[The Richmond Daily Dispatch, Dec. 26, 1864]

Christmas 1864.

One of the most charming productions of Dickens in that "Christmas Carol," in which he tells of an old miser, Scrooge, whose cold nature was unlocked by the genial inferences of a certain Christmas, and who became thereafter the most benevolent and charitable of mankind. We wish that some of the persuasive visions of Christmas past, Christmas present, and Christmas to come, which worked such a wholesome influence upon the mind of the English miser, could make themselves left in the adamant natures of our Confederate Scrooges. Objects of compassion may be found at every step, in comparison with whose condition that of Bob Crotchett and Play Tim was happy and luxurious. We should like to know whether Christmas, which showers its bounties upon the heads of the extortioners and speculators, will melt their hearts towards their suffering fellow-men, or whether even the warm rain of Divine benevolence will freeze as it falls through such an icy temperature.

We can scarcely bring ourselves to wish our readers a merry Christmas in such an ere of selfishness and coldness of soul. The face of nature itself is not as dreary, the frozen streams are not as cold, as the hearts of men have been rendered-by the absorbing thirst of gain and gold. Beneath the hard crust of the earth lie buried those principles of life which will clothe its surface with the beauties of spring and the harvests of summer, and the imprisoned waters will soon break their icy chains and run-warm and sparkling in the sun's fervid rays. But what life is there in the soul cankered by the greed of gain? What spring shall cause the desert to blossom or the arctic ice to melt?

But even amidst the general corruption there remain some men who hold fast their integrity, and to them we appeal to celebrate this Christmas by deeds of extraordinary mercy and charity to the extraordinary sufferers by this war. In the hospitals and in the habitations of the poor are hundreds and thousands whose Christmas will be sad and solitary unless cheered by the visitations and benevolence of those whom Providence has made the objects of its blessing and the almoners of its bounty. Amid the solemn scenes of this awful struggle we can in no way celebrate Christmas so appropriately as in those acts of mercy and compassion which bless him that gives and him that receives. He that remembereth the poor will be remembered by God in his own time of trouble and affection.

[The Richmond Daily Dispatch, Nov. 5, 1863]

CLICK HERE FOR LINK.

HISTORY AS IT HAPPENED: Confederates Concentrate at Niblett's Bluff, La.
     The intentions of the Confederates in Texas.

The New Orleans correspondent of the New York Herald, writing on the 16th ult., gives the programme adopted by the "rebel" leaders in Texas and the trans-Mississippi districts. He says:

     The armies now commanded by Holmes, Price, and Parsons, in Arkansas; the forces of Smith, Hobart, and Taylor, in Northern and Central Louisiana; those of Greene, Straight, and Major, in the southern part of the State, and part of the troops of Magruder, in Texas, are to be concentrated at Niblett's Bluffs, on the Sabine river, which, together with the lake of the same name, forms the boundary between Louisiana and Texas. The evacuated regions necessary to be occupied, for military reasons — for instance, demonstration against the advance of our armies — will be held by a mere handful of mounted men, depending upon the co-operation of guerilla bands in cases of a move upon our part.

     The point of concentration chosen by the enemy exhibits no insignificant sagacity. Sabine Lake lies immediately upon the Gulf coast, being connected with the Gulf by a narrow channel known as Sabine Pass. The lake is formed by the inflow of the waters of the Sabine and Neches rivers. Upon the Louisiana side of the Sabine is situated Niblet's Bluffs; in almost the same latitude, on the west side of the Neches, lies Beaumont — a small town. Between the two points — by land across the peninsula formed by the two rivers — there lies an immense swamp, impassable at some seasons of the year even to local conveyances; but for the passage of an army, its infantry, cavalry, artillery, baggage and supply trains, would be at all times impracticable. However, by running from Niblet's Bluffs down the Sabine river, across the lake, and thence up the Neches to Beaumont, form an excellent water communication between the Bluffs and Beaumont, the distance being but eighty-eight miles. For purposes of navigation by this route the enemy has about twelve light draught steamers.

     Upon these excellent considerations Niblett's Bluffs has been chosen as the defensive or offensive positions of their concentrated armies, and Beaumont the base of supplies; for, from that place to Houston, Texas, the communication by road is passable, and at Houston the cattle and entire agricultural resources of Texas can be centred for transportation to Beaumont and thence to their army at the bluffs.

     The entire force of the enemy when here centred will not exceed thirty thousand. Their armies in the extreme West have suffered a greater depletion than those of the East, and more from disease than by the casualties of battle or campaign.

     The enemy is resolutely determined to hold Texas, for the possession of that State by us will put an end to the existence, as an aggregate, of their armies on the west side of the river.

AN INCREDIBLE ACT OF BRAVERY

An unidentified Confederate,
most likely a P.O.W.
(CDV, M.D. Jones collection)

I thought that with Mel Gibson's new movie, Hacksaw Ridge, coming out on Medal of Honor recipient, Cpl. Desmond Doss, who saved 75 of his fellow soldiers on Okinawa, people might be interested in knowing the story of a Confederate with a similar story, in the Battle of King's School House (Oak Grove), Va. on the first day of the Seven Days. This is excerpted from the Richmond Daily Dispatch, June 27, 1862, Page 1:

“We would conclude by mentioning the heroic conduct of Private James Henderson, Company A [Caddo Rifles], First Louisiana. This brave fellow had undergone the severe fiery ordeal with his regiment in the morning, and when it was ordered to fall back he voluntarily moved to the front to assist the wounded, as there were neither surgeon nor stretcher bearers with his regiment. Henderson brought off Col. [William] Shivers from the field on his back, returned and recovered the same officer’s sword and other equipments, and whenever finding a wounded man sufficiently strong to be removed, he carried him from the field on his back, despite the repeated vollies [sic] which the cowardly enemy fired upon him.—More than this—when the enemy had posted their pickets, this fine soldier stole through the grass upon his hands and knees, and actually stole our wounded men from under the enemy’s guns! We always delight to record the deeds of privates, but can any words of ours add to the honor of such a brave fellow as Henderson?”

Confederate News of the Day

Saluting Estes: Confederate officer honored in DeKalb County Gadsden Times William Rosecrans and Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg; Longstreet, Polk, Stewart; Spencer rifles; Davis Cross Roads, Horseshoe Ridge, the Battle of ... Flag as irrelevant Natchez cemetery curbs Confederate flags at graves Bristol Herald Courier (press release) (blog) The cemetery association's President Cyndy Stevens tells The Natchez Democrat ( http://bit.ly/2edT9Au ) that descendants of Confederate veterans ... Flag as irrelevant Pokin Around: A marker for a fallen Confederate soldier Springfield News-Leader ... why Martin Van Buren McQuigg chose to join the Confederate army and not .... These are the views of Steve Pokin, the News-Leader's columnist. Flag as irrelevant Schools remove Confederate flag from grounds Appleton Post Crescent Question: There was a report of a Confederate flag at Appleton East High School. Is that a common issue? Answer: Matt Mineau, principal at Appleton ... Flag as irrelevant A Civil War History Lesson On Trump's Visit To Gettysburg NPR Afterward, Trump visited the site of Pickett's Charge, a failed Confederate assault on the Union on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. A Civil War History Lesson On Trump's Visit To Gettysburg - WBUR Full Coverage Flag as irrelevant Civil War re-enactors face off at Battle of Gainesville The Independent Florida Alligator "History, don't get it twisted," Anderson said atop his horse after acting as a cavalry member for the Confederate side. "That's why I do what I do, ... Flag as irrelevant

HISTORY AS IT HAPPENED -- Brilliant affair in Texas--two Yankee gunboats repulsed and destroyed — Failure of the expedition.

[The Richmond Daily Disptach, Sept. 23, 1863]

The Battle of Sabine Pass, Sept. 8, 1863, was a lop-sided Confederate victory
that raised the morale of the Confederate people. Seen on the mural are Lt.
Richard W. "Dick" Dowling, upper left, and the Federal gunboats, lower
right. Dowling and his men, mostly Irish-Texans, as seen in the central section
in action. (Mural at Sabine Pass State Battleground State Park)

   The great Texas expedition, so often hinted at in the Yankee papers, has been repulsed, with the loss of two gunboats composing it. The 19th Army corps, under Ben Franklin, left New Orleans on the 4th inst., in transports, accompanied by four gunboats, to capture Sabine City, a point of great strategic value on the line dividing Louisiana from Texas. They arrived off the city on the 8th. A correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune says:

     In the course of Monday night the entire fleet gathered in the vicinity of the Sabine. The gunboats and vessels of lightest draught crossed the bar, and preparations were made for the attack. Capt. Crocker, of the Clifton, was to feel the enemy, uncover the batteries, and ascertain his strength and position. Gens. Franklin and Weitzel examined the shore of the Pass to find the most eligible point for landing the forces. The Clifton steamed up the Pass, occasionally throwing a shell from her rifle guns at the only work visible — an earthwork of six large guns. No reply was made. She steamed within easy range of the fort, and received no response. She then returned to her former position without drawing the fire of the enemy.

     When the Clifton returned the order of battle was immediately arranged. The gunboats Clifton, Arizona, and Sachem, were to engage the enemy's works, while the Granite City was to cover the landing of a force of 500 men of-Gen. Weitzel's division, selected from the Port Hudson heroes, and composed of two companies of the 165th New York, four companies of the 161st New York, and a detachment of the 75th New York regiment, under command of Capt. Fitch, of the latter regiment.

      The Clifton opened the engagement with a shell from one of her large pivot guns, which burst inside the enemy's works, raising a cloud of dust and dirt; instantly another shot followed; then the Sachem opened a broadside from her guns; next the Arizona followed. The firing, was excellent; from thirty to forty shells had exploded in the fort of the enemy. Not a shot had been fired in return — not a soldier nor a civilian could be seen — the only evidence that the neighborhood was not deserted was the movement of a couple of steamers vibrating between the city and the fort.

     Presently a heavy shot was fired at the Arizona, passing over her; soon another was directed at the Sachem and at the Clifton, but without effect.

     Soon the conflict became general and stormy, the shot and shell from our vessels making terrible havoc in the parapet. Just as the Sachem was passing out of range and victory seemed about to perch on our flag, a shot struck her amidships, rendering her useless, her flag was lowered, and the enemy concentrated his fire upon the Clifton, whose gallant officers and men fought bravely until a shot passed through her boiler, and she was compelled to raise the white flag. The Clifton had, besides her crew, 70 sharpshooters on board. The Sachem had a detachment of 30 sharpshooters. Five soldiers, one sailor, and one signal man, escaped down the beach from the Clifton. The number of killed and wounded is not known.

     The Arizona, being unequal to the contest, fell back, and the order was issued to the fleet to withdraw. The expedition returned to New Orleans, Sept. 12, with its designs prostrated at the feet of adverse circumstances.

     Another letter thus sums up the disaster:

     Just as soon, however, as an attempt was made to land, the rebels poured in shot thick and fast, which they sent through and through our gunboats, and very soon sunk one--the Sachem — and blew up another. All our sharpshooters on one of the boats were captured, and it was only by prompt and rapid movements that the Commanding General, Franklin, managed to get away.

HISTORY AS IT HAPPENED--Capture of Galveston, Texas

Brig. Gen. Paul Hebert, Confederate
commander of Galveston at the time
of its capture by Federal gunboats.
(Library of Congress)

[Richmond Daily Dispatch, Oct. 25, 1862]
Capture of Galveston, Texas, by the Federal fleet.

     The Federal fleet off Galveston, Texas, attacked that city on the 4th inst. A Federal steamer ran past the battery at Fort Point under a heavy fire, and laid to at the central wharf. The battery was then destroyed by the Confederate troops, who marched to Virginia Point. The troops in Galveston left and went to the same Point. The Federal steamers lying off Galveston, five in number, gave the authorities of the town four days to remove the women and children from the place at the expiration of which time they would shell the place if it was not surrendered. The cause of the attack, or rather the initiation of the asssult, was the firing into the shipsteamer

    Harriet Lane by the guns at Fort Point. The Harriet Lane steamed in under a flag of truce, but went too far, and was fired into. The latest telegram from Galveston is dated the 6th inst., and speaking of the movements of the Federal says:

    They landed yesterday again at the Point, but have not permanently occupied it, having a whole some fear of a cavalry dash. There are a sufficient number of troops on the Island to repel any landing. While the enemy occupy their present position Col. Cook is engaged, under orders from Col. DeBray, in removing such machinery and foundry works as can be got off, and it is not probable that the enemy will find much on the Island of value.

     Orders have also been issued to inform the people that should our troops leave the island communication will at once be cut off, and those who remain will be compelled to depend on their own means of subsistence, as no supplies will be allowed to enter the city.  

     Measures are already on foot for a rigid police of the bay, and active cavalry force will continually scour the main land opposite the island and the country along Buffalo bayou, the Tricity, Neches, and Sabine.

     The determination of the military authorities seems to be to confine the enemy to the bay contiguous to the island. The forces before the city, while not very formidable as a fleet, is yet sufficient to indicate the future movements of the enemy on our coast, and warn the people residing near the coast of the danger, should the bays and rivers be left unguarded.

HISTORY AS IT HAPPENED -- A Southern City Sacked

Many Southern cities and towns were sacked by Federal troops. In this
contemporary drawing, it is Federals sacking Fredericksburg, Va.
(Library of Congress)

[Richmond Daily Dispatch, July 15, 1863]

     If there was any motive lacking to induce the people of the South to form associations for home defence, the following account of the sacking of Clinton, La., by Federal troops, should stir them up to the initiation of measures which may prevent their own homes becoming the scenes of similar outrages. The city was entered by Grierson's Federal cavalry about daylight on Sunday morning, and they immediately commenced searching for arms and arresting citizens. A correspondent of the Atlanta Appeal says:

     They arrested the citizens and took them to the Masonic Hall, leaving none but the women and children at the houses, and when there was no one, the houses and everything in them were broken open and examined, and when anything suited the fancy or taste of the searcher he appropriated it. From some houses they took every suit of gentleman's clothes, not leaving the owner a change; from others they took as many shirts as they needed, and wherever a gold or silver watch was found, with a few exceptions, it was pocketed Many ladies breast pins found their way into the pockets of the 6th and 7th Illinois cavalry. Every dairy and cupboard was emptied of its eatables and every cook was employed in preparing them breakfast. From almost every corn-crib they took corn to feed their horses. The citizens around and near the Masonic Hall, where the officers [ were, were ] not molested, except the stores. Under the pretext of searching for arms they broke open every store and office in the town, scattering the goods and papers in every direction, and loading some of them in wagons. The windows and show cases were ruthlessly and needlessly smashed.

    Some of the soldiers rode their horses into the stores and into some of the offices. While the citizens were at the Masonic hall hospital, many soldiers were seen riding by with boots, hats, and dry goods of various kinds, and large bundles of tobacco. The officers in command could not fail to see this, and knew that their men were pillaging the town. The men seemed to think that any amount of guns and ammunition were concealed in the iron safes, because they broke open almost every one in town, none of which had any money in them except one, and that but a small amount — Every horse they could see and catch, with every bridle and saddle, they took and carried off. A great many of the men urged the negroes, wherever they met them, to run away, and some one or two they forced to go, one of whom has returned. Some nine or ten went off with them, and during the week some twenty or thirty followed them from town. They burned the depot and machine shops, and the machinery of the Louisiana penitentiary, stationed here, which is a great loss to the Confederacy.

     With pistols in hand, and presented, they demanded the watches and money from some of our citizens: They got some four or five gold watches, and perhaps as many silver ones. They even robbed an old negro man of Mr. F. Hardesty of an old silver watch.

     They visited the residence of Mrs. Lee, and, presenting a pistol to her head, demanded all the money in the house. They cursed and abused her very much, and greatly terrified her and her daughter, Mrs. Batchelor. They put a pistol to the breast of Rev. Mr. Hamlin, at his residence, and demanded his watch, threatening to shoot him if they did not get it. They did the same with Dr. E. Delong, but neither of these gentlemen owned watches, and of course the members of Grierson's Western cavalry did not get them They paroled all the sick and all the straggling Confederate soldiers they found in town. They left about half-past 9 o'clock A. M.        During their stay they were the most alarmed set of men our citizens ever saw.

     A portion of the men who were detailed to guard the citizens, saw Capt. Hayden with a gold watch; when the citizens were dismissed they followed him to his home and presenting their pistols forcibly took his watch and chain. As soon as they finished paroling the citizens they left with their plunder. On Monday evening following five of them went to the residence of A. D. Palmer, about four miles from town, during the night, and inveigled the old man from his house some distance, and then pretending to have an order from Gen. Banks to take him and his papers and box to Gen. B., they forced the old man to give them his money box and papers, robbing him of six thousand dollars. A few days since they robbed Mr. George Keller, near Jackson, Louisiana, of fifteen thousand dollars.