Posted on Aug 17, 2016
Lite version - What was the most significant event on July 31 during the U.S. Civil War?
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In 1861 President Abraham Lincoln “signs a commission promoting the unknown Ulysses S. Grant to the rank of Brigadier General, upon the recommendation of Rep. Elihu Washburne (R-Ill). Grant is put in charge of troops and supplies being gathered at Cairo, Illinois.”
In 1862 in “response to Union General John Pope's order that citizens be shot as spies, Confederate President Jefferson Davis orders Pope's officers be held as felons and not prisoners-of-war.”
July 1863 was the first month of the military draft in southern New York State. “Colonel Robert Nugent was an Irish-born U.S. Army officer who had led the 69th Regiment of New York Volunteers--part of the famous Irish Brigade--through years of hard fighting until he received a stomach wound at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Forced to relinquish his command while he recovered, Nugent was made the Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General of the Southern Division of New York, which involved him in recruiting, the draft, combating desertion, and organizing the invalid corps. Nugent filed the following report with his superior, describing the first month of the draft in New York, as well as his other duties.
OFFICE ACTG. ASST. PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL, SOUTHERN DIVISION OF NEW YORK, Colonel JAMES B. FRY, Provost-Marshal-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of business and general transactions for the month ending July 31, 1863.
REPORT. Enrollment-The month just closing has been one of eventful interest. The enrollment was completed on or about the 5th instant, and the work of consolidating names of persons of class one finished on the 10th instant; nothing remained to be done for the perfect completion of the work of enrollment but the comparison of names gathered by the provost-marshals, in their respective districts, of persons residing in another or adjoining districts. The peculiar system which prevails in the city of New York, where nearly all the business community resides in other districts than those in which their business community resides in other district than those in which their business is located, many residing in the cities of Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Hoboken, as well as the many suburban villages, rendered this work one of great labor, and of necessity required much time in order to insure the necessary degree of correctness. The means first adopted to aid in accomplishing this object, by means of advertisements and posters calling upon citizens who had been enrolled in districts other than those in which they resided to obtain certificates by which their names could be erased from the lists in the districts in which they transacted their business, failed in any great measure to accomplish the result desired.
It then became evident that this object could only be accomplished by means of a system of exchange-the provost- marshals rendering to each other lists of persons enrolled in their respective districts and claiming residence in another, when by comparison it could be determined whether the persons named had been properly enrolled in the district where they resided, or from some cause had been omitted. While credit must be given for the very general excellence in the selection of enrolling officers by the provost-marshals, yet the different degrees of capability existing among them rendered it all but impossible that more or less errors should occur, and a careful system of revision was rendered absolutely necessary. The work of exchange had scarcely been gone into to any extent before the notification to commence the draft in the different districts was received, followed so closely by the most terrible exhibition of mob violence, causing an almost total suspension of this labor for a period of about ten days. I am glad to report that the work is now fully resumed and will be pushed as rapidly as possible to completion.
Resistance to the draft.-In accordance with instructions received and the plan adopted by me, I directed the provost-marshals of the Eighth and Ninth Districts to proceed with the draft in their districts as soon as the preliminary arrangements could be perfected, they having assured me that everything was in readiness, and leaving it discretionary with themselves as to the time when they should commence. Captain Jenkins, of the Ninth District, was the first to enter upon the duty, and on the 11th instant about 1,200 names were drawn for the Twenty-second Ward or Third Sub-District, was the first to enter upon the duty, and on the 11th instant about 1,200 names were drawn or the Twenty- second Ward or Third Sub-District, when the further drawing was postponed until Monday morning. Contrary to expectation, which the quiet and good order prevailing on Saturday had betokened, ace, of how serious a character couldn"t then be determined, would be offered to the further procedure of the draft. Of the character, extent, and result of this interference I have informed you in a detailed report on the subject. The effect of the riotous demonstrations upon the officers of the provost- marshals has been as follows:
First District: Complete suspension of business for eight or ten days and the destruction of a portion of the clothing which had been issued to him.
Second District: Little or no suspension of work.
Third District: No suspension or interruption.
Fourth District: No suspension or interruption.
Fifth District: Building and furniture destroyed; work suspended for want of quarters.
Sixth District: Work suspended for about ten days.
Seventh District: Furniture partially destroyed; also blanks; work suspended for about ten days.
Eighth District: Buildings, furniture, and blanks destroyed, together with all clothing; work suspended for want of quarters.
Ninth District: Building, furniture, and blanks all destroyed; work in great measure suspended for want of quarters.
In each case the enrollment and consolidated lists were preserved without injury, a matter of great importance, as it is questionable if so perfect an enrollment could be again made; certainly not without great loss of time.
Persons arrested.- The arrest of two deserters, who on being taken into custody produced spurious certifications of discharge, led to the arrest to Doctor De Marmon, who proved to be the party who furnished these bogus discharges to men; sometimes received as large a sum as $100 for the same. This arrest I regard as one of great importance, as there is no doubt that quite a business in this line has been carried on for some time past, and the secret manner in which it has been conducted has hitherto defied all effort to detect the guilty parties. The doctor was sent to Fort Lafayetter by direction of Major-General Dix, as also the two deserters to be held as withenses against him. On the 30th instant Captain H. Jahn, of the Second New York Independent Battery, was arrested upon papers forwarded to this office by Major L. C. Turner, Judge-Advocate-General, upon the charge of taking meant to New York before the expiration of their term of service. He was forwarded to Washington on the 31st instant and delivered to Major Gaines by direction of Major Turner.
Deserters arrested.-The number of deserters arrested during the month has been 134 by officers attached to my office.
For about one week during the excitement attending the riot in this city this work was necessarily suspended. The increased reward now paid for the detection of deserters has had a very excellent effect, stimulating the officers to increase exertions. The sum is now felt to be a sufficient compensation for the risk and trouble, and the result hension of this class of offenders cannot fail to exercise a wholesome the attempt. Hirtherton the sum paid was considered inadequate,and camp has operated to the serious disadvantage of the service. The should have been adopted some time since. But one thing more is needed, and that is a more prompt system of paying the reward after the arrest is effected. The delay in securing their pay has had the effect to deter many from engaging in the business who could have rendered very efficient service.
On the 11th instant orders were received from Major-General Wool directing that in consequence of the small number of men that could be spared to guard the prisoners at Fort Columbus, in future all deserters who belonged to the Army of the Potomac or to the regiments in Washington and vicinity should be sent direct under guard to Washington City; while those who belonged to regiments stationed at New Orleans, New Berne, Hilton Head, Port Royal, &c., would be receive in the fort as heretofore and detained until the sailing of transports of those places. This order rendered it necessary for the provost-marshals and others sending deserters to this point to deliver them at the Park Barracks in charge of the provost guard, and from thence daily parties, varying from ten to twenty men each, are dispatched to Washington in charge of an officer and a guard of one or two men, according to the size of the party. While this regulation imposes much additional labor on this office, I think it will be found to be productive of the following results: First, economy in transportation; second, the more speedy return of the men to their regiments; and, third, the short time which must elapse between their arrest and departure from the city will free us from the great annoyance of writs of habeas corpus. Either from inexperience or incapacity, the officers employed in some districts appear to be quite inefficient. The provost- marshals have been advised in accordance with instructions from your Bureau that there was a deficiency in this respect; they were also informed that if there was any insufficiency of force that they might appoint such number of officers as could be profitably employed. With these means at command this branch of business ought to be rendered very effective, and I am of opinion that no person receiving a salary should be retained who does not prove his efficiency by frequent arrests, and the provost-marshals shall be required to report the number of arrests made by each officer during the month. The recent instructions received, by which all detectives, special agents, and enrolling officers are entitled to receive the reward, will obviate a difficulty which arose under the previous arrangements whereby those men escaped being charged with the amount of reward and expenses who chanced to be arrested by officers not allowed to receive the reward.
Invalid Corps.-The organization of this corps is progressing more favorably. The number of men enlisted during the month has been 84, making the total number of men enlisted to date 209.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT NUGENT, Colonel 69th Regiment N. Y. Vols. and Actg. Asst. Prov. Marshal General”
Pictures: 1864 Cavalry Charge - Westport-cropped; 1863 CSS Florida; Camp McDonald Diagram; 1862 Brig. Gen. U.S. Grant
A. 1861: President Abraham Lincoln “signs a commission promoting the unknown Ulysses S. Grant to the rank of Brigadier General.
B. 1862: Virginia: During the night, CS Generals French and Pendleton place 43 artillery pieces within range of US General McClellan’s camp and the James River and open fire, killing 10 US soldiers and wounding 15, at the loss of 1 Confederate killed and 2 wounded by the return fire from McClellan’s batteries and US gunboats on the river. General D. H. Hill reports: “The Yankees have landed in force at Coggins Point. Our pickets have been driven back more than a mile. A force is out to check advance of the Yankees. If they come nearer we will be constrained to thrash them.”
C. 1863: “The commerce raiders of the Confederacy, although capturing or sinking relatively little of the commerce directed at Northern ports, had one curious effect: by driving insurance rates so high that they caused owners to re-register their vessels under the flags of other countries, they reduced United States flag shipping to levels that were never restored to this day. One of the fiercest, CSS Florida, was now two days out of Bermuda on course for the repair yards of Brest, France. Her skipper, Commander Maffitt, was ill and had requested that a replacement be sent over.”
D. 1864: near Sunshine Church at Hillsboro, Georgia, Brig. Gen. George Stoneman and his Union raiders met the Confederate cavalry of Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson. Heavy skirmishing ensued with Stoneman dismounting most of his force. The Confederates got the upper hand and soon scattered the Federals. Stoneman stayed with his rear guard to allow the remainder of his force to escape. The rear guard was captured while the rest of the Federals were hit hard while trying to break free.
Background: On July 30, Brig. Gen. George Stoneman and his Union raiders were travelling towards Hillsboro. They were encountering Confederate resistance along the way.
In 1862 in “response to Union General John Pope's order that citizens be shot as spies, Confederate President Jefferson Davis orders Pope's officers be held as felons and not prisoners-of-war.”
July 1863 was the first month of the military draft in southern New York State. “Colonel Robert Nugent was an Irish-born U.S. Army officer who had led the 69th Regiment of New York Volunteers--part of the famous Irish Brigade--through years of hard fighting until he received a stomach wound at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Forced to relinquish his command while he recovered, Nugent was made the Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General of the Southern Division of New York, which involved him in recruiting, the draft, combating desertion, and organizing the invalid corps. Nugent filed the following report with his superior, describing the first month of the draft in New York, as well as his other duties.
OFFICE ACTG. ASST. PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL, SOUTHERN DIVISION OF NEW YORK, Colonel JAMES B. FRY, Provost-Marshal-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of business and general transactions for the month ending July 31, 1863.
REPORT. Enrollment-The month just closing has been one of eventful interest. The enrollment was completed on or about the 5th instant, and the work of consolidating names of persons of class one finished on the 10th instant; nothing remained to be done for the perfect completion of the work of enrollment but the comparison of names gathered by the provost-marshals, in their respective districts, of persons residing in another or adjoining districts. The peculiar system which prevails in the city of New York, where nearly all the business community resides in other districts than those in which their business community resides in other district than those in which their business is located, many residing in the cities of Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Hoboken, as well as the many suburban villages, rendered this work one of great labor, and of necessity required much time in order to insure the necessary degree of correctness. The means first adopted to aid in accomplishing this object, by means of advertisements and posters calling upon citizens who had been enrolled in districts other than those in which they resided to obtain certificates by which their names could be erased from the lists in the districts in which they transacted their business, failed in any great measure to accomplish the result desired.
It then became evident that this object could only be accomplished by means of a system of exchange-the provost- marshals rendering to each other lists of persons enrolled in their respective districts and claiming residence in another, when by comparison it could be determined whether the persons named had been properly enrolled in the district where they resided, or from some cause had been omitted. While credit must be given for the very general excellence in the selection of enrolling officers by the provost-marshals, yet the different degrees of capability existing among them rendered it all but impossible that more or less errors should occur, and a careful system of revision was rendered absolutely necessary. The work of exchange had scarcely been gone into to any extent before the notification to commence the draft in the different districts was received, followed so closely by the most terrible exhibition of mob violence, causing an almost total suspension of this labor for a period of about ten days. I am glad to report that the work is now fully resumed and will be pushed as rapidly as possible to completion.
Resistance to the draft.-In accordance with instructions received and the plan adopted by me, I directed the provost-marshals of the Eighth and Ninth Districts to proceed with the draft in their districts as soon as the preliminary arrangements could be perfected, they having assured me that everything was in readiness, and leaving it discretionary with themselves as to the time when they should commence. Captain Jenkins, of the Ninth District, was the first to enter upon the duty, and on the 11th instant about 1,200 names were drawn for the Twenty-second Ward or Third Sub-District, was the first to enter upon the duty, and on the 11th instant about 1,200 names were drawn or the Twenty- second Ward or Third Sub-District, when the further drawing was postponed until Monday morning. Contrary to expectation, which the quiet and good order prevailing on Saturday had betokened, ace, of how serious a character couldn"t then be determined, would be offered to the further procedure of the draft. Of the character, extent, and result of this interference I have informed you in a detailed report on the subject. The effect of the riotous demonstrations upon the officers of the provost- marshals has been as follows:
First District: Complete suspension of business for eight or ten days and the destruction of a portion of the clothing which had been issued to him.
Second District: Little or no suspension of work.
Third District: No suspension or interruption.
Fourth District: No suspension or interruption.
Fifth District: Building and furniture destroyed; work suspended for want of quarters.
Sixth District: Work suspended for about ten days.
Seventh District: Furniture partially destroyed; also blanks; work suspended for about ten days.
Eighth District: Buildings, furniture, and blanks destroyed, together with all clothing; work suspended for want of quarters.
Ninth District: Building, furniture, and blanks all destroyed; work in great measure suspended for want of quarters.
In each case the enrollment and consolidated lists were preserved without injury, a matter of great importance, as it is questionable if so perfect an enrollment could be again made; certainly not without great loss of time.
Persons arrested.- The arrest of two deserters, who on being taken into custody produced spurious certifications of discharge, led to the arrest to Doctor De Marmon, who proved to be the party who furnished these bogus discharges to men; sometimes received as large a sum as $100 for the same. This arrest I regard as one of great importance, as there is no doubt that quite a business in this line has been carried on for some time past, and the secret manner in which it has been conducted has hitherto defied all effort to detect the guilty parties. The doctor was sent to Fort Lafayetter by direction of Major-General Dix, as also the two deserters to be held as withenses against him. On the 30th instant Captain H. Jahn, of the Second New York Independent Battery, was arrested upon papers forwarded to this office by Major L. C. Turner, Judge-Advocate-General, upon the charge of taking meant to New York before the expiration of their term of service. He was forwarded to Washington on the 31st instant and delivered to Major Gaines by direction of Major Turner.
Deserters arrested.-The number of deserters arrested during the month has been 134 by officers attached to my office.
For about one week during the excitement attending the riot in this city this work was necessarily suspended. The increased reward now paid for the detection of deserters has had a very excellent effect, stimulating the officers to increase exertions. The sum is now felt to be a sufficient compensation for the risk and trouble, and the result hension of this class of offenders cannot fail to exercise a wholesome the attempt. Hirtherton the sum paid was considered inadequate,and camp has operated to the serious disadvantage of the service. The should have been adopted some time since. But one thing more is needed, and that is a more prompt system of paying the reward after the arrest is effected. The delay in securing their pay has had the effect to deter many from engaging in the business who could have rendered very efficient service.
On the 11th instant orders were received from Major-General Wool directing that in consequence of the small number of men that could be spared to guard the prisoners at Fort Columbus, in future all deserters who belonged to the Army of the Potomac or to the regiments in Washington and vicinity should be sent direct under guard to Washington City; while those who belonged to regiments stationed at New Orleans, New Berne, Hilton Head, Port Royal, &c., would be receive in the fort as heretofore and detained until the sailing of transports of those places. This order rendered it necessary for the provost-marshals and others sending deserters to this point to deliver them at the Park Barracks in charge of the provost guard, and from thence daily parties, varying from ten to twenty men each, are dispatched to Washington in charge of an officer and a guard of one or two men, according to the size of the party. While this regulation imposes much additional labor on this office, I think it will be found to be productive of the following results: First, economy in transportation; second, the more speedy return of the men to their regiments; and, third, the short time which must elapse between their arrest and departure from the city will free us from the great annoyance of writs of habeas corpus. Either from inexperience or incapacity, the officers employed in some districts appear to be quite inefficient. The provost- marshals have been advised in accordance with instructions from your Bureau that there was a deficiency in this respect; they were also informed that if there was any insufficiency of force that they might appoint such number of officers as could be profitably employed. With these means at command this branch of business ought to be rendered very effective, and I am of opinion that no person receiving a salary should be retained who does not prove his efficiency by frequent arrests, and the provost-marshals shall be required to report the number of arrests made by each officer during the month. The recent instructions received, by which all detectives, special agents, and enrolling officers are entitled to receive the reward, will obviate a difficulty which arose under the previous arrangements whereby those men escaped being charged with the amount of reward and expenses who chanced to be arrested by officers not allowed to receive the reward.
Invalid Corps.-The organization of this corps is progressing more favorably. The number of men enlisted during the month has been 84, making the total number of men enlisted to date 209.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT NUGENT, Colonel 69th Regiment N. Y. Vols. and Actg. Asst. Prov. Marshal General”
Pictures: 1864 Cavalry Charge - Westport-cropped; 1863 CSS Florida; Camp McDonald Diagram; 1862 Brig. Gen. U.S. Grant
A. 1861: President Abraham Lincoln “signs a commission promoting the unknown Ulysses S. Grant to the rank of Brigadier General.
B. 1862: Virginia: During the night, CS Generals French and Pendleton place 43 artillery pieces within range of US General McClellan’s camp and the James River and open fire, killing 10 US soldiers and wounding 15, at the loss of 1 Confederate killed and 2 wounded by the return fire from McClellan’s batteries and US gunboats on the river. General D. H. Hill reports: “The Yankees have landed in force at Coggins Point. Our pickets have been driven back more than a mile. A force is out to check advance of the Yankees. If they come nearer we will be constrained to thrash them.”
C. 1863: “The commerce raiders of the Confederacy, although capturing or sinking relatively little of the commerce directed at Northern ports, had one curious effect: by driving insurance rates so high that they caused owners to re-register their vessels under the flags of other countries, they reduced United States flag shipping to levels that were never restored to this day. One of the fiercest, CSS Florida, was now two days out of Bermuda on course for the repair yards of Brest, France. Her skipper, Commander Maffitt, was ill and had requested that a replacement be sent over.”
D. 1864: near Sunshine Church at Hillsboro, Georgia, Brig. Gen. George Stoneman and his Union raiders met the Confederate cavalry of Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson. Heavy skirmishing ensued with Stoneman dismounting most of his force. The Confederates got the upper hand and soon scattered the Federals. Stoneman stayed with his rear guard to allow the remainder of his force to escape. The rear guard was captured while the rest of the Federals were hit hard while trying to break free.
Background: On July 30, Brig. Gen. George Stoneman and his Union raiders were travelling towards Hillsboro. They were encountering Confederate resistance along the way.
Civil War
Cavalry
Naval/Maritime History
Edited >1 y ago
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I have to go with the ignition of Grants rise. With out Grant, the end of war could have been in doubt? Think of it this way, without Vicksburg falling to the North and Grant relentless drive on Lee...what would have been the final outcome?
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
As it was, the Battle of Atlanta is what really turned to tide in Lincoln's Favor. He only won by 10% of the Polpular Vote. While Grant had a Hand in the Overall Strategy, including the Success of Sherman taking Atlanta, his actions in Va were not viewed as sucessful by the Northern Press and Lincoln's Opponents, namely the peace at all costs Democrats. While Grant had gotten closer to Richmond his Army had suffered tactical defeats and massive casualties From the Wilderness all the way to The Battle of the crater. The people were beginning to this that the Cost wasnt worth the effort, and Grants pace in Va, while in Retrospect was the correct path, caused War weariness in the North.
It was Atlanta that turned the tide of the election. Being that Grant was in charge of the grand strategy it was his success.
What would have happened without Grant? The Chances are that Meade would have been much less aggressive and The South could have shifted more resources to the Western Theater, preventing Sherman from reaching Atlanta as well. The war may have been less bloody but still drawn out with no end in sight.
McLellan winning in 1964 would have meant a cease fire and a negotiated peace, giving the South thier indeoendence.
It was Atlanta that turned the tide of the election. Being that Grant was in charge of the grand strategy it was his success.
What would have happened without Grant? The Chances are that Meade would have been much less aggressive and The South could have shifted more resources to the Western Theater, preventing Sherman from reaching Atlanta as well. The war may have been less bloody but still drawn out with no end in sight.
McLellan winning in 1964 would have meant a cease fire and a negotiated peace, giving the South thier indeoendence.
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In the US Civil War command of forces was a thorny issue when CSA departments were combined in Tennessee in 1862 between Gen. Bragg and Gen. Kirby-Smith’s forces were collocated. In 1864 during Jubal Early’s raid, President Abraham Lincoln and Lt Gen U.S. Grant met at Fortress Monroe agreed to consolidate the four Federal departments around Washington into one and to increase the US military presence in it, though there were disagreements about who would command that organization.
In 1862 at Chattanooga, Tennessee, Gen. Braxton Bragg combined his 35,000 men, all transferred by train, with Gen. Edmund Kirby-Smith’s 20,000. The two generals are uncertain as to command protocol, however: neither one, it seems, has authority to assume command over the other’s troops, being from two separate departments.”
By 1863 “The commerce raiders of the Confederacy, although capturing or sinking relatively little of the commerce directed at Northern ports, had one curious effect: by driving insurance rates so high that they caused owners to re-register their vessels under the flags of other countries, they reduced United States flag shipping to levels that were never restored to this day. One of the fiercest, CSS Florida, was now two days out of Bermuda on course for the repair yards of Brest, France. Her skipper, Commander Maffitt, was ill and had requested that a replacement be sent over.”
Below are a number of journal entries from 1861, 1862 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly
Wednesday, July 31, 1861: “George Hinton was a soldier in the 4th North Carolina Regiment. On July 31, 1861, he wrote home to his mother from his camp near Manassas, Virginia. The 4th North Carolina had arrived in the vicinity of Manassas after the Battle of First Manassas had been fought, and George Hinton reflected on the carnage still visible on the battlefield.”
COMPANY F., FOURTH REGIMENT, N. C. STATE TROOPS. NEAR MANASSAS JUNCTION, VA., July 31, 1861. Dear Mother: “This is the first opportunity I have had of writing to you since I've been here. We do not live as well here as we have, but we make out very well. We have to walk about a mile for our water; as the ground is too rocky to dig a well we get it out of a spring. You can't imagine how much I wish to see you all, I long to be free to go where I please. But alas, there is no telling where I may be, for when we first came here we did not expect to stay here this long without having a fight. I went over to the battle field last Sunday, and there met a most horrible sight, for it had been over a week after the fight, and the bodies of the men had been blackened by the burning sun and the horses had a most disagreeable smell.
On our going on the field the first object that met our gaze was a grave in which fifteen North Carolinans were buried. We next came to a Yankee who had only a little dust thrown over him. One of his hands was out, which looked very black, the skin peeling off, and you could see the inscission in it. The next which I noticed particularly had his face out and his white teeth looked horrible. The worms were eating the skin off his face. It made me shudder to think that perhaps I may be buried that way.
There are wounded prisoners all through the country in every house. I hope that peace will soon be declared, that we may enjoy the happiness with which we were once blest. I wish you all would write to me for I long to hear from you.
I suppose you heard about Frank T. running from the enemy; it is true, the officers told it. The General gave him his choice to have a Court Martial or be discharged through cowardice, and he took the latter.
We have our little bantams with us yet, and we intend that they shall crow in Washington City, which is only thirty-three miles off, if we live. I must close.
Goodbye, Your affectionate son, GEORGE.”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: Robert Knox Sneden, of the III Corps staff of the Army of the Potomac, still penned in at Harrison’s Landing on the James River in Virginia, writes in his journal: “Raining most of the day, with thunder and lightning storm in the afternoon. We had the same kind of weather yesterday after 7 p.m., and are now used to discomfort and getting wet. Fresh beef and fresh wheat bread is now daily issued to the army, while the sutlers furnish pickles, cheese, sardines, and cheap brandy for a high price. . . . At about 12:30 midnight, all were started from their sleep by rapid and heavy artillery firing on the James River at Westover Landing [opposite the Union army camp]. . . . The long roll beat in the camps near us. Divisions and brigades turned out in line and awaited orders. . . . A thousand rounds were fired. The sonorous roar of the gunboats, now rapidly firing, was heard above the others. I climbed a tall pine tree, and as we were not more than two and a half miles from the river, saw the trail of the fiery shells bursting in the woods on the horizon, as the night was very dark and lowering the flashes of the guns lit up the plain for miles in our front. . . . The enemy had opened on us with artillery from forty-three pieces simultaneously!”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: George Templeton Strong writes in his journal, complaining of the summer’s heat: “We still stew. If I have shed no blood in the country’s service, I have been liberal with another secretion, sweat, with which I have bedewed the streets and sprinkled my papers, so that I was obliged to protect them with umbrelloid blotting paper. Don’t wonder that the national cause, so prosperous in February and March, goes "all agley" in this weather, or rather in that intensified form of summer that now reigns and roasts alive below the Potomac. How can honest Northern men fight when the very marrow of their bones is oozing out at every pore of their bodies?”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: William Lyon, an officer in the Union army in northern Mississippi, writes home to his wife Adelia a heartfelt affirmation of his beliefs in the war’s purposes: “Camp Clear Creek, Miss., July 31, 1862—You are mistaken in supposing that we are meeting with reverses out here. These raids of guerillas have no significance, whatever. A few of them pitch into an unprotected town of no consequence, rob, steal and burn, and then skedaddle. They have not taken a single place occupied by our troops, of any value to us, except Murfreesboro in Tennessee, and that was retaken in a very few days. So don’t let your heart be troubled when you read all these sensational dispatches about guerilla operations. They serve one good purpose, however, and that is to encourage enlistment at the North.
I think this gigantic rebellion will be put down without resorting to a draft, every soldier of the 1,000,000 who aids in doing it being a volunteer. History furnishes no parallel to this. The whole policy of the Government is now changed, and war from henceforth is to be war. Where the army of the Union goes, there slavery ceases forever. It is astonishing how soon the blacks have learned this, and they are flocking in considerable numbers already in our lines. The people here will learn before this war is over that ‘The way of the transgressor is hard.’
Tell our Canada friends, many of whom seem to be groping in the darkness in regard to us, that this is a war for civil and religious liberty, for civilization, for Cristianity, on the part of this Government against crime, oppression and barbarism; and that all of their sympathies ought to be with us. But whether foreign nations comprehend the true bearings of this struggle or not, as sure as there is justice on earth or a God in heaven, we shall triumph. I shall not think of leaving the service so long as I have an arm to wield a sword or a voice to encourage my men to fight in so holy a cause. But I find I am making a stump speech, so I close.”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: “J.D. Chadwick to his parents. A young Union soldier with McClellan's army complains about the short length of, and lack of home news in, his last letter from home.
Harrison’s Landing, July 31, 1862. Dear Parents: “Your letter of the 23rd was received last Monday morning. I must confess it was not as long or interesting as it might have been. We have more facilities here for obtaining army news than you at home in Pennsylvania, so we do not care about letters treating exclusively of movements which Pope, Burnside, or McClellan have made or are likely to make. Home letters or letters containing home news are the ones we most desire, even if they give no news of importance but merely treat of the number of pigs, chickens, cows, etc. which you happen to have. It is not necessary that strange occurrences and striking events be chronicled in order that your letters be read with satisfaction and interest.
Nothing of importance has transpired since I last wrote you, except that night before last the gunboats of the rebels came down the river below Fort Darling and are still there. I do not know how many there are of them, but they are not more than eight or ten miles above us and are in sight of our upper gunboats. I was down at the wharf this morning and could see eight of our gunboats with the Monitor lying up the river in line of battle with steam up ready for action if called on. We have more gunboats a few miles above—two or three miles, perhaps—in line of battle, and yet above them two or three more dong ”picket duty.” These latter are in sight of the rebel vessels. The Monitor exchanged shots with the Merrimac, No. 2, yesterday. In all probability we will have a naval engagement before long.
Many of those reported mortally wounded are recovering, Robert Bell is not dead as supposed. He was in a hospital in Richmond the last I heard of him and recovering from his wound. Tell Miles that Pier of Co. I has died of his wounds; that Corporal Matt Fulton has been released and is now in Baltimore in the hospital and that Cos. Baker is at Fortress Monroe. He was reported wounded and missing. I saw Everill Chadwick last night. He is well as are also all the Rockland boys.
But I have already exceeded the length of your last and so will close. It is needless for me to say that I would like to hear from Mother and the boys. Affectionately yours, J. D. Chadwick”
Friday, July 31, 1863: The New York Times publishes an editorial arguing that the state of Tennessee, now almost entirely in Union hands, ought to be ready to be re-admitted to the Union: “The public attention has not, for some time, been called to the civil condition of the State of Tennessee, which, since BRAGG’S retreat, is peculiar and anomalous. There is now no large army, either rebel or Union, planted on its soil. The army of Gen. ROSECRANS, though nominally still in the State, is pressing upon and felt by Alabama and Georgia more than by Tennessee. While the State is therefore delivered from the presence of military rule, it has no civil government anywhere erected or respected. There are no courts, no laws, no civil administration, no body politic, no taxation nor representation. The population of the State, reduced by the war to perhaps 800,000. is in utter social and political chaos.
The time is propitious for reorganization, and the work has fairly commenced. A State Convention met at Nashville on the 1st inst., and continued in session till the 7th. Between forty and fifty counties were represented, (about half of the State,) by about two hundred members. The Convention recommended the election of a Legislature in August, to form a civil Government, reestablish Courts and laws, and restore the State to the Union. This programme will be carried out. The expulsion of the last strong body of rebels from the State has made it practicable, and the people are already absorbed in the consideration and discussion of the issues presented in this new phase of affairs.”
Pictures: Federal men in trench
LTC Stephen C. CW5 (Join to see) CSM Charles Hayden SGM Steve Wettstein SFC William Swartz Jr SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SSG Leo Bell SGT Randal Groover SGT (Join to see) SP5 Mark Kuzinski CPL Patrick Brewbaker SrA Christopher Wright PO1 John Miller SPC (Join to see) PO3 Steven Sherrill SPC Corbin Sayi SN Greg Wright SSG Leonard J W. SGT Robert Hawks
In 1862 at Chattanooga, Tennessee, Gen. Braxton Bragg combined his 35,000 men, all transferred by train, with Gen. Edmund Kirby-Smith’s 20,000. The two generals are uncertain as to command protocol, however: neither one, it seems, has authority to assume command over the other’s troops, being from two separate departments.”
By 1863 “The commerce raiders of the Confederacy, although capturing or sinking relatively little of the commerce directed at Northern ports, had one curious effect: by driving insurance rates so high that they caused owners to re-register their vessels under the flags of other countries, they reduced United States flag shipping to levels that were never restored to this day. One of the fiercest, CSS Florida, was now two days out of Bermuda on course for the repair yards of Brest, France. Her skipper, Commander Maffitt, was ill and had requested that a replacement be sent over.”
Below are a number of journal entries from 1861, 1862 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly
Wednesday, July 31, 1861: “George Hinton was a soldier in the 4th North Carolina Regiment. On July 31, 1861, he wrote home to his mother from his camp near Manassas, Virginia. The 4th North Carolina had arrived in the vicinity of Manassas after the Battle of First Manassas had been fought, and George Hinton reflected on the carnage still visible on the battlefield.”
COMPANY F., FOURTH REGIMENT, N. C. STATE TROOPS. NEAR MANASSAS JUNCTION, VA., July 31, 1861. Dear Mother: “This is the first opportunity I have had of writing to you since I've been here. We do not live as well here as we have, but we make out very well. We have to walk about a mile for our water; as the ground is too rocky to dig a well we get it out of a spring. You can't imagine how much I wish to see you all, I long to be free to go where I please. But alas, there is no telling where I may be, for when we first came here we did not expect to stay here this long without having a fight. I went over to the battle field last Sunday, and there met a most horrible sight, for it had been over a week after the fight, and the bodies of the men had been blackened by the burning sun and the horses had a most disagreeable smell.
On our going on the field the first object that met our gaze was a grave in which fifteen North Carolinans were buried. We next came to a Yankee who had only a little dust thrown over him. One of his hands was out, which looked very black, the skin peeling off, and you could see the inscission in it. The next which I noticed particularly had his face out and his white teeth looked horrible. The worms were eating the skin off his face. It made me shudder to think that perhaps I may be buried that way.
There are wounded prisoners all through the country in every house. I hope that peace will soon be declared, that we may enjoy the happiness with which we were once blest. I wish you all would write to me for I long to hear from you.
I suppose you heard about Frank T. running from the enemy; it is true, the officers told it. The General gave him his choice to have a Court Martial or be discharged through cowardice, and he took the latter.
We have our little bantams with us yet, and we intend that they shall crow in Washington City, which is only thirty-three miles off, if we live. I must close.
Goodbye, Your affectionate son, GEORGE.”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: Robert Knox Sneden, of the III Corps staff of the Army of the Potomac, still penned in at Harrison’s Landing on the James River in Virginia, writes in his journal: “Raining most of the day, with thunder and lightning storm in the afternoon. We had the same kind of weather yesterday after 7 p.m., and are now used to discomfort and getting wet. Fresh beef and fresh wheat bread is now daily issued to the army, while the sutlers furnish pickles, cheese, sardines, and cheap brandy for a high price. . . . At about 12:30 midnight, all were started from their sleep by rapid and heavy artillery firing on the James River at Westover Landing [opposite the Union army camp]. . . . The long roll beat in the camps near us. Divisions and brigades turned out in line and awaited orders. . . . A thousand rounds were fired. The sonorous roar of the gunboats, now rapidly firing, was heard above the others. I climbed a tall pine tree, and as we were not more than two and a half miles from the river, saw the trail of the fiery shells bursting in the woods on the horizon, as the night was very dark and lowering the flashes of the guns lit up the plain for miles in our front. . . . The enemy had opened on us with artillery from forty-three pieces simultaneously!”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: George Templeton Strong writes in his journal, complaining of the summer’s heat: “We still stew. If I have shed no blood in the country’s service, I have been liberal with another secretion, sweat, with which I have bedewed the streets and sprinkled my papers, so that I was obliged to protect them with umbrelloid blotting paper. Don’t wonder that the national cause, so prosperous in February and March, goes "all agley" in this weather, or rather in that intensified form of summer that now reigns and roasts alive below the Potomac. How can honest Northern men fight when the very marrow of their bones is oozing out at every pore of their bodies?”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: William Lyon, an officer in the Union army in northern Mississippi, writes home to his wife Adelia a heartfelt affirmation of his beliefs in the war’s purposes: “Camp Clear Creek, Miss., July 31, 1862—You are mistaken in supposing that we are meeting with reverses out here. These raids of guerillas have no significance, whatever. A few of them pitch into an unprotected town of no consequence, rob, steal and burn, and then skedaddle. They have not taken a single place occupied by our troops, of any value to us, except Murfreesboro in Tennessee, and that was retaken in a very few days. So don’t let your heart be troubled when you read all these sensational dispatches about guerilla operations. They serve one good purpose, however, and that is to encourage enlistment at the North.
I think this gigantic rebellion will be put down without resorting to a draft, every soldier of the 1,000,000 who aids in doing it being a volunteer. History furnishes no parallel to this. The whole policy of the Government is now changed, and war from henceforth is to be war. Where the army of the Union goes, there slavery ceases forever. It is astonishing how soon the blacks have learned this, and they are flocking in considerable numbers already in our lines. The people here will learn before this war is over that ‘The way of the transgressor is hard.’
Tell our Canada friends, many of whom seem to be groping in the darkness in regard to us, that this is a war for civil and religious liberty, for civilization, for Cristianity, on the part of this Government against crime, oppression and barbarism; and that all of their sympathies ought to be with us. But whether foreign nations comprehend the true bearings of this struggle or not, as sure as there is justice on earth or a God in heaven, we shall triumph. I shall not think of leaving the service so long as I have an arm to wield a sword or a voice to encourage my men to fight in so holy a cause. But I find I am making a stump speech, so I close.”
Thursday, July 31, 1862: “J.D. Chadwick to his parents. A young Union soldier with McClellan's army complains about the short length of, and lack of home news in, his last letter from home.
Harrison’s Landing, July 31, 1862. Dear Parents: “Your letter of the 23rd was received last Monday morning. I must confess it was not as long or interesting as it might have been. We have more facilities here for obtaining army news than you at home in Pennsylvania, so we do not care about letters treating exclusively of movements which Pope, Burnside, or McClellan have made or are likely to make. Home letters or letters containing home news are the ones we most desire, even if they give no news of importance but merely treat of the number of pigs, chickens, cows, etc. which you happen to have. It is not necessary that strange occurrences and striking events be chronicled in order that your letters be read with satisfaction and interest.
Nothing of importance has transpired since I last wrote you, except that night before last the gunboats of the rebels came down the river below Fort Darling and are still there. I do not know how many there are of them, but they are not more than eight or ten miles above us and are in sight of our upper gunboats. I was down at the wharf this morning and could see eight of our gunboats with the Monitor lying up the river in line of battle with steam up ready for action if called on. We have more gunboats a few miles above—two or three miles, perhaps—in line of battle, and yet above them two or three more dong ”picket duty.” These latter are in sight of the rebel vessels. The Monitor exchanged shots with the Merrimac, No. 2, yesterday. In all probability we will have a naval engagement before long.
Many of those reported mortally wounded are recovering, Robert Bell is not dead as supposed. He was in a hospital in Richmond the last I heard of him and recovering from his wound. Tell Miles that Pier of Co. I has died of his wounds; that Corporal Matt Fulton has been released and is now in Baltimore in the hospital and that Cos. Baker is at Fortress Monroe. He was reported wounded and missing. I saw Everill Chadwick last night. He is well as are also all the Rockland boys.
But I have already exceeded the length of your last and so will close. It is needless for me to say that I would like to hear from Mother and the boys. Affectionately yours, J. D. Chadwick”
Friday, July 31, 1863: The New York Times publishes an editorial arguing that the state of Tennessee, now almost entirely in Union hands, ought to be ready to be re-admitted to the Union: “The public attention has not, for some time, been called to the civil condition of the State of Tennessee, which, since BRAGG’S retreat, is peculiar and anomalous. There is now no large army, either rebel or Union, planted on its soil. The army of Gen. ROSECRANS, though nominally still in the State, is pressing upon and felt by Alabama and Georgia more than by Tennessee. While the State is therefore delivered from the presence of military rule, it has no civil government anywhere erected or respected. There are no courts, no laws, no civil administration, no body politic, no taxation nor representation. The population of the State, reduced by the war to perhaps 800,000. is in utter social and political chaos.
The time is propitious for reorganization, and the work has fairly commenced. A State Convention met at Nashville on the 1st inst., and continued in session till the 7th. Between forty and fifty counties were represented, (about half of the State,) by about two hundred members. The Convention recommended the election of a Legislature in August, to form a civil Government, reestablish Courts and laws, and restore the State to the Union. This programme will be carried out. The expulsion of the last strong body of rebels from the State has made it practicable, and the people are already absorbed in the consideration and discussion of the issues presented in this new phase of affairs.”
Pictures: Federal men in trench
LTC Stephen C. CW5 (Join to see) CSM Charles Hayden SGM Steve Wettstein SFC William Swartz Jr SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SSG Leo Bell SGT Randal Groover SGT (Join to see) SP5 Mark Kuzinski CPL Patrick Brewbaker SrA Christopher Wright PO1 John Miller SPC (Join to see) PO3 Steven Sherrill SPC Corbin Sayi SN Greg Wright SSG Leonard J W. SGT Robert Hawks
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LTC Stephen F., great to read Civil War history on 31 July. My pick this afternoon is for U.S. Grant being promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
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