[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/4165449/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Major-General Meade – 1-2
A Chapter of Wall Street History – 2-3
The Lounger – 3
Humors of the Day – 3-4
Domestic Intelligence – 4
Foreign News – 4
Pennsylvanian Gratitude – 4
The Siege of Vicksburg – 5, 19
The Siege of Port Hudson – 6, 19
A Woman’s Choice – 7-9
The Capture of the Rebel Iron-Clad “Atlanta” – 10, 15
The Pirates off New England – 11-12
The Army of the Potomac – 13, 16-17
“Very Hard Cash,” by Charles Reade, Ch. XVII – 13-15
The Late Admiral Foote – 18
Major Kiernan – 18-19

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

[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]

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

[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]

Gideon Welles to John A. Andrew, July 11, 1863 (The Confederate raider “Tacony”.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/gideon-welles-to-john-andrew-july-11.html

Diary of Gideon Welles: Saturday, July 11, 1863 (“I fear the Rebel army will escape, and am compelled to believe that some of our generals are willing it should.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-gideon-welles-saturday-july-11.html

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood To the Soldiers of Iowa in the Army of the Tennessee, July 11, 1863 (Congratulations on the fall of Vicksburg.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/governor-samuel-j-kirkwood-to-soldiers.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Brigadier-General Lorenzo Thomas, July 11, 1863 (“What was intended as a private letter General has spun out into a long semi official one which I hope you will excuse”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/10/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-to.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, July 11, 1863 (“Hoping to hear of your giving Johnston a good thrashing and driving him beyond Pearl River”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-to-major_23.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Nathaniel P. Banks, July 11, 1863 (“I congratulate you upon your removal of the last obstacle to the free navigation of the Mississippi.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-ulyssess-s-grant-to-major.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Brigadier-General Elias S. Dennis, July 11, 1863 (The Duncans are loyal. Leave them alone.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/10/headquarters-department-of-tennessee.html

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, July 11, 1863 (“I have just debarked on my return from Port Hudson and finished my report to General Grant. I am ordered back to Natchez”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/07/colonel-thomas-kilby-smith-to-eliza_12.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: July 11, 1863 (“Moved to foot of Cotton Hill, Fayette side.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_21.html

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney: July 11, 1863 (“Passed through Lexington and camped at 12 P. M. Morgan 25 miles.” Sgt. Maj. Tenney likes girls.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-sergeant-major-luman-harris_50.html

Diary of Sergeant George G. Smith: July 11, 1863 (“Scouting by cavalry, no rebels to be seen. The Richmond, Commander Farragut’s Flag ship, and three gunboats came down.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sergeant-george-g-smith-july.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Saturday, July 11, 1863 (“Of all the stubborn and aggravating beings on earth, the mule is the chiefest.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_7.html

Silas A. Hudson to Brigadier-General Grenville M. Dodge, July 11, 1863 (“I have just arrived here from Headquarters and am on my way home with Master Fred, the General’s son”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/01/silas-hudson-to-brigadier-general.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Saturday, July 11, 1863 (“Heaven help those Pennsylvanian braves if a score of Hood’s Texans had caught sight of them!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_3.html

General Robert E. Lee’s General Orders, No. 76 (“Soldiers! your old enemy is before you! Win from him honors worthy of your righteous cause – worthy of your comrades dead on so many illustrious fields.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/12/general-robert-e-lees-general-orders-no_29.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: July 11, 1863 (“Orders read out to-day from our father, R. E. Lee, that we would fight the enemy once more on their own soil, as they were now in our front.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/02/diary-of-private-louis-leon-july-11-1863.html

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: July 11, 1863 (“Mr. P. thinks from what he heard of the fearful loss in Pickett’s Division, that William is most probably killed.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/05/diary-of-margaret-junkin-preston-july-7_7.html

Diary of Judith W. McGuire, Saturday, July 11, 1863 (“General Lee has had a most bloody battle near Gettysburg. Our loss was fearful. We have heard of no casualties except in general officers.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/diary-of-judith-w-mcguire-saturday-july.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]

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 12, 1863 (“General Lauman, in taking position to-day, got his line uncovered by skirmishers too close to the enemy’s lines, and suffered considerably”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_23.html

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 12, 1863—12 m. (“Port Hudson being ours, and Holmes repulsed at Helena, the Missouri forces should be pushed to Little Rock at once.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_35.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, July 12, 1863 – 4:30 p.m. (“It is my intention to attack them to-morrow, unless something intervenes to prevent it”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/major-general-george-g-meade-to-major.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Sunday, July 12, 1863 (“We are starting on an expedition to Raleigh County and perhaps”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/05/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes.html

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney: July 12, 1863 (“Only 25 miles from Ohio line. Think Morgan will go to Ohio.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-sergeant-major-luman-harris_80.html

Diary of Sergeant George G. Smith: July 12, 1863 (“In a few days the rebel army went away to the Teche country in Western Louisiana and they never troubled that mighty highway again.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sergeant-george-g-smith-july_27.html

John M. Forbes, after July 12, 1863 (“We landed in New York on Sunday evening [July 12], the day before the great draft riots there broke out.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/06/john-m-forbes.html

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, July 12, 1863 (“We have a camp at Chelten Hills, nine miles from the Continental; a beautiful location I am told. I named it Camp Wm. Penn.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/06/george-l-stearns-to-mary-hall-stearns.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Sunday, July 12, 1863 (“At Philadelphia I saw a train containing one hundred and fifty Confederate prisoners, who were being stared at by a large number of the beau monde of Philadelphia.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_4.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Sunday, July 12, 1863 (“There is nothing additional this morning from Charleston, Mississippi, or Maryland.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/07/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-sunday_9.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: July 12, 1863 (“Went back to our brigade this morning. Skirmishing very heavy on the left and center.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/02/diary-of-private-louis-leon-july-12-1863.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 8 (reply #41).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4165449/posts#41

Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 8 (reply #42).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4165449/posts#42

David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 6 (reply #27).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4165449/posts#27

Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, July 13, 1863 (“If this army is permitted to escape across the Potomac, woe be to those who permit it!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-gideon-welles-monday-july-13.html

Edward S. Sanford to Edwin M. Stanton, July 13, 1863 – Received 12:10 p.m. (“SIR: What is represented as a serious riot is now taking place on Third avenue, at the provost-marshal’s office.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/edward-s-sanford-to-edwin-m-stanton_92.html

Edward S. Sanford to Edwin M. Stanton, July 13, 1863 – Received 2:30 p.m. (“The riot has assumed serious proportions, and is entirely beyond the control of the police.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/edward-s-sanford-to-edwin-m-stanton_12.html

Edward S. Sanford to Edwin M. Stanton, July 13, 1863 – 9:30 p.m. (“the firemen and military companies sympathize too closely with the draft resistance movement to be relied upon for the extinguishment of fires or the restoration of order.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/edward-s-sanford-to-edwin-m-stanton.html

Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Major-General George G. Meade, July 13, 1863 – 9:30 p.m. (“You are strong enough to attack and defeat the enemy before he can effect a crossing. Act upon your own judgment and make your generals execute your orders.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/major-general-henry-w-halleck-to-major_12.html

Major Henry L. Abbott to Mr. & Mrs. Charles Cushing Paine, July 13, 1863 (Extract) (Letter to mother of 18-year-old Lt. who died at Gettysburg, from a 21-year-old Capt. who will die at the Wilderness.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/major-henry-l-abbott-to-mr-mrs-charles.html

Major Charles Fessenden Morse: July 13, 1863 (“I don’t think Meade is at all anxious to make the attack”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/major-charles-fessenden-morse-july-13.html

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Monday, July 13, 1863 (“Officially reported that Port Hudson has fallen and the great Mississippi is ours”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/08/diary-of-4th-sergeant-john-s-morgan_68.html

From F. B. Johnson, of the Iowa 6th (Extract of letter to the editor from an Iowa soldier at the recent battle of Jackson.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2008/01/from-f-b-johnson-of-iowa-6th.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Monday, July 13, 1863 (Sir Arthur arrives in NY City just in time for the draft riots.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_11.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Monday, July 13, 1863 (“Lee and Meade have been facing each other two or three days, drawn up in battle array, and a decisive battle may have occurred ere this.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/07/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-monday_10.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: July 13, 1863 (“We marched one mile to the right of and crossed the Potomac at midnight, after wading through the canal, which we destroyed.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/02/diary-of-private-louis-leon-july-13-1863.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 8 (reply #40).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4165449/posts#40

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 13 (reply #34).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4151800/posts#34

William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, July 14, 1863 (A lot of tension at cabinet meeting today.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-gideon-welles-tuesday-july-14.html

Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 14, 1863 (“Permit me to call your attention to the propriety of sending such communications through the proper military channels.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/12/major-general-henry-w-halleck-to-major.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, July 14, 1863 (“Do you think Johnston is re-enforcing, so as to require more troops?”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-to-major_89.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Surgeon John Moore, July 14, 1863 (“Gen. Smith,’ C, S, A. complains that the prisoners in hospitals, in many cases have not received proper supplies of either medicine or food.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-to.html

Mayor George Opdyke to Edwin Stanton, July 14, 1863 – Received 4:25 p.m. (“If you can render any assistance by sending a military force, please do so.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/mayor-george-opdyke-to-edwin-stanton.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major Edward S. Sanford, July 14, 1863 – 6:20 p.m. (“The Government will be able to stand the test, even if there should be a riot and mob in every ward of every city.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-edward-s.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Mayor George Opdyke, July 14, 1863 – 6:55 p.m. (“Five regiments are under orders to return to New York.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/12/edwin-m-stanton-to-mayor-george-opdyke.html

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 14, 1863—8 p.m. (“I think I have troops enough. Johnston is still in Jackson, and our skirmishers are engaged all round the lines, and but little execution done by either party”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_85.html

Major-General William T. Sherman to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, July 14, 1863 (“Tell the general I have heard of his appointment as major-general in Regular Army. Of course I congratulate him, and hope he may live long to enjoy the ease and luxury of the position.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_22.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Francis J. Herron, July 14, 1863 (“You may remain in Yazoo City as long as Admiral Porter thinks necessary to save all that can be saved from the gunboats”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-to-major_22.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, July 14, 1863 (“This is exactly what I expected; unless I did impracticable things, fault would be found with me.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/07/major-general-george-g-meade-to_8.html

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney: July 14, 1863 (“Morgan has today burned 48 cars, captured 300 militia, etc.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-sergeant-major-luman-harris_91.html

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, July 14, 1863 (“A Salute of guns from forts in honor of our victory at Port Hudson.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/08/diary-of-4th-sergeant-john-s-morgan_85.html

Diary of Charles H. Lynch: July 14, 1863 (“General Lee and the rebel army have crossed the Potomac River into Virginia.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/diary-of-charles-h-lynch-july-14-1863.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Tuesday, July 14, 1863 (“The reports of outrages, hangings, and murder, were now most alarming, and terror and anxiety were universal”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_12.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Tuesday, July 14, 1863 (“The enemy are established on Morris Island, and the fate of Charleston is in doubt.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/07/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-tuesday_11.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: July 14, 1863 (“We are now, thank God, on Confederate soil, but oh, how many of our dear comrades have we left behind.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-roads-are-so-bad-that-it-is-hard.html

Diary of Judith W. McGuire, Tuesday, July 14, 1863 (“Lieutenant B. H. McGuire, our nephew, the bright, fair-haired boy, from whom we parted last summer at Lynchburg as he went on his way to the field, full of buoyancy and hope, is among the dead at Gettysburg.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/diary-of-judith-w-mcguire-tuesday-july.html

A Woman’s Diary Of The Siege Of Vicksburg: July 14, 1863 (“Vicksburg is now like one vast hospital — every one is getting sick or is sick.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-womans-diary-of-siege-of-vicksburg_88.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Wednesday, July 15, 1863 (“The papers are filled with accounts of mobs, riots, burnings, and murders in New York.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-gideon-welles-wednesday-july.html

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Major General Ulysses S. Grant, July 15, 1863 (“Permit me to congratulate you upon your great triumph in the capture of Vicksburg.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/governor-samuel-j-kirkwood-to-major.html

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 15, 1863—8:30 p.m. (Situation report from Jackson.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_76.html

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General James B. McPherson, July 15, 1863 (Concern about stragglers and armed negroes molesting civilians around Vicksburg.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/major-general-ulysses-s-grant-to-major_21.html

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw to Annie K. Haggerty Shaw, July 15, 1863 (“. . . You don’t know what a fortunate day this has been for me, and for us all, excepting some poor fellows who were killed and wounded.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/10/colonel-robert-gould-shaw-to-annie-k_8.html

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney: July 15, 1863 (“Morgan 8 hours ahead. Passed through several little towns near Cincinnati.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-sergeant-major-luman-harris_0.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Wednesday, July 15, 1863 (“I saw a stone barricade in the distance, and heard firing going on — and was not at all sorry to find myself on board the China.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_13.html

Diary of Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle: Postscript (Talks with northern gentlemen during the voyage back to England.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/11/diary-of-sir-arthur-james-lyon_14.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: July 15, 1863 (“I and two of our mess killed three turkeys, took them with us to one mile from Martinsburg, Va., where we camped, and the bones of those turkeys were left behind.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/03/diary-of-private-louis-leon-july-15-1863.html

Brigadier-General Wade Hampton to Senator Louis T. Wigfall, July 15, 1863 (“The Yankees will be defeated if we can get at them on fair ground. We could better have stormed the heights of Stafford than those of Gettysburg. . . .”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/09/brigadier-general-wade-hampton-to.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Wednesday, July 15, 1863 (“From Charleston we have no news; but from Jackson there has been considerable fighting, without a general engagement.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/07/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-wednesday_12.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: July 15, 1863 (“There is more unhappiness abroad among our people than I have ever seen before. Sometimes I wish I could sleep until it is over”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/09/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_99.html

Diary of Sarah Morgan: Wednesday, July 15, 1863 (The Morgan girls attempt to visit the prisoners from Port Hudson.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/04/diary-of-sarah-morgan-wednesday-july-15.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 4 (reply #3).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4165449/posts#3

Jean Edward Smith, Grant

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from July 5 (reply #21).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4165449/posts#21

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from June 4 (reply #29).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4156917/posts#29

David W. Blight, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom