Sep 17—Very heavy firing in morning. Wounded coming in. God help our men to fight! Have mercy on those who are to die! At noon Colonel Parker and Adjutant Phillips come wounded. A rifle ball passed over Colonel Parker’s head, cutting away a narrow strip of skin and plowing a nice little furrow in the [...]

Monday, Sep. 15, 1862—Regiment rest in field at 7 a. m. They need rest. Yesterday was a busy day and last night gave us rest. Cross Antietam Creek and make a stand on hill adjacent. An occasional artillery shot occupies the evening. Men in arms. I spent night with ambulances on vacant lot in Sharpsburg. [...]

Sep. 14—Our Brigade goes out at 4:30 a. m. My horse being lame, I cannot go. General Garland is brought to his tent dead. I go to see him. A few days ago I saw him under different circumstances that will make me admire him forever. His Brigade was crossing a stream on a narrow [...]

Sep 11, 1862—Having been very feeble for two or three days I spend a day at Colonel Carmack’s. Brigade passed at 8 a. m. At 2:30 I go on and stop at Boonsboro with Dr. Josiah Smith. Strong intelligent Southern feeling.

Sep. 10—Whole army in motion. Dine at Mr. Fitzhugh’s in Frederick City. Lovely family. Mr. Jones, next door. Meet Rev. Auguste, Chaplain 15th Virginia Regiment, Joseph Shawen, a good Southern Methodist, Col. Henson, President of the County Bank, aged and venerable (but had been arrested by the Federals), and Rev. Mr. Ross, a Presbyterian. Spend [...]

Sep. 3, 1862—Pass Leesburg. Call at a farm house to buy corn. A Union woman upbraids me. See Sugar Loaf Mountain in Maryland. Sep. 4—Dine with Mrs. Sanders in Leesburg. She is the mother-in-law of Rev. W. G. Cross. Sep 5—March all day. Call and buy eggs and butter from a man in Morrisonville, for [...]

Sept. 2—Pass down to Groveton, where fearful fighting was done last week, August 28, 29 and 30. Horrid scenes! Many dead Federals still on the field, though a squad of their men, under flag of truce, has been some days caring for wounded and burying dead. I found a wounded Federal sitting on the field—a [...]

September 1, 1862—Pass Warrenton. Rainy, cold night.

Aug. 31—It began to rain before day. Just then we received orders, “Be ready to move at a moments’ warning.” We needed rest, and were hoping we could enjoy that Sabbath in the woods. As I leaped from my blanket and started to find my horse, I began to sing, not knowing what. As I [...]

Aug. 30—Men wade Rapidan, and I drink of it. Pass Cedar Run, where there had been a hard fight August 9. Robert Henderson, a venerable old man, had been arrested. As our men passed his gate he said with tears, “God preserve you, my boys!” Pass Culpepper C. H. Town and country around desolated by [...]

Aug. 21—Threatened with jaundice. Take medicine. Aug. 24—Dark and damp. One year ago today, my dear little Eddie was cold in death in parsonage in Smithville (Southport), North Carolina, and I was almost dead. I preached on “Samaritan.” August 25. 1862—My birthday! Thirty years old! And yet how little knowledge I have acquired! How little [...]

Aug. 14th—Go to Female Institute Hospital and find no entry of the name of my Brother Grier, who died there during my visit to North Carolina. Find his valise, etc. Will send his brother for it. Col. May, of Georgia, says Brother Grier died between midnight and day, July 26, no one knowing when he [...]

Aug. 13—Visit sick at Division and Winder Hospital. Lieutenants Davis, Jackson and Johnson, and privates Jackson, Jenkins, Hester and Merritt doing well. Marshall Teachy will hardly live. Lieutenant McLeod hardly can recover. Peter Stanley out of his head, imagines himself on Lockwood’s Folly. Says he has seen his wife and children! Perhaps he has. Prays [...]

Sunday, Aug. 10—Hear Rev. Rumple preach to 4th Regiment. A poor stranger mustered in this day as a substitute for Reams of Company “G.” dies very suddenly. He called himself Wayne, from Alexandria, but a discharge for Williams was found in his pocket. Mysterious and sad! Brother Rumple preached a good sermon for me at [...]

Aug. 8—Ride early to Pa’s calling at three Hospitals. Fever all day. Take medicine at night. Aug. 8 (9?)—Go late and walk to camp.

Aug. 1, 1862, A. M.—In Wilmington. Blue! Blue! Leave for Richmond at 2 p. m, taking a lot of vegetables for S. T. Buie & Bro., 18th North Carolina Regiment. Aug. 2—Miss connection at Petersburg. Get to Richmond at 6 p. m. and hear that Lieutenant Cain is about to die in Camp Winder Hospital. [...]

July 24—Leave Richmond at 4 a. m. and reach Wilmington at 8 p. m. Spend night at Mrs. McCaleb’s Hotel. July 25—Steamer North Carolina takes us to White Hall. Sunday, 27—Visit Sunday School at Bladen Springs. Capt. John Barr Andrews died at Richmond, Virginia, July 23, 1862. He was the first person to whom I [...]

July 17th—Find Lieut. Grier at Dunlop and Moncure Hospital, badly wounded. Glad to see the good man. Ride to camp and spend night on ground. July 18th—Ride to Pa’s. Wife and I visit Lieut. Shaw and find him dying. One of the noblest men I ever knew. We visit Lieut. Grier. July 19th—Walk to Camp [...]

July 9th—Willie is doing well. McDugald about to die. Lieut. Shaw very low. Swift Galloway doing well. Visit D. H. Neal, Piper, and Horace Morrison. July 11th—Rain all the morning. Walkout through mud to camp, and find regiment returned after seven days in fighting and suffering. Glad to see Col. Parker once more. Return weary [...]

July 8th Wife and three children arrive. Sister Galloway comes on to see Swift. About 8 p. m. my son Willie (under 5 years) falls from his grandpa’s porch six or seven feet and cuts his head fearfully on a brick.

July 7th Visit Swift Galloway of Brunswick, Daniel McDugald of Cumberland, J. Mason, etc., etc. A telegram from Wilmington says Mrs. Betts is on her way. God bring her safely!

July 6th Letter from wife; she may come next Tuesday! Walk, walk, walk, visit wounded soldiers, Camp Winder and other Hospitals, Thos. Whitted and Captain Sykes of Bladen, many friends and many poor strangers. Some will live, others will die. Reach camp late, very tired. Cough and cold very bad.

July 4th Once a National Jubilee? With Brother Gattis visit Captains Brooks and Stanley. Visit Chimborazo Hospital, some of 30th Regiment, Lieut. Angus Shaw of 38th Regiment, D. Danford of Company “C,” and others at Seabrook Hospital. See Jos. Mason’s left leg cut off below the knee. Brother Gattis spends night with me in camp.

July 3rd In camp sick. Meet Revs. T. J. Gattis and J. C. Brent of North Carolina. Learn that Bro. E. J. Grear of Company “C,” was badly wounded and captured. He had left his pocket book containing $42.21 with me. I wish he had it in gold.