June » 2014 » Today in the Civil War

June 8, 1864: Henry and Mary Warner to John Warner

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore. By the 1860s they had three surviving children: John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday June 8. 1865 Afternoon

Dear John, Now that we are about to write to you, what shall we say, or where will this letter find you. Well, we will still direct to Gettysburg, the only place we know where it will most likely and soonest fall into your hands; let you be where you will, if we only knew that your self & babe were in good health, we would rest easy, but looking at No. 67. morning and evening for the last three weeks causes us to think our Dear John has forgotten us: we are happy to inform you we are all well; Our Sanitary fair seems to be the all absorbing topick of the the day, Mother has been to see it, and considers it a great affair. I have not seen it yet. We have no other gossip that we can think of that would amuse you; Henry is very well, we secured a letter from him on last Friday evening, a portion of which I will quote, “I have just had a good dinner (as I have every day) and am in the enjoyment of excellent health. In reply to a letter from Lieut Kerr of our battery to Thomas Williams [N.C.?] from our county to see the secretary of War, and in our behalf, to offer our services, either as artillery, cavalry, or infantry that we might be sent to contribute our mite to the aid of Gen’l Grant, a letter came yesterday saying, that he (Mr. Williams) had seen sec’y Staunton in regard to the matter, who (Staunton) told him, that he had been importuned often enough on that subject, about removing our battery to the front. That good soldiers were needed at Fort Delaware as well as with General Grant. That he would not do it and that he felt compelled to deny us the privilege of “hobbling round” the rest of our days on a crutch. Williams says, “So, you will just have to be content with what nature has done for you in the shape of legs and arms”. Will now conclude and remain

Your affectionate father & mother Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],8 June 1864. Moore VI:06:6

June 7, 1864: Robert E. Lee to U. S. Grant

Transcript:

Head Qrs. Army No Va.

2 P.M. 7^th June 1864

Lieut. Genl. U. S. Grant

Commanding U. S. Armies

General-

Your note of 10/2 A.M. to-day has just been received. I regret that my letter to you of 7 P.M. yesterday should have been too late in reaching you to effect the removal of the wounded.

I am willing, if you desire it, to devote the hours between 6 and 8 this afternoon to accomplish that object upon the same terms and conditions as set forth in my letter of 7 P.M. yesterday. If this will answer your purpose and you will send parties from your lines at the hour designated with white flags. I will direct that they be recognized and be permitted to collect the dead and wounded.

I will also notify the officers on my lines that they will be permitted at the same hour to collect any of our men that may be on the field—I request you will notify me as soon as practicable if this arrangement is agreeable to you.

Lieut. McAlister, Corpl. Martin and two privates of the 8^th N.C. Regt. And Lieut. Hartman, Corpl. Kinler, and Privates Bass and Guy were sent last night, between the hours of 8 and 10 P.M. for the purpose of recovering the body of Col. Murchison, and as they have not returned, I presume they are the men mentioned in your letter—I request that they be returned to our lines.

Very respectfully

Your Obt. Servant

R. E. Lee

Referred to Gen. G. G. Meade Cmdg A. P.

I will notify Gen. Lee that hostilities will cease from 6 to 8 for the purpose mentioned. You may send the officers and men referred to as you deem best. Please return this.

U.S. Grant

Lt. Genl

Citation: Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) letter signed to Ulysses S. Grant. Cold Harbor, Va., 7 June 1864. AMs 359/27

June 6, 1864: New Book of Nonsense

The New Book of Nonsense was published for sale at the Philadelphia Great Central Sanitary Fair, which ran from June 7-29, 1864. It’s an imitation of Edward Lear’s Book of Nonsense.

Citation: The new book of nonsense. A contribution to the Great Central Fair in Aid of the Sanitary Commission. Philadelphia: Ashmead & Evans, 1864. A 864n

June 5, 1864: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

Transcript:

Sunday. At Church. There has been severe fighting near Richmond without any definite result.

Citation: John Henry Brown, autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 573/14.1

June 4, 1864: G.H. Terrett telegram to John M. Oley

Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was a Louisiana-born general of the Confederate States Army. He had graduated second in his class from West Point in 1838 and was an admirer of Napoleon. He achieved fame early in the Civil War for commanding the Fort Sumter bombardment and as the victor of the first battle of Manassas. He later served in the Western Theater (including Shiloh and Corinth), Charleston, and the defense of Richmond, but his career was hampered by friction with Jefferson Davis and other generals.

This is one of approximately 1000 military telegrams in P.G.T. Beauregard’s papers at the Rosenbach.

Transcript:

Dated Drewry’s Bluff June 4th 1864

Rec’d at June 4/64

To Maj JM Oley

Stow just read the following report. Three (3) monitors, one (1) large and his two (2) medium sized transports and three (3) [tugs] are lying together just below Howletts half a mile lower down the masts of his 2 gun boats. Can be seen above the trees.

G.H. Terret

Major Comdg

Citation:G.H. Terret, telegram to John M. Oley. Drewry’s Bluff, Va., 4 June 1864. AMs 1168/11

June 3, 1864: Note from Cold Harbor

This is one of approximately 1000 military telegrams in P.G.T. Beauregard’s papers at the Rosenbach.

Transcript:

Dated: Battle Field Cold Harbor June 3, 1864 4 ½ PM

Genl Early Commanding Ewells Corps attacked enemy right yesterday afternoon and drove him with Great Slaughter out of his intrenchments. Confederate Loss slight though including Genl Doles of Ga. killed at same time Breckenridge supported by Wilcox attacked enemys on Turkey Hill on right and drove him away. Thus securing important positions, this morning at daylight Enemy made furious assault upon Renshaws Fields & Hoke of Anderson’s Corps and Breckenridge of Hills Corps he renewed the assault seven 7 times upon Renshaw and Fields. He attacked Early also but was everywhere repulsed with frightful loss. Confederate loss is less than in any Battle of the War Anderson’s loss not five hundred. Enemy gained salient in Breckenridge’s front for few minutes but was swept back by Finegans Floridians like whirl wind. Battle raged until 11 when Enemy retired fully beaten. Heavy skirmishing since & still continues” Genls Law Kirkland & Lane wounded. We have the Ground [illeg] Enemy and he could use but little artillery.

Citation:Unidentified author, autograph note. Cold Harbor, Va.; 3 June 1864. AMs 1168/11

June 2, 1864: Lee Telegram to Beauregard

This telegram is from The Telegraphic History of the Civil War; a compiled album of telegrams to Beauregard from Davis, Lee, Johnston and others.

Transcript:

Dated Ha Qurs Army N Va June 2^nd 1864

Rec’d at Ha Qurs June 2^nd 1864 12-45 pm via Mc 2^nd

To Genl G T Beauregard

It would be disadvantageous to abandon line between Richmond & Petersburg – but as two thirds of of Butlers force has joined Grant can you not leave Sufficient Guards and move ~~the~~ ^with balance of your command to north Side of James River and take command of Right Wing of Army?

R E Lee

Genl

Official

W.H. Taylor

A.A.G.

Citation:Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), telegram to G.T. Beauregard. 2 June 1864. In The telegraphic history of the Civil War, 1861-1865. AMs 434/16

June 1, 1864: R. M. J. Paynter telegram to P. G. T. Beauregard

This is one of approximately 1000 military telegrams in P.G.T. Beauregard’s papers at the Rosenbach.

Transcript:

Dated Richmond June 1^st 1864

Rec‘d at Hd Qrs

To Genl Beauregard

8 3” PM, The Oper[ator] from Ashland arrives at Hungary Station about Six O Clock. Reports Enemy occupied Ashland about fifteen 15 minutes after he left from the smoke he saw he supposed they were burning the place. Have heard nothing more from the Column vid Port Royal Since they were reported at Hanover Junction most of Column said to be NY vols newspaper Report Says Grant out of Rations nothing from Genl Johnston Army today.

Respy

R M J Paynter

Citation: R. M. J. Paynter, telegram to G. T. Beauregard. Richmond, Va.; 1 June 1864. AMs 1168/11