Monday 5th.—Crossed Little Warrior 12 M; camped on south side Gurley’s Creek.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Washington Monday Jan’y 5^th 1863

Great excitement in the City tonight. We are Victorious at Murfreesboro. A dispatch has been rc^d from Rosecrans setting the matter at rest and I breathe easier again. And we also hear that in all probability Vicksburgh is in our possession. All our news from the South West is highly favorable. There is no doubt but the Rebels were largely re-inforced in Tennessee during the five or six days fight from Richmond or rather from the Army before Fredericksburgh. The Rebels make the most of their system of Rail Roads and their facilities for massing troops at any given point has given them a great advantage. Repeatedly have they been able to re-inforce their armies during battle. Especialy were they able to do so at the first battle of “Bull Run” & which won them a Victory and us lasting dishonor. It has been contended that their system of R Roads was designed and the Roads constructed with this very state of things in view years before the Rebellion broke out. But the chief conspirators were silently preparing for it. The worst of it is, they were built (to a great extent) with Northern Capital. At the commencement of the War it is said that the southern States were indebted to the North two hundred millions dollars, much of which was due on Mercantile transactions. We got news today of the loss of the gallant little Monitor off Cape Hatteras. She foundered during a heavy sea and some twenty men went down with her or were lost at the time. The “Rhode Island” had her in tow.

5th. Monday. In the morning George Fairchild called. Pleasant visit. After my work Rob and I rode to the city. Took up my pants for stripes. Got me a vest. Called at Neil House. Phoebe not in. Sorry. Muddy, and I had a servant black my boots! Rode back disconsolate and disappointed.

Monday, 5th–A report came to camp that the forces under Sherman made an unsuccessful attack upon Vicksburg.^[1] We are shut out of communications now as well as of provisions; we have had no mail for a month.

[1] They failed because of the strong fortifications and the fact that Grant failed to make his attack in the rear of Vicksburg at the same time, as planned.—A. G. D.

JANUARY 5th.—We learn from Gen. Bragg that the enemy did not retire far on the 2d inst., but remain still in the vicinity of Murfreesborough. He says, however, that our cavalry are still circling the Yankees, taking prisoners and destroying stores. During the day an absurd rumor was invented, to the effect that Bragg had been beaten. We are anxious to learn the precise particulars of the battle. It is to be feared that too many of Bragg’s men were ordered to reinforce Pemberton. If that blunder should prove disastrous, the authorities here will have a hornet’s nest about their ears. The President arrived yesterday, and his patriotic and cheering speech at Jackson, Miss., appeared in all the papers this morning.

We hear of no fighting at Suffolk. But we have dispatches from North Carolina, stating that a storm assailed the enemy’s fleet off Hatteras, sinking the Monitor with all on board, and so crippling the Galena that her guns were thrown overboard! This is good news—if it be confirmed.

A letter from Major Boyle, in command at Gordonsville, gives information that the smugglers and extortioners are trading tobacco (contraband) with the enemy at Alexandria. He arrested B. Nussbaum, E. Wheeler, and S. Backrack, and sent them with their wagons and goods to Gen. Winder, Richmond. But instead of being dealt with according to law, he learns that Backrack is back again, and on his way to this city with another wagon load of goods from Yankee-land, and will be here to-day or to-morrow. I sent the letter to the Secretary, and hope it will not be intercepted on its way to him from the front office. The Secretary never sees half the letters addressed him, or knows of one-half the attempts of persons to obtain interviews. The Assistant Secretary’s duty is to dispose of the less important communications, but to exhibit his decisions.

Sunday, 4th.—Marched five miles to Little Warrior River; water bound.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Sunday January 4^th 1863.Washington D.C.

A painful suspense have we all been left in today in reference to the “great Battle” reported in Tennessee. The “Sunday Morning Chronicle” has nothing definite as to the result. This Silence is rather ominous of evil, good news travels faster than that over the wires. But the wires may be down. We will solace ourselves with that idea till tomorrow. I attended religious Service at the Capitol this morning. I like to Stray up there of a Sunday morning to not only hear the old Chaplin preach and Miss Rumsey sing. But to gaze on Leutz’ fine picture of the Emigrant Party which decorates the Western Stair Case of the South Wing. The picture is a Study painted on the wall and covering the whole broad space in front as you ascend the stairs. I cannot but pronounce it the finest painting in the Capitol, it is so life like, so true to Nature. I spent an hour or two at Charley^s this evening. I think his confinement in the Hospital is undermining his health. He must live in an impure atmosphere much of the time. In my walk this evening I called at “Willards.” There was great anxiety manifested to hear from Rosecrantz. Maj Gen^l Hooker was there. It is rumored that Burnside is to resign and Hooker be appointed to the Command of the Army of the Potomac. Had a conversation with Eli Thayer in reference to his proposed Florida Emigration Scheme. He is quite sanguine of Success. But the Sec’y of War oposes it in Cabinet meeting.

January 4, 1863.

There I quit, for we received orders to get ready at once to march to Jackson, Tenn. The colonel ordered me to take charge of the train (wagons) and with my company guard it through by the wagon road, while the other nine companies went through by railroad. The regiment got off that evening, but I was delayed until the 31st, when just as I got my company into line to start a couple of the finest houses in town took fire, and burned down. The colonel commanding the 15th Illinois Infantry, which had just arrived, put me under arrest and stationed a guard around my company, but after an hour’s detention, my strong protestations against arrest and my arguments in favor of the honorable acquital of my men of the charges, induced him to allow us to proceed on our way. By Lieutenant Mattison’s personal smartness the train was taken from the road in the p.m., while I was ahead selecting camping grounds for the night, and I did not get with it for two days, which I traveled alone. The distance is about 90 miles. The first night I stayed at Holly Springs and slept in the bed which General Pemberton, Van Dorn and Lovell of the Rebel Army, and Hamilton, of ours, in turn occupied. ‘Twas in the room they occupied for headquarters. Mrs. Stricklin, the lady of the house, was charming. Her husband is a major in the Rebel Army. I ate my New Year’s dinner at Dr. Ellis’. He was not at home, but his lady treated me very politely, and I give her credit for having the noblest face I ever saw on woman. She is a sister of Rebel General Hindman. Stayed at a private house at Lagrange that night (Mrs. Cockes) and heard some delightful music made by a daughter. Saw seven mounted Rebels on the 2d, and felt uneasy traveling alone, but got through safe to Bolivar. Here I caught up with my train which I thought was behind. When we started my men were on foot, when I caught up with them at Bolivar, 38 of them were mounted on horses or mules. Stayed at Medon Station last night, and arrived here at 3 this p.m., all safe. I have to go back to Holly Springs to-morrow to testify against the 109th for disloyalty.

Sunday morning, January 4th. This morning, at ten thirty, prayers were read on the quarter-deck, after which a general muster of the crew took place. To-day we received a mail from home by the U. S. steamer Circassian.

Sunday, January 4th.

One just from Baton Rouge tells us that my presentiment about our house is verified; Yankees do inhabit it, a Yankee colonel and his wife. They say they look strangely at home on our front gallery, pacing up and down. . . . And a stranger and a Yankee occupies our father’s place at the table where he presided for thirty-one years. . . . And the old lamp that lighted up so many eager, laughing faces around the dear old table night after night; that with its great beaming eye watched us one by one as we grew up and left our home; that witnessed every parting and every meeting; by which we sang, read, talked, danced, and made merry; the lamp that Hal asked for as soon as he beheld the glittering chandeliers of the new innovation, gas; the lamp that all agreed should go to me among other treasures, and be cased in glass to commemorate the old days, – our old lamp has passed into the hands of strangers who neither know nor care for its history. And mother’s bed (which, with the table and father’s little ebony stand, alone remained uninjured) belongs now to a Yankee woman! Father prized his ebony table. He said he meant to have a gold plate placed in its centre, with an inscription, and I meant to have it done myself when he died so soon after. A Yankee now sips his tea over it, just where some beau or beauty of the days of Charles II may have rested a laced sleeve or dimpled arm. . . .[i]

Give the devil his due. Bless Yankees for one thing; they say they tried hard to save our State House.

[i] This “little ebony table”– which happened to be mahogany so darkened with age as to be recognized only by an expert many years after the war – and a mahogany rocking-chair are the two pieces of furniture which survived the sacking of Judge Morgan’s house and remain to his descendants to-day. Such other furniture as could be utilized was appropriated by negroes. – W. D

4th. Sunday. Stayed at home and read the Independent and newspapers. Passed the day very quietly. Wrote a letter home.

Sunday, 4th–I was on picket again today. A work train came in from Memphis, and four trains passed through going to Memphis; but none of them brought provisions, and as our provisions are so low, the division quartermaster sent all the teams to Memphis to bring provisions.

JANUARY 4th.—We have nothing additional from Murfreesborough, but it is ascertained that the bridges burned by the enemy on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad cannot be repaired in a month.

It really does seem that some potent and malign influence, resident at the capital, some high functionary, by some species of occultation, controlling the action of the government, a Talleyrand in the pay of both governments, and balancing or equalizing disasters between them to magnify his importance and increase his reward, has been controlling many events since the beginning of this war, and is still engaged in the diabolical work. It now appears that several regiments were withdrawn from the vicinity of Bristol, whose presence there was necessary for the protection of the railroad and the bridges. They were brought hither after Lee’s defeat of Burnside, for the protection of the capital! The President was away, and Mr. Seddon was now in the War Office. But Gen. Cooper is old in office, and should have known better; and Gen. G. W. Smith certainly must have known better. Just suppose we had been beaten at Murfreesborough, and our communications cut, west and east and south! There would have been no escape.

It had even been proposed to take a large portion of Lee’s men from him, so that he must be inevitably defeated on the Rappahannock, but Lee’s resignation would have shocked the people unbearably. Great injury was done him by abstracting some 20,000 of his men by discharges, transfers, and details. Nothing but his generalship and the heroism of his men saved us from ruin. The disasters of Donelson, Newbern, Nashville, Memphis, Roanoke, New Orleans, Norfolk, etc. may be traced to the same source. But all new governments have been afflicted by a few evil-disposed leaders.

Our people in arms have upheld the State; they have successfully resisted the open assaults of the invader, and frustrated the occult machinations of the traitors in our midst. We have great generals, but what were they without great men to obey them? Generals have fallen, and divisions and brigades have fought on without them. Regiments have lost their field officers and continued the fight, and companies have maintained their position after all their commissioned officers were stricken down. The history which shall give the credit of their achievements to others will be a vile calumny. Our cause would have been ruined if it had not been for the bravery and heroism of the people–the privates in our armies.

There is a rumor this morning that the enemy are advancing toward Petersburg from Suffolk. If this be so, some spy, under the protection of martial law, has informed the Yankees of our defenseless condition at that place, being alarmed at the success of our brave and patriotic men in the West.

Jane, Sarah Woolsey and G. were meantime nicely established at the hospital six miles from Newport, R. I., with a jolly little thin board house built for the nursing staff; their rooms 10 x 10, furnished from home with every comfort, and work fairly begun.

Jane Stuart Woolsey to Abby Howland Woolsey:

PORTSMOUTH GROVE, January, ’63.

Dear Abby: This morning in the grey (I don’t know how she managed to be up and seeing) Sarah looked in at the ventilator and announced, “Girls, there’s a big black steamer Hospital off the hospital dock.–The soldiers have come!”

She proved to be the Daniel Webster with 290 men from Fredericksburgh, many of them! There she lies at this writing, two o’clock, no tug having been got up from Newport, and the tide being so excessively low that she can’t move in. They have boarded her in boats however, and report the men very comfortable–short, delightful trip from Fortress Monroe, plenty to eat and no very bad cases on board. . . . Everything is ready for 450. Clean wards, clean beds, clean clothes and the best of welcomes. Georgy and I, who have the medical division, will not profit much. We shall get the sulky old “chronics” and “convalescents,” and Sarah and H. Whetten will have all the surgical cases; but we shall go to see them all the same, and they shall have all our stores, soft towels, jelly and oranges.

Shingling the barracks goes on bravely. I think things will be all so much finished to the satisfaction of Mr. Jefferson Davis, by spring, that he will perhaps retain us in office! . . .

7 P. M. The men are all safely landed, housed and suppered, and all the surgeons are busy dressing wounds. They must work all night. The men are bright as buttons and jolly. Tell Harriet Gilman that her shirts are blessing Fredericksburgh men to-night.

Dr. Edwards, surgeon-in-charge, in the handsomest way offers to turn out anybody we wish and put in anybody we wish, so if you know of any first-rate candidates amenable to female influence, forward us their names.

January 3d. To-day, at one o’clock, we were honored with a visit from Major-General Banks and Brigadier-General Weitzel.

3rd. Saturday. Besides my daily work, did little. Took up checks and distributed them. Col. Abbey made me a present of a pair of government pantaloons. I was pleased with the kindness. Heard that Phoebe (Haynes) was in town.

Saturday, 3d–A work train came in from Corinth today, and troops are coming in from the front. It is said they are bound for Memphis where they will take transports down the river, to go into camp just above Vicksburg. The Fifteenth Iowa left camp here and took up quarters down in Lafayette.

Washington Saturday Jan’y 3, 1863

We could not have finer weather, the air is soft and balmy as May. It is much like a northern Indian summer. The same blue haze rests upon the horizon. The roads and fields are dry and everything (out doors) invites one to make an excursion. But the beautiful groves on the hilltops have an ominous look even on this side of the River. Everything bears the Mark of the Camp. On the Virginia side of the River, the beautiful groves themselves have nearly all been destroyed to give a good and unobstructed sweep to the cannon in the Forts which crown the Hill Tops. War, like a destroying angel, has passed over the fair fields, and the hills and valleys of the “old dominion.” Rebellion has brot a bitter cup to her lips. War, like the dread Sirocco, has swept over her fields, leaving them desolate. A terrible battle has been raging near Nashville Tenn. for the past two or three days. We get no definite news from there tonight and do not yet know the result. But from all accounts it is the bloodiest battle of the War yet fought. Frank must be yet in the Hospital from his wounds rc^d on the 8^th Dec at Franklin. We may expect active operations now in the South West. Vicksburgh I think is now in our hands, if not it will soon. I wrote home today, sending a Draft for $50. I went up to the Navy Yard after office hours and took dinner at Mr Angels. Spent an hour or two very pleasantly. His Brother from NY City was there, a very shrewd inteligent man. I walked back to my lodgings, some 2½ miles. Mr Angel moves to Dutchess Co NY this month, He having purchased a farm there.

January 3rd, 1863.—My dear, dear Grandpa is dead. I loved him so well and now I will never see him again. Mother was all ready to start to North Carolina today but a telegram came telling the sad news.

Mary Eliza died in the night and she will be buried here tomorrow. There is trouble and sorrow on every side. It proved to be whooping cough poor little Mary Eliza had and Mattie and I have taken it. I thought it was a baby disease but it seems grown people can have it.

Our men in camp are suffering for blankets. Mother has sent all of hers and she has several of the women on the place at work washing and carding wool, to make comforts to take the place of the covering she has sent to the army. She has already sent all the linen sheets to the Reid Hospital in Richmond; not as sheets but rolled in bandages for dressing wounds. We have used most of the table cloths to scrape lint, for this blockade cuts us off from any supplies for the sick or the wounded.

Father has taught Nan to make salve and we ship it every week. She keeps the pot of salve going all the time for our poor soldiers. They need so much and we can do so little.

Susan Bradford is 16 years old when this entry was made.

JANUARY 3d.—To-day we have a dispatch from Vicksburg stating that the enemy had re-embarked, leaving their intrenching instruments, etc., apparently abandoning the purpose of assaulting the city. This is certainly good news.

Gen. Stuart did not cross the Potomac, as reported in the Northern press, but, doubtless, the report produced a prodigious panic among the Yankees. But when Stuart was within eight miles of Alexandria, he telegraphed the government at Washington that if they did not send forward larger supplies of stores to Burnside’s army, he (Stuart) would not find it worth while to intercept them.

Capt. Semmes, of the Alabama, has taken another prize—the steamer Ariel—but no gold being on board, and having 800 passengers, he released it, under bonds to pay us a quarter million dollars at the end of the war.

A large meeting has been held in New York, passing resolutions in favor of peace. They propose that New Jersey send a delegation hither to induce us to meet the United States in convention at Louisville, to adopt definitive terms of peace, on the basis of the old Union, or, that being impracticable, separation. Too late!

Washington Friday Jan’y 2^nd 1863.

Another most delightful day. The New Year commences very smilingly. May it be an indication of the future fortunes of our Country and may Peace through our whole land smile as brightly long before we see the last of 1863. It is reported tonight that a great Battle was fought yesterday in Tennessee betwen Rosecrantz & Joe Johnson, result not known. Gen^l B F Butler is serenaded tonight at “Willards.” He has just arrived from New Orleans, being relieved by Gen^l Banks. Gen^l M^cClellan is also here again before the courts of enquiry as a witness. It is rumored that He is to take Stantons place as Sec’y of War. Hope it is true. The Avenue seems to be more thronged than ever afternoons. Everybody is ‘out” these pleasant evenings either riding or walking and everything is seen from the Millionare to the beggar. The carriages of Foreign Ministers, of Cabinet Ministers are usualy seen in motion, and the Presidents carriage with its tall driver & footman one will frequently see standing in front of some Merchants door while Mrs L. sits in her seat and examines the rich goods which the obsequious Clerk brings out to her. I called at Mr Jordans this evening a few minutes and spent an hour or two with Cha^s & Sallie. “Puss” Woodward the youngest daughter was married last night unbeknown to her Father to a Mr A Lieb a clerk in the Land office, a foolish pair.

Friday, 2d.—Passed through very poor country. Crossed Black Warrior River, 2 P. M.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

January 2d. Late last night, our second night out, pickets began firing. We were called out and soon had line formed. The supposed enemy proved to be Union scouts with orders for the Colonel to return to Baltimore. The enemy did not come into Maryland. The command was complimented for the way it turned out into line ready for duty. This morning, in line by the railroad waiting for the train. After a long wait in the cold the dirty train of box cars came along which we soon boarded. On to Baltimore. Arriving in the city, ordered to the west end, going into camp in Stuart’s woods. A surprise and disappointment as we expected to return to Camp Emory, our good quarters, in good warm barracks. Many disappointments come to soldiers.

In our camp was located Battery L, 5th U. S. Regulars. The battery boys did not like being inside the guard line of volunteers. Would run the guard line, making trouble for us. A sergeant of the battery, under the influence of drink, attempted to run the guard. Was halted, grabbed the sentinel’s musket, resulted in the sergeant’s being badly wounded. The wooden plug in the muzzle, with the bullet, passed through the sergeant’s body. He was not killed. (After a time he recovered.) After that event the battery boys and the 18th Regiment were friends. All were sorry over the event. No one blamed the sentinel. Cold rain and snow making the life of a soldier a very disagreeable one in tents, sleeping on the ground. Deep mud and very sticky all through our camp.

2nd. Friday. Issued bread and beef. Read some. In the afternoon rode to town. Went up into the Senate and heard the big-bugs spout. Went to Quartermaster and selected some pants. Crabbed fellows.