Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, April 16, 1863

When we arrived at the breastworks, this morning, we found "E" had been at work again. Strangers were at our old bomb-proof, and we had to hunt round some, but at last found the company had been assigned quarters in a good looking two-story house, close to Grist's mansion, owned by a Mr. Parmelee (probably no connection of the baker at the South End). Our things were in a decidedly second-hand condition; in a pile under the front stairs. But we find our quarters so much better than those we had at the breastworks, that we do not complain. The house is badly shattered by shot and shell, one having traversed the building from corner to corner, tearing floors and plastering to pieces. To get these quarters we had to promise to be up, and at the breastworks in three minutes. We took the chances, and promised, of course.

While we were on picket last night we heard noises, which were unaccountable, and reported them, on which a few shells were thrown into the swamp. At four o'clock this morning we heard the rebel drum beat for roll-call; at five o'clock the bugle call for advance; so we suppose the rebels have started. They came near to the creek, but it was so dark we could not make out much. We saw a man on a white horse at the picket post, as a lantern was in a position to throw a strong light on him. To-day Company I's picket advanced to the old earthworks, where Hobart, Leonard and Lawrence were taken, and found everybody gone from that side of the river. This forenoon, three companies, “C,” "D" and "I" moved down the river to Hill's Point, which they are to occupy for the present. The following is the last order from Gen. Foster previous to his departure for New Berne:

HEAD-QUARTERS, WASHINGTON, N. C., April 14th, 1863.

 

The commanding general annou[n]ces to the garrison of this town that he is about to leave for a brief time the gallant soldiers and sailors of the garrison.

 

Brig. Gen. Potter will remain in command, and in him the commanding general has the most perfect confidence as a brave and able soldier.

 

The naval command remains unchanged; therefore that arm of the defence will be as effective and efficient as heretofore. The commanding general leaves temporarily and for the purpose of putting himself at the head of a relieving force, and, having raised the siege, expects soon to return. But, before leaving, he must express to the soldiers under his command, the 27th and 44th Mass. Vols., parts of the 5th New York Battery and 3d New York Cavalry, the 1st North Carolina Vols., his thanks for, and admiration of, their untiring zeal, noble emulation and excellent courage, which has distinguished them during the siege of this port; and he feels confident that the display of those qualities under Gen. Potter will hold the place until the siege is raised.

 

(Signed)

JOHN G. FOSTER.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, pp. 49-50

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, March 29, 1863

We had a lively time last night. A storm of rain and wind began about 10 o'clock in the evening and kept up until about 12, when the wind increased and the rain ceased. Out tent bent and reeled like a willow. I got up to dress before she went over, but had just got my legs into my trousers when down she came full tilt. I finally extricated myself, seized my knapsack and started for dry ground, got into the commissary and spread down, when to cap the climax the levee broke through and the water came rushing in upon us. The drums beat, the boys fell in, and we had a general move up the levee. Most all of the tents blew down and some of them were whipped nearly to pieces. In the meantime Captain Bush had his Negro brigade out, filled them up with whisky, and ordered them into the water waist deep. By dint of perseverance and hard work they succeeded in stopping the break. I took up some boards and passed the remainder of the night beside the cotton pile. This morning the effects of the storm were everywhere present. One of the boats was blown up on the beach, the smoke stacks of two others were blown away, and shanties everywhere were blown down and torn to pieces. It continued cold and windy all day. Charlie Berry came back last night. This afternoon Gen. Smith's (John E.) division came down and anchored here for the night. In the afternoon some of the boys of the 14th made a break on the sutler's stock. It was no more than done when the 17th and 95th Ill., 1st Kan., and 16th Wis. came rolling over the levee. Canned fruit, boxes of boots, shoes, oysters, oranges, lemons, bales of shirts, pants, socks, drawers, barrels of soda crackers and sugar, boxes of raisins, and in fact everything which the large stock could contain. He had just got in a new assignment, valued at somewhere near $10,000. The poor old fellow ran around wringing his hands and wishing he had staid in "Chicago." The guard arrived just as they had him completely cleaned out. I can say that my hands are clear of such wholesale robbery. At 9 o'clock roll call the companies had orders to deliver up the contraband articles in their possession.

SOURCE: Seth James Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells, Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, pp. 49-50

Diary of Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones, Sunday, December 21, 1862

Oxford. Reveille earlier than usual; orders to hold in readiness to march, such orders being anticipated. 7 A. M. the whole Division took up the line of march back toward Oxford. Hitched up. The caisson fell in the train, but the pieces with the 59th Indiana, Colonel Alexander, were left for a rear guard. The Division passed by 9 A. M. but as the train could not take all of the commissary stores and cotton at headquarters, we had to lay there all day hitched up, waiting for the trains to return from Oxford. They arrived at 4 P. M., loaded, and started back as soon as possible. We were ordered to hitch up, as we could hear the drums beat for roll call on the right of us; supposed to be Logan's Division. We fell in rear of 59th about 8 P. M., leaving the place all quiet, the Rebs making slight demonstrations upon the infantry during the day notwithstanding. Pushed silently along towards Oxford, proceeded toward our old camping ground. Brought into line by Lieutenant Clark on the right of the road in the flat. Captain Dillon went up to the old camp. The caisson drivers being already on the start, after pitching their tents and again striking, we passed up the hill again, on the top of which, countermanded again, unhitched and left the horses at the bottom. Laid down at 1 Α. Μ.

SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 20

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 6, 1863

Our Major was grand officer of the day which makes him for this 24 hours next highest in Command to Genl Gorman who is commander of the post TM Fee is officer of the day for the Reg. I drilled the Company fore & afternoon & took them on Dress perade. at 11 Oc last night the long roll beat & some 2 Reg of Inft & 2 or 3 parts of Regments, Cavelry went out in anticipation of an attack on the pickets, but there was no attack.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 103

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, Thursday, January 1, 1863

Bright and clear, warm and pleasant. How well do I remember two short years ago today when we took a sleigh ride and made a regular family visit at Uncle Tim's. Since then I have traveled over four thousand miles, five hundred and eighty of which I marched with gun on my shoulder; have seen more vice and drunkenness than I ever supposed existed, yet I hope I am morally no worse than when surrounded by kind relatives and friends. An orderly call beat immediately after reveille this morning at which time we received orders to cook our rations and be ready by half past seven. We cooked our fresh pork and by the appointed time had it in our haversacks, and our knapsacks strapped on our backs, ready for the march. We went eight miles and camped close to a small town called Lafayette, situated on the Memphis and Charleston R. R. As soon as we had pitched our tents, Chas. Berry and myself went out one mile from camp and killed a hog. We are now the first regiment of the first brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General McArthur, of Gen. Hamilton's corps, of the left wing of Gen. Grant's army. We were put in the rear of the brigade today as a special guard to keep up the stragglers.

SOURCE: Seth James Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells, Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, pp. 24-5

Private Daniel L. Ambrose: July 3, 1861

An alarm to-night; "long roll" beaten; the men formed in line; no ammunition; considerable confusion; three rounds issued to the men while in line; false alarm, caused by the firing of the pickets.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 9

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: November 11, 1861

We are now fairly settled in camp life. Several other regiments from Massachusetts and other states are now with us, and drills, inspections and reviews are the order of the day. One can scarcely get time to wash his face, and take, as Gen. Scott said, a hasty plate of soup, before the drum calls to some kind of duty.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 11