AUGUST 6th.—Hot and dry. The booming of cannon heard yesterday evening was from one of our batteries below Drewry’s Bluff. The enemy answered from their batteries, the existence of which we had no knowledge of before. No one was hurt. About the same time Gen. Beauregard sprung a mine under the enemy’s mine, and blew [...]
August 6th.–Archer came, a classmate of my husband’s at Princeton; they called him Sally Archer then, he was so girlish and pretty. No trace of feminine beauty about this grim soldier now. He has a hard face, black-bearded and sallow, with the saddest black eyes. His hands are small, white, and well-shaped; his manners quiet. [...]
5th. Friday. Brigade marched at sunrise. Relieved by 2nd Div. Reached City Point before noon. 18th P. V. embarked for Washington. 2nd Ohio went to Landing. On board and anchored off the Point. Took a bath before leaving wharf. While hastily looking for Col. P. for detail to load oats, I accidentally walked off into [...]
Friday, 5th–It rained nearly all day. The troops here are receiving their pay today, some for one and others for two months. Since May 1st the Government has been paying the privates $16.00 per month, which is an increase of $3.00. But money here in Rome is of no particular benefit to a soldier, for [...]
August 5, 1864. After the fight of the 28th July, we advanced on the 30th, 31st and April 1st 1, when we came to a strong line of Rebel rifle pits, densely populated, and their main works about 400 yards behind the pits. On the 2d details from each brigade in the corps were ordered [...]
August 5th. Early this morning had a good swim, after which I lay down under a large tree near the river. Had a good nap and rest. Then wrote a few letters. Very late in the afternoon orders came to fall in and form line. We marched into a large open field and formed three [...]
AUGUST 5th.—Hot and dry. I hope there will be a rain-cloud this evening. No war news, except a letter from Gen. Lee, indicating that Gen. Morgan is probably on a raid in Northwest Virginia and in Pennsylvania. Morgan proposed going into Georgia (rear of Sherman), but the Secretary indorsed that perhaps the matter had as [...]
August, Friday 5, 1864 Our gay little crowd was broken up this morning—Therese, Mrs. Martin both returned to Columbus, Mrs. Johnston went in with them to bring Mrs. Forrest out to spend a few days—they have not returned, but from a heavy cloud which passed over this eve, and from all appearances was inclined to [...]
August 5,1864. Mr. Ward has been robbed by the Yankees of his watch, pencil, and shirt.
4th. Thursday. Letters received from Mr. Charles Wood and Mrs. Beers. Regt. relieved in the night.
Thursday, 4th–It is warm and sultry. There is no news from the front. I am still serving the medicine to the sick.
August 4th. Fine morning. Had an early swim in the good clean waters of the Monocacy River. Later hunted up some bait, sat under a large tree to try my luck at fishing. Always keep a hook and line by me. Had very good luck. Dressed the fish at the river, went back to the [...]
AUGUST 4th.—Clear and hot. All quiet at Petersburg. President Lincoln was at Fortress Monroe on Sunday last, after the explosion and its failure. The Northern papers acknowledge that Grant sustained a terrible disaster at Petersburg, losing in killed, wounded, and missing 5000. They say the negro troops caused the failure, by running back and breaking [...]
3rd. Received papers of 1st claiming a grand victory here– all bosh–sorry. Some one is much at fault that the grand plan of July 30, 1864, failed. Grant seems to have used the best strategy and skill. Who is at fault will soon be determined. Visited the picket line. Saw the Johnnies. Many amusing incidents [...]
Wednesday, 3d–Everything is quiet here in Rome, Georgia. There is no news from General Grant’s army.
August 3d. Called out very early this morning. Left camp and on the march at 3 A. M. Enjoying the march through this fine country. After a time we began to ascend the mountains. Said to be the South Mountains. A fine view of the surrounding country. Peaceful and quiet. The inhabitants along the line [...]
AUGUST 3d.—Cloudy, but no rain. The press dispatches last night assert that still another raiding party, besides Stoneman’s, was dispersed or captured. It is rumored to-day that Beauregard has sprung a mine under Grant’s fortifications. This may be so. Later. It was not so.
August, Wednesday 3, 1864 Third anniversary of my beloved Mother’s death—There are few more sorrowful times, in the experience of poor Children of earth—than round the deathbed of a loved and revered Mother—one who has been indeed a true faithful Mother, whose life to us has consecrated the name—and left it on our hearts as [...]
2nd. Finished a letter to Sarah. My eyes are so weak that I can use them but very little.
Tuesday, 2d–We had a refreshing rain last night. Governor Stone of Iowa arrived at the hospital this morning, having come from the front, with an order from General Sherman granting a thirty-day furlough to the sick and wounded from the Iowa regiments here in the hospital. Those able for duty are to be sent to [...]
August 2d. A fine morning. All is quiet in camp. Found a place where I could wash my clothes and dry them. Drew rations. Am feeling fine. A hot sun and dusty roads to march over, a fellow cannot keep very clean. Having a good rest in the good cool woods. We cannot help to [...]
AUGUST 2d.—Bright and hot. At 4 P.M. a cloud rising. Fear my wife, and daughter Fannie, and Custis (who has a days’ furlough), who went this morning per Fredericksburg Railroad into HanoverCounty to gather blackberries, will be caught in a rain. Nevertheless, the rain is wanted. Assistant Secretary Campbell is again “allowing” doubtful characters to [...]
August 2, 1864. Just as I got out of bed this morning Aunt Julia [a slave] called me to look down the road and see the soldiers. I peeped through the blinds, and there they were, sure enough, the Yankees—the blue coats! I was not dressed. The servant women came running in. “Mistress, they are [...]
August 2d.–Sherman again. Artillery parked and a line of battle formed before Atlanta. When we asked Brewster what Sam meant to do at Atlanta he answered, “Oh–oh, like the man who went, he says he means to stay there!” Hope he may, that’s all. Spent to-day with Mrs. McCord at her hospital. She is dedicating [...]
August 1st. Monday. Commenced a letter to Sarah. Wrote home. Regt. remained saddled some time in the morning in anticipation of an attack. Went on picket in evening.