We have pitched our
tents in rear of our guns and still occupy the same position. Our trap was set
for a band of guerillas who have been operating a few miles south of us. Our
cavalry—sent out to drive them in—encountered them yesterday, killed several,
took a few prisoners, and are in pursuit of the remainder. We busy ourselves by
arresting everything and everybody that comes our way. Citizens are all taken
before Acting Brigadier General Leisure, who asks them all sorts of questions,
gathering, in this way, much valuable information—administers the Oath of
Allegiance, grants protection papers, etc. Deserters are constantly coming in,
mostly from Bragg's army. I saw two North Carolinians last evening.
They say Beauregard
and Longstreet are at Chattanooga—also that the Rebels burned Charleston and
evacuated. We are kept very close, no man-not even officers' cooks-being
allowed to cross over to the city. From the best information I can get, I
conclude Bragg has sent a force to operate on Rosa's rear, threatening this
place in their course. Nine bushwhackers were brought in last night and
were taken to headquarters.
These wretches are
being hunted from their hiding places in the mountains with untiring zeal by
the Home Guards.
SOURCE: David
Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer,
1862-1865, pp. 99-100
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