Posted inUS Civil War

July 10, 1861 – Camp Correspondence

We have on hand a large number of letters from the soldiers, some directed to ourselves, and some of which have been handed in by others who have received them.

Generally, they are made up of items of news, which have since been published, and so are of no general interest.

One is from Henry Fifield, of this place, and is dated, Washington, June 30th. Speaking of passing through Baltimore, he says, Every man in the regiment had his musket loaded and half cocked, and felt determined to fight like thunder, if necessary.”

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July 9, 1861 – No Battle Yet

At latest accounts, Gen. Patterson’s entire force was well entrenched in and around Martinsburg, Va., where Doubleday's battery and some other detachments had joined it The six regiments sent from…
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July 7, 1861 – Important from New Mexico

The Galveston (Texas) News, of the 24th ult., contains the following. Capt. Clairborne is a citizen of Nashville, and we believe Capt. Wilcox was originally appointed from this State:

Capt. Wilcox, late of the Seventh infantry, U. S. A., and Capt. Claiborne, of the Mounted Rifles, from New Mexico, arrived here last evening via San Antonio. Capt. Wilcox is a brother of Hon. J. A. Wilcox of San Antonio. He was assistant Adjutant General of New Mexico until he received promotion to his company. He goes-to Richmond. Capt. Claiborne goes to Tennessee, his native State, to offer his sword to Gov. Harris.

Posted inBiographical Maritime & Naval History US Civil War

July 5, 1861 – Death of Commander Ward

The death, by a ball from a rebel rifle, of Commander James H. Ward, of the U. S. Navy, made a mournful impress upon the faces of our citizens, yesterday. He was a native of this city and son of the late Col. James H. Ward, and well known to many of our older residents. He was commander of the Thomas Freeborn, a government steamer on the Potomac, and had superintended an expedition from his own vessel to erect a battery, when the rebels, in large numbers, suddenly emerged from the woods, and poured in a volley. Capt. Ward covered the retreat of his men, so far us possible, with his guns, and was shot through the breast with a rifle ball while in the act of discharging one of his pieces. He died an hour later, falling on the deck of Ins own vessel while discharging his whole duty lo his country.

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July 3, 1861 – Latest War News

A skirmish took place near Romney, Va., on Wednesday last, between a small detachment of Col. Ashby’s Cavalry and a party of 67 of Lincoln’s Cavalry. Deluded by a professed deserter, they were led into an ambush and surrounded by Lincoln’s troops. Capt. Dick Ashby first encountered them with only 11 men. The Hessians demanded their surrender, to which Capt A. and his men replied with a discharge from their guns. The fight was severe, but Col. Ashby coming up with a squad decided the contest. The enemy ran, leaving 18 men dead and a number wounded. Col. Ashby lost two men, several wounded, among them himself and Capt. Ashby severely.

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July 2, 1861 – The Federal Troops Driven from Mathias Point

Thomas Freeborn during the Mathias Point engagement, firing at Confederates on the shore.

WASHINGTON, June 28.

The Pawnee arrived at the Navy Yard this morning, bringing intelligence from Mathias Point According to a statement of persons in the expedition, Capt. Ward, of the Freeborn, yesterday obtained from the Pawnee a reinforcement of about twenty men, and united with others from his own vessel, comprising between thirty and forty men in all. They started in several cutters for Mathias Point, taking with them about two hundred bags, which were filled with sand on the shore, and with which breastworks were soon erected.

Whilst on returning to the Freeborn to obtain cannon for the battery, a force of the Confederate troops variously estimated at from 1,200 to 1,500, suddenly emerged from thick woods, where they were concealed, and poured a volley of shot into the party, who made a hasty retreat. Several of the men jumped into the water, swimming to the Freeborn. Capt. Ward protected the men as far as possible, firing twelve or fifteen shots among the rebels, but the effect could not be ascertained.