June 15, 1864. This has been a star day, and a better feeling lot of men that compose our brigade will be hard to find, for to-night any way. The morning was occupied in cleaning guns, etc. At 11 o’clock the assembly was sounded, and we moved one and one-half miles, which brought us on [...]
June 14th. Called up by daylight. This morning a hot one. Must bid farewell to this town. The people will no doubt be pleased to see us leaving. We had a very quiet time here. Roads very dusty. Our scouts report the enemy in all directions. The boys are in good spirits as we go [...]
14th. Moved on to Charles City, and drew one-half day’s rations of provisions. Remained saddled till 3 P. M. when we moved back on the Richmond road to the junction of Richmond and Harrison Landing roads. Remained saddled at some church till morning. Hasty breakfast.
Tuesday, June 14th.—Lieutenant-General Polk instantly killed by shell to-day. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Tuesday, 14th–No rain, but cloudy and quite cool. Skirmishing began again early this morning and our artillery threw shells into the rebels’ works, but they would not reply. They are still fortifying their position. A rebel company consisting of thirty-five men came over to our lines today and gave themselves up. They informed us that [...]
June, Tuesday 14, 1864 We had a little sleep last night. Helen & Nannie fixed their pallets in the corner—Hal and I were just in front of the fire, an India rubber blanket to lie on, a shawl for our pillow, with only a light mantle for covering, we did not spend a very delightful [...]
JUNE 14th.—Clear and cool. Gen. Grant has changed his base—disappearing from the front of Lee in the night. He is supposed to be endeavoring to get his army below the city, and in communication with Butler on the south side. A dispatch from Gen. Lee says Gen. Hampton has defeated Sheridan. Forrest has gained a [...]
June 14, 1864. Four officers and 28 men deserted from the Rebels last night. The Rebel captain told one of my corporals that in their brigade there is an organization the members of which avow it their purpose to desert the first opportunity. These men are satisfied the game is up with them, and give [...]
June 13, 1864. The rain continued until 5 p.m. Everything and everybody thoroughly soaked. Our division moved about one-half mile to the left this p.m. Strategy! We moved out into an open ploughed field. You can imagine the amount of comfort one could enjoy so situated, after two days’ constant rain, and the water still [...]
June 13th. A hot morning. All is quiet. Gave my clothes a good washing, hanging them on the bushes to dry. A good swim and bath while waiting for them to dry. Dry quickly in this climate. No change of raiment, only one suit, we are in light marching order. A soldier’s life in the [...]
13th. In the morning our regiment left at White House road on picket and rear guard. Several prisoners. Whole army moved. Rear guard until we crossed the Chickahominy, a narrow, swampy, insignificant stream. Remained near the river–south bank–till dark. Moved on towards Charles City C. H.–camping from 2 A. M. till daylight.
Monday, 13th–It rained again nearly the whole day. We formed a line of battle early this morning, but soon returned to our “ranches” with orders to keep our accouterments on and be ready to form at a moment’s notice. Skirmishing commenced early all along the line and there was cannonading from our side with no [...]
JUNE 13th.—Clear and cool. Gen. Bragg sent to the Secretary of War to-day a copy of a letter from him to the President, yesterday, proposing to send 6000 more troops to Western Virginia, as Breckinridge has only 9000 and the enemy 18,000. Lieut.-Gen Holmes sends from Raleigh, N. C., a letter from Hon. T. Bragg, [...]
June 13—Early’s Corps starts to Lynchburg to drive Hunter away. In twenty-nine days we reached Washington City, having passed Lynchburg, the Natural Bridge, Lexington, Staunton, Sharpsburg, Frederick City’ etc. What a tramp!
June 12, 1864. It commenced raining before daylight, and has not ceased an instant all day. We are lucky in the roads where it can’t get very muddy, but so much rain is confoundedly disagreeable. The only source of consolation is the knowledge that the Rebels fare much worse than we do. They have neither [...]
June 12th. Sunday. Came off picket. General Hunter is applying the torch to many buildings. I watched them burn. Among them were the Washington Military Institute, and the home of Governor Letcher. It was a grand and awful sight to see so many buildings burning at the same time. A bronze statue of George Washington [...]
12th. Wrote a letter of apology to Mr. Brown, our former chaplain. Would my temper, etc., never got the upper hand of me. Read Independents. Afternoon ordered to move in evening. Sent off train. Our Regt. in rear till midnight.
Sunday, 12th–It rained steadily all day. Our forces did not advance any today, but they are still throwing up earthworks and planting batteries. There was some shelling at a few points today by our men and the skirmishing at times was quite lively on both sides. But because of so much rain the last two [...]
12th.—I am grieved to say that we have had a reverse in the “Valley,” and that General Jones, of the cavalry, has been killed, and his command repulsed. They have fallen back to Waynesborough, leaving Staunton in the hands of the enemy. General Johnston is doing well in Georgia. Oh, that he may use up [...]
JUNE 12th.—Cold and cloudy. Some firing again this morning, supposed to be merely an artillery duel. Heard from Custis, in pencil mark on the back of envelope; and he has applied for and obtained a transfer from ordnance duty in the rear, back to his company in the front. It is rumored that Sheridan has [...]
June 1—Go to Regiment and find many of my men in Winder Hospital. Busy and very weary. Return and spend an hour with Rev. Dr. Rosser. Spend night at wagons. June 2—Meet Revs. Hines, Power, Webb, Plyler and others. June 4—At hospital. June 5—Preach to my Regiment and hear Patterson and Brown at hospital. June [...]
June, Sunday 12, 1864 Our news from the front today is glorious, Forrest’s victory is complete, captured 250 wagons, the Yankees in full retreat, Bell’s brigade close on the rear, capturing straglers by the hundreds. Willie Pope, ad’t of 7th. Tenn. & Capt. Tate of same, both killed—no other casualties mentioned. Raining all day, no [...]
June 11th. Up and on the march by daylight. After a few hours marching, judging by the cannonading, there is hot work going on. We are pushing on for Lexington. Find the town is located on the south side of the James River. The enemy burned the bridge, delayed our crossing. The Engineer Corps provided [...]
11. Wrote to Fred Allen, and Watson Jones. Big mail came. Whole month. Big feast.
Saturday, 11th–Had a light shower yesterday, while today it rained nearly all day. We formed a line of battle this morning and moved forward. There was some sharp skirmishing, and our cannons were active, but the rebels did not reply. We advanced about a half mile and the rebels fell back inside of their rifle [...]