February 14th.–Bright and cold. Very cold, and fuel unattainable. The papers speak of heavy raids in process of organization: one from Newbern, N. C., against Raleigh, and one from East Tennessee against Salisbury and our communications. The news from South Carolina is vague, only that the armies are in active motion. So long as Sherman [...]
CAMP. COX’S BRIGADE, NEAR PETERSBURG, VA., February 14, 1865. My Dear Mother: I would have written on receipt of your letter and box, which you sent me, but the troops were off at the time and there was no means of mailing a letter. Our division was ordered down on the extreme right last Sunday [...]
Monday, 13th–Our corps started out at 7 o’clock this morning and after destroying twenty-six miles of railroad, marched fifteen miles, on the State road from Charleston to Columbia, and went into camp. This is the finest road over which we have marched in all the South; it had mile posts and our division commander must [...]
Twenty-four miles southeast of Columbia, S. C., February 13, 1865. Made 18 miles to-day. Rear guard for the corps in the morning, but the 2d and 3d Divisions took a right hand road and in the p.m. the 4th Division also went to the right. We followed a cow path to camp. Passed through two [...]
13th. Batt. drill in P. M. Read a general order in regard to the duties of sentinels and soldiers off duty. Read “St. Ronan’s Well.” Thede brought it up to me. Letter from home.
February 13th.–Coldest morning of the winter. My exposure to the cold wind yesterday, when returning from the department, caused an attack of indigestion, and I have sufferred much this morning from disordered stomach and bowels. From Northern papers we learn that Gen. Grant’s demonstration last week was a very formidable effort to reach the South [...]
“HD. QRS. Armies C. States, “13 Feb., 1865. “Gentlemen: “I had yesterday the honor to receive your letter of the 4th inst., recommending the assignment of Genl. Jos. E. Johnston to the command of the Army of Tennessee. The three corps of that Army have been ordered to So. Ca., and are now under the [...]
“13 Feb., 1865. “HON. LOUIS T. WIGFALL, “Richmond, Va.” “Dear Sir: “I am here sick—laid up on the way—was taken quite unwell night before last, but am better now and hope to be able to go on tomorrow. I am about thirteen miles from Charlotte on the road to Columbia. I drop you a line [...]
Sunday, 12th–Our division relieved the Third Division on the skirmish line at the bridge this morning, while they went down the river about a mile, laid the pontoons and crossed over. The skirmishing was commenced at an early hour all along the line for a distance of fifteen miles. Our men threw shells across the [...]
Shilling’s Bridge, left bank North Edisto River, February 12, 1865. Started at 7 a.m., moved one-half mile and laid still two hours waiting for Hazen and Smith to straighten out ahead of us. I thought I’d tell you how we had been bored today, fooling along the road from 7 a.m. until 3 o’clock in [...]
12th. Snowing in morning. Blowing all day. Batt. inspection in A. M. Undress parade in P. M. Read sermon in Independent and considerable miscellaneous matter. Wrote home.
February 12th.–Bright, windy, cold, and disagreeable. There was nothing new at the department this morning. Nothing from below; nothing from South Carolina. Perhaps communications are cut between this and Charleston. All are anxious to hear the result of the anticipated battle with Sherman, for somehow all know that the order to fight him was sent [...]
Saturday, 11th–Very pleasant weather. We started at 8 o’clock this morning and moved forward twelve miles. There was some skirmishing in front, and our forces routed the enemy from some strong positions.[1] [1] When the Confederates had good positions, they were unable to make a strong stand and retain them. For although they could delay [...]
Seven miles west of Orangeburg, S. C., February 11, 1865. Made 18 miles to-day. Crossed South Edisto river in rear of the corps. The river here is about 40 yards wide, with a swift current, water very clear. First 10 miles to-day was through pretty good country, the last eight miles mostly pine forest with [...]
11th. Relieved about 11. No excitement during my tour. Billy Smith on duty with me. In evening school. Made several ignorant blunders. It vexes me to make mistakes. I wish I knew more. I am so ignorant on all subjects.
February 11th.–Cloudy and cold; froze hard last night. Yesterday a bill was introduced into both houses of Congress authorizing the enlistment of 200,000 slaves, with consent of their owners, which will probably be amended. Mr. Miles, as a test vote, moved the rejection of the bill; and the vote not to reject it was more [...]
Friday, 10th–We lay in camp all day, but large foraging parties were sent out. They brought in great quantities of forage—pork and potatoes, also feed for the animals. The farming is all done here by the negro women and old men, the able-bodied men, white and black, being in the army. We received a large [...]
February 10, 1865. Had no “general” this morning (our signal for getting up), so when the “assembly” sounded we climbed from our blankets to our saddles and went off on a railroad burning expedition. Our brigade by noon had completely destroyed two and one-half miles. The 17th and our 3d Division crossed the South Edisto [...]
10th. On picket. Had a first class guard mount. Everything passed off splendidly. Made the rounds with the Brigade Officer of the Day in the deep snow.
February 10th.–Bright and cold. It is estimated that the enemy lost 1500 men in the fight near Petersburg, and we 500. Sherman has got to the railroad near Branchville, and cut communications with Augusta. At the meeting, yesterday, Mr. Hunter presided, sure enough; and made a carefully prepared patriotic speech. There was no other alternative. [...]
“SENATE CHAMBER, “10th February, 1865. “My dear Sir: “A letter has been addressed to you, urging the assignment of Genl. Joseph E. Johnston to the command of the Army in front of Sherman. This letter has been numerously signed by Senators, of whom I was not one. I did not sign because I did not [...]
Thursday, 9th–We remained in camp until noon, when we moved forward again about ten miles and went into bivouac on the east bank of the Edisto river. The First Division waded the river to drive the rebels back so that the engineers with our corps could lay the pontoons for the corps to cross. The [...]
Bamberg, S. C., February 9, 1865. We were to go to Cannon’s bridge on the Edisto four miles, but heard the bridge was burned, so we did not go. I think we will go up the river towards Augusta. Late Confederate papers say that Thomas has started south towards Montgomery, leaving Hood behind him. Many [...]
9th. Cleared up the grounds during the day. Received a letter from Sarah Felton and Will Hudson in evening, with Sarah’s picture. School in evening. Detailed for picket.
February 9th.–Bright, frosty, beautiful, after a cold night. We have nothing more specific from the fight of Tuesday, when we learn another general was killed. It seems that most of Grant’s army was in the movement, and they have a lodgment several miles nearer the South Side Railroad–the objective point. Their superior numbers must ultimately [...]