Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
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.”
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.
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.
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.