The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 39, July 1935 - April, 1936 Page: 63
346 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Diary of a Confederate Congressman, 1862-1863
have sighed for the communion of her spirit and the support of
her counsel, in these perilous times. But I cannot wish her re-
turn to earth. She is realizing the joys of the just & pure in a
Heavenly world. Oh, God, guide my feet in the path which will
lead me to a re-union with her. Prospects of the Country not
specially cheering. Difficulties in the way of getting home seem
to thicken. Oh, God, have mercy on us all.
Tuesday 28th Could not keep up with the business in Con-
gress today. There was much confusion & I was frequently
called out by visitors. Various bills were reported from the
Committee on Naval Affairs. I voted against the bill to give
Adjutants the rank, pay & allowance of a Capt. of Cavalry. At
night the seal as reported from the Senate Committee was adopted
with the motto "Deo vindice". Several young men from the
neighborhood of home got here & brought no letters from Eliza.
I cannot understand this. They tell me all were well. Why did
not E. or Anna write me. Feel tired & heavy hearted tonight.
April 1863
Wednesday 29th So much confusion & disorder in the House
that I could not keep up with the proceedings. Passed a bill
authorizing the P.M.G. to establish and express mail"77-also a
bill to extend the time (12 mos) for claimants for carrying mails
after secession of their states & before the Confederacy took
charge of its postal affairs, to file their claims etc. House re-
ceded from its amendment to the appropriation bill, appropriat-
ing money to meet the prospective increase of the soldiers' pay.
I voted for this.
Printing bill also passed the House. Various bills from Mili-
tary Com. also passed. Bill from Committee on Commerce abol-
ishing all posts of delivery also passed. Called with Col. Whit-
field to the President in relation to his (W's) apple. The Presi-
dent looks feeble. He seemed disturbed as we all are about the
news from Louisiana. Banks is said to be within one day's
march of Alexandria.278 This is only 135 miles from my own
2"7Mail: The problems dealing with the transferring of mail in a dis-
rupted and agricultural territory were many. Even the printing of
postage stamps involved serious problems, for equipment for months was
lacking and importing them through from England meant running a
blockade. Sometimes stamps were issued by local post offices. (These
are prized highly by stamp collectors.)
218Banks in Louisiana. An attempt was made by Farragut, command-
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 39, July 1935 - April, 1936, periodical, 1936; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101095/m1/71/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.