Return to Newport News. March 2. The 11th Connecticut regiment arrived here today, and we are ordered back to the News where we rejoin a part of our old regiment which has just returned from home. This is good news to our boys who have been impatiently awaiting their return. So far as I am [...]
Wednesday, 2d–Orders were issued this morning for the army not to destroy any more property while on the march. We just learned that while we were in Canton, General Hurlbut levied a tax on the citizens, compelling them to furnish corn meal and other articles of food for the army. Today we marched fifteen miles, [...]
March, Wednesday 2, 1864 Bright and beautiful—Ice glittering magnificently—moderating a great deal, by 12 o’clock all snow gone, real pleasant tonight. Father went to Mr. Holmes’, our victory confirmed by news from below. Mr. Wilson dined with us, gave the same news Father heard at Mr. H’s. Nonconnah out of it’s banks, still raining. Tate [...]
MARCH 2d.—A slight snow on the ground this morning—but bright and cool. Last night, after I had retired to bed, we heard a brisk cannonading, and volleys of musketry, a few miles distant. This morning an excitement, but no alarm, pervaded the city. It was certainly a formidable attempt to take the city by surprise. [...]
March 1st. Martinsburg, West Virginia. March brought a severe snow-storm. Out in it, on picket duty. The duty must be attended to no matter how severe it may be. This is a soldier’s life. War is cruel.
1st. Spent the day at home. Commenced the “Dutch Republic.” Much interested. In the evening Thede and I went to meeting. Prof. Peck. “If I am thy Father, where then is mine honor.”
Tuesday, 1st–We left Canton at 8 o’clock this morning, our brigade taking up the rear. There was some skirmishing with the rebels’ cavalry, which began early in the morning before we got started. Bullets commenced to fly and the guards formed a line to protect the headquarters’ baggage. Finally, however, the rear guard opened a [...]
March, Tuesday 1, 1864 First day of Spring—Laura awakened me for my breakfast. I looked out of the window and to my surprise, one of the hardest Snow Storms I ever saw was prevailing—lasted until 11 o’clock, when the sun shone out brightly. A more magnificent scene I never witnessed, the forests glistened like thousands [...]
MARCH 1st.—Dark and raining. As the morning progressed, the city was a little startled by the sound of artillery in a northern direction, and not very distant. Couriers and horsemen from the country announced the approach of the enemy within the outer fortifications; a column of 5000 cavalry. Then Hon. James Lyons came in, reporting [...]