Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, May 23, 1864 – 8 a.m.

Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, 8 A. M., May 23, 1864.

We expected yesterday to have another battle, but the enemy refuses to fight unless attacked in strong entrenchments; hence, when we moved on his flank, instead of coming out of his works and attacking us, he has fallen back from Spottsylvania Court House, and taken up a new position behind the North Anna River; in other words, performed the same operation which I did last fall, when I fell back from Culpeper, and for which I was ridiculed; that is to say, refusing to fight on my adversary's terms. I suppose now we will have to repeat this turning operation, and continue to do so, till Lee gets into Richmond.

I am sorry you will not change your opinion of Grant. I think you expect too much of him. I don't think he is a very magnanimous man, but I believe he is above any littleness, and whatever injustice is done me, and it is idle to deny that my position is a very unjust one, I believe is not intentional on his part, but arises from the force of circumstances, and from that weakness inherent in human nature which compels a man to look to his own interests.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 198

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Edwin M. Stanton, August 20, 1862

DAVENPORT, IOWA, August 20, 1862.

Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

First. There are companies now full and that will be filled by the 23d to fill eighteen to twenty regiments. Our whole State appears to be volunteering. Second. The companies are now coming into rendezvous as rapidly as I can furnish blankets for them. Could have them all in next week if I had blankets and could build quarters fast enough. Have blankets for only five regiments. Third. I don't want any further time than the 23d. All I want is to put into regiments all the companies full on that day. If I don't get this permission I will have to volunteer myself and leave the State.

 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD,

Governor.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume 2 (Serial No. 123), p. 417; Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 217;

Senator James W. Grimes to the Editor of the Linn County Register*, May 2, 1863

Burlington, May 2, 1863.

I have no very great desire to be reelected to the Senate. On the contrary, I am rather averse to the idea of continuing in public life beyond my present term. Our friends have insisted that I shall serve another term, and I have consented to do so, if, after having surveyed the whole field, they are satisfied that the interest of the country and our party require it, or that they are unable to secure the services of a better man. I have no great love for the place, and can leave it without a single regret, whenever a better man can be sent to Washington who can more faithfully represent our State. I did not seek nor did I anticipate the nomination for Governor, in 1854. When nominated without any agency of mine, as the representative of certain principles, I did my best to be elected. I never asked a man to vote for me to the Senate six years ago, though I was very grateful for the support I got. I have not asked and shall not ask any man to vote for me now. I cannot improve my condition in any respect by reelection. Every one knows my standing there; and, if satisfied with it, I shall receive their support; if dissatisfied with it, I ought not to receive it.

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* In answer to an inquiry whether he was a candidate for reelection to the Senate.

SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes, p. 236

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, December 19, 1863

All is quiet around Vicksburg, and the weather is quite mild and pleasant, though quite cold at night. Our camp was cleaned up for inspection. I was out on picket again, though on higher ground than the previous time out.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 158

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: Sunday, March 20, 1864

Detailed for picket duty. Posted about two miles up the river, between the river and the canal, on the tow path. Our company, C, and the Loudon Rangers ordered to ford the river for a scout into Virginia. Returned quite late. Nothing important obtained. Bad time of the year to ford rivers. Snow squalls still greet us. It doesn't last very long, but helps to increase the circulation of the mud. Campfire burning all the time. We often burn our clothes by keeping too close to it. We live close to the earth. In warm weather we have a better show to keep clean, bathe, and wash our clothes.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 47

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Monday, November 18, 1861

Theodore, Roxena and mother came to camp in the afternoon.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 4

20th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery.

Organized at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio, and mustered in October 29, 1862. Moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 31, 1862, arriving there February 8, 1863. Attached to 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 1st Division, Artillery Reserve, Dept. of the Cumberland, to November, 1863. Artillery, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to December, 1863. Garrison Artillery, Chattanooga, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to November, 1864. Garrison Artillery, at Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. Garrison Artillery, at Chattanooga, Tenn., till July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Murfreesboro, Tenn., till June, 1863. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Attached to Garrison Artillery at Chattanooga till June, 1864. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27, 1863. Engaged in repelling attacks of Rebel Cavalry under Forest and Wheeler on the flanks of Sherman's army during the Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign. Action at Dalton. Ga., August 14-16. March to Alpine, Ga., September 4-20, thence march to Pulaski, Tenn. Surrender of Dalton October 13 (Section). Nashville Campaign November-December. In front of Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Spring Hill and Thompson's Station November 29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., and garrison duty there till July 2, 1865. Mustered out July 19, 1865.

Battery lost during service 1 Officer and 5 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 17 Enlisted men by disease. Total 24.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1494

21st Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery

Organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, April 29, 1863. Ordered to West Virginia May 5. Return to Camp Dennison May 20, and duty there till September. Pursuit of Morgan through Indiana and Ohio July 5-28. Moved to Camp Nelson, Ky., September 22. Attached to Willcox's Left Wing forces, 9th Army Corps, Dept. of Ohio, to October, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Left Wing forces, Dept. of Ohio, to January, 1864. District of the Clinch, Dept. of Ohio, to April, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, Dept. of the Ohio, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District of East Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to July, 1865.

SERVICE. – Moved from Camp Nelson, Ky., to Greenville, Tenn., October 1. Action at Blue Springs October 10. Walker's Ford December 2. Duty at various points in Tennessee and Alabama till July, 1865. Mustered out July 21, 1865.

Battery lost during service 1 Officer and 8 Enlisted men by disease. Total 9.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1494

Diary of Josephine Shaw Lowell: September 8, 1861

Cousin John¹ read a sermon. Lilly Ward and I swam across Mary's Lake, with the occasional aid of Will Forbes² in a boat. Tried shooting at a mark for the first time in my life. Hit the target five times out of six at 100 yards. Took a long walk and ended the day by a row in the harbor. Two boats raced. We beat.

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¹ John M. Forbes, a Boston merchant doing business with the East, and a great helper of the Union cause in Massachusetts.

² Son of John M. Forbes, and afterward Lieutenant Colonel of the 2d Mass. Cavalry of which Charles Russell Lowell was Colonel.

SOURCE: William Rhinelander Stewart, The Philanthropic Work of Josephine Shaw Lowell, p. 19

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, October 24, 1863

October 24, 1863

We went to Willard's after the pow-pow and got a very good dinner; only poor General Meade was bored to death and driven out of all peace of mind, by dirty politicians who kept coming up and saying: “Ah, General Meade, I believe; perhaps you do not recollect meeting me in the year 1831, on a Mississippi steamboat? How do you do, sir? What move do you propose to execute next? Have you men enough, sir? What are the intentions of Lee, sir? How are the prospects of the rebellion, sir? Do you look upon it as essentially crushed, sir? Or do you think it may still rear its head against our noble Union, sir?” etc., etc.  All of which the poor Chief (endeavoring to snatch a mouthful of chicken, the while) would answer with plaintive courtesy; while the obscure aides-de-camp were piling in all kinds of delicacies.  . . . The papers say General Meade received imperative orders to give Lee battle; not a word of truth in it! You might as well give imperative orders to catch a sea-gull with a pinch of salt. Lee would perhaps have given us a chance; but the same storm that prevented our advance carried away the Rapidan bridge, and he could get nothing to eat. His forces were, I think, larger than supposed, especially in cavalry, which was very numerous.

SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness to Appomattox, p. 38

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, May 19, 1864

Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, May 19, 1864.

All goes on well up to this time. We did not have the big battle which I expected yesterday, as, on advancing, we found the enemy so strongly entrenched that even Grant thought it useless to knock our heads against a brick wall, and directed a suspension of the attack. We shall now try to manoeuvre again, so as to draw the enemy out of his stronghold, and hope to have a fight with him before he can dig himself into an impregnable position.

We have recent Richmond papers containing Lee's congratulatory address to his army, so you see both sides claim having gained the advantage. Lee, however, seems to think they have gained their point when they check us.

Yesterday I had a visit from Senators Sherman, of Ohio, and Sprague, of Rhode Island; both were very complimentary to me, and wished me to know that in Washington it was well understood these were my battles. I told them such was not the case; that at first I had manceuvered the army, but that gradually, and from the very nature of things, Grant had taken the control; and that it would be injurious to the army to have two heads. I see one of the newspaper men is puzzled to know what share we each have in the work, and settles it by saying Grant does the grand strategy, and I the grand tactics. Coppée in his Army Magazine says, “the Army of the Potomac, directed by Grant, commanded by Meade, and led by Hancock, Sedgwick and Warren," which is a quite good distinction, and about hits the nail on the head.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 197-8

Proclamation of Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood, July 9, 1862

Executive Office,

July 9, 1862.

PROCLAMATION OF THE GOVERNOR.

To the People of Iowa: — I have this day received from the Secretary of War a telegram, requesting me to raise as soon as practicable for the United States service, for three years or during the war, five regiments of volunteer infantry, being a part of the quota of this State under the late call of the President for 300,000 men.

The preservation of the Union, the perpetuity of our government, the honor of our State, demand that this requisition be promptly met.

Our harvest is upon us and we have feared a lack of force to secure it, but we must imitate our brave Iowa boys in the field, meet new emergencies with new exertions. Our old men and boys unfit for war, and if need be our women, must help to gather our harvest, while those able to bear arms go forth to aid their brave brethren in the field. The necessity is urgent. Our national escutcheon is at stake. The more promptly the President is furnished these needed troops, the more speedily will this unholy rebellion be crushed, and the blessings of peace again visit our land. Until then we must expect the hardships and privations of war. The lime has come when men must make, as many have already made, sacrifices of ease, comfort and business for the cause of the country. The enemy by a sweeping conscription have forced into their ranks all men capable of bearing arms. Our Government has as yet relied upon the voluntary action of our citizens, but if need be the same energies must be exerted to preserve our government that traitors are using to destroy it.

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 215-6;

Senator James W. Grimes to Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont, March 27, 1863

Burlington, March 27, 1863.

I feel the difficult and responsible position in which you are placed, and the great questions that are to be settled by the issue. The country feels them. There are inconsiderate and senseless men who complain that an attack has not been earlier made; but they know nothing of the true posture of affairs, and their opinions would be worthless if they did. Every one is satisfied that you will attack at the time your judgment shall decide to be the best time, and everybody whose opinion is worth anything is satisfied that your opinion as to when that best time arrives will be correct. In a word, it gratifies me to be able to assure you that the people of the whole country have entire confidence in your capacity and your patriotism, and those who have watched your career do not suffer themselves for one moment to doubt your complete success. It may be that the conflict may be over before this reaches you. I trust it may, and that this may be accepted as my congratulations upon the result. If otherwise, if it reaches you on the eve of battle, then in God's name, in the name of the country, in behalf of your friends, in the name of a good government and of our common humanity, I bid you “good cheer.” May God in his wisdom and mercy protect, defend, and give you success! No grander spectacle can be presented to the human vision than a patriotic, Christian man going forth to battle in defense of a wise, paternal, and humane government.

I regret as much as you can the failure of Congress to provide means to assist the States of Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware, to secure emancipation. I do not doubt that freedom will soon be universal in those States. Just such bills would have been a sort of culmination and rounding off of the acts of the late Congress that would have reflected glory upon it and upon the country. The Thirty-seventh Congress, much maligned as all assemblies of a legislative character have been in revolutionary times, composed to a very great extent of men who had not been trained to statesmanship — elected in a time of profound peace upon a multitude of issues, but no one of them in anticipation of a war — that Congress, in my conviction, has immortalized itself, and stands second only to the first Continental Congress. Still it might, it ought to have done more.

My policy at the last session in regard to naval legislation was “hands off.” All sorts of attempts were made to overturn the legislation of the preceding session, but we in some manner or other defeated all such efforts.

SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes, p. 235-6

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Friday, December 18, 1863

No news. Our camps are good and there will be no suffering since we have plenty of wood for fuel. The boys feel quite lively staying in camp so long at one time, but I think a march would do us all some good.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 158

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: March 19, 1864

L. A. Manning and I off duty. Weather being fine, we decided to take a long walk out into the country. Passed a few farm houses. Came to a small school house where we heard the music of a violin. Looking at the building and listening to the music, a gentleman came out and invited us in. He was the teacher. It being Saturday there was no school. He was practising on the violin. A fine looking young man. Inclined to ask us many questions, which we avoided answering. His sympathy was with the South all right. We were about four miles from camp. Returned very much pleased with our tramp. Maryland is a fine country. We had passed through different sections of it.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 47

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Sunday, November 17, 1861

Stayed at Uncle's in the morning. Theodore rode my horse to Uncle Jones'. Stayed over night.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 4

19th Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery.

Organized at Cleveland, Ohio, September 10, 1862. Moved to Covington, Ky., October 6; thence march to Lexington, Ky., October 23-28. Attached to Army of Kentucky, Dept. of Ohio, to December, 1862. Artillery, 2nd Division, Army of Kentucky, Dept. of Ohio, to January, 1863. District of Central Kentucky, Dept. of Ohio, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of Ohio, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, to August, 1863. Reserve Artillery, 23rd Army Corps, to January, 1864. 1st Brigade. 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps, to April, 1864. Artillery, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, to February, 1865. Artillery, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to June, 1865.

SERVICE. – Camp at Ashland, Ky., till December, 1862. Moved to Richmond, Ky., December 10; thence to Danville, Ky., December 31, and to Frankfort January 5, 1863. Return to Lexington, Ky., February 22, and duty there till June 6. March to Somerset June 6-10. Pursuit of Morgan from Somerset, Ky., to Steubenville, Ohio, July 5-29. Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee August 16-October 17. Expedition to Cumberland Gap September 3-7. Operations about Cumberland Gap September 7-10. Duty at Knoxville, Tenn., till December. Knoxville Campaign November 4 to December 23. Campbell's Station November 16. Siege of Knoxville November 17-December 5. Camp at College Hill till March, 1864. Moved to Morristown March 15, thence to Mossy Creek. Moved to Knoxville April 20, thence march to Cleveland, Tenn., April 27-May 3. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May to September. Demonstrations on Dalton May 9-13. Rocky Faced Ridge May 9-11. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes Creek June 19. Kolb's Farm June 22. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Capture of Decatur July 19. Howard House July 20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Utoy Creek August 5-7. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Duty at Decatur till October, and at Atlanta till November 1. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., November 1. Nashville Campaign November-December. In front of Columbia, Tenn., November 24-27. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. At Clifton, Tenn., till January 15, 1865. Movement to North Carolina via Washington, D.C., January 15-22. Occupation of Wilmington February 22; duty there till March 6. Advance on Goldsboro March 6-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 21. Advance on Raleigh April 10-13. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Duty at Raleigh and Salisbury, N. C., till June. Mustered out at Salisbury, N. C., June 28, 1865.

Battery lost during service 2 Enlisted men killed and 7 Enlisted men by disease. Total 9.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1493-4

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, December 17, 1863

It cleared off and has turned quite cold, consequently the boys not on duty keep pretty close to the fires in their tents. There are no “chuck luck” banks in operation now — it is too cold, and then the boys' money is all gone.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 158

Diary of Private Charles H. Lynch: March 18, 1864

Nothing important has taken place during the past few days. Weather very good, but very cold nights along the Potomac. Out among the farmers buying straw for our tents. Ground too cold to sleep on. Try to keep comfortable, large campfires kept burning nights and days. When too cold to sleep sit around the fire.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 46

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: November 16, 1861

Theodore surprised me in the morning. Took a ride to Woodland Cemetery. Lizzie and Nettie came to camp. Heard Slade, Riddle and several others in the evening.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 4