September 21st. Pleasant, quiet morning in our camp. Nothing special to cause any alarm. Waiting and wondering what’s coming, as the wagon train is slowly leaving. Was somewhat surprised, when ordered into line, to hear Colonel Ely read his resignation as colonel of the 18th Regiment, he having been in the service for three years [...]
Wednesday, 21st.—Moved two brigades to right; finished breast-works. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Wednesday, 21st–It rained all day. There is a rumor flying in the air here that the veterans of the Seventeenth Army Corps are to be mustered out of the service this fall, on account of not having been sworn in right. But we cannot yet believe such a report to be true; that would be [...]
21st. Wednesday. At daylight in fog crossed the river at a charge, driving Wickham’s brigade. Came upon their force in strong position, 8 miles, reb battery.
SEPTEMBER 21ST.–Cloudy and somber. We have authentic intelligence of the defeat of our forces under Gen. Early, near Winchester. Two generals, Rhodes and Godwin, were killed. We lost some guns, and heavily in killed and wounded. The enemy have Winchester, and Early has retreated, bringing off his trains, however. This has caused the croakers to [...]
September 21st.—Went with Mrs. Rhett to hear Dr. Palmer. I did not know before how utterly hopeless was our situation. This man is so eloquent, it was hard to listen and not give way. Despair was his word, and martyrdom. He offered us nothing more in this world than the martyr’s crown. He is not [...]
Sept. 21—Go to Woodstock to carry Capt. Allen’s furlough. He had been wounded and told me he did not wish to be sent to a hospital. I made application for special wounded furlough, that he might go to his parents and sisters in N. C. I took it to the Regimental, Brigade, Division and Corps [...]
September 20th. Great excitement and talk among our boys over Sheridan’s great victory. It is now our gallant Phil Sheridan who is master of the Shenandoah Valley. Early has run up against a good soldier who has the men at his command. Too small a force has been in the valley for the past three [...]
Tuesday, 20th.—Passed through Palmetto and formed in line of battle three miles from town. Throwing up breastworks. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Tuesday, 20th–Rain most all day. More of the wounded from the field hospital out east of town started home today on thirty-day furloughs. The sick here are being transferred to temporary hospitals down town, while the remainder of the wounded from the field hospital are taking the places vacated by them.
20th. Followed up, picking up stragglers. Halted near Front Royal.
SEPTEMBER 20TH.–Bright and pleasant. An order has been given to impress all the supplies (wheat and meat) in the State, and Gen. Kemper has been instructed to lend military aid if necessary. This is right, so that speculation may be suppressed. But, then, Commissary-General Northrop says it is all for the army, and the people–non-producers–may [...]
Monday, 19th.—Marched seventeen miles and camped four miles from Palmetto. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
September 19th. Roused up at daylight by heavy cannonading in the direction of Winchester. The battle was on. Those of us who were off duty, with some of the towns-people, went to the top of a high hill to listen to the roar of musketry and the field guns. It was something frightful as it [...]
Monday, 19th–The sick in the hospitals are getting along well. Part of the men here received two months’ pay today, $32.00. The pay of soldiers has been raised to $16.00 per month since May 1, 1864.[1] [1] The $32.00 I received was the first pay I got since leaving Davenport on Sunday, April 24, 1864.—A. [...]
(Battle of Winchester) 19th. Monday. Moved at 2 A. M. Slept with Houghton. Reached the Opequon about daylight, 2nd N. Y. charging. After this, constant charging till we drove a rebel brigade of infantry from fortified position. Very hard fighting. Gen. McIntosh always in the van. When Gen. Sheridan came up he patted Mc. on [...]
SEPTEMBER 19TH.—Clear and pleasant. We have nothing yet explanatory of the shelling yesterday. To-day we have news of an expedition of the enemy crossing Rapidan Bridge on the way toward Gordonsville, Charlottesville, etc. Gen. Anderson’s division, from Early’s army, is said to be marching after them. We shall learn more of this business very soon. [...]
September 19th.–My pink silk dress I have sold for $600, to be paid for in instalments, two hundred a month for three months. And I sell my eggs and butter from home for two hundred dollars a month. Does it not sound well –four hundred dollars a month regularly. But in what? In Confederate money. [...]
Sept. 19—Engage the enemy fiercely near Winchester and drive them, and they drive us. Gen. Rodes killed. Went into private house to see his body after he was brought into Winchester. His wife had spent some time in camp during preceding winter. We fall back to Strasburg, marching all night. Riding alone and very sad, [...]
18th.—Nothing yet from Mr. –– about our rooms. All the furnished rooms that I have seen, except those, would cost us from $100 to $110 per month for each room, which, of course, we cannot pay; but we will try and not be anxious overmuch, for the Lord has never let us want comforts since [...]
September 18th. Relieved from picket. Late in the day long wagon trains passed through town, some being parked here. Those passing on went to Harper’s Ferry. Things begin to take on a mysterious look which created much comment and talk among the boys. Either a battle was coming or Sheridan was to fall back. We [...]
Sunday, 18th–Have had a week of very pleasant weather. Our store of supplies here is small, as the army is to evacuate the place as soon as possible.[1] [1] This proved to be my last Sunday at Rome, Georgia, for which I was very thankful. While there I saw more sick and wounded men than [...]
18th. Sent regt. wagons loaded to Ferry. Preparations to move. 2nd Ohio made a reconnoissance, driving rebs across the Opequon. All Q. M.s ordered to Ferry with wagons. Houghton told me there was business on hand and the General would like me for aide. Soon an order came for me to report. I was pleased. [...]
SEPTEMBER 18TH–Cool and cloudy; symptoms of the equinoctial gale. We have intelligence of another brilliant feat of Gen. Wade Hampton. Day before yesterday he got in the rear of the enemy, and drove off 2500 beeves and 400 prisoners. This will furnish fresh meat rations for Lee’s army during a portion of [...]
September, Sunday 18, 1864 All went to Church his morning except Lou, Mary Lou and I, we had a nice, quiet time. I fixed poor Lou’s afflicted head, and am really distressed she has taken that terible eruption. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton came down to Tea. We all walked down to the Tombigbee, had a [...]