July 8th.–I hired a horse at a livery stable, and rode out to Arlington Heights, at the other side of the Potomac, where the Federal army is encamped, if not on the sacred soil of Virginia, certainly on the soil of the district of Columbia, ceded by that State to Congress for the purposes of the Federal Government. The Long Bridge which spans the river, here more than a mile broad, is an ancient wooden and brick structure, partly of causeway, and partly of platform, laid on piles and uprights, with drawbridges for vessels to pass. The Potomac, which in peaceful times is covered with small craft, now glides in a gentle current over the shallows unbroken by a solitary sail. The “rebels” have established batteries below Mount Vernon, which partially command the river, and place the city in a state of blockade.

As a consequence of the magnificent conceptions which were entertained by the founders regarding the future dimensions of their future city, Washington is all suburb and no city. The only difference between the denser streets and the remoter village-like environs, is that the houses are better and more frequent, and the roads not quite so bad in the former. The road to the Long Bridge passes by a four-sided shaft of blocks of white marble, contributed, with appropriate mottoes, by the various States, as a fitting monument to Washington. It is not yet completed, and the materials lie in the field around, just as the Capitol and the Treasury are surrounded by the materials for their future and final development. Further on is the red, and rather fantastic, pile of the Smithsonian Institute, and then the road makes a dip to the bridge, past some squalid little cottages, and the eye reposes on the shore of Virginia, rising in successive folds, and richly wooded, up to a moderate height from the water. Through the green forest leaves gleams the white canvas of the tents, and on the highest ridge westward rises an imposing structure, with a portico and colonnade in front, facing the river, which is called Arlington House, and belongs, by descent, through Mr. Custis, from the wife of George Washington, to General Lee, Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate army. It is now occupied by General M’Dowell as his head-quarters, and a large United States’ flag floats from the roof, which shames even the ample proportions of the many stars and stripes rising up from the camps in the trees.

At the bridge there was a post of volunteer soldiers. The sentry on duty was sitting on a stump, with his firelock across his knees, reading a newspaper. He held out his hand for my pass, which was in the form of a letter, written by General Scott, and ordering all officers and soldiers of the army of the Potomac to permit me to pass freely without let or hindrance, and recommending me to the attention of Brigadier-General M’Dowell and all officers under his orders. “That’ll do, you may go,” said the sentry. “What pass is that, Abe?” inquired a non-commissioned officer. “It’s from General Scott, and says he’s to go wherever he likes.” “I hope you’ll go right away to Richmond, then, and get Jeff Davis’s scalp for us,” said the patriotic sergeant.

At the other end of the bridge a weak tête de pont, commanded by a road-work further on, covered the approach, and turning to the right I passed through a maze of camps, in front of which the various regiments, much better than I expected to find them, broken up into small detachments, were learning elementary drill. A considerable number of the men were Germans, and the officers were for the most part in a state of profound ignorance of company drill, as might be seen by their confusion and inability to take their places when the companies faced about, or moved from one flank to the other. They were by no means equal in size or age, and, with some splendid exceptions, were inferior to the Southern soldiers. The camps were dirty, no latrines–the tents of various patterns–but on the whole they were well castrametated.

The road to Arlington House passed through some of the finest woods I have yet seen in America, but the axe was already busy amongst them, and the trunks of giant oaks were prostrate on the ground. The tents of the General and his small staff were pitched on the little plateau in which stood the house, and from it a very striking and picturesque view of the city, with the White House, the Treasury, the Post Office, Patent Office, and Capitol, was visible, and a wide spread of country, studded with tents also as far as the eye could reach, towards Maryland. There were only four small tents for the whole of the head-quarters of the grand army of the Potomac, and in front of one we found General M’Dowell, seated in a chair, examining some plans and maps. His personal staff, as far as I could judge, consisted of Mr. Clarence Brown, who came over with me, and three other officers, but there were a few connected with the departments at work in the rooms of Arlington House. I made some remark on the subject to the General, who replied that there was great jealousy on the part of the civilians respecting the least appearance of display, and that as he was only a brigadier, though he was in command of such a large army, he was obliged to be content with a brigadier’s staff. Two untidy-looking orderlies, with ill-groomed horses, near the house, were poor substitutes for the force of troopers one would see in attendance on a general in Europe but the use of the telegraph obviates the necessity of employing couriers. I went over some of the camps with the General. The artillery is the most efficient-looking arm of the service, but the horses are too light, and the number of the different calibres quite destructive to continuous efficiency in action. Altogether I was not favourably impressed with what I saw, for I had been led by reiterated statements to believe to some extent the extravagant stories of the papers, and expected to find upwards of 100,000 men in the highest state of efficiency, whereas there were not more than a third of the number, and those in a very incomplete, ill-disciplined state. Some of these regiments were called out under the President’s proclamation for three months only, and will soon have served their full time, and as it is very likely they will go home, now the bubbles of national enthusiasm have all escaped, General Scott is urged not to lose their services, but to get into Richmond before they are disbanded.

It would scarcely be credited, were I not told it by General M’Dowell, that there is no such thing procurable as a decent map of Virginia. He knows little or nothing of the country before him, more than the general direction of the main roads, which are bad at the best; and he can obtain no information, inasmuch as the enemy are in full force all along his front, and he has not a cavalry officer capable of conducting a reconnaissance, which would be difficult enough in the best hands, owing to the dense woods which rise up in front of his lines, screening the enemy completely. The Confederates have thrown up very heavy batteries at Manassas, about thirty miles away, where the railway from the West crosses the line to Richmond, and I do not think General M’Dowell much likes the look of them, but the cry for action is so strong the President cannot resist it.

On my way back I rode through the woods of Arlington, and came out on a quadrangular earthwork, called Fort Corcoran, which is garrisoned by the 69th Irish, and commands the road leading to an aqueduct and horse-bridge over the Potomac. The regiment is encamped inside the fort, which would be a slaughter-pen if exposed to shell-fire. The streets were neat, the tents protected from the sun by shades of evergreens and pine boughs. One little door, like that of an ice-house, half buried in the ground, was opened by one of the soldiers, who was showing it to a friend, when my attention was more particularly attracted by a sergeant, who ran forward in great dudgeon, exclaiming “Dempsey! Is that you going into the ‘magazine’ wid yer pipe lighted?” I rode away with alacrity.

In the course of my ride I heard occasional dropping shots in the camp. To my looks of inquiry, an engineer officer said quietly, “They are volunteers shooting themselves.” The number of accidents from the carelessness of the men is astonishing; in every day’s paper there is an account of deaths and wounds caused by the discharge of firearms in the tents.

Whilst I was at Arlington House, walking through the camp attached to head-quarters, I observed a tall red-bearded officer seated on a chair in front of one of the tents, who bowed as I passed him, and as I turned to salute him, my eye was caught by the apparition of a row of Palmetto buttons down his coat. One of the officers standing by said, “Let me introduce you to Captain Taylor, from the other side.” It appears that he came in with a flag of truce, bearing a despatch from Jefferson Davis to President Lincoln, countersigned by General Beauregard at Manassas. Just as I left Arlington, a telegraph was sent from General Scott to send Captain Taylor, who rejoices in the name of Tom, over to his quarters.

The most absurd rumours were flying about the staff, one of whom declared very positively that there was going to be a compromise, and that Jeff Davis had made an overture for peace. The papers are filled with accounts of an action in Missouri, at a place called Carthage, between the Federals commanded by Colonel Sigel, consisting for the most part of Germans, and the Confederates under General Parsons, in which the former were obliged to retreat, although it is admitted the State troops were miserably armed, and had most ineffective artillery, whilst their opponents had every advantage in both respects, and were commanded by officers of European experience. Captain Taylor had alluded to the news in a jocular way to me, and said, “I hope you will tell the people in England we intend to whip the Lincolnites in the same fashion wherever we meet them,” a remark which did not lead me to believe there was any intention on the part of the Confederates to surrender so easily.

Near Winchester, July 8, 1861.

The last week has been one of patient waiting for a fight. On Monday, the 1st inst., I was ordered by Col. Jackson to go to Martinsburg and burn some engines, at which I was engaged until Tuesday morning, when I received an order to join my company, accompanied with the information that the enemy was approaching and our force had gone out to give him battle. I obtained a conveyance as speedily as I could, and the first intelligence of the fight I received from my regiment, which I found retreating. My company, I was pleased to learn, had fought bravely. On Wednesday morning we took our stand ten miles this side of Martinsburg, and there awaited the approach of the enemy until Sunday morning, when we retired to this place, three miles from Winchester. This we expect to be our battle-field. When it will take place it is impossible to say. It may be to-morrow, or perhaps not for a month, depending upon the movements of the enemy. I look forward to it without any feeling of alarm. I cannot tell why, but it is so. My fate may be that of Cousin Bob McChesney, of whose death I have but heard. If so, let it be. I die in the discharge of my duty, from which it is neither my wish nor my privilege to shrink. The horsetrade was entirely satisfactory. Act in the same way in all matters connected with the farm. Just consider yourself a widow, and, in military parlance, insist upon being “obeyed and respected accordingly.” Pay your board at Annie’s out of the first money you get. She may not be disposed to accept it, but I insist upon it. I do not wish to pay such bills merely with gratitude. Newman is still in the army, but I have not seen him for a month. I called to see him the other day, but he was not at his quarters.

It is now nearly three months since I left home, and I hardly know how the time has passed. All I know is that if I do my duty, I have but little leisure. I am used to the hardships of the service, and feel that I have the health and strength to bear any fatigue or exposure. Sometimes, as I lie upon the ground, my face to the sky, I think of Matthew’s little verse, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” and my mind wanders back to the wife and little ones at home. Bless you! If I never return, the wish which lies nearest to my heart is for your happiness. And now, my darling, again good-bye. Kiss little Matthew and Galla for me, and tell them Papa sends it. Give my love to Pa and Rachel, and for yourself accept all that a fond husband can give.

Frederic George D’Utassy’s Garibaldi Guards “staged a minor mutiny over being issued M1842 muskets rather than the rifles they expected.” There was also friction over pay, the diverse backgrounds of the soldiers, and inept officers. (Don Troiani’s Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War; Stackpole Books 2002)

Title: Surrender of the revolting Garibaldi Guards to the U.S. Cavalry
Creator(s): Waud, Alfred R. (Alfred Rudolph), 1828-1891, artist
Date Created/Published: [1861 June 8]¹
Medium: 1 drawing on olive paper: pencil, Chinese white, and black ink wash; 18.6 x 27.2 cm. (sheet).
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20823 (digital file from original item, recto) LC-DIG-ppmsca-20824 (digital file from original item, verso) LC-USZC4-5172 (color film copy transparency)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
Call Number: DRWG/US – Waud, no. 17 (A size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes:
…..Signed lower left: A.R. Waud.
…..Title inscribed on verso.
…..Published with descriptive text in: New York Illustrated News, July 22 1861, with caption: Surrender of mutineers of the Garibaldi Guard, p. 188.
…..Dated derived from text in NYIN.
…..Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.2.17)
…..Forms part of: Morgan collection of Civil War drawings.

Library of Congress permalink
___________
Mike’s notes:

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

1. The date on the Library of Congress data is wrong.  This actually occurred on July 8 and was reported in the New York Times the next day. (Link will be live July 8, 2021)

The New York Times
June 9, 1861

–General Banks, at Baltimore, acting under the direction of authorities at Washington, this morning seized the steamers Mary Washington and George W. Weems, both owned and commanded by the Weems Brothers. These steamers have been running for a number of years between Baltimore and the ports of the Patuxent River, and it is said carried down a number of passengers who joined the Confederate army. The seizure was to prevent their being taken in a similar manner to the St. Nicholas and run into Fredericksburg as prizes. –Baltimore American, July 9.

–To-day orders were received at the headquarters of the army, in New York, to send on to the seat of war at once the company of the First Artillery, part of the Fort Sumter garrison, which remained at Fort Hamilton. Instructions were immediately sent down to the brave fellows, who were under arms for the road in a few moments. The old ensign of Sumter went along with them, as they believe “there would be no luck in the company without it.”–N. Y. World, July 11.

–This day whilst Col. Porter, of the U. S. Army, with a small party of men, was reconnoitering near the lines of the secession army in Virginia, he was approached by a detachment of the Confederate forces, in command of Capt. Taylor, of Kentucky, bearing a flag of truce. Col. Porter, on bringing the detachment to a halt, was informed that Capt. Taylor was the bearer of a sealed letter from Gen. Davis to President Lincoln, which statement was verified by an endorsement to that effect on the back of the letter, written and signed by Gen. Beauregard at Manassas Junction, and requesting that safe conduct might be given to Capt. Taylor.

Col. Porter accordingly sent Capt. Taylor, accompanied by an officer and an orderly, to the head-quarters of Gen. McDowell, at Arlington, where they arrived at seven o’clock in the evening, and were detained there until the visit of Capt. Taylor was made known to Lieut.-General Scott, upon whose order he was conducted to the General’s head-quarters in Washington, where Gen. Scott received the letter of Gen. Davis, and sent it to the President, the bearer of the letter being in the mean time detained at head-quarters.

The President, having read the letter, informed Gen. Scott that he might send the messenger back, and Capt. Taylor immediately took his departure for Arlington, and thence proceeded on his way back to Richmond.

No answer to the letter was given by the President, and it is conjectured that the mission was merely a ruse to get a view of the main works of defence, and ascertain the means at the command of the Government for a forward movement. Certain it is the messenger was not enabled to carry back with him any very encouraging tidings. One object may have been to occupy the attention of our authorities and delay matters for a few days, so as to allow time for aid from Manassas to Johnston at Winchester.–(Doc. 73.)

–Tm following official order appeared today:

“Henceforward the telegraph will convey no despatches concerning the operations of the Army not permitted by the Commanding General.

Winfield Scott”

Department of War, July 8, 1861.

The above order is confirmed.

Simon Cameron, Secretary of War.

–The Second Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. George H. Gordon, left Boston for the seat of war at Martinsburg. The regiment consists of one thousand and fifty men. They wear the regulation black felt hat, turned up at teo side. Their coats are made of serviceable blue cloth and their pants of blue flannel. Since the men first went into camp at West Roxbury, they have been put through the most rigid discipline, and are therefore now prepared to meet the enemy under any circumstances. The camp equipage of the regiment, consisting of twenty-five wagons and one hundred horses, left in advance of the troops during the afternoon. Each company is supplied with three thousand ball cartridges and seven days’ rations. The officers seem to have been well chosen. Among those in command of companies are sons of the late Rufus Choate, Thomas G. Gary, and the Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr. The staff are all well mounted.

–Capt. Thomas, or the “French lady” who a short time previously captured the steamer St. Nicholas on. the Patuxent River, was himself captured by the Baltimore police.–(Doc. 74.)

–The De Kalb Regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel Leopold von Gilsa, left New York for the seat of war.–N. Y. Evening Pots, July 8.

July 8, 1861

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Skirmish at Bird’s Point, Mo.
• Rebels routed at Bealington, Va.
• Rebel camp at Florida, Mo., attacked and broken up. Col. Taylor brought to the President a message from Jeff Davis concerning prisoners captured as privateers.
• Thomas, the “French Lady,” taken in Baltimore.²

1. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
2. Lt. Colonel Richard Thomas Zarvona masqueraded as Madame La Force during the capture of a passenger ship, St. Nicholas, in the Potomac River. It earned him the nickname of “The French Lady.” (Capture of Steamer St. Nicholas)

Entrance to the Provost Marshal’s Building, Holiday Street, Baltimore, Guarded by Cannon to Prevent the Intrusion of the Mob—Colonel Kenley Acting as Provost Marshal in place of Marshal Kane, Confined in Fort McHenry, on a Charge of Treason, by Order of Major-Gen. Banks

1. Kane was arrested on June 27, 1861, at his home in the dead of night.

Standard [Clarksville, Tx], July 20, 1861

Fort Washita, C. N., }
July 7^th, 1861. }

My Dear Major:

According to promise, I have concluded to write you, though at this time I am quite unwell–the effects of a severe attack of fever. But I hope, with prudence, I will soon be restored to health, and will be prepared for any kind of service.

I think, in my first letter, I informed you of the very hospitable attention our company received from the citizens of Paris. We could have expected nothing less from them, for in times of peace that town is noted for its plain and honest hospitality, and as war, with all of its calamities, will soon be upon us, the citizens of that town seem to have been determined that the soldiers should not leave without at least good dinners.

Our company drew the county guns, which I think will be very effective–most of them being carbines, the others being plain rifles and Colt’s six shooting guns. From the simplicity of the carbine, combined with the accuracy and effectiveness of its shooting, its use seems to be preferred by our men. Most of them like the carbine better than Colt’s improved gun. Some of the young men, in experimenting with Colt’s fire arms, have fired two barrels at the same time. That may be the result of carelessness, but for a campaign, I am satisfied that, for soldiers, the carbine is best adapted.

We have in our company a Cherokee Indian, a very fine looking man, and he is the proudest fellow you ever saw, of his carbine, and is anxious to come in contact with the abolitionists, who, he says, will soon invade his native land, and that their design is to make slaves of the Indians. Cherokee cannot stand that.

While in Paris, the Cherokee and his mess were invited by one very good gentleman to dinner. Everything that the taste of an epicurean might demand was spread upon the table, in the way of meats, &c. It seems that the meats and other eatables were moved from the table, and, as might be expected at good dinners, delicacies substituted. Sauce, as a matter of course, had to be used, and it happened that Mr. Cherokee was the first to whom the servant handed the cream pot; upon the reception of which, he very deliberately raised it to his mouth, and drank about half of its contents, and in the most dignified manner imaginable, returned the aforesaid cream pot to the waiter. His mess were confounded and mortified, and told him that was not the way to use it. But it was “no use talking;” he told them it was good enough his way, and that he did not want any more just then!”

In Bonham a most splendid dinner had been prepared for the companies from Titus and Red River. Everything passed agreeably to all the companies and the citizens, nothing disorderly having occurred to mar the pleasure of the occasion.

Our company left Ellett’s Springs on the 22d of June; but I did not overtake them until they had crossed Red River via Kemp’s Ferry, and were encamped two miles in the Chickisaw Nation, on the evening of the 27^th of June. Thence we made a force march to McCarty’s Springs, where we had good water, which you must know was a treat to the boys. These springs are situated directly on the overland mail route, and take their name from McCarty, who keeps, or did keep a stagestand, when that grand political humbug, the overland mail route, was in operation.

While there, the Collin county company came in view, some distance off. As soon as we saw them, we raised our flag–of which the company are proud, for none that we have seen can compare with it. A short time elapsed, when the company reached the springs, and with joyous hearts and open hands we received our brother soldiers.

The 4^th of July was celebrated at Fort Washita by a war dance, performed by two Indian companies that had arrived here the day previous; and which are a part of a regiment that Col. Cooper is now actively engaged in organizing, to be mustered into service at Scullyville. Two Indian companies, and the Panola county company, all mounted, left this morning for the aforesaid place, under the command, I think, of Col. Lee, of Fannin county, whose military qualification is beyond a doubt. Sever speeches were made on the 4^th. Among the speakers were Capt. Burks, and Wolf Walker, Esq., of Red River; 1^st Lieut. Stephens, and 2d Lieut. Fitzpatrick, of Titus county. Call after call was made for Campbell Jefferson and George Caile, Esqrs., and others. The first named gentlemen acquitted themselves in their usual very felicitous manner.

I wish I had time to describe to you minutely this much-talked-of Indian war dance; but I must venture to inform you that they formed a circle around the flag of the Confederate States, and from their action, I concluded that they considered themselves in the presence of high Heaven, pledging their fealty and eternal loyalty to our own beloved South.

I have been informed by prominent Indians of this Nation, that entire unanimity prevails with them, and that they are determined to fight over the graves of their ancestors.

Gen. Young is now in Cooke county. We do not yet know our destination. Gen. Cooper has ordered his men near Fort Smith, and perhaps when we see Gen. Young, we will follow. All of the men are anxious to go in that direction, as they believe that most of the excitement is there, or thereabouts–at least, for the present.

Thomas Wallis, of the Bowie county company, reached this place to-day, the 7^th, and reports that his company is twenty miles from here–that some of the men are sick, and that the company will not get in until Tuesday.–The Collin county company has been ordered to Arbuckle, and will leave on Tuesday next. When the Bowie county company is mustered into service, Young’s regiment will be complete.

We had church service at the Fort to-day, and I am glad to inform you that, although the boys “fairly siz” on other days in the week, the most attentive respect was manifested by the volunteers to the delivery of the sermon; and all joined most sincerely and devoutly in singing the concluding hymn.

Some of the young men of our company have been very unwell, but I am glad to inform you, that all are now convalescent, and in a few days will be well. We are now in good quarters in the Fort–have a plenty of beef and pickled pork, though new flour is scarce. Rations are issued to 416 men. All is peace and quietness among the men.

Dr. Rainey leaves for Sherman in the morning, and I have written this for him to mail to you.

Ever thy friend,

Courtes B. Sutton.

July 7th.–This water is making us young again. How these men enjoy the baths. They say Beauregard can stop the way with sixty thousand; that many are coming.

An antique female, with every hair curled and frizzed, said to be a Yankee spy, sits opposite us. Brewster solemnly wondered “with eternity and the judgment to come so near at hand, how she could waste her few remaining minutes curling her hair.” He bade me be very polite, for she would ask me questions. When we were walking away from table, I demanded his approval of my self-control under such trying circumstances. It seems I was not as calm and forbearing as I thought myself. Brewster answered with emphasis: “Do you always carry brickbats like that in your pocket ready for the first word that offends you? You must not do so, when you are with spies from the other side.” I do not feel at all afraid of spies hearing anything through me, for I do not know anything.

But our men could not tarry with us in these cool shades and comfortable quarters, with water unlimited, excellent table, etc. They have gone back to Manassas, and the faithful Brewster with them to bring us the latest news. They left us in excellent spirits, which we shared until they were out of sight. We went with them to Warrenton, and then heard that General Johnston was in full retreat, and that a column was advancing upon Beauregard. So we came back, all forlorn. If our husbands are taken prisoners, what will they do with them? Are they soldiers or traitors ?

Mrs. Ould read us a letter from Richmond. How horrified they are there at Joe Johnston’s retreating. And the enemies of the War Department accuse Walker of not sending General Johnston ammunition in sufficient quantities; say that is the real cause of his retreat. Now will they not make the ears of that slow-coach, the Secretary of War, buzz?

Mrs. Preston’s maid Maria has a way of rushing in– “Don’t you hear the cannon?” We fly to the windows, lean out to our waists, pull all the hair away from our ears, but can not hear it. Lincoln wants four hundred millions of money and men in proportion. Can he get them? He will find us a heavy handful. Midnight. I hear Maria’s guns.

We are always picking up some good thing of the rough Illinoisan’s saying. Lincoln objects to some man– “Oh, he is too interruptious” : that is a horrid style of man or woman, the interruptious. I know the thing, but had no name for it before.

JULY 7th.—Major Tyler’s health has improved, but I do not perceive a resumption of his old intimate relations with the Secretary. Yet he is doing the heavy epistolary work, being a lawyer; and the correspondence sometimes embracing diverse legal points. My intimacy with the colonel continues. It seems he would do anything in the world for me. He has put Mr. Shepherd to issuing passports to the camps, etc.—the form being dictated by the Secretary. These are the first passports issued by the government. I suggested that they should be granted by and in the name of the Chief of the Bureau of War—and a few were so issued—but the Secretary arrested the proceeding. The Secretary was right, probably, in this matter.

The President is appointing generals enough, one would suppose. I hope we shall have men for them. From five to ten thousand volunteers are daily offered—but not two thousand are accepted. Some have no arms; and others propose to serve only for six or twelve months. Infantry will not fight with hunting rifles or shot-guns; and the department will not accept mounted men, on account of the expense of transportation, etc. Oh, that I had power but for a week! There should then be accepted fifty regiments of cavalry. These are the troops for quick marches, surprises, and captures. And our people, even down to the little boys, are expert riders. If it were to be a short war—or if it were to be a war of invasion on our part—it might be good policy, economically, to discourage cavalry organizations. But we shall want all our men; and many a man would fight in the saddle who could not or would not march in the infantry. And mounted men are content to use the double-barreled shot-gun–one barrel for ball, the other for buck-shot and close quarters.

SUNDAY 7

This has been a hot day. M. 90. Lieuts Whitlock and [Monville?] took dinner with us and we sent down dinner to Sergeant Mandevilles mess at the camp. We went down at 1 o’clk to see them off. The Regt is bound for Harpers Ferry and Martinsburgh to reinforce Genl Patterson. We parted with them with much regret as we had become quite familiar with many of the officers and men, who were very gentlemanly. It looks quite lonesome at the camp tonight, only 30 men left to guard it. 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.

July 7th.–Mr. Bigelow invited me to breakfast, to meet Mr. Senator King, Mr. Olmsted, Mr. Thurlow Weed, a Senator from Missouri, a West Point professor, and others. It was indicative of the serious difficulties which embarrass the action of the Government to hear Mr. Wilson, the Chairman of the Military Committee of the Senate, inveigh against the officers of the regular army, and attack West Point itself. Whilst the New York papers were lauding General Scott and his plans to the skies, the Washington politicians were speaking of him as obstructive, obstinate, and prejudiced–unfit for the times and the occasion.

General Scott refused to accept cavalry and artillery at the beginning of the levy, and said that they were not required; now he was calling for both arms most urgently. The officers of the regular army had followed suit. Although they were urgently pressed by the politicians to occupy Harper’s Ferry and Manassas, they refused to do either, and the result is that the enemy have obtained invaluable supplies from the first place, and are now assembled in force in a most formidable position at the second. Everything as yet accomplished has been done by political generals–not by the officers of the regular army. Butler and Banks saved Baltimore in spite of General Scott. There was an attempt made to cry up Lyon in Missouri; but in fact it was Frank Blair, the brother of the Postmaster-General, who had been the soul and body of all the actions in that State. The first step taken by M’Clellan in Western Virginia was atrocious– he talked of slaves in a public document as property. Butler, at Monroe, had dealt with them in a very different spirit, and had used them for State purposes under the name of contraband. One man alone displayed powers of administrative ability, and that was Quarter-master Meigs; and unquestionably from all I heard, the praise was well bestowed. It is plain enough that the political leaders fear the consequences of delay, and that they are urging the military authorities to action, which the latter have too much professional knowledge to take with their present means. These Northern men know nothing of the South, and with them it is omne ignotum pro minimo. The West Point professor listened to them with a quiet smile, and exchanged glances with me now and then, as much as to say, “Did you ever hear such fools in your life?”

But the conviction of ultimate success is not less strong here than it is in the South. The difference between these gentlemen and the Southerners is, that in the South the leaders of the people, soldiers and civilians, are all actually under arms, and are ready to make good their words by exposing their bodies in battle.

I walked home with Mr. N. P. Willis, who is at Washington for the purpose of writing sketches to the little family journal of which he is editor, and giving war “anecdotes;” and with Mr. Olmsted, who is acting as a member of the New York Sanitary Commission, here authorised by the Government to take measures against the reign of dirt and disease in the Federal camp. The Republicans are very much afraid that there is, even at the present moment, a conspiracy against the Union in Washington–nay, in Congress itself; and regard Mr. Breckenridge, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Vallandigham, and others as most dangerous enemies, who should not be permitted to remain in the capital. I attended the Episcopal church and heard a very excellent discourse, free from any political allusion. The service differs little from our own, except that certain euphemisms are introduced in the Litany and elsewhere, and the prayers for Queen and Parliament are offered up nomine mittato for President and Congress.

–An infernal machine, designed by the Rebels to blow up the Pawnee and the vessels of the Potomac flotilla, which was set adrift near Acquia Creek, was picked up floating toward the Pawnee. The following description of the article has been sent to the Navy Department: Two large eighty-gallon oil casks, perfectly water-tight, acting as buoys, connected by twenty-five fathoms of 3 ½-inch rope, buoyed with largo squares of cork, every two feet, secured to casks by iron handles. A heavy bomb of boiler iron, fitted with a brass tap, and filled with powder, is suspended to the casks six feet under water. On top of the cask is a wooden box, with fuze in a gutta-percha tube. In the centre of the cork is a platform with a great length of fuze coiled away occupying the middle of the cask. It was intended by the contrivers of this weapon of civilized warfare, that the shock of a collision should light the fuze. The machine was first discovered by the Pawnee while lying off Acquia Creek, in company with the Freeborn and two or three other vessels. The commander of the former, on seeing the object toward the fleet, sent out a small boat’s crew to make an investigation.–N. Y. Tribune, July 13.

–This morning, at an early hour, a considerable body of Secessionists made their appearance at the Great Falls, above Washington, opposite Major Gerhardt’s command, Eighth German Battalion, of about two hundred men, and commenced firing. Major Gerhardt’s battalion returned the fire, and after the exchange of a few volleys, “nobody hurt,” the rebels retired, but returned again this afternoon about five o’clock with reinforcements comprising a body of cavalry. The firing was kept up with spirit on both sides for several hours, and two men of Major Gerhardt’s command were mortally wounded and have since died–privates George Riggs and Martin Ohl. No other men were wounded on the Union side, but Major Gerhardt’s sharp-shooters emptied several saddles on the other side, and suppose they must have killed at least a dozen before the enemy retired. Gerhardt’s men are anxious to cross the river and meet their enemies hand to hand if they can be found. The firing from the other side was all along the shore from near Dickey’s tavern to above the Falls. Both Riggs and Ohl belonged to Company B, Turner Rifles. Both were married men, and the last words of Ohl was a message to his wife “not to grieve for him; that he died for liberty and his country.”–National Intelligencer, July 9.

–It having been ascertained to the satisfaction of the War Department that Captain Manry, Assistant Adjutant General; Captain Carter L. Stevenson, of the Fifth Infantry; and Second Lieutenant Dillon, of the Sixth Infantry, entertain and have expressed treasonable designs against the Government of the United States, their names, according to General Order No. 87, were stricken from the rolls of the army; and also Major Albert J. Smith, Paymaster, for having deserted his post at Key West, Florida.–Army Order No. 88.

–The Twenty-third Regiment N. Y. S. V., arrived at Washington. It is commanded by Colonel H. C. Hoffman.–National Intelligencer, July 9.

–Mb. Vallandigham, of Ohio, visited, this afternoon, the Ohio encampments in Virginia, and was greeted with the sight of a hanging effigy, bearing the inscription: “Vallandigham, the traitor.” When he approached the Second Ohio Regiment, he was saluted by a discharge of stones, and, on the interposition of the officers, they were also pelted, until it amounted almost to a riot. He was finally released from his unpleasant position.–N. Y. Tribune, July 8.

–Very impressive and interesting services took place in the Church of the Messiah in New York this evening. The exercises were chosen with special reference to their fitness for the first Sunday after National Independence. The services began with Collins’ Requiem of Heroes:

“How sleep the brave who sink to rest,

By all their country’s wishes blest!”

Then followed the xlviith Psalm, slightly modified, the minister rending a verse and the congregation responding with the alternate one. Dr. Osgood made the prayer, and afterward the choir sang the “March of Liberty.” The beginning of this sacred song is:

“No battle-brand shall harm the free,

Led on by Christ our Liberty!*

This was succeeded by Psalm csivii., read by the minister and people; lesson from the Old Testament–the Promised Land–Deut, viii.; chanted Psalm–Cantate Domino; lesson from the New Testament–Christ weeping over Jerusalem–Matt, xxiii.; and Gloria in Excelsis.

The subject of Dr. Osgood’s brief extempore discourse was “God with Nations,” in which he showed that the august feature of modern civilization was the consecration of nationality.

–The New Orleans Picayune published an elaborate article upon the celebration of the Fourth of July, in which it stated that the present rebellion is “based upon the same eternal principles which justified and glorified the patriots of 1776.”–(Doc. 72.)

The United States General Hospital at Georgetown, D. C., Formerly the Union Hotel—Volunteer Nurses Attending the Sick and Wounded

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, July 6, 1861

The Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Regiment (Zouves), Colonel Lewis Wallis Commanding, Under Arms, at Night, Awaiting the Enemy, at Cumberland, Md.

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, July 6, 1861

Austin State Gazette, July 6, 1861

A correspondent of the Charleston Courier relates the following:

I can myself personally attest to the rudeness of these abolition mercenaries in the vicinity of the Relay House. They enter cars in crowds, insult women, raise dresses to ascertain whether their folds conceal weapons of a dangerous character, break open trunks and boxes, scatter their contents upon the floor, and generally conduct themselves more like barbarians than civilized white men. On the train which brought me through from Annapolis, one of the ladies who had received more than her share of indignity, “boiled over.” She said she “couldn’t, wouldn’t, and didn’t want to hold in any longer,” and then, to a crowd of half a dozen soldiers gathered around her, she gave a “piece of her mind,” in a strain so bold and scathing that, under circumstances of a domestic felicity it would have made a man’s hair, if he had any, stand on end.

She said she was “a Virginian — thank God for it — on her way home from Baltimore;” had two sons already in the army, and if she had a hundred she would send all of them into the field, though they had nothing to fight with but pitchforks, and no clothes to wear but her own revamped petticoats. “You Yankees, ” said she, “you ain’t worthy of the name of men. I wouldn’t change a poodle dog for one of you, except to shoot him. A pretty set of soldiers you are truly, to come South and fight the battles of your country with defenseless women! Why the women of Virginia will fight you back with their bare arms.”

I cannot begin to remember a half of the personal thunderbolts the brave lady launched at these fellows, but when they went out they looked as blue and bilious as if they had an east wind blowing through their vitals.

July 6th.–I breakfasted with Mr. Bigelow this morning, to meet General M’Dowell, who commands the army of the Potomac, now so soon to move. He came in without an aide-de-camp, and on foot, from his quarters in the city. He’ is a man about forty years of age, square and powerfully built, but with rather a stout and clumsy figure and limbs, a good head covered with close-cut thick dark hair, small light-blue eyes, short nose, large cheeks and jaw, relieved by an iron-grey tuft somewhat of the French type, and affecting in dress the style of our gallant allies. His manner is frank, simple, and agreeable, and he did not hesitate to speak with great openness of the difficulties he had to contend with, and the imperfection of all the arrangements of the army.

As an officer of the regular army he has a thorough contempt for what he calls “political generals”–the men who use their influence with President and Congress to obtain military rank, which in time of war places them before the public in the front of events, and gives them an appearance of leading in the greatest of all political movements. Nor is General M’Dowell enamoured of volunteers, for he served in Mexico, and has from what he saw there formed rather an unfavourable opinion of their capabilities in the field. He’ is inclined, however, to hold the Southern troops in too little respect; and he told me that the volunteers from the slave states, who entered the field full of exultation and boastings, did not make good their words, and that they suffered especially from sickness and disease, in consequence of their disorderly habits and dissipation. His regard for old associations was evinced in many questions he asked me about Beauregard, with whom he had been a student at West Point, where the Confederate commander was noted for his studious and reserved habits, and his excellence in feats of strength and athletic exercises.

As proof of the low standard established in his army, he mentioned that some officers of considerable rank were more than suspected of selling rations, and of illicit connections with sutlers for purposes of pecuniary advantage. The General walked back with me as far as my lodgings, and I observed that not one of the many soldiers he passed in the streets saluted him, though his rank was indicated by his velvet collar and cuffs, and a gold star on the shoulder strap.

Having written some letters, I walked out with Captain Johnson and one of the attaches of the British Legation, to the lawn at the back of the White House, and listened to the excellent band of the United States Marines, playing on a kind of dais under the large flag recently hoisted by the President himself, in the garden. The occasion was marked by rather an ominous event. As the President pulled the halyards and the flag floated aloft, a branch of a tree caught the bunting and tore it, so that a number of the stars and stripes were detached and hung dangling beneath the rest of the flag, half detached from the staff.

I dined at Captain Johnson’s lodgings next door to mine. Beneath us was a wine and spirit store, and crowds of officers and men flocked indiscriminately to make their purchases, with a good deal of tumult, which increased as the night came on. Later still, there was a great disturbance in the city. A body of New York Zouaves wrecked some houses of bad repute, in one of which a private of the regiment was murdered early this morning. The cavalry patrols were called out and charged the rioters, who were dispersed with difficulty after resistance in which men on both sides were wounded. There is no police, no provost guard. Soldiers wander about the streets, and beg in the fashion of the mendicant in “Gil Blas” for money to get whisky. My coloured gentleman has been led away by the Saturnalia and has taken to gambling in the camps, which are surrounded by hordes of rascally followers and sutlers’ servants, and I find myself on the eve of a campaign, without servant, horse, equipment, or means of transport.

JULY 6th.—Col. Bledsoe complains that the Secretary still has quite as little intercourse with him, personal and official, as possible. The consequence is that the Chief of the Bureau is drawing a fine salary and performing no service. Still, it is not without the sweat of his brow, and many groans.

FAUQUIER WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Va., July 6, 1861.–Mr. Brewster came here with us. The cars were jammed with soldiers to the muzzle. They were very polite and considerate, and we had an agreeable journey, in spite of heat, dust, and crowd. Rev. Robert Barnwell was with us. He means to organize a hospital for sick and wounded. There was not an inch of standingroom even; so dusty, so close, but everybody in tip-top spirits.

Mr. Preston and Mr. Chesnut met us at Warrenton. Saw across the lawn, but did not speak to them, some of Judge Campbell’s family. There they wander disconsolate, just outside the gates of their Paradise: a resigned Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States; resigned, and for a cause that he is hardly more than half in sympathy with, Judge Campbell’s is one of the hardest cases.

CAMP CHASE, July 6, 1861.

DEAREST:–I have written to John Herron to supply you with what money you need for the present, and I suppose it will be convenient for him to do so out of a loan I made him some time ago. It does not seem like Saturday. The Fourth was like Sunday here. Colonel Matthews and I formed the regiment into a hollow square (rather oblong, in fact). I read the Declaration and he made a short pithy speech and wound up with cheers for the Union; and no more duty during the day. In the evening there were fire-balls and a few fireworks. A little shower this morning laid the dust, a fine thing in our little Sahara.

Colonel Matthews came in last night from Columbus, saying he rode out with the surgeon of the Twenty-sixth–the one intended for us–”and what an escape we have made. He is a green, ignorant young doctor who has all to learn.” I suppose Dr. Joe is getting ready to come; we hear nothing from him; I hope we shall see him soon. I am seeing to his hut which is building today. Uncle is rather better but not decidedly so. We have a lot of Secessionists from Virginia–a good camp sensation. I went in late last night after ball-cartridges, which stirred up the soldiers with its warlike look. I esteem these armed sentinels about as dangerous to friends as to foes. Here is our style of countersign. Done up Know-nothing fashion. Love to all and much for your own dear self.

Affectionately,

R. B. HAYES.

MRS. HAYES.

SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1861.

In the office all day as usual. Removals of Examiners expected shortly, great outside pressure for office, qualification a secondary consideration, Salaries are wanted. A general movement of troops is expected to take place tomorrow. Went down to the Navy Yard with Julia. Went on board of the new Steamer Pensacola. She is now nearly ready. Saw the gunners at the Yard firing at a target with shell. Was over to see the 12th, they are under marching orders.

______

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.

Reconnoitreing the Shores of the Potomac at Night, to Discover the Military Works of the Secessionists, by Means of Professor Grant’s Calcium Lights

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, July 6, 1861