Hdqrs. Dept. OF Mississippi AND Eastern Louisiana, Vicksburg, Miss., May 17, 1863.1 General Joseph E. Johnston, Commanding, &c.: General: Whilst writing my communication this morning, the enemy attacked me on my right, left, and center. My troops, although strongly posted behind breastworks and protected in rifle-pits, were forced from their positions, owing to the demoralization [...]

Camp, Between Livingston and Brownsville, May 17, 1863. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON: Your dispatch of to-day by Captain [Thomas] Henderson was received. If Haynes’ Bluff is untenable, Vicksburg is of no value and cannot be held. If, therefore, you are invested in Vicksburg, you must ultimately surrender. Under such circumstances, instead of losing both troops and place, [...]

Sunday, June 30.—Dies memorabilis. At about 2 a.m. the steamer Empire Parish came alongside and put on board of us about 100 barrels of coal. At 10:30 a.m. this steamer having returned from Pass à l’Outre, a boatman pulled under our stern and informed us that the Brooklyn was no where to be seen and [...]

Thursday, June 27.—Weather sultry and atmosphere charged with moisture. Pilot not yet returned . At 10 p. m. yesterday received a note from the telegraphic operator stating that he could get no response from the station at the Southwest Pass. Dispatched a guard boat down the pass a couple of miles to watch the approach. [...]

Wednesday, June 26.—Cloudy and occasional rain squalls. The Ivy returned from the city and brought me eighty barrels of coal. Sent the pilot in the light-house keeper’s boat to sound the southeast bar. The Federal ships keep close watch at the bars, neither having stirred from her anchor since my arrival here.

Headquarters Department of the Ohio, Grafton, Va., June 25, 1861. To the Soldiers of the Army of the West: You are here to support the Government of your country, and to protect the lines and liberties of your brethren, threatened by a rebellious and traitorous foe. No higher and nobler duty could devolve upon you, [...]

Headquarters Department of the Ohio, Grafton, Va., June 23, 1861. To the Inhabitants of Western Virginia: The army of this department, headed by Virginia troops, is rapidly occupying all Western Virginia. This is done in co-operation with, and in support of, such civil authorities of the State as are faithful to the Constitution and laws [...]

Tuesday, June 25.—A thunderstorm and heavy rain at 3:30 a.m., clearing off at 10 a.m. Visited the light-house at the Head of the Passes and took a receipt for the property deposited there, from the Pass à l’Outre and South Pass houses. Visited also the telegraphic station and held communication with both passes. Both blockading [...]

Monday, June 24.—This morning dispatched an officer on board the Ivy to bring away the oil and lamps from the South Pass, that that light may also be extinguished. The object was accomplished. All the seacoast lights at the passes are now out. Both blockading vessels are lying close at their anchors, and there is [...]

Sunday, June 23.—Yesterday the master of the Pilots’ Association and several of his pilots came on board, having been brought by the Ivy. With the exception of the master, they all agreed to take the ship to sea, whereupon I retained one of them and dismissed the rest. Both the Brooklyn and Powhatan at their [...]

Saturday, June 23. — The Ivy returned from the pass and reported that none of the pilots were willing to come on board , and having received also the following dispatch (through Captain Duncan ) from the Southwest Pass, viz : Applied to the captain of the house of pilots for a pilot for the [...]

Fridy, June 21.—Practiced the crew at division quarters in the morning and at general quarters in the afternoon and tried a couple of shell with the Borman fuse. Just at nightfall I received the following dispatch: June 21, 1861. Captain: I am desired by the commanding officer to state that the Iry reports that the [...]

Thursday, June 20.—Exercised the crew at quarters, and in the afternoon practiced at target firing. Called on Governor Moore at Fort Jackson (the governor having come down to inspect the fortifications) and brought him on board with Mr. John Slidell and others to visit the ship

Wednesday, June 19.—At 4 a.m. came to anchor between Forts St. Philip and Jackson. Captain Brand called on board on the part of the commanding officer, Major Duncan. At 11 visited Major Duncan at Fort Jackson and witnessed some experimental firing. The fort is an attractive spot, with plenty of green grass and fine shade [...]

Tuesday, June 18.—At length, after many vexatious delays, I have been enabled to leave the city of New Orleans. This morning at 10:30 a.m. we got up steam and dropped down to the barracks magazine and took in our powder. Weather very warm and mosquitoes very troublesome. At 10:30 p.m. got up steam again and [...]

Headquarters Department of Pennsylvania, Chambersburg, Pa., June 11, 1861. Colonel Lewis Wallace, Eleventh Indiana Regiment, Cumberland, Md.: Sir: By direction of the commanding general I to-day telegraphed you in reply to your query, “What shall I do with prisoners?” “Tis well not to have many prisoners. Such as you take imprison and treat kindly. Success [...]

Headquarters Department of the Ohio, Cincinnati, June 11, 1861. Colonel E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General: Colonel: I sent by telegraph to-day General Morris’ telegram in relation to troops in Western Virginia. It is long, but of such importance, that I felt it necessary to transmit it as it was. I cannot urge too strongly the [...]

Mill Point, Pocahontas County, Va., June 10, 1861. President Jefferson Davis: Dear Sir: Having the best interests of our country at heart, and having taken an active part in the welfare of this county from the first appearance of danger to the present hour, I feel confident you will hear me. While I have no [...]

Headquarters Virginia Forces, Richmond, Va., June 10, 1861. Col. Eppa Hunton, Commanding, Leesburg, Va.: Colonel: Your letter of the 8th instant has been received, and it is hoped that you have accomplished the destruction of the bridges upon the Loundoun and Hampshire Railroad, and otherwise rendered the road unserviceable to the enemy. Unless any of [...]

Headquarters Virginia Forces, Richmond, Va., June 10, 1861. General T. H. Holmes, Commanding, &c., Fredericksburg, Va.: General: It is probable that, realizing the inutility of cannonading the batteries at Aquia Creek with smooth-bore guns, the naval force of the United States will hereafter employ rifled cannon, of large caliber, at long range. It is reported [...]

Washington City, June 9, 1861. The Honorable The General Assembly Of The State Of Maryland: The petition of the undersigned, a citizen of the State of Maryland residing in the city of Washington, respectfully showeth that on Mon day last an armed body of men from Virginia invaded the State of Maryland near Seneca, in [...]

General Orders No. 31 War Dept., Adjt. General’s Office Washington, June 9, 1861. Women nurses will not reside in the camps nor accompany regiments on a march; but those who apply for service and are highly accredited, having certificates from two physicians and two clergymen of standing, and will forward the same to Miss D. [...]

Report of Commander Rodgers, U. S. Navy, regarding the purchase of three steamers for naval service. Cincinnati, June 8, 1861. Sir: I have, after consultation with General McClellan, and after inspection by Mr. Pook, the naval constructor, bought three steamboats for naval service in these waters. They were called the A. O. Tyler, the Lexington, [...]

War Department, Washington, June 7, 1861. Mixed Commission, Medical Bureau: The Secretary of War has learned with great satisfaction that at the instance and in pursuance of the suggestion of the Medical Bureau, in a communication to this office dated May 22, 1861, H . W . Bellows, Prof. A. D. Bache, LL. D.; Prof. [...]