This letter, dated 17 April 181, was written by Lt. Alexander Haskell to his parents. Haskell writes of the fall of Fort Sumter, seeing the "hand of Divine Providence" in the Confederate victory. Haskell also pays tribute to the courage of the Union troops who defended the fort.
Headquarters 17th Regt S.C. vol.
Light House Hills, 11th April 1861
Dear father and mother,
You have long before this been made happy by hearing the
Fort Sumter has been taken, not only without the loss of any of your sons,
but not even one of Carolina's. A glorious day it was, and marked so deeply
by the protecting hand of divine Providence that it calls to mind the miraculous
victories of the chosen people. The fire and cannonading was tremendous
and conducted by a skill which, although exhibited by volunteers, has excited
the wonder and admiration of our veteran Commander and of our gallant foes.
They did prove themselves men at the last, and gallant ones. Fort Sumter
is a terrible wreck. Amid all the rejoicing, it was rather a bitter day
for the 1st Regiment, who after toiling day and night in the trenches under
our gallant and skillful Colonel, were pushed aside and neglected in the
whole affair. Ten hours before the fight begun, Simons, a pompous coward
who shielded himself and staff under the Hospital Flag, came over and with
an amount of injustice which he only could execute superseded Gregg in
command and sent him off to the end of the Island. The whole Island was
thrown into confusion by a host of upstarts who came over at the same time
to snatch away what honour was to be reaped, while the organisation of
the 17 Regt. alone, fed and [page 2]
transported and supported the whole Island. We have done the whole work
and had Colonel Gregg chosen he could have made them feel their insolent
assumption, but he worked manfully and has helped them out of their troubles
even at the expense of his own Regiment. Such however is military style,
merit is not always appreciated at the right time and place.
But it will be long before "Hospital Tom" and the holiday officers
will be forgotten.
The artillerists who fought the battle are gallant fellows and deserve
all the credit that can be given. It is rather a bitter pill to swallow
to when we think of having been cut out of the whole affair which we have
been waiting three months to share. We were sure once of a fight from the
soldiers, but the dastardly wretches disappointed friend and foe alike
by not striking one blow for their Flag and burning Fort. The soldiers
on our side gave a cheer to Anderson at every shot towards the last, and
a groan for the cowards in the Fleet. It was as gallant an affair as the
world ever witnessed, and when the officers in the Fort were told of it
afterwards, it affected them almost to tears.
The prospects all are now, though I won't triumph, on my side of the argument,
war and a long and bloody[page 3]
one. I feel as if I was going to be made a soldier whether I would or no.
I hope I will get home though one of these days. though the prospect at
present is small. I have but little idea of being able to leave at the
end of the six months. I am here now, in the field in tents and messing
with the colonel's {} I would be very glad if you could send me something
to contribute my portion to the Mess.
I hear that a cavalry company is going from Abbeville to Florida. I wish
very much I could get up a good cavalry company to take up on the 12th
of July or before and go on with the war as an officer instead of private.
I wish now very much that Willy had the place that McGowan offered him
or that it were possible for him to get it. Do tell me if anything can
be done in my old country in the way of organizing a troop to go into the
war.
Give kindest love to all,
Your affec Son
AC Haskell
Dear Father & Mother
I have been in a great & bloody battle & am wounded.
Do not be at all alarmed. It is only a flesh wound in the head; and as
the ball grazed the skull & glanced, there can be no danger. It is
only through the Lord's great mercy, that we were not cut to pieces to
a man, so fearful were the odds opposed to our division. Friday night the
six infantry companies of Hampton's Legion took the train for Manassas.
So slowly did we travel, that it was Sunday morning before we reached that
point. Our breakfast was not cooked, when we heard the booming of artillery
in the direction of Bull's Run. Orders presently came, that we should hasten
to the field, as soon as we had eaten something. In fifteen minutes more
we commenced our march for the field of battle. We were taken around to
the left of the place where the engagement began, in order that we might
secure against a surprise of the Camp at Manassas. This was evidently the
game of the enemy. They played us a ruse: the heavy cannonading near Bull's
Run was intended to deceive Beauregard into meeting them at that point
with his whole force. Meanwhile an immense body of their troops advanced
on the left with the intention of outflanking our main army, getting into
our rear & seizing our fortified camp. They were held in check, however,
by a few battalions, including our own & two Georgia regiments &
perhaps one or two more. The whole battle was fought not far from the base
of mountains, & the ground was very hilly; so that they were unable
to perceive the immense disparity between their numbers & ours. Had
they know how few were the forces between them & Camp Manassas; they
would doubtless have advanced more confidently; & every man of us[page
2]
would have fallen upon the field. As it was, their movements were irresolute;
they advanced & retreated alternately, & I suppose later in the
day Beauregard must have come up with his main force to the assistance
of our shattered columns; & then commenced the rout of the enemy. Terribly
disproportioned as was our force, we held them in check for at least three
hours. Nor was the disparity in numbers alone; the enemy were armed with
the six-shooting revolving rifle, & their fire was incessant. Never
have I conceived of such a continuous, rushing hailstorm of shot, shell
& musketry as fell around & among us for hours together. We, who
escaped, are constantly wondering how we could possibly have come out of
the action alive. The words I used just now; "we, who escaped",
have a sad, sad sound to us; for we know not yet who are to be included
in that category, & are filled with terrible anxieties as to the fate
of dear friends. I must trace now to you my own course through the action,
which I can or ought to do clearly enough, since, I was cool & confident
from first to last, knowing where my trust was placed, that no real harm
could befal me & that there was a duty before me which I must perform
at every hazard. All of our men behaved gallantly, though few were free
from excitement. After being marched & countermarched for some time
almost within reach of the enemy's missles, we were thrown, bo order of
Gen. Bee who commanded us that part of the field, to the left of a corps
of Flying artillery (I think the "Washington" of New Orleans),
under shelter of a fence. Here we were first exposed to the hissing balls
of the enemy; but the men took aim deliberately & stood fire beautifully.
The artillery having then withdrawn from our side, we marched down the
hill, unfortunately in disorder; we were halted halfway down in a hollow
place, where we had the protection of a few trees & bushes. Here, seeing
that our men hesitated to fire upon the force below, became doubtful whether
they were not friends. I entreated[page 3]
the Captain to let me advance alone near enough to the ranks of those who
were firing upon us to ascertain whether they were Federals or Confederate.
But the Captain would not consent, & wished to go himself; this, however,
Col. Hampton would not permit. Seeing, I could do nothing there, I attempted
to persuade our men not to dodge, satisfied that we could never keep orderly
ranks as long as the men persisted in dodging. But all my efforts in this
line were unavailing; the men were fearless, & advanced undauntedly
enough; but, I suppose, they thought dodging was a "help", anyhow,
to escape from the balls. Iredell Jones,& the officers kept erect;
& neither they nor I were any the worse for it. Our next advance was
to a fence in the valley at the bottom of the hill. Here we made a stand,
& here our company fought absolutely alone, the other Legionary companies
having retreated to a yard at the top of the hill, where houses gave them
shelter. Here they reformed. Meanwhile our men were subjected to a raking
fire. I was the first who fell. I had put on my spectacles, taken good
aim & fired my first shot. As I was in the act of re-loading, a rifle-ball
struck me in the head, a little above the forehead; & the violence
of the concussion felled me to, the earth immediately. I drew off my sectacles
& flung them aside; & not believing my wound a bad one, as it was
not painful, I attempted to reload. But the blood was gushing over my face&
blinding my eyes; & I found it impossible to do so. I knew pretty well
the extent of my wound, as I had probed it with my finger as I fell; &
as the gash seemed to be a deep one, I feared faintness would ensue from
loss of blood, especially as there was a large puddle of it where I first
lay. So, I put aside my gun for a while, & put my white handkerchief
inside my hat upon the wound & tied my silk one around the hat. By
the time I had finished these precautions, the company were in retreat;
& with Jones & a few others I made my way to the clump of trees,
whence[page 4]
we had advanced. Here protected by the trees & squatted down, these
few detached from the company continued the fire. Jones having given me
some water from his canteen, & my eye being by this time wiped pretty
dry of the blood, I again attempted to re-load. But before I could do so,
a ball from the enemy shattered my rifle to pieces. I how made the best
of my way to the shelter of the house on the hill, the shell & shot
of the enemy ploughing up the ground at every step I took, & the musketry
rattling like hail around me. I lay behind the house quite exhausted, &
much pained by the sight of some of my comrades badly wounded. Dr. Taylor
examined my would here, & charged me to use all my strength to reach
the Hospital While I lay here the body of Lieut. Col. Johnson was brought
into the yard & stretched at my side. He had been shot dead a few moments
before, while riding fearlessly up & down the field. I remained at
this place, until the companies there began to retreat yet farther back;
when, seizing my smashed gun I hurried along by the gullies & other
protecting places to a field beyond the line of the missles, which before
flew so thick & fast around me. At the extremity of this field was
a house used as a temporary hospital. This place I reached, & after
resting awhile, walked to the wagons in the yard used to convey the wounded
to the Camp. The ride in was a long & tedious one, & I very soon
became aware that had I ventured to remain longer on the field, I should
soon have dropped & been only a burden to retreating friends, or else
have run the risk of falling into the enemy's hands, a risk which I would
have resolved, if possible, by forcing them to cut me down. When I reached
the Camp, I found many wounded comrades there, who were under treatment.
As the Hospital was crowded with groaning men, some undergoing the agonies
of amputation, I very gladly accepted the kind attention of a gentleman
named Lamotte, who soon proved that he understood well the art of dressing
wounds. He trimmed closely the hair around mine, washed out the clotted
blood, bathed the wound, ascertained that there was no split in the portion
of skull exposed, & bound up my head nicely for me, strengthening me
also with a glass of excellent whiskey. I felt much more comportably, whe
n this was done, & the encrusted blood,[page 5]
which stuck like a black mask to my face, was washed. Much of my hair is
still clotted with blood. After getting a little supper & having deliberated
on what would be our wisest course, most of us wounded who were safe in
camp concluded, that, as no tents were pitched & we could not be cared
for properly there, it would be best to go down on the evening train to
Culpepper C.H. where the hospitals are. The cars were crowded with the
wounded. At Culpepper we found that accommodations could not be had for
all; & some of us came on to Charlottesville, where we already perceive
that we shall not want for gentle tending. I am writing now on a marble
table in the hall of the University, where the wounded are lodged. Two
of my company, Atkinson & Gardner, are with me, the former wounded
like myself in the head, the latter in the wrist & side. Before we
left Camp we heard, that the enemy had suffered heavy loss, were in full
retreat, & that Beauregard was in hot pursuit. Many regiments lost
almost all their staff-officers; two Georgia ones lost all. Col. Hampton
was, by one report, dangerously wounded; by another, dead. Our adjutant,
Barker, was also said to be dead. The Legionary infantry was certainly
much cut to pieces. Our cavalry & artillery were not in the action,
not having arrived yet. All the forces, on both sides, must have been engaged;
& if the enemy have met with a serious defeat, I imagine it will be
the last general engagement. Patterson was taken & Col. Scott killed.
Many prisoners were taken. Before we left, fifty eight were brought into
the camp at Manassas. The battle lasted all day, & was very bloody.
Early as it was when I was forced to retire, I met few, who were not hurt.[page
6]
I brought off my knapsack with me, & will be quite comfortable. We
are very uneasy about our friends yet unheard from. Many, I fear, whom
I care greatly for, are now mangled or dead. At the last accounts, Conner
was leading our shattered Legion & perhaps other officerless battalions,
& pressing on the rear of the
enemy within two miles of Centreville. I trust he yet survives. I long
to hear how the Carolina regiments fare. Kershaw's was in the battle; &
you know I have many friends among them.
As soon as my wound permits, I intend returning to Manassas & making
every effort to rejoin the army, wherever it may be. I hope to be able
to bear arms again, before we enter Washington. You will see, by my writing
so long a letter that I am in no danger from my wound. My head feels heavy,
& the place throbs, that is all. I hope you are not too much troubled.
My love to sisters & all the dear kinsfolk & friends.
Your Ever Loving Son
C. Woodward Hutson
How we ought continually to thank God for the mercies which he does so inceasingly show us! The Dr. here has just dressed my wound, says it is an inch & a half long & would have gone deeper had it not struck the bone, says I am a very hard-headed fellow. He is a kindly, merry gentleman, & I like him much. He asked me if I was not related to Willy Wigg, knowing him well & knowing his middle name.
This letter, dated 11 May 1863, was written by Confederate soldier Edward Rowe. Writing to a friend, Rowe recounts the "slaughter" at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, and expresses his fear that "Stonewall" Jackson will die from wounds received in the conflict. His fears proved true.
Gordonsville, May 11th 1863
Mr. Mc Cauley
Dear Sir,
After leaving Salem I spent two days in Lynchburg then came on to the place but learning that it would be decidedly "billious" to go home went to Stauton met the command and next day came back to this place and finally succeeded in getting home where I found my friend "cooling down" from the great excitement produced by the Yankees. You have no doubt learned the of the raid - which was indeed a very bold affair - but accomplished very little with respect to Public affairs. Privately however they did a great deal. Bacon corn horses & negroes suffered and utter desolation with respect to that species of property is seen in their tract Happily only six of them came to my Father and after abusing him for some time threatening his life if he did not tell them where his horses were hid, finally proceeded to break open his Meat House but fortunately our pickets came up and captured every one and gave them a free ride to Richmond. I visited the Battlefield at Chancellorsville yesterday. They commenced fighting at a place called the Wilderness (an old hotel 16 miles from Fredericksburg - on the turnpike from the latter place to Orange CH. Gen. Jackson succeeded in getting between the
enemy and the Rapid River and drove them down the Turnpike 5 miles to Chancellorsville. Constant fighting was kept up until 12 o'clock on Sunday night & commenced early again Sunday mor ning. I don't think I ever witnessed such destruction to wood, and it almost a miraculous that any of our men escaped who were stationed in their range west of their fortifications (which they constructed in one night). but fortunately four Brigades belonging to Longstreet Corps. having attacked from the south side forced them from their position forced them back toward Elies Ford in that movement our Soldier charged them both from Jacksons & Longstreets corps and slaughtered them by thousands. Longstreet himself was not present. The immortal Jackson was badly wounded by our own men as you have no doubt heard and fears are entertain ed that he will not live. he is at Guineas Depot. reported to have Pneuomnia, which if true, I fear will be fatal. Many Yankees were unburied yesterday the detail made by the Yankees seemed to be very lazy. at least they do not display as much energy in intering their dead as they do in throwing up fortifications - which they do with remar kable rapidly. The loss estimated on our sides is put at ten thousand, that of the enemy at thirty thousand. all told killed missing & wounded. It is probable that the estimate of the enemy is too high. About ten thousand missing ...
This letter, dated 3 June 1863, was written by A.J. Withrow to his wife in Iowa. Whitrow is a part of the tightening Union ring around Vicksburg, Mississippi, and he describes the pressure being applied to the Confederate forces. Withrow also recounts the shooting of a Confederate soldier, commenting , "...there was one rebel less to contend against."
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Almost into Vicksburg Dearest Lib I will drop you a few lines to keep you posted in regard to my whereabouts and my condition; Some time ago I wrote you a letter in the form of a journal or Dairy, but the day after sending it, I started to the Regt. and have to write just as I can, hoping & believing that whatever shape my letters may be in will be acceptable. I have not felt very well for a day or two, but am all O.K. today Doc Farr said I had a tuch of Ague, but if it was, it was very light. The mail is just in and I recd 3 letters, one from you one from Hen, and one from Brother Abe. Abe is in the army & is Chief Trumpeter in the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry. they are now at Washington City. he enlisted in the California Battallion, came on and was placed in his presemt posi- tion. Your letter stated you had just recd the news of the capture of Vicksburg and were having a joyful time. I wish it had been true, although in one sense it is true, as we have them completely penned in, and it is only a question of time as it is impossible for them to to get out. Deserters are coming in every every night, and they give a deplorable account of the conditions in the City. they are living on half rations the[y] have been getting half lb of of corn bread, & 1/4 lb of meat and sometimes a little Molasses |
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The[y] got sugar for awhile, but the Doctors decided that sugar was not healthy, So they stopped issuing. June 5th I did not get my letter fin- ished the other day, and yesterday I came near shaking my toe nails off, with the ague, and did not feel like writing. I had a hard chill, but I guess I am as able to stand it as any one, there is one consolation about it, and that is it only comes every other day. So there is a silver lining to that cloud Well we are not into Vicksburg yet, but getting closer every day. Our Regt holds the extreme right of the line of in- vestment and is close to the river, they have been digging Rifle Pits, and moving closer until our right is within fifty yards of one of the principal Water Bataries, and they can in a great measure keep [stained] silenced yesterday morning Jo Campbell and some more of the boys were in a new pit that had been due to the night before, & of which the rebs had no knowledge, when out came four or five rebs out of their tents and were putting on their cloths. Jo took deliberate aim and there was one rebel less to contend against. But my sheet is about full. I must close. I read your stamps thank you have plenty for the prevent, tell Scotty I will write him a letter pretty soon. because ma says he has been a good boy, My compliments to all my friends write often. Yours affectionately, A J Withrow |