July 6—Division moves slowly on through Fountain Dale Gap.

July 7—Move on and camp one-and-a-half miles from Hagerstown.

July 8—Rain and wind for five days.

July 9—Ride to Williamsport to see our wounded.

July 10—Day among wounded.

July 11—Go out to Regiment in line of battle. Pray with them in the afternoon.

July 12—Preach to Regiment in a. m. Get three letters from Mary in p. m. All well, thank the Lord.

July 12th. At anchor off New Orleans. Between the hours of four and eight o’clock this morning, the gunboat Winona arrived from up the river; at ten o’clock inspected crew at quarters, also performed Divine service. This afternoon, commenced giving liberty to our men, about fifty at a time.

Homeward Bound. Sunday, 12th.—Left Vicksburg 10 A. M. Had everything examined at the ditches. No one could pass out without going between two guards and showing his parole; all was right; Crossed Big Black at dark, and then camped after marching twelve miles.

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

July 12.—The enemy is again before Charleston. Lord, have mercy on the efforts of our people! I am miserable about my poor little J. P., who is on board the Chicora, in Charleston harbor.

JULY 12th.—There is nothing additional this morning from Charleston, Mississippi, or Maryland. Telegraphic communication is still open to Jackson, where all was quiet again at the last accounts; but battle, then, must occur immediately. From Charleston we learn that Beauregard had repulsed every assault of the enemy. It is rumored that Lee’s account of the battle of Gettysburg will be published to-morrow, showing that it was the “most brilliant and successful battle of the war.” I hope he may say so—for then it will be so.

Our papers are publishing Milroy’s papers captured at Winchester.

Saturday, 11th–The Eleventh Iowa started at sunup this morning for Jackson, Mississippi, as an escort for two hundred and forty-five wagons loaded with provisions and ammunition for General Sherman’s army. By night we were within one mile of Clinton, where we went into bivouac, closely corralling the wagons. We rode on the wagons a part of the time during the journey. Whenever they came to a stretch of good roads, the teamsters would put the horses on the run, and in order to keep up we had to climb onto the loaded wagons. We suffered for lack of water today, for the rebels in their retreat polluted the branches they crossed by killing and throwing into the streams their wornout horses and mules, hoping thus to strike a blow at us. Their march was marked by the buzzards flying above or feeding upon the carcasses of the slain animals.

11th. Started at daylight. Thede, Steve and I went ahead to town. Several met us with “Have you been to breakfast?” “Come with us.” We accepted an invitation of a gentleman, but a Mr. Lyon insisted on Thede and me going with him. Very pleasant people. Wanted to do everything for us. A girl, Emma, Ella or Anna Lyons, beautiful girl, 16 or 17 years. She went up town and we had a good visit here. Brought me some paper. Wrote home and to Fannie. Depot and bridges burned. Stores gutted. Levies made upon the people. A good many pretty girls–one Miss Reed. Oh it cheered our hearts to meet with such kindness and friends. Passed through Lexington and camped at 12 P. M. Morgan 25 miles.

July 11th. Commences with light winds from the westward; at four forty-five A. M. got under way and steamed down the river; at nine ten went to general quarters; at nine thirty anchored off Donaldsonville; at ten fifty went to general quarters once more, and prepared for action; fired the forward Parrott rifle at the different points as we passed; fired the broadside guns at embrasures cut in the levee from which our vessels lately were fired upon by pieces of rebel flying artillery, but received no response; steaming down the river in charge of pilot; passed between the hours of twelve and four P. M., the sloop-of-war Monongahela and iron-clad Essex, gunboat, at anchor; the lads manned the rigging and cheered ship, which was vociferously returned by them; the steamers Albatross and Estrella were in company with us; about five P. M., passed the U. S. sloop-of-war Portsmouth anchored off Carrollton; from her we received another cheer which we quickly returned; she also dipped her colors as we were passing; cheer upon cheer rent the air from youngsters and grown-up persons on shore, who had seen us approaching, and flocked down to the levee to give expression to their feelings of joy at seeing the noble old ship Hartford once more, which they had begun to have a sort of veneration for on account of the great deeds she had performed, making her name to be held in dread by all traitors to their country; about six thirty passed the Pensacola, rounded to and at six thirty-five had ship cheered by Pensacola and Tennessee, which we returned; at six forty came to anchor off the city of New Orleans. Soon, the news spread of our arrival, and crowds of people flocked down to the levee to see us once more; they were informed by those in sympathy with the rebels, (loyal now because they were forced to be to save their property from confiscation, and themselves from being sent beyond our lines), that in attempting to pass the batteries at Port Hudson on the 14th of March last we had been sunk, and they, in proof of the truth of their statement, referred to the fact that when the Hartford left New Orleans last, she was painted black, and the vessel before them was of a light lead color; in fact they so talked their theory into them that they believe it to be the truth; even the statement of the Era, a daily loyal sheet, that the Hartford had arrived, was not believed, and some of our boys ashore on liberty, with the ship’s name on their hats, could not make them believe any different; in fact, they could not be made to believe it until parties had been on board who were acquainted with some of our officers, and returned, having seen them, and learned we had the power of changing our plumage wherever we might be.

Saturday, 11th.—Went out and bought Yankee canteen for 60 cents in greenbacks.

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

July 11.—Vicksburg was surrendered on the 4th of July. The terms of capitulation seem marvellously generous for such a foe. What can the meaning be?

General Lee has had a most bloody battle near Gettysburg. Our loss was fearful. We have heard of no casualties except in general officers. General Richard Garnett, our friend and connection, has yielded up his brave spirit on a foreign field. He was shot through the head while standing on the fortifications, encouraging his men and waving them on to the fight. How my heart bleeds to think of his hoary-headed father, of whom he was the stay! General Barksdale, of Mississippi, is another martyr. Also General Armstead, of Virginia. Generals Kemper and Pender wounded. I dread to hear of others. Who of our nearest kin may have ceased to live? When I think of probabilities and possibilities, I am almost crazy. Some of our men are reported wounded and in the enemy’s hands. They took many prisoners. The cars are rushing up and down with soldiers. Two trains with pontoons have gone up within the last two days. What does it all portend?

Friday, 10th–News came that there was fighting at Jackson, Mississippi, General Sherman having pushed Johnston back to that point. Troops are passing on to the front to reinforce Sherman. News came also that General Lee was making a raid into Pennsylvania.^[1] Colonel Chambers returned from Vicksburg today, and has again taken charge of our brigade. The men of our brigade are all in good health at present. The weather is hot and oppressive. No more at present.

[1] This seems to have been the first news from the battle of Gettysburg—a week after the battle.—Ed.

10th. Moved out at 4 A. M., our brigade in advance. Reached Corydon, 17 miles, before noon. Passed the barricade where the militia fought. Made of logs and rails, very good. Made little resistance, afraid of cannon. 350 taken prisoners. Many home guards went on with us. All the men, women, girls and children out to see us, water and grub. Did us all good to meet friends.

July 10th.

Shall I cry, faint, scream, or go off in hysterics? Tell me which, quickly; for to doubt this news is fine and imprisonment, and if I really believe it I would certainly give way to my feelings and commit some vagaries of the kind. My resolution is formed! I will do neither; I won’t gratify the Yankees so much. I have been banging at the piano until my fingers are weary, and singing “The Secret through Life to be Happy” until my voice is cracked; I’ll stand on my head if necessary, to prove my indifference; but I’ll never believe this is true until it is confirmed by stronger authority.

Day before yesterday came tidings that Vicksburg had fallen on the 4th inst. The “Era” poured out extras, and sundry little popguns fizzled out salutes. All who doubted the truth of the report and were brave enough to say so were fined or imprisoned; it has become a penal offense to doubt what the “Era” says; so quite a number of arrests were made. This morning it was followed up by the announcement of the capture of Port Hudson. The guns are pealing for true, and the Yankees at headquarters may be seen skipping like lambs, for very joy. And I still disbelieve! Skeptic! The first thing I know that “Era” man will be coming here to convert me! But I don’t, can’t, won’t believe it! If it is true, – but I find consolation in this faith: it is either true, or not true, – if it is true, it is all for the best, and if it is not true, it is better still. Whichever it is, is for some wise purpose; so it does not matter, so we wait, pray, and believe. [continue reading…]

July 10th. At six o’clock this morning we hove up anchor, got under way, and steamed up to the batteries at Port Hudson, the Albatross in company with us. Came to anchor off same; hove up anchor and shifted our berth on account of eddies; some of our officers left the ship to visit the place which had lately gained so much notoriety; at eleven thirty Major-General Banks visited the ship, and at twelve forty-five left same to go ashore; the blue jackets manned the rigging and gave him three cheers, which he acknowledged by uncovering his head and politely bowing; at one o’clock got under way again and started down the river. When a short distance below Port Hudson passed and spoke the gunboat Winona coming up; she stated that she had despatches from the Admiral for Commodore Palmer and Capt. Jenkins of the U. S. steam sloop-of-war Richmond. We told her to come within hail, but since she did not seem to hear us, still keeping on her course, we sent the Albatross up after her to get the despatches for first-named party. We continued on our way down the Mississippi; at five thirty came to anchor off Baton Rouge.

Friday, 10th.—Some better. Suppose we will start Sunday, but know nothing definite.

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

Whiskey Rations.

July 10. This being an isolated post and several miles from any commissary or sutler, the officers feared it would be terribly infected with malaria; having regard for the health and welfare of the men, they prevailed on our assistant surgeon, Doctor Flagg, to order whiskey rations. Up went the order and down came the whiskey, and now the order is to drink no more river water, but take a little whiskey as a preventive. This will prove a terrible hardship to the boys, but the surgeon’s orders are imperative. The boys in camp get their whiskey at night, and the pickets in the morning when they come in. After a barrel of whiskey has stood out all day in the sun and got about milk warm, it is curious to observe the boys while drinking it. Some of them with rather tender gullets will make up all manner of contortions of face trying to swallow it, but will manage to get it down and then run about fifteen rods to catch their breath. Commanders of companies deal out the whiskey to their men, consequently I deal out to mine, and when I wish to reward any of my braves for gallant and meritorious conduct, I manage to slop a little extra into their cups. That keeps them vigilant and interested and gallant. Meritorious conduct consists in bringing in watermelons, peaches and other subsistence, of which they somehow become possessed.

 JULY 10th.—This is the day of fate—and, without a cloud in the sky, the red sun, dimly seen through the mist (at noonday), casts a baleful light on the earth. It has been so for several days.

Early this morning a dispatch was received from Gen. Beauregard that the enemy attacked the forts in Charleston harbor, and, subsequently, that they were landing troops on Morris Island. Up to 3 o’clock we have no tidings of the result. But if Charleston falls, the government will be blamed for it—since, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Gen. B., the government, members of Congress, and prominent citizens, some 10,000 of his troops were away to save Vicksburg.

About one o’clock today the President sent over to the Secretary of War a dispatch from an officer at Martinsburg, stating that Gen. Lee was still at Hagerstown awaiting his ammunition—(has not Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, been sufficiently vigilant?)—which, however, had arrived at the Potomac. That all the prisoners (number not stated), except those paroled, were at the river. That nothing was known of the enemy—but that cavalry fighting occurred every day. He concluded by saying he did not know whether Lee would advance or recross the river. If he does the latter, in my opinion there will be a great revulsion of feeling in the Confederate States and in the United States.

Another dispatch, from Gen. J. E. Johnston, dated yesterday, at Jackson, Miss., stated that Grant’s army was then within four miles of him, with numbers double his own. But that he would hold the city as long as possible, for its fall would be the loss of the State. I learn a subsequent dispatch announced that fighting had begun. I believe Johnston is intrenched.

To-day Mr. Secretary Seddon requested Attorney-General Watts, if he could do so consistent with duty, to order a nolle prosequi in the District Court of Alabama in the case of Ford, Hurd & Co. for trading with the enemy. Gen. Pemberton had made a contract with them, allowing them to ship cotton to New Orleans, and to bring back certain supplies for the army. But Mr. Attorney-General Watts replied that it was not consistent with his duty to comply, and therefore he demurred to it, as the act they were charged with was in violation of the act of Congress of April 19th, 1862.

We lost twelve general officers in the fall of Vicksburg–one lieutenant-general, four major-generals, and seven brigadiers.

Dispatches from Jackson, Miss., say the battle began yesterday, but up to the time of the latest accounts it had not become general. Johnston had destroyed the wells and cisterns, and as there are no running streams in the vicinity, no doubt Grant’s army will suffer for water, if the defense be protracted.

From Charleston we learn that we lost in yesterday’s combat some 300 men, killed and wounded–the enemy quite as many. This morning the Yankees assaulted the battery on MorrisIsland, and were repulsed in two minutes, with a loss of 95 killed and 130 wounded, besides prisoners. Our loss was five, killed and wounded. Nothing further was heard up to 7 o’clock P.M.

From Lee we have no news whatever.

A letter from Governor Vance, of North Carolina, complains of an insult offered by Col. Thorburn (of Virginia), and asking that he be removed from the State, and if retained in service, not to be permitted to command North Carolinians. The Governor, by permission of Gen. Whiting, proceeded down the river to a steamer which had just got in (and was aground) from Europe, laden with supplies for the State; but when attempting to return was stopped by Col. T., who said it was against the rules for any one to pass from the steamer to the city until the expiration of the time prescribed for quarantine. The Governor informed him of his special permission from Gen. Whiting and the Board of Navigation–and yet the colonel said he should not pass for fifteen days, “if he was Governor Vance or Governor Jesus Christ.” The President indorsed on this letter, as one requiring the Secretary’s attention, “if the case be as stated.”

Again the blockade-runners are at their dirty work, and Judge Campbell is “allowing” them. To-day Col. J. Gorgas, who is daily in receipt of immense amounts of ordnance stores from Europe by government steamers, recommends that passports be given N. H. Rogers and L. S. White to proceed North for supplies. This is a small business. It is no time to apply for passports, and no time to grant them.

We now know all about the mission of Vice-President Stephens under flag of truce. It was ill-timed for success. At Washington news had been received of the defeat of Gen. Lee–which may yet prove not to have been “all a defeat.”

July 10th. Continual skirmishing going on with the rebs between Sharpsburg and Hagerstown, Maryland. Reported that General Lee is trying to cross the Potomac River into Virginia. We are either skirmishing or changing our position most of the time so that we are kept on the go about all the time and most of the movements are at double quick time. The most important subject under discussion is, “Why doesn’t Meade attack Lee?” as we have a number of regiments here who were not at Gettysburg, having come as reinforcements.

Thursday, 9th–There is no news of importance and we have had no chance yet for newspapers. We have scant news while out here in the woods, sometimes getting no mail for eight or ten days at a time. All our teams went to Vicksburg today for provisions. The forces of Sherman and Ord are still pursuing Johnston.

9th. On at daylight. Advance reached Brandenburg on south bank of Ohio River, just as the last boat of rebels crossed the river. He set the Alice Dean on fire. Burned to the water’s edge. One propeller came down at 1 P. M. and commenced ferrying. Fed corn and looked about town. Before dark, 12 to 14 boats, steam, gun and packets. ‘Twas a fine sight. Got over in the evening and camped on the hill–all over. Several boats ferried us. Two mills burned near river.

July 9th. At one A. M., received despatches from General Banks, and half an hour afterwards ordered the transports to get under way and report at Mount Pleasant Landing. Colonel Smith came on board, a bearer of despatches form General Banks, with orders to report for passage to Vicksburg. At three thirty A. M. the transports went down the river; at four thirty our Paymaster went below, in steamer Bee, for stores; at eight thirty called all to up anchor, and never before, during the Hartford’s cruise, was the anchor hove up by the boys with such a will and light hearts, or in a shorter period. The reader may here ask what was the stimulant administered to produce all this? In a few words I will tell him. The lads had been made to believe that the ship had been ordered home, and would leave New Orleans for the North very soon after she should arrive at that point, and general liberty had been given them; also there was another thing which made them light at heart: it was, that Port Hudson and Vicksburg had fallen, leaving the Mississippi clear from the Gulf to Cincinnati and St. Louis, and they had been in part instrumental in bringing about this work and felt proud of it. At nine A. M., came to anchor above Port Hudson batteries on account of some part of our machinery getting heated; at ten o’clock got under way again and stood down past Port Hudson; at ten ten the army firing a salute when the American flag was raised over the place; at ten forty-five came to anchor below Port Hudson; the gunboat Albatross accompanied us down; made signal to Richmond and New London at anchor here; finished taking provisions from steamer Bee on board during the afternoon; at seven thirty P. M., the steamer Laurel Hill passed down loaded with troops; at ten o’clock the transports St. Maurice, Empire Parish, Union, St. Charles, General Banks, and Louisiana Bell passed down the river with troops.

Thursday, 9th.—Reported that Johnston and the Yanks have been doing some hard fighting. Drew five days’ rations. Think we will start pretty soon. Very unwell.

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

JULY 9th.—The sad tidings from Vicksburg have been confirmed by subsequent accounts. The number of men fit for duty on the day of capitulation was only a little upwards of 7000. Flour was selling at $400 per barrel! This betrays the extremity to which they had been reduced.

A dispatch to-day states that Grant, with 100,000 men (supposed), is marching on Jackson, to give Johnston battle. But Johnston will retire—he has not men enough to withstand him, until he leads him farther into the interior. If beaten, Mobile might fall.

We have no particulars yet—no comments of the Southern generals under Pemberton. But the fall of the place has cast a gloom over everything.

The fall of Vicksburg, alone, does not make this the darkest day of the war, as it is undoubtedly. The news from Lee’s army is appalling. After the battle of Friday, the accounts from Martinsburg now state, he fell back toward Hagerstown, followed by the enemy, fighting but little on the way. Instead of 40,000 we have only 4000 prisoners. How many we have lost, we know not. The Potomac is, perhaps, too high for him to pass it—and there are probably 15,000 of the enemy immediately in his rear! Such are the gloomy accounts from Martinsburg.

Our telegraph operators are great liars, or else they have been made the dupes of spies and traitors. That the cause has suffered much, and may be ruined by the toleration of disloyal persons within our lines, who have kept the enemy informed of all our movements, there can be no doubt.

The following is Gen. Johnston’s dispatch announcing the fall of Vicksburg:

“JACKSON, July 7th, 1863.

“HON. J. A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR.
………………“Vicksburg capitulated on the 4th inst. The garrison was paroled, and are to be returned to our lines, the officers retaining their side-arms and personal baggage.
………………“This intelligence was brought by an officer who left the place on Sunday, the 5th.

“J. E. JOHNSTON, General.”

We get nothing from Lee himself. Gen. Cooper, the Secretary of War, and Gen. Hill went to the President’s office about one o’clock. They seemed in haste, and excited. The President, too, is sick, and ought not to attend to business. It will kill him, perhaps.

There is serious anxiety now for the fate of Richmond. Will Meade be here in a few weeks? Perhaps so—but, then, Lee may not have quite completed his raid beyond the Potomac.

The Baltimore American, no doubt in some trepidation for the quiescence of that city, gets up a most glowing account of “Meade’s victory”—if it should, indeed, in the sequel, prove to have been one. That Lee fell back, is true; but how many men were lost on each side in killed, wounded, and prisoners—how many guns were taken, and what may be the result of the operations in Pennsylvania and Maryland—of which we have as yet such imperfect accounts–will soon be known.

Wednesday, 8th–I came off guard duty this morning at 9 o’clock. There was a hailstorm last night and everything looks nice and green, notwithstanding the fact that there has been no rain for two months. But it is hot and the corn has suffered a great deal. All the fields are planted to corn, as that was the surest way to get food for the rebel army.