5 April 1863: Drawing of “Gunboat Princess Royal”

Posted on 5 Apr ’13 by

Item description: Drawing, dated 5 April 1863, of “Gunboat Princess Royal,” drawn by Herbert E. Valentine, a private in Company F of the 23rd Massachusetts Volunteers, who served in the United States Army between 1861 and 1864 in eastern Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

More about Herbert E. Valentine:
Valentine enlisted in the United States Army on 5 October 1861, at Salem. On 18 October 1861, he was mustered into Company F, 23rd Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers at Lynfield. Valentine served as a clerk and occasionally drew military maps. His artwork presumably was not produced for official purposes. In January 1864, Valentine was serving at Getty’s Station near Portsmouth. In May 1864, Valentine’s regiment sailed up the James River to City Point and took part in the siege of Petersburg.

Valentine did not re enlist at the expiration of his service and was discharged from the army on 16 October 1864. He married, had one son and one daughter, and spent the remainder of his life in West Somerville, Mass., occupation unknown, where he died on 17 June 1917. Valentine was active in veterans organizations, and in 1896 he published Story of Company F, 23d Massachusetts Volunteers in the War For The Union 1861-1865.

Item citation: From the Herbert E. Valentine Papers #4397, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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4 April 1863: “Paid Mrs Suky midwifes fees…”

Posted on 4 Apr ’13 by

Item description: Receipt, dated 4 April 1863, presumably signed by Edmund Wilcox Hubard (E.W. Hubard), for midwifery services performed by “Mrs. Suky.”

[Item transcription available below images.]

From folder #185 in the Hubard Family Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

[side 1]

April 4th Paid Mrs Suky midwifes fees for visiting [aid?] Caty, Easther, Lavinia, Charity, Jinny & June this year – 6 women in 1863 – The sum of $12 by Madison.

E.W. Hubard

[side 2]

Paid Suckey for Midwifery $12 April 1863

More about this item: Based on names listed in ledgers in this collection, Madison and at least some of the women identified here may have been slaves of the Hubard family.  Sukey (various spellings) was often used as a nickname for Susanna, and since several Hubard and Wilcox family members bore that name, the midwife identified here may have been a relative.

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3 April 1863: “The house servant that you wanted to buy, when down, I have not seen one that is for sale that I thought would suit.”

Posted on 3 Apr ’13 by

Item description: Note, 3 April 1863, to Ann McNeely of Salisbury, N.C., from W.T. Gilmore about the sale of cotton and the purchase of a house servant.

Item citation: From folder 6 of the Macay and McNeely Family Papers #447, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

[April 3, 1863?]

Dear Madam,

Your note has been received and in reply to inquiries I will state as regards cotton the prices have so advanced that I can with difficulty say what it is bringing as it ranges from twenty five to thirty five cents and very scarce at that.

I have been unable to see Mr. [Rosborough?] since I was in receipt of your note but will see him in a few days and will write you again and give you the information asked for.

The house servant that you wanted to buy, when down, I have not seen one that is for sale that I thought would suit.

Yours with my highest
Regards,
W.T. Gilmore

April 3, ’63

P.S. – Any information wished that I can communicate shall have my prompt attention.
W.T. Gilmore

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2 April 1863: “Let the soldier laugh if he can.”

Posted on 2 Apr ’13 by

Item Description: editorial, The Daily Journal (Wilmington, N. C.), Thursday, 2 April 1863, page 2, column 1.

Editorial, The Daily Journal, 2 April 1863

Transcription:

The performance to-night at the Theatre will pre-
sent an unusual and attractive variety, as fоur pieces
will be given, as well as songs, dances, etc.

The “Eton Boy,” “Doctor Shop,” “Day after the
Wedding,” and “Masquerade Ball” will be given,
“with the full strength of the company.”

Speaking of amusements.  Some people are opposed
to them in these times. We confess that we are not.
We think they do the soldier and the citizen both good,
and we see nо earthly harm they can do.  We are prone
enough to dwell upon the dark side, without adding to
the gloom by shutting out every gleam of light or cheer-
fulness.  Let the soldier laugh if he can. It is a bet-
ter and more innocent stimulus than liquor or any oth-
er within his reach.

Citation: The Daily Journal (Wilmington, N. C.), Thursday, 2 April 1863, page 2, column 1.  Bound in: ”North Carolina Newspapers,” 1863; call number C071 Z, North Carolina Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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1 April 1863: “…and there obtain from Lt. Col. Logan a sufficient force of negroes …”

Posted on 1 Apr ’13 by

Item description: Letter, 1 April 1863, concerning slaves who were being impresssed into Confederate service at Fort Beauregard, La.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item citation: From folder 7 in the George William Logan Papers #1560, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:


Headquarters, District Western Louisiana
Alexandria April 1st 1863

Extract
Special Orders
No. 83

IV. Liet Manheimer Co. F. 1tth Battilion La Vols will proceed in charge of the Steamboat “Osceola” to Harrisonburg, and there obtain from Lt. Col. Logan a sufficient force of negroes to make an examination of a certain bed of coal located in Catahoula Parish near Mr. Holloman’s plantation. The Osceola will first discharge such freight as she may have for Fort De Russy.

Liet Manheimer is authorized to engage such barges as he can procure for the purpose of bringing out wood on his return trip. He will leave these barges at such points as wood can be obtained at and employ the necessary labour for loading them, and will take them in tow as he returned, leaving the wood in accordance with instructions received from the Qr. Master’s Dept.

V. Should the “Osceola” be found unfit for this service Lieut. Manheimer is further authorized to engage (or impress if necessary) such other boat as will answer the purpose.

By command of
Ma. Genl. Taylor
[?]
A. A. Genl

To Col. Logan

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31 March 1863: “A man in the 23rd NC deserted to the Yankees on picket…”

Posted on 31 Mar ’13 by

Item Description: Letter, of 31 March 1863, from F.J. Haywood Jr.  The letter is addressed to “My Dear Captain” and relates bits of camp gossip and chatter about the sighting of a “Yankee Balloon,” a desertion across enemy lines, and the weakness of a certain general officer.

  [Transcription available below images.]

 

Item Citation: From Folder 14 in the John McRae Papers #477, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

Item Transcription:

Camp 5th N. C. I. near Guineas
Station Va. March 31st 1863
 
My Dear Captain
 
            I received your letter two days
ago, but have had no opportunity to re-
ply sooner.  When Col Garrett received
your letter enclosed to me he wrote
to Brookfield immediately, but has re-
ceived no reply yet; he received a let-
ter from Brookfield, however stating
that he had had some conversation
with you relative to an exchange and
wishing to know if it would be agrea-
ble to him.  Col Garrett has not yet re-
plied but will do so immediately and
when Brookfield sends his application
will forward both together and affirm
and recommend the exchange.  West
saw Brookfield in Richmond and  says that
 
 
he seemed quite anxious for the exchange.
Your application was not endorsed and fold-
ed, as they are required to be in this army, but
I suppose it will be forwarded without dif-
ficulty-
 
     Fred Fetter passed here yesterday with a
number of conscripts for Penders Brigade
and seemed very much delighted with his
trip to the A.N.V. because he saw a
yankee balloon about a mile off he says
he never saw anything of the kind before.
he halted his detachment near Col Garretts
quarters in order to get a fair view of it.
The old men of the Regt collected around
his detachment making all kinds of rem-
arks about the conscripts and when they
found out what Fred had halted for
they thought him the most verdant
man they had seen in many days-
 
 
I think the campaign will open
in a few days.  We have had orders to
send all heavy baggage to the rear, and to
prepare for the Spring campaign, and to
have everything in readiness to move by the
firstof April.  I was on picket yesterday
on the Rappahannock, but did not notice
anything unusual among the yankee pickets;
their pickets and areas are only separated
by the river.  Theirs on one bank and ours
on the other, all conversation and exchange
of papers between  the pickets has been
prohibited by Genl Lee.  A man in the
23rd NC deserted to the Yankees on picket
Two or three days [ago], and the Yankees raised a
great howl of Triumph over him.
There is no news of any kind, except
Preparations for a vigorous campaign,
an offensive one probably.  I forgot to
 
 
mention that Genl Edward Johnston
of Western Va notoriety will probably be
our Major General.  I think our Brigadier
a very slow coach (entre nous).  If you wish
to write to Brookfield his address is Genl
Hospital No. 10, Richmond Va.  If you know
any one that is coming to this Brigade or Div
sion, I wish you would let my mother
know, so that she can send me some
things that she has for me.  If you
have any time to share, I will be very glad
to hear from you at anytime.
 
Very truly your friend,
 
F.J. Haywood Jr.
 
 
 

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30 March 1863: “No charge for the corn am happy to have it in my power to accommodate you”

Posted on 30 Mar ’13 by

Item description: Letter, 30 March 1863, from R.C. Pearson, Morganton, N.C., to Thomas Ruffin, Graham, N.C.

Item citation: From folder 454 in the Thomas Ruffin Papers #641 in the Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Morganton N.C. 30th Mar. ’63

My dear Sir,

I rec’d your favor of the 26th inst. last evening and take pleasure in writing you in reply by the very first mail. I have the satisfaction to inform you that on Saturday last, only the day before the recpt. of your letter, I recd. from “Rock Creek” Yancey or Mitchell Co. about 2 Bush. of the earliest species of corn grown in that part of the Country and I have in readiness to send you by this mornings stage to “Head of West. N.C. Rl. Rd.” a little bag with 1/2 Bush. of the said corn. The stage from the West comes in to night and we usually have some passengers going on as far as Raleigh. If I find no one in this mornings stage that I can trust to [seeing?] it leave Salisbury, I may keep it untill tomorrow.

I think you may calculate with every confidence on getting it in a few days, as I have it in readiness to forward, and will send it forward, by first safe opportunity. I am very happy to have it in my power to accommodate you and your application for the corn could not have been made at a more favorable time to get it early which I hope will be the case.

I am not a little surprised to learn that Will. has not as yet been over to see you. I shall certainly have him go and see you and that too at an early day.

I may be mistaken my dear friend by if you will pardon my vanity I will take the liberty of saying confidentially to you that I am expecting with the aid, and assistance of the Almighty to see this Boy Will at some future day a great and good man.

With Great Respect,
Yr. obt. servt.
R.C. Pearson

To, Judge Ruffin
Graham, N.C.

P.S. No charge for the corn am happy to have it in my power to accommodate you and that too with [promptness?] and without the least inconvenience. Shall I expect want to trouble you for “turnip seed” about sowing… [rest of letter missing]

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29 March 1863: Sketch….showing…..Siege of Washington, NC, March 29 to April 16, 1863

Posted on 29 Mar ’13 by

Sketch showing the position of the attacking and defending forces at the siege of Washington, N.C., March 29 to April 16, 1863

Item: “Sketch showing the position of the attacking and defending forces at the siege of Washington, N.C., March 29 to April 16, 1863″

From: U.S. Congress. Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. Supplemental report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, in two volumes. Supplemental to Senate report no. 142, 38th Congress, 2d session (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1866). v. 2, fol. p. 23.

North Carolina Collection Call Number: C970.73 U58c1 v. 2. (See http://search.lib.unc.edu/search?R=UNCb1811456 for full text of publication.)

Digital Image: from Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/item/99447483).

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28 March 1863: “I drop you a few lines to give you the sad news that brother Calvin is dead.”

Posted on 28 Mar ’13 by

Item Description: Letter, dated 28 March 1863, from Corporal William H. Proffit during his service in the Wilkes Valley Guards (Company B, 1st North Carolina Regiment).  In this letter Cpl. Proffit informs his family of the death of his brother, Calvin.

From folder 2 in the Proffit Family Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

Camp of the 1st NC T

March 28th 1863

Dear Father, Mother, and Sister:

I drop you a few lines to give you the Sad news that brother Calvin is dead.  He died about day break on the morning of the 25th inst. I suppose that the brain was affected which was the principle cause of his death.  It is, indeed, an appauling thought to think of the death of one so dear, but sad as it is, we have some consolation to know that he remained usually pious while surrounded with all the vice and immorality of the camp, and instead of participating in this, devoted much of time in reading Scripture.  Some of his companions expressed the thought that he was prepared to meet his God in peace.  We have another consolation that he had won the confidence and esteem of his officers and fellow soldiers, and that every possible means was applied in burying him decently.  A good coffin, clean clothes, etc. were provided.  Sad as the thought is, it is no worse than thousands have endured since the commencement of this unholy war.  I hope you will all try to refrain as much as possible from unnecessary grief, as it is a thing of no avail.  

    I have sent the Biblical Recorder to Sis. It will come to Lewis Fork, PO.  You will see in it an account of brother Calvin’s death.  You will find it under the head of Obituary.  Be shure to find it and preserve the paper.  A.J. and Alfred were down to see me yesterday.  They are as well as common.  They will write you the full particulars of Calvin’s death and burial as they were there soon after he died.  They sent for me also, but I did not go, as I was unwell myself.  Let me hear from you as often as you conveniently can. Yours,

W. H. Proffit
P.S. My health is very good at present

More information about this item:

“The Proffit brothers were very close, and the death of one, Calvin, was very hard for the others to bear.  Calvin’s death was especially hard on Alfred, his twin brother.  When a family member died, it seemed that only one person was appointed to report all of the particulars of the death.  William concentrated on his brother’s good name among fellow soldiers and his Christian faith as facts to console his family with.  William, who was now serving as a corporal, had to be very concerned as well, as he d had had several bouts with disease over the past month, despite his assurance at the end of the letter.” -  Watford, C. M. (Ed.). (2003). 89. March 28, 1863. The Civil War in North Carolina, Vol. 2 (p. 102). Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.

All four Proffit brothers (Alfred, Andrew (A.J.), Calvin, and William) served in North Carolina regiments in the Virginia theater of the war.  William died in hospital at Gordonsville, Va., in October 1863.

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27 March 1863: “It has been charged by both the ignorant and the evil-disposed against the people of our faith, that the Israelite does not fight in the battles of his country!”

Posted on 27 Mar ’13 by

Item description: This pamphlet contains a sermon delivered by Reverend M. J. Michelbacher of the Beth Ahabah Synagogue in Richmond, Virginia. In it he refutes claims that the Jewish people of the South are not actively supporting the Confederate cause and argues against charges of hoarding and speculation.

Item transcription:

A
SERMON
DELIVERED
On the Day of Prayer, Recommended by the President of
the C. S. of A., the 27th of March, 1863,

AT THE
GERMAN HEBREW SYNAGOGUE, “BAYTH AHABAH,”

BY THE
REV. M. J. MICHELBACHER.
RICHMOND:
MACFARLANE & FERGUSSON.
1863.

Page 3

SERMON.

Nehemiah III. 33, to V. 13, inclusive.

BRETHREN OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL: It is due to you, to whom I always speak of your faults, without fear, favour or affection, to say, I have carefully investigated your conduct from the commencement of this war to the present time, and I am happy in coming to the unbiassed conclusion, that you have fulfilled your duties as good citizens and as men, who love their country. It has been charged by both the ignorant and the evil-disposed against the people of our faith, that the Israelite does not fight in the battles of his country! All history attests the untruthfulness of this ungracious charge, generated in the cowardly hearts and born between the hypocritical lips of ungenerous and prejudiced foes. The Israelite has never failed to defend the soil of his birth, or the land of his adoption– the Emperors of France and Russia will bear evidence to the verity of this assertion. In respect to those Israelites who are now in the army of the Confederate States, I will merely say, that their patriotism and valor have never been doubted by such men as have the magnanimous souls of Lee, Johnston, Jackson and others of like manhood. The recorded votes and acts of the Israelites of this Confederacy, amply prove their devotion to the support of its Government. They well understand their duties as citizens and soldiers, and the young men do not require the persuasion of conscription to convert them into soldiers, to defend, as they verily believe, the only free government in North America. Many of our young men have been crippled for life, or slain upon the field of battle, in the service of the Confederate States, and there are several thousands yet coursing the campaigns of war against those enemies of our Confederacy, who are as detestable to them, as were the Philistines to David and his countrymen.
Page 4

The humanity and providence of the Israelite for the distressed families of the soldiers of our army, have allayed the pangs of poverty and brought comfort to households, wherein before were only seen hopelessness and misery. In this you have performed your duties as Israelites and as citizens–and, for this, may the God of our fathers shower upon you all the blessings which He confers upon His favorite children!

There is another cry heard, and it was even repeated in the Halls of Congress, that the Israelite is oppressing the people– that he is engaged in the great sin of speculating and extorting in the bread and meat of the land. To discover the character of this accusation, I have made due inquiry–the information I have acquired upon this head, from sources that extend from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, plainly present the fact, that the Israelites are not speculators nor extortioners. As traders and as merchants, they buy merchandise and sell the same immediately; the merchandize is never put aside, or hoarded to enhance its value, by withdrawing it from the market. Flour, meal, wheat, corn, bacon, beef, coal and wood are hardly ever found in the mercantile magazines or storehouses of the Israelite–he buys some of these articles for his own consumption, but he buys none of them to sell again–he does not extort–it is obvious to the most obtuse mind that the high prices of the Israelite would drive all his customers into the stores of his Christian neighbours; but is such the effect of the price of the Israelite’s goods?

The peculiar characteristic of the Jewish merchant is seen in his undelayed, rapid and instant sales; his temperament does not allow him, by hoarding his goods, to risk time with his money, which, with him, is as restless as the waves of the sea that bears the ships that convey the manufactured goods of his customers. I thank God, that my investigation has proved to me that the cry against the Jew is a false one–this cry, though cunningly devised after the most approved model of villainy, will not subserve the base and unjust purpose of hindering the virtuous indignation of a suffering people, from tracing the true path of the extortioner, and awarding to him who deals in the miseries, life and blood of our fellow-citizens, that punishment…

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Item citation: Michelbacher, M. J. (Maximilian J.), 1811?-1879. A sermon delivered on the day of prayer recommended by the President of the C.S. of A. : the 27th of March, 1863, at the German Hebrew synagogue Bayth Ahabah. Richmond : Macfarlane & Fergusson, 1863. 4169 Conf. Rare Book Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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