Thursday, 4th.—Marched to Paris to-day, through the most beautiful country I ever saw; all covered over with blue grass. Road, with one little deviation, to cross a creek, is perfectly straight for sixteen miles. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
SEPTEMBER 4th.—The enemy’s loss in the series of battles, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, is estimated at 30,000. Where is the braggart Pope now? Disgraced eternally, deprived of his command by his own government, and sent to Minnesota to fight the Indians! Savage in his nature, he is only fit to fight with savages!
4th.—Our victory at Manassas complete; the fight lasted four days. General Kearney was killed in a cavalry fight at Chantilly. Beautiful Chantilly has become a glorious battle-field. The splendid trees and other lovely surroundings all gone; but it is classic ground from this time. In those fights I had eight nephews! Are they all safe? [...]
4th.–”All quiet on the Potomac.”
September 3d. Political news it would be absurd to record; for our information is more than limited, being frequently represented by a blank. Of the thirteen battles that Gibbes has fought in, I know the names of four only: Bull Run, Stonebridge, Port Republic, and Cedar Run. Think of all I have yet to hear! [...]
Wednesday, 3d–Our regiment had to fall in line of battle this morning at 2 o’clock so that if the rebels should attack us they would not find us in our beds. The rebels did not appear and a big detail was put to work on the fortifications. When these works are completed a small force [...]
Wednesday, 3rd. Spent the morning visiting with various boys about the prospects of going home. Boys all in high spirits. Talk of paying Burnett $5 to help us get out. Blunt gone to Leavenworth. When he returns, he will try to get the order made. Wrote quite a lengthy letter to Fred Allen–strange boy. This [...]
Wednesday 3d.—Midnight, started for Lexington; arrived there just as day began to dawn, while gas-lamps were yet burning. Beautiful city; were greeted on every hand with waving handkerchiefs and Confederate flags. It seemed as if all in Lexington were Rebel sympathizers. Federal left thirty-six hours before our arrival, leaving wagons, tents, etc., in abundance. Remained [...]
SEPTEMBER 3d.—We lament the fall of Ewell–not killed, but his leg has been amputated. The enemy themselves report the loss, in killed and wounded, of eight generals! And Lee says, up to the time of writing, he had paroled 7000 prisoners, taken 10,000 stand of small arms, 50 odd cannon, and immense stores!
3d.—Wild stories on the street this morning, of the capture of prisoners, killing of generals, etc. Burnside and staff captured, they say. This last too good to be true.
3rd.–Moved our camp this morning, to Fort Worth, about two miles from Alexandria, a beautiful locality, overlooking city and river; and here, report says, we go into garrison for the winter. I would much rather be in the field, and now that my regiment is not likely to be exposed to active danger, I think [...]
Mr. Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more troops was being answered. All over the country camps were being formed and boys drilled in all the pleasant villages of the land. Mother and all of us went to rest awhile, after Charley and G. came home, in Litchfield, and watched the drilling and recruiting. Abby Howland Woolsey [...]
Tuesday, 2d–There was some fighting south of town this morning and there is still some skirmishing. Old Patrick and several other citizens left, for they were afraid that the rebels would catch them and hang them. They had violated their oaths to support the Confederacy and then when the Union army took this section they [...]
Tuesday, 2nd. Slept till rather late–up in time for Sandy’s breakfast. During the day wrote to Fannie Andrews. Delos called in the morning and I read Ella’s letter to him. Commented upon it. In the evening Charlie came up and I again reviewed Ella’s letter with him. Read some in Shakespeare and the latest papers. [...]
September 2.—Passed through Richmond at 7 A. M. Very nice little city. Saw quite a number of prisoners. Crossed Kentucky River at 12 o’clock; camped in a beautiful country, nine miles from Lexington. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
SEPTEMBER 2d.—Winchester is evacuated! The enemy fled, and left enough ordnance stores for a campaign! It was one of their principal depots.
Lynchburg, September 2.—The papers to-day give glorious news of a victory to our arms on the plains of Manassas, on the 28th, 29th, and 30th. I will give General Lee’s telegram: Army of Northern Virginia, Groveton, August 30 — 10 P.M. Via Rapidan “To President Davis:—This army achieved to-day, on the plains of Manassas, a [...]
Sept. 2—Pass down to Groveton, where fearful fighting was done last week, August 28, 29 and 30. Horrid scenes! Many dead Federals still on the field, though a squad of their men, under flag of truce, has been some days caring for wounded and burying dead. I found a wounded Federal sitting on the field—a [...]
September 2 Elizabeth devotes all her mornings to teaching Lotty & Harry and in so doing tires herself very much and in the case of Harry is conferring a benefit most thankfully received. I know no one so cultivated and elegant in her manners as Elizabeth, or accomplished, she has a disciplined, and highly improved [...]
Chaplain Henry Hopkins to Georgeanna Woolsey. Alexandria Hospital, Sept., 1862. My dear Miss Woolsey: In great haste I write to say that to dispense anything which will do the bodies of these poor sufferers good will be a most welcome task. . . . Outside of the house, at the Mansion Hospital, we fed 1,500, [...]
September 2, 1862, Daily Times (Leavenworth, Kansas) Camp Near Rienzi, Mississippi, August 22, 1862. Ed. Times:–The 7th boys are anxious to return to Kansas, and from the treatment we receive I must say that it cannot be wondered at. I have a few facts to state that will prove to you that the Kansas regiments [...]
September 1st. The fort was historic ground. The flag flying over it caused Mr. Key to write the song “The Star-spangled Banner,” in 1814. Many British shells and solid shot were piled up in the fort as relics. After the battle of Antietam many rebel prisoners were brought to the fort to remain as prisoners [...]
September 1st, Monday. I woke up this morning and, to my great surprise, find that summer has already passed away, and that we have already entered the first month of fall. Where has the summer gone to? Since the taking of Fort Jackson, the days have gone by like a dream. I had hardly realized [...]
Monday, 1st–We were expecting to be attacked today and so were in line of battle most of the time. Our pickets to the south of town are still skirmishing.[1] The weather is very hot. [1] It was the belief in camp that there was only a small force of the enemy in the locality of [...]
Monday, 1st. Reveille in the morning at 3 A. M. Breakfasted and started in the advance. Crossed Drywood and grazed. Got into camp in time for dinner. Sandy cooking, and several officers boarding with the Major. Found a letter from Ella Clark, very welcome. I have a high regard for her. Boys fully convinced that [...]