About 14
miles to-day. About a dozen swamps, as many showers, three hard rains, and an
awfully rough march. The men waded, I should think altogether, one-half mile of
water from ankle to waist deep. They went through every swamp yelling like
Indians. Rained all yesterday and last night. I saw peach and thorn blossoms,
some wintergreen and arbor vitae growing wild. Two days like this would
demoralize a citizen much. We drew three days' hard bread to-day to last five.
In the 26 preceding our division drew besides sugar and coffee, only two and
one-half days' of hard bread. Very poor country to-day. The boats brought us
some late papers.
The latest
account of Sheridan capturing Early. Don't believe it. Saw Herald's account
of the inauguration. The writer should be shot. Of half a dozen boats that come
to Fayetteville, only two brought cargoes, and both of them oats. Ridiculous,
40,000 pair of shoes would have been sensible. Many of the men are barefoot.
Sherman and Hampton are having a spicy correspondence on murdering foragers.
Think Hampton is a little ahead at this date. Have only seen the first letter
on each side. There is talk of a fight at Goldsboro. I do hope this army will
get two weeks in camp before it battles. It is a little too loose now for
heavy, steady work. General Wood says that Sheridan with four divisions of
cavalry is coming through to join us.
SOURCE:
Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 362-3
No comments:
Post a Comment