May 15        Mr Grimball sent Adam to Columbia to bring the box to us. We have now opened it and find 2 pieces of beautiful long cloth, 18 yds white cambric, 2 doz spools of white cotton, 1 do black, 6 papers pins, a large supply of needles put up in a glass bottle, 1 [...]

Washington May 14/64 We hear nothing but confirmatory news today of what we had yesterday. At last accounts the rebel Army was fleeing before the Union troops. It is said that their retreat has become a rout. We hear today from Sherman in Georgia. He has taken Dalton and some 5000 prisoners and a large [...]

MAY 14th.—Warm, with alternate sunshine and showers. With the dawn recommenced the heavy boom of cannon down the river. It was rumored this morning that our right wing at Drewry’s Bluff had been flanked, but no official information has been received of the progress of the fight. I saw a long line of ambulances going [...]

Every one looks as if he had passed through a hard spell of sickness, black and muddy as hogs. IN LINE OF BATTLE NEAR SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, VA., May 14, 1864. My Dear Folks: Through the kind providence of the Almighty God I have come out so far safe and sound and am spared once [...]

May, Saturday 14, 1864 Miss Em and I slept until almost 12 o’clock—I finished Emie’s dress after getting up, Miss Em cut out her new Calico and run on the skirt. No Yankees today, neither have we seen a Confederate—Joanna and Anna Nelson went in this morning with the wagon to get supplies, as this [...]

May 14, 1864, Daylight. We have just been in line and the intention was to charge the Rebel position, but two batteries were discovered in front of us. The skirmishers advanced a little and brought down a heavy fire. A battery is now getting into position in our front, right in front of our company, [...]

Friday, 13th–I went out as corporal of the picket this evening at 5 o’clock. There was in all a detail of one hundred and twelve sent out from the two regiments, besides the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The guards are stationed from one to two miles from camp, where the cattle are corralled.

Friday, 13th.—Last night, just before dark, had orders to leave camp; built up big fires at dark and moved out; marched all night in direction of Resacca. Everything indicates a retreat. Some skirmishing back about Dalton. 11 A. M., Federals two miles below Dalton. Formed in line of battle at 12 M., but soon moved [...]

May 13th. Rain continues. No prospect of a let up. I helped our wagoner, Wm. Wetmore to water the mules. Had to go about a half mile from our camp. My first ride on a mule. Rode one and led others. We are wondering if it will ever stop raining. Wet through. Must attend to [...]

May 13.—General Stuart died of his wounds last night, twenty-four hours after he was shot. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and expressed to the Rev. Dr. Peterkin his resignation to the will of God. After much conversation with his friends and Dr. P., and joining them in a hymn which he requested [...]

13th. Comparatively quiet today. Christ’s brigade, Pa. and Mich. 9th Corps badly cut up in a charge. Com. killed beef and took to the command. Saw a paper of the 11th. Forage train arrived.

Washington May 13th 1864 The news from the Army today is more cheering than ever. Lees RRoad communications have all been cut and it is considered an almost sure thing that his Army will be destroyed or at least scattered. One Division of his Army was defeated yesterday by Genl Hancock, four thousand rebel prisoners [...]

MAY 13th.—Cloudy and showery all day. Last night my youngest son Thomas came in, furloughed (unsolicited) by his officers, who perceived his exhaustion. The enemy disappeared in the night. We suffered most in the several engagements with him near the city. I suppose some sympathizer had furnished him with a copy of our photograph map [...]

May, Friday 13, 1864 Miss Em, Joanna, Anna Nelson, Tate’s children and Kate all went to Memphis  this morning, all returned except Mary, who they left with Tate. We have had a quiet day, comparatively speaking. No Yankees—Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pope came this evening—been up several days, no late news. Poor Mr. Harbut was [...]

Still in Snake Creek Gap, May 13, 1864. Moved forward a half mile and our regiment built a strong line of log works. We have had a perfect rush of generals along the line to-day: Hooker, Sickles, McPherson, Thomas, Palmer, Sherman and a dozen of smaller fry. The boys crowded around Sherman and he could [...]

Thursday, 12th–It is very foggy this morning and our camp is low and unhealthy. We had inspection this morning and then company drill for an hour. John White and I then took a walk, and going outside of the pickets, we climbed some very high bluffs and found some of the nicest springs that I [...]

Thursday, 12th.—Johnston’s division and some cavalry going up railroad towards Cleveland. Drove Yanks back past Varnell’s, and then returned to Dalton. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

May 12th. A severe rain storm set in last night. Detailed for picket. Wet through. Between the rain and the mud we are in misery. Duty must be attended to. We are in the field, the enemy’s country. What sleep we can get in the mud and rain doesn’t amount to very much, as we [...]

Thursday, May 12.—The cannon is now roaring in our ears. It cannot be more than three miles off. The Lord reigneth; in that is our trust. There was a severe cavalry fight yesterday morning, in which our brilliant cavalry leader, General J. E. B. Stuart, was severely wounded. He was brought to the city last [...]

12th. Orders early to move. Sent 10 teams yesterday after forage. Sent two today for rations: Went with Pike and Ed. Livingston to the front, raining quite hard. Last night Gen. Hancock moved from right to left and this morning captured a division of Rebs under Johnson–Bushrod, I hear. Several charges made to little purpose. [...]

Washington May 12th 1864 The news from the Army continues favorable. Genl Grant most pertinaciously sticks to Lee driving him from one position to another and making steady progress onward towards Richmond. We have no news from the forces near Richmond today, but it is thought that all the R Roads leading there have been [...]

MAY 12th.—Thunder, lightning, and rain all day. The report of Gen. Lee’s victory was premature, and Butler has not gone, nor the raiders vanished. On the contrary, the latter were engaged in battle with Stuart’s division late in the afternoon, and recommenced it this morning at 3 o’clock, the enemy remaining on the ground, and [...]

May, Thursday 12, 1864 Miss Em and I took breakfast in our room—it was bitter cold this morning, and I have taken my stove down. Mr. Nelson very impatient, Mr. Brett arrived about 11 o’clock, had succeeded in getting a pass for Mr. N. from Gen’l Washburn, good for one week—they left about 12. We [...]

May 12th.—We are in just such a camp as I was in once near Jacinto, Miss. Hills, hollows and splendid pines. Pine knots can be picked up by the bushel, and the pitch smoke will soon enable us to pass for members of the “Corps d’Afrique.” I am perfectly disgusted with this whole business. Everything [...]