quite near them. MAGEE felt that his danger was imminent. Drawing his revolver, he levelled it at the fellow, and, putting his finger to his lip to enjoin silence, he called, in a low voice, ‘Come here, sir.’ The Yankee turned pale with fright, and in a hurried voice exclaimed, ‘Don’t shoot!’ Upon being assured that no harm would come to him if he would lie down and keep quiet, the prisoner stretched himself on the ground between the two bold rebels, and a pair of navy revolvers ready for instant use. For six long hours the three kept mute company, MAGEE forcing the prisoner even to suppress his cough, which was very troublesome. At tattoo, the time agreed upon for leaving the island, the three started noiselessly for the rendezvous previously agreed upon, the Yankee wondering how they were to get off the island. He was soon relieved by the appearance, in a safe place, of a canoe, into which he was requested to take a seat. He was at this time very anxious that his rebel friends should get in first, so as not to wet their feet; but GELSTON was very solicitous about his cough, and fearing that wet feet would increase it, insisted upon his getting a good seat, and himself offering to push the boat off and then jump in. A five minutes’ row brought them well off from the shore; they were halted, but being out of reach of the sentinel musket, they did not heed him.

The prisoner is a middle aged man, a native of Maine. He reports, in substance, that thirty new regiments recently [continue reading…]

February 21, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The hand of the destroyer has again been stretched forth in the work of desolation – unpitying, inscrutable – to strike down the prominent amongst us. The Honorable EDMUND RHETT is dead. EDMUND RHETT, senior, was born in the town of Beaufort, South Carolina, March 15yh, 1808, of one of the oldest Carolina families, and departed this life at Spartanburg on the 15th inst., after a brief illness, in the 55th year of his age – cut off in the midst if an active and vigorous manhood. His remains are deposited in the TAYLOR Burial Ground at Columbia, near those of his lamented brother, ALBERT RHETT, to whom he was devotedly attached. In life, they were closely united and are not separated in the grave.

After studying with an elder brother on the rice plantation of his father, EDMUND RHETT was sent for two years to school at Andover, Massachusetts, and thence to Yale College. Being equally proficient in Mathematics and the Ancient Languages, he had but a single competitor. This was one of the WINTHROP family, of Boston, with whom the Faculty proposed that he should divide the first honor of the class. After consultation with his friends, he declined the proposal. The course of the Faculty being deemed to be governed by sectional partialities and prejudices, he retired before the commencement exercise; but his diploma was sent after him to South Carolina. He studied law in the office, and became copartner, of the Hon. R. BARNWELL RHETT, residing in Charleston, while the latter was Attorney General of the State. His brother soon after went to Congress as a Representative of the Seventh District. Mr. EDMUND RHETT established himself at Beaufort, practising his profession, at first in copartnership with his brother ALBERT, then living at Grahamville, and meeting with decided success. He served formerly as a member of the House of Representatives from St. Helena Parish in the State Legislature. For many years he added to his profesional labors the burdens of Intendancy of Beaufort. In 1858 he was elected to the State Senate, and in the fall of […..] was re-elected for four years – still serving as Intendant of Beaufort. He was Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Education, and Trustee of the South Carolina College. After the fall of Beuafort, from the disaster at Broad River, he served as a private at Port Royal Ferry. Under an Act of the Legislature, which soon sat, he was appointed one of a Commission for the registry of property [continue reading…]

February 21, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

A correspondent of the Missouri Democrat, writing from Helena, Ark., under date of February 3, says:

On the 2d of February, by order of General Grant, Gen. Gorman, with about five hundred men, bearing arms, and also pickaxes and shovels, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, on General Grant’s Staff as Chief of the Engineer Corps, moved down to the Yazoo Pass, which is about six miles below Helena, and near Delta, on the Mississippi side, and after removing some drift and large trees, succeeded in landing their boats at the levee. The levee is built across the Bayou or Pass leading from the Mississippi River into the Coldwater, about fifteen miles above its mouth. The water south of the levee is about ten feet below water level of the Mississippi at its present stage, consequently the destruction of the levee at this point will at once result in the overthrow of the country for fifty miles in every direction, and open a navigable channel for ordinary boats to the Coldwater, thence to the Tallahatchie and to the Yazoo.

The troops were busily employed in cutting the levee all day yesterday, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, and the water will be let in tomorrow. A navigable channel will thus be opened to the rear of Vicksburg, in a direction which is not fortified by the rebels, and I can see nothing to prevent our musquito fleet from moving immediately in the Yazoo and of taking possession of the rebel steamers that lie in the river. Moreover the formidable army threatening the rebels at Vicksburg from this direction must strike terror to their hearts, and result in their final discomfiture and overthrow. General Grant, in the meanwhile, is not idle. In the midst of obstacles apparently insurmountable, he is laboring on, controlling circumstances, and will, in my opinion, finally overcome all opposition and take possession of Vicksburg. The musquito gunboat Forest Rose, the ram Lancaster and two transports of troops are now at the Pass.

Friday, 20th.—”Queen of the West” reported captured by our little fleet from the mouth of Red River.

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

Washington Friday Feb. 20^th 1863.

Rather a dull day in the office there being but little to do on the Examining Board. I have spent most of the day reading old Sam^l Pepy^s Diary written two hundred years ago during Charles 2^nds reign. It gives a not very flattering picture of English society at that time. In looking at that age and then at the present, any one must acknowledge that great progress has been made in the morals of refined Society. One is surprised at the conduct which was tolerated in that day, especialy in and around the Court. Pepy^s himself occupied a responsible position under the Crown, something nearly equivalent to the Sec’y of our Navy. The old Villin was constantly accepting bribes for he notes down all He did and all his thoughts from day to day. He casts up his accounts at the end of every month and piously blesses God that he is getting on in the world so well, the hypocrite, full of pride and vanity and an ardent admirer of the Ladies. I am not through with him yet. There is no news today worthy of note. The French have invaded Mexico and from all accounts are getting roughly handled there. It is thought by many that we will be at War with France soon. Most assuredly we shall if she intervenes in our war with the south or acknowledges its Independance. I have spent most of the evening over to Charleys (or the Doctors) as he is called. Played a game of chess with him, in my room at 10.

20th. Brought up the rations from town. Got another volume of Irving. Met Capt. when coming back. Expecting Sarah Jewell. Oberlin boys came back over their furloughs one day. In the evening read till late.

Friday, 20th–There is some talk of our having to move our camp again. News came that our gunboats were throwing shells into Vicksburg, one every fifteen minutes, driving the rebels back, and that our mortar boats were damaging some of their water batteries.

20th.—A letter this morning from Sister M., who has returned to her home on the Potomac. She gives me an account of many “excitements” to which they are exposed from the landing of Yankees, and the pleasure they take in receiving and entertaining Marylanders coming over to join us, and others who go to their house to “bide their time” for running the blockade to Maryland. “Among others,” she says, “we have lately been honoured by two sprigs of English nobility, the Marquis of Hastings and Colonel Leslie of the British army. The Marquis is the future Duke of Devonshire. They only spent the evening, as they hoped to cross the river last night. They are gentlemanly men, having no airs about them; but ‘my lord’ is excessively awkward. They don’t compare at all in ease or elegance of manner or appearance with our educated men of the South. They wore travelling suits of very coarse cloth—a kind of pea-jacket, such as sailors wear. As it was raining, the boots of the Colonel were worn over his pantaloons. They were extremely tall, and might have passed very well at first sight for Western wagoners! We have also had the Rev. Dr. Joseph Wilmer with us for some days. He is going to Europe, and came down with a party, the Englishmen included, to cross the river. The Doctor is too High Church for my views, but exceedingly agreeable, and an elegant gentleman. They crossed safely last night, and are now en route for New York, where they hope to take the steamer on Wednesday next.” She does not finish her letter until the 17th, and gives an account of a pillaging raid through her neighbourhood. She writes on the 14th: “There had been rumours of Yankees for some days, and this morning they came in good earnest. They took our carriage horses, and two others, in spite of our remonstrances; demanded the key of the meat-house, and took as many of our sugar-cured hams as they wanted; to-night they broke open our barn, and fed their horses, and are even now prowling around the servants’ houses in search of eggs, poultry, etc. They have taken many prisoners, and all the horses they could find in the neighbourhood. We have a rumour that an infantry force is coming up from Heathsville, where they landed yesterday. We now see many camp-fires, and what we suppose to be a picket-fire, between this and the Rectory. My daughters, children and myself are here alone; not a man in the house. Our trust is in God. We pray not only that we may be delivered from our enemies, but from the fear of them. It requires much firmness to face the creatures, and to talk with them. The Eighth New York is the regiment with which we are cursed. The officers are polite enough, but are determined to steal every thing they fancy.” On the 15th she says: “This morning our enemies took their departure, promising to return in a few days. They visited our stable again, and took our little mare ‘Virginia.’ The servants behaved remarkably well, though they were told again and again that they were free.” Again, on the 17th, she writes: “I saw many of the neighbours yesterday, and compared losses. We are all pretty severely pillaged. The infantry regiment from Heathsville took their departure on Sunday morning, in the ‘Alice Price,’ stopped at Bushfield, and about twelve took breakfast there. Mr. B. says the vessel was loaded with [continue reading…]

Feby 20

       Went over to see Mrs Irwin her husband used to keep the Mansion house in Greenville we met there. Mrs Lockwood the Miliner of the Village & Mrs Irwin sees every one in her bed chamber. Mrs Lockwood is a good looking woman and talked very sensibly of her business which just now consists in altering old straw hats into a fashionable shape, sewing them all over. She offered me some turnip greens out of her garden, which was quite civil, it seems Mrs Irwin very often sends to her for the turnip tops, and Mrs L. said the maid who came for them cut them off with a large piece of turnip, the heart she said, and when spoken to informed them Mr Irwin only eat them in that way and seemed quite indifferent to the wasteful procedure. Mrs Irwin laughed very much, and said she would attend to it, and they talked of sick soldiers &c, very pleasantly. Mrs L’s husband came for her, walking in the chamber with out knocking. He is a Tailor, so we found ourselves in rather unusual company. In a Village there is no distinction all meet[?] on an equality, and consequently the manners of these people are more refined;—or rather more alike than is usually found.

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 under our masked batteries, and then succeeded in escaping by swimming. The Queen of the West was forced to surrender. This adventure has an exhilarating effect upon our spirits.

Hon. James Lyons sent to the President to-day a petition, signed by a majority of the members of Congress, to have me appointed major in the conscription service.

February 20, 1863, The New York Herald

The theory of storms has of late years attracted the attention of many persons throughout the civilized world, and constant experiments have been made by those who have given the matter special study to test the practicability of foreseeing the approach of heavy gales in time to give warning at distant points along a coast, thereby preventing an immense amount of maritime disasters. The force and direction of gales of wind have become a study of no small amount, and if any feasible plan can be adopted for determining their approach, in order that time may be given to guard against their effects, it will be one of the greatest blessings that can be conferred upon mankind. No people in the world have been greater sufferers from this cause than those of the United States, and it is hoped that before many years have passed some system will be had that will serve in a great measure to lessen the number of losses at sea that we are daily called upon to chronicle.

In another column we give an interesting sketch, accompanied with illustrations, of the plan of Admiral Fitzroy, of the English navy, for signalizing to those points not reached by the magnetic telegraph the approach of storms. Admiral Fitzroy has given this matter much attention, and he is satisfied of his ability, from a long series of experiments and observations of different characters, to determine the approach of a gale in time to give the necessary warning to mariners on all points of the English and Irish coast. It was some time before he was able to obtain the assistance of the English government in carrying out his plans, he having for over two years made all the experiments at his own expense; but now the necessary orders have been issued causing his signals to be used at all the stations of the coast guard and other points of the coast. He foretold with great accuracy the approach of the heavy gale of last January, which lasted from the 17th to the 19th of the month, and was no doubt thereby the means of saving much life and valuable property.

If the plan of Admiral Fitzroy turns out to be all that he claims it is, its adoption in this country for our extended line of seacoast will become an immediate necessity. Already have we almost instantaneous communication by means of the magnetic telegraph between Fortress Monroe and St. Johns, Newfoundland, and if a submarine cable were laid from the former point to Key West, and from thence to the mouth of the Mississippi and the Rio Grande, the approach or existence of gales of wind would be known every hour, and their direction indicated in time to anticipate their fury. The HERALD has for many years constantly advocated the adoption of a similar system, which could be sustained by the underwriters and merchants of the country; and if the plan had been adopted then the probabilities are that millions of property would have been saved that is now at the bottom of the ocean, to say nothing of the thousands of lives. It is very evident that the telegraph is to be the principal medium in the carrying out of Admiral Fitzroy’s project, aided by his signals. Consequently we should be ready for its adoption by having our submarine lines completed at the earliest moment.

February 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

PORT HUDSON, February 17.—Captain CANNON, from Red River, brings information of the capture of the Yankee ram steamer Queen of the West at GORDON’S Landing, Fort Taylor, on Red River. It appears that the Queen of the West had captured the Confederate transport Era No. 5, and forced her pilot, JOHN BURKE, to take the gunboat to our batteries. BURKE at first feigned fear, but finally took the wheel under a Yankee guard. Upon nearing our batteries, he told the Yankees that they were still 15 miles below them. He then put the boat close in to the batteries, when she received a shot which broke her steampipe, thus disabling the boat. The Yankees at the time were quite unprepared for a fight, and suspected no danger. BURKE jumped overboard and swam ashore. The Queen of the West then drifted to the opposite bank, when her crew, with the exception of 18, who fell into our hands, ran off. The crew subsequently got on board the Yankee steamer DeSoto, and with 200 stolen negros, effected their escape. The Queen of the West is now in the possession of the Confederates and will be towed to a place of safety for repairs. It is reported that the Yankee gunboat Indianola has gone up Red River to recapture her. The conduct of BURKE elicits the highest encomiums.

Later intelligence states that the C. S. steamer Webb had closely pursued and captured the Era. The Era is disabled in one wheel. The Queen of the West is but slightly damaged, and will soon be fighting trim under Confederate colors. We have positive information that the transport DeSoto was burned to prevent her falling into the hands of the Confederates.

The Latest.

PORT HUDSON, February 18.

The Alexandra (La.) Democrat, extra, received here, contains the official report of the capture of the Queen of the West by Capt. J. KELSO, commanding the fortifications on Red River. He says: ‘Two gunboats made their appearance in front of this position at 5 o’clock last evening. After a brief cannonade, the leading gunboat, Queen of the West, struck her colors. I immediately ordered Capt. UTTON, of the Crescent Artillery, and Lieut. DE LA HUNTY, to go aboard and demand a surrender. These officers report that but 13 of the officers and crew remained on board, the others having escaped under cover of the night. The visible results of the capture consists of one 32 pounder rifle parrott gun, one 24 pounder, three 12 pounders and one 12 pounder, slightly damaged, besides a large supply of ordnance stores, a large amount of quinine, five cases of amputating instruments and one case of dental instruments, clothing, flour, bacon, pork, hard bread and other stores in proportion.’ The Democrat says ‘The victory was complete, grand and decided, and we are ready to capture all such crafts as Vicksburg allows to pass.’

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 several days past his movements have been of a character indicating some attempt at throwing a force across the peninsula to a point below, with a view of crossing the river, to approach the city from below. These movements have not yet been sufficiently developed to apprise us of their real purpose, and the programme may yet be changed, so that he will turn up in quite a different quarter from what is at present expected.

By deserters from the Yankee camp, who arrived here day before yesterday, we are informed that it was in contemplation by the enemy on Monday night last to run two or more of the gunboats by the batteries to get below town. The affair was pretty generally known among the troops, several of whom managed to escape from the camp and crossed the river on a log. When they arrived here they imparted this information to the proper authorities, upon which full and perfect arrangements were made on the part of our batteries to frustrate the success of such an attempt, if it should be made. It is believed that the fear of the batteries having knowledge of the affair and that they had well prepared for it, kept them from undertaking the voyage.

Nothing definite could be made out of the work the enemy had been engaged at since Saturday up to Tuesday evening. By some it is argued that they are building a levee to keep from being washed out, while others insist that batteries are being erected by them with the view of shelling the town. It appears almost certain now that a battery is being planted in the timber at a point a little below the city, so as to be within good range of our lower batteries. A work of this kind of course would be intended more for the purpose of annoyance than assistance in an assault upon the city, while it might operate as an auxiliary to the fleet.

Several gunboats were in sight yesterday, and the whole fleet appeared to be remarkably quiet all day. No new move [continue reading…]

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 of condemned pontoons to Belle Plain, and the arrival here of the new ones which are their substitutes.

The enemy in front of us have been ascertained to be very weak in numbers. The balloon makes its usual early morning ascensions. If this aeronaut ever sees anything of interest he has a very profound way of keeping it to himself.

If this army could only be shut off from communication with Washington for one month I am sure we could wipe out the remnants of the rebel force on those fatal heights with little effort; but nothing can be done with the army while we are so near the capital by rail and steamer. Our generals are unfortunate in being near enough to the Secretary of War to have all their orders countermanded and their best plans thwarted, not to mention the fireside plans of campaign which the telegraph constantly pours into their ears.

Yesterday it rained hard, and the roads were soon cut up; but today we have it clear and cold, and transportation has become comparatively easy.

On the train which arrived at Falmouth last evening from Aquia creek there were twenty-three ladies, mostly the wives of colonels, who were bent on making their husbands a visit. They were not to be envied, however; for, owing to the want of proper conveyances, they were obliged to tramp through the mud in all their finery, and in the midst of a chilling drizzle of rain.

A paroled rebel surgeon, who was captured by our forces during one of Stuart’s recent raids, came on the train, en route to the rebel side of the river. I am told that this officer, who is a man of great intelligence and deep observation, was [continue reading…]

Camp Winder, February 20, 1863.

I have been improving since I got back to camp, and now begin to feel that I am quite well. I trust that it may continue, for during the last six months I have suffered much from the fact that I have seldom been very well.

Until this morning we had snow and rain continually since I returned. This is a bright, clear morning with a strong wind, which I think will soon dry the ground. As it is now, the roads are so muddy that it is next to impossible to get provisions for our men or feed for our horses. Since I reached camp I have been quite busy. The day before yesterday I wrote eight pages of foolscap paper, more than I have written in one day for the last two years. I sometimes think if my health were good my eyes would give me no trouble.

There is an impression that a large part of the force which was in front of us has moved. If so, it indicates that we, too, before many days may move, and that there will be no more fighting on the Rappahannock. In three or four weeks we will have spring weather, and then we may expect employment. Where we will be in a month hence, God alone knows. Some of our troops have already moved, but their destination is not known. It is a business of strange uncertainties which we follow. For my part, I have gotten used to it,–used to it as an affliction with which despair and necessity have made me contented. I used to look upon death as an event incident only to old age and the infirmities of disease. But in this business I have gotten used to it as an every-day occurrence to strong and healthy men, some upon the battlefield and others by the muskets of their comrades. Four of my brigade have been sentenced to be shot–three for desertion and one for cowardice. It is a sad spectacle, and I sincerely wish that their lives might have been spared. I trust that God in his mercy may soon grant us a safe deliverance from this bloody business. Such spectacles witnessed in the quiet of the camp are more shocking than the scenes of carnage upon the battle-field. I am sick of such horrors. If I am ever blessed with the peace and quiet of home again, oppression and wrong must be severe, indeed, if I am not in favor of submission rather than another appeal to arms. I came away from home without your miniature; send it to me.

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 we are told that if the army could only be shut off from communication with Washington for one month we could wipe out the rebel force at Fredericksburg with little effort; but nothing can be done with the army while it is so near the capital by rail and steamer. We are told further that generals are unfortunate in being near enough to the Secretary of War to have all their orders countermanded and their best plans thwarted.

Our news from the South today is important and interesting.

General Beauregard, as military commander of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, has issued a proclamation declaring it to be his solemn duty to announce to the citizens and authorities of Charleston and Savannah that an attack by the land and naval forces of the United States is about to be made upon either or both cities, and warning whose who are not able to take up arms for their defence to retire to some place of safety. He urges, however, upon every one who can join in the struggle at […..] hour of trial” to do so without regard to the kind of weapons they may have in their possession. Pikes and scythes, he says, will do for the destruction of their enemies, and spades and shovels for the protection of their firesides, altars and the graves of their fathers. General Beauregard is evidently alarmed at the anaconda grip which is closing around him.

It is earnestly pressed by the Southern journals upon the consideration of the planters that vital necessity demands the growing of cereals for the next crop of the South instead of cotton or sugar. The planters are urged t remember that the South is engaged in a war, the end of which cannot be foreseen; that the ports are closed against the receipt of supplies from abroad, and the idea of their being opened by foreign intervention is exploded; that the supplies from the great West are effectually cut off, and that every planter should devote himself to raising hogs, rice, potatoes, sheep and all things that sustain life, forgetting such a thing as cotton or sugar was ever raised for any other purpose but that of [continue reading…]

Thursday, 19th.—Went down to near Warrenton, twelve miles; on picket. Some cannonading up the river.

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

Washington Thursday Feb. 19^th 1863.

Another of the most unpleasant days of the season, rain or mist all day and plenty of mud in the streets. I have had but little to do in the office today. I have read a part of the time, and written a letter to Julia sending her also by mail T Buchanan Reads new Poem, “The Wagoner of the Alleghanys” (postage 13 cents). I went on to the Av^e after leaving the office. Called at Thompsons on 15^th s^t, dealer in old Books Jewelry &c. I found him a rank Rebel and think his shop a sort of rendezvous for that class of men. He is an Englishman. I attended the Lodge of the Union League. It is increasing in numbers rapidly here and all over the U.S. The “papers” contain no news tonight of any importance. The falling rain and the melting snows at the West will raise the Rivers so that our Gun Boats will be able to go nearly all over the South and it will also greatly favor Gen^l Grant in his efforts to capture Vicksburgh. That is the great point of interest just now. The high water will help the Canal project which is to cut off Vicksburgh and leave it some four miles inland. We are looking also to Charleston and Savannah for news. Our “Iron Clads” are gathering at Port Royal, and we shall soon hear from them. Gold is today quoted 164, the highest yet. It is said the Currency Bill is in doubt in the “House.” The Bank Nabobs are too strong for the peoples interest.

19th. Robertson came at 3 A. M. I got up and read Irving’s “Life of Washington,” Vol. 2. Bob brought me a nice little box to keep my things in. After my work read most all day. In the evening wrote to Sarah Felton and Fannie Henderson. Talked with a little girl begging and with our washerwoman. Has a hard time.

Thursday, 19th–I was off duty today and went to town to have my likeness taken.^[1]

We now have five hundred negroes at work cutting the levee at Lake Providence, and Captain Elrod of the Thirteenth Iowa has about one hundred negroes at work picking cotton–last year’s crop left in the field.

[1] Upon inquiring of Mr. Downing how he came to have his “likeness” taken twice so close together (see Feb. 7), he laughingly confessed that it was not because the first was not a good picture, but because it was not a proper picture. Said he, “To tell the truth, I had it taken dressed in a major’s uniform, and it wouldn’t have been safe to let it be seen.” He destroyed it and had another taken.—Ed.

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 to Capt. Warner, his commissary of prisons, that he would patronize it. The captain asked me if Gen. Winder’s rule was not dwelt upon in it. I said doubtless it was; but that I had not yet revised it, and was never in the habit of perusing my own works until they were completed. Then I carefully corrected them for the press.

Major-Gen. Pickett’s division marched through the city to-day for Drewry’s Bluff. Gen. Lee writes that this division can beat the army corps of Hooker, supposed to be sent to the Peninsula. It has 12,000 men—an army corps 40,000. Brig.-Gen. Hood’s division is near the city, on the Chickahominy. Gen. Lee warns the government to see that Gens. French and Pryor be vigilant, and to have their scouts closely watching the enemy at Suffolk. He thinks, however, the main object of the enemy is to take Charleston; and he suggests that every available man be sent thither. The rest of his army he will keep on the Rappahannock, to watch the enemy still remaining north of that river.

I sent a communication to the President to-day, proposing to reopen my register of “patriotic contributions” to the army, for they are suffering for meat. I doubt whether he will agree to it. If the war be prolonged, the appeal must be to the people to feed the army, or else it will dissolve.

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, and the 4th Regiment of the 1st Corps of Reserves to rendezvous promptly at certain places named and designated, to assist in repelling the threatened invasion of our coast and capture of the Metropolis of this State.

In answer to such a summons every true son of Carolina will not hesitate to rush to arms. Our homes, our altars, our liberties, are all at stake. To falter is to fail; to hesitate is to be lost. An immense fleet, strong in all the most novel equipments of naval warfare, threatens us by sea, and an army of 70,000 men, already landed at Hilton Head, menaces us by land. The LINCOLN Government has risked its all, with the desperate resolve of a gambler, upon the last throw. GRANT seems to have abandoned the investment of Vicksburg, HOOKER has led back his disorganized army from the banks of the Rappahannock behind the secure works at Washington and Fortress Monroe; the Northwest is ripe for stratagems and willing to forego the spoils; and FOSTER, scared away from Newbern, has added his forces to the hybrid army of BANKS, whose mongrel battalions now promise to bring under speedy subjection to Yankee rule the ancient and venerable city which the best blood of Europe founded and colonized.

May God forbid! Men of Columbia, give back the old slogan of your race. Come from King’s Mountain, from Hanging Rock, from Cowpens, from Eutaw, from the slopes of the Alleghanies to the level fronted sea, and meet these foes of freedom and your kindred in the same spirit with which your fathers went forth to conquer or die – in the sacred name of liberty. The victory of today will be the paean of tomorrow. The good fight is almost won. One more brave struggle, and you are not only almost, but altogether free – free from Yankee contact and rule – free from the bondage of everything we loathe – free to choose our own road to wealth and empire – and in our own right and prowess, free to carve out for ourselves and our children’s children the broad lines of territory that shall bound our future realm.