20th. Birge got in last night with oats. Went out to Regt. Considerable excitement on account of report that Ewell had flanked our army and was about to attack Fredericksburg.

Washington May 20th 1864 We do not get much direct news from the army today but there has been some fighting at the Front. All the news that is reported from there is always “a Victory” or a “great success,” “The Rebels defeated” &c. Such was the news with which we were regaled day by [...]

MAY 20th.—Fog; then sunshine all day, but cool. Troops have been marching through the city all day from the south side. I presume others take their places arriving from the South. Barton’s brigade had but 700 out of 2000 that went into battle last Monday. Our wounded amount to 2000; perhaps the enemy’s loss was [...]

May, Friday 20, 1864 Mrs. Perkins went to Memphis this morning in an awful state of mind. Col. Perkins came up to see her before she started, but I do not think she was much relieved by his visit. Nannie would not go, she did not come back tonight, although she said she would be [...]

Kingston, May 20, 1864. Our cars got here this morning; the whistle woke me. One of the most improbable rumors afloat is that letters will be allowed to go North to-day. I know you are anxious, so will not lose the rumor of a chance. Billy Fox returned to-day. My things are all right at [...]

Thursday, 19th–We started our drove of cattle early this morning and the brigade broke camp at 8 o’clock and followed. We reached Pulaski at 2 o’clock, a distance of sixteen miles, and went into camp. Our road, rough and rocky, followed a winding creek which I think we had to wade twenty-four times during the [...]

Thursday, 19th.—Got to sleep all night last night. Formed in line of battle in front of Cassville. General Johnston had circular read that we will now turn and fight. Big rumors from Virginia that thirty-one Yankee general officers had been killed, wounded, and captured. Loss in all, 45,000. (Don’t ask me what battle that was, [...]

19th. Went down with Thede to Spottsylvania. Visited all the fortifications. Went to the picket line. Could see the rebs very distinctly in rifle pits and works. Our fortifications only 1200 yds. apart. Train captured and recaptured.

MAY 19th.—Sunshine and showers, the former predominating. Gen. Lee sends a dispatch saying the enemy’s attack yesterday was repulsed easily—our loss very light. It is said, however, that the enemy have Guinea’s Station, 12 miles this side of Fredericksburg. Gen. Beauregard intends shelling Butler in his fortifications to-morrow. From the West, in Georgia, and beyond [...]

May, Thursday 19, 1864 It seems that trouble and misery will never cease. Miss Em almost killed herself with chloroform last night, did not get up until late this evening, and is still very feeble and miserable from the effects. Nannie has been in bed all day, seems to be quite sick tonight—poor old Father, [...]

Kingston, Cass County, Ga., May 19, 1864, 5 p.m. The artillery has been working all day, but have not heard how much of a fight. That dead Rebel colonel was Iverson, of the Second Georgia Cavalry; we think he was formerly a M. C. of this State, and a secessionist. The citizens here have most [...]

Wednesday, 18th–The troops in advance of us started early this morning, but our brigade did not move until 11 o’clock. We had a hard day’s march, having to cross a large swamp, wade four creeks, and cross one river twice: yet we covered fourteen miles with the cattle, and got into bivouac near Clarenceville[1] at [...]

Wednesday, 18th.—1 A. M., moved out. Halted near Cassville, where we are still at 3 P. M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

On The Sick List. May 18. Since the affair over on the railroad, I have been on the sick list and have suffered severely with chills and fever and from other onuses. I am not yet able to do much and I fear I shall not be able to go on many more excursions with [...]

18th.—W. B. certainly captured. I thank God for it, as the least of casualties. Generals Lee and Grant still fighting. On the south side, Beauregard has driven Butler to Bermuda Hundreds, where he is under shelter of his gunboats. Oh! when will this fearful state of things end?

18th. Read Independents and “Night and Morning,” by Charles Leper. Hard fighting today at Spottsylvania, nearly a drawn game. Ours if either.

Washington May 18th 1864 There has been quite a lull in military affairs the past few days. The rebels are still strong and defiant. Genl Grant has been receiving strong re-inforcements since the Battles of last week and is preparing for another forward movement. There has been a great deal of rain the past few [...]

MAY 18th.—Showers and sunshine, the first preponderating. Our killed and wounded in Beauregard’s battle amount to some 1500. The enemy lost 1000 prisoners, and perhaps 1500 killed and wounded. Railroad men report heavy firing this morning near Fredericksburg, and it is believed another battle is in progress. From the West we have a report, derived [...]

May, Wednesday 18, 1864 When, oh! when will this wickedness and strife end—my heart how sadly, and how sorely, it has been tried. God have mercy and keep it pure, through all temptations—bless poor Miss Em, be with her in this affliction, guide dear Nannie in the right path—I pray that it may be all [...]

May 18, 1864. Our division has had the advance to-day, but no infantry fighting. At noon we get into Adairsville and meet the 4th Army Corps. Saw Generals Howard, Thomas, Sickles and a hundred others. We are camped five miles southwest of town and by the prettiest place I ever saw. The house is excellent, [...]

Tuesday, 17th–We marched fifteen miles today. Our brigade had the cattle in charge and at 10 o’clock we had to stop and let them rest, the heat and rough stony roads being too much for them. The other brigades of our corps passed us, going on ahead. We started again at 4 o’clock, but did [...]

Tuesday, 17th.—Moved off last night about 12 o’clock. Army slowly falling back. Halted at 10 A. M.; some skirmishing on our left. 3 P. M., put under arms at once, and moved back one-half mile and formed in line of battle; heavy firing in our front. We are formed in three lines of battle, across [...]

May 17th. Near Cedar Creek. Took account of stock this morning. A requisition goes to the quartermaster for a supply of clothes, rubber blankets, shelter tents. Much of our luggage gets lost on the march and in battle. Captain Wm. L. Spaulding, Co. B, killed at Newmarket. Body brought along by members of his company. [...]

Tuesday Morning, May 17.—For some days the cannon has been resounding in our ears, from the south side of James River. Colonel Garnett has come in to tell us that for the first two days there was only heavy skirmishing, but that on yesterday there was a terrific fight all along the lines. Yesterday evening [...]