Sunday, January 1st, 1865.–Snowed a few inches in depth during the night–clear and cool morning. The new year begins with the new rumor that Gen. Hood has turned upon Gen. Thomas and beaten him. This is believed by many. Hood’s army was not destroyed, and he retreated from before Nashville with some 20,000 men. Doubtless he lost many cannon; but the Federal accounts of his disaster were probably much exaggerated.

The cabinet still remains.

The President is considered really a man of ability, and eminently qualified to preside over the Confederate States, if independence were attained and we had peace. But he is probably not equal to the role he is now called upon to play. He has not the broad intellect requisite for the gigantic measures needed in such a crisis, nor the health and physique for the labors devolving on him. Besides he is too much of a politician still to discard his old prejudices, and persists in keeping aloof from him, and from commanding positions, all the great statesmen and patriots who contributed most in the work of preparing the minds of the people for resistance to Northern domination. And the consequence is that many of these influential men are laboring to break down his administration, or else preparing the people for a return to the old Union. The disaffection is intense and wide-spread among the politicians of 1860, and consternation and despair are expanding among the people. Nearly all desire to see Gen. Lee at the head of affairs; and the President is resolved to yield the position to no man during his term of service. Nor would Gen. Lee take it.

The proposition to organize an army of negroes gains friends; because the owners of the slaves are no longer willing to fight themselves, at least they are not as “eager for the fray” as they were in 1861; and the armies must be replenished, or else the slaves will certainly be lost.

Thus we begin the new year–Heaven only knows how we shall end it! I trust we may be in a better condition then. Of one thing I am certain, the People are capable of achieving independence, if they only had capable men in all departments of the government.

The President was at St. Paul’s to-day, with a knit woolen cap on his head. Dr. Minnegerode preached a sermon against the croakers. His son has been appointed a midshipman by the President.

January 1st. Camp at Halltown, where we are going through life doing the duty of a soldier, in winter quarters. Many new recruits are being added to our company, and the regiment. The sick and wounded who have recovered are also coming back. All returning members and recruits are greeted as fresh fish. Our camp being on high ground, none can enter without being seen. At the call of “Fresh fish,” the boys turn out and welcome all who come. Many questions are asked about home, as most of the recruits have friends in the regiment. Some have relations. With the returning members and the recruits gives us more men for duty, which helps to make duty more easy for the men, while the sergeants and corporals must be on picket duty every other night. Religious service is conducted every Sunday, and evenings, by our Chaplain. The chapel is also used for a reading room. Tables, pen, ink, and paper for the boys who wish to use it for writing letters. We are the only regiment in this vicinity. Others are at Harper’s Ferry and Charlestown.

January 1st, 1865.—At St. James’s Church this morning. Our children came over from Union Hill yesterday, to take their dinner from the contents of the captured box, and were detained by snow and rain. “We were too much pleased to have them with us not to make it convenient to accommodate them, which we did with the assistance of our kind friend Mrs. P. To-morrow F. and myself will return to our offices, after a good rest, for which we are very thankful.

1st. Sunday. After roll call earned a breakfast by chopping wood. Made a good fire. Drew a load of bricks from the country. Many of the boys are suffering from poor boots and short rations. Have worked some today, but conscience clear.

Sunday, 1st–This is New Year’s Day and my fourth in the army.^[1] We did not have to work on the fortifications today, and as the weather was cloudy and cool we remained close to our “ranches.” At 4 p. m. we had company inspection. We are still on two-thirds rations.

[1] The common belief among the men was that this would be the last New Year’s Day spent In the army. Everything pointed to an early end of the war.–A. G. D.

January 1st.—Marched on through Jacinto, Tishamingo County, Rienzi, Tupelo and Saltillo. Reported Jeff Davis dead. Great many glad to hear it. One-fourth of army bare-footed. Worst demoralized army it is possible to see. About two thirds of them declare they are going home. Drew a few shoes, coats and pants. Jeff Davis not dead.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

January 1^st 1865

“New Years” has passed off very pleasantly. There has been a great deal of “Calling” and the City has been full of people. There was a great rush at the Presidents House. I went the “rounds” calling upon most of the Heads of Departments. I noticed a great contrast betwen this “New Years” and any previous one for the past three years, four years ago there was a solemn stillness, a burthensome weight hanging upon the minds of all, a fearful forboding of Evil, a dread of the future. It was but little better three years or two years ago, doubt and anxiety for the future and horror and dismay at the terrible war oppressed all. Even one year ago we could scarcely see any light. Today all are in good spirits, but still there is many a tear and many a sigh for the lost ones.

No. 19 Dauphine St.,
Saturday night, December 31st, 1864.

One year ago, in my little room in the Camp Street house, I sat shivering over Tennyson and my desk, selfishly rejoicing over the departure of a year that had brought pain and discomfort only to me, and eagerly welcoming the dawning of the New One whose first days were to bring death to George and Gibbes, and whose latter part was to separate me from Miriam, and brings me news of Jimmy’s approaching marriage. O sad, dreary, fearful Old Year! I see you go with pain! Bitter as you have been, how do we know what the coming one has in store for us? What new changes will it bring? Which of us will it take? I am afraid of eighteen sixty-five, and have felt a vague dread of it for several years past.

Nothing remains as it was a few months ago. Miriam went to Lilly, in the Confederacy, on the 19th of October (ah! Miriam!), and mother and I have been boarding with Mrs. Postlethwaite ever since. I miss her sadly. Not as much, though, as I would were I less engaged. For since the first week in August, I have been teaching the children for Sister; and since we have been here, I go to them every morning instead of their coming to me. Starting out at half-past eight daily, and returning a little before three, does not leave me much time for melancholy reflections. And there is no necessity for indulging in them at present; they only give pain.

December 31st. This is the last day of the year. All is quiet at our camp on this high hill. Not very much snow or real cold weather. We manage to keep comfortable. At our reserve picket post we have built a large inclosure, made of logs and dirt, surrounded by small evergreen trees, a large fire in the center around which we sleep and rest when our reliefs are off duty. The inclosure is so large and high it cannot be seen from the outside, making it safe from the shots of the guerillas, scouts, and bushwhackers. The farthest post out from the reserves is about one mile, while the pickets are within hailing distance. We go on picket duty at 3 P. M. instead of 9 A. M. I don’t know why the change was made. I am on duty every other night.

Guerrilla warfare in the American Civil War followed the same general patterns of irregular warfare conducted in 19th century Europe. Structurally, they can be divided into three different types of operations: the so-called ‘people’s war’, ‘partisan warfare’, and ‘raiding warfare’. Each had distinct characteristics that were common practice during the Civil War (1861–1865).

          31st. Split logs and laid them up nearly high enough for comfort. Mustered. Very disagreeable morning. Pleasanter in the P. M. Cold night. Home letter.

          Upon the fly-leaves of the little 1864 war diary book are the following quotations from Dante’s Divine Comedy. The Cary translation was used. My references as to pages are to the edition of Oscar Kuhns, T.Y.Crowell & Co., New York and Boston. (F.D.T.)

                                                  “With such a smile
          As might have made one blest amid the flames,” (p. 346).
          “So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil,” (page 360).
          “Let not the people be too swift to judge;
          As one who reckons on the blade in field,
          Or e’er the crop be ripe. For I have seen
          The thorn frown rudely all the winter long,
          And bark, that all her way across the sea
          Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last
          E’en in the haven’s mouth” (page 376).
          “For one of these may rise, the other fall,” (p. 376).
          “These eyes are not thine only Paradise” (p. 395).
                              “voice hath not uttered
          Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy
          Was e’er conceived” (p. 399).
                                        “A man
          Is born on Indus banks, and none is there
          Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write;
          And all his inclinations and his acts,
          As far as human reason sees, are good;
          And he offendeth not in word or deed:
          But unbaptized he dies and void of faith.
          Where is the justice that condemns him? Where
          His blame, if he believeth not?” (p. 401).
                                        “And ye,
          Oh mortal men! be wary how ye judge;” (p. 407).
          “The sword of heaven is not in haste to smite,
          Nor yet doth linger;” (p. 412).
          “Faith of things hoped is substance, and the proof
          Of things not seen” (p. 422).
          “With hope, that leads to blissful end;” “Hope,” (said I,)
          “Is of the joy to come a sure expectance;” (p. 426).
          “Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good,
          Kindles our love;” (p. 430).
          “One universal smile it seemed of all things” (p. 433).
                                        “Oh, mortal lust!
          That canst not lift thy head above the waves
          Which whelm and sink thee down.” (p. 436).
                                        “faith and innocence
          Are met with but in babes;” (p. 437).
                                        “The aim of all
          Is how to shine: e’en they, whose office is
          To preach the gospel, let the gospel sleep,
          And pass their own inventions oft instead” (p. 444).
          “Here break we off, as the good workman doth,
          That shapes the cloak according to the cloth.” (p. 458).
                                        “Oh, speech!
          How feeble and how faint art thou, to give
          Conception birth.” (p. 461).

December 31st.–The last day of the year. Snowing and wet.

Gen. H. Cobb writes that the existing Conscription Bureau is a failure so far as Georgia, Alabama, etc. are concerned, and can never put the men in the field.

Wm. Johnston, president of the Charlotte (N. C.) and South Carolina Railroad, suggests the construction, immediately, of a railroad from Columbia, S. C., to Augusta, Ga., which might be easily accomplished by April or May. It would take that length of time for the government to “consider of it.” It will lose two railroads before it will order the building of one.

There is supposed to be a conspiracy on foot to transfer some of the powers of the Executive to Gen. Lee. It can only be done by revolution, and the overthrow of the Constitution. Nevertheless, it is believed many executive officers, some high in position, favor the scheme.

To-morrow Gen. Lee’s army is to be feasted with turkeys, etc. contributed by the country, if the enemy will permit them to dine without molestation. The enemy are kept fully informed of everything transpiring here, thanks to the vigilance of the Provost Marshal, detectives, etc. etc.

Gen. Cobb writes that he is arresting the men who remained in Atlanta during its occupation by Sherman, and subjecting themselves to suspicion, etc. Better march the men we have against Sherman now, who is still in Georgia!

Gen. Lee writes that Grant is concentrating (probably for an attack on Richmond), bringing another corps from the Valley; and if the local troops are brought in, he does not know how to replace them. His army diminishes, rather than increases, under the manipulations of the Bureau of Conscription. It is a dark and dreary hour, when Lee is so despondent!

Senator Henry writes that any delay in impressing the railroad from Danville to Greensborough will be fatal.

Saturday, 31st–Still in camp and on short rations at that, the quartermaster having cut us down to one-half rations. We cannot understand why this should be, though there must be a good reason for the order. The fire department of the city came out this morning for inspection by General Sherman, and made a fine appearance, considering that the city had been captured only ten days before.^[1] Our men commenced today to fortify the city. They are throwing up heavy earthworks ten feet through, protected by a ditch on the outside, ten feet deep by twenty feet wide at the top and ten feet at the bottom. The fortifications are built just inside the city. We have to tear down a great many houses in order to get lumber to support the earth thrown up, and with which to make platforms for the artillery.

And so this is the end of the year 1864. It has been a year of hard, active service for our brigade, as also for the entire corps. The Eleventh Iowa has done its part and suffered severely, Company E alone having lost seven men by bullet in the siege of Atlanta, besides a number having been severely wounded.

[1] It seems that there was the best of understanding between the people of Savannah and General Sherman. They tried to make it as pleasant for the Union army as they could, and Sherman treated them with great consideration.—A. G. D.

Dec. 20—Go to my Regiment near Petersburg.

Dec. 21—Very rainy.

Dec. 22—Our Division is ordered off.

Dec. 23—Capt. Ardry and myself still in camp with the baggage. Both unwell.

Dec. 24—Division returns late to camp.

Sunday, Dec. 25—I preach from the song of the angels, “Glory to God, in the highest!”

This was the last Christmas of the war. It was Sunday, too.

Dec. 26—In camp. No mail for three days.

Dec. 29—Get into my winter quarters—a wall of poles covered with cloth. Chimney of mud and sticks.

Dec. 30—Visit my brother, Allen Betts, in Co. C. 56th Regiment, just beyond Petersburg, near the enemy. Hear from my wife. Sick. God be with her!

Dec. 31—Last day of the year. Where shall we be the last day of ’65?

Some of us were at home with our loved ones, others in Heaven, and others—dreadful thought! A man may fight and die for his country and lose his soul! Mohammed taught that all who died for his cause would be saved and some men in this day seem to think that all who are killed in defense of their country are saved; but the Bible assures us “the pure in heart” shall “see God.”

30th. Went to work cutting wood for quarters.

December 30th.–A clear night and frosty morning.

We have no news except that gleaned from Northern papers. Gen. Hood is unable to cross the Tennessee River (now swollen), and would soon be attacked again by superior numbers.

Congress was in secret session yesterday, probably perfecting the bill for the suspension of the privilege of habeas corpus.

Gen. Bragg is credited with the repulse of the enemy at Wilmington.

During the late raid a close-fisted farmer lost heavily: several hundred barrels of flour and corn, one hundred barrels of apples, a large amount of bacon and sorghum, which he was hoarding, and thus contributing to produce famine in the midst of plenty. His neighbors (those few not following his example) express no sympathy for him. The enemy did not burn Liberty Mills–once in their possession, in which is stored a large amount of grain–for some unexplained reason.

The enemy’s papers show that they have regular and expeditious intercourse with parties here, and are kept correctly advised of everything that transpires. This is a continuance of Mr. Benjamin’s policy by Mr. Seddon. It may be lucrative to those immediately interested; but if not abated, will be the death of the Confederate States Government–as I have told them all repeatedly.

And the “Bureau of Conscription” still exists, and seems destined to “be in at the death.”

I paid Lieut. Parker just $30.75 for a load of coal; selling at $75.

I saw selling at auction, to-day, second-hand shirts at $40 each, and blankets at $75. A bedstead, such as I have bought for $10, brought $700. But $50 in Confederate States paper are really worth only $1 in specie.

Jos. R. Anderson & Co. writes that unless their hands are sent in from the trenches, they cannot fill orders for ordnance stores; and Gen. Gorgas (he has been promoted) approves it, saying it is known that a number of these hands intend to desert the first opportunity.

The last call for the clerks to return to the trenches was responded to by not a man of Capt. Manico’s company, War Department proper.

Friday, 30th–The Twentieth Army Corps was reviewed by General Sherman at 9 a. m. They came out with their flying colors and brass bands, making a big showing. But when there’s a fight on hand they are not as forward as they might be; it suits them better to garrison a place after it has been taken. We have company drill once a day, and the substitutes have to drill twice a day when in camp. The Thirteenth and Sixteenth Iowa and the Thirty-second Illinois, moved their camps this afternoon to make room for the fortifications planned. Sherman has ordered Savannah to be strongly fortified. Heavy guns will be mounted so that no enemy can get close enough to do any harm with the ordinary field guns. The engineers went to work today laying out the places where the forts are to be built.

29th. Field officer of the day. Moved over upon the Romney pike. Visited the picket line.

December 29th.–Rained all night; spitting snow this morning.

Although Gen. Bragg announces that the enemy’s fleet has disappeared off Wilmington, still the despondency which has seized the croakers remains. It has probably sailed against Charleston, to co-operate with Sherman. Sherman says officially that he got, with Savannah, about 1000 prisoners, 150 heavy guns, nearly 200 cars and several locomotives, 35,000 bales of cotton, etc. etc. And Gen. Foster says the inhabitants (20,000) were “quiet, and well disposed.” Most people believe Charleston will fall next, to be followed by a sweep of the entire sea-board; and grave men fear that the impetus thus given the invader cannot be checked or resisted.

The great want is fighting men, and they are mostly exempted or detailed under that portion of the “War Department” which is quietly worked by Judge Campbell, who is, of course, governed by his own great legal judgment. Well, the President has been informed of this, and yet waits for Mr. Secretary Seddon to suggest a remedy. I have often thought, and still think, that either the Bureau of Conscription must be abolished or the government must fail. The best generals will not avail without sufficient men to fight.

Gen. Beauregard telegraphs from Charleston, December 26th, that there is a conflict of authority at Mobile as to which branch of the service, navy or army, shall command the torpedo boat. The two Secretaries are referring it to commanders, and I fear that, by the time the question is settled, some calamity will befall the boat, and the city, and the country.

Grant is said to be moving troops to the north side of the river again, fearing an attack from us, or intending one himself.

Thursday, 29th–The weather continues pleasant but cool. The glorious old Seventeenth Army Corps was reviewed at 9 a. m. by Major-General Sherman. The corps performed nicely and looked fine considering the campaign through which they have gone, and also considering the fact that they have not yet drawn new clothing. We formed our lines in the streets down in the city and the general rode along the lines to inspect them. We then marched along Front Street, where the general was stationed to review us. General Foster was also present as we passed in review. We got back into camp at 2 o’clock, having had a fine day for the review. Things are very quiet and there is no news of any importance. Small boats come up the river every day to bring rations and other army stores.

December 28th.–Rained all night; warm.

A large stable burned down within sixty yards of our dwelling, last night, and not one of the family heard the uproar attending it.

Gen. Bragg telegraphs the President that the enemy failed to reduce Fort Fisher, and that the troops landed above the fort have re-embarked. But he says the enemy’s designs are not yet developed; and he is such an unlucky general.

We found a caricature in the old black chest, of 1844, in which I am engaged in fight with the elder Blair. Calhoun, Buchanan, etc. are in the picture.

It is still believed that Gen. Lee is to be generalissimo, and most people rejoice at it. It is said the President and Gen. Jos. E. Johnston have become friends again.

Library of Congress image.

28th. Moved camp upon a hill near by. Awfully muddy. Made a large fire.

Wednesday, 28th.—Passed through Tuscumbia. The next few days we were marching on, passing through Cherokee station, Barton’s station, Price and Vandorn’s fortifications, Iuka battleground, and on to Burnsville, Miss. Very cold; and so ended 1864.

Alas, how many since thou begun,

Have finished all, their races run;

Their bodies lie beneath the sod,

Their spirits gone to meet their God;

Many doomed to eternal woe,

To mourn their loss in flames below;

 But many, Oh, how blest they.be,

 Will sing praise through eternity.

 O God of heaven, our truest Friend,

 Make us to Thee in suppliance bend,

 That we in heaven, in joyful lays,

 May sing our Great Redeemer’s praise.
…

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

28th.—A bright spot in our military horizon. The enemy’s fleet of more than thirty gun-boats made a furious attack on Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, N. C., on the 24th, (last Saturday;) they kept up an average fire of thirty shots per minute until night. On the 25th the attack was renewed, and on the 27th, after being three times repulsed, the enemy abandoned his position above Fort Fisher, and re-embarked. The damage done to us was very slight—only two guns disabled, and but few other casualties. Thus failed utterly this great expedition of land and sea forces, from which the Federal authorities and the whole North confidently expected such grand results. And so may it ever be; the Lord help us, and deliver us in every such hour of need.

Yesterday we had a pleasant little dinner-party at Dr. G’s—so rare a thing now, that I must note it in my diary. Many nice things on the table were sent by country friends. What would we do without our country friends? Their hearts seem warm and generous to those who are not so well off as themselves. They set a good example, which .I trust will not be lost on us. Our relatives and friends, though they have been preyed upon by the enemy almost to exhaustion, never seem to forget us. Sausage from one, a piece of beef from another, a bushel of dried fruit, a turkey, etc., come ever and anon to our assistance. One can scarcely restrain tears of affection when it is remembered that these things are evidences of self-denial, and not given from their abundance, as at the beginning of the war. The soldiers are not forgotten by these country friends— those who remember the refugees are never forgetful of the soldiers. Take our people as a whole, they are full of generosity and patriotism. The speculators and money-makers of these trying times are a peculiar class, of which I neither like to speak, think, nor write; they are objects of my implacable disgust. They do not belong to our noble Southern patriots. They are with us, but not of us! I should think that a man who had made a fortune during the war would, when the war is over, wish to hide it, and not own his ill-gotten gains. I trust there are not many such. The year 1864 has almost passed away. Oh, what a fearful account it has rendered to Heaven! What calamities and sorrows crowd into its history, in this afflicted country of ours! God help us, and guide us onward and upward, for the Saviour’s sake!