[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/4151800/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Army of the Potomac – 1, 5-6, 12
Lay Ov Moddern “Konservativs” – 2
The Situation – 2
Our Relations with England – 2
A Voice from England – 2-3
The Lounger – 3
Humors of the Day – 3-4
Domestic Intelligence – 4
Foreign News – 4
A Topographical Map of Eastern Virginia – 7
Cauliflower – 8-9
“Very Hard Cash,” by Charles Reade, Ch. VII – 9, 11-12
Vicksburg – 10, 12
The Battle of Irish Bend – 12-13
A Model Camp on the Rappahannock – 12, 14
The Soldier’s Burial – 15
Curiosities of Sleep – 15

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Battle Maps of the Civil War: The Western Theater, American Battlefield Trust

Continued from May 14 (reply #39).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4151800/posts#39

Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 15 (reply #47).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4151800/posts#47

Jean Edward Smith, Grant

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 15 (reply #48).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4151800/posts#48

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2

3

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume One

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Inside Lincoln’s White House: The Complete War Diary of John Hay, edited by Michael Burlingame and John R. Turner Ettlinger

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Saturday, May 16, 1863 (“[Seward] alluded to the removal of Butler, which he said was a necessity to appease France.”

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/03/diary-of-gideon-welles-saturday-may-16.html

Resolutions of the New York Democratic Committee, May 16, 1863 (Re Vallandigham and suspension of the writ.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/10/resolutions-of-new-york-democratic.html

Colonel Charles Russell Lowell to Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Sturgis Russell, May 16, 1863 (On the grueling trip to Washington by ship and train.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/12/captain-charles-russell-lowell-to_13.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 16, 1863 (Slapjacks and Champion Hill.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/03/diary-of-5th-sergeant-osborn-h-oldroyd_28.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Saturday, May 16, 1863 (“a wounded soldier gave us the deplorable information that the enemy really was on the railroad between Jackson and Brookhaven, and that Jackson itself was in his hands.”)

(“All the young women in this country seem to be either uncommonly free-spoken, or else extremely shy.” Welcome to Louisiana.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_5.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 16, 1863 (“it was resolved not to send Pickett’s division to Mississippi, and this morning early the long column march through the city northward.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-16.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: May 16, 1863 (Damn Yankees and the indominable good spirits of the Confederate wounded.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_24.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]

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Major-General George G. Meade to John Sergeant Meade, May 17, 1863 (“Yesterday I went to see General Stoneman and Lieutenant Colonel Smith, to thank them for their kindness to George”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/major-general-george-g-meade-to-john.html

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, May 17, 1863 (“I am most agreeably disappointed in my Virginia regiments.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/03/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-lucy-webb_19.html

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, May 17, 1863 (“The Rebel loss of Jackson gives us the best of that effort. I hope the Potomac Army will get a victory sometime.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/03/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-sardis_20.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 17, 1863 (“We camped within a few miles of Black River, perfectly satisfied, though we have had no hand in the slaughter to-day.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/04/diary-of-5th-sergeant-osborn-h-oldroyd.html

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, May 17, 1863 (“There was some very heavy cannonading out at the front today, and word came that a battle was fought at a place called Champion Hills, with heavy loss on both sides.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/diary-of-alexander-g-downing-sunday-may_16.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Sunday, May 17, 1863 (“a locomotive arrived and brought us the report that the Yankees had suddenly abandoned Jackson, after destroying all the Government, and a good deal of private, property.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_7.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 17, 1863 (“fine weather for campaigning. And yet we hear of no demonstrations apparently, though I believe Lee’s army is moving.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-17.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: May 17, 1863 (“We left Kinston by rail at 12 M. Got to Goldsboro at 3, went through to Weldon, left here at 5 P.M., and got to Petersburg, Va., on the morning of the 18th”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/08/diary-of-private-louis-leon-may-17-1863.html

Charlotte Cross Wigfall to Francis H. Wigfall, May 17, 1863 (“I heard yesterday that Genl. Stuart was to go immediately on an extensive raid, but your father says it is not so. Genl. Lee is still here.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/charlotte-cross-wigfall-to-francis-h_28.html

A Woman’s Diary Of The Siege Of Vicksburg: May 17, 1863 (“Pemberton has been whipped at Baker’s Creek and Big Black, and his army are running back here as fast as they can come and the Yanks after them, in such numbers nothing can stop them.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-womans-diary-of-siege-of-vicksburg_28.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

David W. Blight, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, May 18, 1863 (“Sumner called this evening and read to me a letter he had received from Mr. Cobden and also one from Mr. Bright”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/03/diary-of-gideon-welles-monday-may-18.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 18, 1863 (Illustration: “Sherman’s men inflating rubber pontoon on which to cross Big Black River”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/diary-of-5th-sergeant-osborn-h-oldroyd.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Monday, May 18, 1863 (Sir Arthur makes it to Jackson, MS, where he is taken into custody as a suspected spy.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_8.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: Monday, May 18, 1863 (“This morning we had the gratification of a short visit from General Lee. He called and breakfasted with us”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/this-morning-we-had-gratification-of.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 13 (reply #33).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4151800/posts#33

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]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, May 19, 1863 (It sounds like Gen. Burnside made a hash of things in the Vallandigham case.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/03/diary-of-gideon-welles-tuesday-may-19.html

New York Democratic Committee to Abraham Lincoln, May 19, 1863 (Presentation of the recent resolutions to the President.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/10/new-york-democratic-committee-to.html

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, May 19, 1863 (“I am sorry to tell you I am at open war with Hooker.” Gory details follow.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/major-general-george-g-meade-to_17.html

Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s Special Orders, No. 134 (Ordering a general assault of the Vicksburg works at 1400 hrs.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/11/major-general-ulysses-s-grants-special.html

Diary of Colonel William F. Bartlett: May 19, 1863 (Suffering badly from typhoid, Col. Bartlett means to march with his regiment tomorrow all the same.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/diary-of-colonel-william-f-bartlett-may.html

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney: May 19, 1863 (“Favorable news from Grant, Jackson and Alexandria Banks.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-sergeant-major-luman-harris_20.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 19, 1863 (The 20th Ohio stands ready to charge the Vicksburg works, except for one man who would rather not.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/diary-of-5th-sergeant-osborn-h-oldroyd_21.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Tuesday, May 19, 1863 (With the corps of Gen. States Rights Gist hoping to join up with Gen. Johnston.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_9.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 19, 1863 (“a battle has been fought between Pemberton and Grant, between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, which lasted nine hours. Pemberton was forced back. This is all we know yet.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-19.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: May 19, 1863 (“Our brigade is transferred to the Army of Northern Virginia.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/08/diary-of-private-louis-leon-may-19-1863.html

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 19, 1863 (“My birthday. I would record my thankfulness to God for His special favors to me through the past year.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-margaret-junkin-preston-may-19.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 10 (reply #13).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4151800/posts#13

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Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, May 20, 1863 (“Hooker is safe, I think, from the difficulty of finding a successor, and from the ridiculous appearance we present of changing our generals after each battle.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/major-general-george-g-meade-to_18.html

Colonel Charles Russell Lowell to Josephine Shaw, May 20, 1863 – 9 p.m. (Lowell’s cavalry reviewed by Gen. Casey.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/12/captain-charles-russell-lowell-to_20.html

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, May 20, 1863 (“We do not know accurately yet what has happened to Hooker. He is repulsed and his movement a failure. I hope he is left relatively as well off as he was before.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/03/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-sardis_21.html

Diary of Colonel William F. Bartlett: Wednesday, May 20, 1863 (Col. Bartlett manages to catch up to his regiment.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/diary-of-colonel-william-f-bartlett.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 20, 1863 (“This day has been busily spent in making cautious advances toward the works of the enemy”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/diary-of-5th-sergeant-osborn-h-oldroyd_27.html

Francis Lieber to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, May 20, 1863 (On the need for civilized warfare.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/francis-lieber-to-major-general-henry-w.html

John M. Forbes to Governor John A. Andrew, May 20, 1863 (“I am busy just now trying to see the Quakers, and to bring them up to the mark of doing something for peace, by petitioning for the suppression of ironclads and other Confederate pirates.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/john-m-forbes-to-governor-john-andrew.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Wednesday, May 20, 1863 (Fremantle reached the HQ of Gen. Johnston, who he briefly profiles.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_10.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 20, 1863 (“Something decisive must occur before Vicksburg in a few days.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-20.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: May 20, 1863 (“General Johnston is there; I hope, by the mercy of God, he may be able to keep the enemy out of Vicksburg.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_27.html

[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]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Thursday, May 21, 1863 (This Sen. Hale (R-NH) would be a good fit for the 2024 Senate.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/04/diary-of-gideon-welles-thursday-may-21.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant’s General Field Orders, No. –, May 21, 1863 (Ordering another assault on the Vicksburg defenses.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/major-general-ulysses-s-grants-general.html

Colonel Charles Russell Lowell to Josephine Shaw, May 21, 1863 (Did Miss Shaw suggest an excursion to Egypt?)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/12/captain-charles-russell-lowell-to_25.html

Diary of Colonel William F. Bartlett: Thursday, May 21, 1863 (“We had advanced about three and a half miles, when we were saluted by some shells from rebel batteries ahead. I immediately got on my horse Billy.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/diary-of-colonel-william-f-bartlett_19.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: May 21, 1863 (“Rumors reach us daily that Grant is in a critical situation; but I can’t so see it. He has enough men to annihilate in a field fight all the Rebels south of this line.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/10/captain-charles-wright-wills-may-21-1863.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 21, 1863 (“If they put their heads above their works we sent a hundred or more shots at them, and on the other hand, if any on our side made themselves too conspicuous, they fired in turn.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/diary-of-5th-sergeant-osborn-h-oldroyd_53.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Thursday, May 21, 1863 (Wide-ranging description of doings at Gen. Johnston’s HQ. Good stuff.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_11.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 21, 1863 (“rumor on the street last night that Gen. Johnston had telegraphed the President that it would be necessary to evacuate Vicksburg. This has not been confirmed to-day, and I do not believe it. It would be irremediably disastrous.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-21.html

General Robert E. Lee to Major General John Bell Hood, May 21, 1863 (“I agree with you as to the size of the corps of this Army. They are too large for the country we have to operate in for one man to handle.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/12/general-robert-e-lee-to-major-general.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: May 21, 1863 (“Left this morning, marched twenty-one miles, halted at 5.30. It is a very hilly country, warm and dusty.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/08/diary-of-private-louis-leon-may-21-1863.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Friday, May 22, 1863 (“Information is received that Grant has beaten Pemberton after a hard fight of nine hours.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/04/diary-of-gideon-welles-friday-may-22.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, May 22, 1863 (“To-day an attempt was made to carry the city by assault, but was not entirely successful.” Right. Not entirely.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-to-major.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, May 22, 1863 – 8:30 p.m. (“I now find the position of the enemy so strong that I shall be compelled to regularly besiege the city.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-o-rear.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 22, 1863 (“In this charge a severe loss was met by our division, and nothing gained.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/05/diary-of-5th-sergeant-osborn-h-oldroyd_44.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Friday, May 22, 1863 (“The bombardment at Vicksburg was very heavy and continuous this morning. . . . I had a long conversation with General Johnston”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_13.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 22, 1863 (“Where Johnston is, is not stated. But, it is said, Vicksburg is closely invested, and that the invaders are closing in on all sides.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-22.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: May 22, 1863 (“Marched twenty miles to-day, and halted at 6 P.M.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/08/diary-of-private-louis-leon-may-22-1863.html