Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts
First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
Posting history, in reverse order
https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
Link to previous Harper’s Weekly thread
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts
The West Point Atlas of War: The Civil War, Chief Editor, Brigadier General Vincent J. Esposito
Continued from May 6 (reply #66).
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts?q=1&;page=51#66
Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat
The West Point Atlas of War: The Civil War, Chief Editor, Brigadier General Vincent J. Esposito
Continued from May 6 (reply #76).
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts?q=1&;page=51#76
Jean Edward Smith, Grant
Continued from May 6 (reply #76).
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts?q=1&;page=51#76
Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume Two
Continued from Continued from May 6 (reply #76).
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts?q=1&;page=51#76
Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell
All for the Union: The Civil War Diary and Letters of Elisha Hunt Rhodes, edited by Robert Hunt Rhodes
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts?q=1&;page=51#66
Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat
The West Point Atlas of War: The Civil War, Chief Editor, Brigadier General Vincent J. Esposito
Diary of a Confederate Soldier: John S. Jackman of the Orphan Brigade, Edited, with an introduction, by William C. Davis
Diary of Gideon Welles: Saturday, May 7, 1864 (“The President came into my room about 1 P.M., and told me he had slept none last night. He lay down for a short time on the sofa in my room and detailed all the news he had gathered.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/08/diary-of-gideon-welles-saturday-may-7.html
Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: May 7, 1864 (“A hard day’s march. Left Princeton at 4 A. M., crossed East River Mountain and passed through Rocky Gap.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/11/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-may.html
Diary of Colonel William F. Bartlett, May 7, 1864 (“General Hancock ordered me to charge over a regiment lying in front of us that would not move. We did it in perfect line. Hancock said ‘Glorious!’”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/07/diary-of-colonel-william-f-bartlett-may_28.html
Captain Charles Wright Wills: May 7, 1864, 12 p.m. (“Colonel Wright tells me we are about seven miles from the Rebels at some ridge. We will get into position to-morrow and fight next day”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-may-7-1864_16.html
Captain Charles Wright Wills: May 7, 1864, 12 p.m. (On the march in Georgia. Both diary entries at 12 p.m.?)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-may-7-1864.html
Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Saturday, May 7, 1864 (“But I don’t like war and wish it was well over. This is the real thing, though! Grant don’t play fight.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/09/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_28.html
Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 6 & 7, 1864 (“Comparative quiet.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/01/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_3.html
Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: May 7, 1864 (“George says he will try and send in something for us to eat, and I know he will, for a truer hearted fellow never lived.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom-may_18.html
Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop: Saturday, May 7, 1864 (“A train of wounded Confederates came down from the Wilderness battlefield bound for Charlotteville; Gen. Longstreet on board. I climbed into the car and got a look at Longstreet as he lay bolstered up on his stretcher.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/04/diary-of-corporal-john-worrell-northrop_18.html
Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: May 7, 1864 (The 7th Illinois is seeing action in Alabama)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/08/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose-may-7.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 7, 1864 (Dispatches from Gen. Lee and excitement in Richmond.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-7-1864.html
Dr. Spencer G. Welch to Cordelia Strother Welch, May 7, 1864 (“Not far from these was an old man, a Yankee officer, mortally wounded. I learned that he was Brigadier-General Wadsworth, once Governor of New York.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/05/dr-spencer-g-welch-to-cordelia-strother_18.html
Diary of Private Louis Leon: May 7, 1864 (“We are still penned up as prisoners in the rear of the army, close by General Grant’s headquarters. A great many prisoners came in to-day. From some of them I heard that my brother was well.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/02/diary-of-private-louis-leon-may-7-1864.html
Continued from May 6 (reply #68).
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts?q=1&;page=51#68
Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume Two
Battle Maps of the Civil War: The Western Theater, American Battlefield Trust
Continued from May 4 (reply #43).
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts#43
James Lee McDonough, William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country, A Life
With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865, edited by Michael Burlingame
John Hay to Charles Edward Hay: May 8, 1864 (Younger brother Charlie Hay has become engaged to an Illinois girl, Mary Ridgely.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/john-hay-to-charles-edward-hay-may-8.html
Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Sunday, May 8, 1864 (“Rocky Gap to Poplar Hill (Sharmon’s), twenty-four miles. — Ten from Giles; ten and one-half from Dublin. Rebels probably ahead of us getting ready.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/11/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes.html
Diary of Colonel William F. Bartlett, May 8, 1864 “Ambulances moved to Chancellorsville . . . The loss in my regiment is great. Nearly two hundred killed and wounded. I am satisfied with their conduct.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/07/diary-of-colonel-william-f-bartlett-may_29.html
Captain Charles Wright Wills: May 8, 1864, 1:30 a.m. (“Have about given up the train before daylight, so will curl down and take a cool snooze, minus blankets. Made 11 miles to-day.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-may-8-1864_20.html
Captain Charles Wright Wills: May 8, 1864 (“Dispatch came to Sherman this p. m. that Grant had whipped Lee three successive days. Our fight will come off to-morrow.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-may-8-1864.html
Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Sunday, May 8, 1864 (“when reminded by a wag that he (Meade) was in a dangerous place, he replied: “It’s safe enough behind a Vermont regiment anywhere!” Which was a clever thing to say to the men and they appreciated it.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/09/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_29.html
Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 8, 1864 (“Crossed Red river on the dam. Four gun boats below the dam, and two turreted monitors below the upper falls.” With illustration.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/01/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_4.html
Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: May 8, 1864 (“About 3,500 have died since I came here, which is a good many, come to think of it”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom-may_19.html
Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop: [Sunday], May 8, 1864 (Northrup’s POW train passes through Charlottesville, where they are derided by local girls.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/04/diary-of-corporal-john-worrell-northrop.html
Francis Lieber to Senator Charles Sumner, May 8, 1864 (Lieber strongly urges Sen. Sumner to pass an English publication to President Lincoln.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/francis-lieber-to-senator-charles_22.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 8, 1864 (“Grant remained where he had been driven, in the “Wilderness,” behind his breastworks, completely checked in his “On to Richmond.” He may be badly hurt, and perhaps his men object to being led to the slaughter again.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-8-1864.html
Diary of Private Louis Leon: May 8, 1864 (“We left this place at dark last night, but only got a distance of two miles, and it took us until 9 in the morning of the 9th.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/02/diary-of-private-louis-leon-may-8-1864.html
Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: Sunday, May 8, 1864 (“At this moment Yankee prisoners are passing by. I do not know where they were captured. Those taken at the battle of “The Wilderness” were sent South.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/01/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_31.html
Battle Maps of the Civil War: The Western Theater, American Battlefield Trust
Continued from May 5 (reply #56).
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4234614/posts?q=1&;page=51#56
Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat
Inside Lincoln’s White House: The Complete War Diary of John Hay, edited by Michael Burlingame and John R. Turner Ettlinger
Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General Benjamin F. Butler, May 9, 1864 — 3:20 p.m. (Sec. Stanton updates Gen. Butler on war news.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general_13.html
Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General Benjamin F. Butler, May 9, 1864 — 4 p.m. (“A dispatch from General Grant has just been received. He is on the march with his whole army to form a junction with you”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general.html
Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, May 9, 1864 (“The misfortunes are attributed entirely and exclusively to the incapacity of General Banks.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/08/diary-of-gideon-welles-monday-may-9-1864.html
Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: May 9, 1864 (“Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, or as Rebs call it “Cloyd Farm.” Lasted one hour and a half.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cloyd%27s_Mountain)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/01/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-may.html
Diary of Colonel William F. Bartlett, May 9, 1864 (“Moved into Fredericksburg this morning at sunrise, in a brick house here. Lived in ambulance three days and nights.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/08/diary-of-colonel-william-f-bartlett-may.html
Captain Charles Wright Wills: May 9, 1864 (“A regiment of Kentucky cavalry (Rebel) slipped in between ours and the division ahead of us, trying to capture a train.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-may-9-1864.html
Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Monday, May 9, 1864 (“General Hancock occupies the right followed by General Warren, Generals Sedgwick and Burnside in the order mentioned.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/09/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_30.html
Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 9, 1864 (“Dam broke away and two ironclads run through. Two gunboats reported destroyed near Fort De Russey.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/01/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_5.html
Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: May 9, 1864 (“Men are continually going up to the dead line and getting shot. They do not get much sympathy, as they should know better.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom-may_20.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May [9], 1864 (“yesterday the advance of our army encountered his right wing at Spottsylvania Court House, and repulsed it ‘with great slaughter.’ Strong language for Lee.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-9-1864.html
Diary of Private Louis Leon: May 9, 1864 (“We passed a brigade of negro troops. They gave us a terrible cursing, and hollered “Fort Pillow” at us.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/02/diary-of-private-louis-leon-may-9-1864.html
A Letter from Charlottesville: May 9, 1864 (“There are thousands of rumors and we are satisfied with knowing we have been victorious thus far.” – Louise Wigfall.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-letter-from-charlottesville-may-9-1864.html