April 7, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Several of the largest tobacco growing counties in Virginia have held public meetings and determined to cultivate no more tobacco the present year, notwithstanding the high price which the article is commanding. This is truly laudable and patriotic conduct. It is really refreshing in these times of money making to see such a patriotic spirit evinced by a people struggling for liberty.

April 7, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

I have been instructed by the Surgeon General of the Confederate States Army to induce you to interest yourselves in the culture of the GARDEN POPPY, and thus render the Confederacy an essential service.

The Garden Poppy is a valuable as well as ornamental plant, and thrives well in our climate. The juice which exudes from the incised capsules or pods, when sufficiently hardened, should be collected, carefully put up and forwarded to me, or the nearest Medical Officer in the Confederate service. A few seeds carefully cultivated this year will be sufficient to yield a thousand plants for the next. Let me urge on parents, who have a few feet of uncultivated lands in their gardens, to encourage their children, however young, to cultivate a plant or two. To the families of our soldiers now fighting for our liberties, the cultivation of the Garden Poppy will afford a profitable income. Any persons having seeds to spare will oblige me to forward them to my address, in order that they may be distributed to any one who may desire to plant them.

THOMAS LINING,

Charleston, March 27, 1863. Medical Purveyor.

April 7, 1863, The New York Herald

The reports of the capture of Charleston are somewhat premature. That hostile demonstrations have commenced, and that a portion of our troops were landed at John’s Island, at which point the pickets of the enemy were driven in, cannot be doubted. The despatches from Charleston to Richmond confirm these statements, but they say that there are, so far, no signs of the expected attack upon the city.

Official information received at Washington yesterday, would imply that the forces of General Foster have been engaged in a conflict with the rebels at Washington, N.C., within a few days past, as the enemy were known to have concentrated a large force there.

Everything is reported quiet in General Rosecran’s department in Tennessee. The rebels under General Van Dorn fired into and rendered for a time unmanageable, the gunboat St. Clair, near Palmyra, five miles above Fort Donelson, while convoying transports. She was towed back to Cairo by the steamer Luminous.

There is no news of importance from Vicksburg today.

The British steamship Aries, which was captured on the 28th ult. in Bull’s Bay, thirty miles north of Charleston, by the United States steamer Stettin, while attempting to run the blockade on her voyage from St. Thomas, arrived at this port yesterday from Port Royal, short of coal. She is bound for Boston with merchandise.

April 7, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)

 A crowd of women, some of them armed with revolvers and bowie-knives, entered the store of Rosenwald & Bro., on Triangular block, this morning, and took forcible possession of several pieces of calico.–The proprietor demurred to this seizure, and rushed upon the woman who had the bowie-knife, and took it from her–also re-captured two bolts of calico in possession of the invaders. He has lost but one piece of goods, he thinks. The scene in Second street was, we learn, quite exciting for the time it was in progress–but the women shortly dispersed and the usual quiet of the neighborhood was resumed.

 We know nothing of the cause of the outbreak, but sincerely deplore the circumstances. It is all wrong, decidedly wrong–and it behooves our authorities to take such action as will supply the destitute women of the vicinity, and thus prevent, for the future, any such raids upon private property. These women probably need clothing as well as food, and their wants should be supplied from public contributions, in the absence of employment that will yield sufficient remuneration for their toil! Men of wealth, open your coffers and let the poor be clothed and fed, before they become desperate and help themselves to what their hands can find.–Macon Confed, 1^st.

April 7, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)

 We regret to learn that the Bath Paper Mill, situated on the South Carolina Railroad, six miles from the city, was destroyed by fire about 2 o’clock, p.m., yesterday. The roof of the building was discovered to be on fire, when every possible exertion was made to extinguish the flames; but owing to the prevalence of a high wind, all efforts to overcome the fire was of no avail–the entire building being consumed.

 This is a severe loss, and in the present scarcity of paper will most seriously interfere with the publication of the journals that are dependent on the Mill for a supply of paper.–Augusta Const., 3d inst.

April 6th. At four thirty A. M., weighed anchor and steamed down the river, arriving off Bayou Sara, which is about forty-eight miles below the mouth of Red River. Came to anchor and sent two boats on shore in charge of officers, the crews of which were armed, for the purpose of destroying some ten thousand bushels of corn meal and sweet potatoes found piled upon the levee, which had been transported by rebel steamers down the river, and landed there for transportation to the Confederate army at Port Hudson, as we afterwards learned from conversation with the inhabitants of this village, who flocked around us while we were employed making way with it. Every bag, except what we thought proper to take on board the ship for the officers’ and men’s consumption, was thrown into the muddy Mississippi. The villagers thought it hard to destroy this property in this manner, since they had to pay so high for it; but we, not wishing to have it reach the enemy, could not see it in this light. Before finishing this, let me remark that Bayou Sara was once a very handsome spot, but last year guerillas invested it and fired upon our transports, and the iron-clad Essex opened upon the place and laid it in ruins. A few frame buildings and the walls of some brick ones only remain to tell its fate. The remains of these buildings look to the observer like the ruins of some ancient castles in the old world, and the artist might here find a good subject for his pencil and canvas.

At one thirty P. M. got under way again, continuing on our trip down the river until within five miles of Port Hudson, when we turned around and came to anchor. From our anchorage the rebel batteries at Port Hudson, are visible to the eye, and many an officer and blue jacket has remarked that he cannot conceive how we ever stood the concentrated fire of and passed those batteries with so little loss of life and injury to ship, on the night of ever-memorable 14th of March last.

Monday, 6th. Got into Cincinnati at 8 A. M. Stopped a mile from the depot. Watered and fed horses. Then marched down town to the market. Dismounted and were given a very good dinner and breakfast. Election in the city. Crossed the river and passed through Covington to the barracks. Dod and I stayed at the stables in an old building.

Monday, 6th–Four loads of sanitary goods from Iowa were landed today for the Eleventh Iowa. Colonel Hall arrived this morning from home and the boys were glad to see him. One year ago today he commanded the Eleventh Iowa at the battle of Shiloh. The boys are all in fine spirits. The Sixteenth Iowa received their pay today. It is reported that our cutting of the levee at Lake Providence will prove of no avail, as the channel of the Tensas river is so narrow, and it is impossible to cut out the big overhanging trees, so as to make it wide enough for a fleet to pass through. The project will have to be given up as impracticable.

Board of Survey Office, Lagrange, Tenn.,
April 6, 1863.

I was in Memphis a few days since. It is quite a lovely town and quite Northern-like in its general appearance. Many of the blocks would pass muster creditably in Chicago, though the numerous fires it has furnished for the edification of the “Vandal Yankees” have somewhat marred its streets. I think the Fair grounds are not excelled even by those at St. Louis, and we certainly have none in Illinois that will compare with them for beauty, location, or in extent. There are some most beautiful country seats on the M. & C. R. R. scattered along within six miles of the city. I saw but one park. ‘Tis called Court Square and is very pretty. ‘Tis just about the size of our Canton square and filled with forest trees and evergreens. I think as many as fifty squirrels live in the park. They are very tame and playful. The city is full of butternut refugees from North Mississippi and some from Arkansas, but I could find none from the vicinity of Madison. The M. & C. R. R. is almost classical. From Memphis to Decatur, Ala. (that is as much as I’ve seen of it) you are rarely out of sight of fortifications, and on almost every mile, lay the remains of a burned train of cars. Hardly a bridge, culbert or cattle guard but has been burned from three to ten times and rebuilt as often. Night before last I had just retired (12 o’clock) when an order came to have the regiment in line and ready for action at a moment’s notice. We got up, stacked arms on the color line, and—went to bed again. Heard in the morning that 2,500 Rebel cavalry caused the scare. We still continue to guard against daybreak surprises by rising at 4 a.m., and standing at “guard against secesh” until daylight. All of the vigilance I like. I would hate to be surprised and gobbled without having half a chance. Am still on Board of Survey.

APRIL 6th.—It seems that it was a mistake about the enemy’s monitors approaching the forts in Charleston harbor; but the government has dispatches to the effect that important movements are going on, not very distant from Charleston, the precise nature of which is not yet permitted to transpire.

Generals Johnston and Bragg write that Gen. Pillow has secured ten times as many conscripts, under their orders, as the bureau in Richmond would have done. Judge Campbell, as Assistant Secretary of War, having arrested Gen. P.’s operations, Generals J. and B. predict that our army in Tennessee will begin, immediately, to diminish in numbers.

The rails of the York River Railroad are being removed to-day toward Danville, in view of securing a connection with the N. C. Central Road. It seems that the government thinks the enemy will again possess the York River Railroad, but it cannot be possible a retreat out of Virginia is meditated.

April 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The long delayed hour seems at last to have arrived. The attack on our city, threatened for more than a year, is now imminent. Whatever careful preparation, unlimited resources, all the instruments and agents of modern warfare, undisguised hate and the bitterest feelings of revenge can suggest, have been arrayed against the ‘Nest of the Rebellion,’ for the avowed purpose of wiping out the insult to their flag, which the fall of Fort Sumter, on the thirteenth of April, 1861, nearly two years ago, inflicted on the Yankee nation. Charleston is the heart, as she was the head and front, of the offence. Through her closely blockaded port a hundred vessels are bearing to the hands of our young Confederacy the means and materiel of war. To effect the absolute destruction, therefore, of this port and emporium of trade, and at the same time to glut their fiendish malice on the metropolis of the State of South Carolina, is the dearest wish of our inhuman foe. With God’s aid, their cherished desire shall not be gratified. With the loftiest hope, the sternest courage, and the unconquerable resole never to submit or yield, we go forth to the struggle, conscious of, and we trust equal to, the great duties which lie before us. , by the mass, our hearts are […..] in the trim!’

April 6, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Lexington Correspondence.

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 2, 1863.

In consequence of the recent serious raids which have been made in this quarter by the daring banditti, called rebel soldiers, General Gillmore applied to Gen. Burnside for permission to go to the […..], and the request was promptly granted. Accordingly, on Friday morning last, the General, with a portion of his staff, left headquarters and proceeded directly to the vicinity of Somerset, where it was ascertained that there were some two thousand four hundred rebels encamped. Gathering up a few scattered forces, together with Wolford cavalry and the remnants of the commands of Colonels Runkle and Sanders, in all amounting to about one thousand three hundred men, the little army started out heroically on Saturday morning, to do or die.

After marching about eight miles, and arriving within two of Somerset, we came suddenly upon the outposts of the enemy in a piece of woods. An engagement between skirmishers immediately ensued. Our boys did not wait long in parleying, but, being determined, dashed in, and drove them at fearful risk up a neighboring hill just skirting the woods. Here they halted, and prepared for action. General Gillmore now gave his commands thick and fast. Everything was done on the moment – orderlies running to and from, men getting into line, captains shouting out to their men, aids to the General riding up and down among the men, &c., when presently the order came to commence, which was done in good earnest. We found, however, after fighting nearly an hour, that we could make no marked impression upon the rebels with our mounted riflemen, and consequently brought our artillery to bear. This had the effect of bringing them to their senses, and they wisely concluded it best to retire again. They now fell back, skirmishing all the way, and ranged [continue reading…]

April 6, 1863, The New York Herald

Most important news, if true – and it was fully believed yesterday by prominent officers of the government – has reached us from Fredericksburg, whither it arrived from rebel sources. The intelligence is that the bombardment of Charleston by our land and naval forces combined, commenced on Thursday, and that the city is now in the possession of our forces, under General Hunter and Admiral Dupont. It is said that these reports are definite and positive, and are entirely credited by those in Washington who are in possession of facts relative to the contemplated attack which would amply warrant such a result.

A major of the rebel General Stuart’s staff was captured recently near Dumfries, upon whom the charge of having acted as a spy in our Potomac army lies heavily, which, if it can be substantiated, will probably lead to an ignominious death. The army continues quiet. The enemy still show themselves in large force on the heights. Snow was still falling yesterday, and the cold was intense.

We give today the important report of the joint committee of both houses of Congress on the conduct of the war.

President Lincoln reviewing the Army of the Potomac on Monday, April 6, 1863; artist: Edwin Forbes.

Library of Congress image.

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April 6, 1863, Richmond Examiner

The Canal Basin Bridge , which fell some months since, during the passage of Yankee prisoners over it, has not yet been replaced, and we are yet to learn that any steps are being taken to rebuild it. The absence of the bridge is a great inconvenience to the public, inasmuch as its absence at Eighth street involves walk of a square or two around the canal. There is a talk of replacing the bridge by private enterprise if the municipal authorities much longer delay the work.

April 6, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

 We desire to purchase any quantity of clean linen and cotton rags, to be made up into paper, and we are willing to pay the highest market price in cash. They will also be received in payment of all dues to this office.

 Will our subscribers everywhere interest themselves in this subject. Every family can save a good supply of rags during the year, just how few do it even when such economy can be made productive. It has now become a question of life or death with the newspapers of the country, and they must go down if the people do not come to the rescue. To save the Press they have only to save their rags. All parcels forwarded to this office will be faithfully weighed and accounted for. Let all send what they can–even small packages will not be despised. Let the children do it, if the grown people are too much engrossed with the war or scheme of speculation.

April 6, 1863, Semi-Weekly News (San Antonio, Texas)

Dr. Oakes has orders from General Magruder, to fit up a general hospital in Galveston, which will be able to accommodate 500 patients.   The Galveston News calls the attention of all patriotic ladies to the fact, that this hospital has not one dollar of fund to purchase delicacies for the sick.

April 6, 1863, Semi-Weekly News (San Antonio, Texas)

The undersigned will purchase a number of Horses suitable for Artillery Service, they must be fifteen hands high and not over nine years old, for such, fair prices will be paid.

Wm. Prescott,}
Capt. A.Q.M. }
P.A.C.S.}

 Dept. Qr. Mr. Office, San Antonio, Texas, April 3d.

April 6, 1863, Memphis Daily Appeal (Jackson, Mississippi)

 The United States steamer Honduras, arrived here yesterday, from the Rio Grande, bringing about two hundred and sixty Texas refugees.

 From Lieutenant-Colonel Stancel, we learn the following interesting particulars:

 The Honduras left New Orleans on the 2d inst., and arrived at the mouth of the Rio Grande on the 6th.

 On the morning of the 15th, a rebel force of about one hundred and fifty men crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico, at the mouth of the river, and captured Col. E. J. Davis, of the 1st Texas cavalry, Capt. W. W. Montgomery, of the same regiment, and three soldiers.

 About one hundred and fifty refugees were lying there waiting an opportunity to get on board the Honduras; they being prevented by rough weather.

 Lieutenant Raditski and Captain Houston made their escape to the steamer, when they immediately started for Galveston, and brought the bark Arthur back with them.

 The Mexican authorities immediately demanded the return of the prisoners kidnapped under their flag. Accordingly, on the 18th, Colonel Davis and the three soldiers taken were returned by the rebels to Matamoras. They did not return Captain Montgomery, however, and would not tell where he was. Private advices say he was hanged by the rebels, which is undoubtedly true. Col. Davis and Capt. Montgomery were taken from the house of the commandante.

 The raid was made just before day on the morning of the 15th. Lieut. Col. Jessee Stancel, Capt. Hustin, and Lieut. Ruditzki, narrowly escaped the grasp of the marauding traitors. These three officers, with half a dozen Mexicans, afterward drove about fifty of the rebels from the front of the commandant’s house to the river, firing into them and wounded three or four, two of whom, it was afterward ascertained, died that same evening. Some sixty others, who lay concealed in the sand bank in the rear of the little village, now came out and had the place completely surrounded, and the officers and their small party of Mexicans being unarmed, with the exception of a few six shooters, were entirely at their mercy.

 They tied Col. Davis when they got him over into Texas, but untied him when they started for Fort Brown. They also tied Capt. Montgomery on his horse. He and Col. Davis rode together until within five miles of Fort Brown, when the captain was ordered by the rebel Major Chelton to fall to the rear, since which time nothing had been heard from him, except a report that he had been hanged.

 Capt. Brewer, a traitor of Northern birth, after Col. Davis was taken from the house, returned and said to Mrs. Davis, “Madam, this expedition was gotten up as much for your benefit as your husband’s. You must leave here.”

 After the return of the captured officers and soldiers by the rebels, the refugees (numbering 116) were got on board the steamer. There are a number of families included in the number. About seventy-five men were left at Matamoras, not being able to get on board the steamer on account of the rebel raid.

 The bark Arthur, after she had been brought around from Galveston, threw two shells into the rebel quarters, on the night of the 25th, at which time the Honduras left for this city, which place she reached on the 29th, and anchored in the river until this morning.

 Col. Davis, Lieut.-Col. Stancel, Capt. Montgomery, and two lieutenants, were officers of the 1st Texas cavalry, recruited for General Hamilton’s brigade.

 Col. Davis was on board the steamship Cumberland when the rebels laid a trap for her capture in Galveston Bay. He returned on her at that time to this city, and subsequently reached the Rio Grande by another route.

April 5. This is the holy Sabbath day. Between the hours of nine and ten A. M., inspected crew at quarters, after which all hands were called to muster. Performed Divine service, and mustered crew around capstan. Warm and pleasant weather.

5th. Orders for our Battalion to move today to Cincinnati. Received orders to go along a little while before starting. Went up with the Battalion. Drew my pay. Went and called on Sister Melissa in P. M. and evening. Sent $125 home. Wrote to Fannie and home. Left on the cars at eight. Rather tiresome ride. All glad to go into the field but sad at leaving again.

Sunday, 5th–We had company inspection at 10 o’clock this morning and regimental inspection at 5 p. m. I did not go out on inspection, having to prepare an elaborate dinner (some of that codfish), and after dinner I had a good many dishes to wash—tin plates, cups and knives and forks. I read the following chapters today: Isaiah, ninth chapter, second to the eighth verse; Psalms, twenty-second chapter.

The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context.

Picket Duty.

April 5. I fear I was not appreciated on the fort, as I was superseded after my first day’s effort and have since been assigned to other duty; but I nobly served my country, and I know that history will do me justice. Yesterday I was out in the country among the wild flowers. I went out with a picket guard, about three miles in a southeasterly direction, to what is called Mills cross-roads, relieving the old picket. After spreading our blankets on the grass beside the fence, we entered vigorously on our duty of waiting and watching for the rebel Gen. Garnett, and listening to the sweet warbling of the singing birds. There is nothing in picket duty that stirs up a great amount of enthusiasm, but still it is a good steady business, with occasionally a little ray of excitement, as when a darky comes along and one has to examine his pass.

About the middle of the afternoon, we heard the approach of horses, and looking up the road, saw two ladies coming at a swift gallop towards us. My first impulse was to charge cavalry, but I refrained from doing so, as I saw they were not enemies. As they came up, I recognized Mesdames Bartholomew and Cliffton. I turned out the guard and extended to them the customary civilities. They said they were out for an afternoon’s ride and supposed it was as far as they could go in that direction. I told them they might go farther if they wished, and I should be pleased to furnish them an escort, only it would weaken my lines. They laughed and thanked me for my gallantry, but thought they had better not venture farther. I inquired if there were any news stirring in town, and they answered, “All quiet on the Roanoke.” They then bade us good afternoon and started on the retreat. There is no church service today; all hands are busy at work on the fort, and things are beginning to look as though war was liable to break out at almost any time.

APRIL 5th.—Snow fell all night, and a depth of several inches covers the earth this morning. It will soon melt, however, as it is now raining. The Northern invaders who anticipate a pleasant sojourn during the winter and spring in this climate, have been very disagreeably disappointed in these expectations.

A surgeon was arrested yesterday for saying there was “a power behind the throne greater than the throne.” Upon being asked by the mayor what power he alluded to, he answered “the people.” He was released.