October 12. At Camp Ewing. – Rode down to Hawk’s Nest with General Schenck and Colonel Scammon and Lieutenant Chesebrough; a most romantic spot. A cliff seven hundred feet perpendicular projects out over New River; a view of New River for a mile or two above and below the cliff, rushing and foaming between the mountains. On the top was a small entrenchment built by Wise. A Union man (like other Union men) wishing to move to Ohio, says he means to burn his house to keep it from falling into secession hands.

Saturday, 12th–A number of new recruits are arriving, and the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry is being made up. Drill this afternoon. Five of the boys of my company got passes to go home for two or three days.

12th.–I find vast trouble in doing justice to the sick, in consequence of the unwarrantable interference of military officers in matters of which they are about as well qualified to judge as would be so many of their mules. The two forts which we built near Chain Bridge, and have left some three miles in our rear, have been officially named Fort Marcy and Fort Ethan Allen. The former encloses about one, the latter about five acres of land, and are both very strong.

Our division now holds the post of honor, the advanced center in the Army of the Potomac. Nobody ahead of us, but in the rear, and the right and left, for miles it is but a city of tents. By night the views over these camps are beautiful; by day the stench and noise is abominable.

Surgeon Owen, of Chester, Penn., to-day enters on the duties of Surgeon of our brigade, and I entertain strong hopes that he will be able to stop the pernicious interference of military officers with matters purely medical.

October 12th.–The good people of New York and of the other Northern cities, excited by the constant reports in the papers of magnificent reviews and unsurpassed military spectacles, begin to flock towards Washington in hundreds, where formerly they came in tens. The woman-kind are particularly anxious to feast their eyes on our glorious Union army. It is natural enough that Americans should feel pride and take pleasure in the spectacle; but the love of economy, the hatred of military despotism, and the frugal virtues of republican government, long since placed aside by the exigencies of the Administration, promise to vanish for ever.

The feeling is well expressed in the remark of a gentleman to whom I was lamenting the civil war: “Well, for my part, I am glad of it. Why should you in Europe have all the fighting to yourself? Why should we not have our Moody battles, and our big generals, and all the rest of it? This will stir up the spirits of our people, do us all a power of good, and end by proving to all of you in Europe, that we are just as good and first-rate in fighting as we are in ships, manufactures, and commerce.”

But the wealthy classes are beginning to feel rather anxious about the disposal of their money: they are paying a large insurance on the Union, and they do not see that anything has been done to stop the leak or to prevent it foundering. Mr. Duncan has arrived; to-day I drove with him to Alexandria, and I think he has been made happy by what he saw, and has no doubt “the Union is all right.” Nothing looks so irresistible as your bayonet till another is seen opposed to it.

12th.—M. P. and myself drove to Millwood for the mail, and then made an agreeable visit to Mr. and Mrs. J. We found several letters from family and friends; one from my sister, Mrs. C, who with her whole family (except her sons,) married daughters and single, are about to rent the Presbyterian Parsonage, in Hanover, and keep house. As they are all refugees, and have the means, it is a most pleasant idea. The Rev. Mr. H., who was the occupant of the house, has gone to the army as captain of a company which he raised for the purpose.

The papers mentioned the capture of a vessel called “The Fanny,” on the coast of North Carolina, laden with blankets, greatcoats, arms and ammunition. A most valuable prize.

October 12.–A convention of citizens of North Carolina, loyal to the Union, was held in Hyde County, N. C. Charles H. Foster, of Hertford County, addressed the assembly. He told his hearers wherein almost every article and section of the Bill of Eights of North Carolina had been violated by the Confederates, and expressed his sincere belief that, should the secessionists be successful in the present war, a monarchical or military despotism would be speedily established. “Even now,” he said,” the well-known wishes of the people are disregarded, and it is openly declared that a poor man should not vote. North Carolina gave the overwhelming majority of thirty-five thousand for the Union, and over one thousand against holding a convention to discuss the treasonable subject of secession. But such a convention had met, and when they had succeeded in passing a secession ordinance, they, well knowing what its fate would be, refused to submit the obnoxious document to the people, and the State was declared out of the Union, against the express wishes of a majority of thirty-five thousand of her citizens, and now they were denied the privilege of voting at all. Each month of August, for years past, they had been called upon to vote, either for a Representative to the National Congress, or a Governor of the State, but, in the August past, no such election was held or called.”

Resolutions expressive of fidelity and adherence to the Government were adopted, and a committee appointed for the purpose, drew up a paper which was accepted by the convention as a statement of grievances. – (Doc. 77.)

– Capt. P. G. D. Morton, captured at Chelsea, Butler County, Kansas, a train of Twenty-one wagons, four hundred and Twenty-five cattle, Twenty-five ponies, and thirty-five prisoners. The train was on its way from Pike’s Peak to the Cherokees, who seceded some weeks ago. – N. Y. Times, October 20.

– Eighty of Major James’ cavalry, at Cameron, came upon two hundred and fifty or three hundred rebels, in a cornfield, twenty miles south of Cameron, in Ray County, Missouri. The advance guard of nine of the National troops routed them, the rebels seeking refuge in the timber. The guard was then reinforced by thirty of the cavalry, when they completely drove the rebels from that section, killing eight and taking five prisoners. Four Federals were wounded and one killed.

– The steamer Theodora ran the blockade of Charleston, with Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and their secretaries, on beard, destined for Cardenas, in Cuba, it being their intention to proceed to Europe by steamer from Havana. – N. Y. Evening Post, October 30.

– This night an attack was made on the United States fleet lying at anchor near the South-West Pass, by the rebel fleet, consisting of six gunboats, the battering ram Manassas, and a large number of fire-ships, which filled the river from shore to shore. The United States fleet consisted of the steamers Richmond, Huntsville, Water-Witch, sloops-of-war Preble and Vincennes, and storeship Nightingale. The fleet when attacked, were at anchor inside of the Pass. The ram Manassas came down and drifted foul of the Richmond, knocking a hole in her quarter and stern, doing but little damage. To avoid the fire ships the squadron immediately got under way and drifted down the river. The Richmond, Preble, and Vincennes got ashore on the bar, (the Nightingale also went ashore,) and while ashore were attacked by the rebels but without doing any damage to the vessels, or to life. But one shot took effect, and that struck the Richmond on the quarter. They were beaten off by the Vincennes with two guns, she having thrown overboard the rest of her armament, with her chains, anchors, &c., to lighten her, as she was very much exposed to the rebel fire.– (Doc. 78.)

–A Party of twelve, of the New York Zouave regiment, were taken prisoners by the rebels, a short distance above Newport News, Va. Lieu-tenant Zellen, who was in command of the party, was arrested for cowardice.–The Iron Bridge, over Green River, at Mumfordsville, Kentucky, was blown up by the rebels.

–A communication in the Cincinnati Commercial, headed “The Contraband Institution,” objects to the return of fugitive slaves by the soldiers–because it exhibits the Government as a voluntary patron of slavery; and degrades the soldiers.– (Doc. 79.)

–This afternoon, at a point fourteen miles south of General Rosecrans’ advance, and eight miles from the Rebel encampment on Green River, in Western Virginia, a detachment of forty men of the Thirty-ninth Indiana regiment attacked three hundred rebels, half of which were cavalry, without loss, killing five and wounding three. The whole rebel force was driven back beyond Bacon Creek.–Baltimore American, October 15.

–About 3 o’clock this morning, a party of about forty horsemen, twenty-five of whom were Federal troops from the regiments commanded by Colonels Hobson and Pennebaker and the remainder citizens, all under command of Captain Sam Taylor, from Camp Andy Johnson, in Kentucky, approached the residence of Cy. Hutchinson, in Barren County, without the knowledge of the presence of one hundred and fifty rebels, who were warned of their approach and who were thoroughly prepared to receive them. The first intimation that Captain Taylor received of the presence of the enemy came in the form of a peremptory order to halt, which issued from the opposite side of a plank fence. The order to halt was followed by a discharge of musketry ere Captain Taylor had time to form his squad for action. Under a galling fire, however, Captain Taylor’s gallant party dismounted and formed in battle array, promptly returning the enemy’s fire with Enfield rifles and Colt’s navy revolvers. The rebels were fortified behind the fence and fired through in opening near the ground. In the darkness of the morning, the Federals fought with little certainty as to the whereabouts of the enemy, but their rifles and pistols did good execution, for they acknowledged a loss of two of their party, while it is known that at least four of the number were killed, and that several were rounded. Of Captain Taylor’s command, three were reported killed–Frank Lacey, orderly of Captain Taylor’s company, private Michael Lisle, and a citizen whoso name is not known. –Louisville Journal, Oct. 15.

–Five hundred men of the Piatt Zouaves occupied the town of Winfield, twenty miles below Charleston, on the Kanawha, Western Virginia, whence some rebel cavalry had fired upon a steamer with United States stores a few days previously. Lieutenant-Colonel Toland, in command of the Zouaves, learned at Winfield that eight hundred rebels were encamped at Hurricane Bridge, fourteen miles from Winfield, and at once marched against them, but they abandoned their camp upon his approach and fed.–(Doc. 85.)

–The rebels advanced in large force in the direction of Lewinsville, Va., driving in the National pickets. The divisions of Generals McCall, Smith, Porter, and McDowell were promptly prepared for an apprehended emergency, but nothing further transpired beyond the firing of a few shots from the rebels, which fell short. About three rebel regiments showed themselves, and the expectation was that a general advance was imminent. Great excitement prevailed in Washington, and throughout the Federal lines.

–Tire Eighth regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, under the command of Col. Murphy, left Madison for St. Louis, Mo.–N. Y. World, October 14.

–A skirmish took place between a detachment of the Thirty-ninth Indiana regiment and a squadron of rebel cavalry, at a position near Upton’s, fourteen miles below Camp Nevin, Kentucky. The rebels were repulsed with a loss of five killed and three wounded.–(Doc. 81.)

–Colonel Serrell’s regiment of engineers and artisans, New York State Volunteers, otherwise the engineer officers’ and soldiers’ regiment, took its departure from its camp on Staten Island for Washington.

——-

Late addition to Volume 3:

October 12.–Commodore G. N. Hollins, C. S. N., received from the Department of the Confederate States Navy the appointment of Flag Captain of the New Orleans naval station. –Louisville Journal, November 20.

October 12, 1861

• The Theodora leaves Charleston Harbor for Havana Cuba. On board are the Confederate States of America commissioners to England (James Mason) and France (John Slidell).

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Attack by a rebel gun-boat fleet and five ships from New Orleans on the Union blockading squadron, at the head of the Mississippi passes. The rebel vessels were beaten off and their iron-clad “turtle” considerably damaged.
• Rebels advanced in force toward Prospect Hill, but retired on finding Gen. McCall ready for battle.

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

Friday, October 11.—A new lieutenant for our battery arrived to-day. Jeffrey Hassard, our First Lieutenant’s brother.

Friday, 11th–My company, E, has ninety-seven men. They are of several different nationalities, as follows: Three from Canada, four from Ireland, two from England, two from Germany, and one from France; the rest are American-born, as follows: Twenty-three from Ohio, twenty-one from Pennsylvania, sixteen from New York, eight from Indiana, six from Iowa, two each from Michigan and Vermont, and one each from Maryland and Maine. The average age is less than twenty years, and there are eight married men.

FRIDAY 11

Succeeded today in seeing the Sec’y of the Treasury after geting a card from the Prests private Sec’y, Mr Hay. But the interview was of little account. I called upon Mrs Lincoln this evening with Julia and had quite a long conversation with her. She was quite indignant that I had not been restored to office. The Pensacola left the Navy Yard last evening and droped down to Alexandria where she now lies. Troops are moveing about & “big things” are expected.

______

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 11th.—And Wise has had bloody fighting with Rosecrans in Western Virginia. He can beat the enemy at fighting; but they beat him at manœuvring, with the use of the guides Gen. Winder has sent them from our prisons here.

MANASSAS JUNCTION, October 11, 1861

Dear Mother:
I would have written as soon as I received your letter if the box had come with it, but as the captain could not bring them with him, he had to get them transported on freight, which did not arrive until yesterday. You never saw such a mess in your life, cakes molded, meat spoiled, etc. Everything was safe and sound in our box, which we rejoiced at very much, for we have not been faring the best for the last week or two. Tom Stith got a box which was full of cake and nearly every bit of it was spoiled.

I am thankful for the boots, which are a trifle too large but I reckon by the time that I put on two or three pairs of stockings, they will nearly fit me. We were all very glad to see the captain and we were also pleased to see the things he brought with him, which added so much to our comfort. Times are all very quiet about here. We hear firing on the Potomac nearly every day, though I heard some of the boys say that Mr. Christman was collecting goods to bring to the soldiers. If such be the case I wish you would send me an old quilt or something as somebody has stolen my shawl and I think I shall need one this winter, but you need not send anything unless some one can bring it, for it will cost too much to get anything here. We are all well and if we had been sick our boxes would have cured us. Concerning what Jeff Davis says, I don’t think I shall take any notice of it at all, for there are already too many healthy young men skulking around home and I could not bear the disgrace of leaving the army because I was not eighteen years old, but shall stay in the service until the war is over. I must close now, give my love to all and tell them to write.

Goodbye.

Your loving son,
GEORGE.

Letters from two brothers who served in the 4th North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War are available in a number of sources online.  Unfortunately, the brothers are misidentified in some places as Walter Lee and George Lee when their names were actually Walter Battle and George Battle. See The Battle Brothers for more information on the misidentification.

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction,
Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,)
Oct 11th 1861

Honored and dear Sir¹

Your excellency’s letter² the 7th Ins’t desiring me to express my views, in regard to Genl Fremont frankly and Confidentially to the Secretary of War ; was presented by him this morning, and I have complied with your Excellencys request.³

I have complained of assaults on the General, because I considered it our duty to sustain and correct errors which I supposed grew out of embarrassments in a new avocation to which he is called, and a consequent ignorance of details and laws relating to the service, and I still reproach some who were early associated in intimate terms with him.

But he has been surrounded with strangers, and adopted citizens, who do not know our language or laws, and for myself, although I tried to be agreeable, I have had very little opportunity to make suggestions to him. In the meantime things seemed at loose ends and utterly inconsistant with law and usage.

Since I was placed in Command here, I have become more acquainted with the erratic course and irregularity of his orders, and I am greatly obliged to your Excellencys letter which breaks the restraints of military etiquette & enables me to relieve myself of a painful silence.

In my judgement General Fremont lacks the intelligence the experiance the sagacity and regard for system and economy necessary to such a command as he now holds. I have arrived at this conclusion reluctantly and gradually. There is a kind of reserve which he maintains that evinces embarrassment or vanity which I never could overcome so as to fully ascertain his views. He would talk of plans, but when he attempted to explain them they were trifling movements of a General here or there “to drive away the enemy” with no relation to a general purpose, which I have finally believed he never conceived.

Forces are scattered and isolated without being [continue reading…]

Camp Asboth, near Tipton, October 11th. For the last twenty-four hours it has rained violently, and the prairie upon which we are encamped is a sea of black mud. But the tents are tight, and inside we contrive to keep comparatively warm.

The camp is filled with speculations as to our future course. Shall we follow Price, who is crossing the Osage now, or are we to garrison the important positions upon this line and return to St. Louis and prepare for the expedition down the river? The General is silent, his reserve is never broken, and no one knows what his plans are, except those whose business it is to know. I will here record the plan of the campaign.

Our campaign has been in some measure decided by the movements of the Rebels. The sudden appearance of Price in the West, gathering to his standard many thousands of the disaffected, has made it necessary for the General to check his bold and successful progress. Carthage, Wilson’s Creek, and Lexington have given to Price a prestige which it is essential to destroy. The gun-boats cannot be finished for two months or more, and we cannot go down the Mississippi until the flotilla is ready; and from the character of the country upon each side of the river it will he difficult to operate there with a large body of men. In Southwestern Missouri we are sure of fine weather till the last of November, the prairies are high and dry, and there are no natural obstacles except such as it will excite the enthusiasm of the troops to overcome. Therefore the General has determined to pursue Price until he catches him. He can march faster than we can now, but we shall soon be able to move faster than it is possible for him to do. The Rebels have no base of operations from which to draw supplies; they depend entirely upon foraging; and for this reason Price has to make long halts wherever he finds mills, and grind the flour. He is so deficient in equipage, also, that it will be impossible for him to carry his troops over great distances. But we can safely calculate that Price and Rains will not leave the State; their followers are enlisted for six months, and are already becoming discontented at their continued retreat, and will not go with them beyond the borders. This is the uniform testimony of deserters and scouts. Price disposed of, either by a defeat or by the dispersal of his army, we are to proceed to Bird’s Point, or into Arkansas, according to circumstances. A blow at Little Rock seems now the wisest, as it is the boldest plan. We can reach that place by the middle of November; and if we obtain possession of it, the position of the enemy upon the Mississippi will be completely turned. The communications of Pillow, Hardee, and Thompson, who draw their supplies through Arkansas, will be cut off, they will be compelled to retreat, and our flotilla and the reinforcements can descend the river to assist in the operations against Memphis and the attack upon New Orleans.

This campaign may be difficult, the army will have to encounter hardships and perils, but, unless defeated in the field, the enterprise will be successful. No hardships or perils can daunt the spirit of the General, or arrest the march of the enthusiastic army his genius has created.

Our column is composed of five divisions, under Generals Hunter, Pope, Sigel, McKinstry, and Asboth, and numbers about thirty thousand men, including over five thousand cavalry and eighty-six pieces of artillery, a large proportion of which are rifled. The infantry is generally well, though not uniformly armed. But the cavalry is very badly armed. Colonel Carr’s regiment has no sabres, except for the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The men carry Hall’s carbines and revolvers. Major Waring’s fine corps, the Fremont Hussars, is also deficient in sabres, and some of the companies are provided with lances,–formidable weapons in skilful hands, but only an embarrassment to our raw troops.

Lane and Sturgis are to come from Kansas and join us on the Osage, and Wyman is to bring his command from Rolla and meet us south of that river.

Paducah, Cairo, Bird’s Point, Cape Girardeau, and Ironton are well protected against attack, and the commanders at those posts are ordered to engage the enemy as soon as we catch Price; and if the Rebels retreat, they are to pursue them. Thus our expedition is part of a combined and extended movement, and, instead of having no purpose except the defeat of Price, we are on the road to New Orleans.

Next Monday we are to start. Asboth will go from here, Hunter by way of Versailles, McKinstry from Syracuse, Pope from his present position in the direction of Booneville, and Sigel from Sedalia. We are to cross the Osage at Warsaw; and as Sigel has the shortest distance to march, he is expected to reach that town first.

Precious time has already been lost because of a lack of transportation and supplies. Foraging parties have been scouring the country, and large numbers of wagons, horses, and mules have been brought in. This property is all appraised, and when taken from Union men it is paid for. In doubtful cases a certificate is given to the owner, which recites that he is to be paid in case he shall continue to be loyal to the Government. We thus obtain a hold upon these people which an oath of allegiance every day would not give us.

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.

11th. Rainy and unpleasant in the morning. Cleared up rather cold in the afternoon. Fannie, Libbie, and Fannie Hudson came to camp. So surprised, but glad.

October 11, Camp Ewing. – Wet, cold. We hear of enemy back at Camp Lookout and rumors of, over New River. On this road are many deserted homes – great Virginia taverns wasted. The people are for the most part a helpless and harmless race. Some Massachusetts people have come in and made pleasant homes. We are on a turnpike leading up the Kanawha to White Sulphur Springs and so on to eastern Virginia.

11th.–Sent off ambulances to-day to commence bringing forward the sick of my regiment, and whilst they were gone, after having put my hospital in good order for their reception, I stepped over again to Commodore Jones’ house to see how the guards stationed there had succeeded in carrying out their orders. Till I entered the house, I thought I had seen evidences of extreme vandalism, but the wanton destruction here beggars everything I have before witnessed. Furniture broken; feather beds opened, and their contents emptied over house and yard; even those beautiful family pictures were ground to atoms and thrown to the winds. But I need not describe here, for the impression is deeply stamped in memory, more durable and more accurate than words and letters can ever make. Everything destructable was destroyed. [1]

In handling over the papers I picked up the Commodore’s “Journal of a cruise in the U. S. ship Relief–bearing the broad pennant of Commodore Jones–Thos. A. Downer, Esq., Commander,” which I have preserved, and also a letter from a son of Commodore Tatnall (late of the rebel Merrimac) to Commodore Jones, written from the Meditterranean, asking to be relieved from duty there, and to be permitted to return to America.[2]

As it will be a matter of interest to me, in future, to study my predictions as to the course and conduct of this war–to rejoice and be vain over those which prove correct, and to laugh at or be ashamed of those which prove false, I shall continue to record them as I have begun; and here I enter one in which I hope to take interest a long time hence. As I have constantly predicted, we have had no fight here nor shall we have; and I now very much doubt whether we shall have a fight even at Manassas, and for this reason: “After all the feints of the enemy here to draw Gen. Banks from Harper’s Ferry had failed, they, seeing that we have got foot-hold in North Carolina, will fall back on their fortifications at Centerville and Manassas, and then presenting a bold front with a small body, will cover the withdrawal of the larger part of their force, which they will distribute in Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Western Virginia, and I very much doubt whether they will retain enough at Manassas to make a respectable fight. Kentucky and Tennessee are to become the theatre of war; and if I am not greatly mistaken, Kentucky will have trying times between this and the first of January. I hope that Gen. McClellan is taking the same view of things, and is preparing to meet it.” What I have here marked as a quotation is a copied from a letter this day written to a friend on the prospects of the war.

[1] It is worthy of remark here, that thus whilst this wanton destruction was going on, a half a mile away, everything on the place of Mr. Johnson, (a loyalist, whose house and garden were in the very midst of the encampments,) though unguarded was unmolested ; every article he had to dispose of was bought and paid for, at high prices, by the soldiers. Even thus early could we read the soldier’s aversion to guarding, or having guarded the property of rebels.

[2] This letter I handed to a lady connection of the Tatnall family, who was with me at the time, and she found means of restoring it to them.

October 11th.–Mr. Mure, who has arrived here in wretched health from New Orleans, after a protracted and very unpleasant journey through country swarming with troops mixed with guerillas, tells me that I am more detested in New Orleans than I am in New York. This is ever the fate of the neutral, if the belligerents can get him between them. The Girondins and men of the juste milieu are ever fated to be ground to powder. The charges against me were disposed of by Mr. Mure, who says that what I wrote of in New Orleans was true, and has shown it to be so in his correspondence with the Governor, but, over and beyond that, I am disliked, because I do not praise the peculiar institution. He amused me by adding that the mayor of Jackson, with whom I sojourned, had published “a card,” denying point blank that he had ever breathed a word to indicate that the good citizens around him were not famous for the love of law, order, and life, and a scrupulous regard to personal liberty. I can easily fancy Jackson is not a place where a mayor suspected by the citizens would be exempted from difficulties now and then; and if this disclaimer does my friend any good, he is very heartily welcome to it and more. I have received several letters lately from the parents of minors, asking me to assist them in getting back their sons, who have enlisted illegally in the Federal army. My writ does not run any further than a Federal judge’s.

11th.—Every thing apparently quiet, and we, in the absence of bad news, are surrounded by a most peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. Our communication with the outer world cut off by the freshet in the Shenandoah, so that we had no mail yesterday. Mr. _____ has gone to Richmond on business. He wrote from Culpeper CourtHouse, at which place he stopped to see J., a most pleasing account of the hospitals, and the care taken of the sick.

October 11.–The Confederate steamer Nashville, commanded by Lieutenant Pegram, successfully ran the blockade at Charleston, South Carolina.–The rebel Government having released and sent home fifty-seven prisoners, the National authorities ordered the release of an equal number of Confederate prisoners.–Baltimore American, October 16.

–An unsuccessful attempt to seize the steamboats Horizon and Izetta, plying on the Kanawha River, was made by the rebels.–(Doc. 76.)

–The New Orleans Picayune, of this day, contains the following: We have been permitted by Gen. Twiggs to see and to copy a telegraph despatch received by him to-day from Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Acting Secretary of War, dated at Richmond, on the 9th instant: ” Gen. D. E. Twiggs:

“Your despatch is received. The department learns with regret that the state of your health is such as to cause you to request to be relieved from active duty.

Your request is granted; but yon are expected to remain in command until the arrival of Gen. Mansfield Lovell, who has been appointed to succeed you, and who leaves for New Orleans to-morrow. J. P. Benjamin.”

–The Platte River bridge, near St. Joseph’s, was burned, and they are now obliged to cross in small boats and on rafts. Fifteen hundred regulars from Utah crossed this night, and many of them with their families. Being so many of them, some were obliged to cross on the rafts. They had ropes across the river, and these on the raft took hold of the end and polled, and it drew them across; but some one –a secessionist, they think–had cut the rope, and when they were about in the middle of the river it gave way and they floated down stream a short distance, and the raft hit against a tree and turned them all over, drowning a wife and only child of one man, three only children of another family, and a babe of eleven months old of another family. The bodies have not yet been recovered from among the rubbish. It was very dark, and they were obliged to come along and leave them. Some spoke not a word, but looked heart-broken; others mourning for a loved wife or children. Oh! it was a sight to melt a heart of stone.–Baltimore American, October 21.

–Lieut. Harrell, commanding the steamer Union, of the Potomac flotilla, stationed at the month of Acquia Creek, learning that the rebels had fitted out a large schooner in Quantico or Dumfries Creek, and had collected a considerable body of troops there, with the intention of crossing the Potomac, determined that the schooner should be destroyed. He accordingly organized an expedition, and with one boat and two launches entered the mouth of the creek about half-past two o’clock this morning. The schooner was discovered some distance up, in charge of a single sentry, who fled and gave the alarm. She was immediately boarded and set on fire, and when her destruction was rendered certain, Lieut. Harrell’s men returned to their boats and pulled again for the steamer. Their position was fully revealed by the light of the burning schooner, and they were fired upon continuously from both banks of the narrow stream; but not one of them was injured, though their clothing in many instances was perforated with bullets. The success of the enterprise was complete.–(Doc. 76.)

–The Brickel Battery N. Y. S. V., under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Brickel, left New York for the seat of war.

–The New Orleans Picayune of this day contains the following: “Yesterday was the first day for the execution of the Governor’s orders in regard to passports. Hereafter, persons wishing to leave the city, either by steamer or by railroad train, will be obliged to provide themselves with a passport, for which application must be made at the Governor’s office, between the hours of nine and three o’clock. Persons residing on the line of the Jackson Railroad, and whose business requires them to travel frequently, can obtain a monthly passport, on application to Mr. T. S. Williams, the General Superintendent. Military officers will accompany each train, and all travellers detected without the requisite pass will be arrested and brought back to the city.”

–The Missouri State Convention met at St. Louis. A resolution was introduced directing inquiry into the expediency of confiscating all the property of these engaged in or abetting the rebellion, and appropriating the proceeds to reimbursing loyal men for the losses they have sustained in maintaining the National or State Governments. Final action was not taken, but the convention, by a majority of four, refused to reject the resolution.–St. Louis Republican, October 12.

October 11, 1861

• William S. Rosecrans assumes command of the Federal Department of Western Virginia.

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Rebel steamer “Nashville” escaped from Charleston Harbor.
• Missouri State Convention met.
• Marshal Kane sent to Fort Lafayette.

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1861.

This has been a wet dreary day but the streets have been quite lively and the Ave crowded as usual. I saw a large body of cavalry moveing over the River from this side this morning. Our troops are makeing advances frequently on the other side but I think that no important battle will take place very soon. I looked at gas-fixtures on the Ave with a view of purchaseing some. Spent part of the day fixing up matters about the House. Willie has been quite smart all day spinning his top & whitling. He is sick nights.

______

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 10th.—A victory—but not in the East. I expect none here while there is such a stream of travel flowing Northward. It was in Missouri, at Lexington. Gen. Price has captured the town and made several thousand prisoners, whom he dismissed on parole.

October 10th, 1861.—War has come home to the Bradford neighborhood! . . . Last night, October 9th, Captain Richard H. Bradford was shot in the breast and instantly killed, while leading his men in an attack on Santa Rosa Island. He was everybody’s darling. We were so proud of him, too. Father went to bear the sad news to Uncle Richard and Aunt Nancy. May God help them for this is hard to bear. Cousin Edward Bradford, his brother, is bringing his body home. The telegram said they would stop over a few hours in Madison and the casket would lie in state in the court house there, that Madison might do him honor. Then they will come on and he will be buried in God’s Acre at Pine Hill.

Mr. William Routh was killed also, he was engaged to be married to Cousin Sallie and she fainted dead away when she heard the terrible news. Oh! War is worse even than I thought.

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