MARCH 30th.—Gen. Bragg dispatches the government that Gen. Forrest has captured 800 prisoners in Tennessee, and several thousand of our men are making a successful raid in Kentucky.

Gen. Whiting makes urgent calls for reinforcements at Wilmington, and cannot be supplied with many.

Gen. Lee announces to the War Department that the spring campaign is now open, and his army may be in motion any day.

Col. Godwin (of King and Queen County) is here trying to prevail on the Secretary of War to put a stop to the blockade-runners, Jews, and spies, daily passing through his lines with passports from Gens. Elzey and Winder. He says the persons engaged in this illicit traffic are all extortioners and spies, and $50,000 worth of goods from the enemy’s country pass daily.

Col. Lay still repudiates Judge Meredith’s decision in his instructions to the Commandants of Camps of Instruction. Well, if we have a superabundance of fighting men in the field, the foreign-born denizens and Marylanders can remain at home and make money while the country that protects them is harried by the invader.

The gaunt form of wretched famine still approaches with rapid strides. Meal is now selling at $12 per bushel, and potatoes at $16. Meats have almost disappeared from the market, and none but the opulent can afford to pay $3.50 per pound for butter. Greens, however, of various kinds, are coming in; and as the season advances, we may expect a diminution of prices. It is strange that on the 30th of March, even in the “sunny South,” the fruit-trees are as bare of blossoms and foliage as at mid-winter. We shall have fire until the middle of May,rebel-war-clerksix months of winter!

I am spading up my little garden, and hope to raise a few vegetables to eke out a miserable subsistence for my family. My daughter Ann reads Shakspeare to me o’ nights, which saves my eyes.

March 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We regret to learn that considerable inconvenience has been felt by the North Carolina troops now on this coast, owing to the refusal of the people, in many instances, to receive North Carolina State currency in payment for purchases. The reluctance to take this kind of money is, of course, due solely to the fact that it has never hitherto circulated here, and is, consequently, unfamiliar to the mass of our population. In point of fact, the North Carolina notes are fully as good as any money now in circulation, and the credit of that staunch old State stands quite as high as that of any other member of the Confederacy. We hope, therefore, that a more accommodating spirit may be manifested hereafter by the people of this State, and that the gallant sons of North Carolina, who are here to repel the invader from our homes, may have no further cause for complaint in this respect.

March 30, 1863, The New York Herald

A despatch from Fortress Monroe states that the rebels, with a force of infantry and cavalry, yesterday morning attacked Williamsburg and were repulsed by the Fifth Pennsylvania cavalry under Colonel Lewis. The loss is not reported. It was stated by an officer who came into Norfolk yesterday from the rebel army, that the troops are evacuating Richmond as rapidly and as quietly as they can; but not much credit is attached to the report.

The rebels made another attack a few days ago on Winfield, N.C., on the Chowan river. They were met by a small body of the North Carolina Volunteers, under Lieutenant McClane, who defended themselves bravely in a blockhouse for an hour and a half, and drove the rebels off. General Foster came up from Plymouth with three companies, and four companies of the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry were sent from Suffolk by General Peck. Colonel Brown succeeded in crossing the Chowan river with part of his force. The remainder were attacked near Edenton, and dispersed after a short resistance. Our troops are hunting the enemy up in the swamps.

With regard to matters in the West, we learn that two divisions of rebel infantry crossed the Cumberland on Friday, at Stagg’s ferry, near Wailsburg, Pulaski county. Frankfort and Lexington have been placed under martial law.

We are informed on the authority of Parson Brownlow, who has just arrived at Cincinnati from Tennessee, that the rebels are concentrating all their infantry, who were formerly in East Tennessee, at Tullahoma; that reinforcements from Virginia are coming up, and that their cavalry are making a diversion into the eastern part of Kentucky, with the intention of [continue reading…]

March 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(The following despatch gives some further details of the intelligence published in our issue of last Thursday morning.)

VICKSBURG, March 25. – At five o’clock this morning four Yankee gunboats were seen advancing towards our upper batteries. A vigorous fire was opened upon them, driving two of them back. The other two passed under a concentrated fire, almost every shot taking effect. One of the boats received a shot in her steam chest, compelling her crew to abandon her. In fifteen minutes she filled and sank. Part of the crew escaped to the opposite shore. The boat that succeeded in getting past our batteries is supposed to be the Benton. She was badly crippled. One of our shots penetrated her steam drum, disabling her, so that the Albatross had to come up from below to tow her out of danger of our gunboats.

(Official Despatch)

JACKSON, MARCH 25. – To General S. Cooper, Adjutant General: The following telegram was received this morning from General STEVENSON: ‘Four boats came to the turn at sunrise; two attempted to pass; one was sunk with all on board, the other lies at the mouth of the canal apparently disabled. (Signed)J.C. PEMBERTON,

‘Lieutenant General Commanding.’

March 30, 1863, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Texas)

 It is thought by some that goods are lower in this city than they have been. We cannot see it in making purchases. Some lots of inferior unseasonable and damaged goods have been sold at a low figure, but damaged goods are not the market by any means. There is a good supply of merchandize in Houston now, some of it being old Galveston stocks that have been boxed up ever since the war began till now, and other having been brought from Mexico. Goods may be lower than they have been, but we will guarantee that whoever buys them will not do it because they are cheap, for the present at least. And we can assure owners of goods at Matamoros that they can find no better market in Texas to consign them to than Houston. There is plenty of demand for all that will come and at tremendous profits. When flax thread is $18 per lb., imperials $1.75@$2.00 per yard, printing paper $50 per ream, linseed oil $20 per gallon, and alcohol $30, and everything else in proportion, there is nothing to be lost in bringing them to this market.

Sunday, 29th.—Very hard storm of wind and rain last night; Steamboat “Vicksburg” broke loose and went off down the river. Regiment on guard in town; went back to camp and found almost every tent blown down.

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

March 29th. Last evening at eight o’clock a severe storm set in, the wind blew very heavy; it rained, thundered and lightened exceeding anything I have ever seen before; at eleven o’clock we were obliged to let go our port anchor, as it was discovered that the ship was dragging. Half of the ship’s company were kept stationed at their guns, to be ready in case of any emergency, while the balance of the men were below sleeping in their hammocks; the night was dreadful. At one A. M. an object was seen moving down the river; it was reported by the lookout forward; the rattle was immediately sprung, calling all hands to quarters; those who were below in their hammocks were suddenly aroused from their slumbers, “and such a getting up stairs you never did see.” The object drifted down with the current until opposite our ship, and here it fetched up on the left bank of the river, which is, of course, the secesh side. Great excitement prevailed—the night being so very dark and stormy, it was feared that it might be one of the enemy’s boats stealing its way down to make an attack upon us. It is a mistaken idea of theirs, if they think they will catch us napping; however, this mysterious object, after the elapse of half an hour or so, was made out to be a steamer of some kind. We did not fire, although every gun was primed and ready, and every lock-string held taut, only waiting for the word of command to fire, but it was not deemed necessary, and one watch was sent below to turn in, while the other watch remained on deck at their guns, keeping a bright lookout for the enemy. At three o’clock the storm cleared up, the wind was still blowing very heavily, however; at daylight, this morning, the weather was quite clear, although very chilly. By this time we were informed that the mysterious object which caused so much excitement last night, was no less than the steamer Vicksburg, which had been tied up to the wharf, under the batteries of Vicksburg, for a long time. It is quite evident that she broke loose from her moorings in consequence of the heavy storm which prevailed. This afternoon, two of our boats’ crews were dispatched to board her; they returned, stating that she was a mere hulk, no machinery in her whatever; each of the men brought off something as a trophy, such as blankets, old boots, and a few old pictures, also half a dozen good muskets.

Sunday, 29th–We had a heavy rainstorm last night, blowing down several tents. Today it is quite rainy with a cool wind blowing. Being off duty today I remained in camp and read through the Book of Psalms.

29th. After breakfast cleaned up and changed my clothes. Thede brought a note from home through Tully. Got a lesson and recited to Capt. N. Our new Chaplain, Brown, has been very busy visiting the companies. Hope he may do much good. How we need some religious influence. I long for a closer walk with God. Read Independent and “Guide to the Savior.”

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.

Church Service.

March 29. Church service today for the first time in several weeks; we occupied the Methodist church. Chaplain James discoursed on neutrality. He said there could be no such thing as neutrality; a man must be one thing or the other, and those who do not declare for the government, should be treated as its enemies. The house was well filled with soldiers and the galleries running around three sides of the house were filled with darkies, who somewhat resembled an approaching thunder squall.

Sunday Night.—Very sweet services in our little church to-day. The subject of the sermon was, “Woe to them who are at ease in Zion.” Mr. found a note on the pulpit from a Georgia soldier, asking the prayers of the congregation for himself and his family at home. The extemporaneous prayer after the sermon, offered for him, was most earnestly and tearfully joined in by all.

Camp at Lagrange, Tenn.,
March 29, 1863.

All perfectly quiet except the regular picket firing every night which here exceeds anything I ever before met in my experience. ‘Tis singular, too, for we have a large force of cavalry here and I should think the rascals would hardly dare to venture so near them. A few days since three guerrillas came up to one of our cavalry pickets, and while he was examining one of their passes the others watching their chance gobbled him. They at once retreated. The sergeant of the picket heard a little noise on the post and just got there in time to see the secesh disappear. He raised the alarm, and a party followed them on the run for 15 miles, rescued our man, killed three and captured four of the rascals, Yesterday some of Richardson’s men displaced a rail on the track ten miles west of this place, and captured a train. They got away with their prisoners, but hadn’t time to destroy the cars. ‘Tisn’t safe to go three miles from camp now, although 100 men can go 40 miles in any direction safely. Do you hear of any deserters returning under the President’s proclamation? I hope to the Lord that my black sheep won’t come back. A letter came for him to-day, and I opened it. ‘Twas from his father advising him to get out of this “Abolishun” war as quickly as he could. His “Pa and Ma” are welcome to him. Generals Sullivan, Denver and Hamilton have all left this country within the last few days, for Vicksburg. General Smith commands our division now. We are now in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps. The colonel of the 6th Iowa is the ranking officer in the brigade but he is now sick, so Colonel Wolcott of the 46th Ohio now runs. Two captains of the 46th Ohio, and myself have been constituted by Smith a “Board of Survey,” to appraise damages committed by our army in the property of loyal citizens here. I think he has just done it to get the citizens off his hands. Have no idea that they will ever be allowed anything for their losses. There were three bills, each over $2,500, sent in to us yesterday. I hope the general will allow us to drop the business this week; if he will not, however, we can be kept busy for almost any length of time. By Smith’s orders the reveille is sounded now at 4 o’clock a.m. and the men appear with arms and accoutrements, and form line of battle. This is to avoid any bad consequnces which follow a Rebel cavalry dash at daylight, if we should be found in our tents. I think ’tis an excellent policy to be always ready for the enemy, but I declare I dislike this early rising very much.

MARCH 29th.—No news. Yet a universal expectation. What is expected is not clearly defined. Those who are making money rapidly no doubt desire a prolongation of the war, irrespective of political consequences. But the people, the majority in the United States, seem to have lost their power. And their representatives in Congress are completely subordinated by the Executive, and rendered subservient to his will. President Lincoln can have any measure adopted or any measure defeated, at pleasure. Such is the irresistible power of enormous executive patronage. He may extend the sessions or terminate them, and so, all power, for the time being, reposes in the hands of the President.

A day of reckoning will come, for the people of the United States will resume the powers of which the war has temporarily dispossessed them, or else there will be disruptions, and civil war will submerge the earth in blood. The time has not arrived, or else the right men have not arisen, for the establishment of despotisms.

Everything depends upon the issues of the present campaign, and upon them it may be bootless to speculate. No one may foretell the fortunes of war—I mean where victory will ultimately perch in this frightful struggle. We are environed and invaded by not less than 600,000 men in arms, and we have not in the field more than 250,000 to oppose them. But we have the advantage of occupying the interior position, always affording superior facilities for concentration. Besides, our men must prevail in combat, or lose their property, country, freedom, everything,—at least this is their conviction. On the other hand, the enemy, in yielding the contest, may retire into their own country, and possess everything they enjoyed before the war began. Hence it may be confidently believed that in all the battles of this spring, when the numbers are nearly equal, the Confederates will be the victors, and even when the enemy have superior numbers, the armies of the South will fight with Roman desperation. The conflict will be appalling and sanguinary beyond example, provided the invader stand up to it. That much is certain. And if our armies are overthrown, we may be no nearer peace than before. The paper money would be valueless, and the large fortunes accumulated by the speculators, turning to dust and ashes on their lips, might engender a new exasperation, resulting in a regenerated patriotism and a universal determination to achieve independence or die in the attempt.

March 29, 1863, The New York Herald

By the arrival of the Anglo-rebel prize steamer Peterhoff at this port from Port Royal yesterday, we have the important information that on the 23d inst. all the Union troops at that point were embarked on a number of transports – their destination, of course, not being made public. The Union iron-clads had left Port Royal the previous day, and the Peterhoff while on her way, abut eighteen miles off Charleston, at night, saw the flashes of guns and shells bursting in that vicinity. These demonstrations probably were made by the iron-clads reconnoitering and securing a position to protect the landing of the troops, which were following in the transports. Our news from Charleston via Richmond is to the 25th, and does not mention any attack as taking place on Charleston at that date. That it cannot be far distant, however, is now morally certain.

We have some exciting news from the Southwest. Despatches from Cairo yesterday state that our forces are within one and a quarter miles of Haines’ Bluff, on the Yazoo, and have landed at Eagle Bend. A despatch from Vicksburg says that two of our gunboats attempted to pass down the river on the morning of the 25th, and that one of them was sunk and the other badly damaged by the fire of the rebel batteries. The same intelligence reached Richmond from rebel official sources at Jackson, Miss. A despatch from Mobile says that three of our gunboats were destroyed by the rebel batteries at the junction of the Sunflower river and Deep Creek, and the balance driven back, on Saturday last.

From Kansas City we learn that the steamer Sam Getty, while passing Sibley’s landing, on her way from Independence, was boarded by a force of guerillas, who killed five infantry soldiers, fifty cavalry and twenty negroes, and robbed all the passengers of their property, at the same time throwing overboard one hundred sacks of flour and a number of government wagons.

Several paymasters arrived at Fortress Monroe yesterday with money to pay off our troops at Suffolk, Norfolk, and [continue reading…]

March 29, 1863, Mobile Register And Advertiser

(From the Rebel.)

A is for Anderson, foremost and least,
B is for Bethel, or Butler the Beast;
C is for Chase, and also for Cheat;
D is for Darkies, Disaster, Defeat;
E is for Eagle, transformed to a crow;
F is the Flag spreading ruin and woe;
G is for Gibbet on which we will hang;
H, Hunter the Hound and all of his gang;
I is the Infamy of which they are proud;
J Johnson the Jackall, the worst of the crowd;
K is their Kalendar of accident’s dire,
L is for Lincoln, the Long-Legged Liar;
M’s for McClellan, who Richmond would see,
N is for Never, when is it shall be;
O shows what Yankees will make by the war,
Q is for Query, “What is it all for?”
P which was passed, stands for Puppy and Pope,
R is for Rosecrans, Rascal and Rope;
S stands for Seward, well surnamed the Snake,
T, the Three months the Rebellion will take;
U’s for the Union of all that is base,
V for the Victories that never took place;
W for Winfield, whose victories great,
Xerxes-like ended in shameful defeat;
Y stands for Yankees, that self-esteemed nation,
Z is for Zero, their true valuation.

March 29, 1863, The New York Herald

That there is, both at home and abroad, a healthy revival of public confidence in the stability of our government and the success of our efforts to crush the rebellion, must be evident even to those least observant of popular sentiment. We have had no great victories lately, and have, on the contrary, been subjected to numerous trifling but annoying reverses and delays; but still the revival of confidence is an acknowledged fact, and its cause must be found in a better appreciation of the power and resources of the American people, both on our own part and on the part of Europeans. We now begin to understand us. How this result has been achieved we shall not at present consider; but its influence upon our finances is a matter of the utmost importance and the sincerest congratulation.

Hitherto we have neither asked nor received any financial aid from Europe. The press of Europe has repeatedly warned capitalists not to invest in American securities. Now, however, we find all kinds of projects on foot among foreign bankers for the purchase of large quantities of our stocks, and by every steamer come orders from individuals in Europe to agents here to invest freely in United States bonds. This foreign demand for our securities has caused an average advance of seven per cent; and already foreign capitalists are calling upon us to offer a loan. At home the financial prospect is still brighter. The conversions of legal tender notes into five-twenty bonds, so long and so foolishly neglected, are now remarkably active. The subscription agent announces that one million two hundred thousand dollars were thus converted on Tuesday, two millions of dollars during the last two days, and five millions within the past ten days. These conversions will probably average over five hundred thousand dollars a day during the short time longer that they will be permitted. Assistant Treasurer Cisco is receiving money on deposit at five per cent interest. On Friday last he received a [continue reading…]

March 28th. This morning at four o’clock all hands were called; five A. M., got ship under way; five-thirty A. M., opened fire upon the batteries at Warrenton again; the enemy fired very few shots. Our loss is two very slightly wounded; the vessel sustained no injury except being hulled once, and the chain cable attached to lower yard arms cut in one place. Weather very fine; lay all day at anchor below Warrenton.

Saturday, 28th–No new developments today. We had orders to clean up for inspection. I went to the commissary headquarters and drew a hat and a blouse, costing $4.78.

28th. Tended Rowena, my saddle mare, and got rations from the Post Commissary. About noon Bob came. Glad to be relieved. Letters from Lucy R., Ella Clark and Sarah Felton. All very good and quite acceptable. In the evening went to class. After it, beat Capt. N. three games of chess. Boiled eggs. Sleeked up the commissary for Sunday and chopped wood. Unusual.

March 28th.—A letter from ––. She tells me that W. B. N. and E. C. both passed through the fierce fight at Kelly’s Ford uninjured. How can we be grateful enough for all our mercies? Letters also from B., by underground railroad. That sweet child and her whole family surrounded and roughly treated by the Yankees; and so it will be as long as Millroy is allowed to be the scourge of the Valley.

MARCH 28th.—We have nothing additional or confirmatory from the West. A letter from Gen. Beauregard states that he has but 17,000 men in South Carolina, and 10,000 in Georgia, 27,000 in all. He asks more, as he will be assailed, probably, by 100,000 Federals. The President refers this important letter to the Secretary of War, simply with the indorsement, “this is an exact statement of affairs in South Carolina and Georgia.”

Col. Lay predicts that we shall be beaten in thirty days, or else we shall then be in the way of beating the enemy. A safe prediction—but what is his belief? This deponent saith not. There will be fearful odds against us, and yet our men in the field fear nothing.

We are sending Napoleons up to Lee. But the weather, which has been fine for the last two days, is wet again. If Hooker makes a premature advance, he will be sure to “march back again.”

An amusing letter was received from an officer Tennessee to-day. He was taken prisoner by seven Federals when straying some distance from camp, and subsequently hearing the men express some anxiety to be at home again with their families, gave them some brandy which he happened to possess. He then suggested a plan by which they might return to their homes, viz., to become his prisoners, and being paroled by him. After consultation, they agreed to it, and released him. He then paroled them, giving them the usual certificates to exhibit to their officer, and so, taking another drink, they pursued their different ways. If this disposition prevails extensively among the Western Federals, we may look for speedy results in that quarter. Rosecrans may lose his laurels in a most unexpected manner.

March SATURDAY 28, 1863

Shallie and I went on board the Mary Forsyth to bid Mrs B. farewell. I carried all of the letters brought from Dixie, on board and gave them to Mrs MacLean, who is a St. Louis’n and will see them all properly mailed and delivered.

March 28, 1863, Nashville Dispatch

Col. Stanley Matthews, who has been designated by Gen. Rosecrans to carry out the provisions of the order relative to the removal South of the Federal lines of disloyal persons and those whose natural supporters are in the Rebel service, is in the city, and we heard last night that a number of citizens have been notified in accordance with that order, to hold themselves in readiness to go South.

March 28, 1863, San Antonio Herald

Brownsville, March 11th, 1863

Eds. Herald:–In this far off place, we, of San Antonio, always welcome the Herald with delight, not solely for the news it contains, but principally to glean from the local items, something that is transpiring in our beloved city.The advertisements even are conned over with interest, and when at length we have read and re-read, the paper is reluctantly thrown aside with a sigh.

Three days ago a Yankee gunboat made her appearance at the mouth of the river and landed some officers and men on the Mexican side.The officers were rigged out in the Cavalry uniform of the Federal army.Immediately rumors of all sorts were spread through Brownsville and Matamoras, one was that the vessel in question was the “avant courier” of seven others, with 2400 men on board, the object of the expedition being a descent on Brownsville.The truth of the matter is, that the vessel brought no less a personage than Judge Davis of Corpus Christi, now a Colonel in the abolition service.He was accompanied by Major Somebody (who used to be a preacher in Austin,) Lieut. Daniel Bonnet (another renegade from Austin,) and three other subaltern officers, two of whom are also refugees from this State.On yesterday they were all in Matamoras cutting a great swell.I have just learned that one of the subaltern officers mentioned above is Branbach, once the Sheriff of Gillespie county, who escaped from the guard house in San Antonio, last summer.Their intentions in coming to Matamoras are not positively known; but they are offering inducements for our men to desert.They have partially succeeded, as some ten or twelve of the 3d Reg’t. have deserted in the last two days.A Lieut. in the same Reg’t. has also deserted; his name is Holtz, and used to live in New Braunfels.Judge Davis has come to a bad place for his health, for if he should fall into the hands of any of our soldiers, they would hang him on the first tree.Several amusing things occurred in Matamoras between the renegades and some of the Texans over the river.The parson Major above alluded to, was galloping up the main street when he was accosted by an old negro acquaintance; he immediately stopped, shook hands with his colored brother, leaned over h is saddle and putting h is hand familiarly on the negro’s shoulder, commenced a conversation with him.Mr. L_____g, a merchant of San Antonio, who was standing near cried out “Look at the Abolition nigger loving son of a ______.”The gallant Major merely looked up when he heard these words applied to him, and then resumed his talk with the negro.A crowd commencing to gather around, he concluded that it was best to ride off.

Pearce, the Yankee Consul at Matamoras, keeps a regular recruiting office.All of our deserters are fed and clothed by him, when they are sent to New Orleans by first opportunity.Many a poor deserter has found out his mistake, after a few days residence in Mexico, and would have given any thing to return, but feared to risk his neck by coming back.Many disaffected San Antonians are also there, among whom are […..] Lyons and John S. Marsh, the latter is said to be very bitter against the South.He ought to be after having made a little fortune off the charitable feelings of the people of San Antonio.

About two weeks ago the U. S.Brig “Young Harry” went ashore and was wrecked on our coast, at the “Boca Chica,” about 5 miles from the mouth of the Rio Grande.Her cargo consisted of flour, corn, clothing, domestics, shoes, and all sorts of dry goods.About one half the flour and dry goods was saved, but the corn was a total loss.The crew was taken, brought to Fort Brown, and afterwards paroled.The property saved from the wreck was appropriated by the military authorities, but was subsequently claimed by the C. S. Receiver, who is now selling it at public auction.There has been no blockader at the mouth for some time.About sixty merchant vessels are lying outside the bar.

Truly Yours, Rebel.