Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

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

November 9.—We are now quite comfortably fixed, in what was once my mother’s chamber, and most unexpectedly we have a carpet. The other day, while entertaining some friends, in this chamber by night, dining-room by day, and parlour ever and anon, Mrs. Secretary Mallory walked in, who, like ourselves, has had many ups-and-downs during the Confederacy, and therefore her kind heart knows exactly how to sympathize with others. While talking away, she suddenly observed that there was no carpet on the floor, and exclaimed, “Mrs. ––, you have no carpet! My boxes have just come from Montgomery, where I left them two years ago, filled with carpets and bedding. I have five, and I will lend you one. Don’t say a word; I couldn’t be comfortable, and think of you with this bare floor. Mr. ––, is too delicate for it, and you are both too old to begin now on an uncarpeted room.” An hour after she left us a servant came with the carpet, which was soon tacked down, and gives a home-like, comfortable air to the room.

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A Confederate Girl’s Diary

A Confederate Girl’s Diary by Sarah Morgan Dawson

Monday, November 9th.

Another odd link of the old, stale story has come to me, all the way from New York. A friend of mine, who went on the same boat with the prisoners, wrote to her mother to tell her that she had formed the acquaintance of the most charming, fascinating gentleman among them, no other than my once friend. Of course, she would have been less than a woman if she had not gossiped when she discovered who he was. So she sends me word that he told her he had been made to believe, as long as he was on parole in New Orleans, that we were all Unionists now, and that Brother would not allow a Confederate to enter the house. (O my little lisper, was I unjust to you?) He told her that I had been very kind to him when he was in prison, and he would have forgotten the rest and gladly have called to thank me in person for the kindness he so gratefully remembered, if I alone had been concerned; but he felt he could not force himself unasked into my brother’s house. . . .

She told him how false it was.

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Village Life in America

Village Life in America, 1852 – 1872, by Caroline Cowles Richards

November 9.–No. 68 E. 19th Street, New York City. Grandfather and I came from Canandaigua yesterday. He is at Gramercy Park Hotel. We were met by a military escort of “one” at Albany and consequently came through more safely, I suppose. James met us at 42d Street Grand Central Station. He lives at Uncle Edward’s; attends to all of his legal business and is his confidential clerk. I like it very much here. They are very stylish and grand but I don’t mind that. Aunt Emily is reserved and dignified but very kind. People do not pour their tea or coffee into their saucers any more to cool it, but drink it from the cup, and you must mind and not leave your teaspoon in your cup. I notice everything and am very particular. Mr Morris K. Jessup lives right across the street and I see him every day, as he is a friend of Uncle Edward. Grandfather has gone back home and left me in charge of friends “a la militaire ” and others.

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A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones
A likeness of Jones when he was editor and majority owner of the Daily Madisonian during President John Tyler’s administration.

NOVEMBER 9th.—The President returned Saturday evening, looking pretty well. Yesterday, Sunday, he was under the necestity of reading a dispatch from Gen. Lee, announcing the surprise and capture of two brigades on the Rappahannock!

This is a dark and gloomy day, spitting snow; while not a few are despondent from the recent disasters to our arms. It is supposed that we lost 3000 or 4000 men on Saturday. A day or two before, Gen. Echols had his brigade cut up at Lewisburg! Per contra, Brig.-Gen. W. E. Jones captured, on Saturday, at Rogerville, 850 prisoners, 4 pieces of artillery, 2 stands of colors, 60 wagons, and 1000 animals. Our loss, 2 killed and 8 wounded. So reads a dispatch from “R. Ransom, Major-Gen.”

There is some excitement in the city now, perhaps more than at any former period. The disaster to the “Old Guard” has put in the mouths of the croakers the famous words of Napoleon at Waterloo: “Sauce qui peat.” We have out our last reserves, and the enemy still advances. They are advancing on North Carolina, and there was some danger of the President being intercepted at Weldon. Thousands believe that Gen. Bragg is about to retire from before Grant’s army at Chattanooga. And to-day bread is selling at 50 cents per loaf—small loaf!

And now the Assistant Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, is “allowing” men to pass to Maryland, through our lines. First, is a Rev. Mr. A. S. Sloat, a chaplain in the army. He was degraded for some offense by his own church, and his wife and children having preceded him (all being Northern born), as stated in his letter on file, he is allowed a passport to follow them. Recommended by Mr. S. R. Tucker. Second, Mr. J. L. White and Mr. Forrester are “allowed” passports to go to Maryland for ordnance stores. Recommended by Col. Gorgas. Third and lastly, “Tom Wash. Smith” is “allowed,” by the Assistant Secretary, to take fifteen boxes of tobacco to Maryland, and promises to bring back “medical stores.” Recommended by B. G. Williams, one of Gen. Winder’s detectives, and by Capt. Winder, one of the general’s sons. They bring in stores, when they return, in saddle-bags, while whole cargoes are landed at Wilmington!

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News of the Day

November 9, 1863, The New York Herald

            The Army of the Potomac, after a long period of ease, has commenced a forward movement, and its advance has been heralded with victory. The divisions of Generals French and Sedgwick met the enemy on the banks of the Rappahannock — the former at Kelly’s Ford and the latter at Rappahannock railroad crossing — on Saturday, and drove them across the river, capturing eighteen hundred of the rebels, four battle flags and two redoubts with a number of guns. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is reported by prisoners to be over five hundred. Our loss in all — killed, wounded and missing — is set down at from three hundred and fifty to four hundred. The Union troops are in pursuit of the enemy.

            Upon the lifting of the fog yesterday morning our forces commenced crossing the river, and found little or no opposition. They are pressing forward toward Culpepper. At four o’clock P.M. Sedgwick’s advance had reached Brandy Station. General Buford’s cavalry crossed at Sulphur Springs to cover the right flank several miles above Rappahannock Station, and Generals Gregg and Kilpatrick crossed below Kelly’s Ford to cover the left flank. No definite information of their operations had been received up to noon yesterday. Advices from the front are to the effect that General Kilpatrick occupied the city and heights of Fredericksburg on Saturday, and was in position to hold them until the infantry could reach him. It is probable that the army has already joined him, and is now intrenched on the south bank of the Rappahannock.

            The enemy, after their defeat in these two engagements, were so hotly pursued by our victorious forces that they threw themselves into the river in their efforts to escape, where some were drowned and many were killed by our infantry.

            There is hot work before the Army of the Potomac yet. The initiative in the new movement, however, is hopeful for the future.

            Despatches from Chattanooga to Saturday inform us that everything was then quiet, with the exception of a harmless fire from the rebel batteries on Lookout Mountain.

            From Memphis, of the same date, we learn that General Hatch has driven General Chalmers across the Tallahatchie river, punishing the latter’s forces severely. The rebel General Richardson, with a force reported at from 1,500 to 2,000, struck the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, six miles east of Salsbury, on Saturday morning, burning the bridgework, tearing up the track and destroying the telegraph.

            On the night of the 2d inst. a party of Union troops, under Captain Ferris, of the Independent Battalion, went in a small boat to Fort Wagner and crawled up the debris on the seaward side of the fort, where they had an opportunity to peep inside. Being discovered, however, they were received with a volley of musketry, and made a precipitate retreat to their boat, fortunately without losing a man. The fort is a mere ruin, but the small garrison inside the broken walls, and dismantled guns, the shattered casemates, and debris of all that once formed that proud fortification, still hold their ground manfully, although exposed to the constant fire of our batteries and Monitors.

            We have later news from New Orleans today, by the steamer Daniel Webster, which arrived here yesterday, with dates to the 29th. Political organizations, with a view to overthrow the present military rule in New Orleans by the unauthorized election of a State government, are gaining some headway. An address has been issued to the people, and the names of the candidates have been promulgated. Five thousand bales of cotton, which were said to be intended for shipment to Europe, the property in part of rebel owners, which had just arrived from Natchez, were seized by the Collector of Internal Revenue, but as nearly four thousand bales were claimed by loyal persons, they were given up, and the remaining portion was stored for the present.

            New Orleans papers of the 29th ultimo state that owing to the scarcity of breadstuffs and provisions, cotton was arriving there in considerable quantities. The sugar crop was very light, owing to the scarcity of labor and fuel.

            We publish in another column a remarkable address to the people of Arkansas, from Mr. Gantt, formerly a Congressman in rebeldom, and a brigadier general in the rebel army, but now a prisoner of war at Little Rock, in which he counsels submission to the Union arms, and denounces Jeff. Davis in unmeasured terms as a hypocrite and tyrant, and by no means the man for the occasion.

            Mr. Seward, upon his return to Washington, is said to have declared that the French government, urged by the representations of Mr. Dayton, our Minister, has arrested the six rebel rams lying at Nantes and Bordeaux.

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War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

8th. Before noon detailed for picket with the company and part of Co. E. Went on Rogersville road, relieving Co. “B.” Got forage and some provisions. Posted pickets. About 7 P. M. Lieut. Newton came out and relieved me. Found at H. Quarters an order to report to Col. Garrard for duty.

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Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

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

Sunday, 8th–No work today, only picket duty, and all is very quiet here. General Tuttle’s division left Vicksburg this morning for Memphis.

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A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones
A likeness of Jones when he was editor and majority owner of the Daily Madisonian during President John Tyler’s administration.

NOVEMBER 8th.—At this late day the Secretary of War is informed by Col. Gorgas that, in consequence of the enemy’s possessing the coal mines in Tennessee, he shall not be able to supply orders for heavy shot, etc., for the defense of Charleston harbor, if the fleet of monitors were to pass the forts. Why, this has been daily looked for any time during the last three months! And information from the Western army indicates that only about one shell in twenty, furnished by Col. Gorgas, will explode. This reminds me of the doubts expressed by Gen. Cobb of the fitness of Col. G. for his position.

This is a bleak November day, after some days of pleasant autumnal sunshine. I still gather a few tomatoes from the little garden; a bushel of green ones on the vines will never mature. The young turnips look well, and I hope there may be abundance of salad in the spring.

Yesterday two tons of Northern anthracite coal in this city sold for $500 per ton, to a church! We hope for relief when Congress meets, a month hence; but what can Congress do? The money is hopelessly depreciated. Even victories and peace could not restore it to par.

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News of the Day

November 8, 1863, The New York Herald

            A report reached Philadelphia yesterday by the steamer Salvor, which left Hilton Head on last Monday, the 2d. inst., that Fort Sumter had surrendered, that the Stars and Stripes were flying over the dismantled ramparts, and the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Pennsylvania regiment of Volunteers were then garrisoning the place. This news reached Hilton Head on Monday morning by the United States steamer Golden Gate. But as we have despatches from Charleston to the Richmond papers of the 5th and 6th inst. which entirely upset the probability of such a story, it is undoubtedly a fiction. For example, a despatch from Charleston on the 4th, two days after the Salvor left Hilton Head, says that the bombardment of Fort Sumter was going on furiously at that time, and that Jefferson Davis had visited James Island, Forts Pemberton and Johnson and all the shore batteries. Another despatch, dated the day following, also says that there was slow firing on that day from the enemy Monitors and their land batteries; that five hundred and eighty-seven shots had been fired in the last twenty-four hours; that another iron-clad had joined the fleet, and that the Monitors remained quiet, while, at the same time, the Monitors were than taking in ammunition…

            From the same source as the above, a rumor found circulation yesterday that the rebels were evacuating Richmond. The same credit, however, may be attached to it.

            The Army of the Potomac is evidently on the qui vive for an important movement. General Meade has already changed his headquarters. It was reported yesterday that the enemy were crossing the Rapidan in haste, it was supposed with a view to reoccupy Fredericksburg, under the impression that General Meade was contemplating a move in that direction.

            We have late and important news from Tennessee by way of rebel telegrams to Richmond, which appear in the papers of the 6th instant. They came from Atlanta to Richmond, under date of the 4th instant, and state that the Union troops which occupy Raccoon Valley have been reinforced, and shell the rebels incessantly; that our pontoons have been carried away by the flood in the Tennessee river; that our advance has reached Florence and that our forces are committing terrible depredations near Huntsville. The telegrams admit that we have gained important advantages within the preceding forty-eight hours, and that unless the movements of our troops are counteracted, the question of subsisting the Union army at Chattanooga will be placed beyond doubt.

            Later advices from Arkansas state that General Steel now occupies Arkadelphia, the recent headquarters of the rebel General Price, and over seven hundred Arkansians from Yell county have offered themselves as volunteers to General Steele.

            The arrival of the steamer Evening Star, from New Orleans on the 31st ult., puts us in possession of much important news from that district, which will be found embodied in the letters of our correspondents. An active campaign is now in progress in the Department of the Gulf. The naval expedition under General Banks was at Southwest Pass on the 26th ult., with the Commanding General on board the flagship McClellan. The fleet consists of sixteen steamships and a large number of schooners and brigs as tenders. Three ships of war — the Monogahela, Owasco and Virginia — accompany the squadron. General Dana issued a stirring address to the troops of his command on their embarkation, in which he says: —

            “The people where we go shall feel that we are their friends, and be encouraged to […..] in under our battle tattered colors and fight the fight of freedom; and the troops of any nation we may meet shall burst into a shout of admiration when they shall see the citizen soldiers of armed America in […..] “to and occupy”their own, and to tread out the dregs of the rebellion.”

            On the 27th the order for sailing was given, and the whole fleet sailed out in two lines, each steamer half a mile apart, presenting a splendid spectacle.

            Our correspondence from Key West today is very interesting, recounting the capture of the blockade runner Martha Jane, with a large cargo of cotton, and the British steamer Mail, which was supposed to have been burned by the rebels. An expedition to Tampa Bay resulted in the destruction of the rebel vessels.

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War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

7th. Halted near the gap till daylight. Moved on to Russelville where we got forage and halted for dinner. Unsaddled and remained over night. Great reports about the Rogersville affair. 7th Ohio passed by, rather thin. Several 2nd Tenn. prisoners came in, having escaped from the rebels.

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Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

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

Saturday, 7th–I was on fatigue duty again today. Two brigades of General Logan’s Division went out to the Black river post to relieve General Tuttle’s Division, which came in and is to take boat for points up the Mississippi river.

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A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones
A likeness of Jones when he was editor and majority owner of the Daily Madisonian during President John Tyler’s administration.

NOVEMBER 7th.—No news from any quarter, except the continued bombardment of the debris of Fort Sumter, and the killing and wounding of some 10 or 12 men there—but that is not news.

There is a pause,—a sort of holding of the breath of the people, as if some event of note was expected. The prices of food and fuel are far above the purses of all except speculators, and an explosion must happen soon, of some sort. People will not perish for food in the midst of plenty.

The press, a portion rather, praises the President for his carefulness in making a tour of the armies and ports south of us; but as he retained Gen. Bragg in command, how soon the tune would change if Bragg should meet with disaster!

Night before last some of the prisoners on Belle Isle (we have some 13,000 altogether in and near the city) were overheard by the guard to say they must escape immediately, or else it would be too late, as cannon were to be planted around them. Our authorities took the alarm, and increasing the guard, did plant cannon so as to rake them in every direction in the event of their breaking out of their prison bounds. It is suspected that this was a preconcerted affair, as a full division of the enemy has been sent to Newport News, probably to co-operate with the prisoners. Any attempt now must fail, unless, indeed, there should be a large number of Union sympathizers in the city to assist them.

Several weeks ago it was predicted in the Northern papers that Richmond would be taken in some mysterious manner, and that there was a plan for the prisoners of war to seize it by a coup de main, may be probable. But the scheme was impracticable. What may be the condition of the city, and the action of the people a few weeks hence, if relief be not afforded by the government, I am afraid to conjecture. The croakers say five millions of “greenbacks,” and cargoes of provisions, might be more effectual in expelling the Confederate Government and restoring that of the United States than all of Meade’s army. And this, too, they allege, when there is abundance in the country. Many seem to place no value on the only money we have in circulation. The grasping farmers refuse to get out their grain, saying they have as much Confederate money as they want, and the government seems determined to permit the perishable tithes to perish rather than allow the famishing people to consume them. Surely, say the croakers, such a policy cannot achieve independence. No, it must be speedily changed, or else worse calamities await us than any we have experienced.

Old Gen. Duff Green, after making many fortunes and losing them, it seems, is to die poor at last, and he is now nearly eighty years old. Last year he made a large contract to furnish the government with iron, his works being in Tennessee, whence he has been driven by the enemy. And now he says the depreciation of the money will make the cost of producing the iron twice as much as he will get for it. And worse, he has bought a large lot of sugar which would have realized a large profit, but the commissary agent has impressed it, and will not pay him cost for it. All he can do is to get a small portion of it back for the consumption of his employees, provided he returns to Tennessee and fulfills his iron contract.

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A fierce cannonade begins at Kelly’s Ford…

Experience of a Confederate Chaplain—Rev. A. D. Betts, 30th N. C. Regiment

Saturday, Nov. 7—Hear Dr. Rosser preach to 4th and 14th Regiments. Get bottle of sacramental wine. While reading a letter from wife, a fierce cannonade begins at Kelly’s Ford, where the 2nd and 3rd suffer sadly. Lieut. Col. Sillers is mortally wounded. Some are wounded and many captured. Army falls back. I tear down my little house to get my cot out. Had occupied the sweet little home one week. Felt some regret, as I may feel, when called to leave the “earthly house” I now occupy in flesh. Sleep a little on the road, and get to Brandy Station at 2 a. m.

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News of the Day

November 7, 1863, The New York Herald

            There is nothing later from the Army of the Potomac. Perfect quietude appears to reign, with the exception of the guerilla raids which disturb the outposts and the occasional reconnoissances which occupy the attention of our cavalry.

            From Charleston we have nothing later than the news up to Sunday night, which we gave to our readers yesterday.

            The news from East Tennessee is still exciting, and shows that the rebels are making desultory attempts to maintain their position at some points. A despatch from Knoxville yesterday reports that General Sanders, with his cavalry corps, overtook a rebel regiment at Mettey’s Ford, on the Little Tennessee river, on Thursday; but a vigorous charge made by Colonel Adams drove them across the river. Between forty and fifty of them were drowned or killed, and forty were captured. All their arms were lost. The prisoners reported that there are fourteen rebel brigades beyond the Tennessee, under Generals Cheatham, Forrest, Vaughan and Stevenson.

            The expedition of General Burnside’s army to the eastern corner of the State of Tennessee appears to be completed, and the people are reported as exhibiting the most satisfactory signs of loyalty. General Burnside, with his accustomed activity, is again on the march — in what direction will soon appear. We have further accounts, of a highly interesting character, of the late fight at Blue Springs, Tenn., furnished by our army correspondent, which will be found in another column.

            There is nothing of importance reported from General Grant’s army yesterday; but our correspondent in Lookout valley furnishes us with further particulars of the sharp engagement near Wauhatchie, between General Geary’s command and a brigade of the enemy, when the latter undertook to surprise our forces at midnight. The battle was fought with desperate energy on both sides, but the rebels were defeated, and retired, leaving their killed and wounded on the field. Among the rebel prisoners are officers and men belonging to several South Carolina regiments. Our loss is about two hundred in killed and wounded. Among the former we regret to find the name of Captain Geary, son of the Commanding General, and a gallant young artillery officer. A complete list of the casualties in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh New York regiment will also be found in our correspondence.

            We give an interesting account of the defences of Wilmington, N.C., on Cape Fear river, with a map showing the different points at which the rebels have erected fortifications.

 

 

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War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

6th. After breakfast sent out forage and provision detail. About 8 heavy firing in the direction of Rogersville. Ordered to be ready to march as soon as detail sent for comes in. Got in. Just got supper ready and had to move out. Rested an hour in field–disgusting. A very tedious night ride, heavy frost, boys without coats and half naked. A great number of stragglers–getting warm. Clear. Thousand fires.

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Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

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

Friday, 6th–I was on fatigue again, but on account of rain last night the detail did not go to work until 1 o’clock this afternoon. Some of the heaviest siege guns obtainable are being mounted on raised platforms in the forts.

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Village Life in America

Village Life in America, 1852 – 1872, by Caroline Cowles Richards

November 6.–We were saddened to-day by news of the death of Augustus Torrey Wilder in the hospital at Fort Ethan Allen.

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November 1 to 6, 1863

Experience of a Confederate Chaplain—Rev. A. D. Betts, 30th N. C. Regiment

Nov. 1, 1863—Fine day. Rev. Anderson, Chaplain 4th Regiment, preaches his first sermon at my chapel. Why don’t I hear from wife? Thirteen days ago she was not well. May be in heaven! God’s will be done! Get letter. All well. Prayer meeting at night.

Nov. 2—Pastoral work in Regiment. Prayer in Co. “G” at night.

Nov. 3—Organize Bible class in Co. “G.” Dine with Bro. Brannin. Prayer in Co. “B” at night.

Nov. 4—Pastoral work. Call on Chaplain Murphy of 32nd Regiment. Pray with Co. “G” at night.

Nov. 6—Day with Regiment. Dine with Rev. Dr. Rosser at Bro. Brannin’s.

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A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones
A likeness of Jones when he was editor and majority owner of the Daily Madisonian during President John Tyler’s administration.

NOVEMBER 6th.—The President was to have returned to-day, but did not.

Various conjectures are made as to the object of his month’s tour of speech-making. Some deem the cause very desperate, others that the President’s condition is desperate. If the first, they say his purpose was to reanimate the people by his presence, and to cultivate a renewal of lost friendships, and hence he lingered longest at Charleston, in social intercourse with Gens. Beauregard and Wise, who had become estranged. The latter is the oldest brigadier-general in the service, and still they have failed to promote him. The President’s power is felt in the army, and his patronage being almost unlimited, it was natural, they say, that he should be received with cheers. From a lieutenant up to a general, all are dependent on his favor for promotion. At all events, his austerity and inflexibility have been relaxed, and he has made popular speeches wherever he has gone. I hope good fruits will ensue. But he returns to find the people here almost in a state of starvation in the midst of plenty, brought on by the knavery or incompetency of government agents.

What is remarkable is the estimate of $50,000,000 by the Commissary-General for the purchase of sugar, exclusively for the sick and wounded in hospitals, the soldiers in the field being refused any more. One-fourth of the whole estimates ($210,000,000) for sugar, and not an ounce to go to the army! And this, too, when it is understood nearly all the sugar in the Confederacy has been impressed by his agents at from 50 cts. to $1 per pound. It is worth $2.50 now, and it is apprehended that a large proportion of the fifty millions asked for will go into the pockets of commissaries. No account whatever is taken of the tithe in the Commissary-General’s estimates.

Flour sold at $125 per barrel to-day. There must be an explosion of some sort soon. Certainly Confederate notes have fallen very low indeed.

Another solution of the President’s tour, by the uncharitable or suspicious, is a preparatory or a preliminary move to assuming all power in his own hands. They say the people are reduced by distress to such an extremity that, if he will only order rations to be served them, they will not quarrel with him if he assumes dictatorial powers. Legislation has failed to furnish remedies for the evils afflicting the community; and, really, if the evils themselves were not imputed to the government, and the President were ambitious—and is he not?—he might now, perhaps, play a successful Cromwellian rôle. But can he control the State governments? The government of this State seems like potter’s clay in his hands, the Legislature being as subservient as the Congresses have hitherto been. It is observed—independence first—then let Cromwells or Washingtons come.

My wife, to-day, presented me with an excellent under-shirt, made of one of her dilapidated petticoats. A new shirt would cost $30. Common brown cotton (and in a cotton country!) sells for $3 per yard. I saw common cotton shirts sell at auction to-day for $40 per pair. Beef is $1.50 per pound, and pork $2. But these prices are paid in Confederate Treasury notes, and they mark the rapid depreciation of paper money.

The enemy, however, in spreading over the Southern territory, are not completing the work of subjugation. It would require a million of bayonets to keep this people in subjection, and the indications are that the United States will have difficulty in keeping their great armies up. It is a question of endurance.

 

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News of the Day

November 6, 1863, The New York Herald

            There is but little news yet of moment from Gen. Meade’s army. The guerillas seem to gain boldness every day. On the night before last they captured a Major of our army within two miles of our headquarters on the road to Auburn, and the same band seized a quartermaster and four men almost within sight of headquarters. A part of them made a raid upon Edsall Station, five miles from Alexandria, on the same day, and carried off several horses and mules. Several parties of rebel cavalry dashed through the lines of our left, and committed depredations in Prince William county.

            The division of General Kilpatrick’s cavalry went out on a reconnoissance on Wednesday towards Falmouth, and when near Hartwood Church they fell in with two regiments of South Carolina and Georgia cavalry, who ensconced themselves behind a hill. They were flanked and dislodged, and after half an hour’s skirmishing were driven across the Rappahannock, with a loss of three killed and several thousand wounded. The reconnoissance resulted in discovering no large force of the enemy in that region.

            The rebels made another attack on the Colliersville, Memphis and Charleston Railroad on the 3d instant, and were repulsed. The rebel General Geary and thirteen of his staff were captured.

            The news from East Tennessee is important. A despatch from Knoxville, dated the 4th instant, says that East Tennessee is once more clear of rebels, with the exception of guerillas, who hover around our wagon trains and infest our mail routes above. The fight at Roan Spring resulted in the rout of the rebels. We lost seventeen killed and fifty-two wounded. Colonel Garrard pursued the rebels beyond Kingsport.

            A despatch from Nashville, dated on the 4th, (confirmed by an official from General Thomas to General Halleck), reports that on the day previous, Major Fitzgibbon, of the Fourteenth Michigan cavalry, with one hundred and twenty men, met at Lawrenceburg, thirty-five miles beyond Columbus, the combined forces of the rebels Cook, Kirk, Williams and Scott, numbering four hundred cavalry, and after four very desperate charges, resulting in a loss to the rebels of eight killed, seven wounded and twenty-four prisoners, drove them before him without any loss on his side, except three wounded. General Bragg’s forage train, sent up the Lookout valley, in front of his position, was captured. The train was sent to camp.

            The full details of the battle of Lookout Mountain — the midnight expedition of General Hooker and its happy results — are given by our correspondents today, together with a map of the scene of action.

            Advices from Arkansas by way of Memphis and Cairo, state that General Marmaduke attacked Pine Bluffs on the 28th ult. with three thousand men, and was repulsed by the garrison, which numbered only seven hundred men, under Colonel Clayton. He lost twelve killed and fifteen wounded. General Price’s forces are said to have retreated beyond Red river, leaving only his cavalry at Arkadelphia.

            The rebel division of General Loring, consisting of eight thousand infantry, is now lying around Canton, Miss., while three thousand men are said to be guarding Mobile and the railroads running to the South.

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War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

5th. Up at 4 A. M. Co. “C” ordered to go with Capt. Easton on scout. Got on wrong road, being dark. Trotted two or three miles, returned and fell in with the regt. Moved to near Rheatown and waited for 5th Ind. to come down from Leesburg. Rainy and unpleasant. 14th Ill. to front. Returned near old camp. During night rained heavily. Boys got very wet. Slept well and dry.

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Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

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

Thursday, 5th–It rained all day and on account of it the fatigue party did not work on the fortifications. Our camp number 3 is located on the town commons, and because of no timber near by the northwest wind has a full sweep over the camp. No news of importance.

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A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones
A likeness of Jones when he was editor and majority owner of the Daily Madisonian during President John Tyler’s administration.

NOVEMBER 5th.—The President has not yet returned, but was inspecting the defenses of Charleston. The Legislature has adjourned without fixing a maximum of prices. Every night troops from Lee’s army are passing through the city. Probably they have been ordered to Bragg.

Yesterday flour sold at auction at $100 per barrel; to-day it sells for $120! There are 40,000 bushels of sweet potatoes, taken by the government as tithes, rotting at the depots between Richmond and Wilmington. If the government would wake up, and have them brought hither and sold, the people would be relieved, and flour and meal would decline in price. But a lethargy has seized upon the government, and no one may foretell the consequences of official supineness.

The enemy at Chattanooga have got an advantageous position on Bragg’s left, and there is much apprehension that our army will lose the ground gained by the late victory.

The Commissary-General (Northrop) has sent in his estimate for the ensuing year, $210,000,000, of which $50,000,000 is for sugar, exclusively for the hospitals. It no longer forms part of the rations. He estimates for 400,000 men, and takes no account of the tithes, or tax in kind, nor is it apparent that he estimates for the army beyond the Mississippi.

A communication was received to-day from Gen. Meredith, the Federal Commissioner of Exchange, inclosing a letter from Gov. Todd and Gen. Mason, as well as copies of letters from some of Morgan’s officers, stating that the heads of Morgan and his men are not shaved, and that they are well fed and comfortable.

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News of the Day

November 5, 1863, The New York Herald

            The Richmond papers furnish us with two days still later news from Charleston. The firing on Sumter was continued on Saturday and Sunday, and on the latter evening was still going on, both from Forts Gregg and Wagner and the Monitors. The bombardment is described by the Richmond Examiner as furious and incessant. The flagstaff on Sumter was shot away several times and replaced, but the old flag was so cut to pieces that the battle flag of the Twelfth Georgia regiment was raised instead. On Saturday morning, at four o’clock, a portion of the sea wall fell in, burying in the ruins thirteen of the garrison. Over one thousand two hundred shots, many of them from rifled guns, were fired at the fort on Saturday.

            The news from the Army of the Potomac describes the men in fine spirits, the sick removed to Washington, the sutlers all fallen back, and the army unencumbered and ready for any movement. The guerillas continue very bold in many quarters. The weather is glorious.

            General Butler left Lowell yesterday to take command of the Eighteenth army corps and the departments of Virginia and North Carolina, to which he has just been appointed, as we before stated.

            Despatches from Cincinnati yesterday state that there has probably been a severe fight in the vicinity of Tuscumbia, Ala., between the forces of General Sherman and the enemy, who were there in great force. It is certain, however, that our troops are in possession of the place, General Osterhaus having captured it on the 27th ult.

            The rebel guerillas captured two trains near Mayfield, Ky., on Monday, and were tearing up the railroad in that neighborhood.

            In Tennessee, however, the guerillas are not quite so successful. A portion of Gen. Granger’s cavalry from Nashville pursued and defeated the rebel Hawkins, near Pinney Factory, and drove him to Centreville, where they again beat and completely dispersed them.

            The Southern news to day is very full and interesting. Symptoms of starvation are becoming stronger in Richmond. Meat has nearly disappeared from the markets, and the papers complain that beef is impressed for the support of the “Yankee prisoners,”and insist that those who are hoarding provisions should be compelled to bring them into market. The currency question is the subject of earnest discussion, and the remedy for the present miserable condition thereof is variously argued by the different journals. President Davis refuses to remove General Bragg.

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A Diary From Dixie

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.

November 5th.–For a week we have had such a tranquil, happy time here. Both my husband and Johnny are here still. James Chesnut spent his time sauntering around with his father, or stretched on the rug before my fire reading Vanity Fair and Pendennis. By good luck he had not read them before. We have kept Esmond for the last. He owns that he is having a good time. Johnny is happy, too. He does not care for books. He will read a novel now and then, if the girls continue to talk of it before him. Nothing else whatever in the way of literature does he touch. He comes pulling his long blond mustache irresolutely as if he hoped to be advised not to read it–”Aunt Mary, shall I like this thing?” I do not think he has an idea what we are fighting about, and he does not want to know. He says, “My company,” “My men,” with a pride, a faith, and an affection which are sublime. He came into his inheritance at twenty-one (just as the war began), and it was a goodly one, fine old houses and an estate to match.

Yesterday, Johnny went to his plantation for the first time since the war began. John Witherspoon went with him, and reports in this way: ”How do you do, Marster! How you come on?”–thus from every side rang the noisiest welcome from the darkies. Johnny was silently shaking black hands right and left as he rode into the crowd.

As the noise subsided, to the overseer he said: “Send down more corn and fodder for my horses.” And to the driver, “Have you any peas?” “Plenty, sir.” “Send a wagon-load down for the cows at Bloomsbury while I stay there. They have not milk and butter enough there for me. Any eggs? Send down all you can collect. How about my turkeys and ducks? Send them down two at a time. How about the mutton? Fat? That’s good; send down two a week.”

As they rode home, John Witherspoon remarked, “I was surprised that you did not go into the fields to see your crops.” “What was the use?” “And the negroes; you had so little talk with them.”

”No use to talk to them before the overseer. They are coming down to Bloomsbury, day and night, by platoons and they talk me dead. Besides, William and Parish go up there every night, and God knows they tell me enough plantation scandal–overseer feathering his nest; negroes ditto at my expense. Between the two fires I mean to get something to eat while I am here.”

For him we got up a charming picnic at Mulberry. Everything was propitious–the most perfect of days and the old place in great beauty. Those large rooms were delightful for dancing; we had as good a dinner as mortal appetite could crave; the best fish, fowl, and game; wine from a cellar that can not be excelled. In spite of blockade Mulberry does the honors nobly yet. Mrs. Edward Stockton drove down with me. She helped me with her taste and tact in arranging things. We had no trouble, however. All of the old servants who have not been moved to Bloomsbury scented the prey from afar, and they literally flocked in and made themselves useful.

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