February 17th.–Found everything in Main Street twenty per cent dearer. They say it is due to the new currency bill. I asked my husband: “Is General Johnston ordered to reenforce Polk? They said he did not understand the order.” “After five days’ delay,” he replied. “They say Sherman is marching to Mobile.[1] When they once [...]
February 16th. In New York. Left Norwich last night by boat. A cold sail on Long Island Sound. Remain here today and tonight. My cousin Theodore Luyster enlisted in the 10th New York Regiment. His father and mother feel very badly over it. Many other mothers and fathers have been made to feel sad over [...]
Tuesday, 16th–After a rain yesterday, it is quite cool today. General Crocker’s Division went on to the town of Enterprise, to destroy the railroad there, while the Sixteenth Corps went to the north destroying the railroad. General McPherson has his headquarters in a fine residence in the west part of town and his headquarters’ guards, [...]
16th. Cold. Did my business. Got transportation for boys and by permission at 3 P. M. left for home. Had to stay over at Grafton. Cold day.
February ___[1], 1864.—By special invitation, we rode over the hills to the Camp today, to see the battalion drill. It was a dress parade and every man looked his best. I made a new (old) acquaintance after the drill was over. Frank Baker, the only son of Judge Bolling Baker, of Virginia. He is just [...]
FEBRUARY 16th.—A plan of invasion. Gen. Longstreet telegraphs that he has no corn, and cannot stay where he is, unless supplied by the Quartermaster-General. This, the President says, is impossible, for want of transportation. The railroads can do no more than supply grain for the horses of Lee’s army—all being brought from Alabama, Georgia, South [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—We have had a grand time but now it is over. We have had rides and walks and drives; we have had parties, picnics and serenades; we have had a merry two weeks and now our play-mates are gone. They looked so handsome and they held their heads so proudly and marched away [...]
February 16th.–Saw in Mrs. Howell’s room the little negro Mrs. Davis rescued yesterday from his brutal negro guardian. The child is an orphan. He was dressed up in little Joe’s clothes and happy as a lord. He was very anxious to show me his wounds and bruises, but I fled. There are some things in [...]
February 15th. Called on friends in and around Norwich. Visited my country home in Hanover, near Norwich. Time passed quickly and very pleasantly. Must again set my face southward, and join the regiment. Weather very cold during my vacation.
Monday, 15th–After two hours’ marching our army entered Meridian at about 10 o’clock this morning and went into camp. The rebels are still retreating, and detachments of our army are pursuing them. The infantry is sent out in all directions tearing up the railroads, burning the ties and twisting the rails. Large numbers of cars, [...]
15th. Packed away C and G equipage and blankets. Boys went to town early. Tom, Smith and I went after dinner. Saw the washerwoman. Pity her but disgusted at her freedom and fondness. Went to Zettler House. Good many of C Co. there. Houses all full. Randall down again. Got my horses out. Am uneasy [...]
February: Monday, 15th.—Raining very hard this morning. Singing at night; after singing had good deal of fun, two of the boys trying to see which could ruffle the other’s hair the most, and the fun began; soon the room was filled and everybody laughing; after awhile they remarked “laughing is catching,” and both of them [...]
February, Monday 15, 1864 I did not get up very early, was eating breakfast in my room, when I was startled by the reports of six or seven guns—dressed hurriedly, on arriving at the gate found all the family, both white and black, in the greatest state of excitement—one of the 2nd. Mo—Mr. Brent—relating to [...]
February 15.—A pause in my diary; but nothing of importance has occurred, either at home or with the country. The armies are mud-bound—I wish they could continue so. I dread the approach of Spring, with its excitements and horrors. Prices of provisions have risen enormously—bacon $8 per pound, butter $15, etc. Our old friends from [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—Last night we had an impromptu musicale and Aunt Sue provided a delicious supper at the close of the evening. The Colonel’s boys have something more to tell of him, whenever we meet. Last night Edward Clayton told me of the lectures which were given almost daily by the officers. Of course they [...]
FEBRUARY 15th.—We have over forty of the escaped Federal officers. Nothing more from Gens. Wise and Finnegan. The enemy have retreated again on the Peninsula. It is said Meade’s army is falling back on Washington. We have a snow storm to-day. The President is unfortunate with his servants, as the following from the Dispatch would [...]
Sunday, 14th–We marched fifteen miles again today and went into camp for the night. The Seventeenth Corps also corralled their wagon train, leaving two brigades as a guard. There was some skirmishing in the front today, but we learn that the rebels have left Meridian without making any resistance, retiring to the south. Some of [...]
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th spent getting mustered and rolls completed. 8th boys paid off and furloughed Saturday. Most of the regt. already in city. Work on company papers.
February, Sunday 14, 1864 Tate and Helen cam back from Dixie today —
February ___[1], 1864.—I have found out a good deal about Colonel Capers and all I hear makes me admire him the more. I will try to write this like history, my little Diary, and you must take care of it for future generations. When Georgia seceded, Henry D. Capers was in command of the Marietta [...]
FEBRUARY 14th.—Clear and windy. There is nothing new that I have heard of; but great apprehensions are felt for the fate of Mississippi—said to be penetrated to its center by an overwhelming force of the enemy. It is defended, however, or it is to be, by Gen. (Bishop) Polk. I hear of more of the [...]
Saturday, 13th–We left Decatur early this morning and marched fifteen miles before going into bivouac. The Sixteenth Corps corralled their train and leaving a brigade to guard it pushed forward after the rebels. Skirmishing in the front continued and was brisk at times. The weather is pleasant and the roads are fine for marching. There [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—We have been at Goodwood three days now and there is so much to write about. The first night Aunt Sue invited all the social world of Tallahassee to meet Colonel Capers. He came, attended by fifty or more of his men, the artillery uniform is beautiful and it is particularly becoming to [...]
FEBRUARY 13th.—Bright, beautiful weather, with frosty nights. The dispatches I cut from the papers to-day are interesting. Gen. Wise, it appears, has met the enemy at last, and gained a brilliant success—and so has Gen. Finnegan. But the correspondence between the President and Gen. Johnston, last spring and summer, indicates constant dissensions between the Executive [...]
February 13th.–My husband is writing out some resolutions for the Congress. He is very busy, too, trying to get some poor fellows reprieved. He says they are good soldiers but got into a scrape. Buck came in. She had on her last winter’s English hat, with the pheasant’s wing. Just then Hood entered most unexpectedly. [...]