A Letter From Vicksburg

As a nice bookend to the Gettysburg letter, this one was sent from Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 10, 1863. It gives a Western flavor to July of '63. Written by Adjutant Edward P. Stanfield, 48th Indiana Volunteer Infantry to his brother Howard. He is in the process of paroling the numerous Confederate prisoners that Ulysses Grants Army of the Tennessee had penned up and finally captured at that important town. The letter contains some interesting details about the surrender and the make up of the rebel forces. Again this appears as it was written save for paragraph breaks. Illegible words appear in [], to the nearest guess by the transcriber. (The Picket)

Stanfield writes:

Head Quarters, 48th Indiana Vols

In Vicksburg, Miss. July 10th

Dear How,

I've just received your letter of the 30th inst. yesterday. Doubtless the good news of the capture of Vicksburg has reached you on this. We are greatly elated by our success especially so because it happened on the 4th. That fact is galling to the rebels. On the 3^rd about day light a flag of truce came out of their works and it soon was rumored that a negotiation was going on. Grant and Pemberton sat together under a peach tree and discussed the terms of surrender. Night closed in and nothing had been effected, for Pemberton tried to carry every thing with a high hand. His proposition was, to be permitted to march out of town with their colors, arms, etc. Grant would have nothing but an unconditional surrender. The night of the 3rd was so quiet and calm as if peace prevailed.

 

Artist rendering of the meeting published after the war.

Orders for the celebration of the 4th were issued. 34 rounds were to be fired by every battery in the line at [meridian] and 13 at sunrise. The rebels [dreaded] it and at day light they surrendered with the understanding that they would be paroled and sent home. Such an arrangement was much better than sending them North. Here it is six days since the surrender and the paroling isn't finished yet.

In the meantime the rebel soldiers dispirited and homesick have mingled freely with our men and been treated kindly by them. The effect has been wonderful. They have discovered that the Yankees are human beings and not the men they were represented to be. Two thirds of this rebel army is lost to the Secession cause. They will escape to their homes and defy the conscription. Hundreds of them are taking the oath of allegiance and going North. Many are escaping across the Mississippi river. I think Mr. Pemberton will have hard work to get such a large body of  un armed into a parole camp. When the paroling is finished they are all-- Pemberton at their head-- to march out. I suppose you know how many cannon and small arms we took. It is stated that there were here 50,000 stand of arms – which hadn't been taken out of the boxes – for Price's Army. These guns are perfectly new and hadn't been used. An order has yet been issued stating the number of prisoners but they are supposed to be 32,000 including sick and wounded. The history of the war cant show another such a success as this, from the beginning to the end.

 

As soon as Vicksburg fell six brigades, including ours were left here and the rest of the army under Sherman started across the Big Black for Jackson. I hear that there has been some little fighting with Johnston but it didn't amount to much as Johnston took good care to keep at a respectful distance. I expect we are in possession of Jackson by this time. We are rapidly repairing the railroad in that direction.

Among the rebels are a great many Indianians: Joshua Miller, son of the furniture Miller at South Bend is here. Alex La Pierre [?] our Serg't Major found a cousin and the Adjt. Of the 59th Indiana found his half brother.

[So your the world]-- I hope to get home sometime before Winter. Its about impossible for well man to get a leave. But I am bound to go before many months if I have to get “dismissed the service”. Capt Hart started day before yesterday. He was quite low and hardly fit to travel. The Colonel hasn't sent in his resignation and he will be out of the service in a few days I think.

Give my love to Ma and Eva and the young 'un,

Your affectionate brother

E.P. Stanfield [1]

The 48th was organized at Goshen, (Elkhart county) December 6, 1861. Up to the time of its participation around Vicksburg the regiment had been at the siege of Corinth, Battle of Iuka, Second Battle at Corinth, Jackson, Raymond and Champion Hill. During the siege of Vicksburg the regiment was part of the May 22 assault on the rebel works where they lost 38 men killed and wounded. [2] The men hailed mostly from the extreme northern end of the state, mostly from Elkhart, Jasper, and St. Joseph counties, with a fair sprinkling from Whitley, Marshall and Greene counties. It is this fact that makes Stanfield's discovery of “a great many Indianians among the rebs” so surprising, especially the man from South Bend.

I have always enjoyed old letters and diaries, and I really enjoy transcribing them. At times that task is quite difficult due to fading ink or the way the letters of alphabet were shaped in the 19th century as opposed to today’s standard. It is challenging at times but the value of the letter should not be overlooked. They often give us small details, such as the 50,000 muskets destined for Price's army, that may be brushed aside in more scholarly treatments of the events. In this case a fast check of the Official Records does not reveal anything about it. It does not mean that it is not true, but it does give a direction for further research. Although, in relating the musket story, it appears Stanfield is passing along second hand information. It does make sense though given Vicksburg's prominence as a shipping point.

I hope you have enjoyed the two letters posted here. More will come but I have no plans on becoming a transcribed letter blog. There will be just enough to be interesting without being tedious. That is unless my loyal readers request more. Then I will be happy to oblige!

The Picket

Sources

1- Indiana Historical Society, http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dc008&CISOPTR=364&REC=2 Transcribed from the original by Steven R. Gore

2- Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, volume 2, 1865. page 480 Google books at http://books.google.com/

Drawing Credit

Library of Congress, at http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/civwar/item/2003663125/ 

A Letter From Gettysburg

This is an interesting letter written by Captain David E. Beem, Company H, 14^th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Written July 5, 1863, Beem gives an overview look at the Battle of Gettysburg. Although not extremely detailed, it does offer a glimpse of how one man witnessed the battle. It exudes the excitement he, as well as the entire Army of the Potomac felt upon achieving the “glorious victory”. Paragraphs and some punctuation have been added for clarity, and remarks in parentheses are added to place the narrative in context of the events. Otherwise it is as it was written.

My dear wife,

The Army of the Potomac has again met the enemy, and after three days desperate fighting, have achieved the most glorious victory of the war. The fighting ceased on the evening of the third but until now have had no chance to write and even now my facilities for writing are very poor, but I will give the best narrative of events I can.

I last wrote you at Frederick on Sunday last, which place we left on Monday. The Regiment marched during Monday and Monday night to Uniontown, a hard march indeed. I rode in an ambulance, the train took the wrong road and after driving hard all night and until 3 o'clock on Tuesday we got up to the Reg't Wednesday morning at day light. We were on the road, marched from Uniontown to Tannytown where we took the road to this place.

When we moved to within a few miles of this town we ascertained that the First Army Corps had that day engaged the enemy and it, with a portion of the Eleventh Corps was badly defeated, the rebels largely outnumbering them. They fell back a mile to the East and North of Gettysburg where they were reinforced by the 3^rd, 5^th, and 12^th corps. Our 2^nd Corps got within two miles on Wednesday, the 1^st . On the morning of the 2^nd we took our place in the line of battle and without having gone to eat breakfast we were ready for the great conflict. (On Cemetery Hill)

 

The Fish Hook

We had a splendid position, our line being somewhat shaped like a V. The 2^nd Corps occupied the center, or apex of the V which was close to the town and on a high eminence in open fields where we had some 40 pieces of artillery planted. During the entire engagement this position was shelled by the enemy and in all my experience as heretofore, I was never under such a terrible shelling. On Thursday the 2^nd , with the exception of occasional cannon, all was quiet until about 3 o'clock PM when the rebels opened all their batteries on their left, the firing was awful and proceeded from left to right, a distance of four miles, until the whole line sent up one grand roar and dense cloud of smoke. At 4 PM the artillery slackened and for a few moments it seemed the demonstration was for that day over. In a few minutes , however, our pickets commenced a rapid musketry fire on the extreme left, they soon came hurrying back to the lines and in a moment the rebels, massed in tremendous columns rushed with a loud cheer upon the 3^rd Corps commanded by Sickles. (The Peach Orchard) Bravely did these gallant veterans meet and with the timely assistance of other forces this part of the line was made as strong as a mountain, which all the desperate energy of the rebels could not sway. Our artillery was used with great effect. Indeed, the artillery in this series of engagements did splendid service. The musketry firing was in a assent, and crash after crash resounded along the line for a mile and a half and the repeated efforts to turn our left were foiled before night. Only a part of our corps was engaged in this great attack on the left but the two divisions that were in the fight did nobly and suffered much. Our Brigade (Carroll’s) were during this time supporting the batteries in the center and were not in the musketry but under heavy artillery fire.

About six o'clock PM after the heavy attack on the left had been repulsed, a fourth attack was made on our right which did not last very long nor was it very desperate. Just at dark appearances indicated that a desperate attempt was to be made on our center to storm the batteries there. We were duly warned of this and ready for any event. The Eleventh Corps, or rather a part of it, supported a battery (Ricketts F-G, 1^st Pennsylvania Light) just on our right which it was necessary to defend as the loss of it would have ruined the day. We had no confidence in the Dutch of the 11^th. As soon as it was dark the rebels, a very heavy column, with great rapidity [fell] on this battery. The Dutch ran like cowards, the battery was unsupported and almost in the hands of the enemy.** Our Brigade was ordered to change front, which we did quickly, and went to the support of the battery on the double quick.

 

Carroll's Brigade moving to support Ricketts' Battery

We arrived just in the nick of time. They had already surrounded one gun. The artillerists defended their pieces bravely but nearly lost them. One artillerist knocked a rebel down with his sponge staff. When we approached the officers of the battery threw their hats in the air and shouted for joy. We pushed right on through to the rebel horde and got right in among them but they did not long stand our rapid volleys. They ran pell mell, several of their officers were wounded and fell into our hands together with a large number of prisoners and in thirty minutes the attack was repulsed and the battery saved.

 

Here occurred our only loss and here is the mournful part of my letter. Two of our very best men, Corporal Issac Norris and Sergeant John Troth were killed, both instantly. Norris was carrying the flag which was presented to us by the ladies of Spencer. A ball had previously shot the staff in two places. He was then shot by a ball through the head and never knew more. Troth was shot through the heart and never spoke. I could have laid my hand on him when he fell. Strange to say none were wounded-- all came out unscathed. I cannot say to much in praise of the two brave men who fell nor have I time to say what I would like. None ever fell more nobly, none were ever mourned more by surviving comrades. They were buried by their friends as decently as possible under an apple tree and headboards suitably inscribed placed at their graves. I will not probably have an opportunity soon to write to their friends but will do so soon as I can.

The rebels had thus far been repulsed with heavy loss on all sides but not an inch of ground had been taken from us. But the heaviest fighting was yet to come. At 4 ½ in the morning of the 3rd they made a desperate effort was made to break our right, which rested on a range of hills. The fighting was nearly all musketry and for six long hours the crash and roar of close fighting was kept up with greater desperation than has perhaps been witnessed in the war. Time and again the rebels charged our line which sometimes swayed backwards but only to come forward again. At 10 o'clock finding that they could not break our right wing, they fell back.

Comparative quiet then prevailed until about five in the evening. At this time they massed all their forces for a last bold dash. It seems that every available man was put in their columns for the desperate onslaught. The attack was made a little to the left of our center and they came on with tremendous power. They had to pass over open fields under our artillery which opened with a roar upon them and thinned their ranks. Three times were they repulsed. Again they swept forward to where our infantry advanced upon the open plain to meet them and there commenced the last and bloodiest conflict. It was soon decided. Our men swept the field like a tornado, left it strewn with the dead and dying, captured several thousands, and were victorious on the bloody field. This was a grand and glorious moment. All our banners floated and from one end of our line to the other, tens of thousands sent up their cheers. Thus ended the three days conflict. Fighting a desperate foe for three days on the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd of July.

The Army of the Potomac, long resting under the disgrace of public opinion celebrated the glorious 4^th of July with their guns still black with powder and on the very field where they had vindicated their bravery.

I have not been over the battle field to a great extent but everywhere may be seen the horrible remains of a bloody day. When circumstances allow I will write you more particulars. All the boys of Co. H were in the engagement and all did their whole duty. Our flag has many scars and I shall send it home for safe keeping soon. I will write again when I can. Show this to father as I may not get to write to them at once. We will leave here probably to-day. No more at present, only my love to you and all- God bless you.

Your loving husband

David [1]

 

The men of the 14^th Indiana Volunteer Infantry were long time veterans by the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, with hard service at Winchester, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville to their credit. They were mustered into federal service June 7, 1861. They had originally formed in Vigo county in May as a one year regiment but soon volunteered for three years service and were so designated upon entering Federal service. The men comprising the regiment were drawn from Knox, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Vanderburg, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. David Beem had in the beginning been company First Sergeant for company H, but was soon made first lieutenant. He was commissioned as Captain dating from May 13, 1862. He survived the war and mustered out at the end of three years service on June 24, 1864.

At Gettysburg the regiment lost 123 officers and men killed or wounded. [2] When Beem refers to Troth and Norris being their only loss he is speaking only of Company H.

** R. Bruce Ricketts, captain of the battery abandoned by the 11^th Corps men later recorded:

“As soon as the charge commenced they, although they had a stone wall in their front, commenced running in the greatest confusion to the rear, hardly a shot was fired, certainly not a volley, and so panic stricken were they that several ran into the canister fire of my guns and were knocked over.” (Sears, Stephen W., Gettysburg, 2003, page 337-338)

 

The Picket

Sources

[1] David Beem letter transcribed by Steven R. Gore from the original at the Indiana Historical Society, from http://images.indianahistory.org/u?/dc008,144

[2] Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, Volume 2, 1865. pages 118-123 from Googlebooks.com http://books.google.com

Photo Credit

The 14TH Indiana Volunteer Infantry monument at Gettysburg. Craig Swain, February 21, 2009. from HMdb.org at http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=17190

Craig Swain is the author of the blog “To the Sound of the Guns” at http://markerhunter.wordpress.com/ Check it out sometime!

 

Map Credit

Maps by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com This is a neat place for maps while reading books that do not have maps.

July 4th, 1862, in Diaries

By the Fourth of July, 1862, the citizens of the United States and Confederate States had came to the realization that the war was not going to close soon. Since 1861 the casualty lists had lengthened dramatically since the battle at Bull Run/ Manassas (First). That July's casualties seemed miniscule when compared to the bloodletting at Shiloh in Tennessee and the battles outside Richmond during McClellan's Peninsula Campaign (Gaines' Mill and Fair Oaks to name two). Yet there were still many relatively new regiments in the armies of both sides that had yet to see much of the war outside of camp life, and some had yet to even fire their muskets in anger in so much as a skirmish. And of course there were still regiments from the summer of '61 that had “seen the elephant” up close and more often than they cared to see. Some of their thoughts concerning Independence Day made their way into diaries, letters, and regimental histories just as others had in the summer of 1861. The following are examples of such thoughts.

On July 4, 1862, Young Samuel E. Nichols of Brookfield, Massachusetts, wrote a letter to his brother Alpheus. Samuel was then attending school at Amherst College.

“And another reason why I should settle up everything this term is that the possibility is I may never come back to college. Have you not thought within the past few days, days undoubtedly of disaster to Union Arms and awfully destructive to our brothers in the field, days whose results seem almost inevitably to decide a policy unfavorable to us from arrogant, intermeddling and jealous nations, have you not thought, I repeat, that it was our imperative duty to take the places of our fallen soldiers, to meet the expectations of whom we have bidden Godspeed, and who are now in extreme peril and also to increase the original strength of the army, which with all its actual strength has nevertheless proven to weak? “Not men enough.” is the cry that passes from lip to lip. Now where are the 15 regiments that are to be formed in Massachusetts to come from, unless such men as you and I signify our willingness to go? I do not expect to go but I think it is my duty” [1]

Clearly Nichols is expecting to enlist despite his claim in the last line. He is but 20 years old, and he is expecting to go to the war and he brings up the “arrogant, intermeddling and jealous” nations, Britain and France, to coax his brother into joining also. Disaster on the battlefield and the threat of foreign intervention was a strong inducement to take up arms to defend the Union.

In less than three weeks, Samuel Nichols would enlist in the 37^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at Northampton. By his letters it does not appear that Alpheus joined his brother in the ranks.

In stark contrast to the exuberant Nichols is the diary entry of Corporal James E.Hall of the 31^st Virginia Infantry. By this July 4 he had over a year of marching and fighting in Western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. He was 20 years old as well. He writes:

“We have been marching all day, but I am lost as to the country about here. Damn such a way of spending the Fourth. I am so awfully tired of war I hardly know what to do.” [2]

Hall at this point was down on the Peninsula but seems to have missed some of the fighting due to illness.

Mrs. Henrietta Fitzhugh Barr, relates the following in her diary July 4, 1862:

“Formerly the anniversary of American Independence. The Union Sunday School assisted by the abolition friends are having a picnic, speeches,etc. in the woods.” The speeches were

interrupted by a guerrilla attack at a nearby town. The Federal soldiers in the crowd, a small cavalry unit, flew to their aid. She continues:

“I hear the picnic turned out (as such affairs usually do) stale, flat, and unprofitable. The ball that was to come off in the evening was indefinitely postponed. By a paper and dispatches we gladly welcomed the gratifying news of the success of our arms near Richmond. The information is very scanty coming as it does through Federal sources.” [3]

Mrs. Barr was a Confederate sympathizer living in Ravenswood, Jackson county, West Virginia. The Fitzhugh family had founded the town and at the beginning of the war they were one of only 13 families in the area to hold to such sympathy. From the Fitzhugh mansion she said she could look into “Yankee-Land”, or Southern Ohio. The “success of our arms” she refers to is the Seven Days Battles of June 25- July1 1862.

Kate Cumming, a nurse who attached herself to the Army of the Mississippi, (later Army of Tennessee) was at Mobile, Alabama when she wrote:

“The day that a few years ago by us was commemorated with so much pride as a nations anniversary for liberty won,now how changed! Part of that nation seeking to enslave the other!”

Ironic.

Independence Day, 1862 and the people of the land North and South still remembered the day but with wide and diverging views as shown in particular by the words of the two Southern ladies. Soldiers attitudes are changing somewhat, but patriotic fervor still lingered to a degree, although Confederates were under conscription since April. The year still held the promise of foreign intervention on behalf of the Confederacy and it was in the forefront of thought in the minds of the people in the North as well.

But it was only July 4. Although Shiloh, Pea Ridge, and The Seven Days battles had cost much in the way of treasure and blood, the sequel to Manassas, Antietam, Stone's River, and Fredricksburg lay ahead. The divided United States had seen nothing yet.

The Picket

Sources

1- Nichols, S. Edmund, Underhill, C. Sterling.(1929) Your Soldier boy Samuel: letters of Lieutenant Samuel Edmund Nichols,Amherst '65, of the 37^th regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.[Buffalo]: Priv. Print. Page 14

2- Hall, J. Edmond, Dayton, R. Woods, (1961). The Diary of a Confederate Soldier: James E. Hall.[Lewisburg ? W. Va.] Page 62

3- Barr, H. Fitzhugh. (1963). The Civil War Diary of Mrs. Henrietta Fitzhugh Barr (Barre): 1862-1863, Ravenswood, Virginia (West Virginia). Marietta, Ohio: Marietta College Pages 9-10

4-Cumming, K. (1866) A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee Louisville, Kentucky. Page 37

All retrieved from http://www.hathitrust.org/