September, Wednesday 28, 1864

Well mercy on me if Pontotoc can’t take the lead for dulness , and no way to get on!—I succeeded in getting $50 in G. B. from a Servant!—Bro. Will came home about 1 o’c!—went over to town and thinks perhaps I can get Mr. Carr to take me over. Cousin Ginnie and Eddie Miller came over and staid a few moments only. No news on earth, and not worth while to write in my journal.

August, Sunday 28, 1864

Lou and I as usual too late for breakfast, We all spent most of the morning in the Octagon—Mr. Clapp and Col. Chambers making themselves
very entertaining—I do like Mr. Clapp so much—

Lou and I came up stairs, Lou occupied her time in writing to her Bro. Vallie – I of course in sleeping—

We had rather a discussion at dinner about Southern people taking the Oath of Allegiance to the Yankee Gov. Mr. Clapp had the advantage of the discussion, his view being strictly against it. The gentleman returned to Columbus after dinner, we spent the evening in slumber. Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton took Tea, and spent the evening with us. I do feel so uneasy about home, no news decisive from any portion of our Armyies

September 27th. All quiet in our camp. Martinsburg is beginning to resume business again. Stores are opening up. As far as can be known, no enemy in this vicinity at the present time. Trains are running to this town.

Tuesday, 27th–General Sherman issued an order removing all citizens from Atlanta, on account of the scarcity of food. There is only one line of railroad open from the North to Atlanta, and the rebels are destroying almost every day some portions of the track, thus delaying trains. All who take the oath of allegiance are sent north beyond the Ohio river, while those who refuse to take it are to go farther south; they can take their choice. General Sherman has notified Hood to come with wagons to a station south of Atlanta and take care of the citizens, as our teams will haul them to that station. A great many are taking the oath and going North, but some think themselves too good to take the oath. Some of the women are very strong secessionists, and spurn the idea of taking the oath, declaring that they would rather die.

27th. Tuesday. Burned R. R. and stores. Captured Com’y and Q. M. stores. Quite a time. Visited rebel hospital, Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and Insane Asylum. Marched to Waynesboro in eve.

SEPTEMBER 27TH.–Bright and pleasant.

We have rumors of heavy fighting yesterday near Staunton, but no authentic accounts.

A dispatch from Gen. R. Taylor says Gen. Forrest had gained a victory at Athens, Ala., capturing some 1500 prisoners, 500 horses, etc. etc.

We still hear the thunder of artillery down the river–the two armies shelling each other, I suppose, as yet at a safe distance. A few more days and the curtain will rise again–Lee and Grant the principal actors in the tragedy!

The President is making patriotic speeches in Alabama and Georgia.

Mr. Hudson, of Alabama, proposes to deliver to the government 5,000,000 pounds of bacon for the same number of pounds cotton, delivered at the same place.

Our cotton agent in Mississippi is authorized by the government here to sell cotton in exposed situations to the enemy’s agents for specie, and to buy for Confederate notes.

The funeral expenses of Gen. Morgan the other day amounted to $1500; the Quartermaster-General objects to paying it, and sends the bill to the Secretary for instructions.

The following is a copy of Gen. Lee’s indorsement on Lieut.-Col. Moseby’s report of his operations from the 1st of March to the 11th of September, 1864:

“HEADQUARTERS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“September 19th, 1864.

“Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector-General for the information of the department. Attention is invited to the activity and skill of Col. Moseby, and the intelligence and courage of the officers and men of his command, as displayed in this report.
“With the loss of little more than 20 men, he has killed, wounded, and captured, during the period embraced in this report, about 1200 of the enemy, and taken more than 1600 horses and mules, 230 beef cattle, and 85 wagons and ambulances, without counting many smaller operations. The services rendered by Col. Moseby and his command in watching and reporting the enemy’s movements have also been of great value. His operations have been highly creditable to himself and his command.
“(Signed)                                                               R. E. LEE, General.
“Official: JOHN BLAIR HOGE,
“Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.”

September, Tuesday 27, 1864

Oh! how lonely this day has been to me. Mrs. Johnson and Reynolds returned to Waverly on the 7 o’c train. My Hack came soon after, when I left—and I do not think anyone could have spent so lonely a ride as I did, no person except the driver. Mrs. Henderson was very kind indeed to me. I arrived at Pontotoc about 1 o’clock, found Mary alone and delighted to see me. Very stormy and rainy, so I have not accomplished anything and made no preperations for my trip, but will certainly, if providence permits, leave here Thursday morning. I sat up quite late writing to dear Lucy, so that I could send by the boy who drove me up and have mailed at Okolona—

September 26th. Weather fine. Nothing of a special nature has taken place so far, but the hard work continues. Our camp is in a pleasant location. We enjoy it all we can, but do get very tired with the hard work put upon us.

Monday, 26th.—Jeff Davis to come round at 9 A. M. Everything has to be cleaned up. Jeff came at 11 A. M. Each regiment cheered him as he passed their colors. Pretty weak cheering. Some shouting Johnston. Give us Johnston again.

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

Monday, 26th–The camp of the Seventeenth Army Corps is four miles south of town. We have a very nice camp here, the boys having built good bunks out of old lumber, in their wedge tents. Our tents had been stored at Huntsville, Alabama, and after the fall of Atlanta were sent forward. General Sherman’s entire army is in camp here, and strongly fortified, just south of Atlanta. The army is to be paid off while in camp, the muster rolls having been sent in to the paymaster. All is quiet.

26th. Monday. Marched to Staunton, 3rd Div., Regular brigade 1st and 2nd Div. went to Port Republic.

SEPTEMBER 26TH.–Bright and cool.

Gen. Early is still falling back; on Saturday he was at Port Republic, but he will soon be reinforced, and may turn the tide on Sheridan.

A long letter was received at the department to-day from Gov. Brown, absolutely refusing to respond to the President’s call for the militia of that State. He says he will not encourage the President’s ambitious projects by placing in his hands, and under his unconditional control, all that remains to preserve the reserved rights of his State. He bitterly and offensively criticises the President’s management of military affairs–sending Morgan into Kentucky, Wheeler into East, and Forrest into West Tennessee, instead of combining all upon Sherman’s rear and cutting his communications. He says Georgia has fifty regiments in Virginia, and if the President won’t send reinforcements, then he demands the return of Georgia troops, and he will endeavor to defend the State without his aid, etc.

September, Monday 26, 1864

Left dear Waverly at 9 o’c this morning. Mrs. Johnson and Reynolds accompanied me, and tonight we find ourselves quietly ensconsed at Mrs. Henderson’s. I met many of my friends at West Point, Gen. Forrest’s Hd. Qts. are there. Mr. Hamilton put us aboard the train, and fortunately I met with an old friend, Tub Anderson, who was guard on the train, he assisted us a great deal. We have spent the evening very pleasantly at Mrs. Henderson’s, she is a fine musician, and very accomodating. I miss my friend Lucy so much. Nothing very exciting has transpired today.

September 25th. Hard work and picket duty continues. There is much kicking by the boys over the hard work. It’s out of our line. We are soldiers and here for that purpose, not laboring men working for a railroad company to help build up the line, doing very dangerous work.

Sunday, 25th–We arrived in Atlanta about 9 o’clock last night. I stayed over night at the Soldiers’ Home, in one of the vacant store buildings. I got my breakfast there and then with my knapsack on started for the headquarters of the Seventeenth Army Corps. From there I went to the headquarters of the Iowa Brigade and about noon joined my company. I was glad to see the boys. I received a large mail, one letter from father with $5.00 enclosed. Atlanta is quite a city, there being some fine buildings, one of the finest being the railroad station. But the town is low and in the timber.

24th. After breakfast moved on. 1st and 2nd in advance, rebel works strong. Crossed the South Fork and camped in Massanutten Gap. Passed Luray. Captured some prisoners.

SEPTEMBER 25TH.–Clear and cool. Pains in my head, etc.

Hon. Mr. Foote told G. Fitzhugh early this morning that he had learned Gen. Early’s army was scattered to the winds; that the enemy had the Central Railroad (where?) and would soon have all the roads. This is not credited, though it may be so.

There is a mysterious fascination in scenes of death and carnage. As I crossed Franklin Street, going down to the department this morning, I heard on my right the cry of “halt!” and saw a large man in citizen’s clothes running toward me pursued by a soldier–coming from the direction of Gen. Ewell’s headquarters. The man (perhaps a deserter) ran on, and the soldier took deliberate aim with his rifle, and burst a cap. I stood and watched the man, being riveted to the spot by a strange fascination, although I was nearly in a line with the pursuit. An irresistible curiosity seized me to see the immediate effects of the shot. The man turned up Ninth Street, the soldier fixing another cap as he ran, and, taking deliberate aim, the cap failed to explode the charge again. I saw several persons crossing the street beyond the flying man, who would have been greatly endangered if the rifle had been discharged. In war the destruction of human life excites no more pity than the slaughter of beeves in peace!

September 24th. This morning details were made for picket duty and working on the railroad and the telegraph lines, doing the work laboring men ought to have done. The enemy destroyed about everything connected with the railroad. I was detailed, with twenty men, to report at the station to the road-master. Our equipments were left at the station, while we loaded telegraph poles on flat cars, distributed them along the road, and helped to set them. We were obliged to throw the poles off from the slowly moving train. It was hard and very dangerous work for inexperienced men who were so near used up from hard service during the year. We were thankful when night came and we could return to our camp to rest and sleep.

Saturday, 24th–This morning found us lying at Acworth, Georgia, having arrived at about 11 o’clock in the night. There is an engine off the track about a mile east of town, and they are at work repairing the track and trying to get the engine back on. Eleven trains are waiting here, six going North and five South. We left Acworth at 2 p. m. and arrived at Big Shanty, where we again had to lie until night, waiting for the railroad to be repaired. The rebels tore up the tracks to the west of Kenesaw mountain, this afternoon. They had a small battery with them and threw some shells at the trains, but with the exception of hitting three or four cars, did no damage.

SEPTEMBER 24TH.–Raining alternate hours and warm. Had a chill this morning, and afterward several spells of blindness, from rushes of blood to the head. Came home and bathed my feet and recovered.

Another disaster but no great loss of men. Gen. Early was compelled to retreat again on Thursday, 22d inst., the enemy flanking him, and getting in his rear. He lost 12 more guns. This intensifies the chagrin and doubts prevalent in a certain class of the community. However, Lee commands in Virginia, and there may be better luck next time, which will cause everybody’s spirits to rise.

Gen. Lee writes a long letter to the Secretary of War, deprecating the usage of the port of Wilmington by the Tallahassee and other cruisers, that go out and ravage the enemy’s commerce, such as the destruction of fishing smacks, etc. Already the presence of the Tallahassee and the Edith at Wilmington has caused the loss of one of our blockade-runners, worth more than all the vessels destroyed by the Tallahassee, and the port is now guarded by such an additional number of blockaders that it is with difficulty our steamers can get in with supplies. Gen. L. suggests that Charleston or some other port be used by our cruisers; and that Wilmington be used exclusively for the importation of supplies–quartermaster’s, commissary’s ordnance, etc. Gen. L. advises that supplies enough for two or three years be brought in, so that we shall not be under apprehension of being destitute hereafter. Such were his ideas. Lieut. Wood, who commands the Tallahassie, is the President’s nephew, and gains eclat by his chivalric deeds on the ocean; but we cannot afford to lose our chances of independence to glorify the President’s nephew. Gen. Lee but reiterates what has been written on the same subject by Gen. Whiting at Wilmington.

September 24th.–These stories of our defeats in the valley fall like blows upon a dead body. Since Atlanta fell I have felt as if all were dead within me forever. Captain Ogden, of General Chesnut’s staff, dined here to-day. Had ever brigadier, with little or no brigade, so magnificent a staff? The reserves, as somebody said, have been secured only by robbing the cradle and the grave–the men too old, the boys too young. Isaac Hayne, Edward Barnwell, Bacon, Ogden, Richardson, Miles are the picked men of the agreeable world.

September 23d. Called up very early. Marching orders received. Report at Martinsburg, a distance about eighteen miles from Charlestown. The road led along the B. & O. R. R., a very rough road for marching over. We entered the town late this afternoon, making good time but very tired. The town was well deserted, having been occupied by the rebels. Our regiment, the first to enter after the enemy left. Marched through the town to the south side. Go into camp in the Faulkner’s woods, owned by Charles J. Faulkner, a leading Virginia secessionist, one who did much damage to the Union people in this part of Virginia. Faulkner and his son went south, casting their lots with the Confederacy. His wife and daughter remained at home to hold the large plantation and property. The home was a great resort, from all accounts, for Union officers, who were entertained there. Much valuable information went south from that home. So it was always reported by the Union people in Martinsburg. I put in many hours on picket duty in those woods, while stationed in Martinsburg and vicinity.

Friday, 23d.—Reported seven hundred Rebs took oath to Yanks.

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

Friday, 23d–I helped to move the field hospital into town this morning. Most of the wounded able to go, have been sent home on thirty-day furloughs, and some of the sick will also go soon. There is no news from Grant’s army. I received a letter this morning from Miss G____. I received my knapsack and equipments and bidding good-by, left for Atlanta, Georgia. There was a squad of one hundred and seventy-five of us and we started at noon, going as far as Kingston, where we lay awaiting a train from the North. We left Kingston soon after dark.