Alexandria Hospital, April 5th.

My Dear Mrs. Howland: Yesterday was one of the brightest, pleasantest days I have known for a long time. The wards were more inviting, and the men more cordial than usual. All day I seemed to be in the right place at the right time, and by a glad intuition, to discover the avenues which were unfortified and the doors which were unbarred. I have told you this because I am fully convinced that it was owing wholly to the good start that you gave me by that early morning visit. By some skillful adjustment, which I failed to notice at the time, you left me in tune. . . .

Please thank your sister Abby for the bundle of Independents. They were very welcome and I gave them away, each with the charge: “Be sure and read the Rainy Day in Camp.” Did I tell you that I read it after each of my services last Sabbath? and I think that it did more good than all that went before it. The men listened in perfect quiet. I feel sure that, if I could have looked up myself, I should have seen tears in the eyes of more than one who had been “skulking in the rear.”

5th.–A day of cooling rain, and warming excitement. Marched three miles, and found the enemy strongly entrenched behind a line of fortifications, on a narrow neck of land between the York and the James Rivers. Artillery duel at long range began about 12 o’clock, in which we had quite a number killed and wounded.

Camp, near Point Pleasant, Mo., April 4, 1862.

I received your last letter within three days after it was mailed, and praised Uncle Sam duly therefor. Our regiment has had a run of bad luck since we’ve been here. Two men killed on the plank road, two wounded at same place, two killed by falling trees in a storm of night of April 1st, and a dozen wounded, and yesterday one drowned while watering his horse in the swamp, and our horses dying off very fast of horse cholera. The latter is a serious thing in a regiment were the men own the horses themselves. For they (or nearly all of them) cannot buy others. Most of them are still owing for the horses they have. The positions of troops and state of the war generally remains the same here as it has been ever since we took Madrid. Main body of our forces at that place. Five regiments here under Plummer and five seven miles further down the river with Palmer. That is as far down as we can go on this side for the swamps. Between here and Madrid we have batteries every three miles and the Rebels have rather more on the opposite side. Both are right on their respective banks and have their flags fluttering their mutual hatred in each others faces. We can see them very plainly without the aid of a glass. The Rebel gunboats lie just below our lower battery and ’tis rumored to-night that several new ones have arrived from Memphis or New Orleans.

This fuss about “Island 10” I think is all humbug. Don’t believe they have attacked it yet. It don’t sound like Foote’s fighting. Look on the map and [continue reading…]

Friday April 4th 1862

A delightful day. Quite still times here now since the soldiers left, but there are still soldiers in every direction, but the great Mass have left. 130,000 have gone down to Fortress Monroe. A large army is out in Virginia and a number of Regts are in the Forts over the River. I think there is but one full Regt now quartered in the City, the 91st Pa on Franklin Square. Julia and the boys attended the Festival this evening. The Lion of the evening was Lieut Morris of the “Cumberland.” Julia had a long chat with him. The little boys were interested and shook hands with him and came home quite elated. I was at the “National” with S D Moody most of the evening. No particular news.

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.

APRIL 4th.—The enemy are shelling our camp at Yorktown. I can hear the reports of the guns, of a damp evening. We are sending back defiance with our guns.

The President has not taken any notice of my communication. Mr. Benjamin is too powerful to be affected by such proofs of such small matters.

Friday, 4th–It rained and hailed this afternoon, and by night it got very warm. We were ordered under arms at 6 p. m., and we formed a hollow square on the parade ground. We remained in line until 10 o’clock, when we were ordered back to our tents. It was reported out in front that the rebels were advancing in force from Corinth, but at 10 o’clock the word came that they had bivouacked for the night.

4th. Moved camp again. Nothing of importance occurred. Many rumors afloat. Scouting parties still being sent out.

Georgeanna writes to him:

Will you, dear Joe, seriously think about our going when and where you go… The distress of having you away and in the greatest danger–hours and hours, probably days–beyond our reach, would be infinitely harder to stand than any amount of cold, hunger, or annoyance, and the knowledge that Eliza was in such a state of mind would make you quite as unhappy as the thought that she might be hungry and cold. . . . We want to be within one hour’s ride, at most, of the battlefield, and to be there ready for the battle if it must come. When it is all over what possible use would there be in our coming on? There will always be some roof of a barn at any rate that would give us shelter enough, and where we could stay if there was fighting. It was bad enough to go through Bull Run here in Washington. Nothing can be more miserable than a second such experience. . . . You only laugh when I talk to you, so I am obliged to write.

Eliza to Joe Howland.

. . . I feel it to be my right and privilege to follow you, not only for my own satisfaction in being near you, but because we know we can be of great use among the troops in case of sickness and danger. We can follow you in the carriage, keeping within reach of you in case of need, and with George and Moritz we can be sufficiently protected anywhere in the rear of our army. I trust to you, dear, to do all you can to forward our plan, and I am sure you will not leave us in doubt and indecision longer than you can help. . . .

The impression seems to be that a great battle will take place in the neighborhood of Yorktown very soon. In view of this, think of the criminal neglect of the medical department in not having any hospital arrangements made there or at Fortress Monroe which begin to be sufficient! One of the doctors of the Sanitary Commission writes that on his arrival there he found already 500 sick men without beds to lie on. The Commission have fitted up one large hospital on their own account, and have sent for supplies to be forwarded immediately, and we have this morning set a large amount of sewing going–bedticks, etc., to be forwarded to Old Point as soon as possible. There are so many sick and so few to take care of them that Dr. Robert Ware of the Sanitary Commission has had to undress and wash the men himself. And this is before a battle.

4th.–Moved at 6 A. M.–After a march of twelve miles in direction of Yorktown, (at about 3 P. M.) came upon the enemy’s entrenchments at Young’s Mills. They fired a few shots, wounding one man of 5th Vermont in the shoulder. They then retired, giving us possession. Their barracks here were built of logs with good fire places and chimneys, and were very comfortable–far superior to any which our troops had had during the winter. We encamped for the night in sight of the deserted fortifications.

Thursday 3d

Today obtained and sent the Photographs to Thos [Bourne?]. They were finished while I was in the Gallery. I sent them by Adams Express. I was in the “National,” saw a number of my friends there. Went to the Festival with wife & Julia, staid till near 11. They had a Negro Band, four or five. It seemed like a Ball but there was no dancing. The place abounded [in] awkward men & Homely women the latter teasing for ones money.

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.

APRIL 3d.—Congress is investigating the Roanoke affair. Mr. Benjamin has been denounced in Congress by Mr. Foote and others as the sole cause of the calamities which have befallen the country.

I wrote a letter to the President, offering to show that I had given no passport to Mr. Dibble, the traitor, and also the evidences, in his own handwriting, that Mr. Benjamin granted it.

Thursday, 3d–We had drill as usual today and also general review, by General McClernand. We have no guard duty at this camp, but the troops of the front camps have to keep out a strong picket line.

April 3d. The Connecticut arrived from home with mails and fresh provisions for the squadron, all of which were acceptable, and many a sailor’s heart was gladdened by a letter from home.

3rd. Camp moved to better ground for defense.

Headquarters of the 16th Regiment,
In the field, April 3.

We were on the point of driving out here yesterday when a telegram came from Joe saying he was coming in. It was with his camp wagon this time, to carry out various things–new guide colors for the regiment, stationery, etc., and his new Colonel’s uniform “with the birds on it,” as Moritz says. Suddenly it occurred to me to come out to camp too. So I put up my things hastily and J. drove me out, sending James ahead on “Scott” to order another mess tent put up for me and have the fire made. It was our first drive together since Joe entered the service nearly a year ago. “Fairfax,” the pony, jogged along at his ease and we didn’t reach here till after dark. Camp-fires along the road and over the hill-sides burned brightly and picturesque groups of men gathered round them, cooking and smoking. The 16th, when we reached it, seemed like a little village of lighted and well-kept streets. James soon got supper for us and when the fire was burning we felt as serene and comfortable as possible. The “Evening Star” and the printing of a lot of postmarks with the new regimental stamp, filled the evening, and then, building up a good fire and getting under the piles of blankets Surgeon Crandall had sent in, I slept soundly and warm till “reveille” just after sunrise. After reveille came roll-call, then the sick-call on the bugle, then breakfast for the men, then guard-mounting at eight, then our breakfast. After this J. went out to drill the battalion and I wrote letters, had a call from General Slocum, and sent General Franklin the flowers I had brought him; by which time the drill was over. The day was delicious, warm, soft, spring-like, and fires were oppressive. The evening parade was an uncommonly nice one. General Slocum, Colonel Bartlett and J. reviewed them and the men looked finely. The white gloves and gaiters Joe has given them greatly increase the neat appearance, and the band is quite another thing. “Coming through the rye” is no longer played as a dirge.

The new colors were all brought out and the effect was very pretty, as they were escorted out and back and saluted by all the officers and men. After parade came a game of base-ball for the captains and other officers, and in the sweet evening air and early moonlight we heard cheerful sounds all about us as the men sang patriotic songs, laughed and chatted, or danced jigs to the sound of a violin. There is a nice little band of stringed instruments in the regiment, and Joe sent for them to come and play for me in the tent, and then it was proposed to adjourn to General Franklin’s Headquarters and give him a serenade. This with a call on Col. Bartlett in his patriotic tent, hung with American flags, finished the evening. We went to bed, tired, but as peaceful and unwarlike as could possibly be. . . . At 3 A. M. we were suddenly roused. The brigade was again under marching orders, to leave at ten o’clock for Manassas once more! This was the meaning of the vague rumors we had heard that our division was not to sail after all.

I built up the fire and dressed and after a cup of tea at 5.30 said good-bye. Our peaceful little time was over.

3rd.–To Newport News again to-day, to take some of my sick to General Hospital. For the first time during this war met Gen. Mansfield. Rode about three miles into the beautiful country with Brigade Surgeon Curtis. Picked up on the beach some relics from the wreck of the Congress, which I shall value highly. On return to camp found that my insubordination turned to good account. My old dispenser, who had been taken from me, is made Hospital Steward, and I shall again open my hospital and bring back my scattered family of sick. Found also an order to move to-morrow at six A. M. Our Brigade Surgeon O― . relieved to-day, and I, being next in rank, succeed him. I should have preferred to remain with my Regiment, but cannot.

Wednesday April 2nd

There is a great dearth of news here now, but a great looking for of great events about this time, but few soldiers are here now compared with what there has been. The forts over the River are all maned and probably 50,000 men besides. There must now be about 200,000 tending towards Richmond now in Virginia. Fortress Monroe seems to be the great rendezvous. I expect it will be Norfolk first, and then Richmond. “Bud” has had a fever all day and we fear he is going to have chill fever. All the rest of us are quite well. Wife rcd letters today from Mrs Brownson (Lyons) and from Bd Hamton. Geo S Griswold of Lyons called upon me at the office. He is Lieut in the 2nd Regt NY Artillery stationed at Fort Ward over the R.

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.

APRIL 2d.—Gen. Wise is here with his report on the Roanoke disaster.

Wednesday, 2d–It rained all day and we had no drill. The men remained in the tents, reading the Bible, magazines and papers, or writing letters home.

2nd. Messenger came in and reported Indians coming north. A scouting party was sent out.

April 2d.–Dr. Trezevant, attending Mr. Chesnut, who was ill, came and found his patient gone; he could not stand the news of that last battle. He got up and dressed, weak as he was, and went forth to hear what he could for himself. The doctor was angry with me for permitting this, and more angry with him for such folly. I made him listen to the distinction between feminine folly and virulent vagaries and nonsense. He said: “He will certainly be salivated after all that calomel out in this damp weather.”

To-day, the ladies in their landaus were bitterly attacked by the morning paper for lolling back in their silks and satins, with tall footmen in livery, driving up and down the streets while the poor soldiers’ wives were on the sidewalks. It is the old story of rich and poor! My little barouche is not here, nor has James Chesnut any of his horses here, but then I drive every day with Mrs. McCord and Mrs. Preston, either of whose turnouts fills the bill. The Governor’s carriage, horses, servants, etc., are splendid– just what they should be. Why not?

Mount Jackson, April 2, 1862.

I stopped here on yesterday with the news that the enemy were advancing, and very soon got an order to move. We are now settled four miles north of New Market. Verily, it is a moving life we lead.

2nd. Camp No. 4, in the field.–Our Brigade was reviewed to-day by Gen. Keyes, to ascertain if it was in order to fight. Verily, it seemeth to me that our Generals have reviewed us enough to know whether we are in fighting condition. All are anxious to be reviewed on the battle field, and to lay aside this silk glove war.

Tuesday April 1st 1862

A fine pleasant day. Went down to the Ave in the morning, got Draft of $20, sent to Mrs Barnes Phila. Called at McClees Photograph Rooms. He told me that he had mounted 2300 pictures the day before. The call for Photographs by Army officers has been unprecedented the past six months. My wife and Julia called upon me at the office today. I went this evening with Julia down to the Church Festival, did not attend or go in tonight, intend to go tomorrow. I was in at Willards, about as many officers there as usual and the Ave is crowded afternoons. Ed Dickerson gave us a call this evening. Holly has been to the Festival, has just come home. 11 o’clock. Julia is not yet in. “Bud” has gone to bed long ago, sick. The Fair was too much for him last night.

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.