12 May 1863: “In accepting your resignation as Military Governor of North Carolina, I cannot but express my regret that the Government, in this trying hour, should lose the benefit of your able and patriotic service.”

Posted on 12 May ’13 by

Item description: This letter was written by Edwin M. Stanton, United States Secretary of War, to Edward Stanly, who had served as Military Governor of North Carolina. In it Stanton comments on the “zeal and fidelity” Stanly showed while dealing with the “onerous and vexatious” issues of governing the Union-occupied portion of North Carolina.

To read the entire pamphlet, click here.

Item citation: A military governor among abolitionists : a letter from Edward Stanly to Charles Sumner. New York : [s.n.], 1865. Cp970.72 S78. North Carolina Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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11 May 1863: “The immortal Jackson was badly wounded by our own men as you have no doubt heard and fears are entertained that he will not live.”

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Item description: This letter, dated 11 May 1863, was written by Confederate soldier Edward Rowe. Writing to a friend, Rowe recounts the “slaughter” at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, and expresses his fear that “Stonewall” Jackson will die from wounds received in the conflict. His fears proved true.

Item citation: From the William McCauley Papers, #3098-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Gordonsville, May 11th 1863

Mr. Mc Cauley

Dear Sir,

After leaving Salem I spent two days in Lynchburg then came on to the place but learning that it would be decidedly “billious” to go home went to Stauton met the command and next day came back to this place and finally succeeded in getting home where I found my friend “cooling down” from the great excitement produced by the Yankees. You have no doubt learned the of the raid – which was indeed a very bold affair – but accomplished very little with respect to Public affairs. Privately however they did a great deal. Bacon corn horses & negroes suffered and utter desolation with respect to that species of property is seen in their tract Happily only six of them came to my Father and after abusing him for some time threatening his life if he did not tell them where his horses were hid, finally proceeded to break open his Meat House but fortunately our pickets came up and captured every one and gave them a free ride to Richmond. I visited the Battlefield at Chancellorsville yesterday. They commenced fighting at a place called the Wilderness (an old hotel 16 miles from Fredericksburg – on the turnpike from the latter place to Orange CH. Gen. Jackson succeeded in getting between the

kept up until 12 o’clock on Sunday night & commenced early again Sunday mor ning. I don’t think I ever witnessed such destruction to wood, and it almost a miraculous that any of our men escaped who were stationed in their range west of their fortifications (which they constructed in one night). but fortunately four Brigades belonging to Longstreet Corps. having attacked from the south side forced them from their position forced them back toward Elies Ford in that movement our Soldier charged them both from Jacksons & Longstreets corps and slaughtered them by thousands. Longstreet himself was not present. The immortal Jackson was badly wounded by our own men as you have no doubt heard and fears are entertain ed that he will not live. he is at Guineas Depot. reported to have Pneuomnia, which if true, I fear will be fatal. Many Yankees were unburied yesterday the detail made by the Yankees seemed to be very lazy. at least they do not display as much energy in intering their dead as they do in throwing up fortifications – which they do with remar kable rapidly. The loss estimated on our sides is put at ten thousand, that of the enemy at thirty thousand. all told killed missing & wounded. It is probable that the estimate of the enemy is too high. About ten thousand missing …

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10 May 1863: “Harriet we have bin living fine since we came to Va. I not seen any corn bread since I left N.C. or that is we have not had any but we only get a quarter pound of meate a day & a quarter pound of sugar how long it will last I don’t know.”

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Item description: Letter, dated 10 May 1863, from Robert Sifford, Hanover Junction, Va., to Harriet McIntosh, Mecklenburg County, N.C. During the war, Sifford served with the 52th North Carolina Troops (within “Pettigrew’s Brigade”). In this letter, Sifford gives a detailed account of a recent battle, presumed to be the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Item citation: From the Harriet R. McIntosh Papers #4794, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Hanover Junction, Va. May 10 1863

friend & niece

This morning affords me the pleasure of communicating to you that I number one among the living as yet & in the best of health hoping the same may befall your lot on the reception of this confused letter. Well Harriet, I suppose I must tell you of our recent trip from old North Carolina. we left Kinston on Saturday night landed at Richmond on Sunday night we stayde at Richmond till Thursday when we took up our march again marched about 30 miles to Hanover. I don’t know how long we will stay. we did not get out here in time to take part in the big fight. from all accounts it has bin one of the most bloody fights during the war. both parties was slaughtered terrible bad day before yesterday I saw two thousand yankee prisoners on their way to Richmond & yesterday 5,000 more was along & I understand their are to be a great number on to day the prisoners who conversed with us say their time of enlistment is out the 20 or this month & home they are going & home they intend to stay if this should be so the war will soon end but how true it is I will leave for you to judge for I don’t pretend to say but I suppose they got a bad whipping this time but we lost a big number in killed & wounded I understand the 23rd, 34th, 37th Regiments were cut all to pieces I have not heard who was killed only Jacob Killian of the Beattiesford company But I heard their were six or 7 killed & a greate many wounded in that company & I heard this morning that the notorious yankee general Hooker was again coming with a large force if it be true we will be into it the next time. it was amusing to hear the yankee prisoners talk as they passed through our briggade they said Gen. Pettigrew was a powerful man for not long since he was after them at Newbern N.C. & from their he was after them at Washington & now on them again at Hanover Va. & I think myself we come as nigh being ever whare as the next Briggade the yankees all dread our briggade I heard that they offered fifty thousand dollars to get their hands on the Bethel Regt. & they call our Regt. the old Gun Boat Regt.

I heard from Miles as we came through Richmond he was nearly well But the Dr. went let him out get well Harriet we have bin living fine since we came to Va. I not seen any corn bread since I left N.C. or that is we have not had any but we only get a quarter pound of meate a day & a quarter pound of sugar how long it will last I don’t know. I wrote to Anabella while at Richmond so I suppose you have heard from me My regards to your father & mother & also H.P. Little & family & tell all hands to write & direct to Richmond Va. I will give you the address

Co. G. 52nd Regt. N.C. Troops Petigrews Briggade Richmond Va.

in care of [J.M. Kincaide] R. P. Sifford

 

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9 May 1863: “Twas a splendid charge, straight forward for two miles, while their cannon were pouring an iron hail into our ranks.”

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Item description: Letter, dated 9 May 1863, from Harrison Wells to his sweetheart Mollie Long.  Wells, a sergeant in the 13th Georgia Infantry Regiment, describes his homesickness and his experiences at the Battle of Chancellorsville.  He notes the injury of Stonewall Jackson during the battle and his impression of the Confederate victory.

From folder 2 of the Harrison Wells Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library,  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Camp near Fredericksburg

May 9th 1863

Dear Mollie,

Your good long letter came to hand after so long, long a time just a few days ago, and you cannot imagine how much it relieved me.  I was almost in the lowest round of the ladder of despondency, and it raised me to the loft of hope.  So assuredly was the most welcome document by far that it had ever been my good fortune to receive.  It recalled pleasant memories of the past, of the halcion days of youth, when old Zebulon was to me almost the metropolis of the world, and old Elkin (creek) the ultima Thule of my peregrine rambles.  Association too lends a helping hand to delineate the pleasing times of joy on the sacred tablet of memory; times when we were happy at school, and dreamed not of the struggles of trials to come.  It is not, however, altogether a source of pleasure to review the past: we see many, very many errors in our actions, pleasures lost, time misspent and friendly ties broken. I have many causes to regret the past, nor can I over-brilliantly peer into the future.  I am not what I wish to be, but thank God, I am not entirely devoid of hope.  I can look back upon the past with a good deal of pleasure and to the future with hope.  We have had many pleasant hours together Mollie, or at least, I have had many with you, and enjoyments shared by you were by far the brightest flowers that ‘ere bloomed in my Eden of memory.

I would like so much to be at home these beautiful spring day, and can imagine how delightful they are there. Everything there in full bloom and fresh, now summer is fast verging on the track of spring.  How delightful to sit on the flowery banks of the “big branch” and entice the juveniles of the finny tribe to take a nibble!  Wouldn’t I resolve myself into a committee of the hole on the state of the fish, and resolve unanimously that the latter be “chawed”?  Wouldn’t I those? How the editorial we of this epistle would take pleasure in dropping them a few lines!  Did you not have a May Party? or some kind of a picnic on the 1st May? nor a fishing Party?  Couldn’t “skeer up” a Genus Homo, species unconscriptus about there? Well I think that is too bad, and it’s all attributable to these old Yankees: I almost wish that we had killed the last on of them in this last fight, the rascals.

By the bye, I liked have forgotten to tell you about the fight – the “little twist” we have had for the last few days. Our Regt was the first to give them a reception and a hearty one it was too.  They commended putting in their pontoons just opposite where our Regt was on picket, some four miles below Fredericksburg, on the morning of the 29th Apr just before day, and our boys turned loose on them with such sudden effect, that it threw them into confusion.  Col Smith and many others say that they never heard such a rumpus.  The waggoners hallooing to their teams, rattling of planks, splashing of boats as they threw them in the water hurried commands of officers trying to rally their men, cries of the wounded and shouts of our boys rose in a continued din through the misty darkness. They could not withstand such firing until they received reinforcements.  The fight was hot until our ammunitions gave out, and the Yanks had driven back a N.C. Regt in our right and tried to cut us off.  Our Regt then fell back to the railroad near Hamilton’s crossing.  One corps of Yanks crossed at Fredricksburg and just below, and our division only was left here to hold them back.  The main bodies of the two armies met some twenty miles above here at Chancellorsville and had a bloody fight there on Saturday and Sunday.  It is said to have been the bloodiest battle of the war; their dead lay in heaps in their entrenchments and were scattered for five miles where our men had charged them. They wouldn’t stand at all except those that engaged A. P. Hill’s Div, who stood for about two hours.  They skedaddled like rabbits, and our Brigade with the exception of the skirmishers did not get a shot at them.  Our Brigade charged and retook Marie’s heights, captured many horses, wagons, cannon, & prisoners and drove the Yanks across the river at Fredericksburg.  ‘Twas a splendid charge, straight forward for two miles, while their cannon were pouring an iron hail into our ranks.  We went so fast however that they could not keep us in range and the damage was slight. Our regt lost only one man killed in the charge.  Our company had only one man wounded, that could be called a wound, as he was shot through the hand.  Jimmie Caldwell was severely shocked by a bomb.  This is a most brilliant victory for us.  Out loss total killed wounded & missing will not exceed 10000, and theirs is at least 30000. Some say 50000.  God grant that they may open their eyes now to the truth of our strength and induce them to end this war.  Our greatest loss was the wound of Gen Jackson.  He lost his left arm and was wounded in the right hand. Love to all and write to me soon.  I want your type very much.

Yours as ever      Harry.

More about this item: General Jackson died the day after this letter was written, having contracted pneumonia after being wounded in battle.  Also included in the Harrison Wells Papers are the following map of the Battle of Chancellorsville and images of Harrison and Mollie. After the war, the couple married and resided in Zebulon, Georgia.

Undated map of the Battle of Chancellorsville from folder 2 of the Harrison Wells Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library,  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ambrotype of Harrison Wells, circa 1860, from the Harrison Wells Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library,  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Daguerreotype of May “Mollie” Long, circa 1860-1865, from the Harrison Wells Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library,  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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8 May 1863: “I have just passed through another of the bloodiest battles of the war.”

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Item Description:  Letter, dated 8 May 1863, from Corporal William H. Proffit to his parents.  In this letter Cpl. Proffit provides some details of the the bloody battle on the Rappahannock River, as well as gives an account of the dead and wounded.

Item Citation:  From folder 3 in the Proffit Family Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

May 8th 1863

Dear father and mother:

I avail myself of this opportunity of informing you that I am still alive and in good health, although I have just passed through another of the bloodiest battles of the war.  We have had another desperate battle on the Rappahannock, but I am glad to inform you that victory is ours.  Our Regiment was in the hardest part of the battle and suffered severely.  I received a wound in the jaw on Sunday evening and have since then been at the Hospital, but am not seriously injoured and will rejoin my company in a few days (The hospital to which I refer is near the battle field where the wounded were carried during the fight).  I have not received any correct news from our connection & friends in other Regts.  About 30 of our company are killed and wounded.  Thomas Ellen, William Pilkenton, John Pennel, Samuel Pennel and J. N. Martin have all died on the field.  John Estes had his right arm broken near his shoulder.  Sergt. D. M. Carlton was slightly wound but is now at the company.  Anderson Vannoy and, perhaps, others, of our co. who were your acquaintances are wounded.

I will write you again soon and give you fuller accounts.  I will also very soon write Saml Walsh Jr.

Yours,

W. H. Proffit

 

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7 May 1863: “AN APPEAL For The Sick And Wounded Soldiers“

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Item Description: In this broadside, members of the Salisbury [N.C.] Way-Side Hospital committee call for donations of “provisions, medicines, delicacies for the sick, and money” to help care for wounded and sick soldiers. The appeal ends with a call to listen to “the voice of the poor maimed and bleeding soldier that asks of you to give him ‘food and fire’ in exchange for the blood he has shed for you.” It also includes a list of soldiers, including their home counties, that have been “entertained” over the past few months.

Transcription:

AN APPEAL
For the Sick and Wounded Soldiers.

SALISBURY, May 7th, 1863.

The brave soldiers of our Army on the Rappahannock have again met the enemy on the field of battle and scattered them

“Like leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown.”

The flag of our young Republic floats gloriously over another field of blood. But victory is obtained at a fearful cost. The best blood of our nation has been shed freely on the Rappahannock, and in addition to those who have fallen in death, there are thousands of others who are wounded and disabled from present service. These will seek their own quiet homes as soon as their wounds will admit of their removal; some, whose wounds are not so serious, will come at once; others as soon as they are able. While on their way home they need places where they can obtain rest and refreshment without charge. Such a place is the Salisbury Way-Side Hospital, where more than twelve hundred of our sick and wounded soldiers have been fed and lodged, and clothed, and nursed since July last, and where all who come in the future shall be carefully provided for. But we need provisions, medicines, delicacies for the sick, and money. Will you help us now to take care of your own, or your neighbor’s sons and brothers and fathers, who have so bravely fought and bled for us on the terrible fields of the Rappahannock? It is not the Hospital Committee that calls on you, it is the voice of the poor maimed and bleeding soldier that asks of you to give him “food and fire” in exchange for the blood he has shed for you. A word to the patriotic is sufficient.

JAMES C. SMYTH,
L. BLACKMER,
J. J. BRUNER,
J. D. BROWN,
WM. OVERMAN,
M. W. JARVIS,
F. M. Y. McNEELY,

Hospital Committee.
From the 14th of July to the 1st of April, 1,235 soldiers have been entertained at the Salisbury Way-Side Hospital, to wit: From Alexander county 135; Alleghany 9; Anson 19; Ashe 16; Alamance 2; Buncombe 38; Burke 61; Cabarrus 21; Caldwell 51; Catawba 208; Cherokee 2; Cleaveland 1; Davie 49; Davidson 19; Forsythe 1; Gaston 1; Haywood 19; Henderson 5; Iredell 179; Jackson 1; Lincoln 5; McDowell 36; Montgomery 19; Mecklenburg 1; Madison 1; Mitchell 9; New Hanover 1; Rowan 69; Rutherford 10; Richmond 2; Randolph 1; Sampson 1; Stanly 61; Surry 14; Stokes 2; Transylvania 1; Wayne 1; Watauga 19; Wilkes 74; Yadkin 21; Yancey 2; Union 3. From the State of Virginia 4; South Carolina 29; Florida 3; Georgia 6; Alabama 2; Louisiana 2; Texas 3; Mississippi 1. Since the 1st of April about 200 more have been entertained, making in all about 1500 soldiers who have been entertained in our hospital since it was opened in July last.

Item citation: Salisbury Way-Side Hospital (N.C.). An appeal for the sick and wounded soldiers. [Salisbury, N.C. : s.n., 1863]. Cb970.77 S16. North Carolina Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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6 May 1863: “List of Negroes working on the fortifications at Fort Pemberton”

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Item description: ”List of Negroes working on the fortifications at Fort Pemberton,” dated 6 May 1863. Fort Pemberton was a Confederate fortification constructed on a narrow strip of land between the Tallahatchie and Yazoo Rivers, near Greenwood, Mississippi.

Item citation: From the John G. Devereux Papers #2149, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

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5 May 1863: “We met the yank’s 8 miles above Fredericksberg, and had a morning fight … in which we killed a great many yankees with but slight loss on our side.”

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Item Description: Letter, 5 May 1863, from JD Joyner to his mother, Julia Joyner, recounting events surrounding the battle of Chancellorsville. Members of the Joyner family were planters and professionals from Franklin County, North Carolina. While William Joyner worked at the Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., during the late 1850s, his wife and family remained on the plantation in Franklin County. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Joyner left his position in Washington and joined the CSA Commissary Department in Goldsboro, North Carolina. In addition to William Joyner, nine members of the Joyner family actively supported the Confederate cause. The war affected the Joyner family profoundly. Julia Joyner lost her husband, two sons and two brothers-in-law. Nevertheless, the family stayed in Franklin County and the surviving children raised families of their own.

Item Citation: From folder 11 of the Joyner Family Papers #4428 in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription: 

Army Northern Va
May 5th 1863

Mrs. J. H. Joyner
My Dear Mother,
That you may have no uneasiness about me, as the battle has commenced in this quarter, I will write you a few lines, to let you know where I am. I am in good health and about six miles from the battle field. On last Wednesday we [had?] orders to march from “Camp [Grigg?]” and reach Fredericksburg that evening. I next monday … … the enemy for a few minutes, but finding that the crossing of the enemy at that point was a … to cross higher up the river, we left there at 3 Oclock on Friday morning and met the yank’s 8 miles above Fredericksberg, and had a morning fight of about 4 … in which we killed a great many yankees with but slight loss on our side. They having reached a strong position Saturday our army took up line of march up the river in order to flank them, which we succeeded in doing, & attacked them about half an hour by …, & drove them 3 or 4 miles with great slaughter taking several batteries, our men made a charge on the first line and pushed it so close that the other lines could not fire on our men for killing their own, consequently they had to flee for safety. The fight continued for half the night. Stonewall Jackson and Genl A. P. Hill were wounded in the [action?] at night by our brigade, Jackson I understand has had his arm amputated, & Genl Hill has taken command. Genl Jackson … was killed by Genl [Stuart?]. On Saturday night the yankees having a strong position on the heights in our front fortified them. Soon Sunday morning our army assailed their works and after a severe loss on each side succeeded in taking them. our loss was heavier than theirs here. Genl [Larkins?] aid says if the 37th had have gone with the 7th at first that the works would have been taken the first charge but not having support the 7th had, after taking the battery, to fall back with great loss. In our regt Col Haywood had 2 ribs broken, Lt. Col. J.L. Hill was killed, and Maj Davidson was shot through the breast. Our regt out of 5 Capts present had 2 killed & 1 wounded Lieutenants present 24, killed 2, wounded 8, missing 1 & men in proportion. out of 15 field officers of our brigade 13 men were killed & wounded. Lt [Lane?] aid to Lt [Lane?] says it was the severest battle that we ever engaged in. We are yet victorious yet; with fair prospects. Our way on train being in the rear on the march came very near being captured but were saved after a small fight, in which we got a good shelling. We have taken between 4000 and 6000 prisoners

J. D. Joyner

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4 May 1863: ” [Commencement] came off without much excitement, eight graduates; the number in peace time was between eighty & ninety.”

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Item description:  Letter, May 4, 1863 from John Steele Henderson to his mother.  Henderson describes the significant loss of UNC’s student body due to the war.  While he shares his experience speaking at Commencement, Henderson express more concern with securing a pair of shoes.

More about John S. Henderson: John Steele Henderson was born in Salisbury, N.C., on 6 January 1846, the son of Archibald II and Mary Ferrand Henderson. John S. Henderson was educated at Alexander Wilson’s school in Alamance County, N.C., and entered the University of North Carolina in January 1862. Five months after the death of his brother at Cold Harbor on 1 June 1864, Henderson, at the age of 18, left the University and enlisted as a private in Company B, 10th North Carolina Regiment. Following the Civil War, Henderson went on to become a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, a United States congressman, a Salisbury, N.C. city planner, a lawyer, and a founder of rural free delivery of the mail. (Adapted from the biographical note by James Shober Brawley in the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Volume III, 1988.)

[Item transcription available below images.]

Item citation: From folder 33 in the John S. Henderson Papers #327, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

                                                                  Chapel Hill N.C. May 4th 1863
My Dear Mother
                               The last week was a busy one for Chapel Hill; senior speaking speaking came off without a much excitement; eight graduates; the number in peace time was between eighty & ninety. The declamation on the whole was very good. I received your two letters; they both came without any delay. I would have mentioned the receipt of the first in my last, had I received it a moment sooner. It is very doubtful whether I can obtain a pair of shoes in Chapel Hill; the price here is twenty-five dollars, which I believe is much higher than than than  they are selling in Salisbury. I wish you would let me know in your next, whether you desire me to purchase here or in Salisbury  will send me a pair from Salisbury. If you wish me to procure them here, send me seventy-five dollars in different letters, if you prefer as  I sup- that will be the safest plan. I dont understand the news from Frederickburg, though I suppose General Lee is managing affairs to the best of his ability and will give a good account of himself.  Hooker may have run into the trap, that was set for him, and I would not be surprised to hear at any time of his utter overthrow. Affairs out west wear a sombre appearance, but if we have, as it is reported, captured the miscreant McNeil, he has met his reward ere this at the hand of an outraged people. Let me hear from time to time ^of the news in Salisbury; is Dick Caldwell preparing to go to the war or will he hire a substitute? Rumor says, so you report, that Captain Turner is going to be married either to Miss Fannie Miller or Mrss. C. Nixon, cant decide which. Perhaps if he would make a proposal, one of them might relieve him from from all embarrassment by a refusal. He could marry the other then with a good grace. Yours in haste
                                                              John Steele Henderson      
 

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3 May 1863: “The Genl. says Genl. Anderson is on your left watching for any movement down the river, has not yet heard from him, thinks his presence there will render your left flank secure.”

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Item description: A short note, dated “about 12 – o’c[lock] – night 3 May ’63,” written by Walter H. Taylor, Chief Aide-de-Camp of Robert E. Lee, to Gen. Lafayette McLaws.

Item citation: From folder 7 in the Lafayette McLaws Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

General

I am directed by Genl. Lee to say that he thinks well of Genl. Early purposes, if it is practicable. Such a movement would be a virtual relief to you, & might cause the enemy to pause or retire, & should this occur he would desire that you press them, so as to prevent their concentrating on Genl. Early. The Genl. says Genl. Anderson is on your left watching for any movement down the river, has not yet heard from him, thinks his presence there will render your left flank secure.

I am very respy.
&c &c
W.Taylor
AAG 

May. Genl. McLaws
Cmdg.

about 12 – o’c – night 3 May 63

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