Posted inUS Civil War

October 11, 1861 – From the Army

Camp Advance, Fort Smith
4th Vermont Regiment

Friend Swain:—We are now encamped on the “sacred soil,” at the advanced post of the division, in the vicinity of Chain Bridge. But a word regarding our trip.—

We left Camp Holbrook, at Brattleboro, Saturday evening about 8 o’clock, and arrived at New Haven about daylight, and embarked immediately on board the steamer Elm City and landed at Jersey City Sunday, about 12 o’clock, and started immediately by rail for Washington. We were furnished at Philadelphia with a splendid supper, and I assure you the boys did ample justice to the good things, for more hungry set would be hard to find. I understand every regiment passing through is fed—and in good shape too—a large building has been erected, and everything arranged in the best shape, with a separate room for working, which is all supported by a voluntary subscription, with plenty of pretty volunteer girls to wait on the bold soldier boys.

Posted inUS Civil War

October 10, 1861 – Scoundrels

We are mortified beyond expression to remark that there are men in the South who, in this war of independence, find the dictates of selfish interest stronger than that of patriotism, to a degree which is only not criminal in the popular understanding because there is no law that makes it amenable to criminal statute.—The Richmond papers state that certain persons have secured in advance the product of a number of mills which the government chiefly relied on for furnishing the cloth for the manufacture of winter clothing for our soldiers at the Confederate factory in that city, and now hold their bargains, demanding an exorbitant profit on the prices of fabrics.

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October 9, 1861 – A Friendly Interview Between Pennsylvania Regiments and the Rebels

A Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune says :

I have just learned the particulars of two interviews which took place on Sunday last between some members of Colonel Hays’ 8th Pennsylvania regiment and the Virginia 43d (rebel) stationed oil the opposite banks of the Potomac at Great Falls. The river is here not more than a hundred yards wide, and the pickets on both sides have occasionally hailed each other. On Sunday the rebels invited some of our men across, stating that if they would leave their arms behind them they would receive hospitable treatment and be allowed to return.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

October 8, 1861 – News From Cairo

(Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.)

Cairo, Oct. 7.

The gunboats Tyler and Lexington had an active engagement to-day with rebel shore batteries at Iron Banks, three miles this side of Columbus. The boats left here at 9 o’clock for down the river, on a reconnaissance. Arrived at Lucas Bend, they got sight of the rebel gunboat Jeff Davis, which on, chase being given, put about with all possible dispatch for Columbus. The Lexington and Conestoga, while in chase, and throwing shot, were suddenly fired upon from masked batteries on each side of the river. The rebel shots, however, generally fell short. A battery of rifled cannon on the Iron Banks threw balls over and around the gunboats, cutting close, but fortunately doing no damage. Parties on board represent the scene for a time as particularly exciting. Shot and shell were flying about in uncomfortable proximity, making the air ring with music. The guns of our boats were admirably managed, every shot going home, and the shell bursting in air over the rebel quarters, causing a big commotion among them. The boats finally drew off and returned to Cairo. It is not known what damage was done to the rebels, but many of them are thought to have been killed.

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October 4, 1861 – The War and Slavery

West Liberty, 9th month, 22d, 1861.

Friend Mahin:—It seems very strange to me, the present condition of this government, and very humiliating its future prospects.—On the one hand we see American slavery arraying a mighty host against this nation to give it battle, for to secure its own enlargement and perpetuation, no other principle whatever at stake, and no other pretence made, its war cry destruction, desolation and ruin, not only to this government, but to every principle of justice, humanity and virtue.

On the other hand, we with amazement be hold a once mighty government giving battle to this monster rebel, calling on “all true sons of freedom” to join the army to put down rebellion, and re-establish a Union (that never existed only on paper) between the north and south; and what for? Just for the sake of having the privilege of paying the expense of and sustaining in this government one of the most abominable systems that ever the sun shone upon. Why not behead the monster while he has his head on the executioner’s block, seeing he has laid it there himself? Why turn our army into slave catchers?

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October 3, 1861 – The Monotony of Camp Life

The following, written at the entrenched camp near Norfolk, is from a member of the Mobile Gulf City Guards, only seventeen years of age:

Dear Grand Pa If you only knew the monotony of camp life you would not wonder (coming from as feeble a pen as mine) at my letters being so dull and uninteresting.

No news, no excitement at all. Every day the same old thing—drill, drill, drill; and after that the men return to their quarters, and there remain in a kind of trance until some unlucky dog comes along, when he is immediately grabbed by some one, a canteen is tied to his tail, and away he flies amid the yells and cries of a thousand men, making the old woods ring for miles around and then just is suddenly, every thing is as quiet as if nothing had happened.

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October 1, 1861 – Sent to Richmond

Loreta Velázquez (AKA Mary Ann Keith) as herself (right) and disguised as "Lieutenant Harry T. Buford" (left)

A lady who gave her name as Mrs. Mary Ann Keith, of Memphis, Tennessee, was arrested in Lynchburg on Wednesday. When arrested she was rigged out in a full suit of soldiers’ clothes, and had registered her name at the Piedmont House as Lieutenant Buford. She said she had been married twice—her first husband having been a member of Sherman’s famous battery; her second was in the Southern army; but she stated she was separated from him, for some reason she did not make known. She declared she was all right on the Southern question, and scouted the idea of being a spy. She said her reason for dressing in soldier clothes was, that she had determined to fight the battles of her country, and thought such disguise more likely to enable her to accomplish her object. She was sent on to Richmond for a further hearing on Thursday morning.