July 4, 1861

• The Kansas Flag is introduced
• Leonidas Polk is put in charge of the Confederate Department Number 2.

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• The anniversary of the Independence of the United States celebrated with greater feelings of patriotism than ever before throughout the Northern States.
• The XXXVIIth Congress assembled in extra session. Eleven seceded States were unrepresented, except three representatives from Virginia and one senator from Tennessee. Galusha A. Grow, of Pennsylvania, elected Speaker.
• Legislature of New Hampshire voted a $1,000,000 loan for the war.
• Rebels seized Louisville and Nashville Railroad.

1. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

July 3.—A real fight has occurred near Williamsport, but on the Virginia side of the Potomac. General Cadwallader crossed the river with, it is said, 14,000 men, to attack our force of 4,000 stationed there under Colonel Jackson. Colonel J. thought it folly to meet such an army with so small a force, and therefore ordered a retreat; but quite a body of artillery remained to keep the enemy at bay. They retained with them but one gun, a six-pounder. The Rev. Dr. Pendleton, now captain of artillery, commanded this gun, and whenever he ordered its discharge, he was heard to say, reverently, “The Lord have mercy upon their souls—fire!” The result was almost miraculous; but four of our men were missing, two of whom were killed; twenty were wounded, and have been brought to the Winchester hospitals; sixty-five prisoners were taken, and are now in Winchester. Many of their men were seen to fall. Our men, who did this deadly firing, retreated in perfect order. I heard this from one who was on the field at the time. It is said that in Dr. Pendleton the soldier and the chaplain are blended most harmoniously. A gentleman who went to the camp to visit his sons, who belong to the “Rockbridge Battery,” told me that he arose before daylight, and was walking about the encampment, and when near a dense wood his attention was arrested by the voice of prayer; he found it was the sonorous voice of Dr. P., who was surrounded by his company, invoking for them, and for the country, the blessing of Heaven. What a blessing it is for those young men, away from the influences of home, and exposed to the baneful associations of the camp, to have such a guide! It has almost reconciled me to the clergy going upon the field as soldiers. The Bishop of Louisiana has been to Mountain View, to consult Bishop Meade on the subject of his taking the field. I do not know what advice was given. These reverend gentlemen, who were educated at West Point, are perfectly conscientious, and think it their duty to give their military knowledge to their country, and their presence may do much for the spiritual good of the army.

Brave Richard Ashby is dead; how I grieve for his family and for his country, for we cannot afford to lose such men!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1861.

This has been a fine cool day and quite a stirring one round town. This afternoon three Regts were reviewed by the President at the “White House,” and other Regts were moving, coming in, and going out to Camp. The 12th Regt had a fine parade and were reviewed by Maj Genl Dix. Preparations for the 4th are makeing, guns are firing, Rockets are flying, and a general shouting all over the City. The unexpected Comet is quite brilliant and excites much interest being supposed a stranger.

______

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.

New York, July 3, 1861.

My dear Joe: It was a satisfaction to us, at least, to receive your telegram of yesterday morning about half-past four in the afternoon. I was sorry that Eliza could not have seen it before she and Georgy left, at 3 p. m. But she was in good spirits, having received your letter with the account of your strange, safe march “through Baltimore,” “that luke-loyal, flagless city,” as somebody from the Garibaldi Guard, writing to the Post, calls it. By the way, I think your camp and the Babel-camp of the Garibaldians must be near each other, from the accounts. I am glad yours is on that high open ground– a hitherto undefended part of Washington, too, I think. “Camp Woolsey,” has a strange sound to us, there never having been any military association with the name in our family. Naval officers you know we have had, and there is a little village of five houses down at Pensacola named after the Commodore “Woolsey.”[1] I send by this mail some maps for Georgy and Eliza. Carry, Jane and I are living very quietly and miss you all sadly. Mother and Hatty intend to spend the Fourth at Astoria.

Every morning I wake up to bright sunshine and familiar sounds and sights, and think for a second that perhaps all this pageant and preparation of war has been a horrid dream! A busy reality to you I dare say, hardly giving you time to read this or even to remember

Yours affectionately,

A. H. W.

[1] Abby forgets the service during the Colonial wars of Colonel Melancthan Taylor Woolsey (brother of our great-grandfather, Benjamin Woolsey), who, according to the inscription on his tombstone, at Dosoris, L. I., “departed this life 28th of September, 1758, in the service of his country against the French in Canada.”

There was also our great ancestor, Captain George Woolsey, our grandfather’s great-grandfather, who was commissioned Captain in the Burgher Guard of New York, in 1696; and a brother of our great-grandmother, Anne Muirson Woolsey, Heathcote Muirson, a revolutionary soldier, was mortally wounded in an attack by the British on Lloyd’s Neck, L. I., July, 1781.

Richmond Daily Dispatch
July 8, 1861
The engagement near Martinsburg!
additional particulars!

Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Buckler’s Town, Berkeley Co., Va., July 3d, 1861.

On yesterday, Col. Jackson’s Brigade of Virginia forces were advanced in the direction of Falling Waters, to meet the enemy, who were reported to be advancing from Williamsport, on the Virginia side of the river, in considerable numbers. Our brigade was then encamped at Camp Stephens, 4 miles North of Martinsburg, and set forward in great haste immediately after breakfast. After advancing about a mile, we halted, and the Augusta Regiment, under Col. Harper, accompanied by one six-pounder of the Rockbridge Artillery, proceeded, under the command of Col. Jackson in person, to meet the enemy and try their strength. They had proceeded a mile and a half when the enemy appeared, drawn up in front of a large tract of woods and on a hill. The fight was brought on by the West Augusta Guards, (Captain Waters,) and a part of Capt. Letcher’s Rockbridge Rifles, acting as skirmishers, under command of Major Baylor, who drove back the skirmishers of the enemy three times.

The firing was pretty brisk for ten or fifteen minutes. The enemy moved forward in good style, and did some execution in our ranks; but, so far as our officers could judge, and as stated by prisoners, the loss on the side of the United States men far exceeded ours. We lost three men killed and had about six or eight slightly wounded. None of our officers were hurt, though they were all at their posts, and displayed throughout great coolness and courage. Col. Harper and Lieut. Col. Harman were where their duty called them, in command of the main body, and succeeded in driving back the main body of the enemy : acting not unworthily of men who had seen service in Mexico. Major Baylor, who was at the head of the troops first engaged, nobly sustained the character ascribed to him by the men whom he formerly commanded as Colonel. The 6-pounder was fired six times, and is supposed to have done good execution. The enemy was found to be far too numerous for our forces, and were fast endeavoring to outflank and surround us; but Col. Jackson was not to be so outdone, and after doing the Yankees as much damage as was possible, drew off the troops engaged in good order. The fortunate gunners who were engaged at the guns of Captain Pendleton’s Artillery, rejoined their company without loss, and the whole brigade retreated in good order, and part of the time in view of the enemy’s troops, which were thrown out on the left of their main body with a view to surrounding us. We encamped three miles southward from Martinsburg last night, and fell back to this place, (three miles further,) where we have been joined by a larger force, under command of Gen. Johnston. We now hope to meet the enemy to-day or to-morrow, on ground of their own selection, if they desire it.

X.

Standard [Clarksville, Tx], July 20, 1861,

Fort Washita, C. N. }
July 3d, 1861. }

Maj. DeMorse: — Dear Sir: — A day of leasure at this place, enables me to send you a few items, that may have some interest to those readers of the Standard who have friends and relations serving in the Army of occupation at Forts Cobb, Arbuckle and Washita.

Fort Cobb, is at this time, garrisoned by three companies from Texas; two from Cook county, under Capt. Diamond, (commanding officer,) and Twitty, and Capt. Throckmorton’s company, from Collin county.

The Indians, generally, in that vicinity, manifest a disposition to be friendly, and a majority of those who left the Reserve, when the Fort was evacuated by the U. S. Troops, have returned.

Black Beaver, (Delaware) one of the leading Indians on the reserve, went North with the U. S. Troops, in the capacity of guide, and it has been ascertained, since his departure, that he, doubtless instigated by the Abolition officers at the Fort, advised the Reserves to place no confidence in the Texans, as they only wished to keep them friendly during the present difficulties, and would then annihilate them. Happily, however, better counsel is prevailing, and they are again returning to the cultivation of their corn, and the prairies are alive with their cattle and ponies.

Fort Arbuckle, is occupied by the following companies, of 100 men, each:

Capt. Harmon, (Commanding Officer,) Hopkins county; Capt. Nicholson, Fannin county, and Capt. Canseller, of Hunt county. A large quantity of Government stores, was taken here, including about one thousand dollars worth of Medicines, clothing of all kinds, and provisions.

This Post (Washita,) is occupied, at present, by four companies, viz:

Capt. Reaves, (Commanding Officer,) Grayson county; Capt. Hill, Titus county; Capt. Bounds, of Collin county; and Capt. Burks, Red River county. The men, as far as we could observe, seem fully to appreciate the importance of being thoroughly drilled, and conversant with the various manœvres and evolutions necessary to render them efficient soldiers in the field; they drill twice, daily, and the company of Capt. Reaves, that has been stationed here for several weeks, have already acquired great proficiency in the evolutions.

The Quarter-Master, and Commissary depts are supplied with all necessary stores for the present. Mr. Dumas, of Grayson, has the contract of supplying fresh beef to Forts Cobb, Arbuckle and Washita, at eight, ten, and twelve cents per pound, respectively, which may be considered a very high figure for the times.

Gen. Cooper, former U. S. Indian agent to the Chickisaws and Chocktaws, has been adopted as a citizen of the Nation, and has received a commission as Colonel, in the Confederate Army, to raise a Regiment of one thousand Indians, for service on their northern frontier. The greater portion of the Regiment is now rendezvoused at the agency, near Washita.–Last evening, Col. Lee, who is temporarily in command, received a dispatch from Gen. Cooper, at Fort Smith, with orders to march the Regiment immediately to Scullyville, near Fort Smith, when the organization will be completed, by the election of a Lieut. Colonel, and Major. Col. Lee, formerly of Bonham, Texas, is probably the most prominent aspirant for the former position; he has, up to this time, in the absence of Gen. Cooper, engaged with untiring zeal, in drilling the companies, organizing the Regiment, acting as Quarter-Master, Commissary, &c.; and with a success ensured by his long familiarity with such business, in the U. S. Army. We congratulate the Regiment on the acquisition of such a valuable officer.

The war excitement among the Indians, has reached the highest pitch. Companies are being rapidly organized in every section, and all seem anxious to participate in the coming struggle. The warriors are painted in their hideous war colors, and the “Old time war dance,” commemorative of their ancient valor in arms, is performed every night, by the companies at this place, their women singing, while the warriors form a circle, and dance around their flag-staff, with hoops and hideous yells, that almost make a man’s scalp feel loose on his cranium: it arouses the proper feeling among them however, which is the desired object.

Two Choctaw companies that came in last evening, were received with military honors by the four companies of Infantry at the Fort, and a salute fired with the six pounder, left by the U. S. Troops, all of which seemed to excite and please them amazingly, and the best of good feeling exists between them and the Texans. A majority of the officers are half breeds, intelligent, and well informed men, and very ardent in the great common causes; the others, although unable to talk with us orally, make good use of their pantomimic vocabulary, to express a like devotion. They have probably, as yet, not acquired sufficient discipline, to render them very effective in the open field, but when it comes to the “Bush whacking,” then look out for them.

Among the officers we notice the names of Capt. Carney, Capt. Ish Kitini Homa, Capt. Wade, Capt. Fulsom, Capt. Reynolds, and Capt. Phillips.

Two companies of Cavalry from Texas, under Capt. Young, of Panola county, and Capt. Welch, of Denton county, have been [illegible] and attached to the Regiment.

Gen. Young and Capt. Throckmorton, who are now at Fort Smith, are expected here daily, and it is generally expected that they will bring orders for the removal of Young’s Regiment, to the Missouri border.

More soon.

[illegible]

Bellville [Tx] Countryman, July 3, 1861

At a recent large gathering of volunteers in a Southern State, where field operations were performed as if in sight of an enemy, the general officer in command made a short speech to the men, which is very apropos just now.

“All that you have heard in the way of shooting, all your zeal and patriotism, will be of no avail in the day of battle without a thorough knowledge of company drill. Where the men in each company are steady and well drilled, the whole army will be steady and well drilled likewise. To have a battalion or brigade act like a machine is to be effected only by company drill.”

And he might have added that to have a well drilled company, each man must first go through a thorough course of drilling in the “school of a soldier,” or of equal drill. Simple as it may seem, unless each man knows how to ‘keep step’–’to dress to the right’ or ‘to the left’–to face properly–to ‘keep proper distance in ranks’–to step the same length of step, whether in common, quick or double quick time, etc., the company cannot as a company manÅ“uvre correctly. Two or three deficient members spoil the appearance of an otherwise good company, and embarrass its movements. To endeavor to drill a company, as such, ere its members have learned individually what they must know to be a good soldier, is like teaching a boy geometry before he knows what arithmetic. is.–News.

JULY 3d.—The Secretary said to me to-day that he desired my young friend, the classical teacher, to assist me in writing letters. I told him I needed assistance, and Mr. Jacques was qualified. Major Tyler’s ill health keeps him absent half the time. There was abundance of work for both of us. Mr. J. is an agreeable companion, and omitted no opportunity to oblige me. But he trenches on the major’s manor, and can write as long letters as any one. I would never write them, unless the subject-matter demanded it; and so, all the answers marked “full” by the Secretary, when the sum and substance is to be merely an affirmative or a negative, will fall to my co-laborer’s share.

July 3rd.–Up early, breakfasted at five a.m., and left my hospitable host’s roof, on my way to Washington. The ferry-boat, which is a long way off, starts for the train at seven o’clock; and so bad are the roads, I nearly missed it. On hurrying to secure my place in the train, I said to one of the railway officers, “If you see a coloured man in a cloth cap and dark coat with metal buttons, will you be good enough, sir, to tell him I’m in this carriage.” “Why so, sir?” “He is my servant.” “Servant,” he repeated; “your servant! I presume you’re a Britisher; and if he’s your servant, I think you may as well let him find you.” And so he walked away, delighted with his cleverness, his civility, and his rebuke of an aristocrat.

Nearly four months since I went by this road to Washington. The change which has since occurred is beyond belief. Men were then speaking of place under Government, of compromises between North and South, and of peace; now they only talk of war and battle. Ever since I came out of the South, and could see the newspapers, I have been struck by the easiness of the American people, by their excessive credulity. Whether they wish it or not, they are certainly deceived. Not a day has passed without the announcement that the Federal troops were moving, and that “a great battle was expected” by somebody unknown, at some place or other.

I could not help observing the arrogant tone with which writers of stupendous ignorance on military matters write of the operations which they think the Generals should undertake. They demand that an army, which has neither adequate transport, artillery, nor cavalry, shall be pushed forward to Richmond to crush out Secession, and at the same time their columns teem with accounts from the army, which prove that it is not only ill-disciplined, but that it is ill-provided. A general outcry has been raised against the war department and the contractors, and it is openly stated that Mr. Cameron, the Secretary, has not clean hands. One journal denounces “the swindling and plunder” which prevail under his eyes. A minister who is disposed to be corrupt can be so with facility under the system of the United States, because he has absolute control over the contracts, which are rising to an enormous magnitude, as the war preparations assume more formidable dimensions. The greater part of the military stores of the State are in the South–arms, ordnance, clothing, ammunition, ships, machinery, and all kinds of matériel must be prepared in a hurry.

The condition in which the States present themselves, particularly at sea, is a curious commentary on the offensive and warlike tone of their Statesmen in their dealings with the first maritime power of the world. They cannot blockade a single port effectually. The Confederate steamer Sumter has escaped to sea from New Orleans, and ships run in and out of Charleston almost as they please. Coming so recently from the South, I can see the great difference which exists between the two races, as they may be called, exemplified in the men I have seen, and those who are in the train going towards Washington. These volunteers have none of the swash-buckler bravado, gallant-swaggering air of the Southern men. They are staid, quiet men, and the Pennsylvanians, who are on their way to join their regiment in Baltimore, are very inferior in size and strength to the Tennesseans and Carolinians.

The train is full of men in uniform. When I last went over the line, I do not believe there was a sign of soldiering, beyond perhaps the “conductor,” who is always described in the papers as being “gentlemantly,” wore his badge. And, à propos of badges, I see that civilians have taken to wearing shields of metal on their coats, enamelled with the stars and stripes, and that men who are not in the army try to make it seem they are soldiers by affecting military caps and cloaks.

The country between Washington and Philadelphia is destitute of natural beauties, but it affords abundant evidence that it is inhabited by a prosperous, comfortable, middle-class community. From every village church, and from many houses, the Union flag was displayed. Four months ago not one was to be seen. When we were crossing in the steam ferry-boat at Philadelphia I saw some volunteers looking up and smiling at a hatchet which was over the cabin door, and it was not till I saw it had the words “States Rights’ Fire Axe” painted along the handle I could account for the attraction. It would fare ill with any vessel in Southern waters which displayed an axe to the citizens inscribed with “Down with States Rights” on it. There is certainly less vehemence and bitterness among the Northerners; but it might be erroneous to suppose there was less determination.

Below Philadelphia, from Havre-de-Grâce all the way to Baltimore, and thence on to Washington, the stations on the rail were guarded by soldiers, as though an enemy were expected to destroy the bridges and to tear up the rails. Wooden bridges and causeways, carried over piles and embankments, are necessary, in consequence of the nature of the country; and at each of these a small camp was formed for the soldiers who have to guard the approaches. Sentinels are posted, pickets thrown out, and in the open field by the way-side troops are to be seen moving, as though a battle was close at hand. In one word, we are in the State of Maryland. By these means alone are communications maintained between the North and the capital. As we approach Baltimore the number of sentinels and camps increase, and earthworks have been thrown up on the high grounds commanding the city. The display of Federal flags from the public buildings and some shipping in the river was so limited as to contrast strongly with those symbols of Union sentiments in the Northern cities.

Since I last passed through this city the streets have been a scene of bloodshed. The conductor of the car on which we travelled from one terminus to the other, along the street railway, pointed out the marks of the bullets on the walls and in the window frames. “That’s the way to deal with the Plug Uglies,” exclaimed he; a name given popularly to the lower classes called Rowdies in New York. “Yes,” said a fellow-passenger quietly to me, “these are the sentiments which are now uttered in the country which we call the land of freedom, and men like that desire nothing better than brute force. There is no city in Europe–Venice, Warsaw, or Rome–subject to such tyranny as Baltimore at this moment. In this Pratt Street there have been murders as foul as ever soldiery committed in the streets of Paris.” Here was evidently the judicial blindness of a States Rights fanatic, who considers the despatch of Federal soldiers through the State of Maryland without the permission of the authorities an outrage so flagrant as to justify the people in shooting them down, whilst the soldiers become murderers if they resist. At the corners of the streets strong guards of soldiers were posted, and patrols moved up and down the thoroughfares. The inhabitants looked sullen and sad. A small war is waged by the police recently appointed by the Federal authorities against the women, who exhibit much ingenuity in expressing their animosity to the stars and stripes–dressing the children, and even dolls, in the Confederate colours, and wearing the same in ribbons and bows. The negro population alone seemed just the same as before.

The Secession newspapers of Baltimore have been suppressed, but the editors contrive nevertheless to show their sympathies in the selection of their extracts. In to-day’s paper there is an account of a skirmish in the West, given by one of the Confederates who took part in it, in which it is stated that the officer commanding the party “scalped” twenty-three Federals. For the first time since I left the South I see those advertisements headed by the figure of a negro running with a bundle, and containing descriptions of the fugitive, and the reward offered for imprisoning him or her, so that the owner may receive his property. Among the insignia enumerated are scars on the back and over the loins. The whip is not only used by the masters and drivers, but by the police; and in every report of petty police cases sentences of so many lashes, and severe floggings of women of colour are recorded.

It is about forty miles from Baltimore to Washington, and at every quarter of a mile for the whole distance a picket of soldiers guarded the rails. Camps appeared on both sides, larger and more closely packed together; and the rays of the setting sun fell on countless lines of tents as we approached the unfinished dome of the Capitol. On the Virginian side of the river, columns of smoke rising from the forest marked the site of Federal encampments across the stream. The fields around Washington resounded with the words of command and tramp of men, and flashed with wheeling arms. Parks of artillery studded the waste ground, and long trains of white-covered waggons filled up the open spaces in the suburbs of Washington.

To me all this was a wonderful sight. As I drove up Pennsylvania Avenue I could scarce credit that the busy thoroughfare–all red, white, and blue with flags, filled with dust from galloping chargers and commissariat carts; the side-walks thronged with people, of whom a large proportion carried sword or bayonet; shops full of life and activity–was the same as that through which I had driven the first morning of my arrival. Washington now, indeed, is the capital of the United States; but it is no longer the scene of beneficent legislation and of peaceful government. It is the representative of armed force engaged in war– menaced whilst in the very act of raising its arm by the enemy it seeks to strike.

To avoid the tumult of Willard’s, I requested a friend to hire apartments, and drove to a house in Pennsylvania Avenue, close to the War Department, where he had succeeded in engaging a sitting-room about twelve feet square, and a bedroom to correspond, in a very small mansion, next door to a spirit merchant’s. At the Legation I saw Lord Lyons, and gave him a brief account of what I had seen in the South. I was sorry to observe he looked rather careworn and pale.

The relations of the United States’ Government with Great Britain have probably been considerably affected by Mr. Seward’s failure in his prophecies. As the Southern Confederacy developes its power, the Foreign Secretary assumes higher ground, and becomes more exacting, and defiant. In these hot summer days, Lord Lyons and the members of the Legation dine early, and enjoy the cool of the evening in the garden; so after a while I took my leave, and proceeded to Gautier’s. On my way I met Mr. Sumner, who asked me for Southern news very anxiously, and in the course of conversation with him I was confirmed in my impressions that the feeling between the two countries was not as friendly as could be desired. Lord Lyons had better means of knowing what is going on in the South, by communications from the British Consuls; but even he seemed unaware of facts which had occurred whilst I was there, and Mr. Sumner appeared to be as ignorant of the whole condition of things below Mason and Dixon’s line as he was of the politics of Timbuctoo.

The importance of maintaining a friendly feeling with England appeared to me very strongly impressed on the Senator’s mind. Mr. Seward has been fretful, irritable, and acrimonious; and it is not too much to suppose Mr. Sumner has been useful in allaying irritation. A certain despatch was written last June, which amounted to little less than a declaration of war against Great Britain. Most fortunately the President was induced to exercise his power. The despatch was modified, though not without opposition, and was forwarded to the English Minister with its teeth drawn. Lord Lyons, who is one of the suavest and quietest of diplomatists, has found it difficult, I fear, to maintain personal relations with Mr. Seward at times. Two despatches have been prepared for Lord John Russell, which could have had no result but to lead to a breach of the peace, had not some friendly interpositor succeeded in averting the wrath of the Foreign Minister.

Mr. Sumner is more sanguine of immediate success than I am, from the military operations which are to commence when General Scott considers the army fit to take the field. At Gautier’s I met a number of officers, who expressed a great diversity of views in reference to those operations. General M’Dowell is popular with them, but they admit the great deficiencies of the subaltern and company officers. General Scott is too infirm to take the field, and the burdens of administration press the veteran to the earth.

Arrest of Marshall Kane, at his House in Baltimore, at Three O’clock A. M., on Tuesday, June 27, by Order of Major-General Banks on a Charge of Treason

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, July 6, 1861

–Gen. Lyon, with upwards of two thousand National troops, left Booneville, Missouri, for the Southwest.–N. Y. Times, July 7.

–The Military Board of Arkansas issued a proclamation, calling for 10,000 men to repel invasion by the National troops through Missouri. Each company is to arm itself with the usual weapons of the country, furnish its own tents and camp equipage, which will be paid for by the State. Regiments are ordered to organize for immediate service.–Memphis Appeal, July 4.

–A correspondent in Morgan county, Va., in a letter to the Baltimore American, gives the following account of affairs in that district: –We are now experiencing and witnessing the evils of secession in this county, where we have always enjoyed the blessings of liberty and the freedom of speech. We dare not open our mouths now. The Confederate troops, which came into our county on last Sunday (three hundred and fifty), have caused a great stampede among our Union men. One-third of the male population has gone to Maryland for fear of being impressed in the Confederate service. A perfect reign of terror prevails here; business is suspended, and our citizens are compelled to stand on guard without board or pay. Neither friend nor foe is allowed to cross the river at this place or Hancock, but fortunately the river is very low, and we can occasionally steal away and wade across at other places, to get our mails. Two gentlemen from Maryland were arrested here yesterday and taken to headquarters at Berkeley Springs, upon what charge I have not been able to learn. I presume they will be released to-day. It is impossible for us to learn the object of those troops, though it is reported to-day that they intend to march over to Hancock and take possession of a large quantity of flour and grain for the use of the army at Winchester.–Baltimore American, July 6.

–The Twenty-Fourth Regiment New York S. V. from Oswego, arrived at Washington.– N. Y. Tribune, July 4.

July 3, 1861

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• A rebel company (94) captured at Neosho, Mo.
• Governor of Arkansas called out 10,000 men to repel invasion.

1. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

JULY 2d.—There has been some brilliant fighting by several brothers named Ashby, who led a mounted company near Romney. One of the brothers, Richard, was slain. Turner Ashby put half a dozen Yankees hors du combat with his own arm. He will make a name. We have accounts of an extraordinary exploit of Col. Thomas, of Maryland. Disguised as a French lady, he took passage on the steamer St. Nicholas at Baltimore en route for Washington. During the voyage he threw off his disguise, and in company with his accomplices, seized the steamer. Coming down the Bay, he captured three prizes, and took the whole fleet into Fredericksburg in triumph. Lieut. Minor, C. S. N., participated in this achievement. Gen. Patterson, who conciliated the mob in Philadelphia, which had intended to hang me, seems to be true to his pledge to fight the Southern people. He is now advancing into Virginia at the head of a brigade.

Battery Lincoln, Erected at Santa Rosa Island, Florida, Commanding the Navy Yard at Pensacola and the Approaches to Fort Pickens

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, June 22, 1861

The Battle at Great Bethel, Between the Federal Troops Under the Command of General Pierce, Consisting of Duryea’s Zouave Regiment, Townsend’s Albany Regiment, Bendix’s Steuben Regiment, Allen’s First New York Volunteer Regiment and the Secession Troops, Strongly Entrenched, Under the Command of Colonel J. B. Magruder, on the Morning of June 10, 1861

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, June 22, 1861

CAMP CHASE, July 2, 1861.

DEAREST:–The comet, or the storm, or something makes it cold as blazes this morning, but pleasant. Speaking of shirts, did I leave my shirts at home? I have but two or three here now. Have they been lost here, or how? You need not make me any if they are gone. I intend to wear flannel or mixed goods of some sort, but if there are a few tolerably good ones or collars, you may let Dr. Joe bring them up when he comes.

By the by, you know Dr. Joe has been appointed to our regiment, Dr. Clendenin having declined the Twenty-sixth. I wrote Dr. Joe a scolding letter in reply to his note abusing the governor. I did so because I felt confident that he was to be appointed in some way, and I didn’t want him to kick the fat in the fire by getting in a sensation about it before the matter was finally determined. Matthews and all are very glad. I am more interested in it than in anything else connected with the regiment.

I believe I told you it would be in good point if you could fix up one or two of my thick vests. I shall take away from here nothing but my gray travelling suit and thick vests. The military coats will conceal the vests, so they are as good as any other. Dr. Joe better get a good ready before he comes up. It may be difficult for him to get away. As for clothing and fixings, they can all be sent to him; but his business arrangements better be made, if possible, before he leaves. If he keeps well, as I think he will, he will enjoy this life very much. His rank and pay will be the same as mine. He is allowed two or three horses, and should have at least one. There is no stabling here at present, so he need not now bring his horse, if he would prefer not to keep him at the hotel or in Columbus.

Love to Grandma and all. Kisses for the dear boys. They will mourn the loss of their Uncle Joe. I should not be much loss to them now; when they get older I will try to help in their education. Birch, if possible, should be a soldier; Webb will do for a sailor; Ruddy will do for either or ‘most anything else. I am sorry you are to be left with so much responsibility; but, with your mother’s advice, do what you both agree is best and it will perfectly satisfy me.

Affectionately, yours ever,

RUTHERFORD.

MRS. HAYES.

TUESDAY 2

Everything connected with the War seems to be standing still as far as we know, excepting the arrival of troops and their movement across the River. The City is now swarming with soldiers who stay only for a day or so and then go into Camp in the suburbs of the City. The woods and groves back are alive with them. I was at the Hotels tonight, two Regts passed on the Ave. The City is filling up with politicians & others.

______

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.

Item information from the New England Historical Genealogy Society (NEHGS)

Title: Appointment of Richard Thomas Zarvona as Colonel of the Virginia Active Volunteer Forces by John Letcher
Date: 1861 July 2
Physical Description: 1 ADS (1 page); 32 x 28 cm.
Description: Appointment of Richard Thomas Zarvona as Colonel of the Virginia Active Volunteer Forces by John Letcher. This appointment was handwritten on vellum, and includes an embossed seal.
Notes: Digitization funded by a grant from the Cabot Family Charitable Trust.; Blank pages have not been scanned.; This oversized document was originally stored in Box 4, Folder 40.
Languages: English
Access: Open access
Rights: This item is in the public domain. There are no known restrictions on the use of this image.
Subject (Names): Confederate States of America. Army — Appointments and retirements
United States. Army — Appointments and retirements
Zarvona, Richard Thomas
Letcher, John, 1813-1884
Subject (Topics): Military appointments
Subject (Places): United States — History — Civil War, 1861-1865
Genre: Military records
Call Number: Mss 40
Collection Name: Charles Carleton Coffin papers, 1861-1890
Collection Series: Sub-group II. Civil War Papers, Series A. Military, Sub-series 1. Appointments
Physical Location: Folder 198
Preferred Citation: Charles Carleton Coffin Papers, Mss 40, R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, New England Historic Genealogical Society, online at DigitalCollections.AmericanAncestors.org.
Repository: R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, New England Historic Genealogical Society
Link to Library Catalog: http://library.nehgs.org/record=b1056264
Digital Collection: Civil War Manuscripts (NEHGS)
Archival File Name: Mss0040-fol198-img001.tif

___________
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

London, Tuesday, July 2,1861

My letters in the [New York] Times will give you pretty much all I have to say about politics. They are very correctly printed; at least the three first which are all that have reached me. There is no doubt in my mind that all the trouble with England arose from a mere blunder of the Ministry resulting from the suddenness of the change in affairs with us. Here it seems to have been thought with reason that the dissolution of the Union would go as it were by default, without much resistance, and the Ministry and even our warmest friends thought that this would be best for us as well as for themselves. The English are really on our side; of that I have no doubt whatever. But they thought that as a dissolution seemed inevitable and as we seemed to have made up our minds to it, that their Proclamation was just the thing to keep them straight with both sides, and when it turned out otherwise they did their best to correct their mistake. America seems clean daft. She seems to want to quarrel with all the world, and now that England has eaten her humble-pie for what was, I must say, a natural mistake from her point of view, I cannot imagine why we should keep on sarsing her. It certainly is not our interest and I have done and shall do all I can, to bring matters straight. As a counterpart to my letters in the Times, I am looking round here for some good paper to take you as its American correspondent. I don’t know that I can get one, but certainly it will be a good while before a fair chance is likely to happen. When it does I will let you know.

Seward’s tone has improved very much since that crazy despatch that frightened me so. If the Chief had obeyed it literally, he would have made a war in five minutes and annihilated our party here in no time at all. As it is we have worried through safely and are not likely to have much more trouble. There is nothing in the way of particulars to give you so far as I know, for there has been no great scene nor have I met with any very remarkable event. Our presentation was only memorable to my mind from having caused a relapse for me, which frightened me nearly to death.

As to your going to the war, I will tell you plainly how the case seems to me to stand. The Chief is unwilling to do anything about it. His idea is that the war will be short and that you will only destroy all your habits of business without gaining anything. If you will take my advice you will say no more about it; only make arrangements so as not to be taken by surprise, and when the time comes, just write and notify him. He will consent to that as a fait accompli, which he cannot take the responsibility of encouraging himself. . . .

Send us maps of the seat of war – the best ones.

Boston, July 2, 1861

There is little news politically, for I am no longer in the way of getting it. There is a marked improvement in the general feeling and in the tone of the press towards England and my apprehensions of trouble would have entirely subsided but that I cannot but fear future trouble on account of this blockade. I fear that it is not effective and that some blundering British admiral will undertake to raise it for that reason, and this will surely lead to trouble. Neither do I believe that our blockade is likely to be effective in less than a hundred days. There are rumors, and pretty well authenticated, that Seward is losing ground in Washington and in New York very fast. Sumner has been here fiercely denouncing him for designing, as he asserts, to force the country into a foreign war, and Mr. George Morey tells me that to checkmate this, Sumner intends on the opening of Congress to make a speech on our foreign relations in which he will declare his entire satisfaction with the position of England and France. .. .

The Hudson.–Military school at West Point.–Return to New York.–Altered appearance of the city.–Misery and suffering.–Altered state of public opinion, as to the Union and towards Great Britain.

July 2nd.–At early dawn this morning, looking out of the sleeping car, I saw through the mist a broad, placid river on the right, and on the left high wooded banks running sharply into the stream, against the base of which the rails were laid. West Point, which is celebrated for its picturesque scenery, as much as for its military school, could not be seen through the fog, and I regretted time did not allow me to stop and pay a visit to the academy. I was obliged to content myself with the handiwork of some of the ex-pupils. The only camaraderie I have witnessed in America exists among the West Point men. It is to Americans what our great public schools are to young Englishmen. To take a high place at West Point is to be a first-class man, or wrangler. The academy turns out a kind of military aristocracy, and I have heard complaints that the Irish and Germans are almost completely excluded, because the nominations to West Point are obtained by political influence; and the foreign element, though powerful at the ballot box, has no enduring strength. The Murphies and Schmidts seldom succeed in shoving their sons into the American institution. North and South, I have observed, the old pupils refer everything military to West Point. “I was with Beauregard at West Point. He was three above me.” Or, ” M’Dowell and I were in the same class.” An officer is measured by what he did there, and if professional jealousies date from the state of common pupilage, so do lasting friendships. I heard Beauregard, Lawton, Hardee, Bragg, and others, speak of M’Dowell, Lyon, M’Clellan, and other men of the academy, as their names turned up in the Northern papers, evidently judging of them by the old school standard. The number of men who have been educated there greatly exceeds the modest requirements of the army. But there is likelihood of their being all in full work very soon.

At about nine a.m., the train reached New York, and in driving to the house of Mr. Duncan, who accompanied me from Niagara, the first thing which struck me was the changed aspect of the streets. Instead of peaceful citizens, men in military uniforms thronged the pathways, and such multitudes of United States’ flags floated from the windows and roofs of the houses as to convey the impression that it was a great holiday festival. The appearance of New York when I first saw it was very different. For one day, indeed, after my arrival, there were men in uniform to be seen in the streets, but they disappeared after St. Patrick had been duly honoured, and it was very rarely I ever saw a man in soldier’s clothes during the rest of my stay. Now, fully a third of the people carried arms, and were dressed in some kind of martial garb.

The walls are covered with placards from military companies offering inducements to recruits. An outburst of military tailors has taken place in the streets; shops are devoted to militia equipments; rifles, pistols, swords, plumes, long boots, saddle, bridle, camp beds, canteens, tents, knapsacks, have usurped the place of the ordinary articles of traffic. Pictures and engravings– bad, and very bad–of the “battles” of Big Bethel and Vienna, full of furious charges, smoke and dismembered bodies, have driven the French prints out of the windows. Innumerable “General Scotts” glower at you from every turn, making the General look wiser than he or any man ever was. Ellsworths in almost equal proportion, Grebles and Winthrops–the Union martyrs–and Tompkins, the temporary hero of Fairfax court-house.

The “flag of our country” is represented in a coloured engraving, the original of which was not destitute of poetical feeling, as an angry blue sky through which meteors fly streaked by the winds, whilst between the red stripes the stars just shine out from the heavens, the flag-staff being typified by a forest tree bending to the force of the blast. The Americans like this idea–to my mind it is significant of bloodshed and disaster. And why not! What would become of all these pseudo-Zouaves who have come out like an eruption over the States, and are in no respect, not even in their baggy breeches, like their great originals, if this war were not to go on? I thought I had had enough of Zouaves in New Orleans, but dîs aliter visum.

They are overrunning society, and the streets here, and the dress which becomes the broad-chested, stumpy, short-legged Celt, who seems specially intended for it, is singularly unbecoming to the tall and slightly-built American. Songs “On to glory,” “Our country,” new versions of “Hail Columbia,” which certainly cannot be considered by even American complacency a “happy land ” when its inhabitants are preparing to cut each other’s throats; of the “star-spangled banner,” are displayed in booksellers’ and music-shop windows, and patriotic sentences emblazoned on flags float from many houses. The ridiculous habit of dressing up children and young people up to ten and twelve years of age as Zouaves and vivandières has been caught up by the old people, and Mars would die with laughter if he saw some of the abdominous, be-spectacled light infantry men who are hobbling along the pavement.

There has been indeed a change in New York: externally it is most remarkable, but I cannot at all admit that the abuse with which I was assailed for describing the indifference which prevailed on my arrival was in the least degree justified. I was desirous of learning how far the tone of conversation” in the city” had altered, and soon after breakfast I went down Broadway to Pine Street and Wall Street. The street in all its length was almost draped with flags– the warlike character of the shops was intensified. In front of one shop window there was a large crowd gazing with interest at some object which I at last succeeded in feasting my eyes upon. A grey cap with a tinsel badge in front, and the cloth stained with blood was displayed, with the words, “Cap of Secession officer killed in action.” On my way I observed another crowd of women, some with children in their arms standing in front of a large house and gazing up earnestly and angrily at the windows. I found they were wives, mothers, and sisters, and daughters of volunteers who had gone off and left them destitute.

The misery thus caused has been so great that the citizens of New York have raised a fund to provide food, clothes, and a little money–a poor relief, in fact, for them, and it was plain they were much needed, though some of the applicants did not seem to belong to a class accustomed to seek aid from the public. This already! But Wall Street and Pine Street are bent on battle. And so this day, hot from the South and impressed with the firm resolve of the people, and finding that the North has been lashing itself into fury, I sit down and write to England, on my return from the city. “At present dismiss entirely the idea, no matter how it may originate, that there will be, or can be, peace, compromise, union, or secession, till war has determined the issue.”

As long as there was a chance that the struggle might not take place, the merchants of New York were silent, fearful of offending their Southern friends and connections, but inflicting infinite damage on their own government and misleading both sides. Their sentiments, sympathies, and business bound them with the South; and, indeed, till “the glorious uprising” the South believed New York was with them, as might be credited from the tone of some organs in the press, and I remember hearing it said by Southerners in Washington, that it was very likely New York would go out of the Union! When the merchants, however, saw that the South was determined to quit the Union, they resolved to avert the permanent loss of the great profits derived from their connection with the South by some present sacrifices. They rushed to the platforms–the battle-cry was sounded from almost very pulpit–flag raisings took place in every square, like the planting of the tree of liberty in France in 1848, and the oath was taken to trample Secession under foot, and to quench the fire of the Southern heart for ever.

The change in manner, in tone, in argument, is most remarkable. I met men to-day who last March argued coolly and philosophically about the right of Secession. They are now furious at the idea of such wickedness–furious with England, because she does not deny their own famous doctrine of the sacred right of insurrection. “We must maintain our glorious Union, sir.” “We must have a country.” “We cannot allow two nations to grow up on this Continent, sir.” “We must possess the entire control of the Mississippi.” These “musts,” and “can’ts,” and “won’ts,” are the angry utterances of a spirited people who have had their will so long that they at last believe it is omnipotent. Assuredly, they will not have it over the South without a tremendous and long-sustained contest, in which they must put forth every exertion, and use all the resources and superior means they so abundantly possess.

It is absurd to assert, as do the New York people, to give some semblance of reason to their sudden outburst, that it was caused by the insult to the flag at Sumter. Why, the flag had been fired on long before Sumter was attacked by the Charleston batteries! It had been torn down from United States’ arsenals and forts all over the South; and but for the accident which placed Major Anderson in a position from which he could not retire, there would have been no bombardment of the fort, and it would, when evacuated, have shared the fate of all the other Federal works on the Southern coast. Some of the gentlemen who are now so patriotic and Unionistic, were last March prepared to maintain that if the President attempted to reinforce Sumter or Pickens, he would be responsible for the destruction of the Union. Many journals in New York and out of it held the same doctrine.

One word to these gentlemen. I am pretty well satisfied that if they had always spoke, written, and acted as they do now, the people of Charleston would not have attacked Sumter so readily. The abrupt outburst of the North and the demonstration at New York filled the South, first with astonishment, and then with something like fear, which was rapidly fanned into anger by the press and the politicians, as well, as by the pride inherent in slaveholders.

I wonder what Mr. Seward will say when I get back to Washington. Before I left, he was of opinion–at all events, he stated–that all the States would come back, at the rate of one a month. The nature of the process was not stated; but we are told there are 250,000 Federal troops now under arms, prepared to try a new one.

Combined with the feeling of animosity to the rebels, there is, I perceive, a good deal of ill-feeling towards Great Britain. The Southern papers are so angry with us for the Order in Council closing British ports against privateers and their prizes, that they advise Mr. Rust and Mr. Yancey to leave Europe. We are in evil case between North and South. I met a reverend doctor, who is most bitter in his expressions towards us; and I dare say, Bishop and General Leonidas Polk, down South, would not be much better disposed. The clergy are active on both sides; and their flocks approve of their holy violence. One journal tells with much gusto of a blasphemous chaplain, a remarkably good rifle shot, who went into one of the skirmishes lately, and killed a number of rebels–the joke being in the fact, that each time he fired and brought down his man, he exclaimed, piously, “May Heaven have mercy on your soul!” One Father Mooney, who performed the novel act for a clergyman of “christening” a big gun at Washington the other day, wound up the speech he made on the occasion, by declaring “the echo of its voice would be sweet music, inviting the children of Columbia to share the comforts of his father’s home.” Can impiety and folly, and bad taste, go further?

–Between 3 and 7 o’clock this morning the troops which have been concentrating at Hagerstown and Williamsport, Md., for several days past, crossed the ford at the latter place. Gen. Patterson reviewed them as they filed past him.

The morning was bright and beautiful, and the soldiers were in excellent spirits; the advance took place before daylight, the post of honor being assigned to Captain McMullen’s Independent Rangers, and the First Wisconsin, and the Eleventh Pennsylvania regiments. The advancing column consisted of the brigades of Abercrombie, Thomas, and Negley. The Independent Rangers behaved remarkably well, getting close up to the rebels, within a distance of only 75 yards. Abercrombie’s brigade led the advance, and the casualties of the conflict were almost exclusively on the First Wisconsin and Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiments. Col. Jarrett and Lieut.-Col. Coulter led the skirmishers, opening upon them at 400 yards. The whole of the rebel forces at Martinsburg, consisting of four regiments of infantry and one regiment of horse, were engaged in the action.

They had with them four pieces of artillery, part rifled cannon, and were commanded by Gen. Jackson. The first city troops of Philadelphia were assigned a position near the United States cavalry, under Captain Perkins, and behaved remarkably well. The casualties on the Federal side are two killed and several wounded. Several of the dead and wounded of the secession troops were left on the field in their hasty retreat. In anticipation of a retreat by the Federal forces, the rebels had levelled the fences on both sides of the turnpike even with the ground, so as to cut them off in the event of their retiring to the Potomac.

The first stand was made at Porterfield Farm, on the turnpike, near Haynesville, where it was necessary to destroy a barn and carriage-house, to make a charge upon the enemy. Here the conflict was fierce, the rebels standing well up to their work, and finally slowly retreating. Knapsacks and canteens were hastily thrown aside as incumbrances to a backward march. The rebels left behind them a number of blankets, and other articles of value, indicating a heavy loss.

–The Thirty-fourth Regiment, N. Y. S. V., left Albany for the seat of war. It is commanded by Colonel William Ledeu.–The Twenty-fifth Regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel James E. Kerrigan, left their quarters on Staten Island, New York, for Washington.–N. Y. Tribune, July 4.

–The steamer Cataline was burned at Fortress Monroe, this evening.–Philadelphia, Press, July 5.

–The Legislature of Western Virginia organized at Wheeling. Lieut.-Governor Parsley took the chair in the Senate, and Daniel Frost of Jackson was elected Speaker of the House.

Governor Pierpont’s message was sent to both Houses, together with, a document from Washington, effectually recognizing the new Government. The message is a very able document and gives universal satisfaction. It is a succinct review of secession in Virginia, and of the causes leading to the formation of the present Government, and recommends an energetic cooperation with the Federal Government. (Doc. 29.)

–Twenty-seven thousand dollars belonging to the State were seized and carried to Wheeling by order of the Governor, from the Exchange Bank of Weston, Virginia, where it had been placed to the credit of the Western Lunatic Asylum by the State authorities. Capt. List was commissioned by Gov. Pierpont to go and take charge of the money, the work on the Asylum having been stopped, and there being reasonable apprehensions that the gold might fall into the hands of Letcher’s government. The Captain proceeded to Grafton, and upon making known his object to Gen. McClellan, in less than twenty-four hours a regiment of men, under Col. Tyler, were on the march. The expedition left Clarksburg on Sunday evening, and marching all night, reached Weston the next morning, about five o’clock. The people were all asleep, but the fine band which accompanied the expedition aroused the drowsy population by playing the Star-Spangled Banner. Col. Tyler took possession of the place, and Captain List went down and demanded the money in the name of the State of Virginia. No resistance was made, and the money was soon given up. The troops captured some twenty prisoners, all of whom were released upon examination, except the following, who were carried to Grafton and placed under guard: James T. Jackson, George J. Butcher, W. E. Lively, John Kearns, Jr., and J. Shumat. – Wheeling Intelligencer, July 3.