Still in Camp near Corinth, Miss., May 15, 1862. It seems to me that we are a long time in bringing this “muss a la probable” to a focus. What under the sun our Halleck is waiting for we can’t guess. One hour’s march will commence the struggle now and you don’t know how anxious [...]
15th.—It is now ascertained beyond doubt that my nephew, W. B. N., reported “missing,” at Williamsburg, is a prisoner in the enemy’s hands. We are very anxious for his exchange, but there seems some difficulty in effecting it. His father, accompanied by Colonel Robertson, of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry, called to see the President a [...]
Thursday, 15th–We were expecting to be attacked today by the rebels making a charge on our front line and were ordered to fall in with two days’ rations in our haversacks. We marched out about a mile, and forming a line of battle, remained there till dark—about six hours—when we moved toward the right wing [...]
May 15th. Was spent in exertions to get our ship afloat. A gunboat was dispatched for a lighter, and we commenced discharging our battery on board a gunboat, and shell on board a steamer, also coal into a lighter.
15th. Thursday. Archie and I cooked a respectable meal. Took our ease until five P. M. Then we marched again. Reached East Drywood at midnight. Capt. Stanhope and Lt. Rush were ahead and were chased by thirty jay hawkers. Column halted. I went on with the advance two or three miles, no sign of any [...]
MAY 15th.—The enemy’s gun-boats, Monitor, Galena, etc. are at Drewry’s Bluff, eight miles below the city, shelling our batteries, and our batteries are bravely shelling them. The President rode down to the vicinity this morning, and observed the firing. The guns are heard distinctly in the city, and yet there is no consternation manifested by [...]
May 15, 1862, The Charleston Mercury (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE.) RICHMOND, Monday, May 12. On the street you are told that the great fight which is to decide the fate of Richmond, will certainly come off today, and some go so far as to declare that they can hear the cannonading now (11 a.m.) going [...]
Charley’s hurried letters from Headquarters of the Sanitary Commission no doubt gave the account of his arrival and his work as purser on the Daniel Webster, and as clerk in the Quartermaster’s Department later. We have nothing left but an occasional mention of letters as received. Aunt E. among others says, “ Charley’s long, interesting [...]
15th.–A raw unpleasant day. Hard rain, with east wind. We do not march, and in consequence of the heavy rain we may be compelled to remain here several days. The enemy is in force on the Chickahominy, and the two armies are gathering their hosts within ten or fifteen miles of each other, probably for [...]
Camp near Mouth East River, Giles County, May 14, 1862. Wednesday. – Rained violently last night; not a bad morning, however. Rumors of defeat of General Milroy up northeast by Stonewall Jackson. Don’t believe it. If true, it is not very important, if the taking of Norfolk holds out. We ought to catch the whole [...]
May 14.—The anxiety of all classes for the safety of Richmond is now intense, though a strong faith in the goodness of God and the valour of our troops keeps us calm and hopeful. A gentleman, high in position, panic-struck, was heard to exclaim, yesterday: “Norfolk has fallen, Richmond will fall, Virginia is to be [...]
MAY 14th.—Our army has fallen back to within four miles of Richmond. Much anxiety is felt for the fate of the city. Is there no turning point in this long lane of downward progress? Truly it may be said, our affairs at this moment are in a critical condition. I trust in God, and the [...]
Wednesday, 14th–We cleaned up our camp today and had company drill twice. There was some heavy musketry firing on the front lines, and the artillery was in action on both sides, but not much damage was done.
May 14th. We weighed anchor early for Vicksburg; at noon we came upon an island which divided the river into two channels. We took the right and pushed along within three rods of the trees, and could hear the birds singing in them. Nothing of note occurred until two o’clock P. M., when in making [...]
May 14th. I am beginning to believe that we are even of more importance in Baton Rouge than we thought we were. It is laughable to hear the things a certain set of people, who know they can’t visit us, say about the whole family. . . . When father was alive, they dared not [...]
14th. Wednesday. Left Carthage at 8. Most of the boys footed it. My horse was well enough but I thought I would fare as the rest did. Stopped to graze our horses at ten miles. I was very tired. Got my haversack and gave my horse into Tom’s care. I went to a little bush [...]
Picket Duty. May 14. I was out in the woods yesterday and last night on picket duty, and picket duty is simply lying around in the brush watching the approach of outside parties. Parties approaching in the night time and failing to promptly respond to the hail of the picket are given an instantaneous passport [...]
14th.–At White House. Marched here to-day. It is known as the “Custis Estate,” and is now owned by the rebel General Lee, nephew of the wife of General Washton, and has on it a large family of negroes, about 300. ‘Twas here that General Washington overstaid his leave, the only time during his eventful life [...]
Eliza’s journal. May 14. I can’t keep the record of events day by day, but last Friday we came down again from West Point to Yorktown, and G. and I went to Fortress Monroe on two hospital ships, G. on the Knickerbocker with the sick of Franklin’s Division, and Miss Whetten and I on the [...]
Abby Howland Woolsey to Georgy and Eliza. May 14. My dear Girls: Since Mother wrote you yesterday the Daniel Webster has come in again. Fred Rankin called last night with a message from Mrs. Trotter, whom he met in the street on the way from the steamer to take the cars for home. He told [...]
13th.—General Jackson is doing so gloriously in the Valley that we must not let the fate of the “Virginia” depress us too much. On the 9th of May he telegraphed to General Cooper: “God blessed our arms with victory at McDowell yesterday.” Nothing more has been given us officially, but private information is received that [...]
MAY 13th.—This morning I learned that the consuls had carried the day, and were permitted to collect the tobacco alleged to be bought on foreign account in separate warehouses, and to place the flags of their respective nations over them. This was saving the property claimed by foreigners whose governments refused to recognize us (these [...]
Tuesday, 13th–We received marching orders this forenoon, and striking our tents at noon, started off towards the right. We marched four miles and went into camp—camp number 7. There was some skirmishing with the pickets today.
May 13th. We have been lying here several days coaling ship, &c., while our officers have been going ashore both on business and pleasure. This afternoon two steamers arrived from New Orleans loaded with troops for this place; they landed, and after parading the streets for a couple of hours returned to their boats for [...]
13th. Issued four days’ rations. Most all the horses were condemned for sore backs. Sent to mill for one day’s ration of flour. Companies fell out several times from false alarms. I accidentally fired a gun while drilling with Reeve and Archie.