Feeling in the UK no longer “leaning 0ur way.”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the U.K., to his son, Charles.

Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.

London, September 7, 1861

The feeling here which at one time was leaning our way has been very much changed by the disaster at Bull’s run, and by the steady operation of the press against us. Great Britain always looks to her own interest as a paramount law of her action in foreign affairs. She might deal quite summarily with us, were it not for the European complications which are growing more and more embarrassing. There are clouds in the north and in the south, in the east and in the west, which keep England and France leaning against each other in order to stand up at all. The single event of the death of Napoleon, perhaps even that of Lord Palmerston, would set everything afloat, and make the direction of things in Europe almost impossible to foresee. Hence we may hope that these two powers will reflect well before they inaugurate a policy in regard to us which would in the end react most fatally against themselves. . . .

0 comments

A Diary of American Events.–September 7, 1861

The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

September 7.–The Grand Jury of Westchester County, N. Y., in session at White Plains, presented to the Judge of the Circuit Court, the Yonkers Herald, the Highland Democrat, the Eastern State Journal of that county, and the Staats Zeitung and the National Zeitung of New York City, as disseminators of doctrines, which, in the existing state of things, tend to give aid and comfort to the enemies of the Government, and to prevent a vigorous prosecution of the war by which alone the supremacy of the Government is to be maintained, and National peace and prosperity again witnessed in the land. And they called upon the District Attorney of that county to prosecute the editors and proprietors of these journals if, after public notice, they should continue in their evil courses; and they also requested that a copy of the presentment be forwarded to Mr. E. D. Smith, the United States District Attorney in New York, that he might commence proceedings against the two German papers presented published there, and further requested that a stop might be put to the circulation of these papers in Westchester County.– N. Y. Commercial, September 9.

–Generals Pillow and Polk occupied Columbus, Kentucky, with seven thousand rebels. Jeff. Thompson was in Missouri, directly opposite, with the balance of Pillow’s forces. A reinforcement of Federal troops were sent today to Paducah, and another regiment follows immediately.–Baltimore American, Sept. 9.

–The Knoxville (Tenn.) Whig of to-day contains the following from Parson Brownlow, designed to correct some erroneous notions that prevail in regard to his position on the war question.

He says he entertains the same opinions he always has of “the heresy of secession and the leading men who brought about a dissolution of the Union, and of the motives that prompted them.” He “can never sanction the one nor confide in the other.” He wishes it understood, however, that, inasmuch as he is not a “candidate for martyrdom, or imprisonment” during the war, and has been overpowered by the action of the State at the ballot-box, and by the strong arm of the military, he has determined to “moderate in his tone,” to “cease the course of warfare” he has waged, and to “yield to the necessity upon us–a necessity none of us can avert.” After pledging himself to devote more attention hereafter to giving his readers the current news than abusing the South, he says: “I have fought, editorially, as long as I could accomplish any thing by lighting, and in my retirement to a position of neutrality, I carry with me my unchanged principles, and shall cherish them to my latest hours of life.” He further adds: [continue reading…]

0 comments

Working as As judge-advocate—Rutherford B. Hayes

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Friday, [September] 5 [6].–As judge-advocate, with General Benham, Colonels Scammon, Smith, et al., I tried two cases. J. W. Trader, etc.

0 comments

Difficulties in getting arms.—Diary of John B. Jones.

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

SEPTEMBER 6th.—We are not increasing our forces as rapidly as might be desired, for the want of arms. We had some 150,000 stand of small arms, at the beginning of the war, taken from the arsenals; and the States owned probably 100,000 more. Half of these were flint-locks, which are being altered. None have been imported yet. Occasionally a letter reaches the department from Nashville, offering improved arms at a high price, for gold. These are Yankees. I am instructed by the Secretary to say they will be paid for in gold on delivery to an agent in Nashville. The number likely to be obtained in this manner, however, must be small; for the Yankee Government is exercising much vigilance. Is not this a fair specimen of Yankee cupidity and character? The New England manufacturers are furnishing us, with whom they are at war, with arms to fight with, provided we agree to pay them a higher price than is offered by their own Government! The philosophical conclusion is, that this war will end when it ceases to be a pecuniary speculation.

0 comments

…a variety of the most beautiful peaches.

Diary of Battery A, First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, by Theodore Reichardt

Friday, September 6. — A bright morning greeted our eyes. The clear sky promised a pleasant day. We discovered an orchard near by, which furnished us with a variety of the most beautiful peaches. After taking a good supply of them, marching was resumed. Arrived by nine o’clock A. M. at Camp Jackson, occupied by the Thirty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, Col. LaDue. We were well received. Towards evening, the Colonel and Lieut. Tompkins took the fifth piece along, in the direction of the Potomac, getting the gun in position close to the canal, after masking it. All quiet during the night.

0 comments

“Found that an application had been made, or two rather, for my old invention, the rotary trigger, for guns.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

FRIDAY 6

Beautiful day again. No particular news afloat but expected every hour to hear of a battle. Spent part of the day at the pat office, wrote a letter there to Brother C R. Found that an application was [sic] had been made, or two rather, for my old invention, the rotary trigger, for guns. There is intoference declared betwen them. I must attend to it. Came home and found my old model. Attended Julia & Miss Hartly to Mrs Youngs Musical Soiree. Got home at 11 o’clock.

______

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.

0 comments

Daily rations–Alexander G. Downing.

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Friday, 6th–Nothing of importance. We have company drill twice a day now. We draw our rations every morning about 9 o’clock now. They consist of bread, beans, potatoes, bacon, rice, sugar, coffee, salt and pepper, also soap and candles. Twice a week we have salt beef and fresh beef. Each one draws enough for the day according to army regulations.[i]


[i] Mr. Downing says that he learned later that Mr. Hiram Price (the Davenport banker) provisioned the soldiers with his own funds, which is in keeping with the well-known facts concerning the financing of the first regiments by Mr. Price and others, for the State of Iowa.–Ed.

0 comments

“This is the story, though some are so uncharitable as to discredit it, notwithstanding one hole through his canteen and another through his cheek.”–Journal of Surgeon Alfred L. Castleman.

Journal of Surgeon Alfred L Castleman.

6th.–I introduce the following letter to a friend, as sufficiently explicit as to the occurrences since the last date:

Chain Bridge, Va., Sept. 6, 1861.

I commence this letter with the reiteration, Poor Virginia! That State, which for forty years has stood as the guiding star of our galaxy of States,–that State, which alone could, six months ago, have assumed the position of umpire to the belligerents, and which only would have been respected in the assumption–now stands at the very foot of the list. In the commencement of this contest she degraded herself by offering to become, the cat’s paw for South Carolina, and was still farther degraded by South Carolina rejecting the proposition to become her menial. By her officious subservience, however, she got her paw into the fire, and how dreadfully it is burned only those who are on her soil can form any idea. Everywhere is the destruction going on. Her soil is the battle-field, and, so far as the destruction of property is concerned, it matters but little which party is successful. Armies must have room to move and manÅ“uvre, soldiers will have the fruits and vegetables which grow around their encampment, and camp life is a poor fertilizer of that moral growth which marks the line of “mtum el tuum.”

This letter is written on sheets taken from the former residence of Hon. W. W. Slade, once a member of Congress from Virginia. I rode around with a foraging party. We entered his fine old mansion, and I could not but weep over the sad changes which I could see had taken place within a few hours. Within no living soul was left. The soldiers entered; for a time I stood back, but when I did go in what a sight presented itself! Already the floors were covered knee-deep with books and papers, which it must have required a long life of toil and trouble to amass, fine swinging-mirrors shivered into thousands of pieces–a fit emblem of the condition to which efforts are being made to reduce this glorious government–each piece reflecting miniature images of what the whole had shown, but never again to reflect those pigmy images in one vast whole. In the large and spacious drawing-room stood the ruins of one of those old-fashioned sideboards, around which had grown so much of the reputation of Southern high life and hospitality; its doors, wrenched from their hinges, lay scattered on the floor; large mahogany sofas, with their covers torn off, marble-top tables, stationery, china, stoves and spittoons, were there in one promiscuous heap of ruins. I stepped into the library, hoping to bring away some relic that had been untouched by the soldiers, but I was too late–all here was ruin. In a corner I picked up a few yellow pamphlets, and read “Constitution and By-Laws of the National Democratic Association.” Sadly enough I left the house, and seated myself, to rest and think, on the spacious verandah. For a moment I looked on the vast orchards, the beautiful flower garden, the long rows of laden grape vines, the broad acres of corn and clover, and thought, “What a place and what a condition to pass old age in comfort and quiet,” and my heart began to lighten. How momentary the lightning, for just then company after company from the different regiments came up; gates were thrown open, fences thrown down, and horses, cattle and mules were destroying all these evidences of prosperity and comfort. And this is but one feature in the great haggard countenance of war which stares at us whenever we look at Virginia’s “sacred soil.” Alas, poor Virginia! This subject alone would give interest to a whole volume, but I must leave it.

On Tuesday night, at half-past ten o’clock, the “long roll” brought our brigade, of five regiments, to their feet, when we found ourselves under orders to march at once for the Virginia side of the river, where, it was said, a large body of rebels had been collecting just at night. We had had slight skirmishing in that neighborhood for several days, and now the crisis was expected, and our regiment was to have a chance. All was excitement, and in half an hour from the alarm we were ready to start. By the time we arrived here it had commenced raining–we found no enemy–bivouaced for the night, and slept in the rain to the music of the tramp, tramp of infantry, and the rattling, roaring tear of artillery wagons over the roughly macademized road which passed by our encampment. Yesterday it rained all day, as if every plug had been pulled out; still we kept on our arms and ready for action–our general and brigade officers dashing about all the time, and warning us to be ready for an attack.

Day before yesterday a scouting party of our brigade went in pursuit of a party of cavalry who had been seen hovering about us. When they came in sight the cavalry took to their heels, leaving to us only three large contrabands, who “tink massa oughten to run away from poor nigga so, heah! Heah! They just run and leab us to de mercy of de darn abolishuns, heah! heah!” They report that around Fairfax and Centreville there are sixty or seventy regiments, who are well provisioned, but that there is a great deal of sickness among them, measles being the prevailing disease. We had, when we left Kalarama, about twenty-five in the hospital, whom we left there under the charge of Dr. _____. There are three or four here who have sickened in consequence of exposure to the two days and two night’s rain, but they will be out in a day or two. We have not yet lost a man by disease or accident, though I hear that one man yesterday received a musket ball through his cap, but as it did not hit his head it is thought he will recover. The musket was carelessly fired by some soldier in our camp.

A little occurrence to-day has caused quite a stir in our camps, and I deem it worthy to be noted here tor my remembrance. Capt. Strong, of the Second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, was with a small party on picket guard. He strolled away from his company, and suddenly found himself surrounded by six of the rebel pickets. Being out of reach of help from his men, he surrendered himself a prisoner. After a short consultation as to whether they should kill the “d___d Yankee” on the spot, they concluded that they would first take him into camp. They demanded his pistols, which he took from his belt and presented. But at the moment when the rebels were receiving them, they both went off, killing two of his captors on the spot. But there were four left, two on foot, two on horseback. He dashed into a pine thicket, they discharging their pieces after him and immediately giving chase. He struck into a deep hollow or ravine leading down to the Potomac. It was so precipitous that the horsemen could not follow. But when he emerged from it near the river, he found himself confronted by the two horsemen who had ridden around and reached the spot in time to head him off. He had received a shot through his canteen. Immediately on seeing his pursuers he fired again, killing one more of them, and simultaneously he received another shot through his cheek. He continued firing with his revolvers till he had made in all eleven shots. By this time the fourth man had been unhorsed. The footmen did not pursue, and he made his way into camp. This is the story, though some are so uncharitable as to discredit it, notwithstanding one hole through his canteen and another through his cheek.

0 comments

William Howard Russell’s Diary: General Halleck. —General McClellan and the Sabbath.—Rumoured death of Jefferson Davis.

My Diary North and South – William Howard Russell

Sept. 6th.–At 3.30 p.m. General McClellan sent over an orderly to say he was going across the river, and would be glad of my company; but I was just finishing my letters for England, and had to excuse myself for the moment; and when I was ready, the Genera and staff had gone ventre à terre into Virginia. After post, paid my respects to General Scott, who is about to retire from the command on his full-pay of about £3500 per annum, which is awarded to him on account of his long services.

A new Major-General–Halleck–has been picked up in California, and is highly praised by General Scott and by Colonel Cullum, with whom I had a long talk about the generals on both sides. Halleck is a West Point officer, and has published some works on military science which are highly esteemed in the States. Before California became a State, he was secretary to the governor or officer commanding the territory, and eventually left the service and became a lawyer in the district, where he has amassed a large fortune. He is a man of great ability, very calm, practical, earnest, and cold, devoted to the Union –a soldier, and something more. Lee is considered the ablest man on the Federal side, but he is slow and timid. “Joe” Johnson is their best strategist. Beauregard is nobody and nothing–so think they at head-quarters. All of them together are not equal to Halleck, who is to be employed in the West. [continue reading…]

0 comments

Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform with Berdan’s Sharps rifle and Colt 1862 Police Model pistol

Civil War Era Portraiture, Library of Congress

Civil War Era Photographic Portraiture No. 16

Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform with Berdan's Sharps rifle and Colt 1862 Police Model pistol
Title: [Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform with Berdan’s Sharps rifle and Colt 1862 Police Model pistol]
Date Created/Published: [between 1861 and 1865]
Medium: 1 photograph : sixth-plate ambrotype, hand-colored ; 9.3 x 8.0 cm (case)
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-33426 (digital file from original item)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
Access Advisory: Use digital images. Original served only by appointment because material requires special handling.
Call Number: AMB/TIN no. 2969 [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes:
…..Title devised by Library staff.
…..Case: Leather; plain push-button.
…..Soldier identified by seller as being from Forsyth County, North Carolina.
…..Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2012; (DLC/PP-2012:127).
…..More information about this collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.lilj
…..Purchased from: Cecil E. Jackson, Columbia, S.C., 2012.
…..Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (Library of Congress).

Library of Congress item permalink

__________

Mike’s notes:

Image restoration note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
– fade correction,
– color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
– selected spot and/or scratch removal
– cropped for composition and/or to accentuate subject matter
– straighten image

Image restoration is the process of using digital restoration tools to create new digital versions of the images while also improving their quality and repairing damage.

0 comments

“The army in Virginia seems quiet; but our arms had a severe reverse on Thursday.”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

“The Briars,” Sept. 6.—We returned home, as we are wont to call this sweet place, yesterday, and are just now taken up with family matters of deep interest. The army in Virginia seems quiet; but our arms had a severe reverse on Thursday. Fort Hatteras was bombarded and taken by Federal vessels. They also secured many prisoners.

General Floyd, in Western Virginia, had a severe skirmish with the enemy, about a week ago, and drove them off with considerable loss. Our loss was small.

0 comments

A Diary of American Events.–September 6, 1861

The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

Sept. 6.–To-day the National Guard at Conrad’s Ferry, on the Potomac, discerned a body of rebels at work across the river, which, on inspection with glasses, proved to be the erection of a two-gun battery. Word was sent to General Stone’s head-quarters, and a section of a battery was soon provided. The rebels discharged two shells without effect, which were responded to with spherical-case shot, causing a splendid specimen of racing by the rebels. The distance between the two batteries was not less than three-quarters of a mile.–National Intelligencer, Sept. 12.

–Tins morning at eleven o’clock, General Grant, with two regiments of infantry, one company of light artillery, and two gunboats, took possession of Paducah, Kentucky. He found secession flags flying in different parts of the city, in expectation of greeting the arrival of the Southern army, which was reported three thousand eight hundred strong, sixteen miles distant. The loyal citizens tore down the secession flags on the arrival of the national troops.

General Grant took possession of the telegraph office, railroad depot, and the marine hospital, and issued the following proclamation:

I have come among you not as an enemy, but as your fellow-citizen. Not to maltreat or annoy you, but to respect and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens. An enemy, in rebellion against our common Government, has taken possession of, and planted its guns on the soil of Kentucky, and fired upon you. Columbus and Hickman are in his hands. He is moving upon your city. I am here to defend you against this enemy, to assist the authority and sovereignty of your Government. I have nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors. You can pursue your usual avocations without fear. The strong arm of the Government is here to protect its friends and punish its enemies. Whenever it is manifest that you are able to defend yourselves and maintain the authority of the Government and protest the rights of loyal citizens I shall withdraw the forces under my command.

U. S. Grant,
Brig.-Gen. Commanding.
(Doc. 31.)

–Several families of Tennessee exiles arrived at Cincinnati, Ohio, in farm wagons today. They were driven from Jefferson County, Tennessee, on account of their Union sentiments, some weeks since.–Louisville Journal, Sept. 9. [continue reading…]

0 comments

Civil War Day-By-Day

Civil War Day-by-Day

September 6, 1861

  • Union forces captured Paducah without bloodshed. This town gave the Union a large measure of control over the river systems that were vital to the region.
0 comments

In behalf of the regiment.—Woolsey family letters

Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Camp Trenton, 1861.

Miss Woolsey, Ebbitt House: I have the honor to acknowledge your favor of the 2nd inst., and would beg leave to say in reply, that the stores will be most acceptable, and in order that you may have no further trouble in the matter, an order signed by our Surgeon, Dr. Grant, will be presented you by our regimental wagoner, who will take charge of the goods for us.

With many thanks for your interest in behalf of the regiment, I have the honor to remain

Your obedient servant,

SAML. L. BUCK,

Major 2nd Regt. N. J. V.

0 comments

“…almost all the captains have horses and a few mules have been “realized”—that’s the word—from Secessionists.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

SUTTON, OR SUTTONVILLE, VIRGINIA, September 5, 1861.

DEAREST:–We are in another camp of fine views. This is the last stronghold of our army as we advance toward the enemy. We are now part of an army of from six to eight thousand and are pushing towards an advancing enemy stronger in numbers, it is said. Some time will perhaps elapse before we meet, but we are pretty certain to meet unless the enemy withdraws. This, I think, they will do. I like the condition of things. Our force, although not large, is of good regiments for the most part: McCook’s Ninth, Colonel Smith’s Thirteenth, Lytle’s Tenth (Irish), are all here; also Colonel Moor’s Twenty-eighth (Markbreit’s regiment), Colonel Lowe’s Twelfth, our regiment, and Colonel Porshner’s Forty-ninth (Wilstach regiment) coming; also one part company of Regulars; four companies artillery, four companies cavalry. An army about as large as can well manÅ“uvre in these mountains. General Rosecrans is in command in person with General Benham of the Regular Army to second him. We are camped on both sides of Elk River, connected by a beautiful suspension bridge. Camps on high hills; fortifications on all the summits. “A gay and festive scene,” as Artemus Ward would say, especially about sundown when three or four fine bands are playing in rivalry.

Elk River empties into Kanawha, so that the water now dripping from my tent will pass you, perhaps, about a fortnight hence; the clearest, purest water it is too. From the tops of the high hills you can see the rocks in the river covered by ten or twenty feet of water. Nothing finer in Vermont or New Hampshire.

I have just got a letter from Dr. James [D. Webb]. Say to him, let all my letters be opened, and if any are important, send them; otherwise, not, unless from some especial friend. Send me some stamps and tell me how you are off for cash. We expect to be paid soon; if so, I can send you some three hundred to six hundred dollars.

We are to have a bore here in a few days–a court-martial on some officer in the Tenth or Twelfth, and I am to be judge-advocate, unless I can diplomatize out of it, which I hope to do.

We got today papers from Cincinnati–the Times of the 28th and the Commercial of the 2d. Think of it; only three days old! It has rumors that General Rosecrans is captured. Well, not quite. He is in good health, and the Twenty-third Regiment is his especial guard. No force can get him here without passing my tent.

Among the interesting things in camp are the boys. You recollect the boy in Captain McIlrath’s company; we have another like unto him in Captain Woodward’s. He ran away from Norwalk to Camp Dennison; went into the Fifth, then into the Guthries, and as we passed their camp, he was pleased with us, and now is “a boy of the Twenty-third.” He drills, plays officer, soldier, or errand boy, and is a curiosity in camp. We are getting dogs too, some fine ones; almost all the captains have horses and a few mules have been “realized”–that’s the word–from Secessionists.

It is clearing off, so we shall be happy again. I am sorry you are unwell. Don’t get down-spirited. We shall get through and come home again. Love and kisses for all the boys. Affectionate regards to Grandma. Jim’s letters will be very acceptable. Goodbye, darling.

Affectionately,

R. B. HAYES.

P.S.–If you could see the conveniences (?) I have for writing, you would see how such a scrawl as this becomes a possibility. I have found out the day of the week and month; it is Thursday, the 5th September, 1861.

MRS. HAYES.

0 comments

The toad will croak his requiem, and the viper will coil beneath the thistle growing over his head.—Rebel War Clerk

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

SEPTEMBER 5th.—Our Congress has authorized the raising and organizing of four hundred regiments. The Yankee Congress, 500,000 men. The enemy will get their’s first; and it is said that between 600,000 and 700,000, for three years or the war, have already been accepted by the U. S. Government. Their papers boast that nearly a million volunteers were tendered. This means mischief. How many will rush forward a year hence to volunteer their services on the plains of the South? Full many ensanguined plains will greet the horrific vision before this time next year; and many a venal wretch coming to possess our land, will occupy till the day of final doom a tract of six feet by two in some desolate and unfrequented swamp. The toad will croak his requiem, and the viper will coil beneath the thistle growing over his head.

0 comments

An unoccupied house being close by, we all took possession of it, and found ourselves quite comfortable.

Diary of Battery A, First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, by Theodore Reichardt

Thursday, September 5.—At dawn of day, contrary to our expectations, the enemy did not open on us again. Having had no food since the day before, some of us went to the town, and as fortune, would have it, found bread, molasses, and that renowned coffee kettle, the fourth detachment will well remember. We enjoyed a good soldiers’ breakfast. Lieut. Tompkins, behaving towards the men like a gentleman, they would have done most anything for him. In several cases he relieved our wants, out of his own purse. Late in the afternoon we left Great Falls, marching towards Seneca Mills, as the enemy made various demonstrations up and down the Potomac. Rain falling incessantly, and passing through dense woods marching became a matter of impossibility, and it was decided to halt by the roadside until daylight. An unoccupied house being close by, we all took possession of it, and found ourselves quite comfortable.

0 comments

“There does not appear to have been any “fight” yesterday, but the report of cannon on the other side is heard almost every hour of the day.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

THURSDAY 5

It has rained nearly all day and there has not been much stir in the streets. Soldiers were moveing all last night, it is said that fifteen thousand passed over the River. Fresh troops are coming in all the time and going into camp. There does not appear to have been any “fight” yesterday, but the report of cannon on the other side is heard almost every hour of the day. I spent an hour or two at the Pat office but have been at home most of the day.

______

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.

0 comments

Unidentified soldier in Union uniform standing with Napoleon cannon in front of encampment

Civil War Era Portraiture, Library of Congress

Civil War Era Photographic Portraiture No. 15Unidentified soldier in Union uniform standing with Napoleon cannon in front of encampment
Title: [Unidentified soldier in Union uniform standing with Napoleon cannon in front of encampment]
Date Created/Published: [between 1861 and 1865]
Medium: 1 photograph : sixth-plate tintype, hand-colored ; 9.3 x 8.1 cm (case)
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-32130 (digital file from original item)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
Access Advisory: Use digital images. Original served only by appointment because material requires special handling.
Call Number: AMB/TIN no. 2809 [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes:
…..Title devised by Library staff.
…..Case: Leather; scroll design.
…..Uncertain if Union or Confederate.
…..Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2011; (DLC/PP-2012:127).
…..More information about this collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.lilj
…..Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (Library of Congress).
…..Published in: Military images. Export, Pa., May-June 2006 (XVII, 6), front cover.

Library of Congress item permalink

_______________

Mike’s notes:

Image restoration note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
– fade correction,
– color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
– selected spot and/or scratch removal
– cropped for composition and/or to accentuate subject matter
– straighten image

Image restoration is the process of using digital restoration tools to create new digital versions of the images while also improving their quality and repairing damage.

0 comments

They had refused to take the oath.–Alexander G. Downing.

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Thursday, 5th–Four men from Company A of the Eighth Iowa were drummed out of camp today. They had refused to take the oath to support the United States Government.

0 comments

William Howard Russell’s Diary: Anonymous letters.—General Fremont’s sudden outburst in the West.

My Diary North and South – William Howard Russell

Sept. 5th.–Raining all day. McClellan abandoned his intention of inspecting the lines, and I remained in, writing. The anonymous letters still continue. Received one from an unmistakable Thug to-day, with the death’s-head, cross-bones, and coffin, in the most orthodox style of national-school drawing.

The event of the day was the appearance of the President in the Avenue in a suit of black, and a parcel in his hand, walking umbrella-less in the rain. Mrs. Lincoln has returned, and the worthy “Executive” will no longer be obliged to go “browsing round,” as he says, among his friends at dinner-time. He is working away at money matters with energy, but has been much disturbed in his course of studies by General Fremont’s sudden outburst in the West, which proclaims emancipation, and draws out the arrow which the President intended to discharge from his own bow.

0 comments

A Diary of American Events.–September 5, 1861

The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

Sept. 5.–The Charleston Mercury of this day says: Under the Fabian policy, our army has remained stationary for the last six weeks, a prey to ennui and discomfort, discontent and disease, while the capitol at Washington could almost be seen from the generals’ tents. How long this policy of “masterly inactivity ” would have continued, God only knows. It was gravely announced in a Richmond paper, that they were intrepidly waiting for the enemy to come on again. The enemy, however, very wisely determined that, as they were left the range of the whole continent to attack, Bull Run was not the choicest place for their future operations. They accordingly make a descent on the coast of North Carolina. Perhaps our Government was astonished that they did not return to Bull Run; but seeing that such expectations were not in accordance with Yankee policy, they see the necessity of advancing on Washington. It is clear that our Yankee enemies, always pushing us into our best position, intend to force us into the alternative of a campaign in Maryland, or the devastation of our sea-coast. The Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, are to be defended in Maryland. It is there, by a firm and aggressive war, that the United States must, on our part, be forced to defend themselves.

–Two companies of Colonel Berdan’s sharpshooters took their departure from Weehawken, N. J., for the seat of war. They are the first of the regiment that have gone into actual service. The uniform of the regiment is peculiarly appropriate for their position as marksmen, consisting of green frock coats, gray pantaloon and green caps. The dress is made to accord with the colors of nature as much as possible and is intended to be worn in summer. In winter the uniform will consist entirely of gray pattern.–N. Y. World, Sept. 6.

–The Twentieth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel William Raymond Lee, passed through New York on its way to the seat of war. The regimen left Readville, Mass., yesterday. It numbers seven hundred and fifty men, and has been mainly raised in Springfield and Wareham The men are strong, hardy, and intelligent looking. They are armed with Enfield rifles and are uniformed according to the army regulation. They have with them twenty-five baggage wagons, two hospital wagons, five ambulances, and one hundred and twenty horses A company of sharp-shooters from Massachusetts, Capt. Sanders, with one hundred men, joined the regiment at New York. [continue reading…]

0 comments

Civil War Day-By-Day

Civil War Day-by-Day

September 5, 1861

  • Union troops commanded by Ulysses Grant prepared to move into Kentucky in response to the move made by Polk to seize Columbus
0 comments

“The death of Jeff Davis is confirmed in the enemies papers.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1861.

Beautiful day, rather hot in the sun. Called on Doct Smith which amounted to nothing. I think he likes to have people think that they are under great obligations to him. Got glass and glazed the broken windows, saved $1.50 by doing it myself. Paid my Ice bill $3.70. It is supposed that fighting is going on this afternoon up the river where the rebels are attempting to cross. The Balloon was up over the River on the lookout. Large bodies of troops have arrived today, one Regt passed our door. The death of Jeff Davis is confirmed in the enemies papers.

______

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.

0 comments

The gift of a number of very fine hams.

Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union
The home letters, full of sweet air and peaceful views, were delightful to get in the dust and confusion of Washington, which, however, with all its discomforts, nothing would have induced us to leave. Among the letters of introduction which made our way simple and pleasant were those from Cousin Wm. Aspinwall to Senator Dixon and General Ripley (“a fine, blunt old gentleman”) of Connecticut, and to Generals Hamilton and Van Rensselaer, on the staff of the Commanding General Scott. Also to Generals Wool, Dix and McDowell, Admiral Wilkes and family, and the household of Mr. Hodge, a cousin of our good Dr. Hodge of Philadelphia. We imagined that our unctuous way to the good graces of the Commanding General was made by the gift from Joseph Howland of a number of very fine hams. These, cast upon the water, came home to us later in an invitation to dinner, which seemed rather to have the nature of a military summons, delivered as it was by a Colonel on the staff. We accepted with the mixed feeling which one must have who receives the “Queen’s Command” to an interview.
The hams appear in the following note:
 

Headquarters of the Army, Washington.

Dear Mrs. Howland: The Lieutenant General desires me to send his thanks for the hams sent to him by Mr. Howland. He considers them very fine indeed, to which opinion I beg leave to add my own.

Yours very truly,

H. Van Rensselaer.

0 comments