March 14, 1864

March 14, 1864

---Battle of Fort DeRussy, Louisiana:  More of an occupation, as Admiral Porter lands Gen. A.J. Smith and his troops, who easily overwhelm the garrison of the yet-unfinished fort.  The Federals capture about 250 men  and ten heavy guns.

---Pres. Lincoln issues another call for troops---for 200,000 more.

---Elections in Arkansas establish the state as once again a free state in the Union.  The new Constitution is ratified, and it abolishes slavery in the state.  Gov. Isaac Murphy takes the helm as the new civilian governor.

---Lieut. Luman Harris Tenney of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry, still at home in Ohio on furlough, writes in his journal in poignant terms about breaking up with his fiancée Fanny:

Considerable snow last night and yesterday. Pleasant overhead but bad underneath. Almost concluded not to go out today on account of feeling so miserably weak and nervous. Went immediately to Mr. Cobb’s. Helen came to the door. I fairly shook. Oh, could I see Fannie. I went in. Helen brought me a letter from Fannie. Soon F. came. The letter told her sorrow at the trouble, reviewed our friendship, told her doubt and how she had hid it and smothered it and not allowed herself to think she hadn’t true love for me. She said “With my child-love, I loved you Luman. Why I do not now, I do not know.” Again, “I never would admit that I did not love you. I can not say now that I do not.” Helen came. She pitied both of us. ‘Twas a sad misfortune, but it was probably for our good. She felt from her conversation with F. and questions that she did not love me as she should. She thought we had better part friends and await the will of God. F. said once, “Oh it seems as though I could throw my arms around your neck and take it all back.” Helen was very kind to me and wished me to write to her. How sad the necessity of such a course. F. had been crying. She undoubtedly sympathizes with me in my sore trial. She prayed and hoped it would be different some day. If the change did come, she would fly to me. Her sympathy, if that it is, is deep. I can not realize that she does not love me. How can I have been mistaken these years—since she was seventeen. I can forgive all, for she suffered herself to please me. How strange our parting was—solemn, but as of old. Oh it all seems but a mere dream to me. Can it be reality? It seems cruel, but a wise God will make it a blessing, I hope. I pray God that he will sustain and bless us and bring us together here below, if he can consistently, if not, grant us both a rich inheritance in Heaven. . . . It always has seemed to me during these years that we were fated to be and dwell together, bearing each the other’s burdens and each other’s joys, most of all happy in each other’s love. Time will disclose all of its secrets and eternity, all till then remaining mysterious. I’ll await the result as trustfully and patiently as possible. God’s will, not ours be done. I must use every exertion not to allow this to ruin or seriously injure me. It will not do for me to think much of the matter.

Went home on the night freight. Home after 10. Showed Ma my letter and told her the result of interview.