May 2023

0

0 comments
A Soldier’s Story of the Siege of Vicksburg

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 15TH.–The familiar “Attention, battalion!” was heard from our Colonel, when we marched back upon the same road that had led us to Jackson, camping as usual at dark. We passed through Clinton, and the inhabitants were surprised to see us returning so soon, for they fully expected [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, The New York Herald No recent movements are reported from Gen. Hooker’s army on the Rappahannock. All sort of rumors were flying around yesterday concerning General McClellan and his future prospects, each one about as vague as the other. It was said that he had resigned his commission; that the President refused [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, The New York Herald REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL STEINWEHR. HEADQUARTERS, SECOND DIVISION, ELEVENTH CORPS, STEVENS’ FARM, Va., May 8, 1863. To Lieutenant Colonel Meurenburg, Assistant Adjutant General, Eleventh Corps:– COLONEL – I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by my division in the action on the [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, The Charleston Mercury The effort of the enemy in Mississippi seems to be the capture of Jackson, and to take possession of the railroad communication with Vicksburg. Jackson has been strengthened by works recently. PEMBERTON seems on the lookout. Governor PETTUS and the people are alive. We are glad to perceive, in [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, The Charleston Mercury The Atlanta Confederacy contains an interesting account of Gen. FORREST’S chase and capture of the Yankees above Rome: On the 24th day of April he received orders at Spring Hill to move his brigade to Decatur. Arriving there, on the north side of the river, opposite Decatur, he learned [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, The Charleston Mercury FROM RICHMOND. RICHMOND, May 14. We have news from Fredericksburg today. Passengers report that large volumes of smoke were seen this morning in the direction of the Yankee camps. The aggregate number of our wounded brought here since the late battles was 7100, of whom 3000 have since returned [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, The New York Herald The Army of the Potomac is re-established in its old quarters on this side of the Rappahannock, and the opposing rebel army has returned, in force, to the Heights of Fredericksburg, on the other side. Such are the latest advices from the field. The situation of the two [...]

0

0 comments
1860s newsprint
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, American Citizen (Canton, Mississippi)             We regret to learn that the office of the Vicksburg Whig with its entire contents, was destroyed by fire on Saturday afternoon last.  In the present scarcity of printing material this is indeed a heavy loss.  We hope our friend Shannon will be able to refurnish himself [...]

0

0 comments
1860s newsprint
News of the Day

May 15, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia) From the New Orleans Era, April 24             There was an exciting time in the Varieties theatre last night.  The house was crowded, and many ladies were present, as it was a benefit occasion.  The play of Richelieu had progressed to the conclusion of the first act.  The curtain [...]

Water Battery Destroyed

0 comments
Annual Reports of the Navy Department

DESTRUCTION OF A WATER BATTERY AT WARRENTON BY THE MOUND CITY, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER BYRON WILSON. United States Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk, Yazoo River, May 15, 1863. Sir: I have the honor to report my return to this place, for a few days, to look after provisions, and make some arrangements with regard to the [...]

0

0 comments
Louise Wigfall Wright — A Southern Girl in ’61

(excerpts) RICHMOND, May 15th.          ” . . . Lieut. J. called to see Mama and delivered both the letter and the overcoat. The letter was by far the most welcome of the two, as we had heard so little from you since the battle. . . . Though your first letter written by moonlight on [...]

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

0 comments
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

14th. Went down to H Co. after morning work and played chess. Beat Capt. N. three times and John Devlin four times. Cleaned up my revolvers. Col. Abbey appointed acting Brigade Com. Says Thede can be detailed here. Good. He has been sick with diarrhoea. Getting a little better. In evening read in “Les Miserables.” [...]

0

0 comments
Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford -Wm. C. Holton

May 14th. Commences, “for a change,” with stormy weather, squalls of rain, and continued so during forenoon of this day; at seven A. M. the despatch steamer L. A. Sykes came out of Red River, direct from Alexandria, and made fast alongside of us, bringing despatches from Gen. Banks to Commodore Palmer; also the gunboat [...]

0

0 comments
A Soldier’s Story of the Siege of Vicksburg

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd MAY 14TH.–Started again this morning for Jackson. When within five miles of the city we heard heavy firing. It has rained hard to-day and we have had both a wet and muddy time, pushing at the heavy artillery and provision wagons accompanying us when they stuck in the [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 14, 1863, The Charleston Mercury BATTLE IN MISSISSIPPI. JACKSON, Miss., May 13. The enemy yesterday advanced a column of ten thousand men upon Raymond, Miss., where GREGG had 4100 infantry and a few cavalry, but not artillery, to oppose them. Skirmishing began at nine o’clock, a.m. The enemy was continually reinforced until one o’clock, [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 14, 1863, The New York Herald By intelligence we published yesterday from Richmond, via Hooker’s army on the Rappahannock, our readers have learned that the celebrated Stonewall Jackson died on Sunday last, partly from pneumonia and partly from the effects of the amputation of his arm, rendered necessary by a wound be received in [...]

0

0 comments
1860s newsprint
News of the Day

May 14, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)             In referring to this enterprise some days ago, we omitted to give deserved credit to Mr. F. W. Maura, a worthy mechanic of Macon, who invented the entire machinery used in the establishment, and that without any previous knowledge on the subject.             In addition to the specimens [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 14, 1863, The New York Herald We have some important news from the Southwest. General Grant had a severe action on Wednesday last, at Clinton, ten miles from Jackson, on the railroad, with a rebel force under General Bowen. The fight lasted all day, and the rebels were defeated. Reports are said to have [...]

0

0 comments
News of the Day

May 14, 1863, The Charleston Mercury A gentlemen of this city, of military experience, and cool, clear judgment, who spent the greater part of last week on the battle field of Chancellorsville, gives us the following information, which may be depended on as being as nearly accurate as can be obtained in the absence of [...]

Robert M. McGill

0 comments
Robert M. Magill – Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

Near Vicksburg. Wednesday, 13th.—Last night started at 9 o’clock and marched till 1 this morning. Rested until day. Started at daylight; crossed Big Black on railroad bridge at 11 A. M. Halted in line two miles from Edwards’ Station, near Vicksburg. Change of brigadier-generals to-day, General Taylor being superseded by General Cummings, of Georgia. (Note: [...]