Civil War Blog

Archives for February 2013

February 8, 1863

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West Point Feb 8th., ’63

Dear Father,

Sunday has come again and I must finish that letter which you will receive day before this. I have nothing new to write. We are having very warm weather again, it seems very much like Spring and I feel very near to Furlough. Yesterday a tailor came up from New York to see the First Class about making their uniforms and also to see the Furlough Class. A few men got measured for their Furlough clothes. I shall get mine here at the Commissary. I shall hardly have money enough to get home with and there is some doubt about that. I shall be very poor and have only one suit of clothes. I should have got a suit from the New York tailor if I had the money. I guess I can make up some before Furlough. It is only four months. Some of the men begin to count the days. […]

I should like to get a letter from Mother and Catharine. I want to know the state of affairs in Limington.

Your Affectionate Son, Malcolm McArthur

Malcolm McArthur to Arthur McArthur, Sr. [McArthur Family Papers]

February 7, 1863

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Near Fredericksburg, Va.

Feb. 7.  Clear, promises a fair day.  9 A.M. orders to fall in.  Start for camp.  We arrive at 9 P.M. roads very muddy.  Our Expedition was to burn the Rail  Road bridg[e] which crosses the Rappahannoc[k] River at  Rappahannoc[k] Station on the Orange & Alexandria RR.  The enemy lost three killed, our side lost none.  The bridge was effectively destroyed.

Diary of A.M. Riddle [Civil War Miscellany]

February 5, 1863

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[Louisiana] Thursday.  A very cold raw day—have found it hard to keep comfortable in the tent, even with our little cooking stove.  Finished my Ordnance Return.  In afternoon there was a short Batt[alion] Drill—our Co. out with the Lieuts.
This evening a small mail arrived—but there was no letter for either of us Officers.  The letters for our Co. were nearly a month old—few of them having been mailed later than the 8th of Jan.  There must be another mail soon, I think.  Poor John Loud gets sad news—the death of his mother.  He is one of the best of boys, stead, moral & amiable, & had a very warm affection for his mother, who is spoken of as having been worthy of his deepest love.  I remember seeing her for a moment as the cars were moving out of the depot at Newport—had a few words with her & her husband, & as we moved away, her last words to me were, “Take good care of Johnnie—he is a good boy.”
May the loss be the means of bringing him to the Savior, & may he find him a present help in his affliction.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Mss. Collection]

February 3, 1863

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[Louisiana] Tuesday.  Clear & cold.  Had a Reg. Inspection at 2 o’clock, P.M., by Lieut Brown, of Gen. Grover’s Staff.  He inspected arms, knapsacks, tents, & company & Reg. Books.  Have been busy making up Quarterly Return of Ordnance Stores, & have completed it tonight (now about 11 o’clock).  Attended prayer meeting this evening—a very good meeting.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Mss. Collection]

February 2, 1863

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[Louisiana] Monday.  Rainy all the forenoon—the Reg. inspection postponed on account of the weather.  Was engaged in making up my quarterly return of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores.  In afternoon Lt. Jerrard took the Company our for skirmish drill.  This evening I went down to the tent of the Adjutant of the 6th N.Y. & got some information on the subject of making Clothing & Ordnance returns, & on other matters pertaining to the keeping of Company accounts.  Found the Adjutant (Francis) a very pleasant & accommodating fellow.  Did not attend the prayer meeting on account of the necessity of making up my returns as soon as possible.  This evening the wind is rising, & appearances indicate another cold snap.  Finished a 12 page letter to Pamelia last night, & mailed it this morning.  Also printed a little letter to Ikie, & enclosed it in Pamelia’s.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Mss. Collection]

February 1, 1863

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[Louisiana] Sunday.  A mild showery day—no military exercises & no public religious services in the day time.  This evening we had a good prayer meeting in the Quartermaster’s tent.  The time was very fully occupied & all seemed happy to be there.  The tent was full, & I hope the meetings this week will be more fully attended than they were the last.  We hope to have the Surgeon’s tent for the meetings, as it will accommodate more than any other on the ground.  Wrote letters to the fathers of Levi Gardner & Robert F. Wiggins, who died at Chesapeake Gen. Hospital in December.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Mss. Collection]