[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/4228473/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Metropolitan Fair Buildings – 1-2, 6
The Torn Battle-Flag – 1
The National Convention – 1, 3
Mr. “Tear ‘Em” in Parliament and in Congress – 3
Owen Lovejoy – 3
Douglas as a Union Man – 3
Under Which? – 3
The Metropolitan Fair – 3-4, 7
General Burnside and Colored Troops – 4
Domestic Intelligence – 4
Foreign News – 4-5
Army and Navy Items – 5
New Styles of Coiffure – 5
The United States Sanitary Commission – 6, 8
Quite Alone, by George Augustus Sala, Ch. XI – 9-11
Humors of the Day – 11
Views About Knoxville – 11-12
Our Little Friend – 11
At the Fair – 11, 13
Aunt Debby’s Brown Cottage – 13-14
Military Ball at Huntsville, Alabama – 15, 17
Negroes Leaving Their Home – 16-17

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat

[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: Saturday, April 9, 1864 (“I remarked to each of the gentlemen that the Smiths had nothing to apprehend if they had done no wrong.” Huh.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/01/diary-of-gideon-welles-saturday-april-9.html

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 9, 1864 (“I am of the opinion that Lee’s force is much larger than is stated above, but this statement does not vary much from the estimate made by Generals Meade and Butler.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/brigadier-general-john-rawlins-to-mary_10.html

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, April 9, 1864 (“I feel confident that we are more than half through with the work of crushing [the] Rebellion.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/08/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-sophia.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: April 9, 1864 (“Don’t be alarmed and imagine that I have “photos” on the brain.” Gen. Corse, Johnny Clem)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/05/captain-charles-wright-wills-april-9.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: April 9, 1864 (“See here Mr. Confederacy, this is going a little too far. You have no business to kill us off at this rate. About thirty or forty die daily.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/05/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_31.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 9, 1864 (“As long as we hold Richmond and Virginia, the “head and heart” of the “rebellion,” we shall not only be between the enemy (south of us) and their own country, but within reach of it.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-9.html

General Robert E. Lee to Brigadier General G. W. Custis Lee, April 9, 1864 (“I want all the aid I can get now. I feel a marked change in my strength since my attack last spring at Fredericksburg, and am less competent for my duty than ever.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/general-robert-e-lee-to-brigadier.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: April 9, 1864 (“Were relieved to-day by Doles’ Georgia Brigade. Got to camp at I in the evening, raining very hard all day. Nothing more up to the 14th.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/12/diary-of-private-louis-leon-april-9-1864.html

Francis H. Wigfall, April 9, 1864 (“The sham battle of General Hardee’s Corps took place on Thursday, and was witnessed by a large number of ladies from all parts of the State.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/10/francis-h-wigfall-april-9-1864.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]

Continued from March 24 (reply #32).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4225326/posts#32

Jean Edward Smith, Grant

[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]

Continued from April 4 (reply #17)

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4228473/posts#17

Nathan Bedford Forrest: A Biography, by Jack Hurst

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Major Charles Fessenden Morse: April 10, 1864 (“The Twelfth Corps has officially ceased to exist, and General Slocum has issued his farewell order, a copy of which I enclose.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/major-charles-fessenden-morse-april-10.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: April 10, 1864 (“Rations have settled down to less than a pint of meal per day, with occasionally a few peas, or an apology for a piece of bacon, for each man.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 10, 1864 (“To-day I saw two conscripts from Western Virginia conducted to the cars (going to Lee’s army) in chains.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-10.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, April 11, 1864 (“In the House of Representatives a sharp and unpleasant discussion has been carried on, on a resolution introduced by the Speaker, Colfax, to expel Long, a Representative from Ohio, for some discreditable partisan remarks, made in a speech last Friday.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/01/diary-of-gideon-welles-monday-april-11.html

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, April 11, 1864 (“We have now been two years and more at war, and have reached a period when we should consider the war as fairly begun.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2013/08/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_19.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, April 11, 1864 (“I received a note from Hancock, the other day, saying Birney had been to see him, disclaiming being a partisan of Sickles”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/09/major-general-george-g-meade-to_29.html

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 11, 1864 (“[Sherman] writes so cheerfully, so full of hope of success that it makes one feel that all must be well. You know my high opinion of him.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/brigadier-general-john-rawlins-to-mary_11.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 11, 1864 (“Got marching orders and at four p. m. marched above the falls about two miles and went on board the steamboat ‘Shenango.’”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_11.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: April 11, 1864 (“As many as 12,000 men here now, and crowded for room. Death rate is in the neighborhood of eighty per day.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_2.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 11, 1864 (“There are rumors of Burnside landing troops on the Peninsula; also of preparations for movements on the Rappahannock—by which side is uncertain.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/05/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-11.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, April 12, 1864 (“To-day have a letter from Admiral Lee respecting the exportation of French tobacco from Richmond.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/01/diary-of-gideon-welles-tuesday-april-12.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, April 12, 1864 (“[Grant] habitually wears an expression as if he had determined to drive his head through a brick wall, and was about to do it. I have much confidence in him.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_21.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 12, 1864 (Lt. Smith’s steamboat avoids a possible ambush on the Red River.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_12.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: April 12, 1864 (“New prisoners are made sick the first hours of their arrival by the stench which pervades the prison.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_3.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 12, 1864 (“It is still said and believed that Gen. Lee will take the initiative, and attack Grant.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/05/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-12.html

General Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis, April 12, 1864 (“My anxiety on the subject of provisions for the army is so great that I cannot refrain from expressing it to your Excellency.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/general-robert-e-lee-to-jefferson-davis_10.html

[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: Wednesday, April 13, 1864 (“Consulted Mr. [Charles] Eames yesterday and again to-day in relation to the investigations into the frauds of naval contractors and others.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/02/diary-of-gideon-welles-wednesday-april.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, April 13, 1864 (“My duty is plain, to continue quietly to discharge my duties, heartily co-operating with him and under him.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/09/major-general-george-g-meade-to_30.html

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 13, 1864 (“The quantity of opium has affected my whole system inasmuch as to produce a sensation of numbness and drowsiness and given me a bad headache.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/brigadier-general-john-rawlins-to-mary_12.html

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 13, 1864 (“Of one thing the country can be assured, the General does not mean to scatter his army and have it whipped in detail.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/brigadier-general-john-rawlins-to-mary_14.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, April 13, 1864 (“Introduced to General Sheridan, the new Chief of Cavalry — a small, broad-shouldered, squat man, with black hair and a square head.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_43.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 13, 1864 (“We found Bank’s whole army here having been badly defeated at Pleasant Hill, forty miles above on the nineth and tenth instant and had retreated back to this place with his whole army.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_13.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: April 13, 1864 (“The raiders are the stronger party now, and do as they please; and we are in nearly as much danger now from our own men as from the rebels”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_4.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 13, 1864 (“There is an unofficial report that one of our torpedo boats struck the Federal war steamer Minnesota yesterday, near Newport News, and damaged her badly.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/05/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-13.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Thursday, April 14, 1864 (“The Baltimore American of this morning contains my report in relation to the ironclads and Du Pont.” See it in the NY Times of Apr 16.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/02/diary-of-gideon-welles-thursday-april.html

Governor John A. Andrew to Colonel William F. Bartlett, April 14, 1864 (“I commit these banners to you as an officer, as a citizen of Massachusetts, and as a personal friend . . .”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/07/governor-john-andrew-to-colonel-william.html

Colonel William F. Bartlett to Governor John A. Andrew, April 14, 1864 (“I hope, sir, we shall do the flag more credit in action, than we can do ourselves in speech.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/07/colonel-william-f-bartlett-to-governor.html

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 14, 1864 (“Enclosed I send you the telegraphic despatch from the Honorable E. B. Washburne, informing me of my confirmation by the Senate.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/brigadier-general-john-rawlins-to-mary_17.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 14, 1864 (Lt. Smith describes the bad position Adm. Porter found his fleet in after Gen. Banks’ defeat at Pleasant Hill.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_14.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: April 14, 1864 (“Many give me parting injunctions relative to their families, in case I should live through Have half a dozen photographs of dead men’s wives, with addresses on the back of them.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_5.html

Diary of Clara Barton: Thursday, April 14, 1864 (Miss Barton rails at the government.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/diary-of-clara-barton-thursday-april-14.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 14, 1864 (“No reliable war news to-day; but we are on the tip-toe of expectation of exciting news from the Rapidan.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/05/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-14.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: April 14, 1864 (“I went to A. P. Hill’s corps to visit my friend, Lieutenant Rusler, and returned to camp on the 15th.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/12/diary-of-private-louis-leon-april-14.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Friday, April 15, 1864 (“Gold is truth. Its paper substitute is a fiction, sustained by public confidence in part because there is a belief that it will ultimately bring gold”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/02/diary-of-gideon-welles-friday-april-15.html

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins to Mary Emeline Hurlburt Rawlins, April 15, 1864 (“General Grant’s official report of Chattanooga is being published all over the country, and is receiving the most favorable notice in all the leading papers.”)
The report is on pages 4-6 of yesterday’s NY Times=> https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4231107/posts

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/brigadier-general-john-rawlins-to-mary_18.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: April 15, 1864 (“The hospital is a tough place to be in, from all accounts, the detailed Yankees as soon as they get a little authority are certain to use it for all it is worth.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_6.html

General Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis, April 15, 1864 (“I think it certain that the enemy is organizing a large army on the Rappahannock and another at Annapolis, and that the former is intended to move directly on Richmond, while the latter is intended to take it in flank or rear.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/general-robert-e-lee-to-jefferson-davis_11.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: April 15, 1864 (“Nothing more up to the 18th.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/12/diary-of-private-louis-leon-april-15.html