“lying about in heaps”

Posted on May 22, 2014 by SUMPTER
Hospital at Fredericksburg, Va., May 1864 (by James Gardner; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-18952)

Hospital in Fredericksburg, May 1864. Nurse from Sanitary Commission

One of our local publications reprinted a report from the Albany Argus. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864:

The Wounded at Fredericksburg.

HEART-RENDING SCENES.

From a gentleman who arivee [sic] in this city yesterday morning, direct from Fredericksburg, we learn some interesting particulars with reference to the scenes that are now to be witnessed in that city and vicinity. Our informant left Fredericksburg on Tuesday morning at eleven o’clock in company with a member of the Army of [?] Medical Corps.

They made the journey to Washington in an ambulance, driving all the way at a rapid rate for fear of being intercepted by guerrillas, who often harass travelers on the route. He states that on Monday, Moseby’s men were within four miles of Alexandria, where they captured ten or twelve sutler’s wagons, containing a quantity of medical stores.

Fredericksburg, Virginia. Burial of Federal dead (by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, 1864 May [19 or 20]; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-01840)

burial of Union dead at Fredericksburg, May, 1864

The scenes in and about Fredericksburg baffled all attempt at description. The wounded, the dying and the dead were to be found everywhere and in every direction. Every house, barn, or other building that could afford shelter was occupied with the suffering wounded. The streets and alleys were also filled with them, while outside of the city acres of the fields were covered with the wounded and dying. The picture was the most heart rending that it was possible to behold. Thousands and tens of thousands of men lying about in heaps in the burning sun, bleeding to death for lack of medical attention, or famishing for want of nourishment and care. – Our informant says that their shrieks and groans are still ringing in his ears. Thousands were crying for a cup of cold water, and many were dying from the heat of the sun. At the time he left, the number of wounded in the city of Fredericksburg was estimated at 40,000. Quite a proportion of them were rebels, who lay indiscriminately mixed in among the Union men. The men who but a few hours before had met in deadly combat, now lay peacefully side by side. With them the Virginia Campaign was ended. Though fighting under different flags, they had been borne off the field together, and together many of them were waiting the approach of the messenger of death.

Fredericksburg, Va. Wounded from the Battle of the Wilderness (by James Gardner, May 1864; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-01842)

wounded at Fredericksburg from Wilderness


A Surgeon with whom he conversed, informed him that a large proportion of the wounds were breast wounds – the ball taking effect in the breast, neck or head. – Great numbers of the wounded were being constantly brought in – a detachment of three or four thousand men from the ambulance corps being engaged in that business. Some were brought in on cars, some on wagons, and some hobbled in on foot.

The impression among the suffering soldiers was that the engagements thus far had been drawn battles, but they felt great confidence in the result of the campaign. The soldiers were sure that Grant and his Generals were competent to lead the army on to victory, and to capture Richmond. – Among all the suffering to be witnessed, the patience exhibited was wonderful, and none of them seemed to regret that they had joined the Union Army. – Argus.

Burying the dead at hospital in Fredericksburg, Va. ( LC-DIG-ppmsca-32927)

“Burying the dead at hospital in Fredericksburg, Va.” (May 1864)

Fredericksburg, Va. Nurses and officers of the U.S. Sanitary Commission (by James Gardner, May 1864; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-01195)

hands full (members of the U.S. Sanitary Commission in Fredercksburg, May 1864)

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“we have been pretty severely thrashed”

Posted on May 21, 2014 by SUMPTER
520px-New_Market.svg Andrei nacu

Battle of New Market

SENECA and his fellow soldiers in the 1st New York Veteran Cavalry took part in the May 15, 1864 Union defeat at New Market.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864:

From the Veteran Cavalry.

NUMBER V.

CAMP NEAR CEDAR CREEK, VA.,
May 21, 1864.

FRIEND STOWELL: – “A mail for home to-morrow” has just rung through the camp and as it is many a day since we have received or sent out a mail, all who are not on duty are busy writing to the dear ones at home.

Since my last there have been “Rows and Ructions at Lanagan’s Ball.” The Veterans have been travelling around through Western Virginia pretty extensively, and at last have met the enemy in a pitched battle. As many an anxious one at home have heard little or nothing from us during the past month, I will briefly recapitulate our doings during this period.

On the 18th of April, three hundred picked men from the 1st Veteran (among whom was thirty from Co. K) joined Gen. Averill’s command for a grand raid through Western Virginia. We proceeded as far as Clarksburg, about two hundred and fifty miles from Harpers Ferry and fifty miles from the Ohio. After remaining here a few days, we were ordered back by Gen. Sigel, while the rest of the expedition proceeded on its way and of its glorious results, how it has destroyed the Western Railroads, and defeated the enemy in three different battles, you have doubtless already heard.

On the 29th ult., the Army of the Shenandoah took the field and advancing up the Valley formed one of the connections between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the West.

On Sunday, May 1st, one column entered the city of Winchester with bands playing and flags flying – encamping just outside the town for several days, we again advanced and on the 9th reached Cedar Creek, where Gen. Banks lost all his baggage and commissary stores, when Stonewall Jackson drove him down the Valley. Here news of the great conflict between Grant and Lee began to reach us and the camp was wild with all sorts of rumors and reports.

Breckinridge, CSA (between 1860 and 1870; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-07429)

General Breckinridge

On the 11th, the Veterans advanced on Woodstock, which place was held by a body of Rebel Cavalry. We drove the “Johnnies” from the town and across the Shenandoah, and on the 13th inst., after a short engagement, again drove them from Mt. Jackson and captured the Barracks, &c. built by Stonewall.

Learning that Gen. John C. Breckinridge was coming down the Valley in force, Gen. Sigel hastened hastened his army forward to meet the enemy, who were said to be strongly posted at New Market, under Imboden and Gilmore. WE arrived near the town on Sunday morning, the 15th inst. Our columns were immediately deployed, the Artillery posted and soon commenced the

                    BATTLE OF NEW MARKET,

one of the sharpest engagements ever fought in this Valley, and one of the most unsatisfactory in its results. The plan (as far as I can understand it in dutch) was to fight and whip the rebel force at New Market before Gen. Breckinridge arrived, but he was already there with ten thousand Infantry, before the battle opened and we were thus confronted by a vastly superior force of the enemy. Our men fought bravely, desperately, put [but] it was of no avail. Owing to the small force of our Infantry, our Cavalry were placed in rather a novel position, and the Batteries were supported by us alone, that all the Infantry might be put in line of battle, but even then we were out flanked on both sides and nearly surrounded. Company K was divided and one half, under Capt. Brett, was placed on the extreme left of our lines in advance, and the rest of the company occupied a like position on the extreme right of the line of battle. These two position [sic] we held during the whole day without losing a man. Sergt. A.B. Randolph was the only one wounded, he being knocked from his horse by a piece of shell but is all right now.

The Rebels worked their Artillery with wonderful accuracy. Nearly every shell tore through the Cavalry Squadron or made wicked gaps in the Infantry line. – For a time our men fought well, but when the rebels advanced, in three magnificent lines of battle, upon us, our Infantry already much weakened by the severe canonade [sic], could stand no longer and broke and fled from the field in disorder, leaving the Cavalry to bring off the Artillery and cover the retreat. Our boys behaved splendidly and the 1st Veterans was the last regiment to leave the field and then only on a walk, although the shot and shell were pouring in from all sides.

Gen. Julius Stahel (Hungarian name [SZAMWALD?] (between 1860 and 1870; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-05219)

General Julius Stahel

After driving our forces back about four miles the rebels gave up the chase, but we fell back during the night twenty-two miles to Woodstock, destroying the bridges on the way, and next day continued our retreat twelve miles farther to Cedar Creek, where we took up a strong position, which we now hold, daily expecting an attack from the enemy.

There is no use denying the fact that we have been pretty severely thrashed, although we made the enemy pay pretty dearly for the chase he gave us, and we have brought off all our baggage and commissary stores, for which Gen. Sigel deserves much credit.

Upon the battle field there were of course some mistakes and some green performances; at one time it was almost impossible to tell who commanded the Cavalry. One officer would ride up and give an order which would be instantly countermanded by another. A certain Lieut. Col. whose namesake lived a good many years before the flood, made himself very officious. Once the regiment received orders to change its position, and had just began to execute the movement when up came Gen. Stahl [Julius Stahel] on a gallop screaming out “Where is mine Gabblery! Where he go! Who sent him dere? Stop, stop mine Gabblery!” Of course the “Gabblery” was stopped and a laugh rang through the ranks, mingling strangely with the screaming of shells, the whistling of bullets, and the groans of the wounded and dying.

Franz Sigel (between 1860 and 1870; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-05089)

saved baggage and commissary stores

The “Veterans” have received the thank [sic] of Gen. Sigel for the coolness and courage they displayed during this disastrous day, and the gallant conduct of our commanding officers will never be forgotten by their men. Our color bearer fell mortally wounded on the field and as he held our battle flag in his dying grasp, said: “Tell my mother I died by the old flag.” Several officers had their horses shot under them and many non-commissioned officers and private [sic] distinguished themselves on this bloody field, but it is wrong to particularize where all did so well, and none of our friends will ever blush for what was done at Mew Market, by the boys from

SENECA.

Shelby Foote alluded[1] to the language issue as he wrote about General Sigel being in his element during the battle. He kept his composure under fire, “but betrayed his inner excitement by snapping his fingers disdainfully at shellbursts as he rode about, barking orders at his staff. Unfortunately, he barked them in German, which resulted in some confusion…”

[...] Kerr and Harvey Carter [...] of battery which fired first and last shots of Battle of New Market, 1864

“[…] Kerr and Harvey Carter […] of battery which fired first and last shots of Battle of New Market, 1864” (1923)

  1. [1]Foote, Shelby. The Civil War, A Narrative. Vol. 3. Red River to Appomattox. New York: Random House, 1986. Print. page 249.↩
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not a trace

Posted on May 20, 2014 by SUMPTER

After the 33rd New York Volunteer Infantry was mustered out, some of its remaining three years’ recruits were transferred to the 49th New York Volunteer Infantry. Edmund Ferren was one of these young men. There is a discrepancy in the records about which May battle he was killed in. Either way, his father could not find his remains.

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

RETURNED. – Mr. THOMAS FERREN returned from Washington on Tuesday morning, after an absence of several days in search of the remains of his son, who was mortally wounded on Thursday the 5th inst. – He did not succeed in his humane undertaking, and was compelled to return home without obtaining any knowledge of where his son was buried.

Edmund Ferren, 49th NYSV

where was Corporal Ferren buried?

I’m not sure if dog tags would have helped Mr. Ferren find his son. At any rate, dog tags were not issued by the government during the Civil War. However, according to the Ephemera Society some enterprising vendors tried to help solve the problem. You can see an example of an identification tag for Robert Lucas from Waterloo, New York and a member of the 1st Veteran New York Cavalry

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F Grade

Posted on May 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Democrat recap of the first stages of the spring campaign in 1864 wasn’t too impressed with the new Lieutenant General.

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

The Fight for Richmond.

General_Ulysses_S_Grant

“campaign may be considered a failure”

The advance of our armies towards the Confederate capital is resisted with a stubbornness and determination wholly unexpected. After ten days contest, the most sanguinary and bloody of the whole war, hostilities cease, with both armies occupying precisely the same grounds they did at the commencement of the battle. GRANT with all his superior forces fought Lee ten days at Spottsylvania Court House, without driving him from his first line of entrenchments. A perusal of the details show the fighting to have been of the most desperate character. The result of the contest up to Wednesday night of last week was wholly adverse to our armies. On Thursday HANCOCK gained, or seemed to, at least, a decided advantage over the enemy, but the advantage was not followed up and the rebels recovered the lost ground. On Friday the struggle was more determined and bloody on both sides than on any other of the preceding days, at the close of which hostilities ceased with no advantage gained on either side. To all intents and purposes, then, GRANT’s first campaign may be considered a failure. – SIGEL in the Shenandoah Valley, with a large force, intending to co-operate with GRANT in the capture of the rebel capital, has been repulsed by BRECKINRIDGE with a heavy loss of men and guns. BUTLER down on the James river is held in check by BEAUREGARD. A severe fight occurred at Paltas creek [Proctor’s Creek?] on Monday between the forces under these two generals, but, according to the telegraph, without any decisive result.

In the meantime GRANT is being reinforced, and it is also stated that Lee is receiving large reinforcements, preparatory to the next battle. The loss in killed, wounded and missing on both sides is startling, the Tribune estimating the loss on our side at nearly one fourth of GRANT’s army. We may expect to hear of the renewal of hostilities at almost any hour.

The image of general Grant is from wpclipart

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“false and spurious”

Posted on May 17, 2014 by SUMPTER

President Lincoln wasn’t going to shut down a paper for printing exaggerated stories about the in-laws, but he acted promptly when a couple journals published a fabricated presidential call for 400,000 more soldiers and a Day of Thanksgiving. The date on the proclamation was May 17th; the papers in question printed it on the 18th.

From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven:

ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT OF IRRESPONSIBLE NEWSPAPER REPORTERS AND EDITORS
ORDER TO GENERAL J. A. DIX.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 18, 1864.

MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. DIX, Commanding at New York:

Whereas there has been wickedly and traitorously printed and published this morning in the New York World and New York Journal of Commerce, newspapers printed and published in the city of New York, a false and spurious proclamation purporting to be signed by the President and to be countersigned by the Secretary of State, which publication is of a treasonable nature, designed to give aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States and to the rebels now at war against the Government and their aiders and abettors, you are therefore hereby commanded forthwith to arrest and imprison in any fort or military prison in your command, the editors, proprietors, and publishers of the aforesaid newspapers, and all such persons as, after public notice has been given of the falsehood of said publication, print and publish the same with intent to give aid and comfort to the enemy; and you will hold the persons so arrested in close custody until they can be brought to trial before a military commission for their offense. You will also take possession by military force of the printing establishments of the New York World and Journal of Commerce, and hold the same until further orders, and prohibit any further publication therefrom.

A. LINCOLN.

[On the morning of May 18, 3864, a forged proclamation was published in the World, and Journal of Commerce, of New York. The proclamation named a day for fasting and prayer, called for 400,000 fresh troops, and purposed to raise by an “immediate and peremptory draft,” whatever quotas were not furnished on the day specified. Ed.]

joseph-howard Harper's Weekly 6-4-1864

journalist, forger, and gold speculator

You can read the “bogus proclamation” and the back and forth between the War Department and General Dix at Civil War Home. The plot was intended to take advantage of the modus operandi of the Associated Press and the fact that a quick decision would have to be made after the document arrived at about 3:30 A.M. Only the World and The Journal of Commerce published the forgery. Other New York papers wrote to President Lincoln to explain and stand up for the duped bretheren. As it turned out, Joseph Howard was the author of the forged proclamation:

Joseph Howard was a newspaper journalist and a bit of a prankster throughout his career. His worst one was just described. To complete the story, Howard and a acquaintance had hoped to make a profit on declining gold prices if news from the front was bad. He and his acquaintance acquired the stationery and other items necessary to make it look as if a story had come in on the wires to the headquarters of the Associated Press of New York, the clearing house for official wire stories coming from Washington. They forged the Proclamation from the president and had it delivered to the offices of various New You[k] newspapers. Only two actually published the story but it caused such firestorm as can be seen from the reports that Howard was arrested two days after the story appeared and placed in Fort Lafayette Prison. He was released on Lincoln’s personal order on August 24, 1864.

The image of Joseph Howard was published in the June 4, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly (at Son of the South), along with a recap of the story.

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Letter from Malvern Hill

Posted on May 16, 2014 by SUMPTER
Germanna Ford, Rapidan River, Virginia. Grant's troops crossing Germannia Ford (by Timpthy H. O'Sillivan, 5-4-1864; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-01175)

Germanna Ford, May 4, 1864

According to Civil War clippings at the Seneca Falls public library, the 8th New York Calvary was home on furlough in March 1864 and H.B. Compson, one of the regiment’s members from Seneca County, had recently been promoted. Back at the front the 8th NY Cavalry took part in Philip Sheridan’s raid on Richmond. Here’s Captain Compson’s account.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864:

From the 8th New York Cavalry.

ON PICKET, NEAR MALVERN HILL,
May 16th, 1864.

Map of Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan's cavalry raid to Yellow Tavern and Richmond during the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War, drawn in Adobe Illustrator CS5 by Hal Jespersen.

Sheridan’s Richmond raid


DEAR FATHER: – As I have not written home in some time I thought perhaps you would like to hear from me. I am well at present and as you will see by the heading of this letter some distance from our winter quarters on the banks of the Rapidan. After arriving at camp from home I found the army making great preparations for a forward movement, and on the first of May all was in readiness to move, and the night of the third the Grand Army of the Potomac was under way for the Rapidan river. The 8th New York Cavalry had the honor of taking the advance. We arrived at Germania Ford at midnight, and waited until daylight, then charged across. We met with but little opposition after our division had all crossed; after which we took up the line of march in the direction of Chancelorsville. The Infantry following after we camped about eight miles from the river. On the 5th we marched in the direction of Orange Court House, met a division of Stuart’s Cavalry, had a severe fight in which I had my horse shot. (In return I took the lift of a Reb. as the boys all say,) I charged the whole division with my squadron, for which I received great praise, for the General says I saved over 200 of our men who were surrounded by the enemy. We kept with the Army of the Potomac scouting around and skirmishing with the enemy until the 9th, when we had orders to march, the direction we did not know, for it was to be a secret movement. The whole cavalry Corps was to march, and at 1 o’clock we were on our way. We marched in the direction of Fredericksburg, then took a south-easterly course across the Ny, Po, Ta and the Mat Rivers and camped for the night on the banks of the North Anna river. On the morning of the 10th we were off at an early hour; crossing the river we went to Beaver Dam Station on the Orange and Richmond Railroad, captured two large trains of cars loaded with rations for Lee’s army, destroyed them and about 3,000,000 dollars worth of property, besides, at the depot ready for shipping, cut the telegraph with which Lee communicated with Richmond, tore up the track for several miles, then marched to Hanover Junction, destroyed property and tore the railroad up at that place, then struck across to the South Anna and camped for the night. On the 11th we took our line of march across the river, burned the bridge over South Anna, then marched to a place called Hungary, on the railroad 12 miles from Richmond. Here we destroyed the track and telegraph wires, again meeting Stuart’s Cavalry, had a severe fight, whipped them out, captured 3 pieces of artillery, and 150 prisoners. We then marched within 6 miles of Richmond, camped until midnight, then took the road leading to the rebel capital and at daylight we found ourselves to our great surprise within the fortifications of the so-called capital of the Southern Confederacy. One mile and a half from that noted traitorous city we surprised and captured their out post pickets. They put torpedoes in the road which exploded, but did very little damage to us. They mustered all the troops they had about the city and throwed [sic] them against us to keep us back and they needed every one they had for we drove them at every point until about 11 o’clock when they received reinforcements of two Brigades of Infantry. Our General thought it advisable to withdraw, and about 12 o’ cl’k [sic] our troops began to cross the Chickahomany [sic] river at Mellow [Meadows?] Bridge. We had hard work to cross for the enemy held the other end of the bridge, but we soon sent them flying in all directionr [sic] and at 4 o’clock P.M., our gallant corps was all safe across the famous river. We passed through Mechanicsville, the battle ground of McClellan, then marched the same route that he did in his retrograde movement from before Richmond. Saw the graves of many of his brave men who fell in that great struggle. We camped all night at Gaine’s Mills, then marched to that ever memorable battle ground Malvern Hill, where McClellan had his last struggle with the enemy in his retreat from the rebel capital. We arrived there about 4 o’clock. This place is within sight of the James river, and our gun boats can protect us. This made us six days and nights in the enemy’s lines with no forage or rations only what we could find on our route. Our horses are very tired and we are completely worn out, but a few days will recruit ourselves and our horses so we will be ready to march wherever our country needs us. Our raid amounted to a great destruction of property, estimated at about $4,000,000. We captured 450 prisoners, re-captured 300 of our own men who had been taken from Grant’s army and were on their way to Richmond. Here we have drawn rations and forage for ourselves and horses and will probably stay here a few days. I think Richmond will fall before the fourth of July. Our troops are gaining a little every day. General Butler is having a heavy battle to-day, and we can hear his guns. We have traveled 150 miles in six days. Stephen Griggs is missing, we do not know whether he was killed or taken prisoner. I remain, your affectionate son, H.B. COMPSON,

Capt. 8th N.Y. Cavalry.

Hal Jespersen’s map of Sheridan’s Richmond Raid is licensed by Creative Commons

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headbanger

Posted on May 15, 2014 by SUMPTER
The toughest fight yet. The fight for the salient (by Alfred R. Waud, 1864 May 12; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-22468 )

“The toughest fight yet. The fight for the salient”

Grant is beating his head against a wall.

150 years ago today Walter Herron Taylor, an aide to General Robert E. Lee, got off a letter to his beloved Bettie. From Lee’s Adjutant: The Wartime Letters of Colonel Walter Herron Taylor, 1862-1865 (pages 160-161):

Near Spottsylvania C.H.

15 May 1864

A courier will start for Richmond in the morning, my dear Bettie, and though it is now quite late, I will send you a line or two to inform you of our good condition, prospects &c. We have had some very severe fighting & a great deal  of one kind & another. With one single exception, our encounters with the enemy have been continuously & eminently successful. In the Wilderness we enjoyed several victories over vastly superior numbers – on arriving here we were blessed with another signal success. After we were established here, the enemy attacked every portion of our lines at different times, and with the one exception mentioned, were invariably hansomely repulsed & severely punished. The 12th was an unfortunate day for us – we recovered most of the ground lost but cd not regain our guns. This hurts our pride – but we are determined to make our next success all the greater to make amends for this disaster. Our men are in good heart & condition – our confidence, certainly mine, unimpaired. Grant is beating his head against a wall. His own people confess a loss of 50,000 thus far. He is moving tonight – we expect a renewal of the battle tomorrow. God has been good & kind, & has miraculously preserved me. Asking a continuance of his blessings & mercy & committing you, my precious one, to His Protective care, I remain yours as ever

Walter[1]

Confederate prisoners at Belle Plain Landing, Va., captured with Johnson's Division, May 12, 1864; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-33772)

“The 12th was an unfortunate day for us” (Confederate prisoners at Belle Plain Landing, Va., captured with Johnson’s Division, May 12, 1864)

  1. [1]Taylor, Walter HerronLee’s Adjutant: The Wartime Letters of Colonel Walter Herron Taylor, 1862-1865. Ed. R. Lockwood Tower with John S. Belmont. Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press, 1995. Print. pages 160-161.↩
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Euromarket

Posted on May 14, 2014 by SUMPTER

The Albany Argus claimed that the Lincoln Administration was under-reporting Union casualties for the “European market.” Meanwhile, a more pro-Administration publication was still concerned about some type of European intervention in the war, especially with France and Maximilian in Mexico.

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

Our Losses in the Late Battles.

The Washington Chronicle places the number of our killed, wounded and prisoners up to Monday night at forty-five thousand. The N.Y. Tribune of the 12th, places the number at forty thousand, including our losses on Tuesday. There has been terrible fighting since then, and at this rate our loses are probably not less than fifty thousand. The official bulletins, however have commenced cutting down the statement of our losses. This intended for the European market. – Argus.

From the May 14, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South:

THE SITUATION.

THE summer opens upon a situation which is every where most interesting. In Europe the question of general war will be virtually decided by the success of our campaigns. Europe is undoubtedly ripe for revolution. …

France, meanwhile, crosses the sea, and enthrones herself in Mexico in the person of MAXIMILIAN. When she is once there, and has ascertained that we do not assent to the Mexican conquest and subjugation, she will be ready, directly or indirectly, to become a party to our war. The assent of the Governments of Europe to French participation in our affairs will be based upon their natural and earnest wish that a popular Government may conspicuously fail; for our success would be an inspiration to the people of Europe too threatening to be calmly contemplated by the aristocratic class. On the other hand, any European interference in our war would be the signal for the rising of the people all over the European Continent.

Thus every where the most momentous movements undoubtedly depend upon the issue of our campaigns ; and by a curious fortune General GRANT has become a pivotal man. Yet in any case there is for us no cause of profound apprehension. If he fails, and France in any way interferes, even with the tacit assent of the great Powers, the people of the free States will rise as they have not yet risen. What France did in her old Revolution, namely, maintain herself against domestic intrigue and foreign combination upon contiguous soil, that the United States are perfectly capable of surpassing. Every European State will suddenly bristle with our friends and allies. On the other hand, if GRANT succeeds, LOUIS NAPOLEON will bow himself out of Mexico as soon as possible.

In all these speculations upon contingencies and possibilities the true ground of faith in the issue lies, for a loyal American citizen, in the good sense of the people. …

_______________________________________

The following drawing by Edwin Forbes is dated May 14, 1864:

Spotsylvania C[ourt] H[ouse], Va. (by Edwin Forbes, 5-14-1864; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20693)

“Spotsylvania C[ourt] H[ouse], Va.”

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“breathless anxiety”

Posted on May 13, 2014 by SUMPTER

Seneca Falls newspapers during the war seem to have been weeklies. Here’s a recap of the first week of the Overland campaign. The New-York Times seemed almost euphoric as the great battles commenced; this Democrat paper took a more negative and seemingly realistic view of the first week. But it also had time to digest the reports.

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

The Campaign in Virginia.

DESPERATE FIGHTING AND UNPRECEDENTED SLAUGHTER.

Wounded escaping from the burning woods of the Wilderness (by Alfred R. Waud, 1864 May 5-7; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-21457)

“Wounded escaping from the burning woods of the Wilderness”

During the past week the country has watched with breathless anxiety the progress of the fierce and bloody conflict raging between GRANT and LEE. The Army of the Potomac crossed the Rappahannock on Tuesday night of last week and on Thursday LEE with his forces marched out of his fortified position and gave us battle. And from that day up to the present time the struggle has been carried on with a fierceness and desperation unprecedented in the annals of warfare. For seven mortal days the battle has been waged with no positive advantage gained on either side. At times our forces were beaten back, defeated and overwhelmed; then again the tide of battle changed and the enemy was repulsed at all points. It is difficult to determine which side has been the most successful, though it is plainly evident that we have been the greatest sufferers. LEE has handled his army with consummate tact and ability while GRANT has repeatedly demonstrated his ability and tenacity of purpose. He seems to know no such word as fail, and the fearful slaughter of both officers and men clearly demonstrate his determination and stubbornness. Our loss in the battles of Sunday and Monday are placed by government telegrams at 25,000 to say nothing of the tens of thousands killed and wounded on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The fighting on Tuesday near Spottsylvania Court House is represented to be the most desperate of the war. The Tribune’s correspondent writing from the battle field estimates our loss at 40,000 during the six days’ struggle. We believe this estimate will fall far short of the actual number killed, wounded and missing.

Wounded being carried away (by Alfred R.aud, may 6, 1864; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20832)

“Wounded being carried away” (May 6, 1864)

Gen. BUTLER is on the Peninsula with a large force working his way towards Richmond, but he does not seem to progress very rapidly towards the rebel capital.

The engagement on Tuesday was fought near the Po river, and it is asserted that in dogged stubbornness Waterloo and Solferino pale before the terific [sic] onslought [sic] of that day. The slaughter was unprecedented, and yet neither side seems to have gained any particular advantage over the other. On Wednesday the fighting was renewed but without any decisive result. – LEE means to contest every inch of ground to Richmond, and judging from the magnitude of the struggle, there will be but little left of GRANT’s army by the time it reaches the rebel capitol.

150 years ago today the Times had a more balanced headline as it got more details from its correspondent at the front.

Overland nyt 5-13-1864

a full report from correspondent

NVirginia NY Times 5-13-1864

The New -York Times. May 13, 1864

Battle of the Wilderness--Desperate fight on the Orange C.H. Plank Road, near Todd's Tavern, May 6th, 1864 (by Kurz & Allison, c1887; LOC: LC-DIG-pga-01859)

bloody stalemate? (Kurz & Allison c.1887)

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printers to the front

Posted on May 12, 2014 by SUMPTER
The Wilderness, on the Brock road, 2nd Corps--May 11th 1864 (by Edwin Forbes, 5-11-1864; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20682)

“The Wilderness, on the Brock road, 2nd Corps–May 11th 1864”

150 years ago a Richmond paper couldn’t give its readers as much war news as it would have liked because its some of it employees were called to military duty. However, people could rest assured: General Lee telegraphed that the Army of Northern Virginia was still holding off the biggest Union army.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 12, 1864:

Thursday morning…May 12, 1864.
The movements on Richmond–Dispatch from Gen. Lee–the enemy reported to be falling back on the Southside — the cavalry raid.

The city was fall of excitement yesterday. As the local forces were out, and the printers were called “to the front,” we are unable to give a very full account of affairs as they transpired, but we think that all the important intelligence relative to the movement upon Richmond is given below:

From Gen. Lee–the enemy again repulsed.

The following gratifying intelligence from Gen. Lee was received at the War Department yesterday:

Spotsylvania C. H.,Via Guiney’s, May 11th.

The Honorable Secretary of War:

Gen. Grant’s army is entrenched near this place, on both sides of the Bro[c]k road. –Frequent skirmishing occurred yesterday and to-day, each army endeavoring to discover the position of the other. To-day the enemy shelled our lines and made several assaults with infantry against different points, particularly on our left, held by Gen. R. H Anderson. The last which occurred after sunset, was the most obstinate; some of the enemy leaping over the breastworks.–They were easily repulsed, except in front of Gen. Doles’s brigade, where they drove our men from their position, and from a four-gun battery there posted. The men were soon rallied, and by dark our line was re-established and the battery recovered.

JH - Spots CH (by Jedediah Hotchkiss: LOC: http://www.loc.gov/item/2005625075/)

Doles in the middle (as Jedediah Hotchkiss mapped Spotsylania)

A large body of the enemy moved around our left on the evening of the 9th, and took possession of the road about midway between Shady Grove Church and the Court-House. Gen. Early, with a part of Hill’s corps, drove them back this evening, taking one gun and a few prisoners.

Thanks to a merciful Providence, our casualties have been small.

Among the wounded are Brig. Gens. Hayes and H. H. Walker.

R. E. Lee.

The following private dispatch, from Mayor Slaughter, of Fredericksburg, was received yesterday. It refers to the repulse mentioned in Gen. Lee’s telegram:

Guiney’s, May11, 1864.

I came here to obtain information from Fredericksburg. I hear nothing but the statement that citizens have been arrested as hostages for prisoners we captured there on Sunday.

There was severe fighting yesterday near Spotsylvania C. H. The Yankees, drunk with liquor, attacked our entire entrenchments and were repulsed with terrible slaughter.

Musketry firing was heard to-day in the same direction. The news is generally favorable.

M. Slaughter.

Some anxiety was felt in the public mind as to the supplies for Gen. Lee’s army, which may be removed by the fact that all the railroad damage done by the raiders has been repaired, and Gen. Lee’s line of communication is intact.

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