we drilled some the Capt & 1st Lieut absent the 1st Lieutenant has been sick for several days.
SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 87
we drilled some the Capt & 1st Lieut absent the 1st Lieutenant has been sick for several days.
SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 87
Was quite unwell for
a day or so. Nothing of particular interest occurred. Foraging parties were
sent out to gather all the provisions and vegetables they could, as scurvy was
making its appearance in a slight form. Visited the University of Mississippi
with Doctor Powell. Buildings were fine and well built, grounds handsome and I
saw the finest astronomical apparatus, they say, that there is in the country;
also a splendid collection of minerals purchased of a Mr. Budd in New York.
Weather beautiful.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 6
clear and very cool
And I was on gard in the day but being unwell I got excused from standing after
night
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 15
I have allowed a huge gap to occur in this Diary, for which I can offer a poor excuse. I have been sick with head-ache for about three weeks, until a few days ago, when it left me, and simultaneously with its departure disappeared also the feeling of lassitude with which I have been almost prostrated; but I again feel my usual flow of spirits and a desire to place on record the doings of the Forty-first. Since the bombardment of this place on the night of the 14th of March, our daily life has been somewhat interesting, compared with what it was before. The Yankee vessels remained below the point a week or ten days, occasionally throwing a shell into our midst, and finally disappeared entirely; but soon after our old acquaintance, the "Essex," hove in sight, evidently with the intention of paying us a protracted visit. During the last month, our regiment has been worked every day at the rate of two hundred and fifty men to the detail, and, when not on fatigue duty, we have drilled constantly. Our rations have improved greatly in quality, but not in quantity. We now draw bacon, meal, rice, sugar, molasses and peas, and fish are also very plentiful, but dear. For a while, after the poor Texas beef gave out, we drew spoilt pork, but it was preferable.
During the intervals between the appearance of the Yankee vessels, we have managed to pass off the time very well. The weather has been beautiful, and our minds have been kept about as busy as our hands, between hope and expectation—hope that we may get marching orders, while we have been anxiously expecting the re-appearance of the Yankee fleet. As yet no marching orders have come for us, but the gunboats have made their appearance above and below. The first intimation we had of their coming was from an order for the regiment to take position on the river bank, to act as sharpshooters during the engagement. The fleet above, after a stay of a few days, during which they sent up rockets and fired signal guns to the lower fleet, steamed up the river. After being gone over a week, they re-appeared a few days since. The situation now is: we are menaced above by three formidable vessels, while the fleet below is in plain view and very busy. The probability is that an attack may be made at any hour. We are ready for them.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 165-6
Roll call as usual 5½
A. M. Meeting at 10 A. M. Rather dull in [camp]. drissling rain in the
afternoon An order to leave to-morrow. Quite a No. of men have the ague. It is
getting to be quite sickly here Hospital is pretty near full of sick. Thirteen
men from Smiths Comp. from Galena came this evening and joined our Comp. 1861
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society
for the Year 1909, p. 223
On my arrival here,
I found our tents pitched on ploughed ground, in a swale. The bottoms of the
tents were very damp, and the mud in the streets over shoe-top. I at once set
to work to correct this. I had the streets all ditched on either side, the dirt
thrown into the middle, and already, instead of the mud and water streets and
tents, we have them so firm, smooth and dry that they are swept every day. I
hope by this, and by constant care in ventilating the tents, to arrest the
rapidly increasing sickness.
Having finished the
above note for the day, I have, on the point of retiring, just received an
order from Gen. King to be ready to move at a minute's notice. The enemy is
probably again threatening Washington. I must prepare.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of
Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B.
McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day
January, 1863, p. 19
It is now between
two and three months since our regiment went into camp. We have had nearly
three hundred cases of measles, with about as many of diarrhoea, dysentery and
fever. Not one quarter of the regiment but has been sick in some way, and yet
last night every man who left home with the regiment slept in camp-not one
death by sickness or accident, none left behind, not one lost by desertion! May
we not challenge the armies of the world for a parallel? We are sleeping on our
arms every night, in anticipation of an attack on Washington, and it seems to
be the general belief that we shall be attacked here. I am no military man, and
my opinion here is of no account to the world, but to me, for whose especial
benefit it is written, it is worth as much as would be the opinion of a
Napoleon. That opinion is, that we shall have no fight here—that the enemy is
out-generaling us by feints to induce us to concentrate our forces here, whilst
he makes a strike and overpowers us elsewhere.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of
Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B.
McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day
January, 1863, p. 19-20
Camp near Fredericksburg, Dec. 9th, 1862.
It has been a long time—fully five weeks since I made the last entry in this journal. The forced marches, exposure, and insufficient food of the week preceding our arrival at this place had been too much even for me. It had rained or snowed almost continuously; we were out of reach of our supply train for seven days. Food gave out, but on we pressed. When we halted on the evening of our arrival, too utterly worn out to pitch a tent, I spread my blanket on the ground, threw myself upon it and slept the sleep of exhaustion. It rained during the night, and when I awoke I found myself lying in a pool of water that half covered me. My recollection of what occurred for several successive days is very vague; I knew I was being cared for by somebody, somewhere; I had no cares, no anxious doubts or perplexing fears. If in pain, I had not sense to realize it. One morning after, I do not know how many days, I awoke to consciousness; I heard a well-remembered step tripping across the floor and stop at my bedside, a soft, cool hand was pressed upon my brow; a sweet, familiar voice whispered in my ear: "You are better, dear; you will get well now." Nay, do not smile, thou unbelieving cynic, for from that hour—yes, from that instant—I began to mend. I learned afterward that I had been very low with some form of fever; that I was not taken to the hospital because my kind friend and comrade, Orville Collier, had begged the privilege of nursing me in his own tent. I can now sit up, can walk about a little, and hope soon to be well.
SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 22
December 29th, 1862.
As I was sitting by my cosy fire last evening—for we have evenings here, long, dreary ones—thinking of past events and trying, with my weak vision, to pierce the dark future, the thought occurred to me where is all the trust and confidence with which I started out, and which cheered and sustained me until our late defeat? Have we made no advance? Surely we have made blunders, but will we not profit by them? We are learning the art of war—time is required to change a citizen into a soldier. Our officers are being weighed the light weights cast aside or relegated to their class—and the good work will go on until one is found of size and weight to cope with Lee. 'Tis said, "Great generals are born, not made;" that true greatness is also modest, and does not vaunt itself; but our President is on the lookout for him and will find him—never fear—one who has the genius to plan, the will to do, the nerve to dare. As I pondered, hope returned and all my gloomy forebodings fled away.
As I was about to retire for the night, our door was thrown open and some letters were handed in. Among them was one for me. I recognized the well-known hand—tore open the envelope, and, after perusing the welcome contents over and over again, I went to bed and dreamed of home.
Inexpressibly dear, to the soldier, are letters from home. It is interesting to stand by as the mail is being distributed, and, as the names are called, witness the animated, joyful expression that illuminates the countenance of the happy recipients, while those less favored retire to their tents disappointed and sad.
Captain Goldsmith has returned, but will not stay long, as he has sent in his resignation. The regiment is hard at work building winter quarters. Our houses are all built after the same pattern-eight feet by ten in size, five feet high-rafters one-fourth pitch, covered with tent cloth. The different companies are separated by streets one rod wide. The men do not work with very good heart, as they expect orders to leave as soon as finished. They say this has been their experience in the past.
Contrary to expectations, the health of the men does not improve with frosty nights. Diarrhea, colds and rheumatism prevail, with now and then a case of fever.
SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 24-5
Left Columbus this
morning about 4 o'clock on board the cars of the M. & O. Railroad. Men all
in good spirits. Left a number in the hospital. Was sick myself but the
prospect of getting into active duty soon cured me. Worked most of the night in
getting tents, etc. ready. Arrived at Grand Junction on Memphis &
Charleston Road on the morning of the 21st; ordered to LaGrange; arrived there
by 2 o'clock, camped at LaGrange that night. On the 22nd was ordered to Moscow,
a station twelve miles west of LaGrange. Owing to the roads being torn up we
marched there, where we arrived at noon. Soon 30,000 troops were encamped in
this vicinity and the rumors of an early advance are flying. Not yet brigaded.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 4
clear and cool And A. I.
Brincefield started home today on a sick furlough
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 15
On the 19th of June,
1861, the 5th Regiment of Wisconsin Vols., being partially organized, went into
camp at Madison, Wis. Here it remained for a time, perfecting its organization,
drilling and preparing itself for the hardships, the dangers, and the
responsibilities to be encountered in the battle-field, against a people
warlike and chivalric; a people who are taught to regard physical courage, and
recklessness of physical danger, as the noblest qualities of the human race,
and a people whose chief pride was to win in fight, whether with individuals or
in masses; but a people, who, having entrusted their politics to professed
politicians, were misled to believe that, by their brothers of the Northern
States of this Union, their rights of property were invaded, and their homes
were coveted as a prize for distribution amongst the overgrown population of
the North. But to enter into a discussion of the merits of this rebellion, now
devastating the most beautiful country known to man, carrying in its march a
passover of beggary, of destitution, and of death, is not in accordance with
the object of this little book. It is therefore passed over, that the reader
may at once be permitted to enter into a detail of the subjects indicated in
our preface.
From the time of the
commencement of the rebellion, by actual war on Fort Sumter, in April of this
year, its settlement by rapid and decisive victories over the rebels was
subject of merriment, and looked on as matter of course. We were going to war
with a people of not half our numbers, without money, without munitions of war,
without navy, without anything in fine of those elements which go to make up
the ensemble of a people powerful in war, and we were entering into the strife
as a short interlude to the hum-drum vocations of life. "How could a
people thus situated hope to compete with the parent Government, rich in every
element which makes a great people?" This was the reasoning. In vain were
our people told of the character of the Southerners. In vain were they referred
to the results of our own rebellion and successful revolutionary war with
England. "Oh!" was the reply, "Steamships were not known in
those days, and England had to cross the ocean to fight us." "But Hungary,
with its population of only 3,000,000, and without revenue, withstood the whole
power of Austria, till the hordes of Russia had to be called in to aid in their
subjugation." "But Austria had become a superannuated and feeble
people." No reasoning would answer. The subjugation of the revolted States
was to be a pastime, and could be nothing but a pastime. Thus went on matters,
drilling as an amusement, preparatory to the enjoyment of a war, all the
results of which were to be on our side, and obtained without sacrifice or suffering.
*
* * * * *
On the afternoon of
the 21st July, 1861, the electric wires brought us the intelligence from Bull
Run that our army was whipped, was routed, was scattered in flight. The heart
of the whole North received a shock of sadness and of disappointment. Soldiers
in camp began to realize that war meant work and danger, and the Regiment of
which I was a member at once received orders to be in readiness to march at the
earliest possible moment, to hurry to the aid of its companions
in arms. It was in
sad plight for the exposures of camp life. ’Twas in the heat of summer, when
fevers and diarrhoea prevail in their worst forms. The measles had broken out
in camp, and one-third of the soldiers were suffering from disease of some
kind. Nevertheless, active preparation went on, and on the fourth day after the
receipt of the sad news the Regiment was on its way to battle.
On the 27th of July
we reached Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and went into Camp Curtin. For months this
had been a rendezvous for regiment after regiment. The grounds had not been
cleaned—the weather was intensely hot, without a leaf to intercept the
scorching rays of the sun. The stench of the camp was intolerable, and the sickness
of the troops rapidly increased.1
On the 29th of July,
at night, we received orders to be ready to march at 3 o'clock next morning.
Our destination was supposed to be Harper's Ferry, where we were at once to
engage the enemy and to "wind up the war." So great was the
excitement (these things were all new then) that very few laid down for rest
during the night. At 3 A. M., of the 30th, all tents were struck and rolled up;
mess chests were packed, and everyone ready for the order to move. But sunrise came
and found us sitting on our packages. The day wore on, I think the hottest I
ever experienced. The troops remained exposed to the broiling sun till 2
o'clock P. M., when we embarked on open platform cars, without seats, and
without covering. We ran down through the city, crossed the Susquehannah
Bridge, halted, and remained sitting or standing in the sun till evening. The
heat of the day, determining the circulation to the skin, had brought out the
eruption in many cases of measles, and the poor fellows had to sit and suffer,
without a place to lie down, or even a back to lean against. At dusk we found
ourselves again under way; ran down to York, Pa., about forty miles. It had now
commenced raining, and the cars were run out from the depot, and the suffering
men who had been all day washed with their own perspiration, were compelled to
sit all night in the rain. Sick or well, 'twas all the same. None were permitted
to leave the open cars and go back into the depot. Towards morning the rain
stopped; the wind shifted suddenly to the Northwest, and it was cold as
November. After the long tedious night of suffering, the morning came, and we
ran down to Baltimore, arriving there at 8 o'clock on the morning of July 31st.
We had anticipated
trouble here. We disembarked, marched with muskets loaded, and bayonets fixed,
from north to south through the entire length of the city, without molestation,
except from the scowls of secessionists, and the welcoming hurrahs of friends.2
At the Camden Street depot we remained in the most uncomfortable condition which
it is possible to conceive till sunset, when we were ordered for the twentieth
time during the day to "fall in." We disembarked, marched about two
and a half miles, and camped on an elevated ground to the north of, and
overlooking a large part of the city and bay. The regiment did not get settled
till midnight, and many were so exhausted that they threw themselves on the
ground, with their clothes still wet from the previous night's rain. The
medical department, however, succeeded by 10 o'clock in getting up tents to
protect the sick, and they were made as comfortable as the circumstances would
permit.
Here the regiment
remained till the 8th of August, without any occurrences worthy of note, except
that sickness continued to increase, and the knowledge I gained as to how
little some military commanders cared for the comfort of their sick men. After
we had been here five or six days, the Colonel was positively ignorant of the
fact that we had a hospital on the ground, though there were three within fifty
feet of his quarters, filled to their utmost capacity with the sick and
suffering. I was now receiving but little support in my efforts for their
health and comfort.
1 I made it my business to visit every tent
twice a day, to see that they were thoroughly cleaned, and that the sides of
the tent were raised so as freely to admit a current of air. But here the air
without was so foul as to improve the condition inside but little. I will here
say, however, that the Surgeon of a Regiment who does not visit every tent in
his encampment at least once a day, to satisfy himself by personal inspection
that it is thoroughly cleaned and ventilated, and that at least once a week the
tents are all struck, and the sun admitted for several hours to the ground on
which they stand, is not deserving of the position which he holds.
2 Only two companies were armed. They were
placed one in front, the other in the rear of the Regiment, and so marched
through the city.
SOURCE: Alfred L. Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day January, 1863, p. 5-9
I was sick
yesterday. Last night took an opiate. This morning, when I awoke, I turned over
and looked upon a dirty tin cup, and a greasy tin plate, sitting on a chair
beside my bed. It required quite a rubbing of the eyes to recall my faculties,
so as to realize where, and what I was. But at last I awoke fairly to the
contrast between what I looked on, and the little waiter with its spotless
napkin, its cup of beautiful drab-colored coffee, and its nicely browned toast,
presented to me by loving ones who had sometimes watched over my restless
slumbers in sickness, and waited at early morn with these delicious antidotes
to the prostrating effects of opiates. Had there have been "music in my
soul" I should have sung, "Carry me back, oh! carry me back.” But I
arose, went to work, and am better to-night. I think, however, that it will be
some time before I hunger for another meal from a tin cup and tin plate.
Received to-day,
from Miss M. H. C., a draft on New York for fifty dollars, to be used for the
relief of the sick under my care. This is a bright spot in the darkness around
me.
“How far that little
candle throws its beams!”
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 12-13
I left the camp
to-day, and have determined to make my headquarters at Barnum's Hotel, for a
few days, till I recover some of the strength lost by my sickness and
over-exertion. My ward master, on whom I have mainly to rely for assistance as
a nurse, has been drunk every night, which has made me much extra trouble. Oh
the misery resulting from whisky!
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 13
Antietam, September 27th, 1862.
We have had one week
of rest; are encamped three miles from our last battlefields, with a prospect
of staying here several weeks. There is much sickness, but nothing of a serious
nature. As for myself, I have not seen an hour's sickness since I left
Michigan. Our camp is pleasantly situated on a high hill, and the surrounding
hills and valleys are white with tents. In the evening, when every tent is
lighted up, they present a brilliant and beautiful appearance. Several
regiments are supplied with brass bands, which delight us every evening with a
"concord of sweet sounds." Last evening the Fiftieth Pennsylvania
serenaded the "Bloody Seventeenth," as they call us.
SOURCE: David Lane, A
Soldier's Diary: The Story of a
Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 14
CAIRO, ILL. Since the last date I have been to busy to
attempt anything in the way of writing. The Board of Trade Regiment was
mustered into service as the 72d Regiment of Ill. Vol. on the 21st day of
August, 1862, Fred A. Starring as colonel, Joseph C. Wright as lieutenant
colonel, and H. W. Chester as major, the latter being captain of Co. A., to
which company I belonged as first lieutenant. I was by reason of his promotion as
major, made captain. Not being able to leave the camp my brother John and my
sister came to the camp to bid me goodbye. I had no opportunity of seeing my
friends who were kind enough to present me with a full uniform, sword, sash and
belt. There was no opportunity for speech making, but I inwardly resolved I
would not disgrace this friendship or dishonor the sword they were so kind to
present me with. Marching orders came upon us suddenly, only two days after we
were mustered in we received marching orders and on the 23rd of August embarked
on board the Illinois Central train for Cairo, which we reached on the
afternoon of the 24th. Everything is in confusion and we will from this time
commence to realize a soldier's life, try to do a soldier's duty. God alone
knows who will return, but I must not commence thinking of that, as it is a
soldier's duty to die if need be. Our regiment is composed of fine material,
five companies being composed of men raised under the auspices of the Young
Men's Christian Association together with the Board of Trade. The commanding
officers of the companies are as follows: "A"-Stockton;
"B"Curtis; "C"-James; "D"-Sexton;
"E"-Holbrook; "F"-Williams; "G"-French;
"H"-Prior; "I"-Barnes; "K"-Reid. Our Adjutant,
Bacon, is a good soldier and well liked. Starring, a fine disciplinarian;
Wright, a Christian gentleman who will make a fine soldier; Chester, who claims
Mexican War experience. Quartermaster Thomas is a hard worker and Sutler Jake
Hayward, a whole souled, clever fellow. His delicacies, such as ginger bread,
canned peaches, cheese, etc., are relished by the men who still have some money
in their pockets. This Cairo is a miserable hole, the barracks are in a
terrible state, filled with rats and mice and other creeping things. I prefer
to sleep outdoors to sleeping in my quarters. Our time is taken up with company
and regimental drill, weather very hot, no excitement except the passing
through of regiments. We were ordered here to relieve the 11th Ill.. who go to
Paducah. Men are getting sick and I am anxious for marching orders.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 1-2
For the past ten
days there was nothing of particular interest. Quite a number of men are sick.
I was in the hospital today seeing my men and while there one of Co. C men was
dying. He was delirious and wanted his gun that he might take his place in the
ranks of his company. Poor fellow, before tomorrow's sun he will be marching
with that country's host that have already gone before. Some six or eight
others have already died but none as yet from my company. We came near having a
large fire the other day, but owing to the exertion of the guard under the
command of my 1st Lieutenant Randall, it was put out. He was complimented on
dress parade for his courage. Some days we are required to go to church which
is held by the men being drawn up in a square and our Chaplain Barnes
discourses in the center. As we have a number of good singers the music goes
off very well, but there is a great deal of opposition to church on the part of
the men, some being Catholics and one a Jew. In my company are two Germans who
are atheists so there is quite a mixture. On Sunday last, sixty of the men
marched down to the church in the city and took communion. Our camp life
promises to be tedious in some respects but we are kept busy in batallion and
company drills. Colonel Starring is very proficient in the formations.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 2-3
Still in camp.
Battallion drill and guard duty the order of the day. Quite a number of men
sick in hospital. We are, as all new soldiers, anxious for active service. Men
want to be tried to see what they are made of.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 4
Cloudy, and spitting
snow.
Mr. Foote's release
from custody has been ordered by Congress. The news of the fall of Wilmington,
and the cessation of importations at that port, falls upon the ears of the
community with stunning effect.
Again we have a
rumor of the retirement of Mr. Seddon.
There are more
rumors of revolution, and even of displacement of the President by Congress,
and investiture of Gen. Lee. It is said the President has done something,
recently, which Congress will not tolerate. Idle talk!
Mr. Foote, when
arrested, was accompanied by his wife, who had a passport to Tennessee. He said
to the Provost Marshal, Doggett, Fredericksburg, that he intended to accompany
his family, passing through Washington, and to endeavor to negotiate a peace.
He deposited a resignation of his seat in Congress with a friend, which he
withdrew upon being arrested. He was arrested and detained "until further
orders," by command of the Secretary of War.
Lieut.-Gen. Hood has
been relieved, and ordered to report here. The rumor gains belief that Gen.
Breckinridge has been offered the portfolio of the War Department by the
President. This may be the act alluded to which Congress will not agree to,
perhaps, on the ground that Gen. B. remained in the United States Senate long
after secession. The general is understood to be staying at G. A. Myers's
house, which adds strength to the rumor, for Myers has a keen scent for the
sources of power and patronage.
The Surgeon-General
states that, during the years 1862 and 1863, there were 1,600,000 cases of
disease in hospitals and in the field, with only 74,000 deaths. There have been
23,000 discharges from the armies since the war began.
The Provost Marshal
at Fredericksburg telegraphs that his scouts report the enemy have arrested
Mrs. Foote, and threaten to rescue Mr. Foote. The Secretary and the President
concur in ordering his discharge. The President says that will not be
permission for him to pass our lines. He will come here, I suppose.
Mentioning to R.
Tyler the fact that many of the clerks, etc. of the War Department favored
revolution and the overthrow of the President, he replied that it was a known
fact, and that some of them would be hung soon. He feared Mr. Hunter was a
submissionist.
The Northern papers
say Mr. G. B. Lamar has applied to take the oath of allegiance, to save his and
other property.
The Examiner to-day
has another article calling for a convention to abolish the Constitution and
remove President Davis.
Mr. Seward, United
States Secretary of State, escorted Mrs. Foote to her hotel, upon her arrival
in Washington.
The following
official telegram was received at the War Department last night:
HEADQUARTERS, January 15th, 1865.
HON.
J. A. SEDDON.
Gen.
Early reports that Gen. Rosser, at the head of three hundred men, surprised and
captured the garrison at Beverly, Randolph County, on the 11th instant, killing
and wounding a considerable number and taking five hundred and eighty
prisoners. His loss slight.
R. E. LEE.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 389-90
Evening.
About six, the
Burnside came down the river with horses, hogs, chickens and prisoners. They
took Col. Bryant, just as he returned to his plantation after running his
negroes into the back country. They report great quantities of cotton and
cattle up the river, so I hope we really are to have fresh beef again.
It is nothing like
as damp and unwholesome here as in South Carolina. The same amount of exposure
there that our men have had here, would have given the hospital twenty or
thirty cases of pleurisy and pneumonia, while today, we have but a single case
of acute inflammation. There is coughing enough to keep back several rebel
regiments. I see no reason, however, why the officers should not get
intermittent fever from this handsome river, by and by. It looks as if
midsummer might load it with miasma and alligators. . . .
I am gradually
confiscating furniture for my spacious chamber in the best house of a beautiful
town, as if it were my final residence. I enjoy the long cedar closet that
opens out of my room. The fragrance is so sweet I cannot understand why moths
object to it. having a perfect bath room, without any water in it and costly gas
fixtures without any gas! The war has greatly deranged the machinery of this
town. Almost everywhere, except in this house, I have found the lead pipes cut
by the rebels and used, I suppose, for bullets. When Colonel Sanderson left
here he placed his house in charge of a Union man, saying that it would
naturally be the headquarters of any Union commander. Hence the more perfect
preservation of the property.
SOURCE: Proceedings
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume 43, October, 1909—June,
1910: February 1910. p. 375-6