Category Archives: Albert Wymer Henley Diary

A slave takes his master home

Posted on May 12, 2011 by

The bodies of two men of the 13th Mississippi Regiment, left in the town when the brigade withdrew on the evening of Dec. 11, were discovered after Christmas in the rubble of some shelled and destroyed Fredericksburg homes. One was … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Fredericksburg, Jess N. McLean, Mississippi, Slavery, The Spartan Band, The Winston Guards, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Union crosses into a fight

Posted on April 20, 2011 by

The 13th and 18th Mississippi regiments were awakened well before sunrise on Thursday, Dec. 11, 1862. They formed in the dark on Marye’s Heights. Then they were rushed down to the city where Union engineers were attempting to throw three … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Battles: Fredericksburg, The Minute Men of Attala, The Spartan Band, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Lull before the storm

Posted on April 18, 2011 by

On Dec. 9, 1862, a Tuesday, the 13th remained in camp on Marye’s Heights above Fredericksburg with the 18th Regiment. The 21st and the 17th regiments went back down to the city on picket duty. The 17th Regiment’s Private Robert … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Battles: Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Gen. Lafayette McLaws, The Spartan Band | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Women & children flying from bombardment

Posted on April 12, 2011 by

“Scarcely had we reached our camping ground,” Spartan Band Private Albert Wymer Henley wrote of the 13th’s arrival near Fredericksburg on Nov. 20, 1862, “when our Regiment and the 17th were detailed to go to town to move some commissaries.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Battles: Fredericksburg, Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Richmond Howitzers, The Spartan Band | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Journey: On to Fredericksburg

Posted on April 10, 2011 by

Monday, Nov. 17, 1862, Gen. McLaws wrote his wife, Emily, as he went to bed that evening. He had to be up early for the division’s departure from Culpeper Court House. “I am under orders to march with my division … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Battles: Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Jess N. McLean, The Spartan Band, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“…there is daily skirmishing…”

Posted on April 8, 2011 by

Thursday, Nov. 6, 1862. “Clear and cold,” William H. Hill of the Spartan Band, wrote in his diary. “The baggage that we sent back to Gordonsville arrived back here this morning.” The baggage also included goods the 13th had left … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Jess N. McLean, Mike M. Hubbert Diary, The Minute Men of Attala, The Spartan Band, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Journey: On the march

Posted on April 6, 2011 by

It was clear and cold, with another frost, at sunrise on Friday, Oct. 31, 1862, when the division packed up, broke camp and set off southward. They marched 19 miles, seldom being interrupted by the division wagon trains, and camped … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, The Spartan Band, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Privations

Posted on April 2, 2011 by

The hastening winter and continuing frosts weren’t so easy on some of the 13th and, indeed, the rest of Barksdale’s brigade. Scanty rations, little warm clothing and “wood rather scarce” made camp life uncomfortable, Spartan Band Private Albert Wymer Henley … Continue reading →

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Night on the battlefield, anxious morning

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

“We slept on the battle field last night,” Private Mike Hubbert of the Minutemen of Attala recorded in his diary Sept. 18, 1862. “It is very horrifying to hear the cries of the wounded who are all around us. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Battles: Sharpsburg, Mike M. Hubbert Diary, The Minute Men of Attala, The Spartan Band | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Battles: Sharpsburg

Posted on March 15, 2011 by

The Spartan Band’s “boiled meat and crackers” eaten, the 13th and the rest of the Mississippi Brigade marched through the dawn’s early light into the western suburbs of Sharpsburg, Maryland (above), headed for Gen. Lee’s headquarters.It was a clear and … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Wymer Henley Diary, Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Gen. William Barksdale, Mike M. Hubbert Diary, The Minute Men of Attala, The Spartan Band, The Winston Guards, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , , | Leave a comment