14th. Went to town with Will. (Bushnell.) Saw Fannie in the evening.

October 14. Camp Tompkins, General Rosecrans’ Headquarters, near Gauley Bridge. – I came down here to hold court today. Left my regiment about eight miles up the pike. Mrs. Tompkins lives here in a fine large white house. Her husband, a graduate of West Point, is a colonel in the secession army. Why devastate the homes and farms of poor deluded privates in the Rebel army and protect this property? Treat the lady well, as all women ought always to be treated, but put through the man for his great crime.

Monday, 14th–We completed building our new barracks today. Each company has its own building, built of good one-inch lumber, with just enough room between the buildings for our long stationary company tables, where we eat. In front of the building, extending the entire length, is our parade ground.

October 14th.–I was somewhat distraught, like a small Hercules twixt Vice and Virtue, or Garrick between Comedy and Tragedy, by my desire to tell Duncan the truth, and at the same time respect the feelings of a friend. There was a rabbledom of drunken men in uniforms under our windows, who resisted the patrol clearing the streets, and one fellow drew his bayonet, and, with the support of some of the citizens, said that he would not allow any regular to put a finger on him. D– said he had witnessed scenes just as bad, and talked of lanes in garrison towns in England, and street rows between soldiers and civilians; and I did not venture to tell him the scene we witnessed was the sign of a radical vice in the system of the American army, which is, I believe, incurable in these large masses. Few soldiers would venture to draw their bayonets on a patrol. If they did, their punishment would be tolerably sure and swift, but for all I knew this man would be permitted to go on his way rejoicing. There is news of two Federal reverses to-day. A descent was made on Santa Rosa Island, and Mr. Billy Wilson’s Zouaves were driven under the guns of Pickens, losing in the scurry of the night attack–as prisoner only I am glad to say –poor Major Vogdes, of inquiring memory. Rosecrans, who utterly ignores the advantages of Shaksperian spelling, has been defeated in the West; but D– is quite happy, and goes off to New York contented.

Boston, October 14, 1861

My impression is that we are on the eve of great movements and the naval expedition, if successful, will open the ball. We can see little in the papers, but it looks to me as if the correspondents were at fault. But in truth McClellan is coiling himself up for a spring on Manassas immediately after a coast success. If he succeeds, and in him alone have I any confidence, the loan will be at a premium in twenty-four hours and all over Europe in six weeks. For those who have confidence now is the time to buy and sell in the victory. .. .

Let me call your attention to the article on England and America in the Examiner I send the Governor by this bag. It is said to be written by Dr. Hedges and is one of the ablest papers I have read for a long time. . . .

By the way, I had almost forgotten what I most wanted to say. In his last letter the Governor hinted that it would be a good thing if I could get a connection as American correspondent with some London paper, as the correspondents from this side as a whole were beneath contempt. I will leave this to you. Of course I demand no pay and only desire to influence public opinion abroad. If any respectable London paper will print my letters, I will let them hear from me as often as there is anything of interest to let them hear about. I am not anxious about it at all, but at this crisis I am anxious to do everything in my power.

October 14.–One hundred and fifty voters of Chincoteague Island, Accomac Co., Va., took the oath of allegiance to the United States, in the presence of Lieutenant Murray, U.S. ship Louisiana. It appears that all the inhabitants of Chincoteague Island, (which is a part of the county of Accomac, Va.,) numbering nearly one thousand, are true and loyal. No other flag than the Stars and Stripes has up to this time been allowed on the island, and the National ensign is at all times kept displayed on a high pole. A committee of citizens, appointed to confer with the commander of a war vessel, say:

“We, the citizens of Chincoteague Island, Virginia, do respectfully represent that we are law-abiding people, attached firmly to the Constitution and laws of the United States of America; that by interest and affection we cling to the Union; that we are united as one man in our abhorrence of the secession heresies; that we have upheld the old flag in spite of many menaces from our secession neighbors; that the opportune arrival of the war steamer commanded by Captain Murray, and his energetic measures alone saved us from subjugation, the enemy having mustered on the opposite shore for that purpose.” They therefore ask the continued protection of a Government vessel. – Washington Star, October 20.

– A slight skirmish occurred on the line of the Potomac, between a foraging party of the Union troops, about three miles from Minor’s Hill, and a band of rebel scouts, consisting of infantry and cavalry. The National troops opened a brisk fire on the rebels, who took shelter in a house, but a few shells from the batteries on Minor’s Hill drove them out, and sent them scampering along the Leesburg road. – N. Y. Herald, Oct. 15.

The train on the North Missouri Railroad from St. Louis was stopped at Rewick, Mo., by a party of thirty armed secessionists, and six Federal recruiting officers on board taken prisoners. The rebels then searched the train, but for some unknown reason did not enter the express car in which there were three hundred Enfield rifles and two tons of military clothing, destined for Nebraska. Two of the captured officers were released on the spot, and three of the four others were set at liberty a few hours afterwards.– N Y. World, October 16.

– The Southern Commercial Convention assembled at Macon, Ga., this day. – Isaac Davenport, of Richmond, Va., of the firm of I. and B. Davenport, gave a check for ten thousand dollars to the Southern “Confederacy,” which was owing to Northern creditors. – The Confederate Government authorized General Winder to arrest all Yankees who may venture there in concern for their former rights of property in. the South. – Richmond Examiner, October 8.

– William F. Springer, a citizen of Philadelphia, returned to his home, from Charlotte, N. C., after an absence of several months, a portion of which time he spent in prison in Charlotte. Mr. Springer went South, before the secession of North Carolina, to build a house for ex-Governor Morehead. Before he could complete the contract, the workmen he had taken with him were either driven away or pressed into the rebel service, and he was finally arrested on the charge of being a Union man, and thrown into prison. When it was concluded to liberate him his head was partly shaved, and he was required to leave at once, which he was not slow in doing. He came home by the way of Tennessee, after numerous detentions and escapes from violence, the cars having been searched for Northern men at various stations. Mr. Springer represents the people in Charlotte to be in an almost starving condition. Provisions of all kinds are high, and money scarce. The Southern soldiers that he saw on his way home were many of them in rags, and some of them had worn the soles off their boots, and tied the uppers under their feet.–Philadelphia Inquirer, October 16.

–The steamer Grampus, with a flag of truce from the rebels at Columbus, Ky., and Captain Polk and Lieutenant Smith, of the rebel army, bearers of despatches from General Polk to General Grant, asking for an exchange of prisoners, arrived at Cairo, Illinois.–(Doc. 83.)

–As important correspondence passed between Lord Lyons, the British Minister, and Secretary Seward, relative to the rights of British subjects during the pendency of the rebellion. Lord Lyons, referring to the case of Messrs. Patrick and Rahmie, who were arrested and subsequently released, terms this proceeding an arbitrary one, and states that the British Government is much concerned about the matter, and regards it as requiring serious consideration. Secretary Seward, in his reply, after detailing the circumstances of the arrest, states that the proceedings were taken upon information conveyed to the President by the legal police authorities, and not until after the suspension of the habeas corpus act to an extent deemed necessary by the exigencies of the State. For the exercise of his discretion in this respect, the President is responsible before the highest judicial tribunal of the Republic, and amenable, also, to the judgment of his countrymen. The safety of the whole people has, in the present emergency, become the supreme law, and all classes alike must acquiesce in the measures which that law prescribes; and, while the learning of the legal advisers of the British Crown is not questioned, it can hardly be expected that the President will accept their explanation of the Constitution of the United States. He must be allowed, therefore, to interpret it in a manner which will enable him to execute his great trust with the most complete success, under the sanction of the highest authority of our own country, and sustained by the general consent of the people.–National Intelligencer.

–Major Wright, with one company of the Fremont Cavalry, surrounded the village of Linn Creek, in Missouri, and made prisoners a company of rebels, to the number of forty-five, commanded by Bill Roberts.–(Doc. 86.)

–Jeff. Thompson, Brigadier-General of the Missouri State Guard, addresses the “patriots:”

Headquarters First Military District, M. S. G.
Camp, St. Francois County, Oct. 14, 1861.

Patriots of Washington, Jefferson, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, and Iron Counties! I have thrown myself into your midst to offer you an opportunity to cast off the yoke you have unwillingly worn so long. Come to me and I will assist you, and drive the invaders from your soil or die with you among your native hills. Soldiers from Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois, go home! We want you not here, and we thirst not for your blood. We have not invaded your States, we have not polluted your hearth stones, therefore leave us; and after we have wiped out the Hessians and tories we will be your friendly neighbors if we cannot be your brothers.

M. Jeff. Thompson,
Brigadier-General Commanding.

–St. Louis Republican, Oct. 26.

–The gunboat Sciota was launched from the ship-yard of Jacob Brierly, at Kensington, Philadelphia.–Rev. Harvey E. Chapin, of Sandy Creek, Otsego County, New York, arrived in Troy, with a company of ninety-four men, most of them members of his own congregation, and at once marched up to Camp Strong, where he joined Colonel Morrison’s Cavalry regiment.– N. Y. World, October 17.

–Secretary Seward issued a circular to the governors of States bordering on the-ocean or lake coasts, stating that, in view of the attempts being made by the rebels to embroil the Federal Government with foreign nations, it is desirable that the coast and lake defences should be put into effective condition, he suggests that the work should be undertaken by the States individually, in consultation with the Federal Government, and that the expense should be ultimately refunded by the nation.– (Doc. 87.)

–The Forty-fourth regiment of Ohio Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Woods, left Springfield, Ohio, for the Gauley Bridge, Virginia.–Springfield News, Oct. 15.

October 14, 1861

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Sec. Seward issued a circular to governors of States, advising sea-coast and lake defenses.
• Linn Creek, Mo., captured by U. S. troops, and a company of rebel troops taken prisoners.

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

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1861.

I caught a severe cold last night by the wind blowing on me in bed and have been rather miserable today, have not been out at all. The Family all went to church excepting myself and Willie, he has got smart again and eats his allowance. The weather is rather chilly, a good fire comfortable in the house. Every body is on the “qui vive” to heare from the great naval expedition which sailed south recently, Charleston or N Orleans probably the point.

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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.

Sunday, October 13.—Gov. Sprague visited the camp. Private Benedict deserted.

OCTOBER 13th.—Another little success, but not in this vicinity. Gen. Anderson, of South Carolina, in the night crossed to Santa Rosa Island and cut up Billy Wilson’s regiment of New York cut-throats and thieves, under the very guns of Fort Pickens.

Camp Asboth, October 13th. Mr. Cameron, Senator Chandler of Michigan, and Adjutant-General Thomas arrived at an early hour this morning; and at eight o’clock, the General, attended by his staff and body-guard, repaired to the Secretary’s quarters. After a short stay there, the whole party, except General Thomas, set out for Syracuse to review the division of General McKinstry. The day was fine, and we proceeded at a hand gallop until we reached a prairie some three or four miles wide. Here the Secretary set spurs to his horse, and we tore across the plain as fast as our animals could be driven. Passing from the open plain into a forest, the whole cortege dashed over a very rough road with but little slackening of our pace; nor did we draw rein until we reached Syracuse. A few moments were passed in the interchange of the usual civilities, and we then went a mile farther on, to a large prairie upon which the division was drawn up. McKinstry has the flower of the army. He has in his ranks some regular infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and among his subordinate officers are Totten, Steele, Kelton, and Stanley, all distinguished in the regular service. There was no time for the observance of the usual forms of a review. The Secretary passed in front and behind the lines, made a short address, and left immediately by rail for St. Louis, stopping at Tipton to review Asboth’s division. The staff and guard rode slowly back to camp, both men and animals having had quite enough of the day’s work. It is said, that Adjutant-General Thomas has expressed the opinion that we shall not be able to move from here, because we have no transportation. As we are ordered to march to-morrow, the prediction will soon be tested.

Fremont’s Hundred Days in Missouri was published in three installments in The Atlantic Monthly. The anonymous author appears to have been a member of Fremont’s staff with a disdainful bias towards Missourians, even those who were pro-Union.

Sunday. Took Fannie over to Helen’s. Returned to camp to hear the Chaplain. Fannie and Mrs. Cobb came over too late for the preaching.

Sunday, 13th–We had preaching in camp this morning by the chaplain, and he gave us a good sermon. A great many people came out from town to attend the meeting, and still more came this afternoon to see us on dress parade at 5 o’clock.

October 13th.–Mr. Duncan, attended by myself and other Britishers, made an extensive excursion through the camps on horseback, and I led him from Arlington to Upton’s House, up by Munson’s Hill, to General Wadsworth’s quarters, where we lunched on camp fare and, from the observatory erected at the rear of the house in which he lives, had a fine view this bright, cold, clear autumn day, of the wonderful expanse of undulating forest lands, streaked by rows of tents, which at last concentrated into vast white patches in the distance, towards Alexandria. The country is desolate, but the camps are flourishing, and that is enough to satisfy most patriots bent upon the subjugation of their enemies.

Camp near Fairfax C. H., October 13, 1861.

I have received your last letter, and will devote an hour of this quiet Sabbath to giving you one in return for it. I am very sorry to hear that, having spared your team so long, they have called for it at last. I had hope they would let it alone in consideration of my absence from home in the service of the State, and consequently my inability to provide means of supplying its place, as others who have remained in the county can. It is nearly equivalent to a loss of our wheat crop, besides the great injury the horses must sustain in such a trip. For them I feel a sort of attachment, as for everything else at home, and should hate very much to see them injured.

We are having a very quiet and dull time. The fault I have with my present position is that I have too little to do. Jackson has been promoted again, and is now Major General. It is, indeed, very gratifying to see him appreciated so highly and promoted so rapidly. It is all well merited. We have, I think, no better man or better officer in the army. I do not know to what position he will be assigned. But this brigade will part with him with very much regret. I shall be very reluctant to leave my place on his staff for any other position.

I am sorry to inform you on the money question that I am dead broke, and gratified to say that I do not expect it to continue many days. I have about $300 pay due me from the government, and sent by a friend who went to Richmond a few days since to draw the money, but he has not returned. Say to Mrs. Fuller I see Sam frequently and he is very well. Kiss the children for me, and think of me often.

October 13.–Eighteen miles northeast of Lebanon, Missouri, near the Wet Glaze, Major Wright, with two companies of United States cavalry, routed about three hundred mounted rebels. The rebels were gathered on the side of a hill, drawn up in line, with the road in front, and the summit of the hill behind them. Here they remained an hour and a half, evidently awaiting the approach along the road of a Union force, when suddenly two companies of Federal cavalry, under command of Captains Montgomery and Switzler, led by Major Wright, advanced over the brow of the hill, in the rear of the rebels, and plunging forward to within one hundred paces, delivered a murderous volley, which scattered the rebels like chaff before the wind. They fled precipitately up the ravine, toward Lebanon, tearing through the brush, in a perfect rout.

A number of saddles were emptied, and horses were galloping riderless about the field. They were taken so completely by surprise that they had hardly time to return a few strangling shots. The action was over in five minutes–it was a dash; a gleam of firo on tlie Federal side, and a wild scamper for life on the other side. The latter were seen running over a hill half a mile distant. Thirty prisoners were taken, and it is supposed that about Twenty rebels were killed. The United States force lost one man. –(Doc. 82.)

–A skirmish occurred at Beckweth’s farm, about twelve miles southwest of Bird’s Point, Mo., between a squad of twenty men, under command of Lieutenant Tufts, and a body of rebel cavalry, one hundred strong, resulting in the loss of two killed, five wounded, and three missing of the National forces, and twelve killed and wounded on the part of the enemy. The rebels first appeared at the outskirts of the timber in small force, and retreated into the woods upon the approach of the Nationals, who pursued them. As soon as they had entered the woods, the whole rebel force attacked them with vigor, they repelling their attack with an effect worthy of greater numbers; but owing to their inferiority of force a retreat was ordered, but not until they had inflicted serious damage upon their overwhelming foe, the effect of the fire of the little band being such as to prevent their being followed up by the enemy. One of the Federals, who had previously been stigmatized as a coward, here sought and most heroically succeeded in restoring his fair name. He had been noticed to fight with much valor during the action; and, upon Lieutenant Tufts ordering a retreat, he wheeled his horse in the face of the enemy, took deliberate aim at the rebel captain, and brought him from his saddle, after which the National force made good their retreat.–Louisville Journal, October 23.

–The brig Granada, from Nenvitas, for New York, was captured by the privateer “Sallie,” of Charleston. The Sallie is a fore-and-aft schooner, of about one hundred and forty tons, painted black, mounts one long gun amidships, and has a crew of forty men, and is commanded by Captain Libby, formerly of the ship Gondar, of Charleston. She ran the blockade from Charleston on the 10th inst. She was formerly the schooner Virginian, of Brookhaven.–N.Y. Evening Post, October 24.

–A Detachment from the Twenty-ninth Illinois regiment, and the Second Illinois dragoons, went to Shelby Thompson’s farm, near Cairo, Ill., and seized three thousand bushels of corn, a large number of horses, mules, cattle, &c., and took two prisoners. Thompson is an officer in the rebel army.–Captain W. H. Parish was to-day appointed provost-marshal of Cairo, Ill.–Missouri Republican, October 15.

October 13, 1861

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Skirmishing at Beckwith and Tavern Creek, Mo.

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

SATURDAY 12

A delightful cool day. Was at the Prests. Sent Mrs Lincoln a note, talked awhile with Maj Watt and called upon Genl Schoepf and spent an hour. He leaves for Kentuckey tomorrow. He was bred up in the Austrian Army and deserted to the Hungarians when the Revolution of /48/ broke out, being himself a Hungarian. He fought all through the War, went to Turkey, entered the service of the Sultan, went to Aleppo, &c. I came home, bot some wood, went to market, &c.

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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.

October 12th, 1861.—Cousin Rich was buried today. Crowds of people came and Governor Milton delivered an eulogy on his spotless record. His is the first blood shed on Florida soil in this cruel war. All his brothers were present except Cousin Johnnie, who is in Virginia. His two sisters are so distressed. When the services at the grave were over a military company came forward and fired three times across his grave, it was horrible.

Three weeks ago Cousin Rich came home on a short furlough. He came by Pine Hill to see us and after he had said “goodbye,” he stood a moment with his cap in hand and looked about him.

“This is a lovely place,” he said. “I hate to say goodbye,” and in another moment he was gone.

We never know what the future holds for us. I will not write again soon for Aunt Nancy wants me to stay some with them. I am so fond of cousin Rob and little Susie and maybe I can help a little bit.

Susan Bradford is 15 years old when this entry was made.

Oct 2

       Lewis had a flare up with the Cap of his new position, North Edisto, and like a foolish boy gave up his Commission. This distressed Mr Grimball very much and he persuaded himself that if Lewis had time to reconsider this step he would repent. So he got the Department to allow it to remain until Lewis could be communicated with. We have not heard from Lewis, since. But suppose he has determined to remain the pay is 13 hundred & $20 a year. The post is very out of the way and Lewis did write but his letter was lost by the young man with his own papers the boat having swamped.—

       Lotty is better she had the fever 14 days is now up & better.—

OCTOBER 12th.—Col. Wright has had a race with the Yankees on the North Carolina coast. They fled to their works before his single regiment with such precipitation as to leave many of their arms and men behind. We lost but one man: and he was fat, broke his wind, and died in the pursuit.

Daily Times [Leavenworth, Ks],
October 12, 1861

Our attention has been repeatedly called to the alarming increase of degraded women who nightly infest our streets, but as we could not suggest a remedy, we have forborne comment. One of the unfortunate class, who subscribes herself “A Penitent,” has written as follows: The writer is not a denizen of Cincinnati, says the Commercial, but it will serve as well for this locality as any:

“Every now and then a cry is made against us, and the public prints teem with articles about the sisterhood to which I belong who appear to know little more about the question than that the evil exists and can not be checked. People writing about people they know little of, for the best reason that those who know all about us never care to think of and expose a system they encourage. I am one of the fallen ones, degraded in the eyes of the world, spurned by the good, ill treated by the bad, caressed by a few, but shunned in the daylight by everybody. My fall was that of thoughtless indiscretion; discovered and turned adrift upon the world, this life became a necessity for food and raiment, and followed now, not from choice, for I loathe it. To escape from it is impossible; and, as thousands more do, I go on day after day, thinking sometimes sadly what the end will be, deadening my day thoughts with drink, and spending my evenings in maddening excitement. You, with others, ask why? And my answer is simply that there is no escape, and for this reason, I never speak to those who would help me; and those who come in contact with me are as bad as I am, and men of the world. It is nonsense to suppose that even those of us who would, can reform; our relatives will not receive us, and the good shun us. Many of us have been brought up as ladies, without any employment. Work, if we could do it, is denied to us all; for a penitent telling what she is is looked upon as venomous by those who could help her. “Alas for the rarity of Christian charity.” Tell me, if you can, Mr. Editor, what we can do to alter our lives, and I, with thousands more, will not be a pest to your streets; but tell us, too, that in our transit from bad to good we shall not have scornful treatment and contempt, such no human creature can endure, and will flock around those who would save us, as we do around those who go madly rushing on through life with us, in the glitter and excitement of our night houses.”

Standard [Clarksville], Tx, October 12, 1861

The editor of the Lynchburg Republican who is with Gen. Floyd’s forces in Western Virginia tells the following:

A few days after the fight at Skerry, near Charleston, Kanawha, two or three Yankee officers visited the house of Mr. Fry, who had been driven from his home by the enemy. A daughter of Mr. Fry saw them approaching through the gate, and confronted them in the porch with a demand to know their business. They stated they were looking for secession flags, and heard there were some there.

Her reply deserves to be hung up as an “apple of gold in a picture of silver.” “Brave men,” said she in scorn, “take flags on the field of battle–cowards only hunt them at the houses of defenseless women. Mine is in the hands of four brave volunteers–go and take it from them.” The rebuke was crushing. “Tom,” said the one to the other, “we had better leave here,” and off they went, with the blushes of shame mantling their cheeks, if, indeed, they were not dead to the feelings which occasion them.

Oct. 12. The boys are settling down to the routine of military duty, and getting accustomed to camp life. They take kindly to discipline, and seem anxious to learn the drill.

Presentations.

Presentations are the order of the day. The adjutant has had a horse presented him by his firemen friends. A great, stout, clumsy, good-natured horse. I should think he was better adapted for hauling a fire engine than for a parade horse, but perhaps will answer the purpose well enough.

The major’s friends have also presented him with a horse. A good kind of horse enough. Nothing very stylish or dashy about him for a war charger, but perhaps he can smell the battle as far as any horse. The major, in a clever little speech, assured his friends that they would never hear of the nag’s striking his best gait to the rear. The major being a man of immense rotundity, I imagine that the horse after carrying him a couple of hours, would feel willing to give boot to go into the ranks rather than remain on the staff.

The Worcester ladies, with commendable patriotism, have presented us with a splendid silk banner (the national colors), and have enjoined us to carry it with us in our wanderings, and return it again to them without dishonor. And we have sworn by a thousand stout hearts and bright bayonets, that that [continue reading…]