MARCH 9th.—We have no news to-day. But the next act of this terrible drama is near at hand. The Northern papers have reports of the fall of Vicksburg and Charleston. Unfounded. They also say 22,000 men have deserted from the Army of the Potomac. This is probably true.

There is much denunciation of the recent seizure of flour; but this is counteracted by an appalling intimation in one of the papers that unless the army be subsisted, it will be withdrawn from the State, and Virginia must fall into the hands of the enemy. The loss of Virginia might be the loss of the Confederacy.

March 9 MONDAY, 1863

Gen Price and Staff left for Arkansas to day. Lucy Gwin, Miss Freeman, Mrs and Miss Martin, Mrs Taylor and myself went as far as Hazelhurst¹ with them. There we bid them a long farewell.

1. General Price crossed the Mississippi with a small bodyguard and his staff.

Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Jackson, Tenn.,
March 9, 1863.

We leave here again in the morning for the Grange. Ordered to report there immediately to relieve a regiment, the 6th Iowa, which is going down the river. Am right glad to be again on the way. Can’t think that we will stay there long, though I ought by this time to know that I have no business thinking anything about the matter. The Fulton Democrat came into our camp to-day, and that correspondence you mentioned in your last has raised quite a stir. The writer is of course denounced as a contemptible liar. My boys this evening got up a little paper which will appear in the Register shortly (it goes in the morning by the same person who carries this) and some fifty of them signed it, all there were in camp. My company would riddle that office in a minute if they could get at it. Worked all day yesterday, Sunday, covering and chinking a picket post, and will not get another day’s use of it. Have so much to do that I see I will have to stop this letter writing business.

March 9, 1863, The New York Herald

A year ago a great outcry was raised against the general then in command of the Army of the Potomac because he did not advance against the enemy over impracticable roads during the rainy season. The experience of two other generals since at the head of the same army demonstrates that to be “stuck in the mud” in Virginia is not peculiar to any one general. It is an inevitable result of the […..] sacred soil,” and the rebel chiefs, who are supposed to know the country better than our generals, have to share the common lot. Their movements are equally crippled, unless so far as they have railroads at command. We are glad to learn, however, that three days ago the roads were in such fine condition in the vicinity of the Rappahannock that military movements were quite practicable, which fact, coupled with the reconnoissances recently made, would indicate that we may soon have stirring news from the Army of the Potomac. The snow and rain storm that has since intervened at the North may, perhaps, have extended to Virginia and arrested any contemplated operations; but the storm is light, and two or three dry days will be sufficient to put the roads in good order again. The Army of the Potomac is described as in excellent condition and fine spirits, ready for any enterprise to which it may be led by General Hooker.

March 9, 1863, The New York Herald

The much despised spade turns out to be a trump in the Southwest, as appears from the map we published yesterday illustrating the three great Union expeditions on the Mississippi. In the peninsular campaign of last year General McClellan was violently abused for resorting to the spade, though it turned out he saved by it thousands of lives. What the spade could accomplish in war was then matter of history, and illustrated in the case of the famous earthworks of Washington in the Revolution and of Tottleben at Sebastopol, and the counterworks of the English and French. It has since done something for the rebels at James Island, in the vicinity of Charleston, and also at Fredericksburg and Vicksburg. This year, however, the spade is the chief weapon of our armies in the Southwest – more potent than cannon to open the highway of the Father of Waters from the mouth of the Ohio to the Gulf. If the simple spade, with the aid of American ingenuity, can neutralize the frowning guns and formidable works of   “The Gibraltar of the Mississippi,” that will be a great triumph of a peaceful implement of agricultural industry over the terrible enginery of war.

The cut-off from the river, commencing four or five miles above Vicksburg, and entering the river again below the city, near Warrenton, is only a work of time, when the blue clay is cut away with the spade and the sand is reached. Then a new channel shall have been opened for our gunboats, leaving Vicksburg far to the east, and, it may be, cutting it off from navigation. But, if the latter result do not follow, Big Black river – near Grand Gulf, on the Mississippi side – can be ascended, and the rear of Vicksburg gained in that way, and the strong-hold reduced by siege and starvation. This, the rebel newspapers say, is the object of the cut-off at Vicksburg.

But the importance of gaining time has suggested two other water routes by which Vicksburg may be circumvented more rapidly, and already each is pronounced not only practicable, but a fait accompli. Our telegraphic intelligence published in yesterday’s HERALD declares that the cut-off to Lake Providence as […..] success,” and that Yazoo Pass is also to be […..] a success.” By the latter boats would be enabled to reach the rear of Vicksburg and the Tallahatchie, and perform a [continue reading…]

March 9, 1863, The New York Herald

Our news from the South today is very full, interesting and important. The Richmond journals of the 6th inst. contain the extraordinary rumors that the Indianola has been blown up by the rebels, but that her armament fell into the hands of the federals. Admiral Porter despatched to Washington yesterday that both the Indianola and Webb were destroyed in the late engagement, while a host of reports were afloat throughout the capital that the Admiral had telegraphed to the effect that his gunboats have passed through the canal into Lake Providence, and succeeded in destroying the Queen of the West and Indianola, and other armed vessels of the rebels. The only foundation, however, for these rumors is found in the statement of the Richmond papers above alluded to. Despatches to Fortress Monroe say that the federal gunboats are making great destruction on Lake Providence. They further state the rebel Van Dorn repulsed a Union force near Franklin on the 1st inst., and captured 2,200 officers and men. An attack on Port Hudson by General Banks’ forces was looked upon in Richmond as immediate.

The Richmond papers talk boldly of the impregnable condition of Vicksburg, Charleston and Chattanooga. As for Richmond itself, that is not even menaced; but under any circumstances it can be defended by an effective force of sixty thousand men. They boast that the best organizer of troops in the army, General Bragg, and the best maneuverer in the open field, Johnston, are in command at Chattanooga, and with Lee in Virginia, Gustavus Smith in North Carolina, and Beauregard in South Carolina and Georgia, there is no possible fear of a military blunder. They criticise our conscript law severely; but the Examiner does not anticipate that it will lead to a Northern revolution, for it considers the government of the United States has congealed into a despotism, and that its inhabitants have actually sunk down into the characteristics of […..] abject, trembling and undenying slaves.’

By the arrival of the Fah-Kee from Port Royal yesterday evening we have some very interesting intelligence to the 3d, at which time very heavy firing was heard in the direction of Savannah, which was supposed to be an attack by our troops [continue reading…]

March 9, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Port Royal Correspondence.

PORT ROYAL, S.C., Mar 3, 1863.

The career of the famous rebel steamer Nashville is ended. After having made several successful runs in and out of Southern ports, cleverly eluding our fastest cruisers, and landing large and valuable cargoes, she entered Warsaw Sound some six months since, and passing up the Wilmington river, through St. Augustine creek, and into the Savannah river, safely arrived at Savannah, where she discharged an assorted cargo of immense value to the rebels, and immediately began to load with a cargo of sea island cotton for Europe. Her movements coming to the knowledge of Admiral DuPont, he augmented the naval force in Warsaw Sound, and also strengthened that in Ossabaw Sound, rightly apprehending an attempt to run the blockade at that point, failing to elude it at Warsaw.

When the Nashville attempted to run out of Warsaw Sound she found it so closely and effectually guarded that the plan was given up, and she returned to Savannah. In a few days she again steamed down the Wilmington and Burnside rivers into the Vernon river, which, uniting with the Ogeechee, flows into Ossabaw Sound. Here were found the Seneca, Wissahickon and Dawn closely guarding the avenues to the sea, and again she was thwarted. She then proceeded up the Vernon river, and laid up behind a six-gun battery near Montgomery, and in this position she remained for some weeks, but found no opportunity to elude the sleepless vigilance of the naval officers who, night and day, guarded the rivers. Some weeks since the Admiral learned that they had discharged her cargo of cotton, and were fitting her up and heavily arming her as a privateer, with the intention of fighting her way out and joining the Alabama and Florida in their destructive cruises against our commerce. This report was certainly a startling one, especially when it was additionally reported that the Fingal or an iron-clad was to come down from Savannah to aid her in destroying our blockading fleet and in giving her free access to the sea. About this time she passed from the Vernon into the Big Ogeechee river, and anchored above Fort McAllister. Heavier vessels were immediately sent to Ossabaw to thwart this scheme, so full of [continue reading…]

March 9, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.)

RICHMOND, Wednesday, March 4.

This is the last day of the Abolition Congress of the United States. It has done its hellish work well, and leaves LINCOLN invested with ample powers to complete what has been left undone. The vote on the Conscription Bill shows so small a minority against it, that we must needs believe that the Yankee people are ready to sustain its sweeping clauses. Perhaps there is an understanding as to its real intent, viz: to keep the expiring enlistments from being carried into effect.

Government people say things look gloomy enough. The debates in Parliament show that England will not lend France so much as her moral support in the matter of recognition and mediation; and if England will not, then we need expect none of the other great Powers to act with France. Everybody accuses England of cold-blooded selfishness, and it must be confessed there is ground for the accusation. But there is something behind the scenes which we do not see. Have our statesmen studied the ultimate bearings on English interests of French designs in Mexico? Surely England would not endure the horrors of the existing cotton famine merely for the pleasure of thwarting a Slaveholding Confederation.

Dark as the signs are at the North and abroad, we should never forget the potential effect of a thorough victory. True, none of the battles already won have had the effect we anticipated, but every one has helped the cause greatly. Nor should we forget that the English politicians of all shades of opinion unite in the assertion that the Union can never be joined again. Let us whip the Yankees in the Spring, and leave the rest to the Almighty.

It is believed the House passed in secret session yesterday the finance measures lately passed by the Senate, which are substantially those embodied in the report of Mr. Hunter, published some weeks ago. The House amendments are not [continue reading…]

March 9, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The drift of events clearly indicates that the lull in the progress of hostilities cannot last much longer. The lengthening days, the roads now rapidly hardening, and the proximity of the great armies which still confront each other at Vicksburg, Tullahoma and on the Rappahannock, admonish us that we are upon the threshold of a season of unexampled trials for the Confederacy. We of Charleston need not flatter ourselves that we are to escape the ordeal. The blow with which we have so long been threatened will sooner or later, be struck, and with tenfold power and malignity, in that is has been so long delayed.

At such a juncture, it behooves all our arms-bearing men, not already in the field, to enroll themselves at once for militia duty, in case of an emergency, and to give their zealous cooperation to the important work of perfecting the organization and discipline of our citizen soldiery. In this connection we would especially direct public attention to the approaching militia elections in this city. It is to be hoped that a full vote will be polled, and that the fittest men will be chosen.

The following vacancies in the Sixteenth Regiment, S. C. M., will be filled by elections to take place on tomorrow, the 10th inst.:

Field and Staff – The office of Major.

Beat No. 1 – All the offices.

Beat No. 2 – Second and Third Lieutenants.

Beat No. 3 – First and Second Lieutenants.

Beat No. 4 – Captain, First and Third Lieutenants.

Beat No. 6 – Captain, First, Second and Third Lieutenants.

Beat No. 7 – First, Second and Third Lieutenants.

Beat No. 8 – Captain, First, Second and Third Lieutenants.

Sunday, 8th–Company E went on picket this morning. Had a fearful hailstorm late this evening.

Sunday March 8^th 1863

Rained again today most of the time and I have kept my room till near night. I went down to Maj William^s and spent an hour and then came back to tea after which I attended religious Services at the Colored Church on 11^th s^t. A white man preach[ed] a very good discourse and the services were conducted throughout with as much propriety as is usual in any other church. The singing was not as artistic but quite as melodious. The Church was crowded to excess and it soon became very warm. There was quite a sprinkling of white folks who were there like myself out of curiosity. I could not but remark that nothing occured in the Sermon or during the exercises to indicate the Color or condition of the audience. The people were very respectably dressed and among the females crinolines were quite as plenty as in other churches. The morning paper contains no news. The Gold Speculators have “caught it” awfuly, the article having fallen within the past week from 172 to 150. Mr Chase has almost unlimited power now to control the finances of the Nation and can Issue money (paper) to meet all contingencies likely to occur for the next year, the probability is that “green backs” will be our circulating medium henceforth.

8th. Spent the day in camp. Thede came over and we made a little sugar candy. Read some in “Currents and Countercurrents,” by O. W. Holmes. Wanted to read Motley, but Charlie had sent the book back home. Thede and I wished we could be at home two or three hours. A dark and cloudy day.

MARCH 8th.— Judge Meredith’s opinion, that foreigners, Marylanders, and others, who have served in the army, have become domiciled, and are liable to conscription, has produced a prodigious commotion. Gen. Winder’s door is beset with crowds of eager seekers of passports to leave the Confederacy; and as these people are converting their Confederate money into gold, the premium on specie has advanced.

Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, has decided that Judge Meredith’s opinion is not authority; and hence his son-in-law, Lieut.-Col. Lay, who at present wields the Conscription Bureau, acts accordingly. But Gen. Rains has a contrary opinion; and he intended to see the President yesterday, who is understood to coincide with Judge Meredith. It is also alleged that Secretary Seddon concurs in this opinion; and if this be the case, an explosion is imminent—for Judge Campbell must have given instructions by order of the Secretary, without the Secretary’s knowledge or consent.

I advised the general to see the President and Secretary once a week, and not rely upon verbal instructions received through a subordinate; he said the advice was good, and he should follow it. But he is much absorbed in his subterrene batteries.

March 8, 1863, The New York Herald

Our New Orleans Correspondence.

NEW ORLEANS, La., Feb. 27, 1863.

In consequence of an announcement in the official journal that the steamer Empire Parish would leave the foot of Canal street at one o’clock on the 20th ult., with such paroled rebel prisoners as were desirous of being exchanged, long before that hour a dense mass of living humanity was seen moving along the several streets leading to the place of embarkation. As is usual on such occasions the feminine element was predominant, while here and there were seen the gray uniforms of the rebels all wending their way to the centre of attraction.

By ten o’clock the levee was densely crowded, leaving scarcely room to stir. Every window was ornamented with faces in all styles of beauty and ugliness; and as each rebel soldier passed by handkerchiefs would be waved and cheer after cheer would resound on all sides.

In order to check any hostile demonstration that might be made a battery of field pieces was placed in position and the services of a military guard were held in requisition. In consequence of this arrangement the secessionists have promulgated the absurd story that General Banks had the artillery down to the levee for the purpose of shooting down the women; and a story that five or six women had been run over by the gun carriages was industriously circulated. There is not one word of truth in the report, which was gotten up undoubtedly for the purpose of inflaming the passions of the men, and to stir them up to the commission of some desperate act which could have resulted only in their own destruction. Great has been the manoeuvring at this supposed act of atrocity. General Banks has been stigmatized as being worse than Butler, who, the secessionists declare, would never have done such a thing, […..]as he is.”

As on the last occasion of a flag of truce being sent to Madisonville, the representatives of the press were furnished with one general pass for the whole body; and it was intimated to the gentleman to whom it was given that the hour of departure had been changed to three o’clock. At that hour I went on board, when the first thing that attracted my notice was a rebel soldier undergoing the operation of being searched by a special officer, who had been detailed for that duty. The process was not a very pleasant one, and could not be borne without wincing. Pockets, cap, the linings of coats and other garments, including even that precious article of attire, sacred to the sterner sex – namely, the toga virili – were all subjected to the manipulation of the officer. Nay – and my modest pen blushes as it records the fact – that same [continue reading…]

March 8, 1863, The New York Herald

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, March 7, 1863.

The expedition under Colonel Phelps, to Northumberland County, Va., returned this afternoon, after an eminently successful trip.

The force left Belle Plain last Tuesday, in steamers, and was composed of picked men from the Fourteenth New York State Militia, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth and Thirtieth New York Volunteers, and Captain Virgen’s company of the First Maine cavalry. The HERALD correspondent accompanied the expedition.

Owing to the ignorance of the pilot concerning the channel, and the high wind, the landing at the head of Coon river was not effected until Wednesday noon, when the whole command debarked, and Colonel Phelps, with his staff, at the head of the cavalry, dashed on into Heathsville, the country seat of Northumberland, capturing a rebel soldier and taking the entire town by surprise.

The Post Office was searched, but nothing was found save a few dusty papers and old letters, the office not having been reopened since the raid of Colonel Fairchild, several weeks since.

The jail was next examined, but the cells were empty.

At night the command bivouacked a few miles outside the place, and next day foraging parties were sent out in various directions and the cavalry despatched on a scouting expedition into Lancaster county.

The foraging parties seized one thousand bushels of corn, fifty horses, and mules, a large number of fine beef cattle and [continue reading…]

March 8, 1863, The New York Herald

The Mississippi Valley Grand Campaign.

The opening of the Mississippi river is now the grand object which occupies the attention of both the Union and rebel armies. The former is determined to open the navigation of the river, while the latter, as evinced in the proclamation of Jeff. Davis, is as determined that it shall not be accomplished. As an evidence of this we have but to observe that a force of rebels are posted to resist our advance by the Yazoo Pass, while batteries and troops are employed at Vicksburg and Port Hudson to impede, and, if possible, stop our movements in those directions. The Union army is now engaged on three grand plans for the reduction of Vicksburg and the opening of navigation, and these plans the rebels are using might and main to thwart. There is little doubt but that the future historian will have to class the siege of Vicksburg among the most important sieges of the world.

The Three Union Plans.

THE CHANGING OF THE COURSE OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

Wars often cause great changes in the face of the countries in which they take place; but so great a change as the prospective one about to occur in the Mississippi valley has never yet been accomplished in the history of the world. Streams and even rivers have been turned by investing armies, and victories won by such a course of strategy; but never before has such an immense and powerful body of water been changed out of its course as is now contemplated in this region. Napoleon in his maxims recommends the using of streams as a means of either offence or defence, but there is no record of his turning a river for hundreds of miles from its natural bed, or of his opening an entirely new route of navigation by the same means.

CYRUS TURNED THE EUPHRATES AND CONQUERED BABYLON.

In ancient history we find that Cyrus, while commander of the army of the Medes and Persians, conquered Babylon by turning the course of the Uphrates, after having laid siege to the city for over two years. Taking advantage of a great [continue reading…]

March 8, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Mississippi River Correspondence.

YOUNG’S POINT, LA., THREE MILES ABOVE VICKSBURG, Feb. 26, 1863.

After the capture of the Queen of the West we had hoped that the Indianola would speedily succeed in retaking her. It seems we were doomed to disappointment, and to have the additional mortification of losing the Indianola. The ease with which she passed the batteries at Vicksburg and Warrenton appears to have created too great confidence in her abilities.

THE LOSS OF BOTH THE QUEEN AND THE INDIANOLA has been mainly due to the fact that these boats were allowed to proceed alone into the enemy’s country. Had the Queen of the West been attended by any other of the ram or gunboat fleet she could easily have been saved after running ashore at Gordon’s Landing. Had the Indianola been similarly accompanied it is doubtful if the rebels would have ventured to attack her.

AFTER MEETING THE ERA NO. 5, with those who escaped from the ill-fated Queen, Capt. Brown proceeded with the Indianola to the mouth of Red river in pursuit of the Webb. The chances of overtaking her were very remote, as the Webb could easily steam three miles in the same time that the Indianola could make one. The pursuit was not commenced until the Webb had been absent for some hours, and the only prospect of coming up with the rebel boat was in the event of her lying by for fuel or from some other cause. By the time the Indianola reached the mouth of Red river the Webb was at least a hundred miles above, on her way to Alexandria.

ARRIVED AT RED RIVER, the Indianola proceeded a short distance up that stream, on the lookout for any rebel gunboats or transports that might make their appearance. The entrance to Atchafalaya bayou was watched, in the hope that some boat might emerge on its way to Port Hudson or the upper Red river. No capture was made, as the boats were doubtless warned by couriers of the presence of the Indianola. Ascending Red river some twenty or thirty miles, Captain Brown ascertained that the Queen had been removed from the bar where [continue reading…]

March 8, 1863, The New York Herald

The Army of the Potomac has been making a demonstration. An expedition, under Colonel Phelps, which left Belle Plain in steamers on Tuesday for Northumberland county, made a most successful thing of it, and returned to headquarters yesterday. The troops visited Heathsville, which they found deserted by the rebels. Then, throwing out large foraging parties from that base into Lancaster county and in other directions, they succeeded in capturing one thousand bushels of corn, fifty horses and mules, an amount of medical stores. Two post offices and several stores were visited, and two important rebel mails captured. The cavalry also seized a large number of horses and mules, and are now on their way overland to Fredericksburg. Some prisoners were also taken, among them Colonel Claybrook, a prominent rebel officer, and two clerks of the departments of Richmond, with a quantity of correspondence for citizens of Baltimore, and official papers addressed to parties in London, to the care of Baring Brothers. The country was quite deserted and almost barren of everything.

We present our readers this day with a map illustrating the important operations now taking place in the Southwest, accompanying it with a full description of the movements as set forth in the rebel newspapers and Western journals. As the region is but little known the map will be very useful, and as the movement is important and is fully understood by the rebels, its description will be exceedingly interesting to our readers. Such a gigantic operation has never before been attempted by any army of the Old or New World, and if successful, the ‘Great Union River’ will carry down to posterity the history of one of the greatest military operations of the greatest rebellion that has ever shaken the earth.

We publish in another column a highly interesting account of the capture of the Indianola from our special correspondent, accompanied by a map of the locality in which we recently lost the two boats, Queen of the West and Indianola. The story of the fight is most graphically and forcibly given. [continue reading…]

Camp Winder, March 8, 1863.

To-day I went to our chapel to hear Dr. Hoge, who preached a very fine sermon, Genl. Jackson being one of the audience. We have preaching in the chapel twice on Sunday, and, I think, pretty much every night. It looks odd to see a church full of people, and all of them men. It would be really refreshing to see a woman among them, to give the audience the appearance of civilization. But the women and children who adorn our churches at home are missing here. Well they may be! I am glad, at least, that mine are not here to share the miseries of this business with me.

During the past week it has been a blow or rain, a hurricane or a shower, all the time. The wind seems to dry up the ground, taking the water up somewhere, and it is no sooner up than down it comes again.

In army matters we have the most profound quiet. It has been so long since I have heard a musket or a cannon that I have almost forgotten how it sounds. I suppose, however, in the course of a month we will have something to refresh our memories and revive old scenes. Yes, we will have the long roll to warn the men that another battle is imminent; then the solemn march to the scene of the conflict, each pondering upon the misty future; then we are halted and our line of skirmishers thrown to the front; then we have the occasional shots, which gradually thicken and extend until there is one continual roar of musketry and artillery; and, perhaps, to close the scene, we lie down exhausted to sleep upon the field, among the dead and dying. You civil people at home all look upon this as terrible. So it is, but we soldiers must get used to it; each waiting in patience for his time to fall among those who rise no more for the contest.

Give my love to Lou [his wife’s sister] and say to her that Mr. Newman’s regiment is now at Fredericksburg; that I will send up to him and let him know to-morrow that his box is at the depot; and that I will write to an officer from my brigade who is on duty at the depot to take charge of it until he sends for it. I was very sorry, indeed, that I was not able to bring the other box with me.

I have had more to do of late than usual, and have sometimes spent four or five hours at my writing-desk,– not, however, without some pain in my eyes when I quit work. I am able to keep pretty well when I live on rice and bread, but if I eat a hearty meal it puts me out of order again. I hope by care to keep fit for duty, but do not expect to get right well until I get a better diet and am able to lead a more regular life. I heartily wish that I were right well. It gives me much anxiety lest, when my services are most needed, I shall prove unfit for duty and be compelled to leave my brigade in charge of some one else.

Saturday, 7th–It is quite showery and things are growing fine. Farmers throughout here are putting into corn most all the land that is not flooded. There are few white men here and most of the able-bodied negro men are forming companies and regiments for the army of the North, to be under white officers.

Washington Saturday March 7^th 1863.

Another day has passed and no news to encourage any body. They have had a small fight in Tennessee where three or four of our Regiments were overpowered by superior numbers. All quiet on the Potomac. There is in fact a perfect Blockade of Mud and it is almost impossible to get to the Camps or Hospitals out of the City with anything but a Gov^t Wagon and & [sic] Six Mule teams. Met Gov Sprague on the Av^e, he recognized me at once. When he came on with the first RI troops in June/61 His Head Quarters were almost opposite my room in the Pa^t office. At that time I became quite well acquainted with him and also Gen^l (then Co^l) Burnside. The Gov is now U.S. Senator. I have written Six Soldiers letters today and enclosed Money in five of them, amounting in all to about $250.00. It was all sent to Mothers or wives, and sent by Express. It has rained nearly all day and the Streets would be worse than they have been heretofore if it were possible. I have been over to Charleys. Eat some oysters and played a game of Chess. They are living in one Room, Cooking, Sleeping, and all, one of tolerable size on the 2^nd floor. It is very inconvenient but the best they could do for the time being.

Saturday, 7th. Finished my letter to Ella. Col. Abbey went to town and sent a barrel of flour to mother. Good. A Democratic mass meeting to consider the best way for democrats to protect their property. Finished “Mistress and Maid.”

MARCH 7th.—The President is sick, and has not been in the Executive Office for three days. Gen. Toombs, resigned, has published a farewell address to his brigade. He does not specify of what his grievance consists; but he says he cannot longer hold his commission with honor. The President must be aware of his perilous condition. When in adversity, some of those he has trusted, discuss the bases of reconstruction; and when we are prosperous, others, in similar positions, agitate the question of re-organization—the motive of both being his ruin. But I suppose he has calculated these contingencies, and never anticipated paving a bed of roses to recline upon during the terrible, and sometimes doubtful struggle for independence.

The rumor that Vicksburg had fallen is not confirmed; on the contrary, the story that the Indianola, captured from the enemy, and reported to have been blown up, was unfounded. We have Gen. Pemberton’s official assurance of this.

Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, a Pennsylvanian, sent into the department to-day, with a request that it be filed, his oath of allegiance to this government, and renunciation of that of the United States, and of his native State. This would indicate that the location of his nativity has been the subject of remark. What significance is to be attributed to this step at this late day, I know not, and care not. An error was committed in placing Northern men in high positions to the exclusion of Southern men, quite as capable of filling them.

Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Jackson, Tenn.,
March 7, 1863.

The rumors from Vicksburg in the Tribune of the 5th are enough to make one’s flesh creep, and more than sufficient to account for my little touch of the blues I do feel to-night as though some awful calamity had befallen our army somewhere. God grant it may not be so! We have another report in camp this evening that is not calculated to enliven me much, viz.; “Lawler and some four companies of the 18th Illinois Infantry have been captured some 30 miles east of town.” In my last I spoke of an expedition having started out to look for some of Van Dorn’s forces which were reported as being on the Tennessee river, looking for a crossing place. We don’t give credence to the story of Lawler’s being a prisoner. But if he is, and the Vicksburg rumor be true and we have been repulsed at Charleston, and were whipped at Tullahoma, I wouldn’t feel half as badly over it all if our people at home would quit their wicked copperheadism and give us the support and encouragement they should, as I do now when we are worsted in even a cavalry skirmish. For every little defeat we suffer only seems to make them so much bolder, as is shown in every new set of resolutions which reaches us through the Times and the Enquirer. So that miserable Davidson really published the lie that only one man in my company really voted for the resolutions. Every man in Company G voted for them and with a will, too. I don’t have any politics in my company, although there are some companies in the regiment which indulge considerably in discussing questions of State. Above all things I dislike to hear it. I am glad to hear that my men speak well of me in their letters. I think I have had less trouble in my company than most of the officers. Allen Roodcape, the man you sent your letter of the 1st inst. by, got here to-night. Poor fellow, he will never be fit for a soldier. Davidson has gone home again. The 50th Indiana went out yesterday morning to reinforce Lawler, so we will again be on picket every other day. When it is here, once in three days is the rule. I was out on the worst post last night and it rained nearly all night. It thundered and lightened most splendidly. I like to get pretty wet once and a while for a change. It’s raining hard now. I go on picket again to-morrow. I’m sleepy, tired, and the rain is coming through my tent so much that I believe I’ll get into bed.