Sept. 5.–The Charleston Mercury of this day says: Under the Fabian policy, our army has remained stationary for the last six weeks, a prey to ennui and discomfort, discontent and disease, while the capitol at Washington could almost be seen from the generals’ tents. How long this policy of “masterly inactivity ” would have continued, God only knows. It was gravely announced in a Richmond paper, that they were intrepidly waiting for the enemy to come on again. The enemy, however, very wisely determined that, as they were left the range of the whole continent to attack, Bull Run was not the choicest place for their future operations. They accordingly make a descent on the coast of North Carolina. Perhaps our Government was astonished that they did not return to Bull Run; but seeing that such expectations were not in accordance with Yankee policy, they see the necessity of advancing on Washington. It is clear that our Yankee enemies, always pushing us into our best position, intend to force us into the alternative of a campaign in Maryland, or the devastation of our sea-coast. The Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, are to be defended in Maryland. It is there, by a firm and aggressive war, that the United States must, on our part, be forced to defend themselves.

–Two companies of Colonel Berdan’s sharpshooters took their departure from Weehawken, N. J., for the seat of war. They are the first of the regiment that have gone into actual service. The uniform of the regiment is peculiarly appropriate for their position as marksmen, consisting of green frock coats, gray pantaloon and green caps. The dress is made to accord with the colors of nature as much as possible and is intended to be worn in summer. In winter the uniform will consist entirely of gray pattern.–N. Y. World, Sept. 6.

–The Twentieth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel William Raymond Lee, passed through New York on its way to the seat of war. The regimen left Readville, Mass., yesterday. It numbers seven hundred and fifty men, and has been mainly raised in Springfield and Wareham The men are strong, hardy, and intelligent looking. They are armed with Enfield rifles and are uniformed according to the army regulation. They have with them twenty-five baggage wagons, two hospital wagons, five ambulances, and one hundred and twenty horses A company of sharp-shooters from Massachusetts, Capt. Sanders, with one hundred men, joined the regiment at New York. [continue reading…]

September 4.–Leslie Coombs, of Kentucky, in a letter to the chairman of the Syracuse (N. Y.) Conventions, held this language: “These peace meetings, with us, and, I presume, everywhere, arc mere soft words for treason, and we shall so treat them. I am gratified to find you still at your post, and have not caught the Bull Run panic, which has done some mischief in Kentucky. I am on guard all the time, and ready for action. If the rebels dare make a war upon us, we will sweep them clear, and that rapidly. We are wide awake, and defy their malice as much as we scorn their blustering. ‘The Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws,’ must be kept aloft everywhere, and all mere party platforms trampled under foot.”

–Leonidas Polk, general in the Confederate Army, issued the following proclamation at Columbus, Ky., this day: “The Federal Government having, in defiance of the wishes of the people of Kentucky, disregarded their neutrality by establishing camp depots of armies, and by organizing military companies within her territory, and by constructing military works on the Missouri shore, immediately opposite and commanding Columbus, evidently intended to cover the landing of troops for the seizure of that town, it has become a military necessity, for the defence of the territory of the Confederate States, that the Confederates occupy Columbus in advance. The major-general commanding has, therefore, not felt himself at liberty to risk the loss of so important a position, but has decided to occupy it in pursuance of this decision. He has thrown sufficient force into the town, and ordered to fortify it. It is gratifying to know that the presence of his troops is acceptable to the people of Columbus, and on this occasion he assures them that every precaution shall be taken to insure their quiet, protection to their property, with personal and corporate rights.”

–Colonel John Fitzroy De Courcy, an English officer of much distinction, tendered his services to the National Government, and the offer was accepted. Colonel De Courcy commanded a Turkish regiment during the Crimean Var.–Louisville Journal, September 11.

–At Portland, Me., Cyrus F. Sargent and Octavius F. Hill, of Yarmouth, were [continue reading…]

September 3.–The Pensacola (Fla.) Observer gives the particulars of the burning of the dry-dock there as follows:

The dry-dock, originally intended to have been sunk in the channel to obstruct the passage of war steamers into our harbor, but which, from necessity, not choice, was sunk in the bay, about midway between Pickens and the yard, was burned to the water’s edge last night. Who the perpetrators of this act were, is solely a question of speculation, as we go to press, though the Yankees have the general credit of it. Upon this point, however, we soon will be fully enlightened, but upon the point that we have lost over half a million of dollars by the operation our mind is perfectly clear and settled.

–Charles Henry Foster, Union member of Congress from North Carolina, arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., to-day, en route for Washington, to confer with the administration upon affairs connected with his State. Rebel scouts lay in wait for him in Virginia, whose vigilance he successfully eluded.–N. Y. Times, Sept. 4.

–The President of the United States made the following appointments of Brigadier-Generals : Captain George C. Meade, of the Topographical Engineers; Major Lawrence P. Graham, of the Dragoons, a Virginian by birth, and breveted for gallantry in Mexico; Colonel Abercrombie; Colonel Biddle; Colonel Duryea; Colonel Casey, who is lieutenant-colonel by brevet in the regular army; Hon. William A. Richardson, of Illinois; Eleazer A. Paine, of Illinois; Justus McKinstry, assistant quartermaster of the Army; O. O. Howard, of Maine; Charles D. Jameson, of Maine; A. McD. McCook, of Ohio; Ebenezer Dumont, of Indiana; Robert H. Milroy, of Indiana; Lewis Wallace, of Indiana.–Phila. Inquirer, September 4.

–This morning, Captain Julius L. Ellis, of the Seventy-first regiment, N. Y. S. M., and son of Dr. Samuel C. Ellis, died at his father’s residence, in Second Avenue, New York City, of a wound received when leading his company at the battle of Stone Bridge. It is a significant fact that five of Dr. Ellis’s sons fought under the Stare and Stripes at Stone Bridge. [continue reading…]

September 2.–A procession of several hundred stout negro men, members of the “domestic institution,” marched through the streets of Memphis, Tenn., in military order, under the command of Confederate officers. They were armed and equipped with shovels, axes, blankets, etc. A merrier set never were seen. They were brimful of patriotism, shouting for Jeff. Davis and singing war-songs, and each looked as if he only wanted the privilege of shooting an abolitionist. The arms of these colored warriors were rather mysterious. Could it be that those gleaming axes were intended to drive into the thick skulls of abolitionists the truth, to which they are wilfully blind, that their interference in behalf of Southern slaves is neither appreciated nor desired; or that these shovels were intended to dig trenches for the interment of their carcasses? It may be that the shovels are to be used in digging ditches, throwing up breastworks, or the construction of masked batteries, these abominations to every abolition Paul Pry who is so unlucky as to stumble upon them.–Memphis Avalanche, September 3.

–To-day six hundred rebels under Gen. Rains approached Fort Scott and seized eighty mules belonging to the United States, killing the teamster. A messenger was despatched to Montgomery, who had five hundred men. He pursued Rains eleven miles, killing several of his men, when, coming on the main body of the enemy, a battle commenced, the rebels having cannon, and Montgomery one howitzer only. The fight lasted two hours, when Montgomery slowly retreated, keeping up a running fight until nightfall.–N. Y. World, September 17.

– Jeff. Thompson at Camp Hunter, Mo., issued a proclamation, in which, as a retaliative measure for Fremont’s proclamation, he threatened, for every Southern soldier and citizen executed, to hang, draw, and quarter a minion of Abraham Lincoln.–(Doc. 24.)

–The Louisville (Ky.) Journal of this morning, strongly condemns the proclamation of Gen. Fremont, and urges the State Legislature by its action to avoid the contingency of any such action here. It says the Legislature must now decide whether it will organize a body of local soldiery for State purposes, strong enough to enforce the obligations of loyal neutrality, or whether it will suffer things to go on as they have been doing, with a prospect of lapsing at no distant day into the condition which, in so brief a time, has brought on the sway of martial law in Missouri. [continue reading…]

September 1.–Information, given by negroes, induced a search south of Poolesville, Md., for arms supposed to be intended for Maryland volunteers in the rebel cause. The search was successful. Some twelve or fifteen complete cavalry equipments were discovered and retained by the National scouts. Residents of the neighborhood assert, however, that the equipments belonged to a company of Home Guard cavalry, which was raised last winter to guard against a rising of the negroes; that the company was outfitted by the State, but that, owing to the distance from the place of assembling which many of the members lived, the company was disbanded before General Patterson took command of the department.

The captain and some of the other officers are in Virginia. The company was named the Poolesville Light Dragoons. Two men, supposed to be active secessionists, were captured at the same time by scouts from the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania regiment, Colonel Murphy. Two complete cavalry equipments and the same number of magnificent horses were taken by the same party.–N. Y. Evening Post, Sept. 6.

–A skirmish took place this morning at Bennet’s Mill, Mo., between the Dent County Home Guard, stationed at that place, and a party of three hundred and fifty rebels belonging to Schnable’s regiment.–(Doc. 22.)

–This afternoon, Lieutenant Bailey, of the Fifth Cavalry, scouting in advance of his men toward Falls Church, in Virginia, discovered earthworks beyond Vanderwerken’s House. On reaching the top of a hill on which the batteries were planted, he was approached by a number of mounted rebels, who, regarding him as their prisoner already, took few precautions to secure him. Lieutenant Bailey shot the foremost with his pistol, and wheeling about, rejoined his men in a few minutes. The bullets of the enemy whistled by him harmless, as he rode away, save wounding a horse belonging to one of the privates.–Philadelphia Inquirer, September 5.

–The following is the text of a circular or proclamation of the Captain-General of Cuba relative to the rebel flag: [continue reading…]

Title: The volunteers in defence of the government against usurpation, 1861 / James Queen del. & lith. ; printed in oil colors by P.S. Duval & Son Ph’a.
Creator(s): Queen, James Fuller, 1820 or 1821-1886, artist
Related Names: P.S. Duval & Son , printer
Date Created/Published: Phila. : Published by James Queen at P.S. Duval & Son’s Lithographic Office, 22 & 24 Sth. 5th St., c1861.
Medium: 1 print : lithograph, tinted (tan) ; 55.6 x 36.7 cm (sheet)
Summary: Print shows a man standing at center, holding an American flag, with two soldiers in uniform and holding rifles, standing to the right and left in the foreground; behind them are the wheels of a wagon attached to horses on the left, and soldiers on horseback in the background.
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-pga-05797 (digital file from original print)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
Call Number: PGA – Duval–Volunteers in defence … (C size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes:
…..Title from item.
…..Stamped on lower left: From the file of James F. Queen artist, 1824-1889.
…..Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1861 by James Queen in the Clerk’s Office of the Dist. Court of the East. Dist. of Penna.
…..Forms part of: Marian S. Carson collection at the Library of Congress.

Library of Congress item permalink https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2013650021/

Mike’s notes:

Image restoration note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
– fade correction,
– color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
– selected spot and/or scratch removal
– cropped for composition and/or to accentuate subject matter
– straighten image

Image restoration is the process of using digital restoration tools to create new digital versions of the images while also improving their quality and repairing damage.

SATURDAY 31

This has been a delightful day, cool and bright. Large numbers of troops crossed the river last night, 30,000 at least, but we have heard nothing of any fight as yet. I have been model making part of the day. Was at the Pat office awhile. Went to market before dark. In the evening Julia and I went down to the Ave. We went into “Gautiers” and got ice cream, came up 13th St. Some Companies of German Cavalry were giving Senator Latham a vocal Seranade.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

Capture of the Forts at Cape Hatteras inlet-First day, fleet opening fire and troops landing in the surf.

Waud, Alfred R. , Artist. [1861] Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004660375/. (Accessed August 31, 2016.)

Saturday, [August] 31,–Mustered today. I called the roll of our five companies and of McMullen’s Battery.

AUGUST 31st.—We have bad news to-day. My wife and children are the bearers of it. They returned to the city with the tidings that all the women and children were ordered to leave Newbern. The enemy have attacked and taken Fort Hatteras, making many prisoners, and threaten Newbern next. This is the second time my family have been compelled to fly. But they are well.

August 31st.–Congress adjourns to-day. Jeff Davis ill. We go home on Monday if I am able to travel. Already I feel the dread stillness and torpor of our Sahara of a Sand Hill creeping into my veins. It chills the marrow of my bones. I am reveling in the noise of city life. I know what is before me. Nothing more cheering than the cry of the lone whippoorwill will break the silence at Sandy Hill, except as night draws near, when the screech-owl will add his mournful note.

Jefferson Barracks Mo
August 31 1861

My dear wife

This is the last day of the long month which closes another summer. It has been full of stirring events in which I have extensively participated. The country has been in great commotion and the gloom that has overshadowed us does not seem to lessen. On the contrary the “combat deepens” and grows wider and longer and more and more interminable.

This day General Fremont proclaims Martial law¹ as extended throughout Missouri which of course gives him a kind of supreme command over everything in this state a specious of Despotic power which in some mens hands may be made extremely oppressive.

I being subordinate, must yield, and aid in carrying it out; but I here record my entire disapproval, believing the exigencies do not require it, and the prudent fraught with too much peril to the future liberties of the people. Indeed I doubt the success of it in a military point of view for I fear it will involve the Military officers in all the police regulations of the state that could be better supervised by the civil power and absorb the time of military men that should be employed in commanding soldiers.

The proclamation too is carelessly worded and open to a thousand objections which in after times will meet with severe reprehensions. But thiese are revolutionary times and the justification may at present rest on a revolutionary necessity which the world may never take the trouble to investigate. It is a short quick way we have here of sliding into a Military Government, which has no parallel in the history of this war elsewhere and which I privately condemn. [continue reading…]

Daily Chronicle & Sentinel [Augusta, GA],
August 31, 1861

. . . The weather has recently been very wet in Virginia, and it is even now getting quite cool, especially in the mountains. And right now the soldiers need good blankets and flannel shirts almost as much as they every will. Woolen shirts, next to the skin, and a small ration of whisky each day, are the best preventatives of malarious fever, in our opinion, whatever the medical men may say. In an army, of course, it is absolutely important to prevent excessive drinking, and drunkenness, in officers or men, should be severely punished. But we think the soldiers ought to have a gill of pure cheap whisky a day. Some do not drink, and while it might look harsh to give them whisky as a preventative medicine against their will, they might be given money instead, so as to prevent their selling the whisky ration to their comrades. In typhoid fever we would rather trust to pure spirits, as a preventive and as a cure, than all the medicines in the shops.

It has been urged that as blankets are very scarce, if indeed it be possible to buy them at all, the people should give their own to the soldiers. We agree to this heartily, and when families can not afford to give them, let them sell their blankets. Every family can readily furnish from one to half a dozen, and use comforts, or something of that sort for themselves. Blankets are the only covering that will answer for the soldier in camp, and these ought to be lined with oil-cloth if possible. Comforts, sheets, coverlets and such like, should be contributed for hospital purposes, but the blankets alone for the soldiers in service. Remember the soldier, and provide liberally and fully for all the wants of those who are fighting for us who stay at home.

Saturday, 31st–Our men arrived from Keokuk this morning. They did not get into action with the “secesh” while at Keokuk as reported. The companies for the Eighth Iowa Infantry are almost completed and the regiment will be ready to leave for the South at a moment’s notice. They are to receive the clothing and arms at St. Louis.

August 31st.–A month during which I have been exposed to more calumny, falsehood, not to speak of danger, than I ever passed through, has been brought to a close. I have all the pains and penalties attached to the digito monstrari et dicier hie est, in the most hostile sense. On going into Willard’s the other day, I said to the clerk behind the bar, “Why I heard, Mr. So-and-so, you were gone?” “Well, sir, I’m not. If I was, you would have lost the last man who is ready to say a word for you in this house, I can tell you.” Scowling faces on every side–women turning up their pretty little noses–people turning round in the streets, or stopping to stare in front of me–the proprietors of the shops where I am known pointing me out to others; the words uttered, in various tones, ” So, that’s Bull-Run Russell!”–for, oddly enough, the Americans seem to think that a disgrace to their arms becomes diminished by fixing the name of the scene as a sobriquet on one who described it–these, with caricatures, endless falsehoods, rumours of duels, and the like, form some of the little désagrémens of one who was so unfortunate as to assist at the retreat, the first he had ever seen, of an army which it would in all respects have suited him much better to have seen victorious.

I dined with Lieutenant Wise, and met Captain Dahlgren, Captain Davis, U.S.N., Captain Foote, U.N.S., and Colonel Fletcher Webster (since killed in action), son of the great American statesman, now commanding a regiment of volunteers. The latter has a fine head and face; a full, deep eye; is quaint and dry in his conversation, and a poet, I should think, in heart and soul, if outward and visible signs may be relied on. The naval captains were excellent specimens of the accomplished and able men who belong to the United States Navy. Foote, who is designated to the command of the flotilla which is to clear the Mississippi downwards, will, I am certain, do good service–a calm, energetic, skilful officer. Dahlgren, who, like all men with a system, very properly watches everything which bears upon it, took occasion to call for Captain Foote’s testimony to the fact, that he battered down a six-foot granite wall in China with Dahlgren shells. It will run hard against the Confederates when they get such men at work on the rivers and coasts, for they seem to understand their business thoroughly, and all they are not quite sure of is the readiness of the land forces to co-operate with their expeditionary movements. Incidentally I learned from the conversation–and it is a curious illustration of the power of the President–that it was he who ordered the attack on Charleston harbour, or, to speak with more accuracy, the movement of the armed squadron to relieve Sumter by force, if necessary; and that he came to the conclusion it was feasible principally from reading the account of the attack on Kinburn by the allied fleets. There was certainly an immense disproportion between the relative means of attack and defence in the two cases; but, at all events, the action of the Confederates prevented the attempt.

August 31.–At Manch Chunk, Pa., some persons entered the Carbon Democrat office, and destroyed the type, upset the stands, &c. The press was not disturbed.–N. Y. World, September 2.

–At Indianapolis (Ind.) a convention of sympathizers with the “Peace party” assembled at the Court House. Hon. Robert L. Walpole was made chairman, and while addressing the audience, denouncing the Administration and the war, was interrupted several times, and finally withdrew from the stand amidst great confusion. A man named McLean then attempted to harangue the crowd, at the same time drawing a pistol, whereupon the crowd rushed in, and he was rather roughly handled in the melee. A number of fights occurred, but with no serious results. Considerable excitement was manifested all the afternoon, and in the evening the crowd visited the residence of Mr. Walpole, and several other political men, whose loyalty was questioned, and forced them to take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government. This was done without farther disturbance. Among these who took the oath was the editor of the Sentinel.–N. Y. Times, September 3.

–William Buckingham, Governor of Connecticut, issued a proclamation calling upon the citizens of the State to uphold the authority and dignity of the Government, and to abstain from any act which can tend to encourage and strengthen conspiracy. He also calls upon the officers of the law to be active in arresting and instituting legal proceedings for the punishment of these guilty of sedition and treason, and these engaged in combinations to obstruct the execution of the laws.–(Doc. 19.)

–The Sixth regiment of Michigan Volunteers, under the command of Colonel F. W. Curtenius, passed through Cleveland, Ohio, on their way to the seat of war, in Virginia.– Ohio Statesman, September 3.

–This afternoon, while two companies of National troops–one from Massachusetts and the other from Pennsylvania–were scouting in the direction of Bailey’s Cross Roads, Va., they came within sight of a battalion of the enemy of about the same number, accompanied by a very distinguished-looking mounted officer. One of our men, armed with a Springfield rifle, asked and obtained leave to fire at him, though the distance was thought to be too great for an effective shot. Contrary to the general expectation, he tumbled him off his horse at the first shot. Beth bodies of troops then retired, the enemy bearing their fallen officer away in their arms. In an hour afterward their flags on Munson’s Hill and at Fall’s Church were at half-mast.–Philadelphia Inquirer, September 4.

–The Fifty-fifth regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of colonel R. de Trobriand, consisting of five hundred and fifty men, took leave of their encampment at New Dorp, and embarked shortly after three P. M., direct for Ambey, thence to Washington.–N. Y. Times, September 1.

–A Mass Meeting of the citizens of Ohio and Switzerland counties, Indiana, was held at Enterprise, for the purpose of having a fair and candid expression of the people in regard to the difficulties of the nation. Patriotic speeches were made, and resolutions sustaining the National Government and the legally constituted authorities were unanimously adopted.– (Doc. 20.)

–A brisk skirmish took place this morning between Companies I and K, of the Third regiment, and the rebel pickets near Munson’s Hill, Va., in which Corporal Hand, Company I, and private Rannes, of Company K, were killed. Privates Cole and Lawson, Company I, were badly wounded, the first in the leg, and the last in the head. First Lieutenant A. S. Taylor had his cap dislodged from his head by a ball. The rebels were in greater numbers than was supposed.–N. Y. Tribune, September 4.

–The Holly Springs (Miss.) Cotton States, of to-day, has the following: “Since our last issue upward of two thousand soldiers have passed our depot, bound for Virginia and other points. Most of them were from Louisiana, and, like all the troops sent to the field from that gallant State, they were noble specimens of soldiers– true Southern soldiers. Well and nobly has Louisiana done her part in this war, and still her brave sons are flocking to the standard of their country, to aid in driving back the Northern foe. She can boast of some of the best soldiers in the field, and she has furnished a Beauregard to lead them on to victory. Well done, Louisiana!

August 31, 1861

• Samuel Cooper, Robert E. Lee, Albert Sidney Johnston, Joseph E. Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard are promoted to full general.

A bushwhacker, or Confederate guerilla fighter. Wood engraving, American, 1867

“Civil War Guerilla, Engraving, 1667.” Granger. Accessed August 29, 2021. www.granger.com/results.asp?inline=true&image=0066702….

FRIDAY 30

Excitement is again on tiptoe as a general battle is expected now day by day on the other side of the River. The entrenchments of the rebels can be seen from the top of the Capitol dome with a good Spyglass. Skirmishing among the sentries occurs daily. The Newspapers here say nothing. I was at the Pat office awhile today, came home and made a small model of Door fastener. Went down to Willards with Doct Everitt, saw Maj Chase. Called for Julia at Chas rooms at 10.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

Friday, 30.–Last night Dr. Joe and I did our best to house in Mrs. Sea’s barn (a good Union lady, two sons in the army), the Germans of the Ninth, who lay in the mud, without shelter. Spent today in a jolly way, resting.

______

FRENCH CREEK, August 30, 1861, Friday Night.

DEAREST:–”The best laid schemes of mice and men,” etc., especially in war. That beautiful camp at the head of the valley, where we were to stay so long, had just been gotten into fine order, when the order to leave came: “Make a forced march to French Creek by a mountain path, leaving tents, baggage, and knapsacks to be sent you.” We obeyed, and are yet alive. A queer life. We are now as jolly as if we never saw trouble or hardship. Two nights ago and three nights ago we lay in the rain in the woods without shelter, blankets, and almost without food, and after such hard days’ toil that we slept on the mountains as soundly as logs. All the horses used up, Uncle Joe’s Birch among the rest, except my pretty little sorrel, Webby, which came through better than ever.

Let me describe my kit: Portmanteau containing two pair socks, one shirt, a towel containing bread and sugar, a tin cup, a pistol in one holster and ammunition in the other, a blanket wrapped in the India-rubber you fixed, and a blue (soldier’s) overcoat. Seven miles we made after 2:30 P. M. on a good road to Huttonsville, then by a bridle-path part of the way and no path the rest, following a guide six miles over a steep, muddy, rocky mountain. At the foot of the mountain I put Captain Sperry, who was footsore, on Webby, and pushed ahead afoot. I could see we would not get over the mountain to a stream we wished to camp on until after night, unless we pushed. I put on ahead of [the] guide and reached the top with Lieutenant Bottsford, the keen-eyed snare-drummer, Gillett (Birch remembers him, I guess), a soldier, and the guide alone in sight. We waited till the head of the column came in sight, got full instructions from the guide, directed him to wait for the column, and leaving him, re-enforced, however, by the silver cornet player, we hurried down. In half an hour it was dark as tar. I led the little party blundering sometimes, but in the main, right, until [continue reading…]

AUGUST 30th.—Gen. Floyd has had a fight in the West, and defeated an Ohio regiment. I trust they were of the Puritan stock, and not the descendants of Virginians.

Friday, 30th–No news of importance. There are still some companies arriving in camp for the Eighth Iowa, and they are still adding new recruits to the Second Iowa Cavalry, which is in camp at the Fair Grounds.

30th.–It is now between two and three months since our regiment went into camp. We have had nearly three hundred cases of measles, with about as many of diarrhœa, dysentery and fever. Not one quarter of the regiment but has been sick in some way, and yet last night every man who left home with the regiment slept in camp–not one death by sickness or accident, none left behind, not one lost by desertion ! May we not challenge the armies of the world for a parallel? We are sleeping on our arms every night, in anticipation of an attack on Washington, and it seems to be the general belief that we shall be attacked here. I am no military man, and my opinion here is of no account to the world, but to me, for whose especial benefit it is written, it is worth as much as would be the opinion of a Napoleon. That opinion is, that we shall have no fight here–that the enemy is out-generaling us by feints to induce us to concentrate our forces here, whilst he makes a strike and overpowers us elsewhere.

August 30.–General Fremont, at St. Louis, issued a proclamation declaring martial law throughout the State of Missouri; the disorganized condition of the State Government rendering it both proper and necessary that he should assume the administrative powers of the State. The lines of the army of occupation were declared to extend from Leavenworth, by way of the posts of Jefferson City, Rolla, and Ironton, to Cape Girardeau on the Mississippi River; and all persons who might be taken, with arms in their hands, within these lines should be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty of disloyalty to the Government, should be shot. General Fremont, in accordance with the law passed by Congress, declared that the property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri, who should take up arms against the United States, or be directly proven to have taken active part with their enemies in the field, should be confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if any they have, shall be declared free men. This proclamation included in its provisions all persons proven to have destroyed railroad-tracks, bridges, etc., and all persons engaged in treasonable correspondence, or in any way giving “aid and comfort” to the enemy. It also promised immunity to all who would immediately return to their allegiance to the Government. The object of the proclamation was to place in the hands of the military authorities the power to give instantaneous effect to existing laws, and not to suspend the ordinary tribunals of the country, where the law could be administered by the civil officers in the usual manner.

Following the declaration of martial law in Missouri by General Fremont, Provost-marshal McKinstry issued an order forbidding any person passing beyond the limits of St. Louis without a special permit from his office; and railroad, steambeat, ferry, and other agents were prohibited from selling tickets to any one not holding a proper pass.–(Doc. 18.)

–This afternoon, at Baltimore, Md., the dwelling of Edward Phillips, in Sterling street near Mott, formerly a pelican police officer under Colonel Kane, was searched, and the following articles, contraband of war, were discovered secreted between the floor and ceiling of the second story of his house, viz.: Two carbines, one Minié musket, three Colt’s revolvers, engraved on the butts ” City Police,” thirty rounds of cartridges, and several espantoons. The above-named articles were stored away snugly, with a bed made of chairs over them so as to escape detection. The pelican was taken charge of by officers Scott, Hooper, and Owens, and conveyed to Fort McHenry. The arms were taken charge of, and placed in the keeping of the proper authorities.–Baltimore Clipper, August 31.

–Massachusetts has again maintained her reputation for patriotic promptness. A week ago to-day Mr. Cameron’s call appeared, asking for more men straightway ; and now six regiments, which were in Massachusetts last Monday, and nearly, if not quite, all of them unprepared to march, are either on the line of the Potomac, or are on their way there.–Providence Journal, August 30.