[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/4272543/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

A Group of Cavalry Officers – 1, 8
The Quaker Coquette – 2
To My Brother Exiles – 2
Our Flag in ‘64 – 2
Brown, Stephens, & Co.: A Branch of the Chicago House – 2
The Soldiers’ Platform – 2
The Moral of the Indiana Election – 2-3
“Out! Brief Candle!” – 3
All Hail, Maryland! – 3
The Plain Case – 3
The Copperhead Conspiracy – 3
Rebel Treatment of Union Prisoners – 3
The Wreck of Secession – 3, 12
Loyal Publication Society – 3
Literary – 3-4
Domestic Intelligence – 4
Foreign News – 4
On the Wrong Track – 4
The Army of the James – 5-6, 8, 11
Roger B. Taney: Late Chief-Justice, U.S. – 7
Albert Durer – 8
Peggy Hood: A Girl’s Story – 8-10
My Boy Ben – 10
Humors of the Day – 13
Quite Alone, by George Augustus Sala, Ch LI – 13-14
“Massa Charles” and the Silver Dollar – 14-15
Interesting Items – 15
Off Mobile – 16-17
Refugees at City Point – 16, 18
Paris Fashions for October – 19
Little Starlight – 20-21

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 21 (reply #31)

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4271129/posts#31

Nathan Bedford Forrest: A Biography, by Jack Hurst

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, October 29, 1864 (Gen. Meade is prepared to resign if it would spare President Lincoln from embarrassment.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/12/major-general-george-g-meade-to_25.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Saturday, October 29, 1864 (“Bright and warm. Read “John Phoenix.” A new tent put up in good style. Bunk and fireplace.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_30.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, October 29, 1864 (Lt. Col. Lyman bids adieu to Gen. Meade’s French visitors.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_9.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: October 29, 1864 (“Such a march over pine ridges and through swamps; Egyptian darkness would take a back seat in comparison with this night.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-october-29.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Saturday, October 29, 1864 (“We have had seven officers killed, twelve wounded and two captured since the first of June, making twenty-one in all”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/06/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-lemuel-abbott_24.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: October 29, 1864 (“Some ladies visited the hospital to-day to see live Yankees, who crowded around. They were as much of a curiosity to us as we were to them.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_3.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, October 29, 1864 (“About noon we crossed the Coosa river on a pontoon bridge and marched all the afternoon through a miserable swamp.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_15.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: October 29, 1864 (“It is now said Sheridan is retreating toward the Potomac, followed by Early.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/03/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-october_17.html

Lieutenant-Colonel John S. Mosby to General Robert E. Lee, October 29, 1864 (“the enemy captured six of my men, near Front Royal; these were immediately hung by order and in the presence of General Custer.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/04/lieutenant-colonel-john-s-mosby-to.html

Dr. Spencer G. Welch to Cordelia Strother Welch, October 29, 1864 (“This war can never end until the fanatics, both North and South, are gotten rid of. They are influenced solely by their blind, senseless passions, and reason never enters their heads.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/06/dr-spencer-g-welch-to-cordelia-strother_61.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1

2

3

4

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Charles A. Dana to Brigadier-General Marsena R. Patrick, October 30, 1864 (Gen. Patrick is warned about assisting Gov. Seymour’s election agents.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/02/washington-d.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, October 30, 1864 (Lt. Col. Lyman must assist Gen. Meade in writing a report about “the whole campaign.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/03/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_10.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: October 30, 1864 (“Am to be a nurse pretty soon Don’t think I could nurse a sick cat, still it’s policy to be one”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_17.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, October 30, 1864 (“We started early this morning and marched fifteen miles. We bivouacked for the night near Cave Springs.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_16.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: October 30, 1864 (“Some firing was heard early this morning on the Darbytown road, or in that direction; but it soon ceased, and no fighting of moment is anticipated to-day, for Gen. Longstreet is in the city.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/03/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-october_26.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 12 (reply #27).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4269595/posts#27

1

2

David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[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 Margaretta Sergeant Meade, October 31, 1864 (“I have reason to believe you are in error in imputing any sympathy on the part of Grant with my detractors.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/12/major-general-george-g-meade-to_27.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Monday, October 31, 1864 (“In a court-martial case for cowardice at Winchester a soldier testifies of the accused: ‘He is a good soldier in camp, but does not relish gunpowder well from what I saw.’”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_94.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: October 31, 1864 (“We think we are going to Rome. Had an extremely disagreeable march yesterday of only 12 miles, over pine and scrub oak ridges.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-october-31.html

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: October 31, 1864 (“Passed Island No. 10, and arrived at Columbus, Ky., at 11 p.m. At Cairo changed boats for Paduca, Ky., where we arrived at 8 p.m.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-george-g-smith_18.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: October 31, 1864 (Sgt. Ransom gives a lengthy description of his current health and prospects. On a train bound for Millen GA.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_5.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Monday, October 31, 1864 (“Foraging parties were again sent out. I was on picket continuously for twenty-four hours.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_17.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: October 31, 1864 (“Gen. Lee writes that it is necessary for the gun-boats to guard the river as far below Chaffin’s Bluffs as possible, to prevent the enemy from throwing a force to the south bank in the rear of Gen. Pickett’s lines”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/03/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-october.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]

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Edwin M. Stanton to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, November 1, 1864 (“It is absolutely necessary there should be at New York an adequate military force to protect the public property and man the forts.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/02/edwin-m-stanton-to-lieutenant-general_13.html

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, November 1, 1864 – 6 p.m. (“Do you not think it advisable now that Hood has gone so far north to entirely settle him before starting on your proposed campaign?”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/07/lieutenant-general-ulysses-s-grant-to.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Cedar Creek, Tuesday, November 1, 1864 (“’Thinking of absent wife and boys will blanch a faithful cheek.’ God bless the dear ones! I never was so anxious to see them before.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes_25.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 1, 1864 (“Abomination of abominations, train guard to-day. It is the most disagreeable duty we are subject to on the march.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/captain-charles-wright-wills-november-1.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: November 1, 1864 (“The stockade is similar to that at Andersonville, but in a more settled country, the ground high and grassy, and through the prison runs a stream of good pure water”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_9.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, November 1, 1864 (“I was taken sick this morning and had to ride all day in the ambulance. This was my first experience in the ambulance.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_31.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: November 1, 1864 (“Gov. Yates, of Illinois, bas declared Richmond will be in the hands of the Federals before the 8th of November.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-november_37.html

Diary of Private Louis Leon: November & December 1864 (“We dance every night at some of our [quarters]. Some of the men put a white handkerchief around one of their arms, and these act as the ladies.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/03/diary-of-private-louis-leon-november.html

J. L. Fleming to General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, November 1, 1864 (“I fear you have greatly over-estimated the capacity and condition of this railroad to transport the supplies for General Hood’s Army.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/j-l-fleming-to-general-pierre-g-t.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 3 (reply #13).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4268269/posts#13

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 5 (reply #23).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4268269/posts#23

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume Two

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 27 (reply #18).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4272543/posts#18

Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, November 2, 1864 — 11:30 a. m. (“I do not see that you can withdraw from where you are to follow Hood, without giving up all we have gained in territory. I say, then, go on as you propose.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/04/lieutenant-general-ulysses-s-grant-to.html

Major-General William T. Sherman to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, November 2, 1864 (“I am convinced the best results will result from defeating Jeff. Davis’ cherished plan of making me leave Georgia by maneuvering.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/07/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_31.html

Major-General Philip H. Sheridan to Brevet Major-General Wesley Merritt, November 2, 1864 (Gen. Sheridan orders Gen. Merritt to begin operations against guerrillas in northern Virginia.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/04/major-general-philip-h-sheridan-to_29.html

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Wednesday, November 2, 1864 (“We still think we shall have no more heavy fighting this fall.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/08/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-lucy-webb_9.html

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, Wednesday, November 2, 1864 (“We are waiting for the fall rains and the Presidential election before withdrawing for the season. A drizzle today gives us hope that our work is almost over for this year.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/08/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-sardis.html

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Wednesday, November 2, 1864 (“Papers of 31st with much good news; small victories in West Virginia, east Tennessee, and over Price in Missouri. Early scolds his army.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/diary-of-colonel-rutherford-b-hayes.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 2, 1864 (“That 40th boy that was wounded last night was captured with three more of our men by 30 Rebels and taken eight or ten miles, then formed in line and ordered to about face and fired upon; two fell dead and the other two ran away.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/captain-charles-wright-wills-november-2.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: November 2, 1864 (“All who want to can take the oath of allegiance to the confederacy and be released; am happy to say though that out of all here, but two or three has done so, and they are men who are a detriment to any army.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_12.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, November 2, 1864 (“We started early this morning and after marching fifteen miles went into bivouac near Van Wert, Georgia.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_19.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: November 2, 1864 (“In other words, the cabinet ministers must “see that the laws be faithfully executed,” even should they be clearly and expressly unconstitutional.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-november_44.html

Diary of Sarah Morgan: November 2, 1864 (“This morning we heard Jimmy is engaged to Helen Trenholm, daughter of the Secretary of the Confederate States.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/05/diary-of-sarah-morgan-november-2-1864.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Major-General John A. Dix to Edwin M. Stanton, November 3, 1864 – Received 4 p.m. (“General Butler has arrived and presented his order. It seems to contemplate that he is to be in the city, in command of the troops to be sent here.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/02/major-general-john-dix-to-edwin-m.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General John A. Dix, November 3, 1864 (“You will understand that in assigning General Butler to report to you it is not designed in any way to impair or interfere with your supreme command”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/02/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general-john_11.html

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Fessenden Morse: November 3, 1864 (“We are going to abandon Atlanta. Then, cutting loose from everything and everybody, Sherman is going to launch his army into Georgia.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/08/lieutenant-colonel-charles-fessenden_19.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 3, 1864 — 6 p.m. (“Rumor says we are going to Atlanta to relieve the 20th Corps, and will then be paid.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/captain-charles-wright-wills-november-3.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: November 3, 1864 (“I am called, contrary to my expectations, a good nurse; certainly have pity for the poor unfortunates, but lack the strength to take care of them.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_13.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, November 3, 1864 (“We camped for the night in Dallas, Georgia, one division, the Fourth, going into vacant houses and buildings in the town. The citizens all left the place upon our approach.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_20.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: November 3, 1864 (“I think our success depends much upon a speedy increase of our armies in every possible way.” – Gen. Lee)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-november_71.html

Dr. Spencer G. Welch to Cordelia Strother Welch, November 3, 1864 (“I should prefer to remain at war for the rest of my life rather than to have any connection with the Yankees again.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/06/dr-spencer-g-welch-to-cordelia-strother_41.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 13 (reply #32).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4269595/posts#32

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Birchard Austin Hayes, November 4, 1864 (“This is your birthday — eleven years old today — almost a man.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/08/colonel-rutherford-b-hayes-to-birchard.html

Captain Charles Wright Wills: November 4, 1864 (“This about the last day of pork and potatoes; to-morrow will bring us to a country we have worn out.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/captain-charles-wright-wills-november-4.html

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: November 4, 1864 (“Food now we get but once a day — not all we want, but three times as much as issued at Andersonville and of good quality”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-1st-sergeant-john-l-ransom_19.html

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Friday, November 4, 1864 (“Left Dallas this morning, marched ten miles, and went into camp near Lost mountain. I went out with a foraging party from our regiment.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/08/diary-of-corporal-alexander-g-downing_26.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: November 4, 1864 (“Our iron-clad “Albemarle” was blown up by a handful of the enemy at Plymouth—surprising the water pickets (all asleep).”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/04/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-november_8.html