High Notes
Louisianna Moore Ricker, kept a diary from 1862, when she was 14, and continued the diary for 70-years, most of which is available in the history department of the Portsmouth Public Library. I was made aware of the collection by James Siberell, a published writer, who has co-written two books, and published one of his own.
I found the diary collection, and was interested in the month of April, 1865 when she wrote about the U. S. Civil War, from a Portsmouth perspective.
Her first entry of April, 1865 related to the war began with her Saturday, April 1st, when she told of Union General Phil Sheridan’s attack and routing of the rebel forces at Five Forks, Virginia, and the capture of three rebel brigades.
On Sunday, April 2nd she reported that an “assault along the whole line at Petersburg, Virginia, by Union Generals Wright, Ord and Parker resulted in a brilliant victory of the north.
April 3rd she wrote: “There is a rumor that Richmond, Virginia has fallen.” She added on April 4th, Union forces under General Metzel entered Richmond, and Petersburg was evacuated by the rebels.
April 6th Louisianna wrote that General Sheridan attacked General Robert E. Lee’s forces and drove them across Sailor’s creek, and had complete victory.
Friday, April 7th: This is a glorious day, about 8 o’clock we heard the local foundry whistle and then the steamboat whistles, before we heard the glorious news of the surrender of Lee’s Army. The bells are ringing, the whistles are blowing and the cannon is roaring. The people are shouting and everyone seems going wild with enthusiasm over the news. There is a parade with the band. Oh! It is so exciting.
It was reported on Sunday, April 9th that General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomatac’s Courthouse.
Monday, April 10, 1865, there was extraordinary rejoicing in all loyal states over the surrender of Lee, and the end of the rebellion. Wednesday April 12, it was reported that Mobile, Alabama was occupied by Union troops, and Union General Stoneman occupied Salisbury, North Carolina.
Friday, April 14, Lousianna, and her Mom and Dad, Enos and Mary Moore, boarded the Steamboat Bostonia at Portsmouth at 9:00 a.m. and arrived in Cincinnati at 6 p.m. to join in the celebration of the end of the Civil War. One hundred guns were fired at Cincinnati, Covington and Newport. Church bells rang and there was great noise as the boat landed. They walked uptown, and the place was covered with flags and the national colors displayed in every shape. That night the city was illuminated and the sight was incredible.
The terrible news that President Lincoln was assassinated was announced, April 15th 1865. He was at Ford’s Theatre when the assassin came up behind him and shot him in the head, after which he leaped up the stage and flourishing a dagger, shouted “Sic Semper Tyrannies, thus perish the tyrant. It was all done so quickly and unexpectedly that the audience thought it was part of the play until Mrs. Lincoln fainted, after screaming.
Wednesday, April 19th 1865 was the day of the funeral of our beloved President, Abraham Lincoln., she wrote.
