Independence Day – 1862

At times one wonders at what happened at certain times in the past. As we approach Independence Day, it is good to stop and remember that we are 236 years past the first time we declared that session from Britain. Some little know facts are that the Second Continental Congress actually made the declaration on 02 July 1776. The Declaration of Independence as a document was completed on 04 July, and was completely signed by 02 Aug 1776 [ed. note: I move that the period from 02 July – 02 Aug be declared a National Holiday (it would be nice to be off a month before my birthday…)]

150 years ago, the country was again consumed with conflict. Federal forces had begun to work their way into the south, and the illusion of what was going to be a quick and easy suppression was gone. Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson, Ft. Defiance, Nashville, Pickwick Landing (Shiloh), New Orleans, Memphis, and others had all reverted to Federal control in the West. Yet, in the East the Federal forces were not fairing nearly so well. They had been unable to take Richmond as planned. Some potential for hope occurred during the Seven Days Battles in Virginia, except that General McClellan kept retiring northward.

And yet, people still remembered that some 86 years prior – we had chosen to separate from England…

In the stereocard seen above (ref. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005686106/), Mr. James Hunter’s family in Hestonville Pa celebrates the holiday with a picnic.

Meanwhile from Corinth, MS, Thomas D. Christie writes home about the holiday (http://www.mnhs.org/library/Christie/letters/0704621.html)

Corinth, July 4, 1862

Dear Father,

I have put off writing to you for several days in hopes of receiving a letter from some of the family to answer. I do not understand the reason of your long silence: we have got nothing from home for 10 days and begin to think something is wrong in that quarter.  However, we hope to get a letter tonight and I will keep this open until that time.

We have had a celebration here today that has convinced the citizens at least that we have not forgotten the Birthday of our Nation. The Batteries of our Division fired a National Salute of 34 guns at noon amid the cheers of the assembled Infantry. After this, our piece which had a Hotchkiss shell in it, put in on the evening of the 7th April, was discharged at a white oak 30 inches through and distant 100 yds. The shell passed into the heart of the tree and there burst, driving the forward half through and about 50 yds beyond, and leaving the base in the tree, it was a most splendid shot and showed the tremendous force and precision of this kind of projectile. The Hotchkiss shell is used exclusively for rifled 6 p’d’rs and weighs 12 pounds being cylindrical for half its length and conical the other half. A heavy charge of powder fills a tube running the whole length of its interior and at the upper end this tube is capped with a large percussion cap. The hole in the upper end of the shell is stopped by a large screw whose lower end nearly touches the percussion cap, a small piece of paper only intervening. To prepare the shell for firing this paper is taken out and the screw screwed tightly down. It will then explode the moment its motion is checked, by the throwing forward of the tube on the screw. It is coated with lead to prevent the rifles of the gun from being hurt by contact with the iron, there is also an arrangement by which the lead is forced into the grooves at the moment of explosion.

Celebrations that seem so normal and yet so strange.

Have a Happy Independence Day!