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.

Posted inUS Civil War

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?

Posted inUS Civil War

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.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

September 28, 1861 – Important from the Head of the Passes

The following dispatch, by the Balize Telegraph Line, from Fort Jackson to Major General Twiggs, was received yesterday :

Fort Jackson, Sept. 2-0, 1861. Major General D. E. Twiggs:

Mr. Fulda, the telegraphic operator at the head of the Passes, arrived here this morning from that point. He reports an engagement between the C. S. steamer Ivy and the U. S. steamer Water Witch, without injury to the Ivy.

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September 27, 1861 – Southern Account of the Battle of Carnifex Ferry

Map of the Battle of Carnifex Ferry, 1861

From the editorial correspondence of the Lynchburg (Va.) Republican, of Sept. 11th, we extract the following statement with regard to the late engagement at Carnifex Ferry :

On Tuesday morning Col. McCauslin’s regiment, which had been down at Summerville as our advance, was driven in, and the enemy encamped 14 miles distant from us. We expected him to drive in our pickets on Tuesday night and attack us on Wednesday morning, but contrary to these expectation he forced his march and drove in our pickets at 2 o’cl’k Tuesday. Our line of battle was at once formed behind our breastworks, and scarcely had all our forces been placed in position, before the enemy was seen swarming in the woods from one end of our lines to the other. He approached with great deliberation and firmness, and his central column emerged from the woods and above the hills, 200 yards in front, just 16 minutes after 3 o’clock. He approached us from this point in double-quick time, evidently intending to force our works at the point of the bayonet. At the first crack of our rifles, the gallant Colonel, who led in front of his men on a splendid black charger, fell dead to the earth, while the head of his column recoiled in utter confusion. The Colonel’s horse, as if unconscious of the fall of his rider, dashed up to our embankments around them into our camp, and, from the inscriptions on the mountings of his pistols, proved to be Col. Wm. H. Lytell’s, of Cincinnati. I saw the daring officer fall from his horse, and he was certainly one of the bravest of the brave, for he sought “the bubble reputation” at the very cannon’s mouth.