Friday, 12th–We reached Decatur at 10 o’clock this morning and went into camp. The rebels attacked the provision train of the Sixteenth Corps and killed twenty of the mules before our men could rally and put them to rout. The town was burned before we left it. Things are marching fine.
FEBRUARY 12th.—It is warm to-day, and cloudy; but there was ice early in the morning. We have recaptured twenty-odd of the escaped prisoners. A bill has passed Congress placing an embargo on many imported articles; and these articles are rising rapidly in price. Sugar sold to-day at auction in large quantity for $8.00 per pound; [...]
February 12th.–John Chesnut had a basket of champagne carried to my house, oysters, partridges, and other good things, for a supper after the reception. He is going back to the army to-morrow. James Chesnut arrived on Wednesday. He has been giving Buck his opinion of one of her performances last night. She was here, and [...]
Thursday, 11th–We moved but ten miles today, when we went into bivouac. Our men are foraging on the way, especially for meat, of which there is a plenty of fresh pork. Some of the foraging parties sent out today were captured and roughly used by the rebels. General McPherson had his headquarters in a large [...]
11th. O God, O God, have mercy on us! George is dead! Both in a week. George, our sole hope – our sole dependence.
The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context. The Expedition. Feb. 11. The morning of February 6th found us in line on the parade ground, New York and Massachusetts shoulder to shoulder. Capt. Phillips, wanting [...]
FEBRUARY 11th.—Night before last 109 Federal prisoners, all commissioned officers, made their escape from prison—and only three or four have been retaken! The letter of Mr. Sloan, of North Carolina, only produced a reply from the Secretary that there was not the slightest suspicion against Gen. W., and that the people of North Carolina would [...]
February 10th. Norwich, Connecticut. Left New York last night by boat. Arrived here all right. Came from New London to Norwich on the engine with my cousin Sidney Williams. Made my way to the home of my aunt, Mrs. Jane Tubbs. Gave the family a great surprise. Did not have time to let them know [...]
Wednesday, 10th–We left Morton early this morning, and covering fifteen miles, reached the town of Hillsborough at about 3 o’clock. There was some skirmishing in front with a loss of three to the rebels. By the time the rear reached town it was all on fire, the citizens having fled. Our army moves rather slowly, [...]
FEBRUARY 10th.—Gen. Lee wrote to the Secretary of War, on the 22d of January, that his army was not fed well enough to fit them for the exertions of the spring campaign; and recommended the discontinuance of the rule of the Commissary-General allowing officers at Richmond, Petersburg, and many other towns, to purchase government meat, [...]
Tuesday, 9th–Starting early this morning we reached Morton about noon, where we went into bivouac and remained the balance of the day. The rebels took their first stand here, forming a line of battle, but our two corps being brought together to engage them, they feared to risk a battle and hastily fell back. The [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—We did not hear anything more of the Colonel and his boys yesterday but this morning we have a note from Aunt Sue with a postscript from uncle Arvah, telling us of the arrival at Tallahassee of a battalion of artillery, which had encamped on the Magnolia Hill to the east, of town. [...]
February 9th, 1864.—For more than a year we have not attended large parties nor have we given entertainments. Of course we have had our friends with us in social intercourse and enjoyed it, too, but we were wearing black and, while we do this, it is not suitable that we should be seen in gay [...]
FEBRUARY 9th.—A letter from Gen. Johnston says he received the “confidential instructions” of the President, from the Secretary of War, and succeeded in getting Gen. Cleburn to lay aside his “memorial,” the nature of which is not stated; but I suspect the President was getting alarmed at the disposition of the armies to dictate measures [...]
February 9th 1864 Monday Julia and myself took the Govt Steam Tug “Lookout” at 3 o’clock P.M. on Saturday and went down to Rosiers Bluff or to “Fort Foot” three miles below Alexandria on the Maryland side on a visit to Maj E. P. Taft who is at present in command. We returned last evening. [...]
February 9th.–This party for Johnny was the very nicest I have ever had, and I mean it to be my last. I sent word to the Carys to bring their own men. They came alone, saying, “they did not care for men.” “That means a raid on ours,” growled Isabella. Mr. Lamar was devoted to [...]
February 8th. My birthday, 19 years old. Left Baltimore at 9 o’clock last night. Passed through Philadelphia about midnight. Arrived in Jersey City at 8 A. M. Made my way to the home of my relations, taking breakfast with my grandmother. All were surprised and glad to see me. New York was my early boyhood [...]
Monday, 8th–We left bivouac at 8 o’clock and covered seventeen miles today. There was some skirmishing in front. The roads were good and but few bridges to cross. All is quiet in the rear. This section of the country is heavily timbered, mostly pine, and the soil is quite sandy. It is thinly settled through [...]
8th. Saw several committees in C. About 11 made arrangements for rest of company in Polk Township, Cranford County. $100 bounty. Several of us went to town and to theatre. Restaurant first for supper.
FEBRUARY 8th.—The air is filled with rumors—none reliable. It is said Gen. Lee is much provoked at the alarm and excitement in the city, which thwarted a plan of his to capture the enemy on the Peninsula; and the militia and the Department Battalions were kept yesterday and to-day under arms standing in the cold, [...]
February ___,[1] 1864.—I did not write yesterday, nor for three days before that and now I cannot quite remember the date. We have had a delightful visit, or rather two delightful visits, first at Goodwood and then at Woodstock; just the two pleasantest places that you could imagine. I am sure no girl ever had [...]
…a tramp of ten miles through the mud ankle deep is enough to tire a mule. CAMP NEAR ORANGE COURT HOUSE, VA., February 8, 1864. Dear Mother: I received your letter last week and I had just commenced to answer it when I heard commotion at Morton’s Ford. Our Brigade was on picket last week, [...]
February 7th. Arrived in Baltimore at 7 A. M. Had breakfast, then made our way across the city to the Philadelphia R. R. Station. There learned that we could not get a train out of the city until 9 P. M. A great disappointment. When leaving camp thought we could connect right through to New [...]
Scottsboro, Ala., February 7, 1864. This has indeed been a day of rest. More like a home Sabbath, than the Lord’s day often seems, here in the “show business.” None of my company have been on duty, and as the day has been bright and warm, the men have been nearly all out in front [...]
Sunday, 7th–We started early this morning and after reaching Brandon, about thirteen miles east of Jackson, went into bivouac about a mile from the town. There was no skirmishing in the front today, the rebels rapidly falling back. Our men set fire to the town this evening and burned almost the whole town. Most of [...]