All start this
morning for Camp, find the wagons close to Fairfield, the Regiment three miles
further on. I was sent after corn over the highest mountain in the country as
soon as I got in.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 9
At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 17th an order came for the pickets to fall back noiselessly to the trenches, which we did very quietly. On arriving here we found the main body of the enemy had slipped off during the night. By a rapid march we reached Brandon, on the Southern Railroad, having made fourteen miles before the heat of the day. The retreat was admirably managed throughout, and it was not until late in the day that the enemy learned that the bird had flown. At this place, the progress of the brigade was delayed some time to allow another body of troops, coming by a different road, to get in advance, and it was late in the evening before we reached a camping-place, three miles east of Brandon. On this march we suffered greatly from hunger, in consequence of not finding our wagon-train in time to save the rations from being spoilt. Corn-fields suffered that night.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 280
We marched seven miles this morning, and, while resting several hours, cleaned out a corn-field near by. Started again, and again halted to allow half of the army to pass. Soon after starting again, a heavy rain fell and continued for several hours. The road, from the continual tramping of those in advance, got in a terrible condition, and it was 9 o'clock at night before the brigade made camp, having to pass the entire army. As a consequence, fully two-thirds of the men fell by the way-side. The mud, darkness and fatigue had been too much for them, and many of them slept in the mud where they gave out. A sole roasting-ear diet was not equal to the task of the hardest march we had ever had.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 280
Made three miles yesterday, and are now encamped in a thick forest with an abundance of good spring water at hand. We are washing clothing and fixing up generally, but ready to begin the march at any moment. We draw flour every day, with bacon occasionally, and roasting-ears are to be had for the gathering.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 281
Rienzi. Spent the morning as usual in suspense of
leaving, but finally the orders came to send all the baggage train to Clear
Creek, a distance of ten miles to the west, and that we were to be stationed as
an out-post. Detailed to go a-foraging, brought in two loads of corn from the
south. The 1st Section were ordered out to the front. Had the first rain storm
in the evening, and ere the morning I had a regular old shake of the ague.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 5
Rienzi. The 3rd Section, Lieutenant Hood, went out in
front and the first fell back to its old grounds. Foraging party brought in two
loads of corn, three neat cattle, one sheep, twelve geese, seven hens, two or
three bushels of sweet potatoes.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 5
*A something
whispers to me that if this should ever be read by housekeeper, it may call up
unpleasant reminiscences of "ironing days." I hope not.
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. 37
Once more we are on
the wing. Yesterday morning we were ordered to be ready to march when called
on. Of course, the men do not expect to stay anywhere, but it always comes a
little tough to leave a pleasant camp just as they get comfortably settled. But
military orders are inexorable, and, in spite of regrets, we "struck
tents, slung knapsacks," and started on our winding way among the hills.
This part of the country is made up of ranges of high hills separated by
ravines down which the water has cut channels from ten to twenty feet deep. We
marched about three miles on the road leading to Vicksburg and halted on the
top of a high hill just large enough to hold our regiment. It was plowed last
spring and planted to cotton. Colonel Luce looked indignant, the company
officers grumbled, the men swore. General Welch regretted, but Major General
Parks ordered the left to rest here, and it rested. But Colonel Luce could
still do something. Ordering us in line, he said: "Men, you need not pitch
your tents in line in this open field; go where you can make yourselves most
comfortable, only be on hand when the bugle sounds." Three cheers and a
tiger for Colonel Luce. then a wild break for trees, brush; anything to shelter
us from the fierce rays of a Southern sun. We are now nine miles from Vicksburg
by the road, six miles in a direct line. We can distinctly hear musketry at
that place, which has been kept up almost incessantly the last three days. At
intervals the cannonading is terrific. Our Orderly Sergeant rode over there
yesterday, to see his brother. He says Grant's rifle pits are not more than
twenty-five rods from the Rebels, and woe to the man on either side who exposes
himself to the marksmanship of the other. As near as I can learn, matters
remain about as they were three weeks ago. Unless General Grant succeeds in
mining some of their works, thus affecting an entrance, he will be compelled to
starve them out.
We would think, in
Michigan, such land as this utterly unfit for cultivation. But the highest
hills are cultivated and planted with corn or cotton. Corn, even on the highest
hills, I have never seen excelled in growth of stalk. One would naturally
suppose that in this hilly country water of good quality would abound. Such is
not the fact. Soon as we broke ranks I started out in quest of water. I
followed a ravine about half a mile, then crossed over to another, but found
none. Blackberries being plentiful, I filled my cap and returned to camp. Some
of the boys had been more successful, and after resting a few minutes I took
another direction, for water we must have. This time I followed a ridge about
half a mile, then began to descend—down, down, I went, seemingly into the very
bowels of the earth, and when I reached the bottom found a stagnant pool of
warm, muddy water. Making a virtue of necessity, I filled my canteen, returned
to camp, made some coffee, ate my berries, with a very little hardtack, and
went to bed to dream of "limpid streams and babbling brooks."
This morning my
comrade and I arose with the early dawn and started out in search of berries,
which we found in great abundance.
A strange stillness
pervades our hitherto noisy and tumultous camp. The men are scattered in every
direction, lounging listlessly in the shade, not caring even to play cards, so
oppressive is the heat. I am sitting in the shade of a mulberry tree, Collier
lying on the ground near by; we alternately write or lounge as the mood takes
us. Most assuredly I never felt the heat in Michigan as I feel it here. Yet men
can work in this climate, and northern men, too. The Eighth and Twentieth have
been throwing up fortifications for several days.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 56-8
Left Cowen’s Station
and marched over the Cumberland Mountains to Cumberland Gap or Sweden Valley.
Came upon a camp of General Adams’ rebel cavalry, seven-thousand in number, who
stood us a fight, being the second engagement that we were personally engaged
in. Three fires from our batteries put them to flight; and in following up
their retreat we lost two men out of Colonel Haggerty’s regiment of Kentucky
Cavalry. Our Forces captured a first-rate cooked dinner, just ready to be sit
down to eat; and corn, leather and ammunition of all kinds, haversacks made out
of every sort of material, women’s carpet-sacks and clothes, even down to
babies’ frocks, that these scoundrels had stolen from the Union families of the
valley they had passed through—all of which fell into our hands and those
hellish fiends had to flee from to save capturing of themselves and their whole
army, losing many of their men killed and wounded by our forces, and a number
of prisoners falling into our hands. After dinner we encamped for the night on
their camp or battleground, making a march of 15 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S.
Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 14-5
Reached Buckhannon at 5 P. M., and encamped beside the Fourth Ohio, in a meadow, one mile from town. The country through which we marched is exceedingly hilly; or, perhaps, I might say mountainous. The scenery is delightful. The road for miles is cut around great hills, and is just wide enough for a wagon. A step to the left would send one tumbling a hundred or two hundred feet below, and to the right the hills rise hundreds of feet above. The hills, half way to their summits, are covered with corn, wheat, or grass, while further up the forest is as dense as it could well have been a hundred years ago.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 13
Magruder arrived at
Bethel Church a few hours since, and right glad were we to see him, for “Old
Mac," as we call him, has our fullest confidence. Sent my
"detachment," mounted, with a guard of cavalry to New Market Bridge
to reconnoitre. Results: procured two cart loads of corn, one spade and two
shovels, shot at one of our own videttes, but didn't hit him, as he ran too
fast. We could have been easily cut off had the Yankees possessed any daring.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 101
VIRGINIA GIRLS OF SWEET SIXTEEN DID NOT LOVE
US.
Weather hot; two
more trains of Rebel wounded pass. Report that General Wadsworth and others of
our valuable generals are killed. At 2 p. m. our train moves for Lynchburg. It
is composed of horse and cattle cars all crowded. Charlotteville is beautifully
located in a fertile valley. About one mile west is the University of Virginia,
founded by Thomas Jefferson. In the vicinity of this edifice were about
twenty-five girls. Observing us, they waved their hands in greeting; we waved.
We were going slowly; they ran across the green toward Discovering their
mistake they bounded up and down and cried "You damned Yankees!"
Screaming contemptuously they went back as fast as they came. Procuring a Rebel
flag they flirted it at us.
Sweet Virginia maids,
You love the soil where born;
But you bear a flag that fades;
Yet I forgive your scorn.
You know not what you do,
Nor do I court debate;
I'll fling a kiss to you,
As you bestow your hate.
I wish I had a flower;
I'd toss it on the lea.
It might perfume this hour
You sour so on me!
Indeed, I love you, quite
You so much remind
Of Northern girls as bright,
Sweet girls I left behind.
Your scorn is hot and keen
As Yankee girls, I trow;
Though you are sweet sixteen,
Still sweeter girls I know!
But when this war is o'er
And purged your blood, that's bad
The Union we'll restore
And you'll not be so mad.
Yes, when this war is over
And the Union is restored,
You may want a Yankee lover,
And not try to feel so bored.
Coquette with old Secech!
Indeed,, it seems quite sad
That such could make a mash
On girls and be their fad!
Some brutal nigger-driver,
Who glories in his lash,
Some slavery conniver
Might favor such a mash.
But your dear Alma Mater
Is Jefferson's own school;
He was a slavery hater;
T. J. - he was no fool!
Haughty maids, good-day-
When shall we meet again?
You don't seem to like my way,
Mad maids of Old Virgin.
A woman passing,
said: "It is hard times; the people had not reckoned on the possibility of
failure; for myself I did not deem it possible that all their lofty
expectations would be realized."
SOURCE: John Worrell
Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville
and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, p. 41-2
After the fall of Fort McAllister, we obtain some supplies, but for the seventy thousand hungry soldiers they soon run out. For the last week the troops have been subsisting upon corn and rice, the rice being obtained from the shocks in the swamps, and hulled out by the soldiers. Everything in the country for fifty miles around has been foraged. The army is still investing Savannah—the siege still going on. It will be over soon however, as a great battle will be fought where Count Pulaski's Monument stands; for Sherman's army is now in a good condition to sweep Savannah from the earth. The next forty-eight hours will tell the tale.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 286
The Winona boys
lying around with one blanket white with frost. Very fine morning. Marched 19
miles to Orino and put up for the night. Very kindly treated, poor woman, corn
and potatoes. A good stockade around the church. Many unused to walking are
complaining of sore feet.
SOURCE: Lewis C.
Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4
The gun-boats
and steamers are still below the bend, where they have been since Monday. They
come up every day and throw shells at our batteries, but seldom elicit a
response. Yesterday our guns were engaged about an hour in shelling the Yanks
on the opposite side of the river, and their aim was so accurate that one shot
cut one of the enemy in two. Several other shots were very accurate. The
enemy's fleet is busy all the time, and it is thought that they are landing a
force on the west bank, but for what purpose, I am unable to say, as the whole
country is overflowed, and unless the water falls it will be impossible for
them to plant batteries, or any thing else, on that side. Yesterday four boats
came down from Red river laden with corn, bacon, etc., which relieves us of the
fears we were beginning to entertain on account of the scarcity of provisions.
It is said we have enough to last through a long siege. No news of the two
vessels which passed our batteries on Sunday night. They have passed above the
mouth of Red river.
SOURCE: Edwin
L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army
of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 127
Clear and frosty.
We learn vaguely
that the attack on the defenses of Wilmington has been progressing since
Friday, and that the enemy's land forces have effected a lodgment between Fort
Fisher and the town.
Another
"peace" visitor has arrived—Hon. Mr. Singleton, of the United States
Congress. It is said that the President (Confederate States) has pledged
himself to appoint commissioners to fix terms of peace. This is but a
forlorn-hope. No terms of peace are contemplated by any of these visitors but
on the basis of reconstruction; and their utmost liberality could reach no
further than a permission for the Southern States to decide, in convention, the
question of emancipation. The President having suggested, however, the
propriety of putting the negroes into the service, and emancipating them
afterward, has aroused the fears and suspicions of many of the people; and but
few have confidence in the integrity of the Secretary of State. Hence the
universal gloom and despondency of the croakers. There may be difficulty in
replenishing the Federal armies, and they may be depleted by spring; and if so,
Gen. Lee may be able to make another grand campaign with the men and material
now at his command. The issue of the next campaign may inaugurate real
negotiations. Wilmington may be taken, blockade-running may cease; but we have
ammunition and other stores for another campaign.
At last we have a
dispatch from Gen. Lee, announcing the fall of Fort Fisher. Most of the garrison,
supposed to be 1500, were taken.
Gold was $70 for $1
on Saturday: what will it be to-day or tomorrow?
A voluminous
correspondence is going on between Mr. Conrad (secret agent to arrest disloyal
men endeavoring to cross the Potomac) and Mr. Secretary Seddon. Mr. Foote,
arrested by their great skill, has applied, indignantly, for a writ of habeas
corpus. Thus the time of our great dignitaries is consumed removing molehills,
while mountains are looming up everywhere.
The following
dispatch was received here at 11 A.M. to-day from Gen. Bragg's A. D. C.:
"January
15th, 1865.—Official information from Gen. Whiting, at Fort Fisher, up to 8
o'clock this evening, reports enemy's attack on fort unsuccessful. Fresh troops
are being sent to him."
This does not agree
with the dispatch from Gen. Lee. It must have been taken last night, and after
the hour indicated. Gen. Lee certainly says it has fallen. It is gone, and I
fear the "reinforcements" also—with Gen. Whiting "to boot."
Alas for Bragg the
unfortunate! He seems to be another BOABDIL the Unlucky.
Dr. Woodbridge
announced in the Monumental Church, yesterday, that only five ladies had
responded to the call to knit socks for the soldiers! A rich congregation, too.
My daughters (poor) were among the five, and handed him several pairs. They
sent one pair to their cousin S. Custis, Clingman's brigade, Hoke's North
Carolina division.
Mr. Lewis,
disbursing clerk of Post-Office Department, has sent in a communication asking
an investigation of the conduct of Mr. Peck, agent to buy supplies for clerks.
What will Mr. Seddon do now?
The
Commissary-General says 100,000 bushels corn for Lee's army may be got in
Southwest Virginia.
Bright, clear, and
cold.
It is said the
government depot at Charlotte, N. C., has been burned (accidentally), consuming
a large amount of corn.
We have nothing
further of the movement of Grant's troops. We have Hood's acknowledgment of
defeat, and loss of 50 guns before Nashville.
The papers contain
the proceedings of a meeting in Savannah, over which the Mayor presided,
embracing the terms of submission offered in President Lincoln's message. They
have sent North for provisions—indicating that the city was in a famishing
condition. Our government is to blame for this! The proceedings will be used as
a "form," probably, by other cities—thanks to the press!
The Examiner is out
this morning for a convention of all the (Confederate) States, and denouncing
the President. I presume the object is to put Lee at the head of military
affairs.
The rumor of the
death of Gen. Price is not confirmed. Gen. Pemberton has been relieved here and
sent elsewhere. The Piedmont Railroad has been impressed. A secret act of
Congress authorizes it.
Miers W. Fisher
writes that if the cabinet indorses the newspaper suggestions of giving up
slavery and going under true monarchies, it is an invitation to refugees like
himself to return to their homes, and probably some of the States will elect to
return to the Union for the sake of being under a republican government, etc.
He says it is understood that the Assistant Secretary often answers letters
unseen by the Secretary; and if so, he can expect no answer from Mr. S., but
will put the proper construction on his silence, etc.
Flour is $700 per
barrel to-day; meal, $80 per bushel; coal and wood, $100 per load. Does the
government (alone to blame) mean to allow the rich speculators, the
quartermasters, etc. to starve honest men into the Union?
Rained hard all
night. House leaking badly! We have nothing new in the papers this morning. It
is said with more confidence, however, that Butler's canal is not yet a
success. Daily and nightly our cannon play upon the works, and the deep sounds
in this moist weather are distinctly heard in the city.
The amount of
requisition for the War Department for 1865 is $670,000,000, and a deficiency
of $400,000,000!
Mr. Hunter had his
accustomed interview with Judge Campbell this morning in quest of news, and
relating to his horoscope. His face is not plump and round yet.
A Mr. Lehman, a
burly Jew, about thirty-five years old, got a passport to-day on the
recommendation of the Secretary of the Treasury, to arrange (as agent, no
doubt) for the shipment of several thousand bales of cotton, for which sterling
funds are to be paid. No doubt it is important to keep the government cotton
out of the hands of the enemy; and this operation seems to indicate that some
fear of its loss exists.
Some 40,000 bushels
of corn, etc. were consumed at Charlotte, N.C., the other day. A heavy loss!
Both the army and the people will feel it.
There seems already
to exist the preliminary symptoms of panic and anarchy in the government. All
the dignitaries wear gloomy faces; and this is a gloomy day—raining
incessantly. A blue day—a miserable day!
The city council put
up the price of gas yesterday to $50 per 1000 feet.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 381-2
Six companies of the Seventh, and six companies of the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, under the command of Colonel Rowett, leave Rome on a scout. We march about nine miles out on the Kingston road and go into camp for the night. Hogs, chickens, roasting-ears and fruit abound in abundance. We live high to-night. After all is quiet in camp, scouts are sent out to see if they cannot discover something hostile said to be threatening these parts.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 249
The cars ran off the
track below Gordonsville yesterday, consequently we have no mail to-day. You do
not know how anxious I am to hear from you. Your letters relieve the distress
of my mind like a soothing balm placed upon a painful wound. I am sure I could
forget the loss of our dearest earthly object much sooner if I could only be
with you; but time will blunt the keenest thorns of anguish. I shall walk over
and see your brother this evening if he does not come to see me before then. He
was quite well when I last saw him, and had been busy repairing the roads.
The weather remains
intensely cold, but the wind has abated somewhat to-day. I think yesterday was
the coldest day I ever experienced, and it was made worse by the strong biting
wind which blew incessantly. It is most severe on the wagoners and others who
are out and exposed so much. When I saw the First South Carolina Regiment
starting off on picket yesterday morning in the bitter cold I felt for them, but
they seemed full of the life and vigor which the troops of Lee's army always
display under the most trying circumstances.
I gave my old black
coat to my brother. It fits him well and he is very much pleased with it. He
has been keeping a chicken and it is now nearly grown, so we intend to have a
big dinner soon, and will make a pot of dumplings and also have stewed corn and
Irish potatoes.
I have been living
in the same tent with Dr. Tyler. We slept together and were very comfortable,
but I got a tent for myself yesterday and will have a chimney built to it and
be ready to move in by the time he gets back. He and I are good friends and
always get along very agreeably together, but he is too fond of drinking and
gambling to suit me.
News is very scarce
here now, and it would be difficult for me to write you a longer letter.
SOURCE: Dr. Spencer
G. Welch, A Confederate Surgeon's Letters to His Wife, p. 84-6
