a whittlin’ in the sun

Posted on August 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Richmond newspaper reprinted the following report, in which a British war correspondent doubts that General Grant and the Union forces were going to defeat the South, with its armies motivated by hatred for the enemy and love of states’ rights. On the other hand, Northern soldiers fight for a variety of reasons; if the South effectively left the Union it would be no big deal to a soldier from Maine. One disadvantage of reprinting month old material – I’m pretty sure Mobile cares about Farragut’s flotilla now.

Forgive me, but Mr. Russell’s depiction of General Grant whittling as the dead and wounded piled up kind of reminded of Madame DaFarge knitting her way through the French Revolution.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 11, 1864:

Russell on the Situation.
[From the London Army and Navy Gazette, July 13, 1864.]

Lieutenant-General Ulysses Grant seems to us to be in what he would most probably term, in his own nervous diction, “a very tight place.” It is quite true that in his present position he must give much anxiety to the enemy, and that he menaces the Confederate capital with a greater danger than any the tenacious and valiant Southerners have yet had to encounter from Federal foes; but it is scarcely possible that he can retain that position under the fire of the July and August sun; and as yet any attempt to improve it by advancing has not been attended with encouraging results. As a line is length without breadth, and as a circle is bounded by a line, General Grant may maintain that he has not departed from his pledge to fight out the possession of Richmond “on this line” by moving round the capital, but it is difficult to perceive what advantage he has gained by approaching it now from the south side if he fails in his purpose of cutting the Confederate communications. That the combination on which he relied for that purpose has signally failed cannot be doubted. Hunter may have done damage to the western lines, but he has suffered dearly for his interference, and the injury was speedily repaired.

The cavalry, in which the Federal seem to have established a decided preponderance, have failed to effect a permanent destruction; and an attempt made by an expedition under Wilson to break up the line between Richmond, via Petersburg and Weldon, must have ended badly, if it be true that the Confederates intercepted the horsemen and forced Meade to march a whole corps and a division to their assistance, with results yet unknown to us. Sheridan, from whom a good deal was expected, has not turned out to be a Zeidlitz, a Murat, or even a Paget. He failed in a very feeble effort to reach Hunter, and he has since lost, we are told, one thousand men in a scamper across the Peninsula, south of Richmond, with the view of getting his corps across the James river to aid the cavalry force belonging to Grant’s army. The next great Federal army, on which the hopes of the North have so long been fixed, promises to become a source of fearful anxiety. Sherman, if not retreating, is certainly not advancing; and if the Confederates can interfere seriously with his communications, he must fall back as soon as he has eaten up all the supplies of the district.

At Charleston all is quiet, and Mobile has ceased to care for Farragut’s flotilla. The blockade cannot keep out arms, supplies and special correspondents, or keep in cotton in the South. On every point of the ragged circle which the Federal seek to penetrate, they are encountered by skillful, resolute and successful opponents. All the enormous advantages possessed by the Federal have been nullified by want of skill, by the interference of Washington civilians, and by the absence of an animating homogeneous spirit on the part of their soldiery. Some fight for pay, others because they can’t help it; some fight for the Union, others for abolition; some for confiscated land, others because they dislike a slave-owning aristocracy. Every Southerner fights because, conscript though he be, he hates his enemy, and is striking for the principle of State rights, which converts the land of his birthplace into a fatherland for him against all the world. Who can be a native of a Union? A native of Georgia or Virginia has something tangible to point to when he is asked where is his country. If the Union were destroyed formally to-morrow, as we believe it has been practically long ago, the man of Maine or Ohio could go back to his home, not much damaged in any way, except in a certain windy pride, and in the happiness derived from the contemplation of excessive size, which rendered him a disagreeable companion to the rest of the world.

New York, indeed, would lose some trade, and tariffs would be modified in some States; but there the mischief would cease. Far otherwise would it be with Georgia or Virginia. If the South were crushed he would become an outcast, a pariah, the scorn of bitter enemies. Therefore, the Southerners fight to the death against the invading revolutionary North and all their hordes, sustained by such a spirit as would have animated the people of England had the First Consul thrown himself on their shores at the head of a Republican and Jacobin army. That, all things considered, the North had the elements of military superiority to such an extent as justified an impartial observer in predicting they would obtain possession of the principal strategic points, the ports, arsenals, large cities, railway termini and rivers in the South, cannot reasonably be denied. It is true they are very far from the attainment of their object now, after all their losses in money and men; nor does it look as if Grant were going to achieve it.–Even if Richmond fell, the South would fight long and desperately. But Petersburg bars the way, and Grant is still sitting in front of the Confederate earthworks whittling sticks, as is his wont, filling the hospitals with the living, and fattening the rank soil with his dead.

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‘accidental explosion’ … City Point

Posted on August 9, 2014 by SUMPTER
City Point, Virginia. Wharves after the explosion of ordnance barges on August 4, 1864 (1864 Aug; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-03927)

“City Point, Virginia. Wharves after the explosion of ordnance barges on August [9], 1864”

150 years ago today a huge explosion occurred at the wharf at City Point, a major Union supply depot and General Grant’s headquarters. At the time most people assumed it was an accident. It was later learned that Confederate saboteur John Maxwell, with the help of an accomplice, had managed to get his “horological torpedo” on a supply barge, the J. E. Kendric. The time bomb exploded as planned and caused a great deal of death and destruction. In addition to Civil War Daily Gazette you can read other good accounts at The Siege of Petersburg Online and Military History Online.

People in Richmond could have read a quick telegraph about the mysterious explosion and then later a more detailed report by a New-York Daily Tribune correspondent (according to the Richmond editors). The Tribune reporter speculated on possible non-accidental causes.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 11, 1864:

From Petersburg.

Petersburg, August 9.

–About noon to-day a heavy explosion occurred in rear of the enemy’s lines, on the City Point road. The cause is unexplained. There was rather more than the usual sharpshooting and mortar shelling this evening.–The weather is sultry. There was a slight rain to-day.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 17, 1864:

The ammunition explosion at City Point — terrible effects.

Fifty-eight Yankees were killed and one hundred and twenty-six wounded by the ammunition explosion at City Point on the 9th instant. A correspondent of the New York Tribune, who witnessed it, says:

Every frame-house in the town was jarred by the concussion alone to the extent of having its inside plastering knocked off, beside other damages by missiles, &c. Against the houses and other obstructions near the wharf, and even upon the hill, hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of broken, twisted and splintered muskets, and such debris, lay in drifts, like straw drifted by the wind; and all over the ground for at least a quarter of a mile from the scene of the explosion, shell, solid shot, grape, cannister, musket and Minnie balls, pieces of shells, nails, screws, bolts and bolt-heads, and fragments of almost everything — wooden, iron and leaden — you can think of, are strewn and drifted like hail and chunks of ice-immediately after a dreadful hail storm.

Everywhere are seen the rents, dents, deep abrasions and scarred furrows of the iron and leaden storm. The thousandth part cannot be told.

My first thought was that an ammunition car had exploded just ahead of the one I was on, and that it would be of little use to try to escape the storm that had gone up and would come down — that one was about as safe in one place as another; and oh! how it did rain and hail all the terrible instruments of war.

City Point, Va., July 5, 1864 (City Point, Va., July 5, 1864 by Timothy H. O'Sullivan; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-33286)

“City Point, Va., July 5, 1864”

It was not a railroad car, but the ammunition barge J. E. Kendrick, that had exploded from the careless handling of percussion shells or some other kind of ammunition, it is supposed. No one that was aboard of the boat remains to tell the tale of her destruction. The splinters that strew the river may be hers, or they may be not. The section of the twisted ribs of a keel that lie in the most frequented part of the town, on the hill, two hundred yards distant, may be hers, or they may belong to one of her disappeared consorts.

You have read of eruptions of Vesuvius, such as buried Herculaneum and Pompeii. You have seen illustrations of them in the books. This must have been such an explosion as one of these, except that, instead of lava and dust and ashes, it rained over the circle of a mile, in whole packages and by piece-meal, everything you can imagine at a military depot. Entire boxes of fixed ammunition came down among the tents in the town, a quarter of a mile distant, and scarcely a tent, or house, or boat, can be found within the circle of a mile that is not riddled by shell, solid shot, or small ammunition.

City Point, Va. African Americans unloading vessels at landing (Between 1860 and 1865; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-01748)

“City Point, Va. African Americans unloading vessels at landing”

How many were blown in atoms into the river from Kendrick, never to be heard of, is not known. The captain of the Kendrick is safe, having been absent at the time of the explosion on another boat. The other boats entirely destroyed and sunk were the General Meade and the J. C. Campbell.

The massive pine wharf in front of where these boats lay, which was bolted down upon piles and sleepers of pine trees, is brushed aside for about a third of its length, as if it had been made of the paper I write on, while the substantial plank warehouse, with massive beams, built for at least a quarter of a century, has been crushed nearly its entire length, as if it had been a lady’s band-box.–The freight train that was just ready to start when the explosion happened, is shattered in nearly every car, though not past repair; and I had the uninteresting satisfaction of seeing where my remains would probably have lain, on the heads of the whiskey barrels, if I had remained in the car I first occupied.

The pine-board row, in which were the post-office, Adams’ Express office, and a quartermaster’s office, was also crushed by the concussion and the heavier forces brought against it, like a band-box, but fortunately, or rather miraculously, none of its occupants were seriously injured.

Various theories are afloat as to the cause of the explosion. Some say the careless handling of ammunition; others, an old-time torpedo; some surmise a rebel spy in the matter; while others attribute the disaster to a rebel shell or shot from across the river. The matter will be thoroughly investigated to-day. The Government stores in the big warehouse were considerably injured by water and otherwise, but to no very great extent.

You can view Arthur R. Waud’s sketch of the explosion at Son of the South

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accidental explosion … Manchester

Posted on August 8, 2014 by SUMPTER
Richmond 1864

explosion at foot of Mayo’s Bridge

An explosion at a Virginia foundry on August 6, 1864 maimed and killed eight people – slaves working at the foundry and three white boys who had been warned about the danger. Some shells picked up from battlefields to be recycled turned out to be live.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 8, 1864:

Terrible explosion of shell–eight Pending killed.

–On Saturday last the town of Manchester was the scene of an accident attended with the most serious and deplorable results. It seems that at about two o’clock, on that day, two wagons, loaded with shells taken from the battle-field, drove up to C. Bradley’s foundry in Manchester, near the foot of Mayo’s bridge, at which it was intended to recast them. One of these wagons having been unloaded, was driven off some distance, and its driver returned to assist in unloading the other wagon.–Several persons, among them three white boys, were standing around the wagon. While throwing out the shells, one of them, which unfortunately turned out to be loaded, was exploded, communicating fire to a number of others in the wagon, which, by some terrible mistake or oversight, were also loaded. The report which ensued was distinctly heard in all parts of this city, and resembled in sound that of the loudest clap of thunder, succeeded by occasional reports of a less violent character, causing surmises the most strange and improbable. Fragments of shells were thrown to the four quarters, some to a considerable distance, others passing through the rear of Mr. Bradley’s foundry, without, however, inflicting any other damage than that caused by several large holes cut through the house, the workmen escaping without injury. Sad to relate, those who were immediately around the spot fared far differently, and every one of them, eight in number, were killed. Three of the number were little white boys, who had been in the habit of playing around the foundry, and were repeatedly warned by Mr. Bradley of the danger risked in doing so. Besides the shocking manner in which they were mutilated, the clothes of the victims took fire and burnt almost entirely off them.

The following is a correct list of those who were killed:

William Seaward, aged eleven years; son of Joseph E. Seaward, an employee at Bradley’s foundry, had both arms broken, both feet cut off and his body mangled.

John Stywald, aged six years, son of William E. Stywald, Mr. Bradley’s foreman, entrails cut out, legs and arms broken and head mashed.

William Massaker, aged about nine years, son of William Massaker, who is engaged at the Manchester cotton factory, wounded through the body, limbs and head.

Charles Thomas, slave of Mrs. Gee, of Culpeper; Abner Johnson, slave of Alexander Hill’s estate; Davy, slave of — Hudson, of this city; Robert, slave of Alexander Moody, of Chesterfield, and Charles, slave of James Cooper, of Manchester. The three last named were employees at the Manchester foundry. The bodies of these negroes were literally blown to pieces, the brains of one of them having been carried in one connected lump to a considerable distance, while fragments of limbs strewed the ground, presenting a spectacle alike ghastly and revolting. At one spot could be seen the head of a negro, as it seemed with the brains scooped out; at others, pools of smoking bloody causing the spectator to turn away in horror and sickness of heart. Even the poor animals attached to the wagons did not escape, two of them being severely cut about the legs and another having his eyes entirely put out, while the wagon itself was torn to atoms.

One of the negroes did not die until a few hours after the explosion, though it is remarkable, considering the nature of his injuries, that his death was not instantaneous. Both of his eyes were put out, half of his mouth and chin were cut off, one foot and one hand were cut off, the flesh from his left arm was torn off, a hole was cut through his skull large enough to insert an egg, and other ghastly wounds were observable on different parts of his body. Notwithstanding all these wounds, he lay on the ground, struggling and rolling about in his own gore, and occasionally ejaculating, “Oh, Lord,” “Come to me,” “Go away,” &c.

Strange to say, all who were struck by the shells were killed, and not another person was wounded, though Mr. Bradley himself, who was in the rear part of his shop, was so near to the scene of the explosion that his face was blackened very much by the powder, and a fragment of shell which entered the building passed within a half an inch of his head. This gentleman lost an arm about three years since by the explosion of a shell with which he was experimenting. His escape from death is truly astonishing.

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the bugs of August

Posted on August 7, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago tonight Walter Taylor began another letter[1] to his girlfriend. “Lee’s Adjutant” didn’t have to endure life in the trenches, but the intense heat and omnipresent insects were getting on his nerves.

Camp at Violet Bank:

Sunday night 7th Aug ’64

The time is propitious Bettie and as the flies have retired for the night, I think I may attempt a letter to you without danger of losing my temper, though even now it is being subjected to a pretty severe trial by the numerous candle bugs and other plagues that are hovering around my light. We have here every variety of insect that ever was heard of, & these together with the scorching sun constitute a thorough destroyer of the last lingering spark of amiability that an Adjt General may have once possessed; still i am able to report myself jolly even under these adverse circumstances. …

I wish I had remembered to check out this book last week. In an August 1st letter Colonel Taylor wrote about the Battle of the Crater and then his impression of what he saw under the flag of truce on August 1st[2]:

It was a strange sight to witness Federals & Confederates commingling together between the lines; in some cases there was too much intimacy. I could not have approached the creatures whilst immediately before my eyes were hundreds of black soldiers, no doubt the majority of them having once owned masters in happy Virginia homes. There was but little mercy shown them in the engagement. They first cried “no quarter” and our men acted upon this principle. What is the next play we know not, perhaps another mine. Of course everybody will hear mining now along the entire line – but our troops will become used to this mode of warfare as they have to all others. Grant has much yet to accomplish. …

- Violet Bank, U.S. Route 1 vicinity, Colonial Heights, Colonial Heights, VA (LOC: HABS VA,21-____,4--1)

General Lee’s headquarters at Violet Bank

  1. [1]Tower, R. Lockwood with John S. Belmont, eds.Lee’s Adjutant: The Wartime Letters of Colonel Walter Herron Taylor, 1862-1865. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1995. Print. page 179.↩
  2. [2]ibid.page 178↩
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egg-shell election

Posted on August 6, 2014 by SUMPTER
Governor Zebulon Vance Statue in Raleigh, North Carolina

victorious Vance

In July 1864 a Democrat-leaning newspaper in New York State asserted:

There is no doubt but that the South is anxious for peace, – they proclaim it and declare themselves willing at all times to enter into negotiations, looking to the settlement of all our difficulties honorable alike to both parties.

Not all the South was anxious for peace, apparently. On August 4, 1864 the white men of North Carolina overwhelmingly re-elected Governor Zebulon Vance, who was opposed by “peace candidate” William Woods Holden.

An Southern editorial 150 years ago today applauded North Carolina for rejecting treasonous peace. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 6, 1864:

The North Carolina election.

Unidentified young boy wearing secession badge and holding a rifle (between 1861 and 1865; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-34266)

staying the course (“Unidentified young boy wearing secession badge and holding a rifle” Library of Congress)

To every man who really loves his country, the news from this election will be as refreshing as would be the tidings of a great victory in Georgia or on the Appomattox. The old North State has crushed treason like an egg-shell in her mighty hand. Hereafter let no man imagine aught against the staunch fidelity of her adhesion to her sister States, or her zeal in prosecuting the war which we are waging for the salvation of us all. It is astonishing what a noise a small faction can make, with a newspaper or two at its disposal. A little knot of disappointed politicians had half persuaded the rest of the Confederacy that old North Carolina was untrue to the cause. But she has put an end forever to all doubt upon that subject. Her response to the noble army which she has in the field is worthy of that army and of herself. All honor to the glorious old State.

Alexisrael’s photo of the Vance statue is licensed by Creative Commons

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young colonel killed

Posted on August 5, 2014 by SUMPTER

at Peachtree Creek

View of battlefield. Peach Tree Creek, Ga. (by George n. Barnard, photographed between 1861 and 1865, printed between 1880 and 1889; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-32828)

federal graves at Peach Tree Creek

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in August 1864:

COLONEL KILLED. – Col. W. L. Logie, of Geneva, was killed at the late battle in front of Atlanta. He commanded the 141st N.Y. Volunteers.

THE EIGHTH N.Y. CAVALRY. – This regiment was at Lee’s Mills, seven miles from Petersburg on the 3d inst., doing picket duty.

William K. Logie

William K. Logie

The 26 year old Colonel Logie was buried in Geneva, New York.

Atlanta 1864 (LOC: http://www.loc.gov/item/99447304/)

Atlanta Campaign

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

the big war

It didn’t take The New York Times to label the war “great” as it counted over 17,000,000 soldiers in the armies of the eight combatants.

NY Times 8-5-1914

NY Times 8-5-1914

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dull day

Posted on August 4, 2014 by SUMPTER
A camp in front of Petersburg, Va. August, 1864 ( photographed 1864, [printed between 1880 and 1889]; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-33099)

delightfully dull? (“A camp in front of Petersburg, Va. August, 1864”)

Since there were over 1460 of them, I guess you had to expect a boring one once in a while.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 5, 1864:

The War News.

There was nothing at all of interest transpiring yesterday to attract the attention of the public. At Petersburg all was quiet — not a shell thrown during the day — owing probably to the fact that yesterday was the Yankee fast and prayer day ordained by Lincoln.

From other quarters the news was quite as dull.

Of course, it wasn’t dull for everyone. The same Dispatch issue reported heavy skirmishing at Atlanta on the 3rd and the shelling to death of a young lady overnight between the 3rd and the 4th.

150 years ago today the fast day was indeed observed in Boston, and the drought had apparently ended.

From The New-York Times August 5, 1864:

Heavy Rain Fast Day at Boston.

BOSTON, Thursday, Aug. 4.

The weather continues cool and showery. A heavy rain, with thunder and lightening, prevailed during last night.

The National Fast Day has been appropriately observed to-day and business was generally suspended.

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blackberry brandy

Posted on August 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

a “sovereign balm”

Diarrhea/dysentery was one of the major killing diseases for Civil War soldiers [1]. 150 years ago this week New Yorkers were urged to contribute whatever blackberry products they could to help hospitals fight the sickness.

From The New-York Times August 1, 1864:

Blackberries for Hospitals A Few Words More on the Subject.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Friday, July 29, 1864.

To the Editor of the New-York Times:

A few days since I sent you a communication in behalf of the soldier, appealing to the good people of your State to secure as nearly as possible every remaining blackberry for hospital use. Will you give me the privilege of adding what seems to be necessary to what was then said?

First, in regard to the manner of putting them up. Let me say to all, do not send your jelly in thin glass, as many have done, but in very thick glass or earthern jars, closely and tightly covered. Let the syrup be put up in thick bottles, tightly corked. Let the cordial, wine and brandy be put up in the same way. The aid societies and branch commissions, to whom these jars and bottles are sent, will please pack them in cloths, fit for bandages, handkerchiefs, &c,; then nothing else is Injured in case of a leakage, and these cloths will at all times be very useful. They are very much needed now.

Basket_of_wild_blackberries

lifesavers

Directions were given in my former letter for making blackberry brandy only; not because more of this is wanted than of the syrup, wine or cordial, but because people generally are not supposed to know so well how to make it. From the following, it will be seen that the cordial is nearly the same, only richer, with half the proportion of brandy:

BLACKBERRY CORDIAL.

To one gallon of blackberry juice put four pounds white sugar; boil and skim off; then add one ounce of cloves, one ounce of cinnamon, ten grated nutmegs, and boil down till quite rich; then let it cool and settle; afterward drain off, and add one pint of good brandy.

The wine and jelly is made in the same manner as currant wine and jelly. Almost all housekeepers are familiar with the modes of making these. The syrup is made like the jelly, but not so rich — only rich enough to keep well. Let it become cold before pouring it into bottles. If it should form jelly, heat it over, and put it up in jars. A gallon of syrup or jelly may save as many lives as the same quantity of cordial, wine or brandy; for, if stimulants are needed, they may be given to the patient separately. We know that at the present price of sugar and spices, the putting up of any of these curatives for the soldier is expensive work; but we ask each and all to do only so much as they are able, and we ask them to do this to the exclusion of everything else, now while the blackberry season is passing away.

I speak the sentiments of all connected with commissions and hospitals, in saying that the entire present fund of any aid society cannot be better invested than in the purchase of berries, spices and sugar for the preparation of these articles. One of our best hospital surgeons remarked to-day that he should have as much need of blackberry curatives all through the Fall as now, and that all seasons called for large quantities of them.

A Ward in Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D.C. (photographed between 1861 and 1865, printed between 1880 and 1889; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-33750)

“A Ward in Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D.C.” (Library of Congress)

The greater part of yesterday your correspondent spent in visiting a few of the wards in Lincoln Hospital, and as in all others, and at all other times, testimony in favor of the blackberry was constantly coming up and in a great variety of ways. [several examples of surgeons and patients requesting blackberry products} …

Chancing to go in company with a lady relief agent from New-York, into a room where the Sisters of Charity, employed in this hospital as nurses, were assembled, I heard her say to them: “Which of you very much need a bottle of blackberry brandy for severe cases of diarrhoea?” and heard nearly all quickly answer I. Almost everyone had some patients of this kind, although there is a ward set apart especially for such cases. Very much to her regret, the lady-agent had only a single bottle then to leave with them. The Sister Superior took it in charge, I think, to deal it out in small quantities to the others. But who imagines that this one bottle could supply the needs of all?

O! my sisters, and friends everywhere, do be preparing to send to hospitals everywhere, this sovereign balm, for this wide-spread and fearful disease.

Send it through the Sanitary Commission, or the Christian Commission, or the Relief Agency of your State, as you please — only do not fail to send it. In the name of all that is sacred, send it. S.B.S.

Gandydancer’s blackberry photo is licensed by Creative Commons

  1. [1]McPherson, James M. The Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. New York: Ballantine Books, 1989. Print. pages 487-88.↩
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“literally strewn with dead negroes”

Posted on August 1, 2014 by SUMPTER

The negroes fought quite well to-day, and charged, crying, “No quarter — remember Fort Pillow.”

NYT 8-1-1864

battle’s result still undecided The New-York Times 8-1-1864

It appears that 150 years ago today Richmond had more up-to-date information about the Battle of the Crater than New York. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 1, 1864:

[important news from Petersburg.

Petersburg, July30.

–The enemy sprung a mine under our works on the Baxter Road, one and a half miles from the city, this morning about 5 o’clock, blowing up a considerable portion of our works, which were occupied by Pegram’s battery, of this city, supported by Elliott’s South Carolina brigade.

A number of lives w The enemy at once bounded forward driving in our forces and occupying a large portion of our lines. Mahone being notified of the condition of affairs, harried his own and Wright’s brigades to the scene of action.

On their arrival he threw them forward to retake the works temporarily lost. Bounding forward with a yell, they recaptured a large portion of the line temporarily lost and took forty commissioned officers and four hundred privates, representing four divisions of Burnside’s corps.

Among the prisoners were some 20 negroes. The slaughter of the enemy during the engagement is represented by distinguished officers as the severest of the war for the numbers engaged.

The battle-field is literally strewn with dead negroes. The firing ceased at 9 o’clock, but it is understood we will renew the attack at 2 o’clock.

Among the casualties are General Elliott, of South Carolina, severely wounded; Colonel Weisiger, commanding Mahone’s brigade, slightly; Major Woodhouse, slightly; the gallant Captain Girardy, Mahone’s Assistant Adjutant General, slightly.

During the fight the enemy’s grape and shrapnel fell thick and fast in the outskirts of the city.

Our loss in prisoners is not believed to equal our captures. The Yankee prisoners say Grant has been mining three weeks.

[Second Dispatch.]

crater (http://www.loc.gov/item/001-ocm25274995/)

Mahone’s to the breach

Petersburg, July30.

–About two o’clock to-day, everything being arranged, General Mahone threw forward Saunders’s Alabama brigade, which charged the enemy in gallant style, recapturing the rest of the breastworks temporarily lost and taking about five hundred prisoners, including one hundred and fifty negroes, thirty five officers and Brigadier-General Bartlett, of the 1st division, 9th corps, besides two stands of colors and four pieces of artillery lost by us this morning.

Over six hundred of the enemy’s dead are in our trenches.

Mahone’s and Wright’s brigades, besides prisoners captured this morning, took ten stands of colors. One lines are now identical as before the fight this morning, all the ground lost having been reclaimed. Not over one hundred lives are believed to have been lost by the blowing up of the mine.–The losses in Mahone’s division are not over two hundred, killed and wounded.

Among the killed are Colonel Evans, 64th Georgia; Captain Ruth, commanding 22nd Georgia; Lieutenant-Colonel Williamson, 6th Virginia, slightly wounded.

The negroes fought quite well to-day, and charged, crying, “No quarter — remember Fort Pillow.”

All quiet to-night.

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big demand

Posted on July 31, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 30, 1864:

A Valuable work.

–We acknowledge the receipt from Messrs. Evans & Cogswell, publishers, of Columbia, S. C., of an exceedingly well executed copy of a work entitled “A Manual of Military Surgery, for the use of Surgeons in the Confederate States Army; with explanatory plates of all useful operations. By J. Julian Chisholm, M. D., Professor of Surgery in the Medical College of South Carolina, Surgeon in the C. S. Army, &c.” This is the third time Professor Chisholm’s work has been run through the press, and the present edition has undergone a careful revision and some important improvements. To the medical profession we should think it an invaluable companion, but as a proof of the extent to which it is appreciated, it is only necessary to refer to the rapidity with which the several editions have been exhausted.

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