The Charleston Mercury
July 31, 1862,

The following recipe for flesh wounds has proved very efficacious, and is recommended to the Medical Faculty as an experiment. It has been practically tested by an officer in the French army, who was wounded in the arm, and in the space of eight days his wound was healed. It is worth a trial:

Take a linen rag, in which cut small holes throughout, dip it in camphor oil, and apply it to the wounded parts. Take finely powdered camphor and sprinkle over the linen – a piece of lint in camphor salve should then be applied over the wound. Bandage the part wounded, and apply twice or three times a day.

Daily Times
Leavenworth, Kansas
July 31, 1861

The Osawattomie Herald gives an interesting reminiscence relating to a field piece, now in possession of Capt. Snyder, of the Third Regiment. During the troubles of ’56, this cannon was at one time, in charge of a guard of six Missourians, at a place near the State line. It was taken from them, at night, by Mr. Stiles, of Shawnee, assisted by three Kansas ladies, viz: Mrs. E. W. Stiles, Miss Virginia King, aged fifteen, and Miss Sophia Knapp, aged thirteen. The old gun which was once used to crush out freedom in Kansas, will now do good service in annihilating the traitors of Missouri.

Bellville Countryman
Bellville, Texas
July 31, 1861

The citizens of Port Lavaca, says the Victoria Advocate, have established a foundry for casting cannon, and also procured machinery for the manufacture of small arms. An old nine pounder, long located in Victoria, has been sent down there to be rifled.

The Reagan Guards and Texas Guards, from Anderson county, Texas, arrived in New Orleans on the 8^th.

Ten years ago, I created a short video using photographs from the civil war and mixed it with a couple of medleys of civil war music recorded about 100 years ago.

All of the photographs are from the U.S. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog.

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Description of photographs:

• Keedysville, Md., vicinity. Confederate wounded at Smith’s Barn, with Dr. Anson Hurd, 14th Indiana Volunteers, in attendance, September 1862.
• Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform and forage cap.
• Chickahominy River, Va. Grapevine bridge built May 27-28, 1862, by the 5th New Hampshire Infantry under Col. Edward E. Cross.
• Unidentified young soldier in Union uniform with musket, bayonet, and knapsack.
• Aquia Creek Landing, Va. Embarkation of 9th Army Corps for Fort Monroe, February 1863.
• Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform and slouch hat, missing jacket buttons.
• Cedar Mountain, Va. A Confederate field hospital, 1862.
• Unidentified young soldier in New York Zouave uniform.
• Cumberland Landing, Va. Federal encampment April – May 1862.
• Unidentified young soldier in Confederate shell jacket, Hardee hat with Mounted Rifles insignia and plume with canteen and cup.
• Military Bridge across the Chicahominy, June 1862.
• Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform in front of painted backdrop showing military camp.
• Rebel gun in front of Fort Hell, April 1865, a Confederate cannon inside of Fort Sedgwick in Petersburg, Virginia.
• Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform.
• Yorktown, Va. Embarkation for White House Landing, Va.
• Unidentified young sailor in Union uniform.
• Antietam Bridge, September, 1862.
• Unidentified soldier in Confederate shell jacket and slouch hat with object hanging from neck in front of painted backdrop showing waterfall.
• Confederate prisoners at Fairfax Courthouse, June 1863.
• Unidentified girl in mourning dress holding framed photograph of her father as a cavalryman with sword and Hardee hat.
• Hand colored; Tending wounded Union soldiers at Savage’s Station, Virginia, during the Peninsular Campaign, 1862.
• Two unidentified women reading letters.
• James River, Va. Sailors on deck of U.S.S. Monitor; cookstove at left, July 9, 1862.
• Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform and civilian, likely his father or older brother.
• Harper’s Ferry, meeting of the Potomac and the Shenandoah, July 1865.
• Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform.
• Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., August 23, 1863.
• Unidentified African American Union soldier with a rifle and revolver in front of painted backdrop showing weapons and American flag at Benton Barracks, Saint Louis, Missouri.
• Manassas, Virginia. Camp of General Irvin McDowell’s body guard, hand colored photographic print.
• Unidentified soldier in uniform with young woman, probably his wife.
• Secret Service agents, Whitehouse, Va.
• Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform of the 11th Virginia regiment with knapsack and bedroll.
• Dinner time in camp.
• Unidentified woman wearing mourning brooch and displaying framed image of unidentified soldier.
• Confederate artillery near Charleston, S.C.
• Unidentified soldier in Union uniform with Company E, 12th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers hat.
• Confederate prisoners at Belle Plain Landing, Va., captured with Johnson’s Division, May 12, 1864.
• 1863, Interior view of Fort Sumter showing ruins and explosion.

1861, July 31.—On the 19th of June, 1861, the 5th Regiment of Wisconsin Vols., being partially organized, went into camp at Madison, Wis. Here it remained for a time, perfecting its organization, drilling and preparing itself for the hardships, the dangers, and the responsibilities to be encountered in the battle-field, against a people warlike and chivalric; a people who are taught to regard physical courage, and recklessness of physical danger, as the noblest qualities of the human race, and a people whose chief pride was to win in fight, whether with individuals or in masses; but a people, who, having entrusted their politics to professed politicians, were misled to believe that, by their brothers of the Northern States of this Union, their rights of property were invaded, and their homes were coveted as a prize for distribution amongst the overgrown population of the North. But to enter into a discussion of the merits of this rebellion, now devastating the most beautiful country known to man, carrying in its march a passover of beggary, of destitution, and of death, is not in accordance with the object of this little book. It is therefore passed over, that the reader may at once be permitted to enter into a detail of the subjects indicated in our preface.

From the time of the commencement of the rebellion, by actual war on Fort Sumter, in April of this year, its settlement by rapid and decisive victories over the rebels was subject of merriment, and looked on as matter of course. We were going to war with a people of not half our numbers, without money, without munitions of war, without navy, without anything in fine of those elements which go to make up the ensemble of a people powerful in war, and we were entering into the strife as a short interlude to the hum-drum vocations of life. “How could a people thus situated hope to compete with the parent Government, rich in every element which makes a great people?” This was the reasoning. In vain were our people told of the character of the Southerners. In vain were they referred to the results of our own rebellion and successful revolutionary war with England. “Oh!” was the reply, “Steamships were not known in those days, and England had to cross the ocean to fight us.” “But Hungary, with its population of only 3,000,000, and without revenue, withstood the whole power of Austria, till the hordes of Russia had to be called in to aid in their subjugation.” “But Austria had become a superannuated and feeble people.” No reasoning would answer. The subjugation of the revolted States was to be a pastime, and could be nothing but a pastime. Thus went on matters, drilling as an amusement, preparatory to the enjoyment of a war, all the results of which, were to be on our side, and obtained without sacrifice or suffering. [continue reading…]

July 31.–A letter from Jefferson Davis to John R. Chambless was published. It was an answer to the inquiry of the latter “whether, prior to the 24th day of April, any of the Confederate States had transferred to the Confederate government the public property captured by them from the late United States, and upon what terms; also whether any such transfers have been made since the said date, and upon what terms.”–(Doc. 137.)

–The Twentieth and Twenty-first Regiments of Indiana Volunteers, under the commands of Colonels Brown and McMillen, left Indianapolis for the seat of war. Two companies in each are armed with the Enfield and Minié muskets, and the skirmishers of both regiments have the most approved arms known to the service. The other portions of the regiments are armed with the smooth-bore muskets, which will be exchanged for the rifled guns as soon as the Government can obtain them.–Louisville Journal, August 1.

–The schooner Tropic Wind arrived at New York from Fortress Monroe in charge of a prize crew, consisting of Thomas F. Spencer, prizemaster, Surgeon Linahan, and Alexander Lowe of the Union Coast Guard. The Tropic Wind was seized on the 29th of June, by the order of Major-General Butler, for violation of the blockade and communicating with the enemy, after having been warned by the Pawnee. She had been seized once before by the Monticello and taken to Washington, but was released by order of the Secretary of State, and it was under the voyage down the Potomac that the violated the blockade. The information which led to her seizure was communicated to Major-General Butler by two of her crew, who were free negroes, who were induced to do it from having overheard a conversation between the captain and mate of the schooner in relation to the sale of themselves. The schooner has on board the former mate Mr. James L. Wilson of Virginia, who was a sergeant in an artillery corps attached to the secession army.–N. Y. Tribune, August 1.

–To-day an ordinance passed the Cincinnati (Ohio) City Council, to appropriate the sum of $23,000 to loan the Hamilton County commissioners for the purpose of relieving the wives and families of the volunteers.–Louisville Journal, August 2.

–The Fifth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Amasa Cobb, passed through Baltimore, Md., on the route to Washington. They left Madison, Wisconsin, where they had been in camp four weeks, on Wednesday last, coming by way of Janesville, Chicago, Toledo, Cleveland, and Pittsburg. Their trip was a triumphal march. All along the journey they were met at every station by crowds of people, who not only cheered them by their presence, but also furnished them bountifully with refreshments of all kinds. Not a single accident happened on the whole route. The wives and daughters of several of the officers accompanied the regiment on its journey. It numbers 1,061 men, in addition to the drum corps and band. – Baltimore American, August 1.

– Colonel L. S. Miles, upon whose conduct daring the battle at Bull Run severe animadversions had been made, published a card. He declares that he has been made the victim of personal spite, that he directed the movements of his troops on the field, and that he never gave some of the orders attributed to him. He further says that he has called for a court of inquiry to investigate the whole transaction. – (Doc. 138.)

–General Pillow in command of rebel troops at New Madrid, Mo., issued a proclamation to the citizens of Missouri, announcing his intention to expel the Federal troops from the State and reinstate Claiborne F. Jackson, at Jefferson City. Gen. Pillow’s army is made up of a portion of the Union City, the Randolph, and the Memphis troops, and is from twelve to twenty thousand strong. They are well supplied with cannon, field-pieces, and siege guns. Jeff Thompson, now in command of Watkins’ old force, has moved the encampment from Bloomfield to within eight miles of Charleston. Part of Pillow’s command, numbering some 3,000, are upon the Cape Girardeau road, between Madrid and Charleston. The rebels have taken military possession of the road through West Prairie from New Madrid to Cape Girardeau, and are preparing for an attack upon Bird’s Point or Cape Girardeau. However, every thing is in a masterly state of preparation both at Camp Defiance and at Bird’s Point, for the fight.– (Doc. 139.)

–Yesterday M. Parks, the agent of the State of North Carolina in Portsmouth, Virginia, transferred to the Confederacy a fleet of five steamers already manned and armed. – Richmond Examiner, July 30, 31.

– Brigadier-general Pope issued a special order, assigning Brigadier-General Hurlburt to the command of the United States forces along the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. Colonel Grant to command at Mexico, on the North Missouri road ; Colonel Ross to occupy Mounton, and Colonel Palmer to post his regiment at Renick and Sturgeon, making his head-quarters at Renick. These several districts to be divided into sub-districts not exceeding seven miles in extent, and commanding officers are instructed to report to the district head-quarters at Mexico the names of persons suitable to be appointed superintendents and assistant superintendents, whose duty it shall be to protect the railroad property in their respective divisions. Men of property and respectability, without regard to political opinion, are to be selected for positions.

All illegal assemblages to be promptly broken up, and all persons taken in arms against the United States to be sent to Mexico, to be disposed of by the commanding general. No arrests to be made for opinion’s sake, unless the parties are engaged in open acts of hostility, or stimulating others to such acts by inflammatory words or publications. The restoration of peace and safety to the region distracted by civil commotion, and the punishment of the infamous assassins and incendiaries infesting the country, is announced to be the mission of the force in North Missouri.

The troops are cautioned against excesses of any kind, especially depredations on the possessions and property of any citizen of Missouri, and infractions of military discipline and good order will be visited with the greatest severity possible under the articles of war.– Washington Republican, August 2.–(Doc. 140.)

–John H. Reagan, Postmaster-General of the “Confederate” States, issued a decision, in reference to the transmission and delivery of newspapers and periodicals through the mails in the Southern States.–(Doc. 141.)

–The Memphis Appeal of this date ingeniously culls various expressions of several northern men to prove that the present war is solely a war of abolition, and that this object long hidden begins now gradually to appear. Among the persons it quotes are, Abraham Lincoln, W. H. Seward, H. J. Raymond, Lloyd Garrison, and Wendell Phillips.–(Doc. 142.)

–In the House of Representatives at Washington, Mr. Potter from the Select Committee on the loyalty of Government employees made a special report.–(Doc. 143.)

–To-day at Washington, two general orders were issued by General Scott. The first directs that all searches for arms, traitors, or spies, and arrests of offenders, in any military department, shall only be made by authority of the Commander of the department, except in cases of urgent necessity. The second order announces the desecration of Mount Vernon by the bands of armed rebels, and expresses the hope of the Commander-in-Chief that, should the operations of the war take the national troops in that direction, every possible respect will be paid to the sacred precincts.–(Doc. 144.)

–The Missouri State Convention to-day elected for the Provisional Government, Hamilton E. Gamble, for Governor; Willard P. Hale, Lieutenant-Governor; and Mordecai Oliver, Secretary of State. The opposition were excused from voting, protesting against the power of the Convention. In the afternoon the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor were sworn in and inaugurated. Each made a strong Union and patriotic speech, amid loud applause. After the presentation of an address to the people of the State by the Convention, it adjourned till the third Monday in December, unless sooner called together by the new Government, or demanded by the public safety.–(Doc. 145.)

–Joseph Holt addressed the soldiers at Camp Joe Holt, Ind., this day. A vast throng of civilians swelled the audience, including several parties of ladies and gentlemen from Louisville. Mr. Holt was introduced by Gen. Rousseau with soldier-like directness, and spoke for half an hour or upward in a strain of the most enkindling and enchanting eloquence. The effort was one of the most effective and felicitous of his life.–(Doc. 146.)

–Thos. C. Reynolds, ex-Lieut.-Gov. of Missouri, in a long proclamation, announces to the people of Missouri that “the sun which shone in its full mid-day splendor at Manassas is about to rise upon Missouri,” and calls upon them “to rally as one man to the defence of the State.”–(Doc. 148.)

July 31, 1861

• 11 Union officers are submitted to Congress to be promoted to brigadier general. Includes William B. Franklin, Ulysses S. Grant, Samuel Heintzelman, Joseph Hooker, William Tecumseh Sherman, Ulysses S. Grant

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Missouri State Convention elected Hamilton R. Gamble Governor, Willard P. Hall Lieutenant Governor, and Mordecai Oliver Secretary of State—all Union men.

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

CAMP ON WEST FORK OF MONONGAHELA

RIVER, WESTON, VIRGINIA, Tuesday, P. M.,

July 30, 1861.

DEAREST:–We are in the loveliest spot for a camp you ever saw–no, lovelier than that; nothing in Ohio can equal it. It needs a mountainous region for these beauties. We do not know how long we shall stay, but we suppose it will be three or four days. We have had two days of marching–not severe marching at all; but I saw enough to show me how easily raw troops are used up by an injudicious march. Luckily we are not likely to suffer in that way. We are probably aiming for Gauley Bridge on the Kanawha where Wise is said to be fortified. General Rosecrans is engaged in putting troops so as to hold the principal routes leading to the point.

The people here are divided. Many of the leading ladies are Secessionists. We meet many good Union men; the other men are prudently quiet. Our troops behave well.

We have had one of those distressing accidents which occur so frequently in volunteer regiments. You may remember that a son of H. J. Jewett, of Zanesville, President of [the] Central Ohio Railroad, was on the request of his father appointed a first-lieutenant in Captain Canby’s company. He joined us at Grafton in company with his father. He had served in Colonel ––’s regiment of three-months men in all the affairs in western Virginia and is very promising. A loaded gun was thrown down from a stack by a careless sentinel discharging a Minie ball through young Jewett’s foot. I was with him in a moment. It is a painful and severe wound, perhaps dangerous. There is a hope he may not be crippled. He bears it well. One of his exclamations was, “Oh, if it had only been a secession ball I wouldn’t have cared. Do you think you can save my leg,” etc., etc. The ball after passing through his foot passed through three of McIlrath’s tents, one full of men lying down. It cut the vest of one over his breast as he lay on his back and stirred the hair of another; finally passed clean through a knapsack and struck a man on the leg barely making a slight bruise and dropping down. Dr. Joe has the flattened bullet now to give to Jewett.

My horse came over the hills in good style.– Pshaw! I wish you were here; this is a camp. The field officers’ tents are on a high greensward hill, the other tents spreading below it in the sweetest way. As I write I can turn my head and from the entrance of the tent see the loveliest scene you can imagine. . . .

Affectionately,

R. B. HAYES.

MRS. HAYES.

JULY 30th.—Nothing of importance to-day.

July 30. Tuesday.–Warm, bright morning. Damp in the tent with the fogs of the night. Hang out my duds to dry. Have met here divers Cincinnati acquaintances and Lieutenant Conger and Dr. Rice, of Fremont. Just now a fine young first lieutenant (Jewett of Zanesville) was accidentally shot by a gun falling on the ground out of a stack. A great hole was torn through his foot. The ball passed through three tents, barely missing several men, passed through a knapsack and bruised the leg of one of Captain McIlrath’s men.

Washington, D. C.

London, July 30, 1861.

My Dear Sir,–I arrived here the day before yesterday, and through the kindness of a mutual friend had an interview of an hour’s duration, last evening, with Lord Palmerstbn, in one of the private galleries of the House of Commons. The length to which his lordship allowed our interview to be prolonged, and the many interrogatories which he put to me, are a striking evidence of the deep interest with which the government watches the progress of events in our country.

Lord Palmerston, after asking me a number of questions about our army and navy, the feeling at the North, etc., wanted also to know whether the feeling of anger and irritation manifested by our people against England for her position of neutrality was still as violent as ever when I left.

I told him that there was no feeling of hostility in the United States against England, but that throughout all classes of people at the North we felt deeply mortified and disappointed when the proclamation of the Queen revealed to us the fact that the people of the United States had not to expect any sympathy on the part of the British government in their struggle for national existence against a rebellious slave oligarchy; I dwelt upon the criminality, unjustifiability, and lawlessness of that rebellion, and compared the tone of the English government and press with the expression of heartfelt sympathy which came across the Atlantic, from the whole American people, at the time of the rebellion in India.

His Lordship listened with earnest attention to my remarks, and said that the British government, by its strict neutrality, did not do any more than what we had done when we would not permit them to enlist a few men in the States during the Crimean war. In the course of the conversation he used this phrase, ” We do not like slavery, but we want cotton, and we dislike very much your Morrill tariff.”

I think this phrase comprises the whole policy of this government in the present war, and from what I have seen and heard since mv arrival, I am more than ever convinced that we have nothing to hope from the sympathy of the English government and people in our struggle. Because this war is not carried on for the abolition of slavery in the Southern States, they try to maintain that the war has nothing to do with slavery: wilfully shutting their eyes to the fact that the attitude of the North with regard to introducing slavery into the Territories is the main ground upon which the Secessionists justify their action. As a distinguished lady, wife of a prominent liberal in Parliament, told me last evening: “I am sorry to say, we have been found wanting in the present emergency, and principles have to vield to interest.”

The news of the patriotic action of Congress, by voting large supplies of men and money, and the successes of General McClellan, have evidently startled people a good deal. Lord Palmerston was very minute in his inquiries on all these points. He also asked what it meant that Congress had passed a law closing the Southern ports, and whether this act of Congress was to stand in lieu of the blockade, which was thus to be given up.

I gave him my individual views on this question, stating that I thought this action was only taken in order to give additional force and Constitutionality to the blockade, and to meet objections which might be raised against the government blockading its own ports, and as such the United States considered every port in the seceded States.

He then asked me what was the meaning of the law just passed by Congress, authorizing the appointment of collectors in the Southern ports for receiving custom-duties on board of vessels of war, to be stationed at the entrance of the respective ports–that he could not understand how, on one hand, a port could be blockaded, and on the other hand, ships be allowed to enter upon paying customs, maintaining that this was virtually doing away with the blockade.

I replied that I thought the passage of this act was only intended to be authoritative, but not mandatory, upon the executive, and that Congress wanted to give to the President every possible Constitutional power, in order to be prepared for every emergency. That so far from intending to relinquish the blockade of the seceded ports, no efforts would be spared in order to make it respected and effective.

I mention all these remarks and objections in order to show you how every excuse will be seized by this government in order to break through our blockade, and I know that under the influence of Mr. Mercier’s dispatches to his government, we have nothing better to hope from France. I understand that both governments have written to their ministers at Washington, more than a week ago, that they will not allow French and English vessels to be overhauled on the high seas by our blockading squadron, on account of being suspected of having run the blockade, or carried contraband of war.

Lord Palmerston asked me what our manufacturers and spinners in New England would do for their supply of cotton, and how they were situated at present. I told him that by working short time I thought they would have cotton enough to last them until next spring, and that they were all for a strong, vigorous prosecution of the war, convinced that this was the only way in order to get the required supply by next spring.

He asked me, also, where our government intended to raise the large amounts voted by Congress for the prosecution of the war. I told him that I had no knowledge of the intentions of the Secretary of the Treasury, but I supposed he would negotiate his loans wherever he could make the most advantageous terms, that undoubtedly a large portion, if not the whole, would be taken by our people at home, the stagnation of trade having thrown a good deal of idle capital upon the market. I purposely conveyed the idea that we did not look for the probability of negotiating any large loan in England at present, because, since my arrival, the English papers have talked a good deal about my having come over for the purpose of raising money here.

I shall also shorten my visit here for the present, and intend to leave this evening for Paris and Germany. If I have a chance in Paris to see any of the Emperor’s cabinet, I shall do so, and shall not fail to write to you should any thing of interest come to my knowledge. I hope that by the time this reaches you our troops have been victorious in Virginia–one or two battles now will very soon change the tone and feeling of our English cousins.

WESTON, VIRGINIA,
Tuesday Morning, July 30, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE:–If you look on the map you can find this town about twenty-five miles south of Clarksburg, which is about one hundred miles east of Parkersburg on the Northwest Virginia Railroad. So much for the general location; and if you were here, you would see on a pretty sidehill facing towards and overlooking a fine large village, surrounded by lovely hills, almost mountains, covered with forest or rich greensward, a picturesque encampment, and on the summit of the hill overlooking all, the line of field officers’ tents. Sitting in one of them, as [Henry] Ward Beecher sat in the barn at Lenox, I am writing you this letter.

I have seen Conger, acting assistant quartermaster of [the] Tenth Regiment. He wishes a place. I ventured to suggest that he could perhaps raise a company in your region by getting an appointment from the governor. All here praise him both as a business man and as a soldier. He must, I think, get some place. His reputation is so good with those he is associated with.

Dr. Rice also called to see me; he looks well and is no doubt an efficient man. Dr. Joe has had a consultation with him and thinks him a good officer.

We enjoy this life very much. So healthy and so pretty a country is rarely seen. After a month’s campaign here the Tenth has lost no man by sickness and has but seven sick. General Rosecrans takes immediate command of us and will have us with him in his operations against Wise. We shall have mountain marches enough no doubt. So far I stand it as well as the best. . . .

This is the land of blackberries. We are a great grown-up armed blackberry party and we gather untold quantities.

Here there are nearly as many Secessionists as Union men; the women avow it openly because they are safe in doing so, but the men are merely sour and suspicious and silent…

Men are at work ditching around my tent preparatory to a thunder-shower which is hanging over the mountain west of us. One of them I hear saying to his comrade: “This is the first time I ever used a spade and I don’t like it too well.”

But you have had enough of this incoherent talk. Colonel Scammon and Matthews have both been absent and left me in command, so that I have been exposed to numberless interruptions.

Good-bye. Direct to me by my title “Twenty-third Regiment, Ohio troops, Clarksburg, Virginia,” and it will be sent me.

R. B. HAYES.

Send this to Lucy.

S. BIRCHARD.

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1861.

Another day has passed away and no particular thing has occured of note. Little Holly had his face pretty badly burned this morning. Chas dressed it and it seems to be doing well. Wrote to C R. Taft & Col Paine. Came home before 3 o’clock. My right great toe is very lame and sore from some cause, have not hurt it. It troubles me to walk. Doct [Vanslyck?] of Lyons, Surgeon of the NY 35th called today & left his trunk. Almeron Field also called, he is a “Regular” stationed at Arlington Heights. He stays with us tonight.

______

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 30th.

My dear Miss Woolsey: I was extremely glad to receive your excellent letter yesterday. Had I known that you were residing in Washington, I should have requested you some time before to collect information for our society. We had become extremely anxious about these women; we could not learn who had safely arrived, where they were, what they were doing, nor how they fared in any respect; and a check of considerable amount, sent to one of them, was unacknowledged. As we had pledged ourselves to protect these women, pay their expenses, their wages, etc., you may imagine that we felt extremely uneasy about them. . . .

I will ask you now, to find out for us where Miss E. H. and Mrs. M. S. are placed. They were sent from New York by the night train, July 25th, direct to Miss Dix, and should have reached Washington last Friday morning.

Will you also visit the Georgetown Hospital and report on two nurses whom we sent on last Saturday. We should like some unprejudiced account of the management of this Hospital. . .

I will see that any nurse going to Alexandria in future is furnished with a certificate signed by some proper authority here. We feel much obliged to you for all the trouble you have taken in this matter. . . .

As the government payment commences Aug. 5th, from that time our society hands the nurses over to the government.

I remain very truly yours,

E. Blackwell.

“Find out incidentally before Dr. E. goes, where Mr. Charming is to preach. Mind, I don’t want to accept an invitation to go with him. I saw him, when I was shutting the blinds up here, pass the windows of the parlor, and stop and look in, and go on, and stop, and turn back and come in–! and then I banged the blinds with glee, and am just popping into bed. Shall expect you up about midnight.”

Daily Chronicle & Sentinel
Augusta, Ga
July 30, 1861

Culverton, Hancock Co., Ga., July 27.

Editor Chronicle & Sentinel:–I read various accounts in the papers of what the ladies are doing for our soldiers. I should like to furnish an instance for your paper which I think quite as good if not better than any I have seen.

Miss Mary Ezzol, a member of the Soldiers’ Aid Society of this place, has, within the last six weeks, spun, wove, cut, made and brought into the society, eleven pair of pants for the soldiers, worth at least two dollars each. The cloth of which they are made is what the ladies call Brown Dimity, and is as nice an article as anybody can make with the distaff and loom. Now when it is remembered that this lady has an invalid mother and sister to support, and not a soul to help her, we think it will be hard to find one to excel her. — But this is not all. She has a little farm which she cultivates with her own hands, and she says when she “lays it by” she will be ready for a musket and a place in the ranks of the Confederate army. She has heard that General Scott sent word to Secretary Toombs that he would be down South in time to gather the coming crops, and she invites him to come and gather hers. As an inducement she keeps a good double-barrel shot gun well loaded, the contents of which she will give him or any one he may send. Let the foe who would press Georgia’s soil with his foot beware–the Nancy Harts are not all dead yet. B.

July 30th.—I have just been conversing with some young soldiers, who joined in the dangers and glories of the battle-field. They corroborate what I had before heard of the presence of Northern females. I would not mention it before in my diary, because I did not wish to record any thing which I did not know to be true. But when I receive the account from eye-witnesses whose veracity cannot be doubted, I can only say, that I feel mortified that such was the case. They came, not as Florence Nightingales to alleviate human suffering, but to witness and exult over it. With the full assurance of the success of their army they meant to pass over the mutilated limbs and mangled corpses of ours, and to go on their way rejoicing to scenes of festivity in the halls of the vanquished, and to revel over the blood of the slain, the groans of the dying, the wails of the widow and the fatherless. But “Linden saw another sight,” and these very delicate, gentle, womanly ladies, where were they? Flying back to Washington, in confusion and terror, pell-mell, in the wildest excitement. And where were their brave and honourable escorts? Flying, too; not as protectors to their fair friends, but with self-preservation alone in view. All went helter-skelter—coaches, cabriolets, barouches, buggies, flying over the roads, as though all Fairfax were mad.

“Ah, Fear! ah, frantic Fear!
I see—I see thee near.
I know thy hurried step, thy haggard eye!
Like thee, I start; like thee, disordered fly!

Each bush to their disordered imaginations contained a savage Confederate. Cannon seemed thundering in the summer breeze, and in each spark of the lightning-bug, glinted and gleamed the sword and Bowie-knife of the blood-thirsty Southerner. Among the captured articles were ladies’ dresses, jewels, and other gew-gaws, on their way to Richmond [continue reading…]

July 30.–Senator Trumbull of Ohio spoke in the Senate of the United States on the Bill to suppress insurrection, and favored the approval of what had been done by the President before Congress assembled as done by the legal representative of the nation in the nation’s defence. Senator Carlile spoke against the 8th section of the bill which empowers military commanders to discharge from custody prisoners who take the oath of allegiance.–(Doc. 131.)

–The Thirteenth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Samuel H. Leonard, passed through New York, on their route for Harper’s Ferry, Va. The regiment numbers one thousand and eleven men, and is armed with the Enfield rifle. While on their march through the city, the troops sung several martial airs, the stanza of one of them commencing:

We’ll hang Jeff. Davis on a Palmetto tree,
Glory hallelujah! Glory hallelujah!
And the Union then will be great and free,
Glory hallelujah! Glory hallelujah!

–New York World, July 31.

–General B. F. Butler wrote another interesting letter to the Secretary of War on the subject of the “contraband.”–(Doc. 132.)

–The Fifth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers passed though New York en route for Washington, by the way of Harrisburg, Pa. It is commanded by Colonel O. S. Terry, of Norwalk, and is splendidly equipped.

–The Thirteenth Regiment of Brooklyn, N. Y. S. M., returned from Annapolis, Md., its term of service having expired on the 23d instant. –N. Y. World, July 31.

–Fredericka W. Lander was this morning appointed a brigadier-general by the President of the United States. He has command of the Rhode Island and part of the Massachusetts regiments. This appointment was made at the earnest recommendations of Gen. McClellan, Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island, and Senator Carlile of Virginia.

–Six Government clerks in the departments at Washington, resigned to-day, owing to the passage of the Virginia ordinance, providing that any citizen of that Commonwealth holding any office under the Government of the United States after to-morrow shall be forever banished from that State, and is declared an alien and enemy; and further, any citizen who may hereafter undertake to represent the State in the Congress of the United States, in addition to the penalties above presented, shall be deemed guilty of treason and his property confiscated, to the use of the State.–(Doc. 135.)

–The Fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Militia returned to Boston from the seat of war, its time of service having expired. Delegations of military, firemen, and civic authorities from adjoining towns, which had furnished companies to the gallant 5th, were waiting during the forenoon for their arrival, and Boston poured out its thousands to greet and welcome them home. After partaking of a bountiful collation on the Common, prepared by the City Government, the regiment was mustered out of service, and the companies soon after started, under an escort of their towns-people, for their homes. Three contrabands came with the regiment; two men and a woman.

At Bull Run the regiment lost 25 killed, 26 wounded, and 5 missing. The national flag borne by this regiment bears marks of hard usage. The eagle is missing from the staff, and there are three holes in the flag, two made by bullets, and one by a fragment of a shell. This flag, at the beginning of the fight, was borne by the color-bearer, Lawrence, who was shot dead, receiving two musket balls in his breast. The bearer of the Massachusetts flag, G. W. Wallace, of the Haverhill company, was at his side, and seizing the national flag as it fell from Lawrence’s hand, he for a time bore both, but at length the last-named was taken by the Sergeant-Major of the regiment, and was retained by him. The story that it was left on the field at any time is false.–N. Y. Tribune, July 31.

–To-day an order was issued by Gen. McClellan prohibiting officers or soldiers from leaving their camps or quarters except upon important public or private business, and then not without written permission from the commander of the brigade of which they may be a part.–(Doc. 136.)

–In the United States Senate the resolution legalizing certain acts of the President being under consideration, Mr. Pearce, of Maryland, spoke in opposition thereto.–The bill to suppress insurrection and sedition was taken up, and after some discussion was postponed.– Baltimore American, July 31.

–Five companies of the First Regiment of Nebraska Volunteers, Col. Shager commanding, left Omaha, on the steamer West Wind this morning, for St. Joseph, Mo. They took two pieces of cannon with them.–N. Y. Tribune, August 1.

–The following order was made by the Post-Office Department for the execution of the law respecting soldiers’ letters:

“Postmasters at or near any camp or point occupied by the United States forces will mail without prepayment of postage any letter written by a soldier in the service of the United States and certified to be such by the Major or Acting Major of the regiment to which the writer is attached. The envelope should have plainly stamped or written on its face the certificate ‘Soldier’s letter,’ signed in writing by the Major or Acting Major of the regiment, describing his regiment by its number and its State. The postage due on such letters will be collected at the office of delivery. Commissioned officers will prepay their postage as heretofore.

John A. Kasson,

“First Assistant Postmaster-General.”

July 30, 1861

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Missouri State Convention declared vacant the offices of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Secretary of State, by a vote of 56 to 25. The seats of the members of the Legislature were also declared vacant. The State officers and a majority of the Legislature were secessionists.

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

MONDAY 29

Saml Androus and his Regt (Mich 1st) went home today. I am quite well today after my attack of yesterday. I went down town and staid part of the day. Nothing of importance occured today but the City is very full of strangers, besides soldiers. I went down to the Camp with wife & Julia. The Surgeon, A L Barnes, came home with us to tea. He was on the Battle field at “Bull run.” Quite a number of the Regt, 27th, are on the Sick list, but generaly doing well.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

(excerpt)

        29th. “I send you the ‘Examiner’ of to-day, which has full extracts from the Northern papers—about the battle. Some of the handcuffs were shown at the Hotel, yesterday, but I did not happen to see them. ‘Tis however a fact—how many exactly I don’t know—but there are certainly a great many taken.”

JULY 29th.—To-day quite a number of our wounded men on crutches, and with arms in splints, made their appearance in the streets, and created a sensation. A year hence, and we shall be accustomed to such spectacles.

My dear Miss Woolsey: I am thankful you are going to the hospital. Express to the good nurses my kind regards and purpose of seeing them so soon as I am able. Thanks for the lovely flowers, with cordial regards to Mrs. H. I have very little strength; excuse brevity and abruptness. I must have some consultation with you so soon as I am better, concerning the position of the nurses. I fear they are over-tasked.

Very cordially yours,

D. L. Dix.

–   –   –   –   –

My dear Miss Woolsey: Will you give a little attention to the hospitals at Alexandria through next week for me if convenient? Any requisition on my stores will always be promptly met.

I still feel that all the nurses who are really conscientious are very heavily tasked.

Yours most cordially,

D. L. Dix.