Friday, July 23, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 3, 1864

A cold, windy day, with sunshine and clouds.

It is rumored that Grant's army is in motion, and the great battle is eagerly looked for. The collision of mighty armies, upon the issue of which the fate of empire depends, is now imminent.

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

DALTON, May 2d, 1864.

 

Two scouts, who went by Outawah and Cleveland, report the enemy sending all Southern people and heavy baggage to the rear, stopping rations to the inhabitants, collecting a large supply of trains at Graysville, and bringing their cavalry from Middle Tennessee.

 

An officer just from Columbia reports 13,000 had been collected there. All scouts report Hooker's troops in position here.

 

J. E. JOHNSTON, General.


SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 197

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