30th. At 3 A. M. whole Brigade fell back, 2nd Ohio in the rear. Arrived at Greenville and found that troops had all fallen back. People in town seem to feel very sad. All houses closed and hardly a person to be seen. Some few ladies in tears. Oh it seemed very sad indeed. Brigade [...]

Wednesday, 30th–It rained all day. I was on fatigue, helping to clean up the review ground. We are to have general inspection in the next few days by General McArthur, our division commander, and General McPherson, corps commander. Our company is returning to its old-time form and numbers.

SEPTEMBER 30th.— Still nothing additional from Lee’s or Bragg’s army; but from abroad we learn that the British Government has prevented the rams built for us from leaving the Mersey. Gen. Pemberton is here, and was closeted for several hours today with the Secretary of War. Capt. J. H. Wright, 56th Georgia, gives another version [...]

Clear Creek, Miss., September 29, p.m. As we were studying tactics together, preparatory to a battalion drill, our brigade commander at precisely 2:15 p.m., came into the colonel’s tent where we were, asked the colonel if he was ready to move immediately. The colonel replied that he was, and he then told us to be [...]

Tuesday, 29th.—Battalion drill; drew new Enfield rifles to-day. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

29th. Sent out forage detail and provision detail. Train came up and got things out. Issued rations to finish the month. Plenty of everything save hard bread. Read some in “Harold.” At 3 P. M. ordered out, scouting party reporting that enemy in column was moving this way. Was left temporarily in command of Battalion [...]

Tuesday, 29th–I came in from picket this morning in a rain which continued all day. We learned that a boat twenty miles up the river from Vicksburg, burned and sank last night in midstream, with a large number of lives lost. The boat was loaded with provisions for the army here at Vicksburg.

Sep 29        Our success in the West is very gratifying, & much needed to keep up the drooping spirits. Every paper contains accounts of the donations to the Hospitals, & it is wonderful & affecting to see whar little things are sent, combs, tooth brushes, a banjo, a bunch of herbs, a roll of rag, [...]

SEPTEMBER 29th.—We have nothing additional from Bragg, except confirmation of his victory from Northern journals; and it is reported that Meade is sending two more army corps to the Southwest, for the purpose of extricating Rosecrans from his perilous predicament. It is believed our cavalry is in his rear, and that we have the road [...]

September 29th, 1863.—This is Mother’s birthday and the house is full of friends who have come to show their love for her. She is just the daintiest little lady in all the land and she is so gracious to everybody; it makes no difference who it is, and I believe that is one reason so [...]

September 28, 1863. By the exercise of a little strategy, this morning I caught a chameleon who had ventured out of a hollow tree to gobble some flies for his breakfast. I enveloped him or rather lassoed him with a pocket handkerchief and then slipped him into a bottle. He only showed two of his [...]

Monday, 28th.—Said to be exchanged; cleaned off drill ground. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

28th. Went into camp soon after breakfast to see the Conscript messengers mustered. Mail came, nothing for poor me– somewhat disappointed. Boys all happy. Firing on pickets in front. Two men and 7 horses of 7th Ohio taken from Reserve. Whole command turned out. Force sent out and met by Rebels with Artillery. Train sent [...]

28th.—Mrs. M. and myself went to St. John’s Church yesterday, and heard an excellent sermon from Bishop Wilmer; service read by Dr. Norwood. Encouraging news continues from the West. I am still anxious about our home. Mr. –– is sick, and the prospect of getting a house diminishing. Perhaps I should take comfort from the [...]

Monday, 28th–I went out on picket today, on the public highway from Vicksburg to Warrington. We have to maintain a heavy picket with strong reserve at all the public highways leading from this place.

SEPTEMBER 28th.—All is reported quiet on the Rappahannock, the enemy seeming to be staggered, if not stupefied, by the stunning blows dealt Rosecrans in the West. Burnside’s detachment is evacuating East Tennessee; we have Jonesborough, and are pursuing the enemy, at last accounts, toward Knoxville. Between that and Chattanooga he may be intercepted by the [...]

The following material contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the work is provided unedited for its historical content and context. September 27. We sent our sick, nearly 100 in number, by wagon to the Big Black railroad depot, six miles, where they took the cars for Vicksburg. They [...]

Sunday, 27th.—Marched from Stone Mountain to Decatur. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Sunday, 27th. Sent out foraging party. Moved at 8 o’clock. Passed through Jonesboro about noon. Camped four and a half miles from town. Co. C detailed as picket. Post northwest of camp on Kinsport road. Two rebel families near by. Made a levy of bacon and potatoes and chickens. Gave receipt Bowman and Matthews. In [...]

Sunday, 27th–It continues quite warm and all is quiet. We had company inspection early this morning, after which those not on duty were free to go about, and I attended services at the Baptist church in the city. It seemed like home to attend a regular church service on a Sunday morning. This church building [...]

SEPTEMBER 27th.—Nothing additional has been heard from either Bragg’s or Lee’s army. But the positions of both seem quite satisfactory to our government and people. How Rosecrans can get off without the loss of half his army, stores, etc., military authorities are unable to perceive; and if Meade advances, there is a universal conviction that [...]

September 27th. Left Hagerstown, leaving a detail for provost duty in town. Marched through Williamsport, wading the Potomac, over into Virginia, pushing along in our wet clothes over very rough roads. After a march of about ten miles, we reached the town, going into camp on the west side. Here we erected our camp and [...]

Messengers Ferry, Big Black River, Miss., September 26, 1863. When we assembled at regimental headquarters this p.m., the colonel informed us that our corps was ordered to report to Rosecrans, at Chattanooga, and that we should prepare to move at a moment’s notice.

Messengers Ferry, Big Black River, Miss., September 26, 1863. Pass in your congratulations. We are under marching orders for Chattanooga. Our whole corps is going. We steam o’er sand-bars to Memphis, and then will probably “foot it,” though may go by cars as far as Corinth. From Memphis the march will be some 450 miles. [...]