Sunday, 14th.—Some cannonading up to 2 P. M., when heavy cannonading and rapid volleys of musketry began about the center; Federal officers tried to get their men to charge, but failed.

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

June 13th. Turned out very early this morning. Waiting for orders to march. While waiting for orders our cavalry scouts are coming in, reporting the enemy coming down the valley in force. Somewhat of a surprise, they having come through the mountain passes in the night, making a forced march. While near the Colonel’s quarters I saw a scout coming, almost flying, down the pike. Jumped his horse over a stone fence that surrounded our camp. Headed straight for the Colonel’s tent. Without any ceremony rushed in, informed the Colonel the enemy was almost upon us. I ran to the Colonel’s quarters and heard the report. With a shout the Colonel called out “Fall in, fall in, double quick.” We soon formed in line, ready for orders. Left our camp on double quick time to meet the enemy. They opened fire on us and our camp with a battery well posted on a high hill about one mile from our camp. We held them in check for a while when orders came for us to fall back and take position in the line of battle that had been formed near the town. In the meantime the enemy had taken possession of our camp with all its equipage and our knapsacks that contained all our belongings, making a great loss to every man. The sudden appearance of so large a force was a surprise. We were under fire all day and were obliged to change our position at different points to meet the enemy, who were trying to get into Winchester. It was plainly seen that a large force of Confederates were surrounding the town and that we were in a bad fix, as we could see the gray in all directions and knew that we were more than outnumbered.

13th. Another hot sultry day. Flies swarm about the commissary by thousands–a continual fight to keep them off. Got some lemons for Henry and some candy. Independent and Congregationalist came. Good sermon by Beecher. Both Thede and I are bothered with diarrhÅ“a.

Saturday, 13th–The Eleventh Iowa moved out towards the rear about four miles, to relieve the Ninety-third Illinois on picket. The land around here is very rough and heavily timbered. There is an occasional small farm. The people around here are all rank secessionists.

June 13th. A fire was seen early this morning down by the lower fleet, also at the same time, heavy bombardment of Port Hudson going on, by our army and naval forces. Between the hours of four and eight A. M., heavy firing of musketry, artillery, &c., at Port Hudson; at nine A. M. inspected crew at quarters; at five P. M. the Albatross came down the river and anchored ahead of us. Mortars of lower fleet still firing, and the rebels replying with their lower batteries; at ten o’clock P. M., our mortar schooners still at work in their attempt to reduce Port Hudson. Clear and pleasant weather the whole of the twenty-four hours.

JUNE 13th.—Col. Baylor, of Arizona, has been heard from again. He confesses that he issued the order to slaughter the Apaches in cold blood, and says it is the only mode of dealing with such savages. The President indorses on it that it is “a confession of an infamous crime.”

Yesterday the enemy appeared on the Peninsula, in what numbers we know not yet; but just when Gen. Wise was about to attack, with every prospect of success, an order was received from Gen. Arnold Elzey to fall back toward the city, pickets and all.

A letter from Gen. Holmes, containing an account from one of his scouts, shows that the enemy’s militia in Arkansas and Missouri are putting to death all the men, young or old, having favored the Confederate cause, who fall into their hands. These acts are perpetrated by order of Gen. Prentiss. The President suggests that they be published, both at home and abroad.

Mr. L. Heyliger, our agent at Nassau, sends an account of the firing into and disabling the British steamer Margaret and Jessee by the United States steamer Rhode Island, within a half mile of shore. Several British subjects were wounded. This may make trouble.

Mr. J. S. Lemmon applied by letter to-day for permission to leave a Confederate port for Europe. Major-Gen. Arnold Elzey indorsed on it: “This young man, being a native of Maryland, is not liable to military service in the Confederate States.” Well, Arnold Elzey is also a native of Maryland.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

                      JUNE 13TH.–The siege continues with increased fury, and the boom of cannon announces the sacrifice of more lives. Instead of any cessation the artillery plays upon the city almost every moment throughout the day. The variety of the projectiles becomes greater. The shrapnel, I think, must be most formidable to the enemy. It is a shell filled with eighty small balls, which, when the shell is exploded, scatter in every direction. It makes a fearful buzzing sound as it flies–a warning to seek cover, if such can be found. Besides this there are the parrot, cannister, grape and solid shot. The cannister and grape are also cases wherein are enclosed a number of small balls. But the least fragment from an exploded shell is sufficient to wound or kill.

                      I have a great curiosity to see the court house at Vicksburg. It stands on a hill, and seems to be the target for many cannon. There is a Confederate flag waving from it defiantly. A proud day it will be when we haul it down and raise in its stead the stars and stripes, never to be displaced again. The buildings in the city must, by this time, be pretty well riddled with shot and shell. The women, it seems, did not all leave the city before the bombardment began, and I suppose they have determined to brave it out. Their sacrifices and privations are worthy of a better cause, and were they but on our side how we would worship them. It is rumored in camp that Grant is getting reinforcements from the eastern army. I have a great desire to see them, for while we have always thought them to be no less brave, they are said to be better clothed and equipped than the western boys. In fact, from the eastern army, during the last year, the standing report among western boys has been merely such catch phrases as “Bull Run,” “Burnside Crossing the Rappahannock,” “All Quiet on the Potomac.” Perhaps such reports or their substance will continue to fill the headlines of news from those departments until Lincoln commissions Grant commander of the whole army. Should that occur, one grand move forward will be made and the Southern confederacy will be crushed forever.

                      We are doing all we can to expedite the glorious victory awaiting us here, yet there are grumblers in the North who are complaining of our slow progress, and treasonable articles are published in some papers that come to us from the North, intended to discourage the soldiers. Why don’t Grant move? If we had all those grumblers in Vicksburg, I fancy they would soon find something from Grant was moving quite briskly. But Grant does not idle away his time himself, nor let his men be idle. If the people of the North will but back us up with their aid and confidence, we shall feel well repaid for all the sufferings we endure here, staring death in the face, and standing like a solid wall between their homes and danger.

              Let not a murmur meet the ear,
                                      Nor discontent have sway;
              Let not a sullen brow appear
                                      Through all the camp to-day.

June 13, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.

RICHMOND, Tuesday, June 9.

Perhaps it is all the better for the public sanity that no more telegrams come from Jackson. We are in the dark, too, in regard to LEE’S army. It is thought that EWELL, LONGSTREET and STUART have crossed the Rappahannock, probably in Culpeper, leaving A. P. HILL at Fredericksburg. On Friday evening, when the enemy crossed at Deep Run, we had only a brigade in that vicinity; but by one o’clock the first day 25,000 men and General Lee in person were in readiness to meet Fighting Joe. That the forward movement has not been frustrated by this demonstration of the enemy, may be inferred from the fact that a division left a point below Fredericksburg yesterday morning and took up its line of march in the direction of Gordonsville. A battery of long range guns and some infantry left here later in the day, but their destination was unknown.

Of course, there are a thousand speculations as to Lee designs. The publicity given to his movements would indicate either something very deep laid, or a determination to beat the enemy, after fair warning, wherever met. The secret, if there be one, is well kept. Remembering the issue of last year advance, we do not permit ourselves to be sanguine.

Prices have gone up and down. Gold from $5 to $7.50; wool hats, from $20 to $40 or $50; chickens, from $6 to $2, and butter the same. Meal is very scarce again. The taxes (State, Confederate and city) on whisky amount to $3 50 a gallon, and some dealers are closing up.

We have queer weather of late – cool mornings, warm noons, and every afternoon a cold storm, threatening rain, but ending in wind.

Col. Rhett, of THE MERCURY, is in the city.

HERMES.

June 13, 1863, (Marshall) Texas Republican

                      Among many instances of petty tyranny, that of the schools in New Orleans bears the palm.  After issuing an order that all theatres, concerts and exhibitions, the tunes of the Star Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia and Yankee Doodle, should be played, the officer in command issued a special order that these tunes should be sung by the children in each school in the city, every day.  Numbers of persons took their children from school and taught them at home.  The miserable tyrants then arrested all the private teachers, governesses and ladies, and imprisoned them until they swore allegiance, and to teach the children to sing Yankee Doodle.

June 13, 1863, Menphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Ga)

A young man, a native of South Carolina, twenty-five years of age, dark hair and blue yes who has been in the service in Virginia for two years, but is now exempt from all military duty, wishes to procure a partner for life.  All communications strictly confidential.  This is a bona fide offer.  Address L. A., Care Post Office Box 22, Atlanta, Ga.

June 13, 1863, The New York Herald

It has been ascertained that the reinforcements reaching General Lee from the Carolinas and elsewhere have swelled his army to double the number he had in the battle of Chancellorsville. His force is divided into three corps, of 30,000 men each. The rebels continue to fire at our pickets. Some artillery practice is tried occasionally by the enemy, but without much effect.

General Mosby’s raid into Maryland, near Poolesville, was not of long duration, nor did it effect much. A telegram from Leesburg says his force was at Carter’s Mills, on Goose creek, Loudon county, at daybreak yesterday, hurrying back to the mountains, and that the Union troops were in pursuit.

Information having been obtained by the War Department that a large rebel force, composed of cavalry, artillery and mounted infantry, has been prepared for the purpose of making a raid into Pennsylvania, the President has created two new departments – one in Eastern Pennsylvania, to be commanded by Major General Couch, and the other in Western Pennsylvania, to be commanded by Major General Brooks. Governor Curtin issued a proclamation yesterday earnestly inviting the attention of the people of Pennsylvania to the general orders issued by these officers on assuming the command of their respective departments, and urging the importance of immediately raising a sufficient force for the defence of the State.

A number of rebel officers, numbering ninety, while being sent to Fort Delaware from [continue reading…]

June 13, 1863, [Little Rock] Weekly Arkansas Gazette

                      It is really shameful to notice the disgraceful manner in which some houses are treated, in which soldiers have been camped.  We hear of many complaints.  Can such a state of affairs last long without a check?  This idea of taking possession of a person’s house, in the city, destroying it before the owner’s eyes, is despotic.  Well may we exclaim, “Oh, Lord save me from my friends; my enemies I can manage.”  With all the reports of the Federals destroying property in the late raid upon Alexandria, we are told that but little damage was done.  – Shreveport News, 2d.

June 13, 1863, Menphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Ga)

The Huntsville Advocate says that during the recent Federal raid into Florence, Ala., they burnt the three cotton factories of Martin, Weakley & Co., which worked up 4000 bales per year; the woolen factories of Darby, Benham & Co., and of James Martin & Son–five factories.  In Florence, they burnt the Masonic hall, one unoccupied tavern, two blacksmith, one coach and one carpenter’s shops, three unoccupied houses, one small residence, etc.  They broke open every store in the place, took what they could carry off, robbed citizens of money, watches, jewelry, horses, etc., took off some negroes, desolated and burned Mrs. James Jackson’s place, etc.  They also burned several mills and tan yards in the county.  This is a fearful inventory the memory of which should be cherished, for a proper application of the principle of lex talionis.

June 13, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(From the Richmond Examiner.)

The war has proved the degeneracy of Virginia horse-flesh. We still have as fine horses in Virginia as ever, or as are to be found in any country under the sun; but they are few. At one time in the history of our Commonwealth, first rate horses only were bred; but the general practice has long ago ceased; and our stock of horses has become mixed almost universally with base blood.

Accordingly, that which should be the strong arm of the Southern service, the cavalry, is the weakest and most contemptible. A band of Yankee buggy drivers and teamsters, mounted on Pennsylvania Conestogas, intermingled with cold blooded Morgans and trotters, have swept leisurely through that part of the Confederacy which should have been alive with fleet, ubiquitous and irresistible cavalry. Chase was made in one instance, and the enemy overtaken and chastised; but he rode away after his beating, and our cavalry were unable to follow; the horses being broken down and broken winded. The celerity of Lee’s Legion, and the partisan corps of Sumter, Marion and Hampton in the Southern campaign of the Revolution, was due, in great part, to the excellence of their thoroughbred steeds, which were very fleet, had great bottom, and possessed withal, in some degree, the gift of Fortunio’s horse, which fed but once a week.

The thoroughbred Arabian horse was cherished in Virginia and the Carolinas, as early as in England herself; and such was the enterprise of our good ancestors in this respect, that the first celebrities of the English studbook were purchased at enormous prices, and [continue reading…]

June 13, 1863, The New York Herald

The first summer after the rebellion broke out was rather a dismal one for the Northern watering places. The best paying visitors at the hotels there had been Southerner; for they made their money fly freely, and spent more in expensive wines and carriages – those two great sources of profit to landlords – than the more calculating and abstemious Northerners. Suddenly cut off from Southern patronage, and also from a considerable portion of that which they were accustomed to receive from the Northern cities, the proprietors of the large hotels in many instances gave up their establishments, despairing of the revival of their business. Those that did so made a great mistake, as the results of the following season proved. To the old visitors succeeded a crowd of new ones – the nouveaux riches of Wall Street speculations and government contracts. These, big with the consciousness of their moneyed importance, vied with each other in profuseness of expenditure, and amply made up to the watering places for the loss of their Southern visitors.

It might equally be anticipated that between the ruin that has fallen upon most of the large proprietors of the South and the demands made upon its whole male population by the military service, the hotels at the Southern watering places would not be in a condition to profit by the barrier that has been raised between the two sections. That such is not the fact we gather from the following advertisement in one of the Richmond papers: –

YELLOW SULPHUR SPRINGS. – This pleasant watering place will be ready to receive visitors on the first day of June. Terms: $8 per day, $50 per week, children under twelve years of age and servants $5 per day, $30 per week. Visitors will find coaches and hackmen at the Christiansburg depot to convey them four miles to the Springs.

This shows that the rich families of the South are not all ruined, and that no more there than here has the war cast a damper upon social and other enjoyments. Indeed, it is probable that so far from the Southern watering place experiencing any falling off in the number of their visitors this season, they will, like our own exhibit a considerable increase. We base this anticipation on the fact that the Southerners have fewer places to go to – some of their favorite resorts, such as Old Point Comfort, being in our possession – and also upon the probability that the speculators and contractors who have made money out of the Confederate government will crowd to these places to make ostentatious show of their newly acquired riches.

June 13th, 1863.—Shell burst just over the roof this morning. Pieces tore through both floors down into the dining-room. The entire ceiling of that room fell in a mass. We had just left it. Every piece of crockery on the table was smashed. The “Daily Citizen” to-day is a foot and a half long and six inches wide. It has a long letter from a Federal officer, P. P. Hill, who was on the gun-boat Cincinnati, that was sunk May 27th. Says it was found in his floating trunk. The editorial says, “The utmost confidence is felt that we can maintain our position until succor comes from outside. The undaunted Johnston is at hand.”

Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in post-civil war New Orleans, her diary was published anonymously, edited by G. W. Cable, names were changed and initials were generally used instead of full names—and even the initials differed from the real person’s initials. (Read Dora Richards Miller’s biographical sketch.)

June 12th. All is ready for our scouting trip, rations, with a good supply of ammunition, and equipment all in good condition. Tonight finds us still in camp, ready to start.

12th. Henry Drake quite bad with abscess on his knee. Rob and I sat up with him. Wrote a line home and to Fannie.

Friday, 12th–Our brigade receiving orders, moved out about a mile and again went into camp in a large hollow; we fixed up bunks and made a nice camp. I was out last night again with a large detail from our brigade digging rifle pits, working all night with rifle in one hand and pick in the other, digging trenches to protect ourselves in the daytime. There was skirmishing and heavy cannonading all day, and after night by their lighted fuses we sometimes could see the shells from our mortar boats coming over the city and down to the ground before they exploded.

June 12th. At one thirty A. M., steamer Laurel Hill came down from Natchez, with despatches. Occasional artillery firing, also navy and army mortars bombarding the batteries of Port Hudson—rebels reply with a large rifle; at eight A. M., heavy musketry and artillery firing in rear of Port Hudson. Steamer Bee, despatch boat, came down from Bayou Sara; at eleven twenty P. M., the mortar vessels of lower fleet engaged the rebel batteries, and making some good shots.

JUNE 12th.—A beautiful, bright warm summer day—and yet a little somber.

The surprise of Stuart, on the Rappahannock, has chilled every heart, notwithstanding it does not appear that we lost more than the enemy in the encounter. The question is on every tongue—have our generals relaxed in vigilance? If so, sad is the prospect!

But Vicksburg is the point of intensest interest and anxieties. Gen. Johnston writes from Canton, Mississippi, on the 5th inst., in reply to the Secretary, that he regrets such confidence is reposed in his ability to save Vicksburg, and fears that such expectations will be disappointed. Grant is receiving reinforcements daily—while he (Johnston) is not to have more troops. He does not state the number he has, but he says it seems to him that the relief of Vicksburg is impossible. Pemberton will hold out as long as he can; but if Grant’s line be not broken, the fall of Vicksburg is only a question of time. Grant’s force (he continues) is more than treble his; and Grant has constructed lines of circumvallation, and blocked up all the roads leading to his position. To force his lines would be difficult with an army twice as numerous as the one he (Johnston) commands. He will try to do something in aid of the besieged—but it seems a desperate case. He has not wagons and provisions enough to leave the railroads more than four days. The track to Vicksburg is destroyed. It was his intention at first to unite all the troops in his command—but it was impracticable. So much for these lugubrious tidings. Nothing but a miracle can save Vicksburg!

The Governors of Alabama and Mississippi unite in urging the government to suppress both the foreign and border traffic. I fear it is too late!

There is a street rumor that the enemy have appeared on the Chickahominy, and on the James River. If this be so, it may be to embarrass Lee; or it may be a determined and desperate assault on this city. We shall know very soon. But never before were we in such doubt as to the designs of the enemy; and never before have they evinced such apparent vigor and intrepidity. Yet, they know not what Lee is doing to call them home.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

                      JUNE 12TH.–We expect to be paid off soon, as the pay-rolls are now being made out. Money cannot do us much good here among the hills, but we can send it home. Many a family is dependent upon the thirteen dollars a month drawn here by the head of it.

                      When the war is over, how many soldiers will be unable to earn, even their own living, to say nothing of that of their families, all on account of wounds or disability incurred in the service. I have heard many a one say he would rather be shot dead in a fight than lose a limb, and thus be compelled to totter through life disabled. But I know our country will be too magnanimous to neglect its brave defenders who have fought its battles till they have become incapacitated for further service. I know we are not fighting for a country that will let its soldiers beg for a living.

                      We have now but a year left of the term of our enlistment, and the boys are already talking about what they will do. Some say they will stay till peace comes, no matter how long may be the delay, and I think the majority are of this mind. A few, however, will seek their homes when their time runs out, should this war last so long, and the Lord and rebel bullets spare them. For myself, I shall stay, if I can, till the stars and stripes float in triumph once more over all the land.

Here are a few lines :

                                                                      TO COMPANY E.
                      You started at your country’s call
                                              To tread the fields of blood and strife,
                      Consenting to give up your all
                                              All, even to your very life.
                      And many storms of leaden rain
                                              And iron hail have been your lot;
                      While yet among the number slain
                                              The dear ones North have read you not.

                      Oh, may you safely yet return
                                              To those who wait your coming, too;
                      May their fond hearts not vainly yearn
                                              To greet you when the war is through.
                      But, though I wish you back in peace,
                                              ‘Tis not a peace that quite disarms
                      ‘Tis not a full and sure release,
                                              You simply take up other arms.

June 12th, 1863.—Our patient, the newest one, likes his quarters very much. Father and Mother wait on him themselves, they are so afraid something may go wrong. The piano is kept closed and Mattie’s poodle has been banished pro tem.

Susan Bradford is 17 years old when this entry was made.

June 12, 1863, Corinth Chanticleer (Corinth, Ms)

                      A corporal of the 20th New York regiment lately gave birth to an infant.  It was not until quite recently that the sex of the corporal was discovered.  Her husband is a sergeant in the regiment.  She enlisted as a private, and was promoted for good conduct.