Saturday, 5th–We left our fires early this morning and marching toward Marietta, went into bivouac for the remainder of the day and night within five miles of the town. Captain Anderson of Company A, Eleventh Iowa, arrived from Iowa this evening with one hundred and fifty conscripts for our regiment to serve one year. They are a fine lot of men to be conscripts; however, only half of them were drafted, the others being substitutes, each receiving from $150 to $800.

November 5th.–Clear and cold.

Grant has attempted nothing this week, and it is probably too late for any demonstration to affect the election. I infer that the government is convinced President Lincoln will be re-elected, else some desperate effort would have been made in his behalf by his generals. Will he float on a sea of blood another four years? I doubt it. One side or the other must, I think, give up the contest. He can afford to break with the Abolitionists now. We cannot submit without the loss of everything.

It is thought Grant will continue to “swing to the left,” making a winter campaign on the coasts of North and South Carolina–mean time leaving Butler’s army here, always menacing Richmond.

Gen. Beauregard writes from Gadsden, Ala., October 24th, that his headquarters will be at Tuscumbia, Ala.; will get supplies from Corinth to Tuscumbia. Forrest has been ordered to report to Gen. Hood, in Middle Tennessee. The railroad iron between Corinth and Memphis will be taken to supply wants elsewhere. Gen. Dick Taylor is to guard communications, etc., has directed Gen. Cheatham to issue an address to the people of Tennessee, saying his and Gen. Forrest’s command have entered the State for its redemption, etc., and calling upon the people to aid in destroying the enemy’s communications, while the main army is between Atlanta and Chattanooga, when the purpose is to precipitate the whole army upon it, etc. Gen. B. doubts not he will soon be able to announce good tidings, etc. etc. This letter to Gen. Cooper is “submitted to the Secretary of War,” by whom it is “submitted for the information of the President,” and sent back by him–”Read and returned, 4th Nov. ’64.–J. D.”

Gen. B. was to leave that day to join Gen. Hood, in vicinity of Guntersville, on Tennessee River. Sherman’s army was between Dalton and Gadsden, 15 miles from Gadsden.

5th. Saturday. In camp all day. Straightened Q. M. accounts and turned over property to Lt. Dutton.

Friday, 4th.—Four or five Yankees floated down river last night, and undertook to cut pontoon loose, but were captured before doing any damage. Remained about Florence until 21st, having some little skirmishing, digging ditches here and there, and marching hither and thither.

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

Powder Springs, November 4, 1864, 6 p.m.

Cold rain to-day. Made 15 miles. Country only fit for (?) Come through a long line of fine works the Rebels put up after they took up our railroad at Acworth. This about the last day of pork and potatoes; to-morrow will bring us to a country we have worn out.

Friday, 4th–Left Dallas this morning, marched ten miles, and went into camp near Lost mountain. I went out with a foraging party from our regiment. We brought in five head of cattle and seven hogs, and also some cane molasses and corn meal. We also searched for cabbage, but the negroes did not know what we meant; they said that they had never seen any such thing growing. We found very few citizens at home, mostly poor families at that; but the men were away in the rebel army.

November 4th.–Rained all night; glimpses of the sun between the running clouds this morning. Windy, and likely to be cold.

Our iron-clad “Albemarle” was blown up by a handful of the enemy at Plymouth–surprising the water pickets (all asleep). The manner of the loss of the town, and of the counties east of it, is not known yet; but everything was foretold by Mr. Burgyson to the cabinet, then devoting their attention to the problem how to violate the Constitution, and put into the trenches some fifty delicate clerks, that their places might be filled by some of their own special favorites. Mr. George Davis, Attorney-General, the instrument selected to rend the Constitution, or rather to remove the obstacles out of the way, is from North Carolina; and this blow has fallen upon his own State!

We learn that gold is rising rapidly in the North, which may be significant of President Lincoln’s re-election next week.

We get no news from our armies except through the Northern papers–not reliable just now.

Gov. Allen, of Louisiana, writes a furious letter to the Secretary of War, who ordered the disbandment of the State Battalion. He says the order is a personal offense to him and an insult to his State (he is a native Virginian), and he will resent it and resist it to the last extremity. He gives notice that the 3d battalion has been ordered back from the east side of the Mississippi River. The battalion disbanded numbered but 150 men! A little business–like losing one-fourth of North Carolina, to put out of office fifty clerks, whose tenure, by the Constitution, is for life!

4th. Friday. Went out with forage detail over in Little North Valley.

Five miles northwest of Villa Rica, Ga.,
November 3, 1864, 6 p.m.

Forty-eight hours’ rain without a stop and a good prospect for as much more. We left Van Wirt and Dallas to the left, and by 16 miles hard marching have got near enough over this barren ridge, I think, to find a few marks of civilization. Rumor says we are going to Atlanta to relieve the 20th Corps, and will then be paid. Passed to-day a one-horse wagon, a large ox in the shafts and four women in the wagon dressed for a party.

Thursday, 3d–Still raining. Our march today covered sixteen miles and the troops are very much fatigued. We camped for the night in Dallas, Georgia, one division, the Fourth, going into vacant houses and buildings in the town. The citizens all left the place upon our approach. There had been a cotton mill here, but it was closed down last summer when the Yankees were besieging Atlanta.

November 3d.–Cold rain; rained all night.

Gen. Lee, urging that his regiments from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, etc. etc. be recruited from their respective States, concludes a recent letter thus: “I hope immediate action will be taken upon this subject, as I think our success depends much upon a speedy increase of our armies in every possible way.”

This dismal weather casts a deeper gloom upon the spirits of the croakers. They fear Richmond cannot be long defended.

Plymouth, N. C., has been retaken by the enemy.

During this damp weather the deep and sullen sounds of cannon can be heard at all hours, day and night. The firing is mostly from our iron-clads.

The market was well supplied this morning with abundance of good meat, vegetables, fruit, etc.; and I was glad to see but few making purchases. The reason may have been that the extortionate prices repelled the people; or it may have been the rain. I passed on.

3rd. Thursday. A rainy day. Read and wrote on papers. Was at Brig. Hdqrs.

November 3rd, 1864.—We have grown so expert in sewing and knitting and materials are getting so scarce that we have gone into a new business. The Bradford neighborhood has inaugurated a Toy Shop. At Uncle Tom’s there are ten children, four of Cousin Mary’s and six of Cousin Tom’s; at Cousin William’s there are two; at Dr. Holland’s, little George is to be looked after and Sister Mag has two, so we are making toys and it taxes the inventive powers to the utmost.

We have made rag dolls of all sizes. Some are dressed as babies, some are nurses, some are dressed in Confederate uniforms and some are fine ladies in hoop-skirts. We have made many kinds of animals of scraps of dark goods and a mock snow man of ginned cotton but Cousin Sallie has surpassed all the workers in the neighborhood by making a rooster a foot high, of watermelon seed. The natural color of the seed lent themselves beautifully to the breast and sides and she stained some of the seed to give the needed touch of red and to furnish the black tail which all common fowls seem to possess. It is such a success we are all envious.

We have a maker of books also and our Christmas tree will surprise the children who have been told that Santa Claus cannot run the blockade. We, ourselves, have gotten a lot of pleasure out of these preparations and I am sure the soldiers in camp will read with interest of these efforts to make their little ones happy. Of course we only work at this when other duties have been disposed of but we have several weeks still ahead of us and much more can be accomplished; we keep thinking of other children who must not be forgotten.

Susan Bradford is 18 years old when this entry was made.

Van Wirt, Ga., November 2, 1864.

It has rained steadily all day. Moved 12 miles. I have an excellent pair of shoes. A good deal of water got into them to-day, but it all ran out. Camp to-night on a high pine ridge. Pine knot fires come in first rate. That 40th boy that was wounded last night was captured with three more of our men by 30 Rebels and taken eight or ten miles, then formed in line and ordered to about face and fired upon; two fell dead and the other two ran away.

Wednesday, 2d–We started early this morning and after marching fifteen miles went into bivouac near Van Wert, Georgia. It rained all day, and the roads became so slippery that it made hard marching. Some of the men gave out and had to be hauled.

November 2d, 1864.

This morning we heard Jimmy is engaged to Helen Trenholm, daughter of the Secretary of the Confederate States. He wrote asking Brother’s consent, saying they had been engaged since August, though he had had no opportunity of writing until that day – the middle of September. I cried myself blind. It seems that our last one is gone. But this is the first selfish burst of feeling. Later I shall come to my senses and love my sister that is to be. But my darling! my darling! O Jimmy! How can I give you up? You have been so close to me since Harry died!

Alone now; best so.

November 2d.–Dark and dismal.

The Governor continues his exemptions, now amounting to thousands. S. Basset French (State agent to buy and sell supplies to the people), with one or more clerks, and such laborers, etc. as may be necessary, I find among his last exemptions. A smart and corrupt agent could make a fortune out of these exemptions. Of course, the Governor’s A. D. C. will do no such thing.

No news from below.

Rev. John Clark writes from Stafford County that the conscripts there have hid themselves in White Oak Swamp, because the Secretary of War has exempted an able-bodied man to work for Mrs. ––, his –– widow.

Gen. Winder, with the prisoners in the South, is in hot water again. He wants to make Cashmyer suttler (like ancient Pistol), and Major ––, the Secretary’s agent, opposes it, on the ground that he is a “Plug Ugly rogue and cut-throat.”

Mr. George Davis, Attorney-General Confederate States, has given it as his opinion that although certain civil officers of the government were exempted from military service by the Constitution, yet a recent act of Congress, decreeing that all residents between the ages of 17 and 50 are in the military service, must be executed. In other words, the cabinet ministers must “see that the laws be faithfully executed,” even should they be clearly and expressly unconstitutional. Is not the Constitution the law? Have they not sworn to support it, etc.? It seems to me that this is a weak opinion.

It makes the President ABSOLUTE. I fear this government in future times will be denounced as a Cabal of bandits and outlaws, making and executing the most despotic decrees. This decision will look bad in history, and will do no good at present. How could the President “approve” such a law?

The desertions from the Tredegar Battalion and other workshops–local defense–amount to between one and two hundred since the 1st of September.

2nd. Wednesday. All quiet. Relieved in P. M. Raw cold day. Dreamed of F. last night. Grief of soul.

Wednesday, November 2d.—Crossed Tennessee River on pontoon.

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

November.–They are holding Union Revival Services in town now. One evangelist from out of town said he would call personally at the homes and ask if all were Christians. Anna told Grandmother if he came here she should tell him about her. Grandmother said we must each give an account for ourselves. Anna said she should tell him about her little Grandmother anyway. We saw him coming up the walk about 11 A.m. and Anna went to the door and asked him in. They sat down in the parlor and he remarked about the pleasant weather and Canandaigua such a beautiful town and the people so cultured. She said yes, she found the town every way desirable and the people pleasant, though she had heard it remarked that strangers found it hard to get acquainted and that you had to have a residence above the R. R. track and give a satisfactory answer as to who your Grandfather was, before admittance was granted to the best society. He said he had been kindly received everywhere. She said “everybody likes ministers.” (He was quite handsome and young.) He asked her how long she had lived here and she told him nearly all of her brief existence! She said if he had asked her how old she was she would have told him she was so young that Will Adams last May was appointed her guardian. He asked how many there were in the family and she said her Grandmother, her sister and herself. He said, “They are Christians, I suppose.” “Yes,” she said, “my sister is a S. S. teacher and my Grandmother was born a Christian, about 80 years ago.” “Indeed,” he said. ” I would like to see her.” Anna said she would have to be excused as she seldom saw company. When he arose to go he said, “My dear young lady, I trust that you are a Christian.” “Mercy yes,” she said, “years ago.” He said he was very glad and hoped she would let her light shine. She said that was what she always tried to do and bade him good morning. She told Grandmother she presumed he would say “he had not found so great faith, no not in Israel.”

We have Teachers’ meetings now and Mrs George Wilson leads and instructs us on the Sunday School lesson for the following Sunday. We met at Mrs Worthington’s this evening. I think Mrs Wilson knows Barnes notes and the Westminster Catechism and the Bible from beginning to end.

Tuesday, 1st–We started early this morning and marched through to Cedartown and went into bivouac for the night. I was taken sick this morning and had to ride all day in the ambulance. This was my first experience in the ambulance.

November 1st. On duty at the camp. Waiting for the election to take place. I was one of the three corporals in charge of the main gate. The grounds and barracks are surrounded by a high board fence. A number of recruits are here, waiting to be sent to the different regiments.

November 1st.–Bright and frosty morning.

All quiet. No confirmation of Early’s defeat; and the nightfeat of Mahone puts the people in better hope.

One-third of all our lead comes from the mines near Wytheville, Virginia.

I got 128 pounds of flour from the investment in supplies in North Carolina, and one-fourth of that amount is still behind. We got 26 pounds of bacon, worth $260; the flour received, and to be received, 160 pounds, $320; and we expect to get 6 gallons molasses, $30 per gallon, $180: total, $760; and only $200 invested. This shows the profits of the speculators!

Gov. Yates, of Illinois, has declared Richmond will be in the hands of the Federals before the 8th of November. This is the 1st. It may be so; but I doubt it. It cannot be so without the effusion of an ocean of blood!

I learned to-day that every tree on Gov. Wise’s farm of any size has been felled by the enemy. What harm have the poor trees done the enemy? I love trees, anywhere.

The President attends to many little matters, such as solicitations for passports to leave the country, details or exemptions of husbands and sons; and generally the ladies who address him, knowing his religious bias, frame their phraseology accordingly, and often with effect.

The following is his last proclamation:

Proclamation appointing a Day for Public Worship.

“It is meet that the people of the Confederate States should, from time to time, assemble to acknowledge their dependence on Almighty God, to render devout thanks for his manifold blessings, to worship his holy name, to bend in prayer at his footstool, and to accept, with reverent submission, the chastening of his all-wise and all-merciful Providence.

“Let us, then, in temples and in fields, unite our voices in recognizing, with adoring gratitude, the manifestations of his protecting care in the many signal victories with which our arms have been crowned; in the fruitfulness with which our land has been blessed, and in the unimpaired energy and fortitude with which he has inspired our hearts and strengthened our arms in resistance to the iniquitous designs of our enemies.

“And let us not forget that, while graciously vouchsafing to us his protection, our sins have merited and received grievous chastisement; that many of our best and bravest have fallen in battle; that many others are still held in foreign prisons; that large districts of our country have been devastated with savage ferocity, the peaceful homes destroyed, and helpless women and children driven away in destitution; and that with fiendish malignity the passions of a servile race have been excited by our foes into the commission of atrocities from which death is a welcome escape.

“Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, do issue this my proclamation, setting apart Wednesday, the sixteenth day of November next, as a day to be specially devoted to the worship of Almighty God; and I do invite and invoke all the people of these Confederate States to assemble on the day aforesaid, in their respective places of public worship, there to unite in prayer to our heavenly Father, that he bestow his favor upon us; that he extend over us the protection of his Almighty arm; that he sanctify his chastisement to our improvement, so that we may turn away from evil paths and walk righteously in his sight; that he restore peace to our beloved country, healing its bleeding wounds, and securing to us the continued enjoyment of our right of self-government and independence; and that he graciously hearken to us, while we ascribe to him the power and glory of our deliverance.

“Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at Richmond, this 26th day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight.hundred and sixty-four.

“Jefferson Davis.“

By the President:

“J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State.”

The President gets but few letters from members of Congress.

1st. Went on picket in P. M. Board of survey in A. M. Beautiful day. Busy on returns.