AUGUST 8th.—There is nothing new from any of the armies, except that my old friend, Gen. Rains, sent to Mississippi, stopped and stampeded Grant’s army, after Johnston retreated from Jackson, with his “subterra batteries.” It appears that hundreds of the enemy and their horses were killed and wounded by the shells planted by him beneath [...]
April 8, 1863, Galveston Weekly News Galveston, March 30, 1863. The Relief Committee have distributed nearly $2500 worth of brown domestics, prints &c., among the families of soldiers and widows. For these goods no charge was made, but if any of the recipients felt disposed to make a voluntary payment they were at liberty [...]
Aug. 7th. Commences, and until four A. M. pleasant weather; from four o’clock to eight o’clock braced sharp up on port tack; all plain sail set to royals; made a sail off starboard bow, and one off starboard beam; from twelve to four P. M. exercised the fore and main royal yardsmen in furling and [...]
7th. Spent the morning reading and doing chores. In the afternoon made an hour’s call on Fannie. Engaged Mr. Turner’s horse and rode from 7:30 till 9 with Thede and Minnie. Very pleasant time. Went to George Fairchild’s room and read class letters. Borrowed one from Burrell.
Friday, 7th–It is quite sultry today. There is no news of any importance. The Sixteenth Iowa received their pay today.
AUGUST 7th.—Nothing new from Lee’s army—only that his troops are eager for another battle, when they are resolved to gain the day. There will probably not be so many prisoners taken as usual, since the alleged cruel treatment of our men now taken at Gettysburg, and the sending of Gen. Morgan to the Ohio Penitentiary, [...]
6th. Saturday. A very pleasant ride down the James. Rounded Lighthouse Point. Soon passed Harrison’s Landing, then Fort Powhatan and Wilcox’s Landing. Here danger from reb guns ceased. The old Jamestown site on left bank, a few chimneys still standing. Newport near where the Merrimac fight came off, Cumberland and Congress sunk. Sewall’s Point across, [...]
August 6th. At nine A. M. made all sail; sent aloft the royals and set them; practiced ship’s company at general quarters, without powder; made Cape Florida light; four sails reported in sight during watch; saw a large steamer standing to the southward.
6th. Engaged a carriage for the afternoon for a ride with Fannie. Went to meeting with Minnie and Ellie. Pres. Finney preached admirably. Was off with Fannie at 1:30 P. M. Drove by Boynton’s S. Amherst to Lake. Enjoyed an hour’s stroll on the shore and ate nuts in the grove. Then home again, calling [...]
Thursday, 6th–The Eleventh received pay today; I got $26.00, my full payment for the two months, for the Government has discontinued the “allotment rolls,” as sending a portion of a soldier’s pay to his parents is called. Our colonel ordered a bake oven for the regiment, so in a few days we will draw fresh [...]
AUGUST 6th.—A dispatch from Gen. Lee shows that he is still falling back (this side the Rapidan), but gradually concentrating his forces. There may be another battle speedily—and if our army does not gain a great victory, there will be great disappointment. There are some gun-boats in the James as high up as Aiken’s Landing. [...]
August 5th. At twelve thirty A. M. took in all fore and aft sails; at five thirty braced around the yards; made a sail off port quarter, and one off port beam; at eight forty made Tortugas light house, bearing, per compass, northeast; at five thirty P. M. Sand Key light reported two points on [...]
5th. Went to Cleveland in morning on train. Did some shopping and then went to Uncle’s. Mrs. Col. Webb, cousin of Ma’s, there. Had a splendid visit with her. Very plain but rich and intelligent. Went home on the P. M. train. Attended Young Ladies’ Literary. Miss Everson did well, natural. In the evening had [...]
Wednesday, 5th–The heat continues as yesterday. The Eleventh Iowa signed their payrolls today, and the Fifteenth Iowa received their pay. I was on fatigue duty all day. We had dress parade this evening for the first time since May 19th. The boys came out in fine style. Troops are leaving every day to reinforce different [...]
AUGUST 5th.—A letter from Hon. W. Porcher Miles to the Secretary of War, received the 15th July, urging the government to send some long-range Brooke guns for the salvation of Charleston, and saying that the President had once promised him that they should be sent thither, being sent by the Secretary to the President, was, [...]
Georgeanna Muirson Woolsey to her Mother. Fishkill, August 5. Dear Mother: Thank you for your nice note which came last night. . . . No wonder you regret Gettysburg. You will be gladder all the time that you went there and did what you did; and you will be ready to give me great praise, [...]
August 4th. At twelve midnight stood off to west-southwest in chase of a sail; at twelve fifteen A. M. discovered her to be a brig, standing to northward and eastward, closehauled; stood on our course again; braced yards up by port braces, and then again by starboard braces; at three fifteen set mizzen-topmast stay-sail, and [...]
August, 1863.–The U. S. Sanitary Commission has been organised. Canandaigua sent Dr W. Fitch Cheney to Gettysburg with supplies for the sick and wounded and he took seven assistants with him. Home bounty was brought to the tents and put into the hands of the wounded soldiers. A blessed work.
4th. Right after breakfast got a livery team and Thede and I were on our way to Amherst. Called at Helen’s (Helen Rood), then Grandpa’s. He seemed affected to see us. Growing old or rather young again (in mind). Stopped at Mr. Lysell’s for dinner. Uncle Milo there. Stayed at Elyria three hours. Good visits [...]
Tuesday, 4th–The heat is intense today. We finished putting up the brush shades and also completed our bunks. It seems like home once more. Our regimental payrolls were made out today, while the Thirteenth Iowa received their pay. Major Foster is now in command of our regiment.
August 4th Vicksburg has fallen, Port Hudson followed of course, the Mississippi is in possession of our foe, Charleston is beseiged with a large force, Naval and land. Lees advance was not a success, he has returned after a direful battle at Gettysburg Pennsylvania, in which we lost 15 thousand & retreated. There have been [...]
AUGUST 4th.—The partial gloom continues. It is now ascertained that Gen. Morgan is a prisoner; only some 250 of his men, out of 3000, having escaped. Lee is falling back on this side of the Rappahannock. His army has been diminished by desertions; but he has been reinforced pretty considerably since leaving Pennsylvania. The President’s [...]
August 3d. At sea; at eleven in the morning light rain squall passed over; at eleven thirty set all fore and aft sails; at eleven forty-five took them in; at three fifteen P. M. light rain-squall passed over; at four ten made a sail to the southward, and bore down for her, called all hands [...]
3rd. Spent the forenoon at home and doing chores. Spent a little time reading. After dinner called on Fannie. Found her the same lovely creature as of old. One may well feel rich in the possession of such a friend. I do. In the evening attended Young People’s Meeting. Did me good.
Monday, 3d–I was on camp guard today. We got our tents and pitched them today, and also, because of the intense heat, built shades in front of them by setting up forks and poles covered with brush. It is the report that we are to remain here on garrison duty. Our work is very light, [...]