Civil War Blog

Archives for March 2013

March 31, 1863

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Hdqrs. 2nd Divn. 2nd Corps
Near Falmouth Va.

Dear Mother,
This is probably the last letter I shall date at these Hd. qrs. The order assigning Otis to the 11th Corps (Siegel’s) temporarily arrived this afternoon and we will take our departure for Brook’s Station tomorrow morning near which is the 11th Corps – about 6 miles to the rear of this place. One of the General of Divisions is the celebrated Carl Shurz orator and warm patriot & it is said a very gentlemanly man. Steinwehr is another and McLean the third.

Your letter came the day I wrote my other, and today another from you arrived just after the order. This contained the photograph which no one here thinks as good as the one I had taken in Philada.

[Read more…] about March 31, 1863

March 30, 1863

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Monday.

Sent off the tents & baggage to the steamer “Empire Parish” late in the afternoon, & pitched shelter tents to spend the night in.  the weather today has been cool, & this evening there is a very cold wind from the north.  Stowed ourselves in the little tents & passed a tolerable night, tho’ some of the men suffered with the cold.  The Chaplain returned yesterday from B[aton] Rouge & informed me of the death of Corp. Titcomb.  He died at the Measles Hosp. & the Chaplain attended his funeral.  Lt.  Richards took charge of his effects & will send them to Titcomb’s uncle in Bangor.  Wrote a letter to T. H. Wiggin of Levant, informing him of T’s death, & giving him some account of his sickness.  I also wrote to Mrs. Gerald in regard to the sickness & death of her husband.
Finished my letter to Father, & sent it off.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 29, 1863

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Sunday.

Had a Reg. inspection in the morning & no other duty for the day.  No religious services, the Chaplain having returned to baton Rouge yesterday.  Wrote a long letter to Father in [the] afternoon.

At Donaldsonville the Bayou Lafourche flows out of the main river to the S. W. & South entering the Gulf considerably to the west of the principal mouths of the Mississippi.  We are to march from this place to the N. O. O .& G.W. Railroad, near Thibodaux, some thirty odd miles distant, our tents & baggage to go by steamer.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 27, 1863

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Hdqrs. 2nd. Divn.
Near Falmouth Va
Mar. 27 1863

My dear Mother,

The last I heard from you was by letter from Rowland which you were at his house for one night.

It is a beautiful day – warm as any day in May. I hear a bird merrily singing. All the staff are away at Gen. Birney’s Divn. attending a hurdle race &c to which we were all invited. Otis is here & as I am Acting Adjutant General I remained behind. Besides I did not care much to go since I did not enjoy the similar celebration of St. Patrick’s day in the Irish Brigade. Too many got drunk and there were some accidents. I would like, however, to take a lively ride in this pure air. I sit at my desk with the door of the tent open –

just returned from dinner. Gen. Hancock was over this forenoon & called on Otis. He says that Gen. Hooker told him that Gen. Howard was to have the 11th Corps (Siegels) but Otis learned at Hd Qrs. yesterday that Gen. Hooker had sent a paper to Washington asking either that Gen. Siegel be ordered back (he is away on leave) or that there be a vacancy declared to which he could appoint the General he wished. He will undoubtedly appoint Otis if Siegel does not come back.

No leaves extend over April 1st now – so I suppose we will move soon after that date. Did you enjoy Otis’ visit? […]

Your affectionate Son,
C.H. Howard
P.S. Major Whittlesey has just this moment arrived – well!!

Charles Henry Howard to his mother, Eliza Gilmore [Charles Henry Howard Collection]

March 26, 1863

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Head Quarters at 1st Brigade and Casey’s Div. Chantilly, Virginia

Thursday

Dear Father:

We left camp at Arlington Heights on Tuesday morning at 7 o’clock, were joined by the 27th [?] at a junction of the roads about seven miles out, went on some eight miles further and camped just beyond Fairfax Court House for the night. Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock was a brisk start and marching on some for miles further to Chantilly, our present abiding place. […]

In haste,
Tom

Thomas H. Hubbard to his father, John Hubbard [Hubbard Family Papers]

March 25, 1863

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Wednesday.

Took my place on the Court Martial, Col. Bissell, 25th Conn. Reg. President.  Tried several cases, & adjourned till tomorrow at 9 o’clock.  The Reg. moved to a firm spot on the other side of the road, but a short distance from the mud hole that we have lived in for the last three days.  When I got back to camp everyone looked cheerful, & certainly the grounds we occupied were the pleasantest we have had since we came to this place.  The grass was fresh & green, & there were several fine shade trees that contributed much to the beauty of the spot.  On our way to camp this afternoon I went to the Measles Hospital & saw the men of our Co. who are there, Lovejoy, Shores & Sawyer appeared to be doing well, but Farmer looked poorly, & thought he was losing strength.  Titcomb had got pretty well over the Measles but had an attack of Erysipelas in his face & head, & I fear he will not recover.  I talked with the Assist. Surgeon in charge, & asked him to try to get them removed to the Genl. Hospital.  He said he would try to have it done.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 24, 1863

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Tuesday.

Spent part of the day in town, waiting to take my place on the Court Martial, but as a case was going on that was commenced yesterday, was not needed today.  Lt. J. went to his late boarding house in town, being unable to stay in camp with safety.  He has a sudden attack of rheumatism which will probably confine him within doors for some time.  The Col. is strongly threatened with measles, so we shall be in a bad condition to march, if ordered away soon.  Neither of the Lieuts. will be able to go at present, but as I feel so much better today, I will not complain.  A mail came today, but there was no letter for me.  May last letter from Pamelia was mailed March 2d. up to which time all had been blessed with health & prosperity.  May I be grateful to our father in heaves for all his mercies.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 23, 1863

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New York

“To err is human, to forgive is divine!”

Again I must write, Mr. Hubbard, but this time to extend my heart-felt thanks for your kindness in executing my wishes, and those considerate expressions of sympathy. Let me assure you with all possible earnestness that I have implicit confidence in your honor and accordingly the same amount of faith in the language of your last. After our rather uncharitable opinion of, and expressions to each other, this sympathy from you was not expected but that only makes it the more thoroughly appreciated.

Very respectfully yours

Mollie B. Stuart

Mollie B. Stuart to Thomas H. Hubbard [Hubbard Family Papers]

March 22, 1863

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3-22West Point

Dear Father,

Your regular Sunday letter was received as usual. I have nothing new to write. I have written quite a long letter to William today so I hope you will excuse this short note this time.

I have forgotten most of my marks for week ending March 14th.

Your Affec. Son
Malcolm McArthur

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