Monday.
The suns rose clear and went into cloud. As soon as breakfast the auxiliaries were fixed up and the camp cleared out. Eleven went from in Batteries to the danding. As soon as they started it commenced raining. Rained all day till night – was over to the 5th in forenoon.
Diary of Henry Hastings Hunt [Henry Hastings Hunt Collection]
West Point
Dear Father,
Your letter of 12th was received on 15th inst. I received a letter from William on 16th. which was dated on 2d. inst. He had just returned from Jacksonville and was starting for Charleston. I received a paper from him last evening on which he wrote that he had just returned from to Port Royal all safe.
We have been having quite a stirring time today, Gen. McClellen is here. He was serenaded last night by the Corps. We turned out ten minutes after taps, music by the Cadet Band. Several tunes were played when he came to the door, made a short speech. He is stopping at the Hotel. Today at dinner he came into the Mess Hall, walked round to each table and was introduced to the First Classmen, afterwards he shook hands with the whole Corps as each one went out the door. I don’t know how long he will stay here.
[…] I saw a Maine man here a few days ago, Joel Marshall from Buxton. He went to school at Limington to Mr. Emory. Graduated at Brunswick last summer. He is teaching at Poughkeepsie. He is the first Maine man I have seen since I have been here. […]
From Your Aff. Son, Malcolm McArthur
Malcolm McArthur to his father, Arthur McArthur [McArthur Family Papers]
Saturday
A lovely day. Took my horse out as soon as breakfast. Went to headquarters with weekly report. Took a ride with Charlie Iryhins to look like spring. Beech trees in full bloom. Was out again in afternoon. […] Over to 5th in evening. Played a few hands […] Got a glass of old ale. […]
Friday. Being a little unwell with diarrhea, have done nothing but rest in camp. Nothing new or interesting going on today, except the sending off the remainder of the rebel prisoners. There is still a larger number of their wounded left in hospital here, tho’ I have not seen them. The Col., St. J. & some others arrived from Brashear City this P.M.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection
Thursday.
Very cloudy today has been threatening rain. Staid in tent most all day. Fixed up my saddle. Was over to the 5th in afternoon, played a few hands of Whiskey as were of the usual Quartette!
Wednesday. Started on the march up the bayou about 7 o’clock towards New Iberia, towards which the enemy are retreating. About 60 prisoners marched with us under guard of a Co. of the 26th Me. We marched till between 11 & 12, when we halted at Harding’s planta[t]i[o]n, the junction of the road with the straight road from Franklin. Here our Reg. rec’d orders to return to Franklin to do provost guard duty, while the rest of the Brigade pushed on in pursuit of the retreating rebels. We halted an hour for dinner, then marched back by the shorter route, & reached Franklin about 3 p.M. Pitched our tents on the sidewalk, in front of a fine house standing back from the street. Cooked our supper & [two illeg. words]. Just after dark the 3 Cos. That were left at Brashear city marched up the street in command of the Major. They came be steamer to the place when Weitzel began the fight on Sunday, about 12 miles below here, & marched from there this afternoon. They left Brashear Tuesday afternoon.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection
Tuesday
Today all has been hustle and expansion preparing for a march – went to [illegible] drew 5 days rations. […] Got every thing packed ready for moving. Was over at 5th several times.
Monday. The Laurel Hill ran in to the landing, & skirmishers were sent out, who soon fell in with the enemy, & we then first heard the crack of rebel muskets.
From our boat there seemed to be a pretty sharp skirmish going on, but as we were a mile distant, could not see much but the smoke of the guns.
Our big guns soon sent some dozen shells into the woods to the N. of the landing where the Laurel Hill was lying, & seen the firing on shore ceased. Probably there was only a small force of rebels.
We landed about 8 A.M. My Co. the first of our Reg. to go ashore (only the 7 right Cos. Having come from Brashear City)—we soon marched up through a rough road through the woods & cane brakes, to a plantation about a mile from where we landed. [Read more…] about April 13, 1863
West Point.
Dear Father,
[…] How do you get along with your business, is money scarce?
I was very glad you had heard from Charlie and that he was teaching. I like that business better than being a salesman.
I have been very anxious all this week to hear from William, we heard Monday that an attack had been made on Charleston but no particulars and did not hear any tell yesterday. The gunboats had made an attack on Fort Sumter. The land forces had not done anything then. This week we shall hear news, good or bad.
William, I know will distinguish himself if he goes in to the Battle, he is a good officer.
Mother has not written me for some time. I shall write as soon as I can get time.
Your Aff. Son, Malcolm McArthur
Malcolm McArthur to his father, Arthur McArthur [McArthur Family Papers]
Saturday. Had Co. inspections at 7 o’clock. A. W. Lovejoy, who arrived yesterday morning from B. Rouge, was taken back in an ambulance, with several other men, to the hospital at Bayou Boeuf. Took his gun & equipments with him. Shores is to stay here in convalescent camp—he took Lovejoy’s half of a shelter tent. Wyman is determined to go with the Co., tho’ he is not very strong. Troops are going across the river all the time, & we are waiting orders to “fall in” for the same purpose. Just before noon the Col. sent our last payrolls to be signed by the men. He all of our Co. sign who are with us, & returned the rolls to the Col.
At 2 o’clock fell into line in marching order, and soon after marched down near the boat landing, stacked arms, & here I now write (3 ½ o’clock). The Reg. are lying & sitting on their knapsacks, while others are embarking & we don’t know as we shall be called for till night. About sunset made fires & got supper, then pitched tents & turned in. At 10 o’clock were roused from sleep & ordered to embark. Seven companies from the right (the other three Cos. In Laurel Hill) went on board the gunboat where we found only room to sit down on our packs. I got a leaning place & slept quite comfortably till morning.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]
