Yesterday afternoon, at 6 o'clock, we received orders to leave Richmond for Petersburg, but owing to some delay, did not leave until after 10 at night. Reached Petersburg this morning a little after sunrise; our encampment is about one mile from the city.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126
Left Petersburg last evening with a force of some 1,000 or 1,200 men, on a scouting expedition into Prince George county, where the Federals have been committing some depredations. We were on the road all night, and are now some eight miles from Prince George Courthouse, and but a short distance from the James River. The object of this expedition is to learn whether or not McClellan has moved all of his forces from the neighborhood of Harrison's Landing, and to fire upon his transports, should they be in the river.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126
Returned to Petersburg on the 18th, after a fruitless expedition. As we ran afoul of the Yankee gun-boats, we had to retire without being able to make many observations of much value.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126
Left Sandy Cross for
Suffolk, and arrived here about sundown. Our forces expect to evacuate Norfolk
in a few days, and I presume we will fall back towards Petersburg.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 114
Passed through
Southampton and camped near the Sussex line—nice bacon, and plenty of it at
twenty cents per pound—Confederate money. We are marching slowly, and will
reach Petersburg to-morrow night.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 115-6
Reached Petersburg
yesterday. The people of Southampton and Sussex showed us every attention in
their power—may they be rewarded for their many acts of kindness done to our
wearied troops. To-day is set apart by our President as a day of "fasting,
humiliation and prayer"—prayer for our struggling Confederacy—prayer for
success. And whilst we are
seated around our
soldiers' home there comes wafted on the soft spring breezes chime notes from
the steeple of St. Paul's, musically swelling forth Jehovah's praise, and
seeming to bid us be of good cheer.
Ah! bells, ring out
glad notes now, ere long you will toll for sons who will come back to you never
again!
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 116
Yesterday we received orders to move this morning at daylight. We will join the right section of our battery, from which we have been separated for six months, and march to King's Mill Wharf, on the James River, there take the steamer to City Point; from that place going through Petersburg to Suffolk by rail. We are now attached to the brigade of Brigadier-General George W. Randolph, our former Captain, who has just been promoted.
After a march of six miles we joined our right section, and at 3 o'clock reached King's Mill Wharf. A twenty-mile march through mud and mire is no easy undertaking, and then to camp on a barren bluff minus every comfort is enough to try the patience of Job. No water, no wood in two miles of us, and the cold wind holding a jubilee over our comfortless situation. Our force numbers about five thousand. This will be a large force to take from Magruder, but a fight is early expected at Suffolk, whilst everything seems quiet on the Peninsula.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 111
Contrary to my expectations, we embarked at midnight on the steamer "William Allison," taking our guns and men, sending our horses by land route to Suffolk. We reached City Point about daybreak, and were as hungry as wolves. Not seeing any provision made for breaking our fast at City Point, I straggled out into the country and soon was making myself at home at a neighboring farm-house, where I succeeded in getting a comfortable meal. At 12 o'clock we left City Point for Petersburg, and as we passed the farm houses on the road side, we were continually greeted by loud cheers from the inhabitants.
We reached Petersburg in a short time, and some of our boys (myself included) remained there all night; our brigade going on to Suffolk.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 112
Left Petersburg this morning for Suffolk. Was quite ill on the train, and when I reached Suffolk, had to take my bed. Heard to-day of the actions of the Merrimac—all honor to the noble Buchanan, for he has added new glories to the Southern cause.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 112
Frost last night.
Cloudy, cold, and windy to-day. Suffered much yesterday and last night with
disordered bowels—from cold. This, however, may relieve me of the distressing
cough I have had for months.
After all, I fear
Lee's attempt on the enemy's lines yesterday was a failure. We were compelled
to relinquish the fort or battery we had taken, with all the guns we had
captured. Our men were exposed to an enfilading fire, not being supported by
the divisions intended to co-operate in the movement. The 600 prisoners were
completely surprised—their pickets supposing our troops to be merely deserters.
This indicates an awful state of things, the enemy being convinced that we are
beaten, demoralized, etc.
There was a
communication for the Secretary this morning, from "headquarters;"
but being marked "confidential," I did not open it, but sent it to
Gen. Breckinridge.
Pickett's division
has been marching for Petersburg all the morning.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 459
Raining; rained all
night. My health improving, but prudence requires me to still keep within the
house.
The reports of
terrific fighting near Peterburg on Wednesday evening have not been confirmed.
Although Gen. Lee's dispatch shows they were not quite without foundation, I
have no doubt there was a false alarm on both sides, and a large amount of
ammunition vainly expended.
HEADQUARTERS, March 30th, 1865.
GEN.
J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR.
Gen.
Gordon reports that the enemy, at 11 A.M. yesterday, advanced against a part of
his lines, defended by Brig.-Gen. Lewis, but was repulsed.
The
fire of artillery and mortars continued for several hours with considerable
activity.
No
damage on our lines reported.
R. E. LEE.
We are sinking our
gun-boats at Chaffin's Bluff, to obstruct the passage of the enemy's fleet,
expected soon to advance.
Congress passed two
acts, and proper ones, to which the Executive has yet paid no attention
whatever, viz.: the abolition of the Bureau of Conscription, and of all Provost
Marshals, their guards, etc. not attached to armies in the field. If the new
Secretary has consented to be burdened with the responsibility of this
contumacy and violation of the Constitution, it will break his back, and ruin
our already desperate cause.
Four P.M.—Since
writing the above, I learn that an order has been published abolishing the
"Bureau of Conscription."
Gov. Vance has
written to know why the government wants the track of the North Carolina
Railroad altered to the width of those in Virginia, and has been answered: 1st,
to facilitate the transportation of supplies to Gen. Lee's army from North
Carolina; and 2d, in the event of disaster, to enable the government to run all
the locomotives, cars, etc. of the Virginia roads into North Carolina.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 463
On the 20th, prior
to leaving Morrisville, Colonel Rowett, who was wounded at Allatoona, returns
to the regiment. Never was a colonel's return to his regiment more welcome than
was Colonel Rowett, and as we approach him and take him by the hand we remember
Allatoona—remember how he fought there—remember how he fell! how he bled! how
he cheered his men on to victory. He now assumes command of his old 3d Brigade,
4th Division, 15th A. C. We remain quietly in camp on Crab Creek until the
29th, when Sherman's army break up their camp around Raleigh and take up the
line of march for Washington City. The Seventh being now mounted with the
exception of three new companies, we lead the advance of the 15th Corps. We
arrive at Petersburg on the 6th of May. Things around here tell very plainly
that war's mad machine has been at work here, leaving marks that will be seen a
century hence. We remain at Petersburg until the 9th, when we move towards
Richmond. We go into camp for the night near Fort Darling on the James river.
SOURCE: abstracted
from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, p. 307-8
Cloudy and cool; rained all night. No news from the South, this morning. But there is an ugly rumor that Beauregard's men have deserted to a frightful extent, and that the general himself is afflicted with disease of mind, etc.
Mr. Hunter is now reproached by the slave-owners, whom he thought to please, for defeating the Negro bill. They say his vote will make Virginia a free State, inasmuch as Gen. Lee must evacuate it for the want of negro troops.
There is much alarm on the streets. Orders have been given to prepare all the tobacco and cotton, which cannot be removed immediately, for destruction by fire. And it is generally believed that Lieut.-Gen. A. P. Hill's corps has marched away to North Carolina. This would leave some 25,000 men to defend Richmond and Petersburg, against, probably, 60,000.
If Richmond be evacuated, most of the population will remain, not knowing whither to go.
The new Secretary of War was at work quite early this morning. The "Bureau of Conscription" and the Provost Marshal's office are still "operating," notwithstanding Congress has abolished them both.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 434
PETERSBURG,
December 10, 1864—11 o'clock.
Hampton, after
driving enemy's cavalry upon his infantry, on afternoon of 8th recrossed the
Nottoway and reached Belfield at daylight yesterday. In the afternoon enemy
attacked the position, but were successfully resisted. This morning enemy is
reported retiring and Hampton following. The bridge over the Meherrin was
saved. Our loss, as far as known, small. The garrison, under Garnett, and the
reserves behaved well.
SOURCE: The
War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 42, Part 1 (Serial No. 87), p. 855
Rained hard in the
night; clear and pleasant in the morning.
A letter from John
T. Bourne, St. Georges, Bermuda, says he has some 1800 barrels government
gunpowder under his care, of which he desires to be relieved.
Gen. Lee sent to the
Secretary the following dispatch this morning:
2d
and 5th corps, Gregg's division of [enemy's] cavalry, are moving South, on
Jerusalem Plank Road. Cavalry reached Sussex Court House at 7 P.M. yesterday.
Hill and Hampton [Confederate States generals] are following. Appearances
indicate they are moving against Weldon, where I am concentrating all the depot
guards I can.
R. E. LEE, General.
PETERSBURG,
Dec. 8th, 1864
There are rumors of
the enemy having effected a lodgment on the south side of the river, between
Howell and Drewry's Bluff. This may be serious. I do not learn (yet) that the
Dutch Gap Canal is finished; but the enemy landed from barges in the fog. Gen.
Lee, some weeks ago, designated such a movement and lodgment as important and
embarrassing, probably involving the holding of Petersburg.
Nothing from Bragg.
One of Gen. Early's
divisions is passing through the city toward Petersburg.
I have not written to you for several days because I knew a letter could not go South from here. In the recent raids by the Yankees they cut both the Weldon and Danville railroads. I do not know that the way is open yet, but I will write anyway.
We remained at Petersburg just two weeks and then came back here last Saturday night to relieve two brigades of Heath's Division which were here on picket duty. We had a very pleasant time while in Petersburg. I succeeded in getting plenty of vegetables to eat. The Yankees are shelling the city, but the shells do very little harm and have killed but few. The people are not at all frightened by them. I would often see young ladies sitting on their porches reading quietly while shells were occasionally bursting near by.
As soon as communication is established between Weldon and Petersburg I hope we can get our box from home. I suppose Edwin is still about Petersburg, improving the entrenchments. It now looks as if our army will have to lie in line of battle all summer to keep the Yankees back. Poor devils! How they do long for Richmond! Our minds are prepared to endure anything rather than submit to them, and the nearer they get to us the more determined we are not to yield. In the interior where there is no danger nearly everybody is whipped, and they should be ashamed of themselves.
I am of course anxious to see you, but it is impossible for me to get off now. In fact, nothing could tempt me at this time to abandon the army. However, I hope it will not be long before we can be together, and remain so.
It seems that you have not received the bundles I sent to you. I sent some gunpowder home recently, and you should get some of it for your brother Jimmie, if he wants it. You express some apprehension that I shall not be able to get home this fall. I will try very soon to get off, but if I am disappointed you can come on here. I believe our brigade will remain about Petersburg this winter, and if we do I shall make some arrangements for you to be with me. Those of us here who have no children have planned to have our wives come out here and be with us this winter. The greatest difficulty in a man's keeping his wife here is in finding enough for her to eat, but we intend to have supplies sent to us from home. You must begin to make arrangements to come and be ready between the 15th of November and Christmas, if I do not get home before that time myself.
Last Thursday afternoon we received orders to be in readiness to move to the north side of the James River, and at about nine o'clock that night we started. We traveled until about two hours before day, and were nearly to Drury's Bluff when we were ordered back because the Yankees were making a demonstration on our right. That afternoon (Friday) our brigade and Lane's North Carolina had a considerable fight on the right. We drove them nearly two miles to their breastworks. It was a nice victory for us and our loss was small. The Fifteenth Regiment lost eight killed on the field and had about twenty wounded. I have never before known so large a proportion to be killed. Spencer Caldwell was killed. Colonel Bookter of the Twelfth Regiment and three officers of the Thirteenth were killed—none that you know. Billie was in it, but was not hurt. His company had one killed and but one wounded. Lang Ruff's boys were both in it, but were not hurt. I saw them all this morning and everybody was in fine spirits.
Our cavalry had a fight yesterday afternoon on the extreme right, and it is reported that General Dunnovant was killed. We are expecting the Yankees to attack us again. Grant is evidently doing his best for Lincoln's election. He must have been heavily reinforced. I hope to hear good news from Forrest. If Sherman is forced away from Atlanta and we can hold Richmond this winter, I believe we shall have peace.
We need ten or fifteen thousand more men here, and we could easily get them if the able-bodied exempts would come on here, but they seem to have become hardened to their disgrace. If the South is ever overcome, the contemptible shirkers will be responsible for it. They should have seen our poor fellows Thursday night coming in wounded and bleeding and shivering with cold; but these very men who suffer and have often suffered in this way are the last ones to say surrender.
I received your letter on Thursday, but have not been able to answer it until now. The weather is beautiful this afternoon, but it has been wet and was very disagreeable the day we had the fight.
I have not received a letter from you for several days, as there seems to be something wrong with the mails again.
Grant has come to a dead halt before Petersburg and Richmond. It is believed that the next fight will take place across on the north side of the James River. The Richmond papers state that there is encouraging news from Georgia, but they will not tell us what it is, because they say they do not want Grant to find out about it. Hood may have Sherman in a tight place.
About twelve thousand men from Richmond have been sent into the trenches at the front. Many of them were in the Government service and many others were gentlemen of leisure. The authorities sent everybody. The police would capture men in all parts of the city and send them under guard to some point to be organized and put under the command of officers who happened to be in Richmond from the army. A man told me these officers were seized in the same way on the streets, and that the authorities would even send out and capture a colonel and put him in command of the whole battalion. A medical officer would sometimes be seized. He would plead that he was due at his command and that he was a noncombatant, but they would tell him he was the very man they needed to attend to the wounded. It delights soldiers to hear of these things. It does them good all over. The soldiers are accustomed to these sudden dashes at the front, but the miserable skulkers almost die of fright.
We are building chimneys and fixing up things in our camp as if we are to remain here. If I were sure of it, I would have you come out and stay with me awhile. It is useless for me to try to get off now while we are so tightly pressed I saw Billie this morning. I carried a haversack full of biscuits and ham to him. I will have ham, light bread and coffee for breakfast in the morning. I have been living well this year.
We have a new chaplain in our brigade named Dixon. I heard him preach yesterday, and he does very well. If Congress would pass a conscript law bringing the preachers into the army we could have chaplains. They have acted worse in this war than any other class of men.
We are having rain to-night and I am very glad to see it, for the weather was dry and the roads were dusty.
I suppose you have heard how we whipped the Yankees on both this side and the north side of the James River. The killed and wounded fell into our hands here at Petersburg, and we have been attending to their wounded all day to-day. Our loss was very small. Wilcox's Division was occupying a part of our line that was not assaulted, and therefore it was not engaged. We now have strong hopes of being able to hold Petersburg and Richmond.
This war can never end until the fanatics, both North and South, are gotten rid of. They are influenced solely by their blind, senseless passions, and reason never enters their heads. It is always such discontented, worthless wretches who bring about revolutions. The North is still infested with such characters, and the South is not far behind. If we could get those hot-headed fools in South Carolina who composed that meeting at Columbia recently and put them in the army and get them all killed off, it would be much better for us. What a pity we cannot have them killed, but they cannot be made to fight. I do not believe that Boyce will fight a duel with such a man as Tradewell, for he must have more sense than to do that.
My box is not here yet. I will continue to keep on the lookout for it until it arrives. My dinner will soon be ready and I think it will be fine, for I shall have white cabbage, bacon, potatoes and biscuit.
As soon as I can I will send you one hundred and fifty dollars to pay your expenses in coming out. The Government owes me about five hundred dollars, which I hope to be able soon to collect. If you can come by the first of December you can remain at least three months, and I may be able to go back with you in March.
