August, Sunday 14, 1864 A bright and beautiful day—I did not come to Columbus this morning—Mrs. Johnson & Mary Poullium came in to Church, brot me a note from Tate saying she would send Johnie out for me this eve. Lou and I spent the morning alone, in the octagon. Mrs. Reynolds writing to Maj. [...]
AUGUST 14th.—Hot and dry. Rumors of a fight down the river yesterday, driving the enemy from Deep Bottom, and grounding of the Richmond. Guns were heard, and I suppose we made a demonstration both by land and water. Cavalry (Hampton’s) still pass northward. They ride as if they grew to the horses. As they trot [...]
August 14th.–We have conflicting testimony. Young Wade Hampton, of Joe Johnston’s staff, says Hood lost 12,000 men in the battles of the 22d[1] and 24th, but Brewster, of Hood’s staff, says not three thousand at the utmost. Now here are two people strictly truthful, who tell things so differently. In this war people see the [...]
13th. Saturday. Awfully warm. Lay in camp till 4 P. M. Had charge of brigade train. Rained.
Saturday, 13th–This is general scrub-day, and we are cleaning up the wards of the hospital. We have good food for the sick served to them on their cots. The convalescents go out to the dining room for their meals. No news from General Grant’s army.
August 13th. Early this morning our regiment took position in line, having been relieved from picket and skirmish duty. We can see the enemy over on the hills near Strasburg. Skirmish fighting is kept up between the lines during the day. We watch one another from the hills. Both sides open up once in a [...]
August, Saturday 13, 1864 [First part of this entry is in a different handwriting] The sun shone about as usual, the birds sang gaily, I suppose, tho’ I didn’t listen—a gentle breeze was stirring—entirely too gently for the temperature of the day. In fact the whole face of “nature” displayed nothing more than a hot [...]
AUGUST 13th.—Hot and dry. Large green worms have attacked my tomatoes, and from the leaves are proceeding to the fruit. But not many of them will escape! I am warring on them. No war news, except the continuation of the movement of troops northward. Hampton’s division of cavalry, at least three brigades, passed this morning. [...]
12th. Friday. Drew and issued more clothing during the day. At 5 P. M. division moved. A. B., Thede and I went ahead. Had two dishes of ice cream at expense of George Palmer. Went to the depot and saw 150 O. N. G. starting home. It makes us almost homesick and yet we do [...]
Friday, 12th.—J. M. Baggett severely wounded. Had been on detail at Fort Louisiana; coming back to regiment, was just taking up arms, when he was struck. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Friday, 12th–It rained nearly all day. I received a letter today from William Green, my bunk-mate out in the front. He reports that the loss of our company in the battles of July 21st and 22d before Atlanta was four men: George Sweet and David Hobaugh killed, and H. Newans wounded, and Aaron Pearce is [...]
12th.—I am sorry to record a defeat near Moorfield, in Hardy County. These disasters are very distressing to us all, except to the croakers, who find in them so much food for their gloom, that I am afraid they are rather pleased than otherwise. They always, on such occasions, elongate their mournful countenances, prophesy evil, [...]
August 12th. When near the enemy we are always routed out very early in the morning before daylight, in line to guard against a surprise. A hot dry morning. On the march across country. At noon, stopped near Cedar Creek for rations and a rest. Soon we began to advance in line, to the left [...]
AUGUST 12th.—Hot and dry. At 3 P.M. rained about three minutes. We are burning up. There is no war news. A rumor in the street says Atlanta has fallen. I don’t believe it. Yesterday Gen. Hood said no important change had occurred, etc. I saw a soldier to-day from Gen. Early’s army near Martinsburg, and [...]
11th. Retained my order for duty but was allowed to go to town. Tried to find Mr. Mills’ and Mr. Holtslander’s but A. B. gave me the wrong directions. Filled up my requisition and went to Washington and drew clothing. Visited the Capitol.
Thursday, 11th.—J. R. Parker shot in foot. I am sick; excused from duty to-day. Yanks still shelling the city. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Thursday, 11th–A train loaded with sick and wounded came in this afternoon from the front. Some of our convalescents had to give up their cots to the sick, and go out to the field hospital, where they will occupy tents.
August 11.—Sheridan’s and Early’s troops are fighting in the Valley. We suffered a disaster near Martinsburg, and our troops fell back to Strasburg; had a fight on the old battle-ground at Kernstown, and we drove the enemy through Winchester to Martinsburg, which our troops took possession of. Poor Winchester, how checkered its history throughout the [...]
August 11, 1864. We have lost 35 men since Colonel Wright left us. There has been a tall artillery fight this p.m. right here, but as usual no one hurt.
August 11th. Early on the march. A hot dry morning. Passed on through Berryville, pushing south through open lots and woods. Skirmishing on the extreme right, at Stony Point. A hot, hard, day’s march. Suffered very much for water. After marching about twenty miles, late tonight came to a halt near a large spring. Many [...]
August, Thursday 11, 1864 The cry is still no news from Va. Ga. or Mobile—all still holding their own, but no advance from either side. Gen. Dick Taylor has crossed the Mississippi with a heavy force. Forrest sent a great many Wagons to meet him, two Bateries to protect his march until they can form [...]
August 11th, 1864.—Communication is established once more and Oh, the horrible, horrible news that has come to us! Capers’ Battalion reached Petersburg just in time for that terrible explosion and a part of his command were blown to atoms. Frank Baker is killed and so is my little new cousin. Mr. Kellar will never sing [...]
AUGUST 11th.—Hot and dry. Dispatches from secret agents at Washington state that Grant and his staff have arrived, that half his army preceded him, and the remainder will soon follow. The campaign is considered a disastrous failure, and it is anticipated that henceforth the scene of operations is to be transferred from Richmond to Washington. [...]
10th. Wednesday. Had charge of the dock and disembarking of troops at the wharf. Rode to town near evening.
Wednesday, 10th–No news from the front. The sick in my ward are all getting along well, with the exception of two men who are suffering severely with inflammatory rheumatism. Some of the men are returning to the front, while others are going home on furloughs.