Decatur, Ill., August 31, 1863. The general stopped me here and insists on keeping me for a time. Major Wait’s resignation, which was forwarded the same time the general sent his, has been accepted, and I now being the only member of the staff in the north, he wants me to stay with him, for [...]
31st. Up at 3 and off at 4, rear of our brigade. Wagons in the way again. 8 hours going 10 miles. Camped on ground of Major Ellis’ fathers. Went out with forage detail. Got plenty of hay and then let the boys go for oats. Got some peaches. Report that 20,000 rebels are at [...]
Monday, 31st–We left Heff river and marched through to Bayou Mason, eighteen miles, and stopped for the night. While marching today some of us heard the report of a rifle, and we learned that a member of the Seventh Missouri had committed suicide by shooting himself. He stepped out of rank into the brush and [...]
AUGUST 31st.—Governor Vance writes that large bodies of deserters in the western counties of North Carolina are organized, with arms, and threaten to raise the Union flag at the courthouse of Wilkes County on next court-day. The Governor demands a brigade from Virginia to quell them. Lieut.-Col. Lay has been sent thither, by the new [...]
Saturday, August 1—Division moves toward Orange Court House. I go with Bro. Stradley into Gordonville with sick. Moon-light night on the road. Pray with Dr. Adams and his drivers. Get to Regiment one mile beyond Orange Court House before sunrise. August 2—Bro. Power preaches in a. m. and I in p. m. August 4—Moved camp. [...]
30th. Reveille at 2:45. Moved out at 4. Made the best march for several days. Advance of Brigade. Came up with teams and had a slow time getting by. Gave way for Burnside, Carter and Shackleford. Reached Montgomery at 3 P. M. Occupied the ground of Rebels. Drew rations and forage. Infantry came up by [...]
Sunday, 30th–We left Oak Ridge and covering but ten miles went into bivouac on the banks of Heff river. Some of the men on account of the bad water and climate are suffering with the chills and fever. The boys were raiding all the sweet potato patches they found along the way, today.
Sunday, 30th.—Went home, eleven miles away. Next day went squirrel-hunting. Returned to camp, P. M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
AUGUST 30th.—The department companies and militia returned yesterday, through a heavy shower, from the wild-goose chase they were rushed into by Gen. Elzey’s order. Mr. Reagan, the Postmaster-General, informed me to-day (the government will not allow bad news to transpire) that at the second assault on Battery Wagner, Morris Island, the enemy captured and held [...]
29th. Aroused at daylight. Saddled and waited two hours for “forward.” Hornets’ nest by road. Bees after Gen. Shackleford and others, occasioned considerable fun. Moved 5 miles and stopped for breakfast and to feed horses. More big hills. Air cool and bracing. Nice day for marching. 30 miles from Montgomery, where we camp. Four companies [...]
Saturday, 29th–We had a heavy rain during the night and the day opened cloudy and dismal. Our entire expedition started on the return journey for Vicksburg. We covered twenty-six miles and camped for the night on Oak Ridge. Some of the men had found too much of the “Southern bay rum,” and imbibing quite freely, [...]
AUGUST 29th.—After all, it appears that only a few hundred of the enemy’s cavalry came up the Peninsula as far as Bottom’s Bridge, from whence they quickly fell back again. And this alarm caused Gen. Elzey, or the government, to put in movement nearly 20,000 men! But something else may be behind this demonstration; it [...]
28th. Was mustered soon after breakfast (as 2nd Lieutenant). Ordered to march. Boys got in about 5, then started. Saddled several hours in the rain. Moved half a mile, teams fast. Stopped till 10 P. M., unsaddled and got lunch, just asleep. Wrote to Lucy Randall. Spencer ordered back to Camp Nelson, leaving me in [...]
Friday, 28th–We had company inspection this morning and then started out for Monroe, expecting to have a little fight in taking the town. But upon reaching the place we found that the rebels had withdrawn, leaving at 6 o’clock in the morning. General Logan’s Division entered the town at 10 o’clock, while our brigade had [...]
Friday, 28th.—Reported Federals have taken Knoxville. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
AUGUST 28th.—Another letter, from Gen. Whiting, calls vehemently for reinforcements, artillery, cavalry, and infantry—or else the city and harbor are soon to be at the mercy of the enemy. He is importunate. After all, Morgan’s head was not shaved—but his beard, and that of his officers, was cut, and their hair made short. This I [...]
27th. Breakfasted and moved out at 7. Passed the 44th, 104th, 103rd, 57th and 12th Ky. Watered and went into camp. Forage party detailed and started and then ordered back. Roads still among the hills, through woods. Pioneer corps finds work. Went on 1 ½ miles and camped with orders to muster. Boys returned with [...]
Thursday, 27th–Leaving our Oak Ridge bivouac early this morning we journeyed fifteen miles more and stopped for the night on the banks of Bayou Said, only seven miles from Monroe, our destination. During the day we crossed another ridge known as Pine Ridge, which is eight miles across and about twenty feet above the surrounding [...]
AUGUST 27th.—There is trouble in the Conscription Bureau. Col. Preston, the new superintendent, finds it no bed of roses, made for him by Lieut.-Col. Lay—the lieutenant-colonel being absent in North Carolina, sent thither to compose the discontents; which may complicate matters further, for they don’t want Virginians to meddle with North Carolina matters. However, the [...]
Decatur, Ills., August 26, 1863. I write for the purpose of informing you that I am recovering from that miserable attack of the jaundice. You can imagine nothing more disagreeable than a visitation thereof. Am enjoying myself first rate. Am sure I will find a letter from you in the office. Haven’t been there for [...]
26th. Crossed Jellico Mountain. Quite steep and long. Cool and very pleasant marching. Marched 10 miles over hilly road and camped for dinner. Ate with Chamberlain. Homeliest girls–least intelligent looking I ever saw. Went on to Chitwoods and camped. Cold night. Thought much of home and friends this commencement day. At 5:35 P. M. crossed [...]
Wednesday, 26th–Getting an early start again this morning, we covered sixteen miles and camped for the night on Oak Ridge. This ridge is on a dead level and only about twenty feet higher than the bottoms where the cypress grow so luxuriantly. It is covered with oak and fine large walnut, also magnolia and [...]
August 26.—A week ago I was called to Camp Jackson to nurse ––, who has been very sick there. The hospital is very extensive, and in beautiful order. It is under the supervision of Surgeon Hancock, whose whole soul seems engaged in making it an attractive home to the sick and wounded. The beautiful shade-trees [...]
AUGUST 26th.—H. C. ____, a mad private, and Northern man, in a Georgia Regiment, writes to the President, proposing to take some 300 to 500 men of resolution and assassinate the leading public men of the—United States—the war Abolitionists, I suppose. The President referred the paper, without notice, to the Secretary of War. Gen. Whiting [...]
(Kentucky) 25th. Was aroused at midnight to draw rations. Abbey away. Went to town and was told to come next morning. Rained slowly during night. Many out with no blankets. Train blocked. Wrote Sarah Felton and F. D. Allen. Still a chilly rain falls. Saddled at two and waited till five for rations. Marched three [...]