Ashland, February 22d.—A very deep snow this morning. The cars are moving slowly on the road, with two engines attached to each train. Our gentlemen could not go to Richmond to-day. Washington’s birthday is forgotten, or only remembered with a sigh by his own Virginia. Had he been gifted with prophetic vision, in addition to [...]
Washington Thursday Feb 26th 1863 O Mud Mud. I have waded over crossings today where composition was at least six inches deep and of the consistency of thick cream. The snow has all melted and the water is mostly still on the surface of the ground. I had letters from Julia and the boys this [...]
FEBRUARY 26th.—We have good news from Vicksburg to-day. The Queen of the West, lately captured by us, and another gun-boat, attacked the Indianola, the iron-clad Federal gun-boat which got past our batteries the other day, and, after an engagement, sunk her. We captured all the officers and men.
February 26, 1863, The Charleston Mercury Let us suppose that the world at large has no interest in the establishment of a great Slaveholding Confederacy of Republican States, and that the question of admitting Non-Slaveholding States into the Confederacy, or of unrestricted commercial intercourse with Non-Slaveholding States, is merely a question of interest and security [...]
February 26, 1863, The New York Herald The United States transport Star of the South arrived at this port yesterday morning, bringing as passengers the surviving officers and crew of the gunboat Hatteras, which was sunk off Galveston on the 11th of January last by the rebel privateer Alabama. From them we glean an interesting [...]
February 26, 1863, The Charleston Mercury We have some late and trustworthy tidings from Beaufort, which fully confirm the news heretofore published, of a personal difficulty having occurred between Major Generals HUNTER and FOSTER. The quarrel related to precedence in rank, and concluded by General FOSTER informing General HUNTER that sooner than fight under him, [...]
February 26, 1863, The New York Herald No movements have taken place in the Army of the Potomac. It is stated that the diminution in the rebel army at Fredericksburg is not so great as has been reported, although some troops have been sent to Charleston and some to Suffolk. Generals Lee and Jackson are [...]
Wednesday, 25th.—Capture of the “Queen of the West” confirmed. Reported that the Indianola, the gunboat that passed batteries 13, also captured. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Jackson, Tenn., February 25, 1863. I guess it’s full two weeks since I wrote you last, excepting a half sheet a few days ago. My reason is that it has been raining ever since, and my tent leaks so that (that’s rather a larger story than I think you’ll swallow, so [...]
Wednesday, February 25th. Here we are still, in spite of our expectations. Difficulty on difficulty arose, and an hour before the cars came, it was settled that mother should go to Clinton and make the necessary arrangements, and leave us to follow in a day or two. Two days more! Miriam no more objected than [...]
Wednesday, 25th. After breakfast wrote to Fannie. Thede took the letter to town. Found tea, candles and coffee in McGuire’s box–the thief. In evening at quartermaster’s. Ate apples. Got beaten at four games of checkers. Read in Irving. Am rejoiced at the reaction against the Copperheads. God still rules.
Wednesday, 25th–We arrived at Greenville at 9 o’clock in the morning and reported to the commander of the post, who informed us that he did not need reinforcements. He had just defeated a force of three hundred with a battery of six light guns and lost but three men. We remained, however, during the day, [...]
Washington Wednesday Feb. 25th 1863. A bright pleasant day but the Snow has mostly melted and the thin mortar composition lies from four to eight inches in depth in the streets. Little boys are at the crossings broom in hand trying to keep back the flood from a narrow path and saying “Please give me [...]
FEBRUARY 25th.—On the 18th inst. the enemy’s battery on the opposite side of the Mississippi River opened on Vicksburg. The damage was not great; but the front of the town is considered untenable. The Conscription bill has passed the United States Senate, which will empower the President to call for 3,000,000 men. “Will they come, [...]
February 25, 1863, The Charleston Mercury Supposing that we are able to hold our own in Mississippi, Tennessee and South Carolina, there may come, in May, proffers of peace. Here will be our greatest danger. We never feared the issue of the war. Indeed, originally, we did not think that it would take place. The [...]
February 25, 1863, The New York Herald The long pent up enthusiasm of our sleighing population has found ample vent during the past two days. Before the snow storm people began to believe that winter had neglected us this year. The seasons seemed to sympathize with the distracted condition of the country, and were dreadfully [...]
February 25, 1863, The New York Herald The most important news from the Southwest today is the reported capture of the Union ram Queen of the West, whose gallant exploits in running the blockade at Vicksburg are already known to our readers. She is said to have been captured under Fort Taylor, at Gordon’s Landing, [...]
Feb. 25th, 1863.—A long gap in my journal, because H. has been ill unto death with typhoid fever. I nearly broke down from loss of sleep, there being no one to relieve me. It was terrible to be alone at night with a patient in delirium, and no one within call. To wake Martha was [...]
Tuesday [February] 24th. Meeting Miriam by mere accident on the road last evening and hearing of our surprising journey to Georgia, Mr. Halsey came to spend a last evening with us, and say good-bye. What a deluge of regrets, hopes, fears, etc. Perfectly overwhelming. Why had I not told him of it the night before? [...]
24th. The mail brought me three letters, one from Lucy, one from home and one from Fannie. All good and cheering. How much I prize my letters. Back and forth to Post Commissary. In the evening beat Capt. N. two games of chess. Read some. Finished 4th Vol. Thede looks well in “sojer” clothes.
Tuesday, 24th–There was quite a fire today in the town of Lake Providence, burning several vacant houses. In the excitement our men found two rebel flags. The Eleventh and Thirteenth Iowa received orders to embark with three days’ rations, and taking passage on the “Marie Deming” left for Greenville, about sixty-five miles up the river, [...]
Tuesday Feb. 24th 1863 Pleasant overhead and snow and water under foot and freezing tonight. Went down to Addis Photograph Gallery this morning and sat for my picture. Julia insists upon having my Photograph in her Album. Capt Henry Androus of 17th Mich called on me today. He is a fine looking officer, has been [...]
FEBRUARY 24th.—Gen. Longstreet is now in command of Gen. Smith’s late department, besides his own corps. Richmond is safe. Our papers contain a most astonishing speech purporting to have been delivered by Mr. Conway, in the United States Congress. Mr. C. is from Kansas, that hot-bed of Abolitionism. He is an avowed Abolitionist; and yet [...]
February 24, 1863, The New York Herald As we announced a few days ago, the mortar boats of the expedition against Vicksburg were towed into position on the 18th inst.; and we now learn by despatches from Memphis that they opened fire upon the city on that day, which was answered by the rebel batteries, [...]
February 24, 1863, The Charleston Mercury A very few months – perhaps weeks – will settle the question of a continued war or peace. Our cause is stronger than it ever was with the nations of Europe, and the pressure of their sufferings and interests upon their Governments is greater. All around, the elements of [...]