February 28, 1865. High water still keeps us here. We will probably get off to-morrow. It is thought we will cross the Great Peedee at Cheraw; there is so much swamp lower down that might trouble us. A thousand rumors afloat to-day. The citizens have it that Grant has whipped Lee since the Hatcher Run [...]
Tuesday, 28th–We moved forward, in an all-day rain. The First Division took the advance, while the Third was in the center, and the Fourth in the rear. Our regiment was rear guard of the corps, and did not get into bivouac till 10 p. m. The corps upon going into bivouac late this afternoon threw [...]
February 28th.–Raining; warm. The Northern papers announce the capture of Wilmington. No doubt the city has fallen, although the sapient dignitaries of this government deem it a matter of policy to withhold such intelligence from the people and the army. And wherefore, since the enemy’s papers have a circulation here–at least their items of news [...]
28th.—Our new Commissary-General is giving us brighter hopes for Richmond by his energy. Not a stone is left unturned to collect all the provisions from the country. Ministers of the Gospel and others have gone out to the various county towns and court-houses, to urge the people to send in every extra bushel of corn [...]
Tillersville, February 27, 1865. We have half a mile of bridging to build before we can get across this Lynch’s creek, the rains have swollen it so much. Our 6th Iowa foragers we thought captured are all right. They got across this creek before the freshet and it cut them off. The 97th Indiana men [...]
Monday, 27th–The day was clear and pleasant. About midnight last night our regiment was detailed to tear down an old mill to get material for the engineers with the pontoniers to build a bridge across the Big Lynches creek. We worked till 4 a. m., when we came in for a rest. This morning we [...]
27th. Reveille at 3 A. M. Moved at 6. Moved through Winchester. Formed several times in crossing streams, etc. Seemed good to see Gen. Sheridan along on his black horse. Halted many times. Went into camp at 10 P. M. Very good rest. Woodstock. 28th. Reveille at 4 A. M. Brigade moved out in advance [...]
February 27th.–Bright and windy. The Virginia Assembly has passed resolutions instructing the Senators to vote for the negro troops bill–so Mr. Hunter must obey or resign. It is authoritatively announced in the papers that Gen. J. E. Johnston has taken command of the army in front of Sherman (a perilous undertaking), superseding Beauregard. Grant is [...]
Feb. 8—”Peace Commission” fails. Feb. 9—Regiment get away. Feb. 10—Fast and pray. Feb. 11—After prayer-meeting in Co. B, I am taken suddenly and seriously ill and stay in bed three days and nights. Feb. 14—Revs. Ira T. Wyche and J. A. Cunninggim arrive in our Brigade. Bro. W. stops with me; Bro. C. with Rev. [...]
Fullersville, S. C., Sunday, February 26, 1865. Sixty hours of rain terminated at daylight this morning, but it has not hurt the sandy roads a particle. We made 11 miles in four and one quarter hours, and are now waiting for a bridge to be completed over this creek, “Lynch’s.” We think now we are [...]
Sunday, 26th–We had another all-night rain, but it cleared off this morning. We started at 8 a. m. and marched ten miles, going into camp near the Big Lynches creek. Our division is still in the advance; the First Division did not yet come up with us. We have level country now, but for about [...]
26th. Every preparation made to move. Ordnance and Q. M. stores condemned and turned in. Several orders and circulars came around. All bustle and commotion. Wrote home.
February 26th.–Cloudy and cool; rained all night. No news from the South, this morning. But there is an ugly rumor that Beauregard’s men have deserted to a frightful extent, and that the general himself is afflicted with disease of mind, etc. Mr. Hunter is now reproached by the slaveowners, whom he thought to please, for [...]
February 17th, 1865.–There is little but bad news now. Sherman is a very Devil. If this goes on much longer Georgia will be desolate indeed, for his favorite weapon is the torch. Every State Capitol in the South, except Tallahassee, has been captured and we cannot expect to escape much longer. The Yankees come nearer [...]
February 26th.–Mrs. Munroe offered me religious books, which I declined, being already provided with the Lamentations of Jeremiah, the Psalms of David, the denunciations of Hosea, and, above all, the patient wail of Job. Job is my comforter now. I should be so thankful to know life never would be any worse with me. My [...]
Saturday, 25th–It rained all night, but today it is clear. We marched fifteen miles today through the mud. Our regiment is on train guard. We found Little Lynches creek flooded and we had to wade it, the water being waist deep. The Twentieth Corps crossed the creek above us, the day before, and we learned [...]
February 25, 1865. Have not moved to-day. Rebels captured 15 men of the 29 Missouri to-day. Our foragers have been straggling for seven or eight miles in every direction; three of our regiment captured a refugee camp of seven men, ten guns, two revolvers, some pistols and 25 mules. Ordered to keep men well in [...]
25th. Furloughs stopped and pontoon train came up today. The Col.’s leave failed. He was in great trouble, having promised his wife to come home and yet expecting to remain with regt. after leave. Muddy, but pleasant overhead.[1] [1] Extract From Letter of Brevet Brigadier General Nettleton to Mrs. Luman H. Tenney Lakeside, Mich., June [...]
February 25th. About midnight last night we were aroused by sharp firing. Made us open our eyes and ears. Ready for any sudden call. All we could do was to listen and wait. Soon all became quiet. Those of us off duty soon dropped asleep again. This morning we learned the cause of the firing [...]
February 25th.–Raining. There are more rumors of the evacuation of Wilmington and even Petersburg. No doubt that stores, etc. are leaving Petersburg; but I doubt whether it will be evacuated, or Richmond, either. Grant may, and probably will, get the Danville Railroad, but I think Lee will disappoint him in the item of evacuation, nevertheless; [...]
February 25th.–The Pfeifers, who live opposite us here, are descendants of those Pfeifers who came South with Mr. Chesnut’s ancestors after the Fort Duquesne disaster. They have now, therefore, been driven out of their Eden, the valley of Virginia, a second time. The present Pfeifer is the great man, the rich man par excellence of [...]
Friday, 24th–We started on our march at 7 this morning, our division again taking the advance. We marched twenty miles, and all the way in a fearful northeast rain, accompanied by a high wind. The country is getting very rough. Some of our foragers have been horribly butchered by the rebels’ cavalry during the last [...]
West’s Cross Roads, 13 miles northeast of Camden, S. C., February 24, 1865. Made 14 miles a little south of east. We passed about a mile south of Gates’ old battle ground. A dozen foragers of the 99th Indiana were captured to-day, but our foragers caught more Rebels than that, besides 50 wagons and 200 [...]
24th. Wilmington ours! Went to Winchester to get some barbering done–Smith and I. Pleasant time. Beautiful day overhead. Roads bad. On board of administration with Barnitz and Easton to make appropriation of Regt’s fund for colors. Regt. on picket. Felt most sick. Proposition to go home when A. B. returns with Lissa to Washington.
February 24th. Detailed for picket. Corporal in charge of one relief. Located about three miles from camp on the line of the railroad, all quiet.