Abbie Howland Woolsey to her sister at Harrison’s Landing. 8 Brevoort Place, July 7, 1862. My dear Georgy: Eliza and Joe came safely through yesterday (Sunday) morning. Jane and I were just going to the front door on our way to church when their hotel coach drove up. They had a pleasant voyage, only Joe [...]

JULY 6th.—Thousands of fathers, brothers, mothers, and sisters of the wounded are arriving in the city to attend their suffering relations, and to recover the remains of those who were slain.

Sunday, 6th–It is very hot today. We had company inspection this morning. No news of importance.

6th. Sunday. Overslept and wakened at “forward.” Hurried along. Rode a little obstinate pony. Passed the other brigade and encamped at two miles distant. Saw some Confederate papers, very neat. Warmest day of the season. Bathed in Grand River. Wrote a little, read two or three chapters in Philippians. I wish it were easier to [...]

July 6th Letter from wife; she may come next Tuesday! Walk, walk, walk, visit wounded soldiers, Camp Winder and other Hospitals, Thos. Whitted and Captain Sykes of Bladen, many friends and many poor strangers. Some will live, others will die. Reach camp late, very tired. Cough and cold very bad.

JULY 5th.—Gen. Lee is bringing forward the conscript regiments with rapidity; and so large are his powers that the Secretary of War has but little to do. He is, truly, but a mere clerk. The correspondence is mostly referred to the different bureaus for action, whose experienced heads know what should be done much better [...]

July 5th Think, that since the 28th of May, I have not walked three squares at a time, for my only walks are to Mrs. Brunot’s! It is enough to kill any one; I might as well be at Ship Island, where Butler has sentenced Mrs. Phillips for laughing while the corpse of a Federal [...]

Saturday, 5th–There is nothing of importance. Everything seems quite dull. There are but few whites left in Corinth and we seldom see white natives anywhere. There are some colored people in town, women and children, but the able-bodied men have all been taken off with the rebels. Some colored men are coming into camp from [...]

5th. Issued rations to two battalions. The reaction of the 4th was visible among the boys. Slept on the prairie by my horse.

Saturday, 5th.—Returned to Mouse Creek; started for home 2 P. M. Arrived Varnells’ 5 P. M. Went out to Lowe’s and stayed all night. Got home 10 A. M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Warning The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context. Celebrating the Fourth of July. July 5. The Fourth was celebrated with salutes from the forts, batteries and gunboats, morning, noon and night. There were gala [...]

July 5th, 1862.—Brother Junius spent the day with us yesterday. He gave us such an entertaining account of the winter on the St. Johns. He likes army life better than he expected. He says he never was fond of hunting and when he has to really go “Man-hunting” he will not like it at all. [...]

Abby Howland Woolsey to her sister, Eliza. 8 Brevoort Place, Saturday, July 5th, ’62. My dear Eliza: Georgy’s and Charley’s letters from Harrison’s have just arrived, the last date being a postscript Thursday, July 3, which brings us into close correspondence again you see. These letters have relieved the painful anxiety that began to possess [...]

JULY 4th.—Lee does not follow up his blows on the whipped enemy, and some sage critics censure him for it. But he knows that the fatal blow has been dealt this “grand army” of the North. The serpent has been killed, though its tail still exhibits some spasmodic motions. It will die, so far as [...]

July 4th. Here I am, and still alive, having wakened but once in the night, and that only in consequence of Louis and Morgan crying; nothing more alarming than that. I ought to feel foolish; but I do not. I am glad I was prepared, even though there was no occasion for it. While I [...]

Friday, 4th–The Eleventh Iowa came in from picket. The weather is very hot. This is my first Fourth of July in the army. Things appear so lonesome. The battery boys of our brigade took their battery of six guns out a short distance from camp and fired a salute to celebrate the day.

We arrived at Vicksburg on the 25th, where we found the Brooklyn and Richmond, the gunboats, and mortar fleet; and, soon after arriving, an officer came on board from Commodore Davis’s fleet, and communicated with Commodore Farragut. Davis, in our absence, had moved down the river, and now occupied a position just above Vicksburg. Preparations [...]

4th. Great day. So many drunk. Officers gave the freest license to the men. Both caroused. I was most disgusted. Bill and L. fought.

July, 1862.–The President has called for 300,000 more brave men to fill up the ranks of the fallen. We hear every day of more friends and acquaintances who have volunteered to go.

July 4th Once a National Jubilee? With Brother Gattis visit Captains Brooks and Stanley. Visit Chimborazo Hospital, some of 30th Regiment, Lieut. Angus Shaw of 38th Regiment, D. Danford of Company “C,” and others at Seabrook Hospital. See Jos. Mason’s left leg cut off below the knee. Brother Gattis spends night with me in camp.

4th.–The fourth has come and gone, but brought no fight, and our great Republic has passed another anniversary, if not in safety, in integrity, for its flag yet floats over the loyal men of every State, and the sunset salute of thirty-four guns, proclaims that we are yet an integral. But for the bombast of [...]

July 3rd In camp sick. Meet Revs. T. J. Gattis and J. C. Brent of North Carolina. Learn that Bro. E. J. Grear of Company “C,” was badly wounded and captured. He had left his pocket book containing $42.21 with me. I wish he had it in gold.

JULY 3d.—Our wounded are now coming in fast, under the direction of the Ambulance Committee. I give passports to no one not having legitimate business on the field to pass the pickets of the army. There is no pilfering on this field of battle; no “Plug Ugly” detectives stripping dead colonels, and, Falstaff like, claiming [...]

Thursday night, July 3d. Another day of sickening suspense. This evening, about three, came the rumor that there was to be an attack on the town to-night, or early in the morning, and we had best be prepared for anything. I can’t say I believe it, but in spite of my distrust, I made my [...]