Posted inUS Civil War

June 6, 1862 – Consistency

Kenosha, Wis., June 2, 1862

Editors Chicago Tribune:

Thousands and tens of thousands of men are anxious to aid our army in making intrenchrments, and otherwise; and yet, while every division of the army is suffering, and rendered comparatively inefficient for the want of such help, we will not accept of it. These men will work for their subsistence; and yet we pay others three times as much for the same service.

They are acclimated to the hot climate of the South, and we get unacclimated men, and have steamer load after steamer load of sick crowding all of the hospitals of the country. They are rugged and used to severe toil, and we get clerks and men unaccustomed to exposures like those of camp life.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 4, 1862 – An Incident of the Battle of the Forts

Captain Boggs, of the Varuna, tells a story of a brave boy who was on board his vessel during the bombardment of the forts on the Mississippi river. The lad, who answers to the name of Oscar, is but thirteen years of age, but he has an old head on his shoulders, and is alert and energetic. During the hottest of the fire he was busily engaged in passing ammunition to the gunners, and narrowly escaped death when one of the terrific broadsides of the Varuna‘s rebel antagonist was poured in. Covered with dirt and begrimed with powder, he was met by Capt. Boggs, who asked “where he was going in such a hurry?” “To get a passing-box, sir; the other was smashed by a ball!” And so, throughout the fight, the brave lad held his place and did his duty.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 1, 1862 – Enthusiastic Reception of General Sickles by His Brigade—His Address to the Men

Excelsior Brigade,
Camp Four Miles Beyond Bottom’s Bridge;
May 28, 1862

After a fresh march, which brings us four miles beyond Bottom’s Bridge, I snatch a few leisure moments to let you know I am in good health and spirits, and that we are all looking forward with the greatest eagerness to the capture of Richmond. The country is beautiful, and becomes more and more captivating as we proceed into the heart of Virginia. Every house displays a flag of truce in the shape of a white handkerchief suspended over the gateway—the inhabitants, as a general thing having stuck to their plantations. The roads are very bad after the rains, which renders marching very fatiguing to the troops. On Friday, the 23d, in the afternoon, General Sickles made his appearance among us. As he approached the camp and was recognized he was lustily and heartily cheered by every regiment of the brigade. The cheerings were repeated for over half an hour, amid the enlivening music of the bands, and the wildest excitement prevailed. All the officers gathered around him and congratulated him on his return, and the General, in a few earnest and heartfelt words thanked them for the gallantry they had displayed at Wlliiamsburg, where they had saved the day. He had something kind to say of all the officers who fell in the struggle, and whose merits were to none better known than he himself.