June 9, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)

                      Ed. Enquirer:  The particulars of this horrible murder we hasten to lay before your readers.  The awful deed was committed at midnight, on Ashley’s Farm, near Mount Hebron Church.  Hear the confession of the dastardly wretch:  It was midnight, when all nature seemed hushed in quiet repose, and the weary soldiers were slumbering in fancied security upon their pallets, save the martial tread of the watchful sentinel as he paced his post, vigilantly guarding his comrades from skulking intruders, when suddenly from the west, dark clouds ominously gathered upon the horizon; when, as time grew apace, the muttering thunders and vivid sheets of lightning darting like forked tongued serpents across the heavens indicated a terrific storm.  The heavens were pervaded with darkness–darker and blacker it grew–peal after peal rent the air; the lightnings flashed, the thunder roared, the earth quaked and vibrated at sounds of heaven’s artillery; large drops of rain fell thick and fast.  I awoke!  Would to heaven that I could have remained as unconscious as my sleeping comrades.  Slowly and cautiously an object, apparently invisible, came creeping towards me; the monster had taken hold of my foot.  I tried to speak but could not; my tongue clove to the roof of my mouth; a dizziness came over my bewildered brain; large drops of perspiration stood upon my forehead.  I endeavored to awaken my companion, but my strength failed me.  I grew faint.–Another flash more vivid, accompanied by terrific peals of thunder, revealed–Oh, God!  how can I describe it!  It was already on my body.  I used every effort to shake the monster off, but could not move a hand.  I almost ceased to breathe.  I could not endure such awful agony much longer.  With one tremendous bound I grasped my bowie knife and pistol with one hand, and with the other grasped the monster by the head.  My teeth were clenched, my eyes protruded from their sockets.  I raised the murderous weapon in the air, and, with giant strength, plunged my knife into the largest, fattest, bloodiest looking body bedbug I ever saw.  Steve Wells told me to lie still, or he would kick me out of bed.

June 9, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

THE NEWS FROM RICHMOND.

RICHMOND, June 8. The Yankees who crossed the Rappahannock advanced on Saturday to take possession of Hamilton’s Crossing, supposing that our forces had moved from that vicinity. When they had approached within a mile and a half of the railroad, two or three of our brigades made a dash at them. The Yankees, without firing a gun, fled to their entrenchments near Deep Run. During the remainder of the day the enemy kept quiet behind his entrenchments.

No official advices have been received from Vicksburg for several days past.

It is understood that Mr. VALLANDIGHAM will proceed to a Southern port en route for Nassau.

FRANK BLAIR, Jr., who was recently arrested in this city, has been discharged.

Major General TRIMBLE has issued an address invoking Marylanders to join the troops from that State serving in the Valley District.

Later. The Fredericksburg correspondent of the Dispatch says that the Yankee skirmishers advanced across the river road yesterday afternoon, but were promptly driven back, when their artillery opened an ineffective fire for about an hour. A deserter reports that 20,000 men have been left in Stafford County, and that the rest of HOOKER’S army had been moved away. The enemy have dug rifle pits from Deep Run down to the lower Baynard House. It was believed that they would leave tonight.

The following is a list of the wounded in the skirmish on Saturday: Second Georgia Battalion, Company A – RANDOLPH MITCHEL, leg amputated; JAS. RYAN, wounded in both sides; J. REESE, hip and leg. Forty-Eighth Georgia Regiment, Company D – F. TALLHAUS, wounded in the knee.

June 9, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)

                      We learn that some enterprising gentlemen from Georgia went to Tennessee, a short time ago, and purchased a paper mill that was exposed to the enemy, and succeeded in removing its machinery just before a raid of the enemy swept through the region where it was located.  It is to be put up somewhere in Georgia.

                      There is no enterprise more important, or more promising of speedy returns, than paper mills.  A half dozen new ones, of the largest capacity, would scarcely supply the demand for paper.–Some of our enterprising blockade runners might import the machinery, and mills could be in running order in three or four months.  Will not capitalists consider the great good they might do, in risks like this?

                      Books, papers and tracts can only be published at an enormous price, owing to the scarcity of paper. The religious, educational, and literary advancement of our people is sadly affected by the paper famine, which is in the power of our capitalists to remove.–Aug. Const.

Tuesday, 9th.—Cannonading nearly all night around the lines. Siege continues about as usual.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

June 9th, 1863.—The churches are a great resort for those who have no caves. People fancy they are not shelled so much, and they are substantial and the pews good to sleep in. We had to leave this house last night, they were shelling our quarter so heavily. The night before, Martha forsook the cellar for a church. We went to H.’s office, which was comparatively quiet last night. H. carried the bank box; I the case of matches; Martha the blankets and pillows, keeping an eye on the shells. We slept on piles of old newspapers. In the streets the roar seems so much more confusing, I feel sure I shall run right into the way of a shell. They seem to have five different sounds from the second of throwing them to the hollow echo wandering among the hills, which sounds the most blood-curdling of all.

Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in post-civil war New Orleans, her diary was published anonymously, edited by G. W. Cable, names were changed and initials were generally used instead of full names—and even the initials differed from the real person’s initials. (Read Dora Richards Miller’s biographical sketch.)

Monday, 8th–The Third Brigade received their knapsacks this morning. The boys are at work building sheds of the canebrake which is so plentiful in this part of the State. Fighting is still kept up and reinforcements are arriving every day. Vicksburg must and shall fall this time!

8th. Issued beef in the morning. Rob and I went out and got some strawberries and milk. Some for Capt. N., getting some better. In the P. M. orders for Kautz brigade to be ready to march at 4 P. M. Thede, Drake and I went together. Forded the river at Stigall’s Ferry and encamped three miles on. Pulled grass. Bed at 11 P. M. Two days’ rations. Tod and we boys got some tea. Very little sleep.

June 8th. At one thirty A. M., mortar vessels below opened fire upon the batteries; at nine A. M., inspected crew at quarters. Artillery firing heard in rear of Port Hudson. From eight P. M. to twelve midnight, firing of great guns heard, at Port Hudson.

JUNE 8th.—Well, the enemy have thrown another column over the Rappahannock, below Fredericksburg. This is probably a manœuvre to arrest Lee’s advance in Culpepper County. But it won’t do–Lee’s plans cannot be changed—and this demonstration was in his calculations. If they think Richmond can be taken now, without Lee’s army to defend it, they may find their mistake.

The clerks and employees in the departments are organizing to man the fortifications, should their aid be needed.

Hon. M. R. H. Garnett writes from Essex County that the enemy have had Lawrence Washington, arrested in Westmoreland County, confined in a prison-ship in the Potomac, until his health gave way. He is now in Washington, on parole not to escape.

About 140,000 bushels of corn have been sent to Lee’s army in May, which, allowing ten pounds per day to each horse, shows that there are over 20,000 horses in this army. But the report says not more than 120,000 bushels can be forwarded this month.

The press everywhere is opening its batteries on the blockade-runners, who bring in nothing essential to the people, and nothing necessary for the war.

The arrivals and departures of steamers amount to one per day, and most of the goods imported are of Yankee manufacture. Many cargoes (unsold) are now held in Charleston—and yet the prices do not give way.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

                      JUNE 8TH.–Another day born in the midst of the rattle of shot and shell. Each day finds us more firmly entrenched amid these hills, until we begin to feel ourselves impregnable.

                      I visited one of the teeming hospitals to see some boys, and it made me sad enough to look upon some who will soon pass from these scenes of strife. One smooth-cheeked little artillery lad closed his eyes forever, with a last lingering look upon the flag he had hoped to see waving over Vicksburg. His last look was at the flag–his last word was “mother!” Poor boy, when he left home he knew little of the hardships and privations to be endured. War is quite another thing from what my schooldays pictured it. I used to think the two contending armies would march face to face and fire at each other, column by column, but experience has shown me a very different picture, for when the command to fire is given it is often when each man must fire at will, taking shelter where he can, without going too far from his line.

June 8, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

LATEST FROM THE RAPPAHANNOCK.

RICHMOND, June 7. Letters from Hamilton’s Crossing state that a brigade of Yankees, with six pieces of artillery, have crossed the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg, and taken up a position in the vicinity of the site of the Bernard House. The movement is supposed to be a feint. Three transports and one gunboat went up the Mattipone River on Friday, and heavy firing has since been heard in that direction, but the cause was not ascertained. The Yankees have burned several mills and houses in King William county. It is reported that they have also carried off large numbers of negros.

LATEST FROM VICKSBURG AND PORT HUDSON.

JACKSON, June 6. We have not even a rumor today, either from Vicksburg or Port Hudson. Heavy firing continues at the former place. Last night it was terrific.

A gentleman direct from Clinton, La., states that the Federals assaulted Port Hudson, and after four days’ hard fighting GARDNER routed them at every point with great slaughter. The negros were put in front and were shot down like dogs. On the last day GARDNER slipped out a regiment of mounted infantry, who came charging through the Federal lines, whooping and yelling. The enemy stampeded, and were pursued and slaughtered dreadfully. The cold steel was freely used. The enemy are at Baton Rouge, and the siege of Port Hudson has been raised. Near Greenville five transports containing [continue reading…]

June 8, 1863, The New York Herald

General Grant does not appear to have ever made a speech, or to have told any one what he would like to do against the rebels. No phrases of his live in the popular memory, and he does not even electrify the nation or the troops under his command with congratulatory orders. But he fights a great deal. He has been sneered at; he has been maligned; he has been neglected, and has done more against the rebellion than any other general now in the field. Like the other Ulysses, he has delight of […..] battle with his peers,” on terribly contested fields, where it seemed at the time that the existence of the rebellion was in question, and he has been successful always. All this a glance at his career in this war will show.

His name first came prominently before the public in connection with the fight at Belmont, in November, 1861. Price was then doing his utmost to push the fortunes of the rebellion in Missouri, and there was a rebel force of at least fifteen thousand men at Columbus, on the Mississippi, a portion of which it was expected would be thrown across to reinforce Price. There was danger also that some small bodies of Union troops out in Southeastern Missouri, in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson, would be picked up by this rebel advance. Grant was at Cairo, with a small force. He could not, of course, have hoped to make any impression on Columbus or assume the offensive in any way upon a large scale. But he resolved to keep the enemy busy, to protect the detachments, and to prevent, if possible, the reinforcement of Price. This is the whole nature of the affair at Belmont. It was a diversion. After a successful deception of the enemy as to his intentions, he suddenly landed above Belmont with only twenty-eight hundred men of all arms. With this force he captured and destroyed an intrenched camp, took two field batteries and two hundred prisoners, under the fire of the guns at Columbus. Immediately after the commencement of the fight General Polk, at Columbus – as we learn by his own statement – threw across eight regiments and crossed in person. Grant was thus threatened with capture. He could not get away, and was compelled with his [continue reading…]

June 8, 1863, The New York Herald

The government received despatches from Vicksburg last night dated up to Wednesday, the 3d inst. The siege was then still going on; but not a word of the particulars of the operations there appears to have been received, or, at least, not promulgated. Despatches from Cairo yesterday say that the fire seen in Vicksburg on Monday last was caused by the explosion of our shells, and that one side of Washington square was burned down. Our lines have advanced so close that the armies are now within speaking distance. The siege guns were all planted, and were expected to open fire on Wednesday. On Friday every gun in position threw shells into Vicksburg to the number of “[…..] within one hour.” So says a despatch from Memphis; and if it be true it is a matter worthy of conjecture how long the city could stand this kind of bombardment.

The intercepted despatches from the rebel General Pemberton to General Johnston state that the forage at Vicksburg was all gone, the ammunition nearly exhausted, and that he could hold out ten days more.

A despatch from Murfreesboro, dated the 7th, says that Col. Wilder, of the mounted infantry, has broken up a band of guerillas near Liberty, taking all their horses and sixty-two prisoners. It is said that the troops from Mississippi in Gen. Bragg’s army are mutinous, and that a Col Sucker has been under arrest for some days past. This news comes from deserters. [continue reading…]

June 8, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

In our issue of Saturday we gave a list of houses destroyed by the enemy during their recent raid against Bluffton. As matter of general interest to our readers we give a list of the houses that were spared by the fire. In many instances the fine old shade trees saved the property:

1. Episcopal Church.
2. Methodist Church – set on fire but not destroyed.
3. E. Baynard.
4. George Chisolm.
5. Col. E. M. Seabrook.
6. W. Gaston Allen.
7. Mrs. Fickling.
8. Rev. Jos. Seabrook.
9. Masonic Lodge – set on fire but not destroyed.
10. Middleton Stuart.
11. T. J. S. Farr.
12. Paul Seabrook.
13. John A. Seabrook.
14. Jas. Farris.
15. –. Philips.
16. J. D. Seabrook.
17. Mrs. H. R. Hardee – set on fire but not destroyed.
18. Jos. M. Farr.
19. Mrs. Jas. Kirk.
20. Francis’ School House.
21. J. J. Cole.
22. Jas. Pope, Sr.
23. N. G. Graham.
24. T. H. Coe.
25. Thos. Jeffords.
26. Geo. Winnyham.
27. Billiard Room.
28. Wm. Proctor.
29. C. B. Kirk.
30. Wm. Mickler.

June 8, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We gather from our Western exchanges the following additional information of the progress of hostilities at Vicksburg:

A despatch from Rodney to the Natchez Courier states, on the authority of a paroled prisoner, that the enemy’s dead were five to one of ours on the battle field of Baker’s Creek. At Big Black bridge our loss was ten, the enemy’s four hundred. The enemy had taken, in all the operations, 5000 prisoners, of which 1600 were captured after crossing Big Black.

Gen. Osterhaus was mortally wounded at the battle near Raymond, which was a desperate fight on both sides, with clubbed muskets – a real hand to hand fight. This appears to refer to a part of the operations known as the battle of Baker’s Creek.

After the terrible slaughter on Friday, General Grant issued an order for new ladders to be made and the assault to be renewed on Saturday, at 2 o, but the men refused to be led again to the […..] pen.’ The Twentieth Ohio sent a petition to General McClernand, and positively refused to participate again in the murderous work.

Col. Womack, Chief of Grant’s staff, expressed the opinion that Vicksburg would not be taken for six months, if ever. They imagine now that our forces in Vicksburg is from 75,000 to 100,000 men. The entire Federal loss around the entrenchments at Vicksburg is estimated by them at from 35,000 to 45,000. [continue reading…]

8th.—We have had a cavalry fight near Culpeper Court-House. We drove the enemy back, but I am afraid that our men won no laurels, for we were certainly surprised most shamefully.

Sunday, 7th–The rebels made an attack on our forces at Duck’s Point, Louisiana, where, it is reported, two negro regiments met the attack and captured two hundred prisoners and five pieces of artillery. Who says that the negro will not fight? I say he will fight! Arm the negroes and let them fight for their liberty! There are some Northern troops with them at Duck’s Point, and together they make a strong garrison.

7th. After breakfast and morning work, went up to the bluff and enjoyed a good bath. A small stream of water enters the ground and runs for half a mile underground and comes out clear and cool from the rocks, beneath a high bluff. Runs through a big trough, falling several feet. Read the Independent and wrote home and to Fannie. Talk of a raid soon.

Headquarters, Left Wing 16th Army Corps,
Lagrange, Tenn.,

June 7, 1863.

We had occupied our very pleasant quarters but two days when an order came for us to pack up for Vicksburg. Received the order at dark and by daylight the next morning we were in Lagrange. General Oglesby had moved his headquarters here and he gobbled me without a moment’s warning. The regiment moved on for the doomed city yesterday and left me. Now don’t write me any of your “glads,” for I’m almost demoralized over the matter. Am uneasy as the d—. The idea of leaving just when I know that the regiment is moving on to a fight doesn’t look at all right; but then I’m where I’d rather be than at any other place in the army, and suppose that other chances will be offered for fighting. If the general had entirely recovered from his wound, I am sure that we would leave this railroad guarding business to some one of less importance in the field, but he is hardly able to stand an active campaign yet. Sam Caldwell, Major Waite and myself compose the staff now and it is so pleasant. It’s “Sam” “Waite” “Charley” and “general.” I have been east on the railroad to-day looking at the defenses of the road. ‘Twill be completed to Corinth by Wednesday next, when the road to Jackson and from here to Corinth will be abandoned. We’ve had another scare here to-day. Some 800 Rebels within a few miles of us. One of the cars on which our regiment was loaded flew the track yesterday, and one man was killed and several hurt. None of my company, or that you knew.

June 7th. Slight firing from pieces of artillery, heard in rear of Port Hudson, early this morning; at ten A. M. ship and crew inspected by Commodore; at ten thirty, called all hands to muster, performed Divine service, and mustered crew around capstan. Nothing more, worthy of being recorded, occurred during this day. I forgot here to mention, as is the custom in the naval service, on the first Sunday of every month, that the articles of war were read to the ship’s company assembled together on the quarterdeck, before Divine service was performed, by the first Lieutenant and Executive Officer, Mr. L. A. Kimberly.

JUNE 7th.—I saw yesterday a specimen of the President’s elaborate attention to the matter of appointments. Lient.-Gen. A. P. Hill having asked for a military court to his corps, and having recommended the officers, the President, with his own hand, laid down the rule of selection for the guidance of the Secretary, viz.: the State which had the greatest number of regiments would be entitled to the choice of positions, to be taken from the candidates of its citizens according to qualifications, recommendations, etc. It appeared that North Carolina stood first on the list, Virginia next, Georgia next, and so on.

Oh that we could get something decisive from Vicksburg! If Grant’s and Banks’s armies should be destroyed, I think there would be some prospect of peace at an early day. For, if Lincoln should persist in a prolongation of the war, the probabilities would be the expulsion of the enemy from the Mississippi Valley and the recovery of New Orleans. After the fifteenth of this month, operations must cease on the Carolina and Georgia coasts—Charleston and Wilmington being still in our possession. But we should not be idle. Lee, in disdaining the sheltered army of the invaders, would be likely to invade in turn; and the public demand of retaliation for the cruelties and destruction of private property perpetrated by the enemy could not be resisted. His men would probably apply the torch to the towns and cities of the Yankees, destroying their crops, farming utensils, etc., as the invaders have done in Virginia and elsewhere.

To avoid these calamities, it is possible Lincoln would make peace. Therefore we are so anxious to hear from Vicksburg, the turning-point of the war.

Besides, we shall not please England by our treatment of her consuls; and this may stimulate the United States to concentrate its wrath upon its ancient foe.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

                      JUNE 7TH.–The 20th was at the front all day, sharp shooting. There is a good deal of danger in this kind of business, but we have our fun at it notwithstanding. Another effigy hoisted a little above our rifle-pits, in an instant drew the fire of the enemy. It was our ruse to get them to raise their heads a little, and when they did, we fired back, and the result generally justified the refrain to which our thoughts were moving,

                                              Should a rebel show his pate,
                                              To withdraw he’ll prove too late.

                      We have caught them that way several times.

                      We still keep unshaken confidence in General Grant, and the ultimate success of our cause. We shall stand firm at our posts, yielding cheerful obedience to all orders, and march bravely on without halting to wrangle and grumble at every imaginary shortcoming in our officers, while our country is in such distress, and when her cries are borne to us upon every breeze. To be in Grant’s army, McPherson’s corps, Logan’s division and the 20th Ohio, commanded by our brave and courteous colonel, M. F. Force, is to be as well off as any soldier in any army in the world.

June 7.—We are living in fear of a Yankee raid. They have a large force on York River, and are continually sending parties up the Pamunky and Mattapony Rivers, to devastate the country and annoy the inhabitants. Not long ago a party rode to the house of a gentleman on Mattapony; meeting him on the lawn, the commander accosted him: ” Mr. R., I understand you have the finest horses in King William County?” “Perhaps, sir, I have,” replied Mr. R. ” Well, sir,” said the officer, ” I want those horses immediately.” “They are not yours,” replied Mr. R, “and you can’t get them.” The officer began to curse, and said he would burn every house on the place if the horses were not produced. Suiting the action to the word, he handed a box of matches to a subordinate, saying, “Burn!” In half an hour Mr. R. saw fourteen of his houses in a light blaze, including the dwelling, the kitchen, corn-houses and barn filled with grain, meat-house filled with meat, and servants’ houses. Scarcely any thing was saved, not even the family clothes. But he did not get the horses, which were the objects of his peculiar wishes; the faithful servants had carried them away to a place of safety. How strange it is that we can be so calm, surrounded as we are by danger!

Sunday, 7th.—One man of our reserve wounded. Pretty heavy cannonading up the river. Some are in hopes it is Johnston with re-inforcements.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)