Cross Lanes, Near Gauley River,
South Of Summersville, Virginia,
September 19, 1861.

Dear Mother : – I am in the best possible health. Since the retreat of the enemy I have been too busy to write. You must look in the correspondence of the Commercial or Gazette for my welfare. If I should lose a little toe, it will be told there long before a letter from me would reach [you]. Their correspondents send by telegraph and couriers every day from this army. Their accounts, making proper allowance for sensational exaggeration, are pretty truthful.

Dr. Joe and his assistant performed their duty and the duty of about half a dozen other surgeons during and after the fight. Everybody was well cared for – even the enemy. The number of killed and badly wounded did not exceed twenty-five; other wounds about seventy-five, mostly very slight. The suffering is not great. Gunshot wounds are accompanied with a numbness which relieves the wounded. Laura’s bandages figured largely.

We are now enjoying ourselves very much; beautiful weather; fine fruit, vegetables, and other food, also pretty nights. Love to all.

Affectionately your son,

R. B. Hayes.

P. S. – You must excuse my short letter. I have a prodigious amount of writing to do. I am acting judge-advocate and have tried five cases lately. – H.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

Cross Lanes, Near Gauley River, Below
Summersville, Virginia, September 19,
Thursday A. M., [1861].

Dearest: – I fear you do not get the letters I have written the last ten days, as we are out of the reach of mail facilities. I got your letter of the 5th about forty miles north of here out of a waggon-train that I stopped. You can always know of my welfare from the correspondence in the Gazette and [the] Commercial. They are informed directly from headquarters. I see their correspondents daily. Colonel Scammon being at the head of a brigade (a very little one), Colonel Matthews commands our regiment. On the day of the fight, and most of the time since, I have had an independent command. Most [of] the time almost a regiment, made up from our regiment, the Thirtieth, and small parties of cavalry. I have thus far been the sole judge advocate also of this army; so I am very busy. We tried three cases yesterday. It is a laborious and painful business. And after writing so much I would not write you but for my anxiety to have you know how much I think of and love you. Love and kisses to all the boys.

My impression is that the enemy has left our bailiwick entirely, but there are rumors of re-enforcements, etc., etc. If so, we shall have another fight within ten days. With anything like management and decent luck, we shall surely beat them. But there is a great deal of accident in this thing. Not enough to save them unless they do better than heretofore.

Dr. Joe is well. All of us getting thin and tough. Matthews has lost twenty-five pounds, Dr. Joe five pounds. I have lost five to eight. The soldiers generally from ten to twenty pounds. I never was so stout and tough. You need not send my pants unless you see somebody coming direct or get a chance with Mr. Schooley’s things. I am well fixed. Dr. McDermott is here, [continue reading…]

Thursday, 19th–Nothing of importance today. A few new recruits came in. There is no excitement in getting men to enlist; only plain facts are presented as to our duty to sustain the Government.

September 19.–At Louisville, Ky., this morning, the United States Marshal seized the office of the Louisville Courier, arrested ex-Governor Morehead, Reuben T. Marrett, one of the proprietors of the Courier, and Martin W. Barr, telegraphic news-reporter for the New Orleans press, on charges of treason or complicity with treason.–National Intelligencer, Sept. 21.

–The brig Hannah Eastel, with a forged clearance from New York for St. Thomas, having a large and valuable cargo, was seized at Elizabethport, N. J., this afternoon. The captain and crew escaped.–N. Y. Herald, Sept. 20.

–The Seventh regiment of New Jersey Volunteers left Trenton, this afternoon, for the seat of war near Washington. The regiment is commanded by Colonel Joseph N. Revere, and numbers seven hundred and fifty men, who have been mustered and equipped during the last thirty days.

–This afternoon, about four o’clock, a skirmish occurred beyond Bardstown Junction, Ky., between the Boone Guards, Company H, Captain Paul Byerly, and a secession company, supposed to be the Bitterwater Blues. None of the Boone Guards were hurt, and, if any injury was done on the rebel side, the darkness concealed it. The secessionists made only a running fight, and a very poor one too.–Louisville Journal, Sept. 20.

–An immense Union meeting was held at Bangor, Me., this evening. Over five thousand people attended. The meeting was addressed by some of the most prominent citizens, and the greatest enthusiasm was manifested.

–The Quebec (Canada) Mercury wishes the South to persevere in its course, in order to “break up the hitherto boastful Union;” and it desires that England and France may recognize the confederacy as the speediest way of destroying the Government. After that work is accomplished, that paper thinks that England will, in a little time, by productions of cotton in India, make herself independent of the Southern States in regard to that staple, and that, it further says, would lead to the emancipation of the slaves, and the final overthrow of both sections.–N. Y. Herald, Sept. 18.

September 19, 1861

• Confederate forces captured the hills around Lexington thus making the city even more open to artillery attacks. An attempt to get supplies to the Union defenders via the river system failed when the Confederates captured the supply boats along with their supplies.
• Crossing into Kentucky through the Cumberland Pass, Brigadier General Felix Zollicoffer disperses a small federal garrison at Barboursville.

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Ex-Gov. Morehead and others in Louisville arrested for treason.

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

Civil War Era Photographic Portraiture No. 26

The lady in this image is identified as Sabria Clack in the photograph’s information at the Library of Congress, where it is part of the Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs.  Given that she is holding an image of William Clack in uniform, this photo was almost certainly taken while William was away during the war.  William and Sabria were married September 12, 1865, so Sabria would have still been Sabria Caroline Newport.

Library of Congress and other information:

Title: [Sabria Clack holding cased photograph of her husband, Private W.R. Clack, of Co. B, 43rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment]
Date Created/Published: [between 1861 and 1865]
Medium: 1 photograph : sixth-plate tintype ; 15.7 x 12.7 cm (case)
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-34983 (digital file from original item)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
Access Advisory: Use digital images. Original served only by appointment because material requires special handling.
Call Number: AMB/TIN no. 3075 [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Notes:
…..Title devised by Library staff.
…..Sabria Caroline Newport Clack identified by descendant Edna Sachs, June 2013.
…..Case: Berg, no. 5-10G (variant).
…..Photograph of Sabria Clack’s husband, William, processed as AMB/TIN no. 3074.
…..Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2012; (DLC/PP-2012:127).
…..More information about this collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.lilj
…..Purchased from: The Historical Shop, Metairie, La., 2012.
…..Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (Library of Congress).
…..Forms part of: Ambrotype/Tintype photograph filing series (Library of Congress).

Library of Congress item permalink

__________

Mike’s notes:

Image restoration note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
– fade correction,
– color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
– selected spot and/or scratch removal
– cropped for composition and/or to accentuate subject matter
– straighten image

Image restoration is the process of using digital restoration tools to create new digital versions of the images while also improving their quality and repairing damage.

__________

“William Raleigh Clack Journal – 1870’s.” USGenWeb archives – census wills deeds genealogy. Accessed September 18, 2021. http://files.usgwarchives.net….

“Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications : Rhea County.” Tennessee department of State: Tennessee State library and archives. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com….

Guffy, Pat Hawkins. “William Raleigh Clack, A Man of Purpose.” Pieces From The Past. The Herald-News. Dayton, Tennessee, June 24, 2016. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.rheaheraldnews.com….

Guffy, Pat Hawkins. “William Raleigh Clack, the Woman behind the Man.” Pieces From The Past. The Herald-News. Dayton, Tennessee, August 5, 2016. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.rheaheraldnews.com….

“William Raleigh ‘Rollie’ Clack.” Daily Observations from The Civil War . Accessed September 18, 2021. http://dotcw.com/w-r-clack/.

Wednesday, 18th. Arose at the firing of the cannon. After the morning drill started for town and met Uncle. (Albert Harris.) Returned and was introduced to Colonel (Chas. W. Doubleday), Major Miner and the Quartermaster. (Lt. Abbey.)

Sept. 18.

Charley left on Monday to be with his regiment, which has been drafted into the U. S. Service–the first step towards Washington. The members singly can resign at any time, and Charley will do this when called upon to leave the city.

.   .   .   .   .   .

WEDNESDAY 18

Delightful day bright & cool. M. 70. Went over to the Depot to see about freight to NY. Went from there to the Western Wharves “Morgan & Rhinehart” on the same errand. Visited the Govt “Corrall,” 3000 horses and some 2000 mules there and acres of Govt Wagons. On my return purchased 6 dry goods boxes on the Ave for packing furniture, intend to have a sale of our bulky articles soon. Wife and children will go to L[ong] I[sland] for the present, or until times are better.

______

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.

SEPTEMBER 18th.—Gen. Floyd has been attacked at Gauley, by greatly superior numbers. But he was intrenched, and slew hundreds of the enemy before he retreated, which was effected without loss.

Dallas Herald, September 18, 1861

In accordance with the wishes of Adjutant General Byrd, as expressed in his address, I will hold myself in readiness to receive and receipt for all contributions to supply the wants of our soldiers. Attention is called to his address to the people, and especially to the fact therein set forth, that all clothing thus supplied will be paid for in bonds of the Confederate States.

Contributions and supplies furnished under this call, will be stored at Dallas until their removal and destination be ordered by the proper authorities; and it is requested that all persons thus contributing will forward the articles to me at Dallas, for which the proper receipts will be given.

I deem it unnecessary to appeal to the patriotism of the people, when the whole country is moved as one man, in the hallowed cause of liberty and justice. The fact that our soldiers need proper clothing is only to be known, to obtain the supplies; and in view of this, I now call upon the people of Northern Texas to come forward and contribute whatever lies in their power. S. B. Pryor.

Relief Association.–It will be seen by reference to another column, that Dallas county is not behind any other in the State in her noble efforts to send relief to the soldiers that are now engaged in her defense. The ladies, ever alive to the wants of the gallant soldier, have determined to do all in their power to contribute to their comfort during the coming winter. We have seen numerous letters from members of Col. Greer’s regiment, all of which contain instances of want of clothing among the men. This has awakened in the hearts of our people the warmest emotions of sympathy and the determination to supply them. The farmers, merchants and in fact, every class of citizens, have contributed liberally towards this movement, and the ladies have met and decided to make up sufficient clothing not only for our own men, in the army, but enough for several other companies.

All praise is due our citizens for their generous devotion, especially when it is done without any expectation or desire of remuneration from the Confederate Government. While the contributions have been very liberal, we learn that a further supply of material is needed, which like the other, will be placed in the hands of ladies to be made into clothing. A committee has been appointed to receive and send off all that is contributed. It is desirable that all contributions should be sent in by the end of next week. We shall publish regularly, if desired, a full list of all contributions for this purpose.

Wednesday, 18th–There were more enrollments today, and there is some hope now of raising a company. The weather has become settled and everybody seems more cheerful. We have drill twice a day now, and have a good drill ground out on the town commons.

Sept. 18th.—I have been greatly interested in a letter, which has been sent me, written by my nephew, Lt. W. B. N., to his wife, the day after the battle of Manassas. I copy it here because I want his little relations, for whom I am writing this diary, to have a graphic description of the fight, and to know what their family and friends suffered for the great cause.

“Centreville, July 22,1861.

“My dear _____:—For the last four days we have never been longer than two hours in any one place, have slept upon the ground in good weather and bad, eaten nothing but crackers and fried bacon, and rested little at any time; for all of which privations and a thousand others we have been more than compensated (thanks to the just God who governs the councils of history and decrees the destiny of nations) in the glorious results of yesterday. On the morning of the 17th, we had received reliable information that the enemy was advancing, over 50,000 strong, and were not surprised, at five o’clock in the morning, to hear the fire of our pickets, who were slowly retiring before the advancing foe. The order was given to pack. In ten minutes baggage was packed, tents struck, and the wagons driven to the rear; and the whole command forward to line of battle. In a few minutes the glittering bayonets of the enemy lined the neighbouring hills. From the heavy signal-guns being fired at intervals along our line—commencing at Germantown and stretching along to [continue reading…]

September 18.–The Louisville Courier, having been found to be an advocate of treasonable hostility to the Government and authorities of the United States, -was excluded from the mails and post-offices of the United States until further orders.–Post Office Order.

The Seventh regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, numbering one thousand and seventy-two men left New Haven for the seat of war near Washington. The regiment is commanded by Colonel A. A. Terry.–N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, Sept. 19.

A correspondent Washington says that the Government has just discovered that the rebels are carrying on a contraband trade between Worcester County, Maryland, and Virginia. Large supplies of army stores have been transported to the rebels’ lines by this route. The necessary measures have been taken to stop the traffic.–A regiment has just passed down Pennsylvania avenue, headed by a soldier who 1ost a leg at the battle of Stone Bridge. He carried his musket strapped to his back. The spectacle excited the greatest enthusiasm among our citizens.

–The new gunboat Sagamore was launched to-day from Sampson’s yard, East Boston, Mass. Her keel was laid sixty days ago.–N. Y. Herald, Sept. 19.

–Yesterday a skirmish took place between the Home Guard and some of Gen. Zollicoffer’s men at Barboursville, Ky., without resulting in any damage. It was resumed to-day, when seven rebels and one of their horses were killed. One of the Home Guards received six wounds, and another was taken prisoner. The Home Guards numbered thirty-seven, and the rebels three hundred.–Two miles of the Covington and Lexington Railroad were torn up yesterday near Cyantheana.

September 18, 1861

• Having received supplies, including ammunition, the Confederates launched a major assault on Lexington. The Union defenders were cut off from their fresh water supplies by Confederate snipers.

A Chronological History of the Civil War in America¹

• Members (18), Speaker, and clerk of the Maryland Legislature arrested at Frederick and sent to Fort McHenry.
• Banks of New Orleans suspended specie payments.
• Skirmish near Columbus and Barboursville, Kentucky.

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

SEPTEMBER 17 th.—A man from Washington came into my office to-day, saying he had important information from Washington. I went into the Secretary’s room, and found Mr. Benjamin surrounded by a large circle of  visitors, all standing hat in hand, and quite silent. I asked him if he would see the gentleman from Washington. He said he “didn’t know who to see.” This produced a smile. He seemed to be standing there waiting for some one to speak, and they seemed to be waiting an invitation from him to speak. I withdrew from the embarrassing scene, remarking that my gentleman would call some other time. Meanwhile I wrote down the information, and sent it to the President.

Civil War Era Photographic Portraiture No. 25

Title: [Private W.R. Clack of Co. B, 43rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment, with saber, pistol, and small book]
Date Created/Published: [between 1861 and 1865]
Medium: 1 photograph : half-plate ambrotype, hand-colored ; 15.7 x 12.7 cm (case)
Summary: Photo shows identified soldier.
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-34982 (digital file from original item)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
Access Advisory: Use digital images. Original served only by appointment because material requires special handling.
Call Number: AMB/TIN no. 3074 [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes:
…..Title devised by Library staff.
…..Case: Berg, no. 1-3S.
…..Photograph of William Clack’s wife, Sabria, processed as AMB/TIN no. 3075.
…..Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2012; (DLC/PP-2012:127).
…..More information about this collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.lilj
…..Purchased from: The Historical Shop, Metairie, La., 2012.
…..Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (Library of Congress).
…..Forms part of: Ambrotype/Tintype photograph filing series (Library of Congress).
Library of Congress item permalink

__________

Mike’s notes:

Image restoration note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
– fade correction,
– color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
– selected spot and/or scratch removal
– cropped for composition and/or to accentuate subject matter
– straighten image

Image restoration is the process of using digital restoration tools to create new digital versions of the images while also improving their quality and repairing damage.

Tuesday, September 17.—Our piece kept on firing at an imaginary enemy for a whole hour; the Major of the Thirty-fourth being present. Nothing remarkable up to (Sunday, September 22).

TUESDAY 17

This has been a nice cool day until near night when there was a violent rain for an hour or two, flooding the streets. I saw the Comr of patents today. I shall go back into the office again in a short time. There is no particular news. Some people are expecting an attack upon the City. The Rebels have a large army within thirty miles of the City, probably near 200,000 men. They must do something soon. I was at the Pt off two or three hours. I think that Mr Scheopf will go into the army soon. Mr Holt backs him.

______

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.

Daily Times [Leavenworth, Ks], September 17, 1861

Leavenworth, Sept. 16, 1861.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, the following resolutions were passed and ordered to be published:

Resolved, That this committee disapprove of, and denounce “;” and that they will do all in their power to prevent it; and, in this regard, they invite the co-operation of all good citizens in the State; also,

Resolved, That the City Authorities be requested to strictly enforce the vagrant acts.

S. F. Atwood, Sec’y.

Daily Times [Leavenworth, Ks],
September 17, 1861

The Missouri Secessionists living on the Southern border of Kansas, are at their old tricks. Families are coming into this and other northern counties every day, being driven out of their homes by the border rebels.–The rebels take everything they can get their hands on, regardless as to the articles. Something should be done in the way of protecting the settlers of Southern Kansas.

Tuesday, 17th. Went through with the regular routine of camp life until five. Went over to Uncle’s and took tea. Wrote home and to Fannie Andrews.

Tuesday, 17th–Several new men enrolled today and things look more encouraging. I boarded at the tavern today.

Note: This letter—a document written in 1861—includes terms and topics that may be offensive to many today.   No attempt will be made to censor or edit 19th-century material to today’s standards.

September 17, 1861.

Well, I’ve slept half of this day and feel sleepy yet. I had a tough time on picket last night. We were divided into four squads and owing to the small number of men we had out (only 50) the corporals had to stand guard as privates; so I had all the stationing of reliefs to do myself and did not get a minute’s sleep all night. We were not troubled any by the enemy but the mosquitoes and fleas gave us the devil.

A coon came sliding down the tree Sam Nutt was stationed under, and he thought he was taken sure. The people here say that there are lots of bears and tiger cats killed here every winter. Sam has been to Cairo to-day and says that Keef, Fred Norcott and Cooper are all much better. There is a rumor now that our right is going to Virginia, but I don’t believe it. It is too good to be true. Our cook has been sick for several days and we have been just about half living on account of our being too lazy to cook. I don’t mean to be disrespectful when I say I was about as glad to see him cooking again this morning, as I would be to see you. He is a splendid nigger, seems to think the world of us boys. He buys a great many little things for us with his own money, which as we are all out, is a good institution. We are to get our pay next week the officers say. My pay is some $18 or $20 a month now. I am entitled to a straight sword now, but as I have to carry a musket also, I’ll trade it off for gingerbread if they’ll let me, and if they won’t I’ll lose it sure for I have enough to carry without it. I can hear the tattoo now before the colonel’s quarters at the other end of the camp and our boys are singing, “Home Again” as they lie around me in our tent. I thank goodness that none of them get homesick like some do that I know in our right. I do despise these whiners. I expect [continue reading…]