August 18th, 1863.—Tonight we had with us at supper two of the heroes of Gettysburg; John Nash and Nicholas Eppes. They were recommended for promotion by their colonel, for gallantry on the battle field of Gettysburg. On that field, where deeds of daring, which will live forever, were done, what did these boys do that [...]

AUGUST 18th,—There is heavy firing, day and night, on Wagner’s battery and FortSumter. The enemy use 15-inch guns; but Sumter is 4000 yards distant, and it may be hoped will not be reduced. After all, the enemy did not, durst not, shave the head of Gen. Morgan, and otherwise maltreat him, as was reported. The [...]

Monday, 17th. Reveille at daylight. Division moved to Crab Orchard at 8 A. M. I was left in charge of men behind with baggage. Stopped with A. B. Good time. R. M. Haskell’s Division of Infantry came in, also three Batteries of Artillery, 19th Shield’s, 2nd 1ll. and 1st R. I. Went over and saw [...]

Monday, 17th–Our company went out on picket this morning. There is always danger of cavalry raids, particularly evenings. Some more of the sick boys were examined this morning by the doctor. The boys were hoping to get a sick furlough. There is some homesickness in the regiment, but a number will be made well by [...]

AUGUST 17th.—No news, except that the bombardment at Charleston is getting hotter—but the casualties are few. The chief ordnance officer of Gen. Lee’s army writes that the ammunition from Richmond has always to be tested before they can venture to use it. The shells for the Parrott guns are often too large—and of course would [...]

Sunday, 16th. Coming out of church this morning with Miriam, a young lady ran up with an important air, as though about to create a sensation. “I have a message for you both,” she said, fixing her eyes on mine as though she sought something in them. “I visit the prisoners frequently, you know, and [...]

16th. After a breakfast of boiled corn, bread and bacon, boys went after horses and I, in company with Eggleston, started for Stanford. Several thunder showers. Stopped at a farmer’s for dinner. Reached camp near 4 P. M. Stopped at my old stand, the Commissary. Saw Nettleton and other officers. Made application for discharge from [...]

Sunday, 16th–We had regimental inspection this morning at 8 o’clock. The regiment showed itself in splendid order. A man from the Fifteenth Iowa was buried this morning, having died of fever.[1] Some of the sick boys of our regiment started home today on their furloughs. Mark Titus was the only one from our company, though [...]

AUGUST 16th.—The President rides out with some of the female members of his family every afternoon, his aids no longer accompanying him. In this he evinces but little prudence, for it is incredible that he should be ignorant of the fact that he has some few deadly enemies in the city. Everywhere the ladies and [...]

Panola, August 16, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout reports 5 miles south Oxford, 7 o’clock last night, about 1,700 cavalry passed Water Valley road toward Grenada. THOS. HENDERSON, Captain, &c. War of the Rebellion: Serial 053 Page 0501 KY.,SW.VA.,TENN.,MISS.,N.ALA., AND N.GA. Chapter XLII. The reports and dispatches of Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts: Unlike many of the independent [...]

15th. After morning duties went with wagon and three men to Camp Nelson for rations. Had returned to within half a mile of the place when we met the boys in wagons. Turned back again. Camped near the 86th Ohio. Saw Capt. Lindsley and Lieut. Steele of our old regiment. Drew some horses. Had the [...]

Waiting to be Relieved. We keep a small camp guard during the night and this duty is assigned to the artillery detail, each gun’s company taking its turn, which brings us on every third night. There are only four posts, the guns and magazine, and as they only go on at tattoo and come off [...]

Saturday, 15th–This is my birthday–twenty-one years old today. I was detailed to help dig a grave for the body of Rufus C. Walter, of Company G, who died last night. He had been wounded and lived here in camp in a hammock which was tied to trees, or to posts set in the ground when [...]

AUGUST 15th.—I learn an order has been issued to conscribe all commissary and quartermasters’ clerks liable to military service. There will be, and ought to be, some special cases of exemption, where men have lost everything in the war, and have women and children depending on their salaries for subsistence; but if this order be [...]

Panola, August 15, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Major Chalmers reports 3 o’clock: The Federal column that crossed at Rocky Ford, 1,200 strong, went into Oxford 10 a .m. The column by Abbeville, 800 and seven pieces artillery, crossed at 9 o’clock, bound for Water Valley and Grenada. He will camp at Leeter’s Mill to-night. Colonel Slemons [...]

Panola, August 15, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout Carman just in; reports Abbeville and Rocky Ford forces united and in Oxford this evening at 2 o’clock. THOS. HENDERSON, Captain, &c. War of the Rebellion: Serial 053 Page 0500 KY.,SW.VA.,TENN.,MISS.,N.ALA., AND N.GA. Chapter XLII. The reports and dispatches of Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts: Unlike many of the independent [...]

We only enjoyed our camp near the Potomac for a few days, when marching orders were received, to report at Hagerstown, Maryland, about ten miles from Sharpsburg, or about eight from our camp. At Hagerstown the Seminary and the grounds were used for a rebel prison and hospital, where we were to do guard and [...]

New Orleans, August, 1863. Friday, 14th. DOOMED to be bored! To-night Miriam drags me to a soirée musicale, and in the midst of my toilet, I sit down with bare shoulders to scratch a dozen lines in my new treasure which has been by me for three days, untouched. I don’t know what tempts me [...]

14th. Boys came down and got saddles, etc., and at the depot in time for the 6:30 o’clock train. Horses remained behind. Reached Nicholasville at noon. Tried to find rations, failed. Found a private house to board at, Mrs. Fletcher’s. Plenty of negroes to wait on you. Wrote a letter home, read a little. Husband [...]

Friday, 14th–All is quiet. Orders came today to send all of the sick home on thirty-day furloughs.

Grenada, August 14, 1863. Colonel W. C. Falkner, Commanding First Regiment Mississippi Partisans: Colonel: Information has just been received that a column of the enemy, 600 strong, with four pieces of artillery, passed through Byhalia yesterday for Wyatt, and another of the same strength—no artillery reported—passed through Salem for Water Valley. You will move up [...]

AUGUST 14th.—The enemy is not idle. He knows the importance of following up his recent advantages, and making the utmost use of his veteran troops now in the field, because his new levies, if indeed the draft be submitted to, will not be fit for use this year, probably, if ever, for they will consist [...]

Panola, August 14, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout Givens reports from Byhalia, August 13, 4 o’clock p.m., enemy passed 600 strong, four pieces of artillery, eight ambulances, six wagons, with eight days’ rations, a number of spades, shovels, picks, and axes, and one pontoon bridge. They took the road to Wyatt and Cox’s Cross-Roads. Three car-loads [...]

Panola, August 14, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout near La Grange reports 600 Yankees passed through Salem, taking Beck’s Springs road 3 o’clock yesterday evening. Have four wagons, two ambulances; have six days’ rations, and bound for Water Valley. THOS. HENDERSON, Captain Independent Scouts. War of the Rebellion: Serial 053 Page 0497 KY.,SW.VA.,TENN.,MISS.,N.ALA., AND N.GA. Chapter [...]