January 19, 1864

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

Early on the morning of January 16, a column of Federal soldiers marched into this small southern community in order to rid the population of any Confederate defenders. At first it appeared that the small band of 150 Confederates under the command of Lt Col Robert Neipert, CSA, were of no match to the vast and seemingly endless number of Union soldiers quickly moving into the region.

Col. Neipert however was able to send immediate word to General Michael Hardy, CSA to seek reinforcements. General Hardy responded without delay and straight away sent over 1000 Confederates into the foray to confront the nearly 2000 Union troops. By late Friday, January 16, the Confederates were well reinforced and ready to engage the Union threat.

Early on the morning of January 17, lines had been clearly drawn between Confederate and Union. An attack was launched by the Union and the Confederates instantaneously found themselves in the defensive position. Several times the lines broke and the Confederates had to pull back and regroup.

Around noon there seemed to be a brief ceasefire while the Union soldiers regained their footing and rations were delivered. The Confederates took advantage of this situation to regroup and organize their lines once again.

Fighting again broke out around two in the afternoon. This time the Confederate lines held and began the hard task of driving the Union back. The Union thus began a slow retreat and the Union Colonel in command had to order the withdrawal of his men back to the other side of the town.

By four thirty in the afternoon the guns were once again silenced. The Union had regrouped on the far side of town entrenching at this point as best as possible. The Confederate Army once again occupied the town itself. Aside from a few small skirmishes around the perimeter of the community, both Armies took their leave of the field of battle to attend to the care of their men and prepare for another day.

As the evening wore on, both Armies quickly recovered as much equipment and rations as possible. The men were told to rest as much as possible in the hours ahead ready for the next day’s engagements, which were surely to come. Neither Army seemed prepared or ready to make an offer of peace, withdraw or surrender.

As the night faded away into the morning light, the sight and smells of a camp ready for action was clearly seen. The sounds of troop movements, both on horse back and on foot were heard from both the Union and the Confederate camps. Cannon rumbling in the distance were clear. There was no doubt by man or beast that action would be seen this day. As the Sunday morning broke calm, clear and crisp, the men of both Armies were clearly on the move with the intent of not gathering for worship this day, but instead of sending one another to meet their maker in person.

Yesterday saw the casualties’ small in numbers in comparison to previous battles observed by this correspondent, but there was a smell and electricity in the air this day that gave one the sense that more blood than any would desire would be spilled on the battle field.

Shortly after noon, the first cannons could be heard lofting their deadly fire into the Union lines from the Confederate stronghold just to the west of town. The Union advanced at first seemed slow, almost nonexistent, but then as slowly as it began, the Union advance quickened and before long the Confederate lines were fully engaged in close combat with overwhelming numbers of blue uniforms. Within a span of just a few short hours, the Confederate lines had broken and a full retreat of the Army of the South had begun.

Soon the sounds of cannon and musket fire had ended and the remaining sounds were of wounded and dying men crying out for mercy and help. The local angels of mercy began their tedious task of tending to the wounded, both in blue and gray, and the surgeons knife and saw began its cruel task of amputating limbs that had been shattered in the situation.

Soon the Union forces were again organized and prepared to move once again against Confederate positions further to the east. Little more seems to be left in the fight for the south to gain here in the swamps and heat of the Florida everglades and country side. Perhaps Richmond will order what is left of this Southern Army to retreat into the North in attempt to bring relief to Robert E Lee in Virginia.

Everywhere one looks there seems to be little hope now that the government in Richmond can endure much longer and must entreat the Washington government for peaceful settlement to the current conflict.

Gettysburg Pennsylvania

August 7, 1863

AFTERMATH OF A BATTLE

It has been a little over one month since the Union and Confederate Armies clashed in horrific conflict over the sacred farm lands surrounding this sleepy Pennsylvania community. Over 100,000 soldiers gathered on both sides of the conflict, to slaughter and annihilate one another in bloody pursuit of victory. Each was hoping to bring an answer to the question of whether the Southern States have the right to independent rule and sovereignty as an independent nation. After three horrific days of battle, the question remains largely unanswered. But in its wake, lie more than 50,000 casualties, and the destruction of a quiet community.

I have returned to this small Pennsylvania town, just north of the Mason-Dixon Line, to observe the effects of such a battle on the citizens who remain here. I wish that I had not returned, for the sights, sounds and smells of the past atrocity still vividly remain; and the suffering is more than any person can, or should, endure. The heroic folks of this community are, however, enduring. They are surviving, reconstructing, tending to the wounded left behind and burying the fallen, despite their own losses and suffering.

Everywhere I go, the bodies of fallen soldiers are stacked, some ten to twenty feet high, waiting for a proper burial. Others are tossed into shallow graves, unmarked and unknown, where they fell. The carcasses of dead animals, mules, horses, dogs and a variety of farm animals lie in heaps waiting to be destroyed by fire. The stench of death is so strong in the August heat that there is no escaping it anywhere within fifty miles of Gettysburg. Civilians everywhere wear a mask scented with lavender or other fragrances, attempting to counter the rotting odors of decaying flesh.

Children scurry along the battle grounds, looking for keepsakes left behind by the fallen and retreating soldiers. There is the sound of an occasional explosion, which brings the heartbeat of every mother to a standstill until the child, just killed by a previously unexploded shell, has been identified. So far, over twenty children have lost their lives in this fashion since the fighting ended.

Disease is beginning to take its toll as well. The rotting flesh of man and animal has attracted disease carrying rodents and insects to this town. Many have already succumbed to the effects of dysentery and fever. The local cemetery is reaching its maximum capacity, and efforts are underway by a local attorney to secure property for a national cemetery in which to bury the Union dead.

Every public building, church and school alike, is still being used to house the injured soldiers who have thus far survived. Surgeons from both the Union and Confederacy have remained to care for the wounded. Rumor has spread that these dedicated men will be leaving soon, as more of the soldiers are moved to Washington City to continue their recovery. The process is slow, however. Confederate soldiers, now prisoners of war, will be removed to Union prison camps in Maryland and Ohio as soon as possible. The surgeons will be leaving as well, leaving the remaining care, which will be quite significant, to the local physicians, too few in numbers to be of considerable value. The towns’ people will be left to care for one another as best as they can.

There have been no church services since the battle began on July 1. All of the churches are being used to house and care for the wounded and disabled. Services will not resume until well after the last casualty has been properly cared for and removed to better quarters.

I spoke briefly with Reverend Schumacher of the Lutheran Seminary here in Gettysburg. He stated that the classroom building used from the first day as a hospital is still in use and that classes may not resume until late in the fall. He further stated that the amputated limbs, piled as high as 40 feet around the building, continue to be a source of great concern, attracting undesirable varmints from the countryside. Rats, raccoons, skunks, wild dogs, and birds have descended upon this once holy and sacred ground.

Families of the fallen are arriving daily, in search of their loved ones. Visitors and refugees alike arrive in a steady stream seeking help, lodging, and information. The towns resources seem stretched beyond the breaking point, yet these simple folks continue on, rebuilding and reclaiming their community. The tears, cries, and wailing are beyond any description. The suffering of a broken heart and dream most likely should not to be compared to the suffering the soldiers endured in the brutality of this war. Yet, the suffering of loved ones is equal to, if not greater than, the suffering of the fallen soldier. For the loved one often must sit alone, emptily and helplessly, as their loved one suffers and either lives, or dies.

It is my hope to return to Washington City within the week and leave this place of devastation, destruction, and sorrow behind. Will this town ever recover? The local residents say that it will. Life continues on, in spite of the tragedies encountered. Is life the same as before? Absolutely not, for nothing remains as it was; and everyone, for better or worse, is forever changed by the circumstances of war, and of life. I shall forever more appreciate the daily gift of life, the glory of a sunrise and the majesty of a sunset, the joy and laughter of a small child at the surprise of life, the robin on winged flight, the petals of a new flower, the first frost and the purity of freshly fallen snow, the joy of birth and new life, and the rejoicing of a life, lived fully and wonderfully, as the soul enters into the heavenly realms.

The madness of the present conflict will eventually come to an end. Order will be restored, both across the nation, and in the many small towns like Gettysburg that have already suffered the hardships of war or who will yet encounter the scourge of the war machine. May the end come quickly, before more destruction, devastation, and sorrow are thrust upon the populace of this nation.

July 15, 1863

Washington City

According to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, the Confederate Army returned to Virginia, through Maryland, following their defeat in Gettysburg this past week. Several skirmishes have occurred in and around Hagerstown, Funkstown and Williamsport Maryland. The Confederate Calvary has been harassed by Federals in pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Reports indicate that the majority of Lee’s army was held in check at the banks of the Potomac River in Williamsport Maryland, unable to ford the river due to the high amounts of rainfall over the past several days and the swollen river conditions.

Union forces reportedly engaged Confederates in withdraw on July 4^th and 5^th near Fairfield and Monterrey Springs Pennsylvania. Several additional Federal losses were reported on the Union Calvary with several fighting men wounded and reported prisoner of the Confederates.

On July 6, Federal units once again launched an attack on the Confederate positions near Hagerstown Maryland. Reports indicate that as soon as the attack was commenced, the Federals once again retreated, fearing additional losses. Reports are that Federal loses were as high as ten to one against the Confederates.

From July 7 until July 13, cannonading and small skirmishes continued throughout the region with Confederate forces pinned against the swollen Potomac in Williamsport.

If the Union Calvary could have kept the Confederates in check, perhaps General George Meade would have been able to advance his infantry troops towards Williamsport and again engage the defeated Confederate Army, ending the bloody conflict that has been ripping at the heart of the Nation. However, General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia have escaped back into Virginia and the south, thus slipping the hounds of the Federal Army, to fight another day.

General Meade has not yet given an answer to Secretary Stanton as to his slow response to the Confederate withdraw. It appears that the will of the Union Generals to fight and win this war has once again been challenged.

July 9, 1863

Washington City

VICKSBURG FALLS.

Word has arrived at the War Department that the Confederate City of Vicksburg fell on July 4, 1863, the day following the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, to the hands of Federal Troops under the command of Major General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant began his blockade of Vicksburg in late March and has laid siege to the city for almost sixty days. Daily bombardment of the city resulted in numerous casualties of Confederate troops with minor casualties of Union soldiers, according to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Confederates surrendered to Grant’s Army after exhausting their resources. About ten thousand Confederate troops are now in the custody of the Federals.

Approximately fifteen hundred civilians had remained in Vicksburg after General Grant had offered the civilians free passage to safety prior to the siege. Vicksburg had completely exhausted all its resources as well including food and medical supplies. Many of the remaining residents were forced from their homes to find shelter in surrounding caves due to the intense and regular bombardment of the city. General Grant reportedly states that he will offer amnesty to all civilians that will pledge allegiance to the Union. The Union Army has made the city its new headquarters in the Mississippi delta region.

July 9, 1863

WASHINGTON CITY.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting one of the heroines of the present conflict while present in this government city. Her name is Miss Clara Barton and she is a true angel of mercy upon the field of valor. I wish to share with you some of my impressions of Miss Barton and the work she is doing. Perhaps in doing so, her story will inspire other women of the Union to avail themselves of similar, sacrificial offering, for the eventual settlement of the present hostilities that are gripping this nation.

Miss Barton is extremely reticence to tell her story and much of what I have learned and gathered has come from sources that know Miss Barton and have the utmost respect for her work.

Miss Barton is a quiet woman with a great deal of personal strength, courage and determination. She attributes her educational achievements to her family. The youngest of five siblings, she was taught much from her older sisters and brothers. Her family, strong abolitionists encouraged her in every endeavor. Her interest in caring for the injured, sick, and less fortunate has been instilled in her from her early childhood by the reports of her great-aunt, Martha Ballard, an exceptional midwife Miss Ballard reportedly served in Hallowell, Maine and delivered over one thousand infants.

Miss Barton states that her father taught her: "As a patriot, serve your country with all you have, even with your life if need be; as the daughter of an accepted Mason, seek and comfort the afflicted everywhere; and as a Christian honor God and love mankind."

Today, Miss Barton is continuing to care for our wounded soldiers and meeting their needs on the field of battle. She readily collects and supplies the much needed materials to care for the wounds and illnesses that are befalling our fighting men. She carries her materials and wares directly to the front, where they are most urgently needed, often getting through when and where the Army cannot.

Miss Barton has established an agency to obtain and distribute supplies to wounded soldiers and has received a pass from Army Headquarters to ride in army ambulances to provide comfort to the soldiers and nurse them back to health. She has obtained permission to travel behind the lines, reaching some of the grimmest battlefields of the war.

During the Battle of Antietam Creek in September, 1862, Miss Barton was nearly killed when a bullet passed through the sleeve of her dress, killing the wounded man she was attending. Although lacking medical training, at the insistence of a wounded soldier, she extracted a bullet from his cheek, using only her pocket knife.

In April of this year, Miss Barton traveled to Hilton Head, South Carolina, in preparation for the anticipated bombardment of Charleston. While there she was able to join her brother, Captain David Barton, an Army Quartermaster and fifteen year old nephew, Steven E. Barton, serving in the military telegraph office.

In May she met Mister Frances D. Gage and has assisted him in the care and education of former slaves and freedmen. At this present time, Miss Barton has begun to develop an interest in the growing cause for equal rights among women and the Negro.

At the time of our meeting, Miss Barton has been in Washington City attempting to procure more supplies for the Army in South Carolina as well as materials to be used in the education and care of the newly freed Negros. She states that she shall return to the South within the week, and hopes that many will respond to her request and needs.

Miss Barton is indeed an extraordinary woman who has placed herself in unselfish service to her neighbor and stranger alike. The men on the battle field find great comfort when they look up and see her approaching in her Navy blue dress, bonnet, and bright red bow.

You may contact Miss Barton through regular Army channels by addressing correspondence to her at “Miss Clara Barton, War Department, Washington City.” Donations of cloth, medicine, and food may also be sent in care of the Army to Miss Barton.

July 4, 1863

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The citizenry of Gettysburg are rejoicing this day as Confederate forces have begun to withdraw from the town and countryside under orders from General Robert E. Lee, CSA, to retreat back into Virginia following the devastating loss of life during the third day of battle.

At approximately 3:00 pm on the 3^rd of July, under the command of General George Pickett, about 12,000 Confederate troops began a massive assault on the Federal position at Seminary Ridge, hitting the Union center. The Union, under the immediate command of General Winfred S. Hancock, USA, sustained significant bombardment from Confederate canons, and then a rousing assault by General Pickett’s Brigade. The Union was able to repulse the attack. Confederate forces were decimated in the attack while Union casualties were not nearly as severe.

During the attack, General Hancock was seriously wounded and taken from the field after the fighting had concluded for care. His condition is believed to be fatal; however no word has been received as yet to the extent or outcome of his injuries. Union losses are believed to be less than two thousand men.

Confederate forces suffered nearly fifty percent casualties. Among those are several principle officers including Generals Armistead, Garnett and Kemper, Trimble and Pettigrew. Pickett’s three brigade commanders and all thirteen of his regimental commanders were casualties during the assault on the Union center.

There is speculation that these losses will undoubtedly be the end of the Army of Northern Virginia and that the Confederacy will not be able to recover after this devastating loss. Rumor has it that Mr. Lincoln will seek to bring an end to the war, pursuing a policy of reestablishing the Union through peaceful negotiations with Richmond.

General Meade has ordered a pursuit of Lee’s army into Maryland and into Virginia if necessary to end this bloody conflict. All prayers are with the Federal forces in hope that this defeat of the Confederate Army will now bring with it a swift conclusion to these hostilities and a restoration of the Union and peace for all people.

July 3, 1863

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

In my attempt to move about the town and to find what information I could as to the advance of the battle underway, I engaged a civilian pair within the Union camp at Cemetery Ridge, south of Gettysburg. They were there seeking a pass from the provost to pass through Federal lines towards Washington City, in hopes of avoiding further conflict and encounter with Confederate troops.

The gentleman was Reverend Josiah Young of Boston. Reverend Young had traveled to Gettysburg, arriving with his traveling companion, Misses Cora Hatch, also of Boston.

Reverend Young had traveled to this small Pennsylvania town to start a new congregation for the AME Zion Church. He found that many of the Negroes had already fled north as a result of Confederate raids earlier in June that had taken approximately 40 Negroes back to Virginia to be sold as slaves. Most of the 200 colored residents of this town had fled, leaving behind their homes and work for safer refuge. Reverend Young, a freeman, expressed concern for his safety and that of his traveling companion, who proclaims herself a spiritualist and abolitionist, to the Provost in hopes of obtaining the required travel documents allowing them safe passage to Washington City.

The Provost advised Reverend Young that no passes were being issued at this time due to the engagement of the Confederate Army and that no passes would be available until the outcome had been decided. With no safe place to go, Reverend Young stated he would remain within the confines of the Federal Lines.

At this time, there appears to be a short respite from the fighting. The heat and humidity of the July sun has apparently taken its toll on both Armies. General Hancock feels that there will be little if any fighting this day as both Armies rest and prepare to continue the massacre of sacred lives on the 4^th, Independence Day. Should that occur, many a soul will find its eternal independence on the 4^th, and Misses Hatch will have ample opportunity to display her abilities for grieving families.

July 2, 1863

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

I find myself caught in the midst of much angst and tribulation in the sleepy Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. Traveling here from Charleston in Western Virginia just a few days earlier, I arrived here to visit my old friend, Reverend Schumacher of the Gettysburg Seminary. It was within two days of my arrival that news came of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia having been sighted near Chambersburg with possible movement towards Harrisburg. Also news reached us that General Jubal Early, CSA, had taken York, Pennsylvania on the 28^th of June. I was told by my Editor, Mr. Martin Marbles, to delay my departure to Washington City and await further developments in the region. On June 30, news that Lee had advanced near Gettysburg had reached us and we were notified that Gen John Buford, USA and his Calvary were near by and would attempt to engage the Confederates as soon as practical.

On July the 1^st, General Buford engaged the Confederates just west of the Seminary on the Chambersburg Pike and the conflict began. Fierce fighting with what appears to be heavy losses on both sides of the conflict has already occurred. The Seminary has been turned into a surgeons butchering house. The limbs of helpless lads are piling up on all sides of the building. Both Federal and Confederate troops are care for here, or left to die on the slopes of the grounds. Both Federal and Confederate Surgeons work side by side to crudely care for the injured. The smell of death and cries of the dying are already felt every where throughout the town, but none so much as here in this place of the sacred and the profane.

Word has reached us that General John Reynolds, USA, fell in battle not far from this place in the fighting of July 1^st. General Buford held the ground as long as possible before being ordered to withdraw to the Cemetery on the south side of the town. Now the town and Seminary are in the hands of the Confederates yet the Federal Surgeons continue on in caring for the wounded, both from the North and South.

The sounds of weapons, artillery, horses and wagons, charging, fighting, dying men can be heard though out the entire town. Civilians are huddled in their basements or have fled to neighboring town and farms in hopes of avoiding the catastrophe at hand. Additional word has been received that there is already a civilian causality of one Jennie Wade, killed this morning by a snipers bullet as she was tending to her sick sister in the home on the edge of town near the Federal Lines.

I have attempted to venture towards the center of town with little success, constantly stopping to avoid being run over by racing horses pulling Confederate artillery towards the Cemetery. It seems to me that a Cemetery is a strange place indeed to hold a defensive line by the Federals. I am told that this is good ground however, because of its height and advantage to see over the entire area of Confederate advance.

As of yesterday, Generals Winfield Scott Hancock, John Buford and John Reynolds were commanding for the Federals. General Reynolds is reported dead, General Buford has been pulled to the rear for reserve and General George Meade has arrived on the field to take command. General Hancock remains by General Mead’s side. Who else is here we do not know, but we have been able to decipher that as many as 40,000 Confederates are here along with as many as 50,000 Federal troops. More Federal troops appear to be arriving as the day wears on.

General Lee is commanding the Confederates at this time with General Longstreet and others by his side. How many Confederate commanders overall we do not know.

As this day is drawing to a close, the fighting continues and death remains a constant. The stench of death is already rising high above this town and the heat and humidity of July presses in with oppressive heaviness. There appears to be not advance on either side, and the bloody contest will continue when the sun rises over Pennsylvania in the morning.

As darkness falls on these killing fields, the fighting has at last, if only for a small respite, stopped. Yet the cries of the fallen, wounded and dying can still be heard from the place where they fell. Will this place ever hold peace for those who reside here again? Will the fallen of battle find their eternal peace in this place? I think not.

January 11, 1863

Washington City

News in Washington at the War Department is once again most disturbing, and at the same time most hopeful. Major General Ambrose Burnside has been replaced by Major General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker, following General Burnside’s defeat at Fredericksburg.

The Union Army, under the command of General Burnside, suffered horrendous casualties in futile frontal assaults on December 13, 1862 against entrenched Confederate defenders on the heights behind the city, bringing to an early end their campaign against the Confederate capital of Richmond. The Union Army has once again pulled back to position themselves for a future assault, this time with yet another new commander.

General Joseph Hooker has been described as a man of great courage and fortitude and somewhat questionable morals. However, General Hooker promises that he will refit the Army of the Potomac and move aggressively against General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia at his most opportune appointment.

Can this, yet another change in the command structure of the North provide the necessary will and conviction to bring about the end of this terrible conflict? Only time will tell.

General Lee and his lieutenants have also vowed to end this terrible atrocity with the defeat of the Union Army. According to sources, the victory at Fredericksburg has given them the impetus to advance once again against Union forces, possibly moving into Maryland or Pennsylvania as early as May.

General Hooker has already issued orders to refit his army and to prepare to march into Virginia as early as April, thus cutting of Lee and his men from advancing further. General Hooker is hopeful of removing Lee from his entrenched position around Fredericksburg Virginia, forcing the gray fox to retreat. The Union General states he will eventually win the day, and the war, with a Union victory in Richmond.

As General Hooker continues his plan, the War Department will do everything in its power to insure a Union victory at this most crucial time in the war. Another Union defeat such as recently suffered in Fredericksburg, and as well as the Union stalemate at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg Maryland this past fall, would likely lead to a Confederate victory of the entire war. This would undoubtedly end not only the present fighting, but all hopes of forever preserving the Union.