Civil War Notebook

By our last night’s dispatches we learn . . .

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. . . Col. Myers, of the Army Signal Department has invented [a] new mode of signaling, which promises good results. The novelty of the new invention consists, first in the application of the parachute to the common rocket, by which its fall is retarded and signal lights sustained in the in the air a much longer length of time than heretofore. The parachute, a French invention used for descent from balloons and other elevations, is constructed similar to a huge umbrella and presents a large surface of resistance to the air. Its application to the rocket is certainly an original idea.

The second feature of the invention is the system of colored lights of greater or less duration, by which letters, words and phrases may be indicated.

When Gen. Fremont assumed command of the Department of the West, he organized a scientific corps for engineering and signaling purposes – and by means of this light placed in a box with an adjustable slide attachment, long and short flashes were emitted - similar to the combination of characters used in the Morse telegraph alphabet. It is the dot and line (long and short) system so felicitously described in the Atlantic Monthly Oct. 8th, 1858 by Rev. Dr. Hale. We suppose a similar system is designed to be used in Col. Myers’ invention – at least we think it would be practicable.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, September 4, 1861

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Very fine weather. No news of importance. The Government has issued to each man a good, double, woolen blanket, which we use for covers at night in our bunks of wheat straw. There are two men to each bunk, my bunk-mate being Thomas Fossett. He is a good, conscientious fellow.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 7

Rooms Of The West’n Sanitary Com’n

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ST. LOUIS, Feb. 27, 1862.

Application having been made to the Western Sanitary Commission, by “Secessionist Ladies” for permission to contribute articles exclusively for the sick and wounded prisoners now in the hospitals here, they take this opportunity to inform them that, by order of Gen. Halleck, no discrimination can be made in the treatment of patients – friend and foe being treated alike.

Liberal hearted loyal people have generously contributed goods and money for the comfort of the unfortunate men in our hospitals. These donations are used indiscriminately for all the inmates of the hospitals who need them.

The commission will gladly receive any donations contributed for the sick and wounded, but they cannot discriminate in favor of any.

By order of the Western Sanitary Commission.

LYMAN B. RIFLEY, Secretary.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

James N. Campbell

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Sergeant, Co. K, 11th Kentucky Infantry

Died April 6, 1862, Columbia, Tennessee

Stones River National Cemetery

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Blackwood’s Magazine . . .

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. . . of February, assumes that a war between the United States and Great Britain will take place before 1863, and welcomes it with satisfaction. “The campaign,” says Blackwood, “is just as likely to end by establishing a new frontier for Canada, with Portland on one flank and Lake Ontario on the other, as by leaving the enemy in permanent possession of a mile of Canadian territory."

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Capt. Weaver is recruiting . . .

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. . . for his Company at Brighton, and, we are glad to learn, is succeeding very well. He goes into the 17^th, Col. Rankin.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, September 3, 1861

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A new company came into camp today which had only about half the necessary number, and so it was planned to have them join with us and form a full company, but the two companies could not agree on who should be captain.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 7

Dry Goods

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The market is dull. The speculators in staple goods who bought so largely some months ago are now very anxious to sell, and are distressing the market and disturbing the calculations of manufacturers and may very likely check a little the disposition to produce new goods. – The market does not respond to the pressure and the few buyers limit themselves to actual wants.

DOMESTIC GOODS. – Prints are inactive and holders are anxious to sell, yet domestic fabrics have nothing to fear from competition of foreign importations as few prints are now imported. Old goods are however being liberated from bond and offered for sale.

Printing cloths are declining with a panic desire to force sales in presence of a better supply of the raw material. In sheetings and shirtings there is no change. The regular receivers are firm, but could not, nevertheless obtain current quotations if they were to press sales. The export demand is very trifling. In woolens there is also less doing. Delaines do not attract much demand at present. Jobbers are quiet. Fancy cassimeres of desirable styles are active, both silk mixtures and wool good, but the demand is confined to these kinds. Clothing houses are not buying much. Western buyers and buyers from the Middle States are making a few selections, but the West holds a large quantity of inferior goods, which they want to sell. Stocks are moderate in first hands.

FOREIGN GOODS. – The importations have increased considerably, and auction sales are now commencing. British goods have been largely sold, though the regular trade has not fully opened. The speculative demand is over and prices are less buoyant. Low priced delaines are, however, in ready sale and low priced cloths are in some request. Silks are more inquired for, especially staple kinds. Fancy silks are dull. Prices are steady. There is considerable business in ribbons, and sales have been making to some extent to buyers from Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and the West.

Military goods are now mostly sold for cash. Many houses refuse to sell on any other terms. – Woolen goods are dull. Fancy cassimeres, low priced German, Belgian and English cloths alone command a market and those of good styles. – French worsted are inactive. The value of the goods imported last week is $1,500,000, which is an increase, though only half the amount imported in the corresponding week of last year. Prints, linens, blankets, cotton goods, worsted, and silks are among the articles chiefly imported. – N. Y. Independent.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

J. J. Jackson

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Private, U.S.C.T. Infantry

Died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Stones River National Cemetery

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, September 2, 1861

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We are having regular drilling now; company drill at 10 o'clock in the forenoon for two hours, and in the afternoon regimental drill for two hours. Every evening at 5 o'clock we have dress parade.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 7