Daily Times [Leavenworth, Ks],
September 17, 1861
The Missouri Secessionists living on the Southern border of Kansas, are at their old tricks. Families are coming into this and other northern counties every day, being driven out of their homes by the border rebels.–The rebels take everything they can get their hands on, regardless as to the articles. Something should be done in the way of protecting the settlers of Southern Kansas.
Tuesday, 17th. Went through with the regular routine of camp life until five. Went over to Uncle’s and took tea. Wrote home and to Fannie Andrews.
Tuesday, 17th–Several new men enrolled today and things look more encouraging. I boarded at the tavern today.
September 17, 1861.
Well, I’ve slept half of this day and feel sleepy yet. I had a tough time on picket last night. We were divided into four squads and owing to the small number of men we had out (only 50) the corporals had to stand guard as privates; so I had all the stationing of reliefs to do myself and did not get a minute’s sleep all night. We were not troubled any by the enemy but the mosquitoes and fleas gave us the devil.
A coon came sliding down the tree Sam Nutt was stationed under, and he thought he was taken sure. The people here say that there are lots of bears and tiger cats killed here every winter. Sam has been to Cairo to-day and says that Keef, Fred Norcott and Cooper are all much better. There is a rumor now that our right is going to Virginia, but I don’t believe it. It is too good to be true. Our cook has been sick for several days and we have been just about half living on account of our being too lazy to cook. I don’t mean to be disrespectful when I say I was about as glad to see him cooking again this morning, as I would be to see you. He is a splendid nigger, seems to think the world of us boys. He buys a great many little things for us with his own money, which as we are all out, is a good institution. We are to get our pay next week the officers say. My pay is some $18 or $20 a month now. I am entitled to a straight sword now, but as I have to carry a musket also, I’ll trade it off for gingerbread if they’ll let me, and if they won’t I’ll lose it sure for I have enough to carry without it. I can hear the tattoo now before the colonel’s quarters at the other end of the camp and our boys are singing, “Home Again” as they lie around me in our tent. I thank goodness that none of them get homesick like some do that I know in our right. I do despise these whiners. I expect [continue reading…]
Charles Francis Adams, Jr., To Henry Adams
Boston, Tuesday, September 17, 1861
As I hear nothing more of your coming home I hope you have forgotten that folly. The few of your friends in the army here, like Billy Milton and Howard Dwight, opened their eyes wide with astonishment at the suggestion. Just now I certainly hope that you have n’t left, as I send you by this mail a couple of copies of yesterday’s and today’s Courier, in which you will find two leaders headed “English Views,” written by me and which, if you have any opening yet in the English press you may turn to advantage as extracts from the American. The letter of the Times correspondent of 30th August printed in last Saturday’s Times (N.Y.) seemed to intimate that the wind now lay in this quarter and American views to the point might, I thought, be of use. These articles were written, however, before I saw that letter, or the Times (London) editorials in the same direction. I offered these articles to Charles Hale who declined to publish them editorially, and so I sent them to the Courier; but Hale remembered my line of thought and reproduced it in his leader of last Monday, which I also send you. So, for once, the Courier and the Advertiser were brought close together on the same day.
Here we feel immeasurably better and not only are things outwardly more encouraging, but I am informed from private correspondents of military men in Washington that the appearance is not deceptive, an immense improvement has taken place and military men are most sanguine of the future.
I wait anxiously to hear from you. By the way, in case you think favorably of my suggestion of an English article on the American press, did you notice a few days ago an article in the N.Y. Times about the Herald, in which Bennett was called “the old liar,” “a skunk,” a “stink-pot,” etc., etc. How would the two read if the editorial of the celebrated Potts in the Eatanswill Gazette about the “buff-ball in a buff neighborhood” and that were put side by side? Which would be the caricature? . . .
September 17.–A fight took place at Mariatown, Mo., between six hundred Federals under Colonels Montgomery and Johnson and four hundred rebels, in which the latter were completely routed with a loss of seven killed, and one hundred horses and all their tents and supplies captured. The Nationals lost two privates killed and six wounded. Col. Johnson, while riding at the head of his command, was pierced by nine balls and instantly killed. Three bullets took effect in his head, two buck-shot in the neck, one bullet in the left shoulder, one in the left thigh, one in the right hand, and one in the left. He died, urging his men to fight for the Stars and Stripes.–Buffalo Courier, September 23.
–The Legislature of Maryland was prevented from organizing at Frederick by the arrest of its clerk and several of the members. During the evening the Union members of the House and Senate met in caucus and resolved that, the action of the Senators present in not assembling having virtually brought the Legislature to an end, they would return to their homes and not attempt again to assemble.
–This evening a train on the Ohio and Mississippi road, containing a portion of Colonel Torchin’s Nineteenth Illinois regiment, while passing over a bridge near Huron, Ind., one hundred and forty-three miles west of Cincinnati, fell through, killing and wounding over one hundred soldiers.–Louisville Courier, September 10.
–A large concourse of citizens from all parts of the State assembled at Hartford, Conn., today, to listen to Hon. D. S. Dickinson and others. General James T. Pratt presided. All the political parties of the State were represented, and places of business were closed during the meeting. Mr. Dickinson’s speech was one of his best efforts, and had a powerful effect. Senator Latham, of California, sent a letter of apology for his absence, full of patriotic spirit. Thomas Francis Meagher sent a despatch as follows: ” I cannot go to Hartford to-day. I go to the war. Talking is over. Fight is the word.” –National Intelligencer, September 20.
–Two fights occurred at Blue Mills Landing, Mo., to-day. The first was between five hundred of the Third Iowa regiment, with one piece of artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, and about four thousand rebels. After a desperate struggle of an hour’s duration, in which Scott lost one hundred and twenty killed and wounded and all his horses, he retreated slowly half a mile, dragging his cannon by hand. He subsequently took a position with his howitzer on an eminence, and waited for the enemy to renew the attack. But he was not pursued. Not long afterward Colonel Smith’s command, with four pieces of cannon, approached Blue Mills by another road and engaged and routed the rebels as they were about crossing the Missouri River.–(Doc. 53.)
–The Fifteenth regiment (Elmira Engineers) N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel C. B. Stuart of Geneva, left Elmira for the seat of war.–N. Y. Herald, Sept. 22.
–Clement Smyth, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dubuque, Iowa, in a letter to the Adjutant-General of that State, held the following language: “I ever avoid all matters of a political nature as foreign to my sacred duties, yet in this present hour of trial, when the honer and the happiness of our nation are at stake; when some prejudiced mind may construe my silence into a disrespect for you, whose friendship I highly prize, or into a criminal opposition to our National Government– the Government of the United States, the only one to which I owe fealty–it may not be departing too far from my usual course to say that my feelings and sentiments are for the Union, and though peace is now the darling object of my ambition, yet I would not consent to purchase peace at the sacrifice of principle.”
–At Washington the following order was issued to-day from the War Department:
The commanding officer at Hatteras Inlet, N. C., is hereby authorized to accept the services of such loyal North Carolinians–not to exceed one regiment–as in his neighborhood may volunteer to take up arms for the United States, and to designate regular officers to muster them into the service. The recruits will be organized in the first instance into a battalion or regiment according to numbers. The mustering officer will make timely requisition for arms and other necessary supplies. The commanding officer will, on the recommendation of the volunteers, propose such persons as officers as he may deem suitable, to officer the companies that may, if approved, be commissioned by the President.
L. Thomas, Adj.-Gen.
–The anniversary of Washington’s Farewell Address was celebrated by Cassius M. Clay’s Washington Guards. Professor Amasa McCoy, Secretary of the Guards, delivered an Oration on “The London Times on the Rebellion and the war against the National Constitution.”
–The Continental Guard, Forty-eighth regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel James H. Perry, left Fort Hamilton this morning for the seat of war. The regiment numbers about one thousand men, well equipped and armed with Enfield rifles. The uniform is the United States regulation. A considerable number of the men were formerly members of the Seventy-first. About sixty recruits, not yet uniformed, were left in charge of the camp, near Fort Hamilton, under Lieutenant Wallace. Colonel Perry, the commandant of the regiment is well-known as a West Point graduate. N. Y. Evening Post, Sept 17.
September 17, 1861
A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1
Monday, September 16.—In the evening, some of [the Thirty-fourth New York Regiment crossed the river, had a skirmish with the rebels, and returned with the loss of four men. Capt. Reynolds being promoted to Major, le? the battery. So did Lieut. Albert Munroe, promoted to Captain. Lieut. Tompkins, also promoted, took command of our battery.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1861.
Today went with Doct David to the Smithsonian and to the Washington Monument. Called at the U.S. Treasury, saw Genl Spinner (the Treasurer). He told me that $800,000 pr day was now paid out or the average was that. Julia got a boquet from the Prests Garden for the Dr to take home to his wife. He left on the 21/2 train. I went with him to the Depot. We all like the Dr very much, never saw much of him before. Capt Meeks spent and hour with us this evening, left for his camp 1/2 past 9 o’clk.
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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.
SEPTEMBER 16th.—Mr. Benjamin’s hitherto perennial smile faded almost away as he realized the fact that he was now the most important member of the cabinet. He well knew how arduous the duties were; but then he was robust in health, and capable of any amount of labor.
It seems, after all, that Mr. Benjamin is only acting Secretary of War, until the President can fix upon another. Can that be the reason his smile has faded almost away? But the President will appoint him. Mr. Benjamin will please him; he knows how to do it.
Monday, 16th. Bid all the dear friends at home good-bye, and left Oberlin for the camp. (Camp Wade, Cleveland, Ohio.) Accompanied Lizzie Cobb home, and called on Helen Cobb. Took tea at Lizzie’s with Charlie Fairchild. Commenced camp life.
Sept. 16th.—Just returned from Annfield, where we have spent a charming day, with most delightful society. The papers brought us news of success in the West, General Floyd having overcome Rosecranz on Gauley River. This gave us great satisfaction, as we are peculiarly anxious about that part of Virginia. We passed the time in talking over the feats of our heroes, as well as in enjoying the elegancies by which we were surrounded.
Monday, 16th–I returned to Tipton this morning. Our company had no drill today on account of the rain—it rained all day. There were no enlistments. The disagreeable weather seems to make everybody feel gloomy.
September 16th.–It is most agreeable to be removed from all the circumstance without any of the pomp and glory of war. Although there is a tendency in the North, and, for aught I know, in the South, to consider the contest in the same light as one with a foreign enemy, the very battle-cries on both sides indicate a civil war. “The Union for ever”–”States rights “– and “Down with the Abolitionists,” cannot be considered national. McClellan takes no note of time even by its loss, which is all the more strange because he sets great store upon it in his report on the conduct of the war in the Crimea. However, he knows an army cannot be made in two months, and that the larger it is, the more time there is required to harmonize its components. The news from the Far West indicated a probability of some important operations taking place, although my first love–the army of the Potomac–must be returned to. Any way there was the great Western Prairie to be seen, and the people who have been pouring from their plains so many thousands upon the Southern States to assert the liberties of those coloured races whom they will not permit to cross their borders as freemen. Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Blair, and other Abolitionists, are actuated by similar sentiments, and seek to emancipate the slave, and remove from him the protection of his master, in order that they may drive him from the continent altogether, or force him to seek refuge in emigration.
Norfolk, September 16, 1861.
We are still here at Norfolk and now in camp for we don’t know how long. We got tents the day after the date of my last, and splendid ones they are. They are full 10 feet high and 15 feet across. They each accommodate about 15 men. Since we have been here we have been out scouting three times. The first time we were down the river about five miles. That was the time our gunboats had the fight with the “Yankee” and the land batteries. Two days afterward a body of the enemy’s cavalry came up almost to our camp, and after dinner we were sent out to look them up. We were scooting along through a thick wood when one of our cavalry men came back half scared out of his wits (we had about 20 of the cavalry ahead acting as scouts) and reported a whole mess of men just over a rise of ground ahead of us. Our company was in the van, and the column came into line on us and our cavalry tried to draw the enemy back on our position, but Mr. Enemy “drawed” the other way and again we missed our little fight. Last Saturday we started out again at noon and went down the river 10 miles where we thought sure we’d find secesh, but he had again left. We had 2,000 men this time and 6 pieces of artillery. We had stopped to rest when a cloud of dust was observed rising on our side of the river about four miles from us. Some of the boys had glasses with them and made out the cause to be a body of cavalry. Our right was marched a few hundred yards to the front and placed in line of battle with the left at the river bank and our right extending along an edge of woods and fronting a cornfield and open pass between it and the river. A splendid place (for our side) for a fight. Our gunboat then started down the river, fired at and dispersed one body they saw and then slipped a few shells into Columbus and returned. We were within four or five miles of Columbus where there are (our colonel says) 26,000 troops, and on ground where the secesh were encamped but lately with 16 pieces of artillery. We started back at dusk and got home about 10 o’clock; some of the boys pretty tired. I stand these little trips like a horse and would rather go every day than lay around camp. Yesterday (Sunday) the “Yankee” came up and shelled the woods where we were the day before. She tried to throw some shells into our camp but they didn’t reach us by a mile and a half. One of our gunboats has to lay here all the time or the “Yankee” would make us skedaddle out of this on double quick. Don’t talk about furloughs. They are played out. A dispatch came this last week to Colonel Oglesby that his wife was dying. He went up to Cairo but General McClernand showed him an order from McClellan, vetoing furloughs, no matter for what. So the colonel had to return here. I’d like very much to go home but I’ll enjoy it all the more when this business is finished. The 17th is encamped just opposite us on Island No. 1, but we can’t get to see them. Our boys are in good spirits. Sid. and Sam and Theo. are now all right. Milo Farewell thinks he has the dumb ague. Fred Norcott is sick in Cairo. Charley Cooper is also sick I have heard. I am all right. My office is sergeant, two grades below private. Our company goes out on picket to-night.
Fairfax C. H., September 16, 1861.
I did not write my regular Sunday letter to you on yesterday. As usual, after breakfast I left the camp on duty, and did not return until dinner, when, very tired, I slept a couple of hours. Very soon I got orders to leave again for a ride of thirteen miles, and did not get back until bedtime. This morning we all left for our new encampment, where all are comfortably quartered.
I received your letter of 9th inst. a few days since. Indeed, Love, the perusal of your letters gives me more pleasure than I ever received from any other source. Should I not be happy to know there is some one in the world who loves me so well and looks with such deep interest to my fate? To be with you again is the wish which lies nearest my heart. But the duty to which my life is now devoted must be met without shrinking. Before the war is done many, I fear, must fall, and I may be one of the number. If so, I am resigned to my fate, and I bequeath to you our dear little boys in the full assurance that you will give to my country in them true and useful citizens. I wish, Love, the prospect were brighter, but indeed I see no hope of a speedy end of this bloody contest.
September 16.–An expedition from Hatteras Inlet, under the command of Lieutenants Maxwell and Eastman, of the steamer Pawnee, visited Ocracoke Inlet and destroyed Fort Oregon, a fine fortification at that place. The expedition was entirely successful.–(Doc. 51.)
–The gunboat Conestoga captured the steamers V. R. Stephenson and Gazelle, on the Cumberland River, Ky. The Stephenson had fifty tons of iron aboard. The Gazelle was without a cargo.–Louisville Journal, September 19.
–Ship Island, near the mouth of the Mississippi River, was evacuated by the rebels and immediately taken possession of by the National forces.–(Doc. 52.)
–Major French, the commanding officer at Key West, published the following important order; its promulgation caused a vast amount of commotion among the secessionists:
Headquarters U. S. Troops
Key West Florida, September 16, 1861
I. Within ten days from this date all male citizens of the Island of Key West who have taken the oath of allegiance will send their names to these head-quarters to be registered.
II. Within thirty days from this date all the citizens of this island are required to take the oath of allegiance to the United States.
III. At the termination of sixty days all citizens of this island who have failed or refused to take the oath of allegiance to the United States will be removed from Key West. This will also apply to their families and the families of these who have left the island to join the Confederate States.
Wm. H. French,
Brevet-Major U. S. A., Commanding.
–The Washington Grays, Forty-seventh regiment N. Y. S. V., commanded by Colonel Henry Moore, left East New York for the seat of war.–N. Y. Times, September 17. [continue reading…]
September 16, 1861
A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1
SEPTEMBER 15th.—And, just as I expected, Mr. Benjamin is to be Mr. Walker’s successor. Col. Bledsoe is back again; and it devolved on me to inform Major Tyler that the old chief of the bureau was now the new chief. Of course he resigned the seals of office with the grace and courtesy of which he is so capable. And then he informed me (in confidence) that the Secretary had resigned, and would be appointed a brigadier-general in the army of the Southwest; and that he would accompany him as his adjutant-general.
Lenox, Sept. 15, 1861.
Charley talks of going down to-morrow to be inspected and mustered into State service with the regiment–the Home-Guard. He thinks his fine for non-attendance will about equal his railroad fare down and up. He is to stay over night and will see Mary at Astoria.
SUNDAY 15
A hot day. M. 86. Went to ch[urch] in the morning with Julia & one of the boys and heard Dr Smith, church well filled. Wife went in the afternoon. Chas & Sallie were up to dine with us. Walked with Dr D. & Chas up to Camp Cameron to see the “Anderson Zouaves.” Saw Capt Lafata of the Co of the French Zouaves. He is an Italian. Came down to tea and went over to Camp Anderson to hear the music of the “Regulars” Band, it was fine.
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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.
September 15th, 1861.—All the troops are not sent to Virginia, the Dixie Yeomen have been incorporated into the Fifth Florida Regiment and they have gone to Palatka to be drilled. So far the troops, which have been sent had been drilling for some time and were considered fit for service but these fresh companies have to learn.
Brother Junius went to Palatka, and we miss him very much but it is not like he was going away off. Palatka is so much nearer than Virginia, and then, too, they are fighting in Virginia. I must tell you my Diary what happened to Buddy. (I forgot, Mother says I must call him Cousin William.) But this is what happened. He has been practising medicine in this county for twelve years and everybody loves and trusts him. When the men composing the Dixie Yeomen came forward to be sworn into the Confederate service, first one man and then another, until nearly all had spoken, said he could not take the oath nor sign the Roster unless Doctor William Bradford would consent to resign and stay at home. Some of these men grew quite eloquent about it. They said they could not leave their wives and children unless the doctor would stay with them. “I should be obliged to desert,” said one man, “if Doctor Bill was not in call, when my home folks got sick.” So after much discussion he consented to resign. I know his mother rejoices in this for she has consumption and is never well. His young wife and baby need him, too, but then so many wives and babies have to suffer. This is a great compliment to our doctor and Father and Mother are delighted. He is their adopted son, you know. They love him as if he was their very own and no brother could be dearer to me.
Susan Bradford is 15 years old when this entry was made.
15 [September]
Heard from Lewis he is satisfied finds a friend in one of the Lieutenants, Tatum, an old schoolmate from Abeville has one hundred and 50 men under his charge and a very good Hospital Steward who saves him much trouble. The letters to Walker are not answered, one from Elizabeth to Mrs W. who was an old friend at school.
The Marion Artilary have been ordered down to Sulivan’s Island. Martin who is now Lieutenant & Berkley W. are with this Company, B. as Commissary they seemed to like it very much. Martin had to purchase a sword and gave in this time of scarcity for an Army sword $40.—the usual price it $15 $20 with belt & chains. The war progresses very slowly and as yet it looks very dark and endless. A must trust in the Good God who has protected us so far.—
Birch River, Eighteen Miles North
of Summersville, Sunday, September 15, 1861.
Dearest: – We are as happy and care-for-nothing [a] set of fellows here today as you could find anywhere. I have now for a while an independent command of four companies, Twenty-third, Captain Moore, Captain Lovejoy, Woodward, and Drake, two companies of the Thirtieth and a squadron of the Chicago Dragoons. We are now about thirty miles from the battlefield, heading off (if there are any, which I doubt), reinforcements for the enemy. The men are jolly, the anxieties of the battle all forgotten. We seem to be in most prosperous circumstances. I shall rejoin the main army in three or four days.
You have heard about the fight. It was a very noisy but not dangerous affair. . . . Where I was a few balls whistled forty or fifty feet over our heads. The next day, however, with Captain Drake’s company I got into a little skirmish with an outpost and could see that the captain and myself were actually aimed at, the balls flying near enough but hurting nobody. The battle scared and routed the enemy prodigiously. . . .
I hardly think we will [shall] have another serious fight. Possibly, Wise and Floyd and Lee may unite and stiffen up the Rebel back in this quarter. If so we shall fight them. But if not encouraged by some success near Washington, they are pretty well flattened out in this region. We shall be busy with them for a few weeks, but as I remarked, unless we meet with some serious disaster near Washington, they will not, I think, have heart enough to make a stiff battle.
My “Webby,” tell the boys, pricked up his ears and pranced when he heard the cannon and volleys of musketry. He is in excellent condition.
Dr. Joe and McCurdy were very busy with the sick and wounded during and after the battle. Our troops who were taken from Colonel Tyler and retaken by us say they were very well treated by the enemy. McCurdy is now with me. Colonel Scammon couldn’t spare Joe.
The last week has been the most stirring we have had during the war. If in all quarters things go on as well as here we shall end the war sometime. The captured letters show that Governor Floyd’s army were getting tired of the business.
Did I tell you General Benham gave me an awful bowie knife and General Rosecrans a trunk out of the enemy’s spoil? The last much needed.
Well, dearest, this is one of the bright days in this work. I am prepared for all sorts of days. There will be dark ones of course, but I suspect [continue reading…]
Sunday, 15th–This morning I went to church and Sunday School once more.