Near Summerville, October 19, 1864.

Reached this place yesterday. The cavalry advance had some sharp skirmishing, and brought back some two or three prisoners. We are drawing full rations, besides preying off the country, all kinds of meat, apples, potatoes, and I believe the men find a little of everything known to be eatable. Entering houses is prohibited under penalty of death, but some scoundrels manage to pillage many houses. Foraging is also half prohibited, but I am satisfied that our general officers do not object to our taking meat, etc., if houses are not entered. Ten p.m.—Have stopped here to draw rations. The 23d and 4th Corps have already moved forward on the old Alabama road. That looks as though we were intending to follow the Rebels. We “liners” have no idea where they are. One rumor is that they are moving northwest, intending to cross the Tennessee river, south or southwest of Huntsville. Another that they are moving to their new base at or near Blue Mountain, on the road from here to Talladega, Ala. If we are going to follow them, I look for a long campaign. But for one thing, we would rather go into a campaign immediately than into camp. That is, the men have not been paid off for ten months, and many families are undoubtedly suffering in consequence. Our money is waiting for us, and we will get it whenever the Johnnies will let us stop long enough for the paymasters to catch up. Don’t you people ever think of us as being without rations. We sometimes wish the Rebels would cut our communications entirely, so that we could live wholly off the country. The Rebels only take corn and meat, and we fatten on what they are not allowed to touch.

October 19th.–Bright and beautiful.

Still all quiet below, the occasional bombarding near Petersburg being beyond our hearing.

Yesterday, Gen. Preston, a millionaire, who can stalk stiffly anywhere, had an interview with the President, who admitted that he had dictated the General Orders–” 76,” “77,” “78,”–rushing almost everybody into the army, but that it was not his meaning to take the whole business of conscription from “the Bureau.” Yet Gen. P., the superintendent, thinks the reading of the orders will admit of that construction, and he has written to the President asking another order, defining his position, etc., else his occupation is gone. The President cannot afford to lose Gen. P.

From Gen. Early’s army we learn that the detailed men and reserves are joining in great numbers, and the general asks 1000 muskets. Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, says he has but 300 available, his shops being closed, the workmen in the trenches, etc.

All the ordnance, quartermaster, and commissary stores of Hood’s army were ordered to Columbus, Ga. We expect stirring news from Georgia daily, and the opinion prevails that Sherman will “come to grief.”

The militia, furloughed by Gov. Brown so inopportunely, are returning to the front, the time having expired.

A Mr. B. is making Lincoln speeches in New York. It seems to me he had a passport from Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State.

Gen. Lee writes today that negroes taken from the enemy, penitentiary convicts, and recaptured deserters ought not to be sent by the Secretary to work on the fortifications.

Tuesday, 18th.—Passed through Broom Town; crossed the Alabama line and camped at Waterloo Springs.

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

October 18th. All quiet since the last date. Nothing special to record. Our regular routine has been going on through the days, picket and labor. When time permits we have to drill and have dress parade. Sunday morning inspection comes regular.

Tuesday, 18th–We started early this morning and reached Lafayette at 9 o’clock. We lay there for two hours when we took up our march for Summerville, Georgia, and went into bivouac within four miles of the town. The rebels are still moving to the north through the Blue mountains. We had two days’ rations left in our haversacks this morning, when we received orders from the quartermaster that they would have to run us four days, as we could not draw any before that time. No news from the Eastern army.

18th. Tuesday. All quiet. 2nd Ohio returned.

La Fayette, October 18, 1864.

Our brigade was marching through Cane Creek Valley yesterday until 4 p.m., when we struck out for this place five miles, which we made in one and one-half hours. Nice little town almost surrounded with half-mountains. There has been a pair of cavalry fights here, the fruits whereof can be seen in an addition to the cemetery, near which we are bivouacked, some 25 Rebel graves, and half as many Yankees. Divers fair creatures can be seen here, chiefly Rebels; I have thought though, to-day, much Union. We are now bound for Rome.

October 18th.–Cloudy and cool.

Quiet below, but it is rumored that the enemy has erected one or two sand batteries, mounted with 400-pounders, bearing on our fleet of gun-boats.

The following dispatch was received from Gen. Hood to-day:

“9 Miles South of Lafayette, Ga.,

“Oct. 15th, via Selma, Oct. 17th, 1864.

“Gen. Bragg.

“This army struck the communications of the enemy about a mile above Resaca on the 12th inst., completely destroying the railroad, including block-houses, from that point to within a short distance of Tunnel Hill, and about four miles of the Cleaveland Railroad, capturing Dalton and all intermediate garrisons, with their stores, arms, and equipments, and about 1000 prisoners.

“The main body of Sherman’s army seems to be moving toward Dalton.

J. B. Hood, General.”

The following was received from Gen. Lee yesterday:

“Headquarters Army Northern Virginia,
“Oct. 16th, 1864.

“Hon James A. Seddon, Secretary of War.

“On the 14th instant, Col. Moseby struck the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Duffield, and destroyed a United States mail train, consisting of a locomotive and ten cars, and securing twenty prisoners and fifteen horses.

“Among the prisoners are two paymasters, with one hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars in government funds.

“R. E. Lee.”

It is reported also that Gen. Early has gained some advantage in a battle; not authentic.

Gen. Bragg is going away, probably to Wilmington. The combination against him was too strong.

But “the Bureau of Conscription” is pretty nearly demolished under his blows. Order 81 directs the generals of Reserves to appoint inspecting officers for all the Congressional Districts, to revise all exemptions, details, etc., with plenary powers, without reference to “the Bureau.”

The passport checks on travel Northward are now the merest farce, and valuable information is daily conveyed to the enemy.

October 18th.–Ten pleasant days I owe to my sister. Kate has descended upon me unexpectedly from the mountains of Flat Rock. We are true sisters; she understands me without words, and she is the cleverest, sweetest woman I know, so graceful and gracious in manner, so good and unselfish in character, but, best of all, she is so agreeable. Any time or place would be charming with Kate for a companion. General Chesnut was in Camden; but I could not wait. I gave the beautiful bride, Mrs. Darby, a dinner, which was simply perfection. I was satisfied for once in my life with my own table, and I know pleasanter guests were never seated around any table whatsoever.

My house is always crowded. After all, what a number of pleasant people we have been thrown in with by war’s catastrophes. I call such society glorious. It is the windup, but the old life as it begins to die will die royally. General Chesnut came back disheartened. He complains that such a life as I lead gives him no time to think.

Monday, 17th.—Marched through Summerville, going to the left of Alpine. Yanks in Ship’s Gap.

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

Monday, 17th–We lay in bivouac all day, but at dark moved on about four miles and again went into bivouac. The weather has been very pleasant for some days. The muster rolls of the non-veterans of our regiment were made out today. They received their discharge papers, as their three years’ service will be up tomorrow. There are twelve from our company: Albert Allee, John L. Ayers, John Ford, George Eicher, Padenarin McCarty, Ebenezer Rankin, George Mooney, Hugh C. McBirney, Joseph McKibben, Thomas R. McConnoll, Samuel Metcalf and Albert B. Stiles.

17th. Monday. In the morning rebs attacked pickets. Captured Maj. Morey. 20 men.

October 17, 1864.

I incline to think that the raid and pursuit are both over, though we wish that Sherman would follow them until they get the punishment they deserve for their impudence. They tore up some 20 miles of railroad, killed and wounded not over 750 for us, and captured about 1,100. Their loss in wounded and killed, whom we have buried, is 1,900; prisoners, that I know of, 600; besides a lot of deserters who have come in. Eight hundred of the prisoners captured by them were negroes, who could not have been taken but for the cowardice of their Colonel, Johnson.

The tearing up of the railroad amounts to nothing. We have not had our rations cut down an ounce in anything.

The man that run that raid ought to be ashamed of himself, and I’ll venture he is.

In Snake Creek Gap, but for General Stanley’s laziness, we would have got enough prisoners to make Hood howl. He rested his corps three hours, just as he did when entrusted with a critical piece of work at Jonesboro.

We have been having a gay time this morning. It is cold enough to make us sit close to the fire, and the negroes keep us in chestnuts.

October 17th.–Bright and beautiful.

Still all quiet below, and reinforcements (details revoked) are not arriving–1000 per day.

The Northern news makes some doubt as to the result of the election in Pennsylvania.

From the Valley we have rumors of victory, etc.

A thrill of horror has been produced by a report that Gen. Butler has, for some time past, kept a number of his prisoners (Confederates) at work in his canal down the river, and supposing they were Federals, our batteries and gun-boats have been shelling our own men!

Sunday, 16th.—Crossed through Maddox Gap and marched down to Trion Factory. Received invitation to go to Mr. Job McKeehan’s and take supper; accepted the invitation, and was very nicely treated indeed. Strong Union man. Said Hood’s raid would ruin his army, and advised me to leave it. We had been wondering for several days what had become of Sherman and his army, and it was some time before we learned he had gone on to the sea.

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

Sunday, 16th–We left bivouac early this morning and marched eight miles. We passed through Gooseneck Gap, about four miles long and quite narrow. The rebels did not take time to block this gap. The Fifteenth Corps being in the advance, came upon the rebels and engaged them in some skirmishing. The rebels are still falling back to the north. We are now in a mountainous country, and thinly settled, as it is so rough and rocky. The timber here is of chestnut and all varieties of oak.

16th. Sunday. Returned to regt. Ordered to escort Sheridan to Piedmont. Remained in camp. Read some.

North end Snake Creek Gap, October 16, 1864.

After a tedious march got here at 11 p.m. The Rebels about six hours ahead of us had blockaded the road in good style. They did some half a day’s work, with hundreds of men, and delayed us about–ten minutes.

On summit of Taylor’s Ridge, Shipp’s Gap, p.m.

Our division has the advance to-day. The Rebels drove very well, until we got here, when, having a very good position, they resisted us with some vim. A few men of the 1st brigade, finally climbed the hill, flanked and routed them. Our loss, seven wounded. We got 35 prisoners and killed and wounded a dozen or so.

October 16th, Sunday.–A pleasant sunny Sabbath morn.

The quiet below continues. Not a gun has been heard for three days; the longest intermission we have had for many months. What can it mean? Sheridan has spread desolation in the Shenandoah Valley, perhaps to prevent Early from penetrating Pennsylvania, etc., intending to come with all expedition to Grant.

Troops, or rather detailed men, and late exempts, are beginning to arrive from North Carolina. I saw 250 this morning. Some of them were farmers who had complied with the terms prescribed, and a week ago thought themselves safe from the toils and dangers of war. They murmur, but there is no escape. They say the Governor has called out the militia officers, and magistrates also.

Desertion is the order of the day, on both sides. Would that the men would take matters in their own hands, and end the war, establishing our independence. Let every man in both armies desert and go home!

Some one has sent a “Circular” of the “Bureau of Conscription” to the President, dated some few weeks ago, and authorizing enrolling officers everywhere to furlough farmers and others for sixty days, to make out their claims for exemption. This the President says in his indorsement defeats his efforts to put the whole able-bodied male population in the field; and no doubt has been the source of the many abuses charged against the “bureau.” The Secretary sends the paper to the “bureau” for report, stating that he felt great surprise at the terms of the “Circular,” and had no recollection of having seen or sanctioned such a document. The Superintendent reports that it was issued by the authority of the Secretary of War, and was warranted by law–looking to the interests of agriculture, etc. The truth is that the Circular was prepared by a subordinate in the Bureau of Conscription, and signed by Col. August, “Acting Superintendent.” It was approved by Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, “by order of the Secretary of War” who never saw it. Mr. Seddon has left all the business of conscription in the hands of Judge Campbell; and poor Gen. Preston–indolent and ill–has been compelled to sign, sanction, and defend documents he knew nothing about; and Mr. Seddon is in a similar predicament.

The Secretary of War has written a long letter to Gen. Lee, suggesting that he assemble a council of officers to decide what measure shall be adopted in regard to the treatment of prisoners in the hands of the enemy. It appears that Gen. Butler has notified Gen. Lee that he is now retaliating fearfully–making them work in his canal–on certain Confederates for some alleged harsh treatment of negro prisoners in our hands–sending slaves back to their masters. Mr. Seddon, without assuming any responsibility himself, yet intimates the idea that this government is prepared to sanction the most sanguinary remedy; and I understand several members of the cabinet to have always been in favor of fighting– that is, having others fight–under the black flag. If the government had only listened to Gen. Lee’s suggestions, we should have had abundance of men in the field to beat the enemy out of Virginia. I hope the present recruiting excitement comes not too late. And I trust he will interpose so far in behalf of the country as to wrest the railroads from the hands of the speculators and the dishonest quartermasters.

Not a gun has been heard by me to-day, and the mysterious silence defies my powers of penetration. I only hope it may continue sine die.

Saturday, 15th.—Marched twenty miles to Maddox’s Gap, in Taylor’s Ridge.

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

Saturday, 15th–We left Resaca early this morning, going out after the rebels whom we found at the south entrance of Snake Creek Gap. Here we formed a line of battle and skirmishing commenced. A small force of the rebels was behind some old works which our men had built last spring while advancing on Resaca. Finally two regiments of the Third Division made a charge upon them and routed them. Our loss was about fifty killed and wounded. The rebels then fell back through the pass, blockading it for about eight miles, by felling trees across the road. Our corps did not succeed in getting through the pass until about dark, and the Fifteenth Army Corps was still in our rear.

15th. Saturday. Moved out to Brigade Hdqrs. in evening. 2nd Ohio on picket.

Resaca, October 15, 1864, 10 a.m.

We are waiting here for rations. The 4th and 14th Corps are ahead, and for the last half hour we have heard very heavy skirmishing toward “Snake Creek Gap,” just about where we heard the first fighting of the campaign, a little over five months ago. There is enough to interest me in the prospect for the next three days. Snake Creek Gap, 10 p.m. We have the whole gap.

Calhoun, Ga., October 15, 1864.

Stayed here last night. Reveille at 3 a.m., but our brigade brings up the rear of the corps to-day, and we won’t get off until after daylight.