[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/4243578/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Porter’s Gun-Boats Passing the Dam at Alexandria – 1, 14
When the Boys Come Home – 2
Further Proofs of Rebel Inhumanity – 2-3
To Correspondents – 3
The Cleveland Convention – 3
A Bad Means to a Good End – 3
Public Confidence – 3
The Vote Upon the Constitutional Amendment – 3-4
Rebel Cruelty – 4
“Our Mutual Friend” and “Denis Duval” – 4
Domestic Intelligence – 4-6
The Georgia Campaign – 5-7, 14
Foreign News – 6
An Heiress – 8-10
Humors of the Day – 10
Grant’s Great Campaign – 11, 15-17
Great Central Fair, Philadelphia – 12
Quite Alone, by George Augustus Sala, Ch. XXVII-XXVIII – 12-14
Just So! – 14
A Carefully Prepared Map of the Battle-Fields around Richmond, Virginia – 18
Gen. Sherman’s Campaign – 17-18
The Coast-Guardsman’s Tale – 18

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

Continued from June 15 (reply #36).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4243578/posts#36

Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

Continued from Continued from June 17 (reply #52).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4243578/posts?q=1&;page=51#52

1

2

3

Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from June 16 (reply #44).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4243578/posts#44

Jean Edward Smith, Grant

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from June 17 (reply #53).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4243578/posts?q=1&;page=51#53

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume Two

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Johnny Green of the Orphan Brigade: The Journal of a Confederate Soldier, Edited by A.D. Kirwan

[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]

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, June 18, 1864 (A grouchy Gen. Meade sends Lt.Col. Lyman to liaise with Gen. Warren during todays attack at Petersburg.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: June 18, 1864 (“General Harrow and Colonel Wright rode out to the left some 200 yards from the regiment and narrowly escaped a trip over the river, a shell bursting right under the nose of the general’s horse.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/02/captain-charles-wright-wills-june-18.html

Letter from the Sixth Iowa (“I am now acting as commissary for Field hospital of the Army of the Tenn. at Altoona [sic] Ga., twenty miles from the “Front,” which is at Big Shanty on the Western Atlantic R. R.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2008/08/letter-from-sixth-iowa.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Saturday, June 18, 1864 (“The works were carried by storm by colored troops, but they couldn’t have taken them if the forts had been fully garrisoned, by veterans instead of citizens.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_11.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 18, 1864 (“Some one stole my cap during the night. A dead neighbor furnished me with another, however.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_9.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, June 18, 1864 (“There has been some very hard fighting on our right this afternoon, and General Thomas has turned the rebels’ left and pierced their center.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_18.html

James Freeman Clarke to E. C. C., June 18, 1864 (“Do you see how bravely the colored soldiers have fought at Petersburg? They have been praised by the generals on the field for their courage. Still, Government can pay them only seven dollars a month!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/james-freeman-clarke-to-e-c-c-june-18.html

Ford’s Theatre Advertisement: Second Grand Concert (This concert must have been Sun. June 19. See Hay’s letter linked within dated June 20 and speaking of attending the concert “last night”.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/fords-theatre-advertisement-second.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 Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Sunday, June 19, 1864 (“En route to Liberty [Bedford], sleepy, tired; hot, and dusty. All goes well however so far. Twenty-six miles.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_39.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, June 19, 1864 (“General determined to send a flag to get a short armistice, as at Cool Arbor. I was again selected to undertake the mission”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_3.html

Senator James W. Grimes to Elizabeth Nealley Grimes, June 19, 1864 (“Grant’s campaign is regarded by military critics as being thus far a failure.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/senator-james-w-grimes-to-elizabeth_5.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: June 19, 1864 (“This is the 50th day of the campaign. Our brigade has been under musketry fire 12 days, artillery about 30. We have as a brigade fought three nice little battles”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/02/captain-charles-wright-wills-june-19.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Sunday, June 19, 1864 (“Generals Grant and Butler rode along the lines together at Bermuda Hundred this afternoon. It was my first sight of Butler; queer-looking man; his beauty won’t kill him.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_12.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: June 19, 1864 (“Received marching orders yesterday and the Second Division went on board transports today. Saw nine rebels and captured two at Tuinca bend.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/01/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_20.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 19, 1864 (“When a man is shot now it is called being ‘parolled.’”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_11.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 19, 1864 (“We have outflanked the rebels’ right and they have fallen back from their first line of rifle pits and have placed their heavy guns on high points of ground.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_19.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from June 9 (reply #44)

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4242085/posts#44

1

2

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]

John Hay to John G. Nicolay, June 20, 1864 (“Madame is in the North. The President has gone to-day to visit Grant. I am all alone in the White pest-house.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/john-hay-to-john-g-nicolay-june-20-1864.html

John Hay to George William Curtis, June 20, 1864 (“Your letter to the President is not yet received. Please cause a copy to be made.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/john-hay-to-george-william-curtis-june.html

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, June 20, 1864 (“It has been my policy to discourage these Presidential excursions. Some of the Cabinet favored them. Stanton and Chase, I think, have given them countenance heretofore.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/diary-of-gideon-welles-monday-june-20.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Monday, June 20, 1864 (“Enemy following attacked our cavalry at Liberty yesterday evening with some loss to us. Today at Buford Gap we got ready for battle, but Rebels not ready.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_56.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: June 20, 1864 — 11 a.m. (“We are all exceedingly anxious to see what is the other side of these mountains, but this abominable Johnston has no idea of letting us take a look until he is forced to.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/03/captain-charles-wright-wills-june-20.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Monday, June 20, 1864 (“The City of Petersburg looks lovely at a distance, but our guns command it and can at any time lay it in ruins.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_13.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 20, 1864 (“It is starvation and disease and exposure that is doing it Our stomachs have been so abused by the stuff called bread and soups, that they are diseased.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_12.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Monday, June 20, 1864 (“The rebels have fallen back, but still hold Kenesaw mountain and have their heavy batteries planted on the very top”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_20.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, June 20, 1864 (“We proceed to the Chattanooga depot where we take the cars and are soon moving towards Atlanta.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/09/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_76.html

Letter from 8th Iowa Cavalry (“Stoneman’s and McCook’s (the 8th belongs to his command) Cavalry captured Lost Mountain the 17th with but slight resistance.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2008/09/letter-from-8th-iowa-cavalry.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, June 21, 1864 (“Massachusetts Representatives are sensitive and sore concerning the arrest of the Smiths. I wrote Mr. Wilson not to be severe and to take bail.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/diary-of-gideon-welles-tuesday-june-21.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, June 21, 1864 (“in Mr. Stanton’s official despatch he quotes General Grant’s account, and my name is not even mentioned. I cannot imagine why I am thus ignored.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/10/major-general-george-g-meade-to_31.html

Diary of Colonel William F. Bartlett: June 21, 1864 (“the Senate last night confirmed W. F. B. to be Brigadier-general Volunteers. Thank God!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/09/diary-of-colonel-william-f-bartlett_21.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Tuesday, June 21, 1864 (“Rebels attack often, but their feeble skirmishes do no hurt to Crook. They however get nine guns of Hunter!”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_23.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: June 21, 1864 (“I hear to-day that the 4th Corps took a strong Rebel position last night while that firing was going on and held it.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/03/captain-charles-wright-wills-june-21.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Tuesday, June 21, 1864 (“The One Hundred and Sixth New York captured a Johnny to-night under singular circumstances but I’ve not room to relate them.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_14.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 21, 1864 (“I am a fair writer, and am besieged by men to write letters to the rebel officers praying for release, and I do it, knowing it will do no good, but to please the sufferers.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_13.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, June 21, 1864 (“General Hooker made two charges on the rebel works yesterday; the first time he was repulsed, but the second time he carried them and took several hundred prisoners.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_21.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Tuesday, June 21, 1864 (“Trains pass up this evening from Atlanta loaded with wounded soldiers from Sherman’s army, which tell us that there has been a fearful work of blood down there.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/09/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_57.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

Continued from June 14 (reply #31).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4243578/posts#31

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Wednesday, June 22, 1864 (“Gold had gone up to-day to 230. . . . paper is constantly depreciating and the tinkering has produced the contrary effect from that intended by our financiers.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/06/diary-of-gideon-welles-wednesday-june.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Wednesday, June 22, 1864 (“Fifteen miles to Newcastle. We (First Brigade) guarded the wagon train; poor business.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_40.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: June 22, 1864 (“Our view of the Rebel guns is excellent. With glasses we can see them load.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/03/captain-charles-wright-wills-june-22.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Wednesday, June 22, 1864 (“There has been considerable confusion to-day.” Lots of stumbling around on the Petersburg lines.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_15.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 22, 1864 (“A great many Irish here, and as a class, they stand hardships well.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_16.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, June 22, 1864 (“There have been no trains coming in to Big Shanty for the last two days on account of the rebels’ destroying the railroad on this side of Chattanooga”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_22.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, June 22, 1864 (“It seems that the regiment is being deployed along the railroad to do guard duty, and in consequence the boys are not in a very good humor.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/09/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_10.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from June 14 (reply #33).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4243578/posts#33

David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Thursday, June 23, 1864 (Possible bail for the Smith brothers. Turmoil over a Lincoln-endorsed permit for a Philadelphia trader to do business in the south.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-gideon-welles-thursday-june-23.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Thursday, June 23, 1864 (“Newcastle to Sweet Springs — a beautiful watering-place — twenty-two miles, over two high ranges of the Alleghenies. [Thence, by] night march, seventeen miles to White Sulphur”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_31.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, June 23, 1864 (Lt. Col. Lyman assigned by Gen. Meade to liaise with Gen. Wright today.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_27.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: June 23, 1864 – 9 a.m. (“It is reported this morning that Ewell’s Corps has arrived to reinforce Johnston. Don’t think it will make him strong enough to assume the offensive”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/04/captain-charles-wright-wills-june-23.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Thursday, June 23, 1864 (“about five hundred, including four officers and seventy-nine enlisted men from the Eighty-seventh, were either killed or taken prisoners.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_16.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 23, 1864 (“Never have heard anything from Hendryx since his escape. Either got away to our lines or shot.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_17.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, June 23, 1864 (“The rebels opened up their battery on Little Kenesaw mountain, but did no harm. General [Mortimer] Leggett on the right made a demonstration before the rebel lines, but was not engaged and soon fell back again.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_23.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Thursday, June 23, 1864 (“This morning the regiment with the exception of Companies D, H and I, pass down on the train to Tilton, leaving orders for these three remaining companies to follow.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/09/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose_30.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Friday, June 24, 1864 (“The President was in very good spirits at the Cabinet. His journey has done him good, physically, and strengthened him mentally and inspired confidence in the General and army.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-gideon-welles-friday-june-24.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, June 24, 1864 (“I believe these two armies would fraternize and make peace in an hour, if the matter rested with them; not on terms to suit politicians on either side”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/major-general-george-g-meade-to.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Friday, June 24, 1864 (“Night marches bad unless there is good moonlight.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_91.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, June 24, 1864 (It’s no bed of roses serving Gen. Meade (“Great Peppery”) as a staff officer.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_5.html

Major Charles Fessenden Morse: June 24, 1864 (Maj. Fessenden describes the battle at Kolb’s Farm on the 22nd)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/major-charles-fessenden-morse-june-24.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Friday, June 24, 1864 (“Rebel prisoners have been sent in to-day; they speak hopefully of their cause, but I have no doubt but what the Union cause will triumph.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/12/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_17.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: June 24, 1864 (Lt. Smith and a friend climb a 500 ft. mountain at Fort Adams, LA, to check out the view. It is good.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/01/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_21.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: June 24, 1864 (“All of the “Astor House Mess” now afflicted with scurvy and dropsy more or less, with the exception of Battese, and myself worst of any.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_19.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Friday, June 24, 1864 (“Our company with Companies F and G went out this evening after sundown to relieve the skirmishers, and we worked again most of the night throwing up rifle pits.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/04/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_24.html

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, June 24, 1864 (“We remain here [Tilton GA] guarding the railroad, scouting and running after guerrillas until July 8th, when we take the cars for Rome, Georgia, to join our division”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/09/diary-of-private-daniel-l-ambrose.html

Letter from the 100 Days Men (Iowa men in Memphis on railroad guarding duty outside Memphis.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2008/09/letter-from-100-days-men.html

Dr. Spencer G. Welch to Cordelia Strother Welch, June 24, 1864 (“Our division was engaged. [Samuel] McGowan’s Brigade did not suffer much. It supported [Ambrose] Wright’s Georgia Brigade of Anderson’s Division”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/06/dr-spencer-g-welch-to-cordelia-strother_90.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: June 24, 1864 (“we know that Hunter is raiding among our friends in the most relentless way; that the Military Institute has been burnt, and that we have nothing to hope for the West”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_82.html