Tuesday, 28th–We started early this morning and though it was hot and sultry, we reached Vicksburg at 10 a. m. So we finally entered Vicksburg after more than eight months in trying to take the place. In the afternoon we moved out a few miles to the north of town and went into bivouac. While [...]
July 27th. At three A. M. the sloop-of-war Seminole came up and anchored astern of the Portsmouth; at six o’clock, the U. S. gunboat Genesee arrived from up the river; at 9 o’clock, as usual, inspected crew at quarters. During the remainder of this day, engaged setting up topmast-rigging. At five P. M., steamer General [...]
27th. Guards and team came for us soon after breakfast and gave us a ride to Columbus. Provo. Marshal examined us and sent us to guard house, supposed to be implicated in stealing horses. Thede and I do not feel worried at all, for we know we are in the right. The Sergt. Major of [...]
Monday, 27th.—Left Montgomery at 7:30 A. M.; at West Point, 6 P. M. Left West Point at sundown. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
JULY 27th.—Nothing but disasters to chronicle now. Natchez and YazooCity, all gone the way of Vicksburg, involving a heavy loss of boats, guns, and ordnance stores; besides, the enemy have got some twenty locomotives in Mississippi. Lee has retreated as far as Culpepper Court House. The President publishes another proclamation, fixing a day for the [...]
Monday, 27th–Our brigade started for Vicksburg at 4 o’clock this afternoon. We moved only four miles, when we stopped for the night. The country is very rough and the heavy rains have made the roads very muddy.
July 26th. At ten P. M., inspection of ship and crew by Commodore Palmer; at ten thirty called all hands to muster, and performed Divine service on the quarter-deck; at five thirty in the afternoon steamer Lancaster came down the river with a load of rebel prisoners.
July 26.–Charlie Wheeler was buried with military honors from the Congregational church to-day. Two companies of the 54th New York State National Guard attended the funeral, and the church was packed, galleries and all. It was the saddest funeral and the only one of a soldier that I ever attended. I hope it will be [...]
Columbus, Ohio. 26th. At noon moved on. Passed through Groveport and reached Columbus a little before dark. Passed Camp Thomas and reached Camp Worthington about 11. Had hardly fed the horses when a squad of men came for us. Kept us under guard. Whole town and Militia near Columbus turned out. Morgan’s advance reported at [...]
Sunday, 26th.—Left Tensaw on train, at 1 A. M.; at Pollard 6 A. M.; Montgomery, 10 P. M. Rained on us all day, being in open cars. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
JULY 26th.—Letters were received to-day from Gens. Beauregard, Mercer, Whitney, and S. Jones. It appears that Beauregard has some 6000 men of all arms, and that the enemy’s force is estimated to be, or to have been (before losing some 3000), about 10,000. It is true the enemy has the benefit of his floating batteries, [...]
Sunday, 26th–We were relieved by an Iowa brigade from Sherman’s army, which just arrived, but we remained in bivouac all day, awaiting orders. One of General Sherman’s foraging trains came in; they are going to forage for oats. News came that there was fighting going on at Charleston, South Carolina. It was quite hot this [...]
July 25th. During forenoon of this day, engaged in fitting topgallant and royal yards. Bent fore and main top-gallant sails and royals, and placed them in the rigging; also bent the foresail and mizzen topsail. Gunboat New London went down the river. During the hours of eight and ten P. M., squalls of rain accompanied [...]
Saturday, 25th. Breakfasted at a farmer’s. Off at 7, towards Lancaster, 45 miles. At Chancey got some horses shod. Rained considerably. Road lay along the canal. Two miles out of Lancaster, rested and remained till after dinner. A very pleasant family by the name of McLeary.
Saturday, 25th.—Had good place to sleep last night; went down to market house. Everything plentiful, but prices high. Saw one watermelon said to weigh eighty pounds; price, $5. Took steamboat at 3 o’clock; at Tensaw landing, 6 P. M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
JULY 25th.—Gen. Beauregard telegraphs that preparations should be made to withstand a bombardment at Savannah, and authority is asked, at the instance of Gov. Brown, to impress a sufficient number of slaves for the purpose. Gen. Jos. E. Johnston telegraphs the President that Grant has fallen back to Vicksburg, and, from information in his possession, [...]
Saturday, 25th–Our brigade returned to the bridge and went into camp, with Colonel Chambers in command of the entire post. Our army field hospital is located here and the convalescents are being cared for in it. Refugees by the thousands are at this place and are still pouring in by the hundreds from every direction, [...]
Friday, 24th–We remained here in bivouac all day. Orders came for our brigade to return to Black river bridge and remain there until relieved by General Sherman. The cars are coming through now from Vicksburg twice a day. We are very anxious for mail, having had none for many days, and are disappointed in not [...]
July 24th. During the morning received fresh beef and vegetables for crew. Carpenters at work repairing fore-top-gallant mast; at two P. M. had top-gallant mast ready to send aloft.
24th. After breakfast drew 5 days’ rations. Regt. moved about 9 A. M. with horses. Got permission from Major to be absent from Regt. for 5 days. Going around with S. R. Nettleton. Thede goes across too. Shall send my mare home. Passed through Pomeroy, Rutland and Athens. Fed and rested.
Friday, 24th.—Left Enterprise at 8 A. M.; arrived at Mobile at 8 P. M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
JULY 24th.—Nothing from Lee, or Johnston, or Beauregard, or Bragg—but ill luck is fated for them all. Our ladies, at least, would not despair. But a day may change the aspect; a brilliant success would have a marvelous effect upon a people who have so long suffered and bled for freedom. They are getting on [...]
July 24th. Marching orders. Broke camp. After a short march, go into camp on high ground near the Potomac River. Plenty of water here where we could bathe and wash our clothes, hang them on the bushes and wait for them to dry. We also used the river water to drink and make coffee. The [...]
Thursday, 23d–We were off by 4 o’clock this morning and reached Big Black river bridge by noon. It had rained very hard here yesterday and last night, overflowing the river and causing the deep dust to become deep mud. This made our traveling very heavy, and since the rain set in again this afternoon, we [...]
Thursday, July 23d. It is bad policy to keep us from seeing the prisoners; it just sets us wild about them. Put a creature you don’t care for in the least, in a situation that commands sympathy, and nine out of ten girls will fall desperately in love. Here are brave, self-sacrificing, noble men who [...]