War Diaries (January 15) (nonfiction)
War Diary quotations for January 15
Quotations
Henry J. Hornbeck: January 15, 1864
Henry J. Hornbeck’s Civil War diary (47th Pennsylvania Volunteers, excerpts: 1862-Early 1864). Hornbeck was stationed in Florida, near Key West, at the time of this diary entry.
This morning the gunboat Johoma arrived having in tow a prize smack laden with cotton. Gunboat San Jacinto also came into harbor this morning. The late news from the west, which was very bad, is according to later statements entirely the reverse, Gen. Rosecrans defeating the enemy, and routing them. Capturing a great many, reported fighting at Vicksburg at present. The Quartermaster returned this afternoon, he having gone with a party to the wreck of the Sparkling Sea a distance of about 120 miles, on the Florida Coast, near Carysfort Reef, with a view of saving horses & cargo, it having been abandoned by the crew and a detachment of N.Y. Volunteers, being still a portion of Banks Expedition. They did not succeed however, owing to a severe storm which occurred during the time they were there, and had to return, themselves almost being swamped. They saw the wreck at a distance, the bottom of the ship, broken out, and the hulk swaying to & fro. There were about 150 horses on board, which were all lost. Retired at 10 o’clock. Very windy.