Members--
Please be patient with me as I will start searches for "fathers and sons" ill, wounded, mortally wounded or deceased during the ACW. I will not take the time to separate them from USA or CSA. The tragedy is for a father to loose a son or sons in the war.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXII/2 [S# 58]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO FEBRUARY 29, 1864.--#10
SAINT LOUIS, January 28, 1864--9 a.m.
(Received 6.40 p.m.)
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
No more veterans are to be furloughed from the Department of the Cumberland except as those now absent return; from the Department of the Ohio not until Longstreet is driven from Tennessee. My son has passed the crisis of his disease, but is so much reduced that it will take months to restore him to his strength.
U. S. GRANT,
Major-General.
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/1 [S# 61]
MARCH 10-MAY 22, 1864.--The Red River (Louisiana) Campaign.
No. 34.--Reports of Col. Sylvester G. Hill, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of affair at Henderson's Hill and engagements at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou, with itinerary of the brigade, March 4-May 24.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST Div., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Vicksburg, Miss., May 28, 1864.
Official report of the part taken by the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, in the battle of Bayou De Glaize, La., May 18, 1864: This brigade, consisting of the Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, and detachments of the Eleventh Missouri and Eighth and Twelfth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, was ordered by Brigadier-General Mower to move across Bayou Avoyelles, near Bayou De Glaize, at 11 a.m., where the enemy was engaging our skirmishers. At our approach they fell back before our skirmishers, who were exposed to a severe fire on their right flank from across Bayou De Glaize. Here one of the bravest and most efficient officers, Capt. George C. Burmeister, Thirty-fifth Iowa, was severely wounded (shot through the breast) while commanding his company as skirmishers. After marching about 2 miles, we found the enemy in force with quite a number of pieces of artillery. I sent two companies to the front as skirmishers. After a heavy artillery fire from both sides, lasting about one hour, we were ordered forward. With much difficulty we moved by right of companies to the front, through a dense briar thicket, about one-half mile wide, all the time exposed to a severe fire from the enemy's artillery. In the edge of this thicket we encountered the forces of the enemy. They could not long stand the fire from our ranks, and fell back under cover of their batteries. By order of Brigadier-General Mower, we now moved back to prevent a threatened flank movement on our left, carrying with us our dead and wounded. About three-fourths of a mile back we formed a new line and advanced our skirmishers, and at 4 p.m. were again ordered to move forward, which was promptly done amidst cheers along our entire line. We again found the enemy posted near the edge of the thicket, this time greatly outnumbering us. We charged them promptly, pouring volley after volley, deliberately aimed, into their works as we advanced. They fled before us, leaving many of their number dead and wounded on the field. We captured in both charges about 160 prisoners. In this last charge I was wounded in the ankle, and horse shot; and my son, Fred. Hill, acting orderly, was shot through the head and killed, and his horse also shot. We were now exposed, in plain sight and at short range, to the enemy's artillery. We soon fell back under cover of the thicket, carrying with us our dead and wounded. At 6 p.m. we were ordered to the rear as reserves, Lieut. Col. William B. Keeler, Thirty-fifth Iowa, now commanding the brigade. At 7 p.m. we were moved to a position in the front line, on the left, in the woods, and at 9 p.m. we were ordered back on account of the fatigue of our men across Bayou Avoyelles.
Our loss was —, a list of which has already been furnished.(*)
The wounds were generally very severe, being at very close range. Many of the wounded have since died. I must again express my admiration of the bravery and noble conduct of the officers and men whom I had the honor to command in this engagement. More could not be expected of any.
S. G. HILL,
Colonel Thirty-fifth Iowa, Commanding Brigade.
[Capt. JAMES B. SAMPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General. ]
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/2 [S# 62]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STATES AND TERRITORIES, FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO MARCH 31, 1864.--#16
N THE FIELD, FORT SCOTT, KANS., February 19, 1864.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
I am highly pleased with the compliment you paid my chief of staff, Col. N. P. Chipman, by ordering him to return to do service at your headquarters at the end of thirty days, but with great reluctance I must beg you to direct his services to continue with me for the present. He is the only man I have who understands my department office duties since the untimely death of my son and assistant adjutant-general, Major Curtis. Besides, Colonel Chipman has a mature judgment, and acquaintance with political and personal feuds in this country, the actors being friends whom I respect, but whose partisan strifes I desire to avoid, and in my absence from headquarters he will carry on current business correctly without giving offense to any. I must visit personally different portions of my department to quiet needless anxiety and secure proper vigilance.
This becomes more necessary as the enemy divides his forces and I am obliged to rely on a few troops associated with militia of the country. I have already traversed the country south of this place beyond the Arkansas, returning through Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and the bordering counties of Arkansas and Missouri. I have seen the troops, the people, and country. Although I am weary, I am much better prepared and qualified to administer the affairs and protect the interests of my department. I must make further personal movements away from headquarters, and I hope therefore you will allow Colonel Chipman to remain with me to assist in the administrative duties of this department. By complying with this request, Mr. Secretary, you will greatly oblige me, and add to many personal considerations for my requests for which I am greatly obliged and truly grateful.
I have the honor to be, Mr. Secretary, your obedient servant,
S. R. CURTIS,
Major-General.
-----
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/2 [S# 96]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA (JANUARY 1-31), WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 15, 1865.--#26
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 22, 1865--10 a.m.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
A telegram announces the death of my son yesterday. With your permission I should like to go home for a day or two.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding.
CITY POINT, VA., February 22, 1865.
Major-General MEADE: If you will come immediately in I will arrange to have you sent down the river so as to take the Baltimore boat this evening. I have spoken to General Ingalls, who will have a boat ready for you here on your arrival, and will have the train bring you in at once. I sincerely condole your bereavement.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 22, 1865--11 a.m.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
My thanks are due for your dispatch and kindness. I will leave here at once, and hope to connect with the Baltimore boat this evening, so that a special train wall not be required.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding.
--------------------
O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME II [S# 115]
CONFEDERATE POLITICAL ARRESTS.
Miscellaneous Confederate Correspondence Relating to Political Arrests During the First Year of the War.--#2RICHMOND, September 26, 1861.
I, Clark Rodman,(+) from Wakefield, Washington County, R. I., respectfully beg to state that during the month of May last a friend of mine in Buckland, Prince William County, Va., informed me by letter that J. B. and R. H. Hunton, of that place, engaged in the manufacture of woolen clothes were desirous of procuring the services of a man acquainted with the business; that he (my friend) had recommended me as competent and advised me to accept the situation which I did, and on the 1st June arrived at Buckland and commenced to work. I kept on working until about the 24th July when, hearing that my son Isaac Clark Rodman, had come from the North as a private in the Second Rhode.Island Regiment; that he had been present at the battle of Manassas on the 21st of July and was wounded, I immediately stated the case to my employers, upon which they informed me that I might go in quest of him and advised me to do so. I found him amongst the wounded at Sudley Church on the 27th of July, on which day I was arrested. I was brought on to Richmond on the 30th, and after the lapse of a few days was appointed nurse in the prison hospital under the
superintendence of Dr. Higginbotham, C. S. Army. I have acted in that capacity up to the present time, bestowing all the while every possible care and attention on my son, who died yesterday, September 25, of typhoid fever.
CLARK RODMAN.
-----O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME II [S# 115]
CONFEDERATE POLITICAL ARRESTS.
Miscellaneous Confederate Correspondence Relating to Political Arrests During the First Year of the War.--#3
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 1861.
JOSEPH B. HINTON, Esq., Raleigh.
MY DEAR FRIEND: I have received a letter from my son, Manuel C. Causten, dated at Raleigh, August 1. He was a member of the President's Mounted Guard, and was made a prisoner at Seneca, Md., by a Virginia scouting party about the 1st of June last and sent to Richmond. At the time of his capture he was on a visit to his young wife, and betrayed by a false friend. He was taken from her house at night and not in arms, nor is there any special accusation against him. It now appears that he has been removed from Richmond to Raleigh, and is now there sick, and I suppose in want, and having no channel to send him supplies, I have concluded to request my old and fast friend J. B. Hinton to see him and supply all his wants in money, clothing, &c., and to favor me with a report of case and of the expenditures for his use, so that I may promptly reimburse you for the same.
A fond father's heart dictates this hastily written letter, and offers to you in advance his profound thanks.
God bless you, my dear friend.
JAMES H. CAUSTEN.
-------------
Navy O.R.-- Series 1--Volume 15 [S# 15]
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
From October 1, 1863, To September 30, 1864. pp. 300-362
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding his departure from Washington.
U. S. FLAGSHIP HARVEST MOON,
Off Fortress Monroe, March 10, 1864.
SIR: I beg leave to state to the Department that I left Washington with the leave of his Excellency the President (not having time to call over at the Department) in order to learn the fate of my son, intending to apprise the Department immediately after arriving here.
If the Department does not object, I propose to remain here until Sunday or Monday, when the flag of truce sent by General Butler is expected to return, and I hope with the remains of my son.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral.
Hon. G. WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
===============
And of course... Sherman's son Willie's death:
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXX/4 [S# 53]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM AUGUST 11, 1863, TO OCTOBER 19, 1863.--UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.(*)--#3
MEMPHIS, TENN., October 4, 1863.
(Via Cairo, 6th. Received 6.35 p.m.)
Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
I sent a dispatch up yesterday announcing the arrival here of my Second Division, and the Fourth expected the day after to-morrow. I will push all inland to Corinth and the Tennessee as fast as the railroad can carry them, and will go myself as soon as the Fourth Division is here. My eldest boy Willie--my California boy--nine years old, died here yesterday, of fever and dysentery contracted at Vicksburg. His loss to me is more than words can express, but I would not let it divert my mind from the duty I owe my country. General Blair has this moment arrived from above, and I will send him to Corinth to organize and prepare for my coming.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.
-----
M. E. Wolf
Please be patient with me as I will start searches for "fathers and sons" ill, wounded, mortally wounded or deceased during the ACW. I will not take the time to separate them from USA or CSA. The tragedy is for a father to loose a son or sons in the war.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXII/2 [S# 58]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO FEBRUARY 29, 1864.--#10
SAINT LOUIS, January 28, 1864--9 a.m.
(Received 6.40 p.m.)
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
No more veterans are to be furloughed from the Department of the Cumberland except as those now absent return; from the Department of the Ohio not until Longstreet is driven from Tennessee. My son has passed the crisis of his disease, but is so much reduced that it will take months to restore him to his strength.
U. S. GRANT,
Major-General.
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/1 [S# 61]
MARCH 10-MAY 22, 1864.--The Red River (Louisiana) Campaign.
No. 34.--Reports of Col. Sylvester G. Hill, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of affair at Henderson's Hill and engagements at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou, with itinerary of the brigade, March 4-May 24.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST Div., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Vicksburg, Miss., May 28, 1864.
Official report of the part taken by the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, in the battle of Bayou De Glaize, La., May 18, 1864: This brigade, consisting of the Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, and detachments of the Eleventh Missouri and Eighth and Twelfth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, was ordered by Brigadier-General Mower to move across Bayou Avoyelles, near Bayou De Glaize, at 11 a.m., where the enemy was engaging our skirmishers. At our approach they fell back before our skirmishers, who were exposed to a severe fire on their right flank from across Bayou De Glaize. Here one of the bravest and most efficient officers, Capt. George C. Burmeister, Thirty-fifth Iowa, was severely wounded (shot through the breast) while commanding his company as skirmishers. After marching about 2 miles, we found the enemy in force with quite a number of pieces of artillery. I sent two companies to the front as skirmishers. After a heavy artillery fire from both sides, lasting about one hour, we were ordered forward. With much difficulty we moved by right of companies to the front, through a dense briar thicket, about one-half mile wide, all the time exposed to a severe fire from the enemy's artillery. In the edge of this thicket we encountered the forces of the enemy. They could not long stand the fire from our ranks, and fell back under cover of their batteries. By order of Brigadier-General Mower, we now moved back to prevent a threatened flank movement on our left, carrying with us our dead and wounded. About three-fourths of a mile back we formed a new line and advanced our skirmishers, and at 4 p.m. were again ordered to move forward, which was promptly done amidst cheers along our entire line. We again found the enemy posted near the edge of the thicket, this time greatly outnumbering us. We charged them promptly, pouring volley after volley, deliberately aimed, into their works as we advanced. They fled before us, leaving many of their number dead and wounded on the field. We captured in both charges about 160 prisoners. In this last charge I was wounded in the ankle, and horse shot; and my son, Fred. Hill, acting orderly, was shot through the head and killed, and his horse also shot. We were now exposed, in plain sight and at short range, to the enemy's artillery. We soon fell back under cover of the thicket, carrying with us our dead and wounded. At 6 p.m. we were ordered to the rear as reserves, Lieut. Col. William B. Keeler, Thirty-fifth Iowa, now commanding the brigade. At 7 p.m. we were moved to a position in the front line, on the left, in the woods, and at 9 p.m. we were ordered back on account of the fatigue of our men across Bayou Avoyelles.
Our loss was —, a list of which has already been furnished.(*)
The wounds were generally very severe, being at very close range. Many of the wounded have since died. I must again express my admiration of the bravery and noble conduct of the officers and men whom I had the honor to command in this engagement. More could not be expected of any.
S. G. HILL,
Colonel Thirty-fifth Iowa, Commanding Brigade.
[Capt. JAMES B. SAMPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General. ]
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/2 [S# 62]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STATES AND TERRITORIES, FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO MARCH 31, 1864.--#16
N THE FIELD, FORT SCOTT, KANS., February 19, 1864.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
I am highly pleased with the compliment you paid my chief of staff, Col. N. P. Chipman, by ordering him to return to do service at your headquarters at the end of thirty days, but with great reluctance I must beg you to direct his services to continue with me for the present. He is the only man I have who understands my department office duties since the untimely death of my son and assistant adjutant-general, Major Curtis. Besides, Colonel Chipman has a mature judgment, and acquaintance with political and personal feuds in this country, the actors being friends whom I respect, but whose partisan strifes I desire to avoid, and in my absence from headquarters he will carry on current business correctly without giving offense to any. I must visit personally different portions of my department to quiet needless anxiety and secure proper vigilance.
This becomes more necessary as the enemy divides his forces and I am obliged to rely on a few troops associated with militia of the country. I have already traversed the country south of this place beyond the Arkansas, returning through Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and the bordering counties of Arkansas and Missouri. I have seen the troops, the people, and country. Although I am weary, I am much better prepared and qualified to administer the affairs and protect the interests of my department. I must make further personal movements away from headquarters, and I hope therefore you will allow Colonel Chipman to remain with me to assist in the administrative duties of this department. By complying with this request, Mr. Secretary, you will greatly oblige me, and add to many personal considerations for my requests for which I am greatly obliged and truly grateful.
I have the honor to be, Mr. Secretary, your obedient servant,
S. R. CURTIS,
Major-General.
-----
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/2 [S# 96]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA (JANUARY 1-31), WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 15, 1865.--#26
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 22, 1865--10 a.m.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
A telegram announces the death of my son yesterday. With your permission I should like to go home for a day or two.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding.
CITY POINT, VA., February 22, 1865.
Major-General MEADE: If you will come immediately in I will arrange to have you sent down the river so as to take the Baltimore boat this evening. I have spoken to General Ingalls, who will have a boat ready for you here on your arrival, and will have the train bring you in at once. I sincerely condole your bereavement.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 22, 1865--11 a.m.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
My thanks are due for your dispatch and kindness. I will leave here at once, and hope to connect with the Baltimore boat this evening, so that a special train wall not be required.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding.
--------------------
O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME II [S# 115]
CONFEDERATE POLITICAL ARRESTS.
Miscellaneous Confederate Correspondence Relating to Political Arrests During the First Year of the War.--#2RICHMOND, September 26, 1861.
I, Clark Rodman,(+) from Wakefield, Washington County, R. I., respectfully beg to state that during the month of May last a friend of mine in Buckland, Prince William County, Va., informed me by letter that J. B. and R. H. Hunton, of that place, engaged in the manufacture of woolen clothes were desirous of procuring the services of a man acquainted with the business; that he (my friend) had recommended me as competent and advised me to accept the situation which I did, and on the 1st June arrived at Buckland and commenced to work. I kept on working until about the 24th July when, hearing that my son Isaac Clark Rodman, had come from the North as a private in the Second Rhode.Island Regiment; that he had been present at the battle of Manassas on the 21st of July and was wounded, I immediately stated the case to my employers, upon which they informed me that I might go in quest of him and advised me to do so. I found him amongst the wounded at Sudley Church on the 27th of July, on which day I was arrested. I was brought on to Richmond on the 30th, and after the lapse of a few days was appointed nurse in the prison hospital under the
superintendence of Dr. Higginbotham, C. S. Army. I have acted in that capacity up to the present time, bestowing all the while every possible care and attention on my son, who died yesterday, September 25, of typhoid fever.
CLARK RODMAN.
-----O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME II [S# 115]
CONFEDERATE POLITICAL ARRESTS.
Miscellaneous Confederate Correspondence Relating to Political Arrests During the First Year of the War.--#3
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 1861.
JOSEPH B. HINTON, Esq., Raleigh.
MY DEAR FRIEND: I have received a letter from my son, Manuel C. Causten, dated at Raleigh, August 1. He was a member of the President's Mounted Guard, and was made a prisoner at Seneca, Md., by a Virginia scouting party about the 1st of June last and sent to Richmond. At the time of his capture he was on a visit to his young wife, and betrayed by a false friend. He was taken from her house at night and not in arms, nor is there any special accusation against him. It now appears that he has been removed from Richmond to Raleigh, and is now there sick, and I suppose in want, and having no channel to send him supplies, I have concluded to request my old and fast friend J. B. Hinton to see him and supply all his wants in money, clothing, &c., and to favor me with a report of case and of the expenditures for his use, so that I may promptly reimburse you for the same.
A fond father's heart dictates this hastily written letter, and offers to you in advance his profound thanks.
God bless you, my dear friend.
JAMES H. CAUSTEN.
-------------
Navy O.R.-- Series 1--Volume 15 [S# 15]
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
From October 1, 1863, To September 30, 1864. pp. 300-362
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding his departure from Washington.
U. S. FLAGSHIP HARVEST MOON,
Off Fortress Monroe, March 10, 1864.
SIR: I beg leave to state to the Department that I left Washington with the leave of his Excellency the President (not having time to call over at the Department) in order to learn the fate of my son, intending to apprise the Department immediately after arriving here.
If the Department does not object, I propose to remain here until Sunday or Monday, when the flag of truce sent by General Butler is expected to return, and I hope with the remains of my son.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral.
Hon. G. WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
===============
And of course... Sherman's son Willie's death:
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXX/4 [S# 53]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM AUGUST 11, 1863, TO OCTOBER 19, 1863.--UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.(*)--#3
MEMPHIS, TENN., October 4, 1863.
(Via Cairo, 6th. Received 6.35 p.m.)
Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
I sent a dispatch up yesterday announcing the arrival here of my Second Division, and the Fourth expected the day after to-morrow. I will push all inland to Corinth and the Tennessee as fast as the railroad can carry them, and will go myself as soon as the Fourth Division is here. My eldest boy Willie--my California boy--nine years old, died here yesterday, of fever and dysentery contracted at Vicksburg. His loss to me is more than words can express, but I would not let it divert my mind from the duty I owe my country. General Blair has this moment arrived from above, and I will send him to Corinth to organize and prepare for my coming.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.
-----
M. E. Wolf
Bringing the