[Homer_J_Simpson]

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/4063921/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Mr. Gladstone and the English – 1, 3
Norfolk Repossessed – 2, 10
The Lounger – 3-4
Humors of the Day – 4
Domestic Intelligence – 4-5, 17
Foreign News – 5
The Capture of New Orleans – 6-10, 18
When Green Leaves Come Again – 9
A Bobtail Bull in Fly-Time – 10
General M’Clellan’s Army – 11, 13-14
The City of Norfolk, Virginia, Recently Occupied by Our Troops – 12
Only One Killed – 13
General Hancock’s Charge at Williamsburg – 13, 16
Burnside Taking Off the Gloves – 14
Map of the Seat of War in Virginia – 15
Gen. Winfield S. Hancock – 18
No Name, by Wilkie Collins, Between the Scenes Ch. I-V – 18-20

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The West Point Atlas of War: The Civil War, Chief Editor, Brigadier General Vincent J. Esposito

Continued from May 21 (reply #21).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4063921/posts#21

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1

2

3

Mary Chesnut’s Civil War, edited by C. Vann Woodward

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General John A. Dix, May 24, 1862 – 6:50 a.m. (“Please send all the force you can spare, to re-enforce Banks, speedily as possible.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general-john.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General John C. Frémont, May 24, 1862 – 9:45 a.m.(“ Yesterday the enemy attacked and drove Banks’ force from Front Royal, and are threatening Strasburg and Winchester. If you can operate so as to afford him any support do so.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general-john-c.html

Abraham Lincoln to Major-General John C. Frémont, May 24, 1862 – 4 p.m. (“The exposed condition of General Banks makes his immediate relief a point of paramount importance.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/abraham-lincoln-to-major-general-john-c.html

Major General Irvin McDowell to Edwin M. Stanton, May 24, 1862 (“The President’s order has been received and is in process of execution. This is a crushing blow to us.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/11/major-general-irvin-mcdowell-to-edwin-m.html

Abraham Lincoln to Major General John C. Frémont, May 24, 1862 – 7:15 p.m. (“Many thanks for the promptness with which you have answered that you will execute the order. Much – perhaps all – depends upon the celerity with which you can execute it.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/abraham-lincoln-to-major-general-john-c.html

Abraham Lincoln to Major-General Irvin McDowell, May 24, 1862 (“I am highly gratified by your alacrity in obeying my order. The change was as painful to me as it can possibly be to you or to any one.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/abraham-lincoln-to-major-general-irvin.html

Major-General Irvin McDowell to Abraham Lincoln, May 24, 1862 (“I beg to say that cooperation between General Frémont and myself to cut Jackson and Ewell there is not to be counted upon, even if it is not a practical impossibility.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/major-general-irvin-mcdowell-to-abraham.html

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Saturday, May 24, 1862 (“Colonel Crook, of [the] Third Brigade, was attacked yesterday morning by General Heth with the same force which drove me out of Giles.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-lieutenant-colonel-rutherford_12.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, May 24, 1862 (“One of our brigades, under Colonel Crook, gained an important victory over the Rebels under General Heth yesterday morning at Lewisburg”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/lieutenant-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_13.html

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: May 24, 1862 (“We rode all day yesterday through a steady rain and over roads that were for miles obstructed by felled trees and bridges burned.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/07/1st-lieutenant-charles-wright-wills-may_8.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Saturday, May 24, 1862 (“This evening we are ordered to fall in on the color line, which is repeated several times through the night by false alarms from the pickets on St. Philips’ Creek.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/02/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_72.html

Joseph Medill to Congressman Elihu B. Washburn, May 24, 1862 (“I admire your pertinacity and steadfastness in behalf of your friend [Grant], but I fear he is played out. The soldiers are down on him.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/09/joseph-medill-to-congressman-elihu-b.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 24, 1862 (“Every day the two armies are shelling each other, more or less; and every gun can be heard from the Hospital Hill,”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-24.html

Diary of Mary Brockenbrough Newton: May 24, 1862 (“We were aroused this morning at an early hour, by the servants rushing in, exclaiming: ‘The house is surrounded by Yankees, and they are coming into the house.’ I rushed to the window, and there they were.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/05/diary-of-mary-brockenbrough-newton-may_6.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865, edited by Michael Burlingame

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Edwin M. Stanton to Governor Andrew G. Curtin, May 25, 1862 (“Send all the troops forward that you can immediately. Banks is completely routed. The enemy are in large force advancing upon Harper’s Ferry.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/edwin-m-stanton-to-governor-andrew-g.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Governor Israel Washburn Jr., May 25, 1862 (“Intelligence from various quarters leaves no doubt that the enemy in great force are advancing on Washington.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/edwin-m-stanton-to-governor-israel_30.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General Irvin McDowell, May 25, 1862 (“Intelligence received this morning shows that General Banks has been attacked in force at Winchester and is retreating towards Harper’s Ferry.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general-irvin.html

Major General George B. McClellan to Abraham Lincoln, May 25, 1862 (“All the information obtained from balloons, deserters, prisoners, and contrabands agrees in the statement that the mass of the rebel troops are still in the immediate vicinity of Richmond, ready to defend it.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/abraham-lincoln-to-major-general-george_5.html

Proclamation of Governor John A. Andrew, Sunday, May 25, 1862 – 11 p.m. (“The wily and barbarous horde of traitors to the people, to the Government, to our country, and to liberty, menace again the national capital.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/proclamation-of-governor-john-andrew.html

Major-General Benjamin F. Butler to Edwin M. Stanton, May 25, 1862 (Gen. Butler seeks guidance. Sec. Stanton may not get to this matter today.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/10/major-general-benjamin-f-butler-to_83.html

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Sunday, May 25, 1862 (“All suspense in military matters, awaiting result at Corinth and Richmond.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-lieutenant-colonel-rutherford_14.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, May 25, 1862 (“We expect to be able to unite with Fremont’s larger body in about three or four weeks. In the meantime, good luck at Richmond and Corinth may pretty nearly take away our occupation.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/lieutenant-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_15.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Sunday, May 25, 1862 (“We anticipate no attack to-day, for the attack on Sunday at Shiloh taught the enemy a lesson.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/02/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_17.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 25, 1862 (“The enemy send up several balloons every day. Sometimes three can be seen at once.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-25.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 13 (reply #14).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4061989/posts#14

James Lee McDonough, William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country, A Life

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of a Confederate Soldier: John S. Jackman of the Orphan Brigade, Edited, with an introduction, by William C. Davis

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Edwin M. Stanton to Governor David Tod, May 26, 1862 (“We want as many troops as you can raise in the State for the term of three years, or during the war, or for any other term, not less than three months, according as you can raise them quickest.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/edwin-m-stanton-to-governor-david-tod.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Governor Israel Washburn Jr., May 26, 1862 (“Send on the guards at the forts; replace them, if necessary, by militia.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/edwin-m-stanton-to-governor-israel.html

Adjutant-General Lorenzo Thomas to Governor Israel Washburn Jr., May 26, 1862 (“Enlist no more three-months’ men. Only three-years’ men are needed.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/adjutant-general-lorenzo-thomas-to.html

Major General George B. McClellan to Abraham Lincoln, May 26, 1862 – 7:30 p.m. (“I feel forced to take every possible precaution against disaster and to secure my flanks against the probably superior force in front of me.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/major-general-george-b-mcclellan-to_4.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Monday, May 26, 1862 (“General Banks has been driven back by the Rebel Jackson, probably to Harpers Ferry. This is a long move to the rear. If true, it indicates a pretty heavy disaster”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/lieutenant-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_17.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, May 26, 1862 (“We stand for the moment on the defensive, and are not likely to be disturbed.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/lieutenant-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_20.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, May 26, 1862 (“Lieutenant Ring has returned from his sick leave of absence, received at Shiloh, and is now among his men.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/02/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_18.html

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, May 26, 1862 (“I do not remember having ever seen such rejoicing as was manifested by the people of Winchester as our army yesterday passed through the town in pursuit of the enemy.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/07/major-general-thomas-j-jackson-to-mary.html

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson’s General Orders No. 53, May 26, 1862 (Jackson thanks the men under his command.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/07/major-general-thomas-j-jacksons-general.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 26, 1862 (“We are now so strong that no one fears the result when the great battle takes place. McClellan has delayed too long, and he is doomed to defeat.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-26.html

Diary of Mary Brockenbrough Newton: Monday, May 26, 1862 (“A cry of “Yankees,” this morning, sent us to the windows; there we saw a regiment of Lancers, one of regulars, one of rifles, and another of zouaves, composed of the most dreadful-looking creatures I ever beheld”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/05/diary-of-mary-brockenbrough-newton.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 22 (reply #31).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4063921/posts#31

1

2

Bruce Catton, Terrible Swift Sword

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, May 27, 1862 (“McDowell left last night for Washington, where they appear to be paralyzed with fear at the audacity of the enemy falling on Banks with a superior force.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/12/brigadier-general-george-g-meade-to_23.html

Brigadier-General John Sedgwick to his Sister, May 17, 1862 (“General McClellan is acting with much prudence and caution.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/brigadier-general-john-sedgwick-to-his_6.html

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Tuesday, May 27, 1862 (“News today that General Halleck has taken Corinth and twenty thousand prisoners! Is it true? I hope so.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-lieutenant-colonel-rutherford_21.html

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: May 27, 1862 (“I don’t know the number of patients, somewhere in thousands, all packed in tents as closely as they can lie, and with not one-tenth the care a sick horse would get at home.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/07/1st-lieutenant-charles-wright-wills-may_9.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Tuesday, May 27, 1862 (“This morning we can hear the beating of drums in the rebel camp. There is not a wide space between the two hostile armies.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/02/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_36.html

Diary of Josephine Shaw Lowell: May 27, 1862 (I guess Robert Shaw got the action he was craving.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/diary-of-josephine-shaw-lowell-may-27.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 27, 1862 (“More troops came in last night, and were marched to the camp at once, so that the Yankees will know nothing of it.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-27.html

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: May 27, 1862 (“General Jackson’s career going on gloriously.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-judith-w-mcguire-may-21-1862.html

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 27, 1862 (“Frank Preston [the second son of the family] had been ‘severely wounded’ [at Wincheser].”

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/diary-of-margaret-junkin-preston-may-27.html

Diary of Mary Brockenbrough Newton: May 27, 1862 (“The firing has now ceased, and the Yankees are constantly straggling in, claiming a great victory; but we have learned to believe nothing they say”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/05/diary-of-mary-brockenbrough-newton-may_10.html

Diary of Sarah Morgan: May 27, 1862 (Morgan and family are preparing to flee New Orleans.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/diary-of-sarah-morgan-may-27-1862.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 16 (reply #30).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4061989/posts#30

Jean Edward Smith, Grant

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of a Confederate Soldier: John S. Jackman of the Orphan Brigade, Edited, with an introduction, by William C. Davis

[Homer_J_Simpson]

All for the Union: The Civil War Diary and Letters of Elisha Hunt Rhodes, edited by Robert Hunt Rhodes

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Congressman Samuel Hooper to Governor John A. Andrew, May 28, 1862 (“the order for the militia and three-months’ men was made by the President himself upon deliberate consultation with the Secretary of War and other members of his Cabinet and his military advisers”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/samuel-hooper-to-governor-john-andrew.html

Colonel George H. Gordon to Captain William D. Wilkins, May 28, 1862 (2nd Mass. Regiment C.O. report on battle at Winchester on 25 May.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/09/colonel-george-h-gordon-to-captain.html

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Wednesday, May 28, 1862 (“Many rumors indicate that the Rebels are leaving Richmond. The gathering of great forces opposite to General Banks, and to Fremont all look that way.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-lieutenant-colonel-rutherford_22.html

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, May 28, 1862 (“The long dreamed of time has arrived, and the word “Onward to Charleston” has been spoken.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/captain-william-thompson-lusk-to_23.html

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: May 28, 1862 (“Many think that Halleck has commenced a regular siege.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/07/1st-lieutenant-charles-wright-wills-may_10.html

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: May 28, 1862 (“here in Dixie it is no drizzle, but comes down a perfect waterfall, sometimes for twelve hours together, accompanied with lightning and thunder of the grandest description.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/11/diary-of-corporal-david-l-day-may-28.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, May 28, 1862 (“We now have another strong line of defense. If Beauregard stands, we anticipate a general engagement soon.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/02/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_28.html

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 28, 1862 (“Frank’s arm (in the opinion of the surgeon who spoke to the writer) may probably have to be amputated.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/diary-of-margaret-junkin-preston-may-28.html

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 28, 1862 – After Dark (“Jackson has gained a great success, and the papers ring with eulogiums on “old Stonewall” as they delight to call him.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/diary-of-margaret-junkin-preston-may-28_28.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 28, 1862 (“Prisoners and deserters from the enemy say the Yankees get the Richmond papers, every day, almost as soon as we do.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-28.html

Diary of Mary Brockenbrough Newton: May 28, 1862 (“Now our mail is broken up, and we feel that we are indeed in the hands of the enemy.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/05/diary-of-mary-brockenbrough-newton-may_12.html

Diary of Sarah Morgan: Wednesday, May 28, 1862 (After a shelling in Baton Rouge – not New Orleans, as I mistakenly said earlier – Morgan and family are refugees.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/diary-of-sarah-morgan-wednesday-may-28.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of a Confederate Soldier: John S. Jackman of the Orphan Brigade, Edited, with an introduction, by William C. Davis

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Mary Chesnut’s Civil War, edited by C. Vann Woodward

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1st Lieutenant Charles Fessenden Morse, May 29, 1862 (“I take the very first chance I have to let you know I am safe and well. I did not cross the Potomac until last night.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/1st-lieutenant-charles-fessenden-morse_25.html

1st Lieutenant Charles Fessenden Morse, May 29, 1862 (Detailed description of action in the Shenandoah Valley during the last week.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/1st-lieutenant-charles-fessenden-morse.html

Diary of Josephine Shaw Lowell: May 29, 1862 (“First letter from Rob since the battle. “Quite a fight” he calls it.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/diary-of-josephine-shaw-lowell-may-29.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 29, 1862 (“More troops are marching into the city, and Gen. Lee has them sent out in such manner and at such times as to elude the observations of even the spies.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-29.html

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: May 29, 1862 (“It is said that General Johnston, by an admirable series of manœuvres, is managing to retreat from Williamsburg”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-judith-w-mcguire-may-29-1862.html