MAY 28th.—Showers and sunshine. Grant has crossed the Pamunky, and Lee is at the Yellow Tavern—not more than six miles from the city. The hostile armies are only a few miles apart, and the GREAT BATTLE may occur at any time, at any hour; and we shall hear both the artillery and musketry from my [...]
May, Saturday 28, 1864 Sister Mary and I arrived at Mrs. Armstrong’s quite late—they went on in town, I drove over to Mrs. Clayton’s and spent the day. Hal is not ready to start yet, so it is doubtful whether or not we leave Monday morning. Maggie Cockrell was there, we spent a very pleasant [...]
Friday, 27th–We remained in bivouac until 2 o’clock waiting for rations. After getting our rations we crossed the Tennessee river by pontoon bridges and started on our way for Rome, Georgia. The railroad bridge of the Memphis & Ohio, here at Decatur, was destroyed by our gunboats soon after the battle of Shiloh. It took [...]
Near Dallas, Ga., May 27, 1864, 8 a.m. There has been some very heavy fighting on our left this morning, and everywhere along the line. We have been moving in line since 6 o’clock, supporting skirmishers and the 3d Brigade. Have driven the Rebels about three-quarters of a mile. The 14th Corps must have had [...]
Friday, 27th.—About 4 A. M., very heavy cannonading began and continued for some time. Orderly Harmon struck in side with spent ball. P. M., Federals shelled Baker’s Brigade just to our left, very heavily, tearing down their log fortifications and killing good many of their men. 5 P. M., 39th having long-range guns, was ordered [...]
May 27th. Rain. Regiment ordered out into line about 3 A. M. This is done to guard against a surprise while we are in the enemy’s country. Remained in line about two hours, then stacked arms and were dismissed and allowed to get our breakfast. This is a dark, rainy, dismal day in camp. Late [...]
May 27.—News from Fitz Lee’s fight; it was not disastrous as at first reported; many were wounded, many captured, and but four killed. But four desolated homes by this stroke! but four widows, or broken-hearted mothers, in addition to the bereaved of the land! God be with them to comfort them! Nothing farther of the [...]
27th. Orders to hitch up about 11 A. M. Moved about 3 P. M. Read one volume of “Marble Faun.” Marched all night.
MAY 27th.—Clouds and sunshine; cooler. Nothing additional from the West. Several thousand Georgia mounted troops have arrived during the last 24 hours, in readiness to march to Lee. One Georgia regiment has 1200, and a South Carolina regiment that went up this morning 1000 men. Lee’s army is at Ashland—17 miles distant. The enemy are [...]
May, Friday 27, 1864 Sister Mary and I started early over to Mrs. Armstrong’s—found both Mr. and Mrs. A. at home—and as usual my best friends in trouble. Mrs. A. is going to Memphis tomorrow, and will get all the things I need and bring them out to her house. Sister Mary has made arrangements [...]
May 27th.–In all this beautiful sunshine, in the stillness and shade of these long hours on this piazza, all comes back to me about little Joe; it haunts me–that scene in Richmond where all seemed confusion, madness, a bad dream! Here I see that funeral procession as it wound among those tall white monuments, up [...]
Thursday, 26th–We left our bivouac at 6 o’clock this morning and marched twelve miles. Within a few miles of Decatur we went into bivouac for the night. Advance brigades of our army were skirmishing with the rebels today and it is reported that the colonel of the Seventeenth New Jersey Regiment was killed. Our men [...]
Pumpkin Vine Creek, near Dallas, Ga., May 26, 1864, 8 a.m. We did not make more than seven or eight miles yesterday, on account of some bad road that troubled the trains very much. We got into camp at dark, just as a thunderstorm broke. We hurried up our arrangements for the night–kicking out a [...]
May 26th. Broke camp very early this hot morning. Once more on the march. Again waded Cedar Creek, passing through Strasburg, on up Fishers Hill, hot and very dusty. Again camp near Woodstock. Some of the boys come from the town of Woodstock, Connecticut. There are many incidents that remind us of home. As soon [...]
May 26.—We are now anticipating a fight at Hanover Junction. General Lee fell back to that point on Sunday last, for some good purpose, no doubt. Our army is in line of battle on the Cedar Hill plantation. The ladies of the family have come to Richmond to avoid the awful collision about to take [...]
26th. A rainy unpleasant day. Went down to the Regt. Regt. moved in the evening to Milford and on towards the “White House.” Trains commenced passing to the rear by another road to the white house.
MAY 26th.—Sunshine and showers. Senator Henry’s letter was referred to Gen. Bragg, who returned it to-day with the indorsement that the suggested movement had not escaped attention, and a good result might soon be looked for. And sure enough, a dispatch was received from Atlanta to-day, announcing the capture of some 250 of the enemy’s [...]
May, Thursday 26, 1864 Miss Em was almost dressed when I awoke this morning. I was very much distressed to see her leave, in rememberance of the wickedness which filled my heart a day or two ago—I have entirely forgiven, and all unpleasant feelings have passed away. Poor Miss Em, she was the picture of [...]
Wednesday, 25th–We packed our knapsacks and sent them by rail to Rome, Georgia. The advance of our corps started early this morning for Decatur, Alabama, but our brigade taking up the rear did not leave Huntsville till in the afternoon. From Decatur we are to proceed to Rome, Georgia. We marched through fine farming country [...]
May 25th.—Started at daylight, marching in direction of Dallas. Marching very hard. Some skirmishing on our right. Formed in line of battle at 2 P. M., near New Hope Church. Our brigade in second line. 6 P. M., Hooker’s Corps made heavy assault just to our left; two regiments of our division engaged. When the [...]
May.–The 4th New York Heavy Artillery is having hard times in the Virginia mud and rain. They are near Culpepper. It is such a change from their snug winter quarters at Fort Ethan Allen. There are 2,800 men in the Regiment and 1,200 are sick. Dr Charles S. Hoyt of the 126th, which is camping [...]
25th. Troops crossed the North Anna. Regt. camped near the train. Read in “Villette” and played a little at cards.
WINDER HOSPITAL, RICHMOND, SECOND DIVISION, WARD 28, May 25th, 1864. Dear Mother: You will undoubtedly be surprised and I fear alarmed to receive a letter from me at this place. But do not let your mind feel any uneasiness at all. Kind providence has so far favored me that I have passed through another very [...]
MAY 25th.—Sunshine and showers. Custis is back again, the battalion of clerks being relieved, after three weeks’ service in the field. Yesterday there was skirmishing between the armies, near Hanover Junction—25 miles distant from the city. Nothing of importance from the south side. But our ironclads are certainly going down the river—they say. To-day it [...]
Tuesday, 24th–We remained here at Huntsville all day resting. I went to the camp of the Fifty-ninth Indiana and found my cousin, Hamilton Shepherd, and the sons of some of our old friends from my old home at Bloomfield, Indiana. The order is that we are to start for Chattanooga[1] in the morning, and we [...]