#cw150

[theivorlegov1]

Pvt. George Lemon, CP 191

[themarychesnut]

Dear friends, we’re celebrating the 160 miles trudged to complete the return of Washington Duke! Will you join us at Duke Homestead this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a festival? Surely we all could use the fun.

[themarychesnut]

War is over?

The war is over – Gen. Johnston formally surrendered to Gen. Sherman at Bennett Place. At least now, I can head home with nothing but tall blackened chimneys to show that any man has ever trod this road before. This is Sherman's track. It is hard not to curse him. I wept incessantly at first. The roses of the gardens are already hiding the ruins and my husband says nature is a wonderful renovator. Time will tell.

[themarychesnut]

I hope you’ll consider joining me at Bennett Place in the coming days. I feel my compulsion to journal winding down with the slowing of wartime activities, and this may be my final stand.

[themarychesnut]

I’ve caught wind of quite the scandal in Chapel Hill, a blessed reprieve from the alarming news of the past few days. The Yankees have taken a strong hold around the capital and visited University of North Carolina President David Lowry Swain to arrange for quartering of troops. While in the home of Mr. Swain, a Union general set his sights on young Ellie Swain and they are to be married! Bless.

[germansons]

CIVIL WAR: ON THIS DATE

Jefferson County, Kentucky native Major Robert Anderson  evacuated  his command  from Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina on April 14, 1861 after enduring three days of bombardment from Confederate forces surrounding the Union garrison.

This assault on a Federal fortification ushered in “this wicked and unnatural rebellion” bloodlessly, but under the terms of capitulation, Major Anderson ordered a 50-gun salute to honor the Stars & Stripes as the flag was lowered from the shattered flagstaff that resulted in the death of Private Daniel Hough.

Hough died as the first casualty of the war, and five of his comrades were wounded, from an explosion after embers fell into loose powder.

In response to President Abraham Lincoln’s April 15, 1861 first call that followed  to activate 75,000 militia for three months service to suppress the rebellion, newly elected Governor Oliver Perry Morton of Indiana telegraphed to Washington, D. C., the pledge “On behalf of the state of Indiana, I tender to you, for the defense of the Nation and to uphold the authority of the Government, ten thousand men.”

The following day, April 16, Gov. Morton issued a proclamation calling "upon loyal and patriotic men of this State," to aid the President in enforcing the laws, to recover National property and to maintain the rightful authority Of the United States Government.

During the War of the Rebellion, 208,367 Hoosiers would serve to prevent the overthrow of the Federal Government, and of that number, 24,416 were killed or died of disease. Some 13,779 men are listed as unaccounted for, and a good many of them likely died in service.

[themarychesnut]

Shocking news today, simply shocking. President Lincoln has been killed, murdered! But by whom? I sent off message after message to Mr. Chesnut. I have not the faintest idea where he is, but I know this foul murder will bring upon us worse miseries. There are no Confederates in Washington, so I feel sure this was not our doing. Regardless, I’m sure vengeance will soon rain down upon us. God rest his soul and protect us all.

[themarychesnut]

Richmond has fallen and I have no heart to write about it. President Davis fled and arrived in Greensboro just this morning as he and his cabinet continue to move farther south. I’m not sure where they think they’ll find safety; wolves are at both the front and back doors now. I’m to dine with dear Varina later this week, I only hope she’s holding up better than her husband’s political career.