New York, July 30th.

My dear Miss Woolsey: I was extremely glad to receive your excellent letter yesterday. Had I known that you were residing in Washington, I should have requested you some time before to collect information for our society. We had become extremely anxious about these women; we could not learn who had safely arrived, where they were, what they were doing, nor how they fared in any respect; and a check of considerable amount, sent to one of them, was unacknowledged. As we had pledged ourselves to protect these women, pay their expenses, their wages, etc., you may imagine that we felt extremely uneasy about them. . . .

I will ask you now, to find out for us where Miss E. H. and Mrs. M. S. are placed. They were sent from New York by the night train, July 25th, direct to Miss Dix, and should have reached Washington last Friday morning.

Will you also visit the Georgetown Hospital and report on two nurses whom we sent on last Saturday. We should like some unprejudiced account of the management of this Hospital. . .

I will see that any nurse going to Alexandria in future is furnished with a certificate signed by some proper authority here. We feel much obliged to you for all the trouble you have taken in this matter. . . .

As the government payment commences Aug. 5th, from that time our society hands the nurses over to the government.

I remain very truly yours,

E. Blackwell.

“Find out incidentally before Dr. E. goes, where Mr. Charming is to preach. Mind, I don’t want to accept an invitation to go with him. I saw him, when I was shutting the blinds up here, pass the windows of the parlor, and stop and look in, and go on, and stop, and turn back and come in–! and then I banged the blinds with glee, and am just popping into bed. Shall expect you up about midnight.”

Daily Chronicle & Sentinel
Augusta, Ga
July 30, 1861

Culverton, Hancock Co., Ga., July 27.

Editor Chronicle & Sentinel:–I read various accounts in the papers of what the ladies are doing for our soldiers. I should like to furnish an instance for your paper which I think quite as good if not better than any I have seen.

Miss Mary Ezzol, a member of the Soldiers’ Aid Society of this place, has, within the last six weeks, spun, wove, cut, made and brought into the society, eleven pair of pants for the soldiers, worth at least two dollars each. The cloth of which they are made is what the ladies call Brown Dimity, and is as nice an article as anybody can make with the distaff and loom. Now when it is remembered that this lady has an invalid mother and sister to support, and not a soul to help her, we think it will be hard to find one to excel her. — But this is not all. She has a little farm which she cultivates with her own hands, and she says when she “lays it by” she will be ready for a musket and a place in the ranks of the Confederate army. She has heard that General Scott sent word to Secretary Toombs that he would be down South in time to gather the coming crops, and she invites him to come and gather hers. As an inducement she keeps a good double-barrel shot gun well loaded, the contents of which she will give him or any one he may send. Let the foe who would press Georgia’s soil with his foot beware–the Nancy Harts are not all dead yet. B.

July 30th.—I have just been conversing with some young soldiers, who joined in the dangers and glories of the battle-field. They corroborate what I had before heard of the presence of Northern females. I would not mention it before in my diary, because I did not wish to record any thing which I did not know to be true. But when I receive the account from eye-witnesses whose veracity cannot be doubted, I can only say, that I feel mortified that such was the case. They came, not as Florence Nightingales to alleviate human suffering, but to witness and exult over it. With the full assurance of the success of their army they meant to pass over the mutilated limbs and mangled corpses of ours, and to go on their way rejoicing to scenes of festivity in the halls of the vanquished, and to revel over the blood of the slain, the groans of the dying, the wails of the widow and the fatherless. But “Linden saw another sight,” and these very delicate, gentle, womanly ladies, where were they? Flying back to Washington, in confusion and terror, pell-mell, in the wildest excitement. And where were their brave and honourable escorts? Flying, too; not as protectors to their fair friends, but with self-preservation alone in view. All went helter-skelter—coaches, cabriolets, barouches, buggies, flying over the roads, as though all Fairfax were mad.

“Ah, Fear! ah, frantic Fear!
I see—I see thee near.
I know thy hurried step, thy haggard eye!
Like thee, I start; like thee, disordered fly!

Each bush to their disordered imaginations contained a savage Confederate. Cannon seemed thundering in the summer breeze, and in each spark of the lightning-bug, glinted and gleamed the sword and Bowie-knife of the blood-thirsty Southerner. Among the captured articles were ladies’ dresses, jewels, and other gew-gaws, on their way to Richmond [continue reading…]

July 30.–Senator Trumbull of Ohio spoke in the Senate of the United States on the Bill to suppress insurrection, and favored the approval of what had been done by the President before Congress assembled as done by the legal representative of the nation in the nation’s defence. Senator Carlile spoke against the 8th section of the bill which empowers military commanders to discharge from custody prisoners who take the oath of allegiance.–(Doc. 131.)

–The Thirteenth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Samuel H. Leonard, passed through New York, on their route for Harper’s Ferry, Va. The regiment numbers one thousand and eleven men, and is armed with the Enfield rifle. While on their march through the city, the troops sung several martial airs, the stanza of one of them commencing:

We’ll hang Jeff. Davis on a Palmetto tree,
Glory hallelujah! Glory hallelujah!
And the Union then will be great and free,
Glory hallelujah! Glory hallelujah!

–New York World, July 31.

–General B. F. Butler wrote another interesting letter to the Secretary of War on the subject of the “contraband.”–(Doc. 132.)

–The Fifth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers passed though New York en route for Washington, by the way of Harrisburg, Pa. It is commanded by Colonel O. S. Terry, of Norwalk, and is splendidly equipped.

–The Thirteenth Regiment of Brooklyn, N. Y. S. M., returned from Annapolis, Md., its term of service having expired on the 23d instant. –N. Y. World, July 31.

–Fredericka W. Lander was this morning appointed a brigadier-general by the President of the United States. He has command of the Rhode Island and part of the Massachusetts regiments. This appointment was made at the earnest recommendations of Gen. McClellan, Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island, and Senator Carlile of Virginia.

–Six Government clerks in the departments at Washington, resigned to-day, owing to the passage of the Virginia ordinance, providing that any citizen of that Commonwealth holding any office under the Government of the United States after to-morrow shall be forever banished from that State, and is declared an alien and enemy; and further, any citizen who may hereafter undertake to represent the State in the Congress of the United States, in addition to the penalties above presented, shall be deemed guilty of treason and his property confiscated, to the use of the State.–(Doc. 135.)

–The Fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Militia returned to Boston from the seat of war, its time of service having expired. Delegations of military, firemen, and civic authorities from adjoining towns, which had furnished companies to the gallant 5th, were waiting during the forenoon for their arrival, and Boston poured out its thousands to greet and welcome them home. After partaking of a bountiful collation on the Common, prepared by the City Government, the regiment was mustered out of service, and the companies soon after started, under an escort of their towns-people, for their homes. Three contrabands came with the regiment; two men and a woman.

At Bull Run the regiment lost 25 killed, 26 wounded, and 5 missing. The national flag borne by this regiment bears marks of hard usage. The eagle is missing from the staff, and there are three holes in the flag, two made by bullets, and one by a fragment of a shell. This flag, at the beginning of the fight, was borne by the color-bearer, Lawrence, who was shot dead, receiving two musket balls in his breast. The bearer of the Massachusetts flag, G. W. Wallace, of the Haverhill company, was at his side, and seizing the national flag as it fell from Lawrence’s hand, he for a time bore both, but at length the last-named was taken by the Sergeant-Major of the regiment, and was retained by him. The story that it was left on the field at any time is false.–N. Y. Tribune, July 31.

–To-day an order was issued by Gen. McClellan prohibiting officers or soldiers from leaving their camps or quarters except upon important public or private business, and then not without written permission from the commander of the brigade of which they may be a part.–(Doc. 136.)

–In the United States Senate the resolution legalizing certain acts of the President being under consideration, Mr. Pearce, of Maryland, spoke in opposition thereto.–The bill to suppress insurrection and sedition was taken up, and after some discussion was postponed.– Baltimore American, July 31.

–Five companies of the First Regiment of Nebraska Volunteers, Col. Shager commanding, left Omaha, on the steamer West Wind this morning, for St. Joseph, Mo. They took two pieces of cannon with them.–N. Y. Tribune, August 1.

–The following order was made by the Post-Office Department for the execution of the law respecting soldiers’ letters:

“Postmasters at or near any camp or point occupied by the United States forces will mail without prepayment of postage any letter written by a soldier in the service of the United States and certified to be such by the Major or Acting Major of the regiment to which the writer is attached. The envelope should have plainly stamped or written on its face the certificate ‘Soldier’s letter,’ signed in writing by the Major or Acting Major of the regiment, describing his regiment by its number and its State. The postage due on such letters will be collected at the office of delivery. Commissioned officers will prepay their postage as heretofore.

John A. Kasson,

“First Assistant Postmaster-General.”

July 30, 1861

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Missouri State Convention declared vacant the offices of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Secretary of State, by a vote of 56 to 25. The seats of the members of the Legislature were also declared vacant. The State officers and a majority of the Legislature were secessionists.

1. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

SARATOGA, 29th.—We heard Rev. Theodore Cuyler preach to-day from the text, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” He leads devotional exercises every morning in the parlors of the Columbian Hotel. I spoke to him this morning and he said my father was one of his best and earliest friends.

MONDAY 29

Saml Androus and his Regt (Mich 1st) went home today. I am quite well today after my attack of yesterday. I went down town and staid part of the day. Nothing of importance occured today but the City is very full of strangers, besides soldiers. I went down to the Camp with wife & Julia. The Surgeon, A L Barnes, came home with us to tea. He was on the Battle field at “Bull run.” Quite a number of the Regt, 27th, are on the Sick list, but generaly doing well.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

(excerpt)

        29th. “I send you the ‘Examiner’ of to-day, which has full extracts from the Northern papers—about the battle. Some of the handcuffs were shown at the Hotel, yesterday, but I did not happen to see them. ‘Tis however a fact—how many exactly I don’t know—but there are certainly a great many taken.”

JULY 29th.—To-day quite a number of our wounded men on crutches, and with arms in splints, made their appearance in the streets, and created a sensation. A year hence, and we shall be accustomed to such spectacles.

My dear Miss Woolsey: I am thankful you are going to the hospital. Express to the good nurses my kind regards and purpose of seeing them so soon as I am able. Thanks for the lovely flowers, with cordial regards to Mrs. H. I have very little strength; excuse brevity and abruptness. I must have some consultation with you so soon as I am better, concerning the position of the nurses. I fear they are over-tasked.

Very cordially yours,

D. L. Dix.

–   –   –   –   –

My dear Miss Woolsey: Will you give a little attention to the hospitals at Alexandria through next week for me if convenient? Any requisition on my stores will always be promptly met.

I still feel that all the nurses who are really conscientious are very heavily tasked.

Yours most cordially,

D. L. Dix.

From the personal diary of Private Theodore Reichardt of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery

July 29. Monday.–A bright, warm day. Marched yesterday fourteen miles; today, nine miles to Weston, which we reached soon after noon. A pretty county town of one thousand people or so, surrounded by hills, picturesque and lovely. Encamped on a hill looking towards the town, my tent where I now sit opening upon a sweet scene of high hills, green smooth sward, or forests. The west fork of the Monongahela flows at the bottom of the hill, just below the rear of the field officers’ tents.

“Mountain View,” July 29.—Mr. _____ and myself came over here on Friday, to spend a few days with the Bishop and his family. He delivered a delightful address yesterday in the church, on the thankfulness and praise due to Almighty God, for (considering the circumstances) our unprecedented victory at Manassas. Our President and Congress requested that thanks should be returned in all of our churches. All rejoice for the country, though there are many bleeding hearts in our land. Among our acquaintances, Mr. Charles Powell, of Winchester, Col. Edmund Fontaine, of Hanover, and Mr. W. N. Page, of Lexington, each lost a son; and our friend, Mr. Clay Ward, of Alexandria, also fell. The gallant Generals Bee and Bartow were not of our State, but of our cause, and we all mourn their loss. Each mail adds to the list of casualties. The enemy admit their terrible disaster, and are busy inquiring into causes.

This house has been a kind of hospital for the last month. Several sick soldiers are here now, men of whom they know nothing except that they are soldiers of the Confederacy. They have had measles, and are now recruiting for service. One who left here two weeks ago, after having been carefully nursed, was killed at Manassas. The family seem to lament him as an old friend, though they never saw him until he came here from the Winchester hospital. Two sons of this house were in the fight; and the Bishop had several other grandchildren engaged, one of whom, R. M., lost his right arm. His grandfather has been to Winchester to see him, and is much gratified by the fortitude with which he bears his suffering. He says, “R. is a brave boy, and has done his duty to his country, and I will try to do my duty to him, and make up the loss of his arm to him, as far as possible.” It is delightful to be with Bishop Meade. There is so much genuine hospitality and kindness in his manner of entertaining, which we perhaps appreciate more highly now than we ever did before. His simple, self-denying habits are more conspicuous at home than anywhere else. We sit a great deal in his study, where [continue reading…]

–An engagement took place at Aquia Creek, Va., to-day. Four vessels of the Potomac flotilla opened the attack by firing shot and shell at a new battery which had been erected by the rebels. Several of the shells fell and exploded into a camp of rebels near the battery. The rebels returned the fire with considerable vigor from rifled cannon, but caused little damage, as their range was too high. The engagement lasted three hours, during which time the flotilla was struck but by one shot, which, however, inflicted no personal injury.– N. Y, Commercial Advertiser, July 31.

–Captain Wm. P. Allen, of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment, E. P. Doherty, of the New York Seventy-first, and Orlando Waldorf, Second Wisconsin, arrived in Washington city, having escaped from Sudley Church, Va., where they were detained as prisoners. The sentinel fell asleep, and they leaped from a window and escaped to the woods. They reached the Potomac, which they forded, fourteen miles above Washington.–N. Y. World, July 30.

–The Memphis Appeal, in urging planters to keep their cotton at home, says: “Should the usual quantity be brought to Memphis–say 400,000 bales–and be stored in our warehouses this fall, the temptation for the enemy to essay its capture would be extremely great, particularly as cotton will be very scarce at the North next winter. It would be tantamount, indeed, to offering $20,000,000 for invasion of the Mississippi Valley, and for a successful invasion against Memphis.”–N. Y. World, July 31.

–The House of Representatives, at Washington, refused to entertain a motion of Mr. Cox (Ohio) to appoint a Committee of Conference to report on amendments to the Constitution of the United States, with a view to the reconstruction of the Union.–(Doc. 130.)

–The first regiment of the Polish Brigade, under Col. Sulakowski, left New Orleans to-day for Virginia. The second regiment of the brigade is rapidly filling up, and will be in Virginia long before Lincoln, Scott & Co. make their second attempt to dine in Richmond, where Gen. Tochman now is drawing up his share of the bill of fare which the Polish Brigade intend serving up.–N. O. Crescent, July 29.

–A large meeting was held at the Merchants Exchange, in New Orleans, to make arrangements for the relief of the soldiers wounded at Manassas. Gen. W. A. Elmore presided, and Rev. Dr. Palmer spoke. Among other things he said that he did not believe this would be a protracted war. Protracted wars did not prevail among the great civilized nations of the earth, but only among barbarians. Such a war would bankrupt any nation in one year. Even England, in the war of the Crimea, found herself pressed and worried to the extreme in furnishing her army with supplies. For what duration of time could the North hope to sustain 400,000 men? As to the issue, the enemy might as well throw their millions into the rivers as to expect to subjugate us. Our cotton gave us immense power. The millions of Europe depended on it for their bread. As for the blockade, we laughed it to scorn. This war must soon terminate, or the civilized nations of Europe must become engaged in it; and he predicted our independence would be acknowledged before the first day of next year. But we would carry on this war until that end was accomplished. He alluded to a meeting at the New York Tabernacle, at which it was declared that the war should not end until Slavery was driven from our soil! But he felt it must continue until every nation on earth should recognize our independence and our institutions. He spoke of the imbecility, usurpation, and tyranny of Lincoln–unparalleled since the days of Charles I. He would have said that the North was almost unanimously against us, if he had not heard Vallandigham’s voice. (Tremendous cheering.) But he felt there were many brave men at the North, who strongly sympathized with our cause. He felt the certain success of our cause, because right and truth were on our side. Not till the crush of worlds would our country be subjugated.

A series of resolutions were adopted, of which the following is the first:

1. That we recognize in these victories on the side of liberty, against tyranny and oppression, the hand of the same just and righteous God who guided the armies of the country when lead by Washington in defence of its liberty ; that our hearts are filled with gratitude to the most high and mighty Ruler of the Universe for that signal interposition on our behalf, manifested in the strength and courage given to our soldiers and the terror which seized upon our enemies..–N. Y. Times, August 6.

–Brigadier General Cox in a message to Governor Pierpont dated this day at Gauley, Va., says: “The Kanawha Valley is now free from the rebel troops. Most of the forces raised by Wise in this valley left him between Charleston and this place. I had sent them assurances that if they laid down their arms they might go quietly to their homes, and many have done so, asserting that they were cheated into the rebel service. I regret to have to say that Wise in his retreat has burned a number of valuable bridges, and carried off most of the wagons and teams belonging to the people of the valley. All parties denounce him for his vandalism. I congratulate you on the success of this expedition.”–Baltimore American, Aug. 2

July 29, 1861

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Robert Toombs, of Georgia, resigned his position as C. S. Secretary of State, and was succeeded by Robert M. T. Hunter,of Virginia.

1. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

July 28.—As we were changing boats at Burlington, Vt., for Saratoga, to our surprise, we met Captain and Abbie Williams, but could only stop a moment.

June 28.—Dear Abbie Clark and Captain Williams were married in the Congregational church this evening. The church was trimmed beautifully and Abbie looked sweet. We attended the reception afterwards at her house. “May calm and sunshine hallow their clasped hands.”

SUNDAY 28

I have been sick today with Cholera Morbus. Was very bad the fore part of the day, but am much better tonight. I have not been out in the street at all, nor have I eaten anything. Kept flannel wet occasionaly in hot water on my bowels all day and took a little of the Cholera Preventive and kept still and think I am cured. Swan & Gaul were in an hour this evening. Had a fine thunder shower just before dark with wind.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

Finally the arrangements being all made we started off on our adventures—being placed by my Uncle in charge of a responsible gentleman, who was to take us to Baltimore, and deliver us into the care of Mr. Walters.

We were cautioned to be very quiet, to express nothing at what we heard or saw, and to be as unobtrusive as possible in our demeanor. I shall never forget my emotions the day we started. In the crown of my hat I had concealed a package of letters to be delivered in Richmond, and my importance in my own estimation was not a little enhanced by the possession of this delightful secret. We made the journey to Baltimore without mishap or adventures of any kind—and when we reached the station, and alighted from the car, I noticed a gentleman eagerly scanning the passengers, as they passed him. As we approached he came forward, asked a question in an undertone, which was answered with equal caution, and we were hurried into a carriage, and driven rapidly to Mr. Walters’ house on Mt. Vernon place, where we were received by Mr. and Mrs. Walters with the greatest cordiality and affection. On refreshing ourselves after our journey, we were taken in to dinner, where my eyes fairly danced with delight at beholding in a wine glass at each cover, a dear little Confederate flag; placed there in honor of the two little guests. After a short period our kind host and hostess bid us goodbye, and we were again on our travels; it not being deemed safe for us to remain in Baltimore.

Mr. Walters’ brother now took charge of us, and we were rapidly driven six or seven miles in the country, to a hotel called “Paradise,” near Catonsville and a veritable “Paradise” it proved to the two tired little children who were received with open arms by the kind ladies at the hotel. There we spent the night, and in the morning were again on our travels.

On taking the train near the Relay House we found on board a number of the members of the Maryland Legislature, on their way to Frederick, at which place the Governor had convened the Legislature; Annapolis, the capital of the State, being under the control of Federal troops. When we reached the Point of Rocks, we left the train, and had dinner at the country tavern, where we sat at table with a number of Federal soldiers, [continue reading…]

JULY 28th.—We have taken two prisoners in civilian’s dress, Harris and ___, on the field, who came over from Washington in quest of the remains of Col. Cameron, brother of the Yankee Secretary of War. They claim a release on the ground that they are non-combatants, but admit they were sent to the field by the Yankee Secretary. Mr. Benjamin came to the department last night with a message for Secretary Walker, on the subject. The Secretary being absent, he left it with me to deliver. It was that the prisoners were not to be liberated without the concurrence of the President. There was no danger of Secretary Walker releasing them; for I had heard him say the authorities might have obtained the remains, if they had sent a flag of truce. Disdaining to condescend thus far toward a recognition of us as belligerents, they abandoned their dead and wounded; and he, Walker, would see the prisoners, thus surreptitiously sent on the field, in a very hot place before he would sign an order for their release. I was gratified to see Mr. Benjamin so zealous in the matter.

July 28. Sunday.–Busy from 4 A.M. packing baggage, striking tents, and preparing to move. Baggage enormous and extra; great delays; great stew. Our new Irish quartermaster– a failure so far. Got off about 11 A. M., in a great shower. I rode backwards and forwards; got wet; weather hot after the showers; face and nose, softened by the rain, begin to scorch; a peeling time in prospect. Still it was novel, scenery fine. Blackberries beyond all experience line the road; road good. Camped at night in a meadow by the road. Rain-storm soon followed. Many put up no tents; wearied with the day’s march, they threw themselves on the ground and slept through. I got wet through trying to get them sheltered. In the enemy’s country, although all we meet are Union men. Many fancied threatening dangers in all novel sights. A broken limb in a tree top was thought to be a spy looking down into the camp; fires were seen; men riding by were scouts of the enemy, etc., etc.