June 10, 1863, The New York Herald

From all the information in our possession, from Union and from rebel sources, we consider the fall of Vicksburg inevitable, that there is no earthly chance of escape for it, and that in all probability before the expiration of the present week we shall have the news of the impending capitulation.

The army of General Grant had been heavily reinforced, and reinforcements were still coming down. His besieging columns are strongly intrenched in a semicircle of only six miles long, enclosing the city and the rebel garrison. The gunboats of Admiral Porter hold the river front, so that nothing can get in and nothing can get out on any side without the consent of the besieging forces. The fifteen days at the end of which Pemberton had been promised assistance from Joe Johnston had expired; but instead of coming to the rescue Johnston was fortifying himself at Jackson City. He is represented as destitute of artillery, which is very likely from the extensive captures of those important engines of war made by our forces in their late victorious march by way of Jackson to Vicksburg. He is fortifying himself because, with the apprehensions of an experienced soldier, he thinks it not improbable that on some fine morning a portion of Grant’s army may be found […..] upon his works.” He knows, too, that, with the fall of Vicksburg, Mobile will be in imminent danger; and so we dare say that as much as for any other purpose, Johnston is mustering an army for the defence of Mobile.

The condition of things at Port Hudson at our last accounts was as encouraging as at Vicksburg. Independently of the other, each of these places is destined to fall; but the fall [continue reading…]

June 10, 1863, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)

                      Deputy Sheriff Stewart and officer Guill were sent for yesterday to suppress a disturbance at Kingston Mines, which bid fare to amount to considerable of a riot.  There being a strike at the mines for higher wages, the men who refused to work attempted to interfere with those who remained, got tight, threatened to burn the town, and kicked up a muss generally.  Ten of them were arrested and brought by the officers to this city, and for want of quarters in the county jail, the prisoners were confined in the calaboose.  Their examination will take place to-day.

Wednesday, 10th.—Rained hard all day; man in Company E. mortally wounded.

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

9th. Awakened at three A. M. Got coffee for breakfast, baked potatoes, but didn’t get done in time. Marched on at daylight. Met the 2nd Tenn. at Capt. West’s,[1] they had crossed and captured 7 or 8 pickets on Mills Springs road. Co. H in advance. Soon came upon the pickets and kept skirmishing for two or three miles. Drake, Thede and I followed Co. H. Soon body of rebt. was seen to the left. Fences thrown down and boys went into the field. Georgia Regt. gave L Co. a volley with no effect and soon fell back. As we were advancing, a regt. 10th Confederate from Georgia, Florida and Alabama came out into a field on the hill with flying colors and gave battle. D and I were near K Co. in a little valley, but bullets whistled lively–horse and man wounded near by. Soon howitzers came up and before long started these. Rebels made several stands before reaching Monticello. Fought well. Several killed and wounded, Corp. Laundon. Last stand near town behind a wall, determined. Aggravating to see their colors. Charged after them through town. Quaker gun in courthouse window. Went out without carbine. Got but one good shot with revolver. Picked up a musket and carried it. Advance ordered back. 45th and 7th with section of howitzers went on and drove the Rebs through the gorge. Went along. Soon drove them and turned back. Rested awhile in town. Destroyed arms and ammunition, then commenced the retreat–H, two companies of 45th, two of 7th rear guard. Went on and saw the wounded. Interesting conversation, intelligent prisoners from Georgia. One man killed whose father worth several millions of property. At Capt. West’s, halted awhile, made tea, drank, when firing was heard. Col. Kautz heard enemy or force were following and overpowering the rear guard. All troops gone by but two companies of the 45th. Col. turned back with them. We went with him. Got to the woods and rear guard came up hurriedly, some boys running away. Dismounted the men and got into the woods in time to give the rebels a telling round as they charged up the road with a yell. Several of them killed and wounded. Rebs stood and gave fierce volleys. Very near a panic. Finally efforts succeeded. Kept up firing and drove Rebs a mile through the woods. Lt. Case severely wounded and other H Co. boys before. H boys did splendidly. Noble fellows. Few exceptions. Just at edge of woods rebs got behind stone wall and poured murderous volleys into the woods. All troops ordered up, and howitzers. Failed to come for half an hour. Boys had to stand and take it and be unable to do harm in return. Brush and woods too thick to see ahead far, and stone wall. Col. had good plans and had the Battery come up and everything gone off as he expected, we would have won a splendid victory. Our own boys fired some at one another–sad to see. Finally Howitzers came up and silenced the rebs and started them. Dark and too late to follow–also report that rebs were flanking us. Retreated to three miles up river. Command six miles. Brought off all wounded but Case and Chapman. Dr. Smith remained, John Devlin missing.

[1] In the official records this fight near Capt. West’s is called Rocky Gap, Ky:   (Jun 9, 1863 – Skirmish near Triune, Tenn. Affairs at Monticello and Rocky Gap, Ky.)

Tuesday, 9th–The weather away down south in Dixie is getting quite warm. The soldiers are all in good health and fine spirits. Times are quite lively, with good news from all directions around Vicksburg. Our mortar boats are throwing shells into town day and night.[1]

[1] We were all confident that Pemberton would soon be compelled to surrender Vicksburg, for we had him completely surrounded.—A. G. D.

June 9th, Tuesday.

My dear Brother, who is always seeking to make somebody happy, arranged a dinner-party at the lake for us Saturday. There was quite a number of us, as, besides ourselves and the five children, we had Mrs. Price and her children, Mrs. Bull, and three nurses. . . . There are no Southern young men left in town, and those who remain would hardly be received with civility by Miriam and myself. Of the Yankees, Brother has so much consideration for us that he has never invited one to his house since we have been here, though he has many friends among them who visited here before our arrival. Such delicacy of feeling we fully appreciate, knowing how very few men of such a hospitable nature would be capable of such a sacrifice. Thinking we need company, Brother frequently invites what he calls “a safe old Secessionist” (an old bachelor of fifty-three who was wounded at Shiloh) to dine with us; thinking it a fair compromise between the stay-at-home youth and Yankees, neither of whom this extremely young man could be confounded with.

June 9th. Commences with calm and warm weather. Mortar vessels bombarding batteries at Port Hudson from one thirty to four A. M. Between the hours of ten and twelve o’clock M., a cavalry detachment made a reconnoissance to left bank of land. The bombardment of Port Hudson by our army and navy continued, with slight intervals, during the whole of this day.

JUNE 9th.—There is rumor that the President has received bad news from the West. This may be without foundation; but it is a little strange that we are not in receipt of authentic accounts of transactions there. Time, however, will reveal all things.

Lee is “marching on,” Northward, utterly regardless of the demonstrations of Hooker on the Lower Rappahannock. This is a good omen; for no doubt the demonstrations are designed merely to arrest his advance. Lee has, perhaps, 70,000 fighting men with him—leaving some 15,000 behind to defend Richmond.

The people in the “Northern Neck” have been much harassed by the incursions of the invaders. I clip the following account from the Whig of this date:

“Nearly every house was visited, and by deceptive artifices, such as disguising themselves in Confederate gray clothes, stolen, or otherwise surreptitiously obtained, they imposed themselves upon our credulous and unsuspecting people; excited their sympathies by pretending to be wounded Confederate soldiers—won their confidence, and offered to hide their horses and take care of them for them, to prevent the Yankees from taking them, who, they said, were coming on. They thus succeeded in making many of our people an easy prey to their rapacity and cunning. In this foray, they abducted about 1000 negroes, captured from 500 to 700 horses and mules, a large number of oxen, carriages, buggies and wagons—stole meat, destroyed grain, and robbed gentlemen, in the public road, of gold watches and other property. There are some instances related of personal indignity and violence. They returned with their spoils to camp, after a week devoted by them in the Northern Neck, among our unhappy people, to the highly civilized, brave, and chivalrous exploits of theft, robbery, and almost every species of felony committed upon a defenseless, unarmed, and helpless population—chiefly consisting of women and children! It was an easy achievement—a proud conquest—the more glorious to the noble and heroic Yankee, because stained with crime and won without danger to his beastly carcass.”

This is but a fair specimen of their conduct whenever they have been permitted to devastate the country with impunity.

A few days ago I addressed a letter to the Secretary of War, suggesting that the department encourage voluntary organizations of non-conscripts for local defense, and that they be armed with every superfluous musket that the government may possess. If this be done, the army will not be so much embarrassed by vehement calls to protect the people from raids everywhere; and in the event of serious disaster, the people would still make resistance. But an unarmed people would have no alternative but submission. This plan would also effectually prevent servile insurrections, etc.

To-day I received the reply, saying it would be done. But will the arms be distributed among them?

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

JUNE 9TH.–To-day our regiment was at the front. The rebels kept pretty quiet; they are learning to behave very well. In fact they might as well lie low and save their powder.

Our men have been employed digging a ditch leading up to Fort Hill, when they intend tunneling and blowing up the fort. The rebels, however, have got range of the men digging, and have fired upon them. The answering Yankee trick was to shove a car of cotton bales over the trench toward the fort, while the men worked behind it. This served a good purpose for awhile, till the rebs managed to set it on fire; not to be out-done, our boys pushed forward another car well soaked with water. Another Yankee device was contrived–a tower, ten or twelve feet high, with steps inside running to the top, where was hung a looking-glass in such a position as to catch and reflect, to a man inside the tower, the interior of the enemy’s fort and rifle pits, and thus every man and gun could be counted. This latter contrivance, however, did not last long ; it became too conspicuous and dangerous for use.

A report creeps into camp that Johnston is coming with fifty thousand men to raise the siege, but I do not believe it. We have often heard that Richmond had fallen, but it continues within the confederate lines. If the army of the Potomac does not soon take it, Grant will march us there and seize the prize from them.

June 9, 1863, Menphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Ga)

                      A letter in a Northern paper says:  “One of the houses destroyed by the Queen of the West on her trip down the Mississippi belonged to an old gentleman, who, with his two sons and daughters, carried on the farm and worked the negroes.  One of the young ladies admitted that her brother had fired on the Queen of the West, and only wished that he had been a dozen.  She abused the colonel and berated the Federals.  When she discovered that her abuse failed to move Colonel Ellett, just as the flames began to circle around the house top, she sang, in a ringing, defiant tone of voice, the “Bonnie Blue Flag,” until forest and river echoed and re-echoed.

June 9, 1863, The New York Herald

Visit to the Fifth Corps Hospital and the Camp of Sykes’ Regulars.

MR. W. BUCKINGHAM’S LETTER.

NEAR STAFFORD COURT HOUSE, Va., June 4, 1863.

LOCATION OF THE HOSPITAL.

I accidentally became acquainted with Major Augustus M. Clark the other day, who is the surgeon in charge of the Fifth corps hospital. This hospital is situated on the north of the road between Brooks’ Station and Stoneman’s switch, and about a mile from the latter place, on ground admirably adapted for the purpose. The tents are pitched on the edges of wooded hills, where a cool breeze is constantly playing over a clear stream that winds through the picturesque valley. After riding over a rough road through almost impenetrable clouds of dust, it was a godsend to have the privilege of resting a short time in so beautiful a spot.

HOW THE WOUNDED ARE ATTENDED TO

Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, need have no fear of lack of attention or want of comfort towards these poor wounded in this camp; for they are all cheerful and doing more than well. The quiet they enjoy is very beneficial to a speedy recovery. Should they be allowed to visit their homes many slight cases might become dangerous from the excitement of seeing friends and asking and answering countless questions. If a man’s mind is clear and at ease the surgeon is relieved of half of his anxiety. Without saying more of a subject which is understood by all, I will state by request that citizens frequent the hospitals on passes from Mr. Secretary Stanton to see their friends, although orders from General Hooker strictly prohibit it. The effect is bad, and proves a great nuisance to the surgeons and patients.

BENEVOLENT HUMBUGS.

There is too much benevolent humbuggery also practised, which is a constant nuisance. All our hospitals are laid out, according to regulations on a military plan which cannot be [continue reading…]

June 9, 1863, The New York Herald

Our news from the Army of the Rappahannock confirms the statement that the rebels still occupy Fredericksburg. Reports received in Washington yesterday say that the First Division of the Sixth army corps were still in position on the south bank of the river which they occupied on Friday. They had advanced no further than the open plain behind the rifle pits, from which the enemy were driven. A visit to the front disclosed the enemy in unusually strong force in his old position on the right, left and front of our advance column. The enemy are constantly busy, and large columns seem to be moving up and taking position to await further operations of our forces.

General Hooker was across the river, and visited the picket lines on Saturday. The picket firing on that day was almost continuous; but since then our pickets have been nearly unmolested. The enemy appear to be in large force on the south side of the river, and it cannot be ascertained whether any considerable portion of Lee’s army have been withdrawn.

A late raid of our troops, with the assistance of three gunboats, up the Mattapony river into King William county, Va., which was directed by General Keyes from Yorktown, has resulted in a decided success. After meeting with some brief resistance from the enemy our troops destroyed a rebel foundry at Aylette, together with several mills, machine shops, a lumber yard and four government warehouses laden with grain. The expedition was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Tevis, and returned to Yorktown on the 6th inst., after accomplishing a very successful result with a trifling loss. [continue reading…]

June 9, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(From Blackwood’sMagazine, for January.)

In visiting the headquarters of the Confederate Generals, but particularly those of General Lee, any one accustomed to see European armies in the field cannot fail to be struck with the great absence of all the pomp and circumstance of war in and around their encampments. Lee’s headquarters consisted of about seven or eight pole tents, pitched with their backs to a stake fence, upon a piece of ground so rocky that it was unpleasant to ride over it, its only recommendation being a little stream of good water which flowed close by the General tent. In front of the tents were some three four-wheeled wagons, drawn up without any regularity, and a number of horses roamed loose about the field. The servants, who were of course slaves, and the mounted soldiers, called […..], who always accompany each General of Division in the field, were unprovided with tents, and slept in or under the wagons. Wagons, tents, and some of the horses were marked, U. S., showing that part of that huge debt in the North has gone to furnishing even the Confederate Generals with camp equipments. No guard or sentries were to be seen in the vicinity; no crowd of aids de camp loitering about, making themselves agreeable to visitors, and endeavoring to save their Generals from receiving those who have no particular business. A large farm house stands close by, which, in any other army, would have been the General’s residence pro tem, but, as no liberties are allowed to be taken with personal property in Lee’s army, he is particular in setting a good example himself. His staff are crowded together two or three in a tent; none are allowed to carry more than a small box each, and his own kit is very little larger. Every one who [continue reading…]

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…]