April 1863 was another very difficult month for the country. The biggest news was \u201a\u00c4\u00faaffairs at or around Vicksburg.”<\/p>\n

But Ellicott also has much to say on the assault on Charleston, the British attempts to obtain cotton, and the military occupation of\u00ac\u2020Baltimore.^{1<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n}

April 1<\/u>, 1863 \u00ac\u2020Rain fell nearly all of Saturday last 28th Int. clearing away by Sunday morning with a strong N. West wind which prevailed with a pleasant Temperature during the greater part of Monday 30th Before daylight of yesterday Snow commenced to fall and ceased not until nearly Noon – It did not accumulate much depth however owing to the condition of the Earth surface, but the N. West wind prevailing for 24 Hours past has lowered the Temperature so far that the Snow lies to day frozen very firmly wherever it is exposed. Since the 27th Ulto. the Premium on Gold has advanced steadily from 41 pr.ct. on that day to 50 1\/2 yesterday – the fluctuations thereof have unsettled the prices of many articles of Merchandise & trade generally. Besides the reported repulse of the Fed. expedition through the Sunflower River there is but little authentic War News – but the preparations indicate early action at many points besides the Yazoo and Vicksburg – The recent arrest and banishment to Dixie of Mrs. Mary Paire[?] because of her comments upon Genl Schenck contained in an intercepted letter from her to her friend in Virginia – has excited considerable attention in this City – Wrote to A. B. C. under date of 30th and E. Warford under date of the 31st March with Newspapers. The Premium on Gold was advanced to-day 57 1\/2 the morning to 58 per cent by 3 O\u201a\u00c4\u00f4clock.<\/p>\n

April 2nd<\/u> \u00ac\u2020Rather hazy with a moderate Temperature this morning – The Premium on Gold has receded to day to 55 per cent. That portion of Reb. forces invading Kentucky under Genl Pegrand [?] is said to have been defeated at Somerset and 400 of them made Prisoners. The Fed. reports of affairs at & around Vicksburg are so variant that no reliance can be placed upon them. The latest advice from Europe inform us that the Confederate Loan for 3 millions \u00ac\u00a3 has been opened in Paris, London, Frankfort & Liverpool ; was first op_ided [?] on the Inst. and had attracted much attention selling at a Premium of 1, 3, & up to 5 pr.ct. – By these advices we learn also that the Rebel Cruisers, Alabama and Florida have each burned 2 Valuable Vessels ; all four belonging to Boston or N. York<\/p>\n

April 3rd<\/u> \u00ac\u2020”Good Friday\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 \u00ac\u2020Is a beautiful bright day, cool and refreshing Temperature – We have confirmation of the failure of the Fed. expedition through the passes in to Sunflower River for the purpose of getting into the rear of the Vicksburg for descending that River to the Yazoo and the return [?] of Com\u201a\u00c4\u00f4r Porter to Young\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s Point on the Mississippi with his forces – Also the details of the fight at Port Hudson – both from Fed. and Reb. sources – showing the discomfiture of the Federal Fleet – composed of the following forces – which attempted to run by the Batteries there<\/p>\n

Viz Sloop of War Harford 26 Guns (Flag Ship)
\n2 Monongahela 16 Do.
\n3 Richmond 26 Do.
\n4 Gun Boats Kinso [?] 5 Do.
\n6 Sloop Mississippi 22 Do.<\/p>\n

Six powerful Vessels 100 of Heavy Calibre besides the Gunboat Essex (Iron clad) and a number of Mortar boats that laid below the Batteries within range and assisted in the attack which commenced on discovery by the Rebs of the approach of the Fleet, shortly before Midnight of the 14th March. The cannonade commenced from the Batteries at 12.10 and continued in the most \u00ac\u2020manner [sic] from the Fleet also until 2.20 O\u201a\u00c4\u00f4clk. by which time the Flagship Hartford had passed up the River in a damaged condition, together with the steam Tug Albatross, and the residue of the Fleet were so damaged that they were driven down the River all except the Mississippi which ran aground and was burned by her crew 64 of whom were captured or Killed by the Rebs the rest made their escape to the West or the opposite shore – the loss on the other Vessels was considerable but this account acknowledges that the only [loss] sustained by the Rebs. was one Lieut.[?] 1st Alabama Slightly, and one man 1st Tennessee severely wounded – & estimates the whole loss of the Feds. at 250 men & officers – The latest report from Vicksburg state that Four Fed Bunboats, Lancaster and Switzerland & Two others, attempted to run the Batteries there. The two others were turned back by the terrible fire of the Batteries and Escaped but the Lancaster was sunk with all on board and the Switzerland floated down the River a helpless wreck. A report states that 800 Feds. were captured at Brentwood Tenn. by Rev. Cavalry with considerable plunder. Premium on Gold 53 percent.<\/p>\n

April 4th<\/u> \u00ac\u2020Wind Northerly and quite mild all day, clouding over in the afternoon with occasional Snow squalls – Steamer Canada brings European __[?] to the March by which time the subscriptions for the Loan of the Confederate Government of 2 Millions \u00ac\u00a3 had been ascertained to be from 15 to 18 Millions \u00ac\u00a3 in London, Paris, &c \u00ac\u2020Premium on Gold to day was 55 1\/2 pr. ct.<\/p>\n

April 5 \u00ac\u20201863<\/u> \u00ac\u2020Easter Sunday – The Snow Squalls of yesterday turned into a decided Storm before night and it continued to fall rapidly for some hours with a high and cold wind so that the Ground is covered this morning to a depth of 4 to 5 inches in the City and it must be much deeper outside – The power of the Sun however must soon cause it to disappear – A Correspondent of the Springfield (Mass.) Republican, from Pensacola, Florida, describes the attempt made at Ship Island La. recently to enforce the principle of military equality between Two companies of 13th Main and the 2nd Regiment Louisiana Negro Volunteers – when the white officers all refused to attend parade or to do guard duty with the Negroes, and were put under arrest – afterwards the white Soldiers refusing to do duty under the Negro Officers were all disarmed by the Negroes, under the order of their Col. Daniels, and placed in confinement. It is reported how from Memphis – Tenn. that the Iron clad Gunboat Indianola, instead of being blown to pieces by the Rebs as stated heretofore, was taken to Alexandria L.a. immediately after her capture, and thoroughly repaired by the Rebs. so that being now ready for service she may give some trouble to Com. Farrigut in company with the Ram Queen of the West – W__[?] Grand Drake &c. \u00ac\u2020The 28th Maine and 18th Connecticut Regiments being ordered from Pensacola, many of the Soldiers swore they would burn the place, and for 3 days & nights it was filled with smoke and flame until all the buildings except Mallery\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s and Chase\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s were burned – The Officers tried to stop the work of destruction, it is said, but they seem to have had no influence with the men – even the man placed to guard the Property set it on fire & Col Dyer, commander of the Post was all most distracted [?] and gave orders to shoot persons caught setting fire to Buildings but no one executed them.<\/p>\n

April 6th<\/u> \u00ac\u2020A milder Temperature with sprinkles of rain have removed nearly all the Snow from the Streets to-day. Besides the reported landing of Federal Troops on Seabrook Island at the mouth of Edisto? River 10 Miles South of Charleston S.C. we have intelligence that all the expeditions sent out to effect a rear movement on Vicksburg having failed of that purpose have returned to Young\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s Point. At last advices 300 transports, from the Haines Bluff – Yazoo Pass & were lying there. It is said also that the cut-off Canal in front of Vicksburg has been abandoned by the Rebs. and the effect of another bombardment is again to be tried. The depredations of the Confed. Cruisers have had the effect of raising the rates of the Marine Insurance in New York. Under the influence of the Law recently passed in the N. York Legislature forbidding the loaning of money on Gold, the Premium on that article was 50 pr.ct. this morning, but sales were made at the Stock Board at 53 pr.ct. before closing. According to the Naval Register (just published) there are now 450 Naval Vessels connected with the service of the United States.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

April 7th<\/u> \u00ac\u2020 Cloudy, with little sprinkles of rain this morning, being dispersed before Noon by a N. West wind, and quite a cold Temperature \u00ac\u2020The War News is meagre today being made up of rumors of anticipated successes and statements of further preparations to be made showing alltogether a \u201a\u00c4\u00faVigorous Procrastination\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 of the War \u201a\u00c4\u00ee The Premium on Gold closed at 53 1\/2 per cent at the first Board today. Various detachments of Confederate Prisoners of War, numbering several Hundred each, have been passing through the City all most daily, for a week past, from Camp Chase, and other points at the West, to be taken to Fortress Monroe to be exchanged ; which is being done as rapidly as possible. – The appearance of these Rebs., generally, is that of athletic and active as well as respectable<\/u> men, although many of them are sick – some of them being afflicted with the Small Pox \u201a\u00c4\u00ee Why such prisoners should be sent forward or how they can be made comfortable & be Kept separated from the others it is difficult to be surmised – Some of these have died here. \u201a\u00c4\u00ec<\/p>\n

April 8th<\/u> \u00ac\u2020Somewhat cloudy but quite pleasant to-day – Rumors as to the repulse of Genl Forster in the vicinity of Newbern – and of Banks in the vicinity of Port Hudson are rife in the City to-day but all attention is centred upon the reported attack upon Charleston S.C. by the Fed. Army and Naval Forces, which are of such dimensions and have been preparing in every way for so long a period that they are deemed, by many, to be irresistible and that the fate of that doomed City is sealed \u00ac\u2020Under this state of affairs The Premium on Gold to-day was 48 percent at the Stock Board. – By the latest accounts from Europe we have the statement of the Capture of 38 ships &c by the Confederate Steamer Alabama Since the commencement of her cruise – including the Gunboat Hatteras which was destroyed<\/p>\n

April 9th 1863\u00ac\u2020<\/u> Clear and quite cold this morning with a brisk Westerly Wind \u201a\u00c4\u00ee We have circumstantial accounts of the total destruction of Jacksonville – Florida – by fire at the hands of Federal Forces – This beautiful Town was recently occupied by \u201a\u00c4\u00faThe Negro Brigade\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 sent there by Genl Hunter\u00ac\u2020 to revolutionize or abolish the Slave Population of that Section. Two Regiments, one of which was 4th Connecticut and the 8th Maine Volunteers the other were sent subsequently to protect their Colored fellow Citizens from the Rebels – For some reason all of there [sic] colored Troops were ordered to evacuate the Town, but before doing so some of [the] Buildings were pillaged – especially the Catholic Chapel, or Church, and the residence of the Priest – when it was discovered that Fire had been set to various Tenements eventually the whole was in flames – It is said that the Negroes Volunteers were merely Spectators as the incendiaries appear to have been their white Brethren. The 6th Connecticut charging the act upon the 8th Maine, and these hurl the charge upon the former. The population of Jacksonville was about 2000, but few of whom awaited the Federal occupation. Several families, however, claiming to be \u201a\u00c4\u00faloyal\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 were brought away to Hilton Head with but little more than what they carried on their backs \u201a\u00c4\u00ee The Town of Palmyra, in Montgomery County – Tennessee, was destroyed entirely by a Fed. Gunboat on Saturday last, in retaliation for a Fed. Vessel having been fired upon from the Town. It contained a population of about 1000 inhabitants who were warned to leave before the bombardment was commenced. The Fed. Gunboat Diana was captured at Pattersonville, Louisiana – Several of her Officers and men were Killed and 99 taken Prisoners & paroled by the Rebs. a few days ago. Nothing either definite or reliable from Foster, or of Banks \u201a\u00c4\u00ee Premium on Gold to-day.<\/p>\n

April 11th<\/u> \u00ac\u2020Clear, pleasantly seasonable weather for the past Two days. By Revel advices from Charleston we learn that the Fed. Fleet of 8 or 9 Monitors, viz Patapsco, Catskill, Nantucket, and the Ironsides Admiral Dupont\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s Flag Ship had crossed the Bar of Charleston on the 6th Inst. On Tuesday 7th All of the Ironclads engaged the Battery and Forts for Two Hours \u201a\u00c4\u00ee The Ship Ironsides was hit, and run ashore, as it is said, but go off and was carried out of range – [text blotted out, or too faint to read]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

End of Volume 2.<\/p>\n

No. 3 \u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020\u00ac\u2020 p. 101
\nContinuation of B. H. E\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s Diary
\ncommenced 17th February 1862 <\/u><\/p>\n

April 13th 1863<\/u> – Weather pleasant & clear for several days past. The intelligence from Charleston thro the Richmond Papers relieved the anxiety to know the state of affairs there. And today we have reports from the Fed Fleet which state that the Eight Ironclad Monitors with the Frigate Ironsides proceeded in order of battle at about Two O\u201a\u00c4\u00f4clock P.M. on 7th Inst. upon a \u201a\u00c4\u00fareconnorsance\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 of the Harbor Defences and the Forts – The Rebs allowed them to proceed within 900 yards of Fort Sumter before they opened fire when all the Batteries and Moultrie and Sumter commenced a furious cannonade which was returned by the Fleet with all their power; Admiral Dupont having ordered their fire to be directed, and concentrated as far as was possible, upon the centre embrasures of Fort Sumter – Where within 500 yards of Fort Moultrie Two shots were fired under the bow of the Weshawken [?] the leading Vessel, when the action commenced at 2 1\/2 or 3 Oclk by a torrent of shot & Shells upon the four leading Monitors. The Ironsides having become unmanageable when about 1200 yards from Sumter. The Monitors continued there way, however, replying to the Batteries vigorously, until they had passed the N. East face of Sumter when they made out Three lines of obstruction at a short distance consisting of Logs floating with torpedoes attached, stretching entirely across the channel to the Harbor, and a net work of Cables of Iron held perpendicularly by weights – Here they were under the concentric fire of Forts Moultrie and Sumter. Battery Bee_ [?] and several Batteries on Morris Island, and finding these obstructions impossible there 4 Boats turned about to return. In the meanwhile Com. Dupont, finding it difficult to __ the Ironsides from her position where she was a fixed mark for the enemy during the engagement, signaled the 4 Ironsides behind her to pass ahead to the support of the others and there they met [?] under the concentric range of the Forts and Batteries before mentioned; They advanced nevertheless to the line of obstructions but were compelled also to put back – All the Ironclads were damaged, more or less, by the terrific fire from the Fortifications – Insomuch that the ordeal through which the Ironclads passed for Two Hours has proven that their defensive power saved many of them from destruction by the terrible force of the Works, but the limitation of their offensive power took away their advantages. By 5 O\u201a\u00c4\u00f4clock P.M. The fleet had withdrawn out of range towards the Bar. It was the intention of the Admiral to have recovered the Battle on the 8th Inst. but the Reports made to him showed that the Keokuk had sunk, the Passaic was disabled and the Patapses, Nantucket and Nahaut, were Exceedingly crippled, and he decided to desist and in this decision he was supported by the unanimous opinion of all the Commanders of the Ironclads – This momentous Problem has been solved conclusively as well as the safety of Charleston from any Naval attack [\u201a\u00c4\u00faand\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 is crossed out] The Land Forces of the Feds. that were landed under Hunter\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s command were forced to await the result of this \u201a\u00c4\u00fareconnaissance\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 as the Land fortifications of the City were deemed to be impregnable – The casualties on board the whole Fleet are reported to be One Man Killed and 15 or 20 Officers and men wounded –<\/p>\n

On the 26th of March Genl Foster, with a portion of Spinola\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s and Price\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s Brigades comprising the Pennsylvania Regiments of Cols. McKibben [?], Dyer and Aear the 12th and 157th New York and the 1st N. Carolina Volunteers, started from Newbern for Little Washington at the junction of the Tar and Pauilico [?] Rivers where they entrenched themselves. In the meantime the Rebs erected a very powerful Battery on Swan Point about 5 miles below, which commands the channel. Thus the communication with the base of supplies, Newbern, was cut off, and a large Reb. force attacking on the land side, Foster was surrounded \u201a\u00c4\u00ec Since various attempts have been made, unsuccessfully to relieve him, but the Gunboats have been driven back by the Battery, and the Land forces have been attacked, and compelled to return, by the Rebs. We now have advices from Newbern to the 9th Inst. which detail these operations to the 7th, and, as the Rebs were said to have 20 Thousand men under Hill, and Two under Pettigrew, it is supposed that Foster, with his forces and the 2000 Contrabands with him at L. [Little] Washington, will be compelled by starvation, if from no other cause, to surrender –<\/p>\n

<\/a>