July Fourth and the Civil War

Some research I found about the Fourth of July during the civil war

US Capital The East Front ca. 1861

1861

• Lincoln calls an "extraordinary" session of Congress and presents an address regarding the suspension of Federal government functions by secessionists in the South.
• The President also reviews 29 New York military regiments in front of the White House and also raises the stars and stripes (the flag presented to the city of Washington by the Union Committee of New York) on a 100-foot high flagstaff located at the south front of the Treasury Department.
• Galusha A. Grow is the only Speaker of the House of Representatives ever to be elected and take office on the 4th of July.
  
• An artillery salute of 15 guns is fired at Camp Jackson near Pigs Point, Va., in honor of the Southern States that have declared and are declaring their independence.
  
• In Baltimore, the citizens there present a "splendid silk national flag, regimental size," to the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment
• Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts celebrates the 4th with the 1st Massachusetts Regiment at Camp Banks near Georgetown, D.C.
  

1862-

• Lincoln is in the White House and receives the "Soldiers of the War of 1812"...Mr. Lincoln replied appropriately, thanking them for the call."
• A pyrotechnic depiction of the battle between the Monitor and Merrimac takes place in New York

President Lincoln at Antietam, 1862

1863-

• The President issues an address to the people honoring the Army of the Potomac and "for the many gallant fallen." There was a ceremony on the grounds of the Executive Mansion.
• Upon hearing of the news of the surrender of Vicksburg, the President gives a "Fourth of July" speech on July 7 from the upper window of the White House to an "immense" crowd.
• Vicksburg, Mississippi waited 82 years, until 1945, to again celebrate the 4th after General Ulysses Grant took the city in 1863 during the Civil War.
• In Concord, N.H., former president Franklin Pierce addresses 25,000 persons at the "Democratic Mass Meeting" held there.
  
• In Buffalo, N.Y., 17 veterans of the War of 1812 march in a parade there.
• At Annapolis, a "flag of truce" boat filled with Secessionist women from Philadelphia and elsewhere leaves on July 3rd and travels south.
  
• In Gettysburg, Pa., as the Rebel troops are.making their escape from the great battle just fought there, someone throws firecrackers among their ambulances carrying the wounded and causes a stampede of the horses and panic among the troops.
  
• In Columbus, Ohio, Randal and Aston's store has 8,500 American flags to sell for the holiday.
  
• In Newport, Rhode Island, the Fourth of July celebration is repeated on Tuesday, July 7, due to the news regarding the Union victory at Vicksburg.
  
• Gov. Zebulon B. Vance of North Carolina giv es a speech in Granville county, urging "the people to continue their assistance in prosecuting the war until the independence of the Confederate States was established"

Charleston, S.C. Site of the night attack on Fort Sumter, September 8, 1863

1864-

• The President is at the White House reviewing the Reconstruction Bill and meeting with various officials.
• Gov. Andrew Johnson of Ten nessee addresses the citizens of Nashville.
  
• In Washington, D.C., Secretary William Seward, riding in a carriage, narrowly avoids serious injury when a rocket, set off by a young boy, strikes him above his eye
  

1864. Maj. Gen. Sherman and staff

1865-

• One of the first "Freedmen" celebrations occurs, in Raleigh, N.C.
  
• Lincoln's "Emanicipation Proclamation" is publicly read in Warren, Ohio, and Belpassi, Oregon.
  
• The National Monument Association lays the cornerstone of the Soldier's Monument in Gettysburg.
  
• The Huntsville Advocate (Alabama) prints news about celebrations in Gettysburg and New York.
• The celebration by the Colored People's Educational Monument Association in memory of Abraham Lincoln occurs in Washington, D.C. and is the first national celebration by African-Americans in the U.S.
  
• In Albany, N.Y., 100 "tattered" Civil War battle flags are presented to the state and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant is in attendance.
  
• In Savannah, Ga., Governor James Johnson addresses the citizens there telling them that slavery is dead and that they should renew their allegiance to the Government.
  
• At Saratoga Springs, N.Y., J.C. Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, reads the Emancipation Proclamation.
  
• Union General William Tecumseh Sherman participates in a 4th of July civic celebration in Louisville, Ky., and witnesses a balloon ascension there.
  
• In Hopewell, New Jersey, a monument to the memory of John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is dedicated and New Jersey Governor Joel Parker delivers an oration

Pennsylvania Ave 1865

Its interesting to note as well that when July 4th fell on a Sunday, the anniversary was celebrated in most places on Monday, July 5.

Norlands Washburn Center June 5-6 2009

June 6, 1864
My Dear Brother Michael,
It has been almost a year since I lost received a letter from you. You said you were at Brandy Station at the time. I fear for the worst, dear brother. Are you a prisoner in a Northern camp somewhere? Are you amongst the wounded?
I am still traveling with Uncle Dick who is attached to the Third Maine Infantry, Company A. But for him and Aunt Marcia, I would be on the streets with no where to go. After the battles of ‘62 near our Maryland farm, I had no choice but to leave the land. I hope to return there when this war is over and rebuild what remains of the farmhouse and barns. We are located on the Winchester farm near the Paumunkey River in Virginia. Here I am staying in a small group of people in an area called Unity. There is a group of Federal troops to the East and a group of Rebels to the south. Friday night we arrived and set up camp before dark. Ashley was with me, Ben staying in the North near his school. It was quite cold that night, 45 degrees. There was little sleep to be had with the arrival of late comers. A babe cried late into the night. Saturday I was told to be in the military camp at 6 am for breakfast. Chef Bray had hung a stuffed squirrel on the tent pole.


More then one person mistook the animal as being alive as the wind made its tail move. Others were convinced it was dinner.


Later in the morning, the ladies had a fashion show. It was quite shocking but very entertaining to watch Mrs Lawson clothe her dress form. There was a tea in the town square, many attended and had it not been for Mrs Cylik and Mrs Lawson and most especially Mrs Williams, all would not have been served.

During the afternoon, there was a battle with many wounded.

I feared one might be you so I snuck across the lines to the Confederate Hospital. There was a gallant surgeon tending the wounded.



The 15th Alabama’s Captain was wounded and his wife came to his side. Only the skill of the surgeon saved him. Later I went to the Sutlers in Unity and purchased a shirt for Ben. Dinner was a ham and bean supper in town followed by a Contra dance. My cousin, Private Steve Henry escorted me. The strain of the battle filled day wore on me, leaving me too tired for the festivities. The night proved cold again, though not as bad as the previous one.
I once again ate with the Third Maine. At 10 am there were church services in town. Captain Lawson marched the men into town and ordered them to attend.

Having seen some of the men's actions, I certainly agreed with the Captain’s insistence in going for their moral character. The services was well done but towards the end of the service, the men in blue were called to arms and forced to leave before the end. Once again there was a battle in the after noon and once again I crossed the lines to the Rebel hospital tents.


When I arrived I notice there were 2 Third Maine men laying wounded. They had been treated but were in need of comfort. I gave them water and reassurance, offering them laudanum from my basket. Dearest brother, at that moment a Rebel Captain tried to steal my basket. Keeping it from him I again turned to help the boys in blue. To my utter shock and surprise I heard a woman’s voice to tell me to step away from my basket! I nearly fainted! She accused me of being a spy for the Union, Another Rebel office riffled through my basket, reading the letter you sent me from Brandy Station and finding the Union pin that I wear. I was escorted at gunpoint to a tent and told to wait. To my utter relief I was left alone long enough to take my basket and run. I ran to the nearest union soldier I could find, explaining what happened. The kind man said he would see to the Union wounded and sent me to the Third Maine Camp. There I found my Uncle and Mrs Cylik. I was given a firm lecture on going unescorted into town. A few hours later, the troops gathered and we marched off to find a new camp. I hope and pray you are well, Michael. Please write to me so that my heart can be calmed. Yours always, Your sister.

Norlands Movie