April 23, 1861 (Tuesday)

"My bosom burst with the
fire of patriotism...."
                          ---Alexander Herritage Newton

"Out of the Briars," by Ronald Coddington, Disunion--New York Times, April 22, 2011.     Here is the narrative of Alexander Herritage Newton, one of the first blacks that served in the Civil War.  His story and the eventual book he wrote, 'Out of the Briars' is shared at the link above.  He said, "I engaged myself for the great Civil War, the War of the Rebellion -- my bosom burst with the fire of patriotism for the salvation of my country and my people.'

The narrative of the day:  Civil War Daily Gazette, The Pacing President, General Lee Takes Over, A Railroad Twist of Fate (Two Old Friends Reunited), and Richmond's New Laws.  

From The Long Recall, April 23, 1861:  "Meanwhile, the South is in a state of jubilation over Virginia's secession.  The tone struck by Southern papers stands in stark contrast to the grim determination found in Northern papers.  Stories from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana are downright giddy, intoxicated by a sense of the inevitability of their triumph, as if their victory would flow naturally from the righteousness of their cause alone...."

The Lincoln Log, April 23, 1861:  "Lincoln paces the floor awaiting troops for defense of Washington."   --   "Cabinet meeting around noon."

From Daily Observations from the Civil War, Diary of William Howard Russell, April 22, 1861.    "Not a man --  no, not one -- will ever join the Union again."  and  "There is something suspicious in the constant never-ending statement that 'we are not afraid of our slaves.'"

From Daily Observations from the Civil War, Diary of a Young Officer -- Josiah Marshall Favill:  "Outrageously crowded -- A gale -- Seasic -- No opposition -- Landfall Annapolis."  The story of a soldier trying to get to Washington.

And finally, from Daily Observations from the Civil War, Letters of a Family During the War of the Union:  "Sarah Chauncey Woolsey to Georgeana Muirson Woolsey -- 'The good-byes are hard enough even if it is for the country.'"