Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: September 2, 1864

Bright, and cool, and dry.

It is reported that a battle has occurred at Atlanta; but I have seen no official confirmation of it.

It is rumored that Gen. McClellan has been nominated by the Chicago Convention for President, and Fernando Wood for Vice-President. There is some interest felt by our people in the proceedings of this convention, and there is a hope that peace candidates may be nominated and elected.

Senator Johnson (Missouri) told me to-day that he had seen Mrs. Vaughan (wife of our Gen. V.), just from the United States, where she had been two months; and she declares it as her belief that Gen. McClellan will be elected, if nominated, and that he is decidedly for peace. She says the peace party would take up arms to put an end to Lincoln's sanguinary career, but that it is thought peace can be soonest restored by the ballot-box.

The President to-day arrested the rush of staff appointments. To-day an old gentleman, after an interview with Mr. Secretary ——, said he might be a good man, an honest man; but he certainly had a “most villainous face."

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 276

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, September 1, 1864

It is quite warm. Nothing of importance.¹ The number of men in the hospitals is decreasing rapidly, for so many are going home on furloughs and no more are coming in.²

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¹ On September 1st Crocker's Iowa Brigade advanced from Jonesboro to Flint creek with the remainder of Sherman's army. The loss during the day was light. — A. G. D.

² This shows how completely in the dark our diarist-nurse was, as to what was going on around Atlanta. — Ed.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 213

General John Bell Hood to Jefferson Davis, September 13, 1864

LOVEJOY'S STATION, GA., September 13, 1864.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

In the battle of July 20 we failed on account of General Hardee. Our success on July 22 not what it should have been, owing to this officer. Our failure on August 31 I am now convinced was greatly owing to him. Please confer with Lieutenant-Generals Stewart and S. D. Lee as to operations around Atlanta. It is of the utmost importance that Hardee should be relieved at once. He commands the best troops of this army. I must have another commander. Taylor or Cheatham will answer. Hardee handed in his resignation a few days since, but withdrew it. Can General Cobb give me all the reserve regiments he has?

 J. B. HOOD.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 39, Part 2 (Serial No. 78), p. 832; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 249