The enemy’s iron clads are of much lighter draft that we supposed… #civilwar150

Latest War News

From Eastern North Carolina – Wilmington, Jan’y 24 – By information almost direct from Beaufort, we learn that the enemy’s iron clads are said to be of much lighter draft than we had supposed, being only nine feet two inches. They have one or two pilots who know this river perfectly.
The boats of the Monitor class are merely floating batteries, without speed or sea-going qualities. They had to be towed around from Fortress Monroe, and dare not venture out from Beaufort while there is any swell outside.

The Yankees at Beaufort say they are coming here the first favorable weather.

An Abolition force consisting of about a thousand cavalry, with a battery of light artillery, made a reconnaissance in force this week as far as Jacksonville, in onslow county, but almost immediately returned within the Abolition lines at Newbern.

Source: Fayetteville Observer January 26, 1863 as found on www.digitalnc.org

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Report of the loss of the steamer Kate, just arrived from Nassau with a valuable cargo #civilwar150

Loss of the Steamer Kate

A dispatch from Wilmington, November 19, to a commercial house in this city, received Wednesday morning, thus reports the loss of the favorite steamer Kate, the consort of the Gordon. “The steamer Kate struck the river obstruction near Fort Caswell early yesterday morning, and soon after sunk at Smithville wharf. She had just arrived from Nassau with a valuable cargo. Most of the cargo, it is thought, will be saved, but in a damaged condition.  Charleston Courier, 20^th

*** More information about the Kate and other Cape Fear Shipwrecks can be found in National Register nomination for the district here.

Source: North Carolina Whig  (Charlotte, NC), November 25, 1862 as found on www.digitalnc.org.

 

 

 

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emancipation has followed in their footsteps [the US army] since Butler pronounced them “Contraband” #cw150

September 29, 1862

Above is the Proclamation of Mr Lincoln emancipating the slaves after the 1^st of Jan 1863. (see next post today for more information)

“Whom the gods destroy they make first blind.”  For to us it cannot be much more injurious when they are in possession than their conduct has already been to us, for practically emancipation has followed in their footsteps since Butler pronounced them “Contraband,” and where they are not in possession the proclamation cannot do us much harm.  Mere “brutem fulmen” but to the border states Maryland & Kentucky.  I should think it would speak in tones of thunder & if anything can, make them a unit against the North.

Good news yesterday from Aiken.  We feel much relieved on that score.  No mail today, the schedule of the Wilmington & Weldon R. R. said to be changed on account of the prevalence of yellow fever in Wilmington.  It has been pronounced epidemic.  Sad news in yesterday’s papers from our dead at Sharpsburg.  Besides Gen Branch & Col Tew, Capt Meares, & many officers of the 3d N C, the Col. of which Regt, Col De Rosset, is severely wounded.  Capt Meares was engaged to be married to Miss Amouret Bradley of Wilmington, a lady whom I often met when at Wrightsville last summer.  Poor thing, what a blow to her!  Col De Rosset is the same gentleman, then Capt De Rosset, who I mentioned as writing a Military Code for the organization of the Militia at the time that Mr E wrote his “Code Patrick” & which I thought inferior to it, not two years since–& Ah! what changes!  The other dead & wounded officers I do not know personally, but their names are of the  best in the State.

Full accounts of our losses since the army left for Manassas have been received, but the authorities in Richmond do not think it best to publish them—a bad sign for us!  The Northern papers recede somewhat from their arrogant claims of a victory at Sharpsburg.  They now say that it was the bloodiest & most indecisive battle of the War—clearly a drawn battle tho we retained the field.  We have, it appears, retired from Harpers Ferry, which they re-occupy in force—a bad omen for the Victory we claimed.  The possession of Harpers Ferry was claimed by us as worth the advance into Maryland, & yet we cannot hold it.  God be with us!  Turn not away Thy face, O God, but be with our army a help in time of need.

 

Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html

 

 

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Yesterday morning the steamer Kate ran the blockade and anchored…it is reported she has the Yellow Fever on board #cw150

Ran the Blockade

Yesterday morning the steamer Kate ran the blockade and anchored near Smithville. Our authorities have sent down, ordering her not to come up, as it is reported she has the Yellow Fever on board.

Two schooners approached our bar last night. One of them was chased up the beach, where she grounded, and the blockaders fired on her from three o’clock this morning till after daylight. The blockaders were too far off for our guns to reach them.

The other schooner had 4,500 bushels salt on board, and succeeded in getting in safe.

Wilmington Journal, 25^th September 1862

** Yellow Fever raged through Wilmington beginning in August 1862.  Read an article on NCPedia about the Wilmington Yellow Fever Epidemic here.

 

Source: Fayeteville Observer, September 29, 1862 as found in www.digitalnc.org

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Today is the Thanksgiving ordered by President Davis for the second Victory of Manassas. #cw150

September 18, 1982 [part 2]

Today is the Thanksgiving ordered by President Davis for the second Victory of Manassas.  “Lord with glowing heart I do praise Thee.”  Thou only has given us Victory!  Thou has preserved us from the power of the enemy!  To Thee be our praise & gratitude due!  May our lives show forth Thy praise!  May each soldier in our army realize that he is Thy servant, bound to Thee by ties of  gratitude & obedience & may he never soil his sword by or commit an act upon which he would shrink to ask Thy blessing!  May he remember that “Thou O God see’st him.”

Yellow Fever reported in Wilmington.  It rages at Key West.  God help our soldiers in the Sea ports; unacclimated as they are, it will make fearful ravages amongst them.

Our Army occupy the Sugar Loaf mountain as a Telegraph & look out station and well is it adapted for the purpose.  How well I remember it!  How it was the first object which met my gaze as I looked out in the morning, the last upon which the Sun seemed to love to linger at night, & that one white spot—half way up—which used to excite our curiosity & interest so!  Was it a house?  If so it was an enormous one.  Or was it a “cliff of shadowy tint”?  How we longed to be able to fly that we might see the view from its summit!  Little did it enter into our girlish heads—that it would ever be of such use to us; that from it the issues of life & death perhaps to our nearest & dearest friends would be viewed.  The Yankees say that from it all movements of troops from Washington, Baltimore, Harpers Ferry, etc., can be viewed and that is of immense advantage to us.  I hope it is with all my heart.

Heard from Sue that Frank Jones has an appointment as 3d Ass. Engineer on board the C S Steamer Chicora & has gone to Charelston to join her.  I hope he will be satisfied now & not resign again, especially as he has seen how difficult it is to get a Commission.

Kate Miller has gone to Augusta to pay a visit to Miss Eves.  Mr John Dunlop was wounded in the thigh at Manassas, slightly only, she writes me, but he cannot get home nor his friends get to him.  She goes to Petersburg soon.

Father & Mama well & at the Salt Sulphur Springs.  Mama indignant at Gen Loring’s long inactivity which she hears attributed to a desire to pay his addresses to Mr Beirne’s daughter, whilst one of his Staff, Butler King’s son, had like aspirations as regards Miss Capterton.  She ought now to forgive him & the ladies to smile on him, as—

“None but the brave!—

“None but the brave!—

“None but the brave!—deserve the fair!”

In this case we must add the successful brave.  I fear Sydney Johnston was right when he said that the test of military actions in most minds was “success.”  It is a “base test” but one which influences the many.  Few can see the merit which only deserves success & fewer still are contented with it.

Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html

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You ought to come down some evening to dress parade and see us go through the manual and hear the fine notes of the Bethel band #cw150

Camp Davis, N.C.

Sept. 20^th 1862

 

My Dearest Friend,

I wrote to you only a few days since, but as I wrote the yellow Fever was raging in Wilmington and it was quite probable that our regiment would have it from imprudence; I now write to lesson any fears that you may have of the fatal disease.  When I wrote to you before I stated that on the day previous there were fifty new cases reported; since I understand that that was an exaggeration, although brought from town by Capt. Bird it was not true, only in part.

There has been several cases but not half as many as we first heard.

Col. Leventhorpe came from town a few days since, he says when he left there was several cases but that it had not taken an epidemic character as yet.

I hope this may relieve you of any fears you may entertain of the malignant disease.

We lost another Captain a few days since, Capt. Jennings Co. G from Chapel Hill, he had Typhoid Fever and was sent to the hospital from thence he started home but ere he reached the station where he was to stop he died.  He will be a great loss to the company and also to the regiment he being one of the best Captains in it.

Nearly every day brings us good news from our armies, the latest is that Gen. Jackson has taken Harpers Ferry with the whole company (10,000) and all the government stores; and Gen. D. H. Hill whiped McClellan in Maryland after two days hard fighting; and Gen. Price gained a victory over the Federals at Iuka capturing the place; and various other places where our arms have been victorious, of less importance.

Surely so many reverses to the enemy ought to bring them to their senses and show them that the south will never be subdued.

When I hear of our brother soldiers doing so much in Va and Maryland it makes me want to be with them for we are doing nothing here and I don’t believe we ever will.

I hope you will have no cause in the future to complain of my not writing for I intend at least that is my notion now that I will write to you weekly and I want you not to forget to answer them either.  We are having very warm weather for the season.

Gen. Clingman has been removed from this district and Gen. Rains takes command.

You ought to come down some evening to dress parade and see us go through the manual and hear the fine notes of the Bethel band; they are beginning to play splendidly.  Dorsey was very mad when he came back and too several of the boys through a talk for us taking he said the advantage of him in his absence, he said that we the leading ones influenced a great many of the illiterate to sign it through misrepresentations, which I and others pronounced a falsehood.  I told him that the thing was not misrepresented to any one but all new full well the meaning and signed it of their own free will.  He says he will not resign; he knows he never will get another as for—office, but few in the company like him.  Give Puss a brothers love for me.  Write soon and often to

Lewis

the soldier

 

Sources: Mike and Carol Lawing, eds., My Dearest Friend: The Civil War Correspondence of Cornelia McGimsey and Lewis Warlick (Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2000). Original collections of the papers are in the Laura Cornelia McGimsey Papers and the George Phifer Erwin Papers in the Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill.

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I’m fearful I can’t get a furlough to go home and get married #civilwar150

Camp Davis N.C.

Sept. 16^th 1862

 

Dearest Corrie

Yours of the 3^rd Inst. came to hand yesterday long time getting here.  You complain that you get no letters from me.  I don’t know why it is I wrote to you twice while at Topsail and got but one from you so you see I write oftener than you.  The four companies that were at Topsail got marching orders last Saturday evening for Wilmington and after making ready one days rations; started about 8 at night marched all night and reached Wilmington on Sunday morning where they were joined by the other six companies from this place; did not remain there long till it got orders to march here at once as the Yellow Fever was raging in Wilmington, the six companies came on immediately but the other four were so much fatigued from their march the night previous, they only came out three miles and halted until the next morning.  I escaped the hard march on Saturday night by being detailed to take care of the baggage.  I didn’t leave Topsail till Sunday morning and then I got to drive part of the way which was very acceptable; at dark we got with the boys in three miles of Wilmington where we all bivouacked for the night—the next morning we came here.

I was in hopes when we left Topsail we were then on our way to old “Stonewall” in Maryland but alas the Yellow Fever or something else stopped us.  I dislike for the Yellow Fever to be in Wilmington; on yesterday morning there were fifty new cases reported and five deaths the night previous.  It has been there six weeks and the doctors did not ascertain that it was the Yellow Fever until a few days since.  It was brought in by the Steamer Kate, one case it was taken to the hospital and there it began to spread till it has gotten extensively circulated in the town; all business is closed and everything doing to prevent it from getting any wider hold in the streets.  They are burning turpentine and rosin—the trains not allowed to come into the depot, they stop outside not far distant.  I fear we will get it into the regiment as there was a good many of the boys out in town Saturday night.  It is said to be very contagious and fatal.  I wish we could get to go to Maryland.  I believe the whole regiment would like to do so as we are doing nothing here and I don’t see that we ever will.

I have some very nice shells I wish you had but have no way of sending them.  I don’t like to hear of so many marrying and I have to live single so long I’m fearful I can’t get a furlough to go home and get married, but then it might be I couldn’t get anybody—would tell me to wait three or four months or wait and see if the war wouldn’t close by the next year.  I must quit writing as my breakfast is nearly ready.

Give Puss my kindest regards.  I hope I’ll not get to lazy to write any more.  Direct as before.  This is written in a hurry and if you cant read it bring it down and I will read it for you.

As ever your devoted friend and lover

Lewis

Sources: Mike and Carol Lawing, eds., My Dearest Friend: The Civil War Correspondence of Cornelia McGimsey and Lewis Warlick (Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2000). Original collections of the papers are in the Laura Cornelia McGimsey Papers and the George Phifer Erwin Papers in the Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill.

 

 

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there will be one of the most bloody battles before long you ever heard of in modern times #cw150

Wilmington NC

June 24^th 1862

My Dearest Friend

Again I am about to drop you a few lines, but you need not expect to gain much information from them as I have only a small store of news on hand but knowing that you would like to get a sheet and envelope at any time from me even if there was only the words I am well, and my signature; there I concluded that I would give the mail a small burden consisting of the foregoing articles if no more.

You will see by the head of this that we have changed camp again; on the 18^th inst. we got marching orders (being there at camp Wyatt) for Petersburg VA. We at once went to work and prepared two days rations and was put on the march that evening for this place and arrived the next morning very fatigues from the heavy march through the heavy sand, I fell out on the way from a pain in my left hip, rested awhile and started overtaking the regiment at the next resting place, and from that on I kept along with the rear guard although suffering a good deal from the pain. After arriving here the order was countermanded, then officers as well as privates began to grumble, as they did not wish to return to camp Wyatt on account of the heavy roads and the great hatred they had for the former camp; they all expressed a desire to go on to Richmond or join Jackson rather than go back among those fleas that are so numerous. I will relate what one of Col. Tews’ men told me and then you can imagine how plentiful they were (by the way we took the place of Col. Tews’ regiment (2^nd) at Camp Wyatt he having been ordered to report in Richmond, he said you might take up a bucket of sand at night and by the next morning it would be all jumped out. What do you think of that?  How would like to live where there are so many of the troublesome little fellows? I forgot to say that after the order was countermanded we got orders to remain here until further orders, which was received with smiling countenances. It is not known how long we will stay here or where we will go to when we leave, my opinion is that we will be ordered to Va. before long; there has been two regiments gone on since we came up here one being a Georgia. And the other the 43^rd NC that camp up from Smithville after us, destined forVa.

Gen. Beauregard and staff passed through two nights since and a week or two previous Gen. Price and staff also all bound forRichmond, and by the papers I learn that a portion of their army is now on their way. It seems that Richmond is to be held at all hazards; there will be one of the most bloody battles before long you ever heard of in modern times, I think the whipping we are going to give them there will be the means of effecting a peace. R.V. Michaux and Asbury Puett arrived night before last. Mr. Puett’s son is very ill, don’t get any better cant hold out much longer unless a change. You speak of visiting us here if we remain this summer – wish you would come now – would like to see you even if you would look sour at me for not telling you good bye, never mind the next time I leave you I will tell you good bye twice. I wish the war was over and I was on Linville; don’t you?

You must go down to “dads” house some of these times and see Harriet. I wish I could be at home next Sunday I would get to see you at Mountain Grove. I know you will be there with your flowered dress or a new one. There is no place to buy cheap goods when you come down you can by in a supply; calico is worth only $1.00 per yard and everything else in proportions.

Your goodest friend

Lewis

 

Sources: Mike and Carol Lawing, eds., My Dearest Friend: The Civil War Correspondence of Cornelia McGimsey and Lewis Warlick (Durham,NC:Carolina Academic Press, 2000). Original collections of the papers are in the Laura Cornelia McGimsey Papers and the George Phifer Erwin Papers in the Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill.

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death before dishonor…my first duties are to my country and then to you #cw150

Camp Davis near Wilmington

June 3^rd 1862

Dearest Cornelia

Yours of the 25 inst. came to hand yesterday which was gladly received and now am about to respond but feel incapable of doing so.

You say this is the first time in life you ever experienced a sad disappointment and was done by the one who you thought would give you the least trouble, that I came off without telling you good by or even tell you I was not going back; now you seem to think that it was intentional on my part that I knew very well when I left you that I did not expect to go back home but to remain.

I did not for a moment suppose that you would even sinuate, much less to say I had treated you badly; did I not explain to you in my last why it was that I did stay? I think I did. You say I ought to go home and hire a substitute, that I guess would be a hard job for men are so scare at home I would not know where to get one that would be received in my place, and further more I would not get on if I could from the fact that it shall not be thrown up to my relations in future years that you had an uncle, brother, or that your father or perhaps grandfather would not go into the service when he was called on to assist his country in this great struggle for independence – was too cowardly, afraid of the Yankees & but hired a substitute to be shot in my stead never never shall it be said of me or any descendants; death before dishonor. Dear Corrie you very well know that it is hard for me to leave you but I consider I am doing rightly. I think my first duties are to my country and then to you. I hope I may be spared to see the end of the war and then you and I will marry and try and live a happy life in the future. I pray do not sensure me for treating you badly if I have done so it was not intended.  It makes me feel badly to think that you blame me for every think I do that is not according to your views.

I have wanted to go into the service ever since last winter but you refused to let me come. I could have come against your remonstrances but did not want to do any thing to wound your feelings, which I have never done on purpose to my knowledge, but yet you say I have. Enough of that and I will write something else.

Before this reaches you   you will have heard of the great slaughter at Richmond* Saturday & Sunday the particulars of which we have not got yet only telegrams. All quiet there yesterday up to noon. We had marching orders last week but have never heard the word march. It was said by the Col.that our destination would be Weldon.

Last week the blockading squadron captured the steamer Gordon off Fort Caswell from Bermuda bound for Wilmington her cargo consisted partly in five thousand stands of arms and twenty tons powder which would have been some little help to our army; we could hear the report of the guns very distinctly while they were firing on her.

Last week three of the squadron engaged the batteries atFortFisherafter firing over a hundred shots they withdrew, the only damage done was that of a shell killing a negro woman and chicken   the chicken being carried by the negro.

I have joined Armfields company. Last week I had a severe attack of the diarrhea, am getting better I dont think I’ll have any more chills. You said you wanted some paper. I have plenty such as it is but I don’t know how I will send it to you, I will send the first opportunity, in this I’ll send some stamps.Jacksonhas been doing good service don’t you think so! I hope he is inBaltimorethis morning and then will right about march and come on Washingtonin the rear and burn it up and capture old Abe that would be too good.

This is so badly written I don’t know whether you can read it or not. Write often to your devoted lover

Lewis

 

Give my kindest regards to Puss and all my friends.

*Battleof Seven Pines: see NPS page: http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va014.htm

And Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Seven_Pines

 

Sources: Mike and Carol Lawing, eds., My Dearest Friend: The Civil War Correspondence of Cornelia McGimsey and Lewis Warlick (Durham,NC:Carolina Academic Press, 2000). Original collections of the papers are in the Laura Cornelia McGimsey Papers and the George Phifer Erwin Papers in the Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill.

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If not for my darling sweetheart at home these troublesome times would pass more swiftly but my mind is always upon her #cw150

Camp Davis near Wilmington

May 21^st 1862

Dearest Cornelia,

Perhaps you would like to know what has become of me and think you would I have concluded to pen you a few lines before the sun begins to poring his rays from the Maredian. You will see by the neading of this that I have got down in the turpentine country and sand where the staple production is peanuts and tallow-faced women. I told you I intended going home this week, but since I came here I have come to the conclusion to remain from the fact if I was to go home the conscript act would soon bring me into service and upon the whole I think it is but time for me stay where I am acquainted and furthermore I feel better now than I have in three months – haven’t had a chill or been sick since I arrived in camps, getting stronger every day.

I have not joined any company yet not don’t know which I will Brown’s or Armfields. Brown has a vacancy of Lieutenant in his company and desires me to join, says he will use his influence for my election but I’m almost afrain to join him for fear I would be defeated and then have to remain in the ranks which I would not like in that company, I’d prefer being a private in Armfields. I wish you were her to advise me, but that wouldn’t do for I adhered to your council last winter when I could have got a position and now am about to go in the service for the war as a high private. This war cruel war I wish it was at an end and we could see our country once more enjoying the peace we once had but alas I fear many weeks and month will pass away before such is the case. If it was not for my darling sweetheart at home these troublesome times would pass more swiftly but my mind is always upon her and the time drags heavily.

Your sincere Lover

Lewis

Margin note by Lewis: “Give me kindest regards to Susan & Puss and say to them if they have beaux in the army to write often to them for it makes a fellow feel mighty well for him to get a letter from his “gal”. Lieut. Parks passed just now and told me to give you his best respects and would write soon. Write often and I will try and do the same.”

Sources: Mike and Carol Lawing, eds., My Dearest Friend: The Civil War Correspondence of Cornelia McGimsey and Lewis Warlick (Durham,NC:Carolina Academic Press, 2000). Original collections of the papers are in the Laura Cornelia McGimsey Papers and the George Phifer Erwin Papers in the Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill.

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