Rained all night; we were ordered out at half-past four this morning, and remained under arms till the pickets were changed. We are detailed for picket to-night, so about all we intend to do to-day is to sleep.
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, p. 43
We had a regular old-fashioned rain last night for a change. At ten P.M., in the dark and storm, we started from town; marched about a mile and were posted around an old cart, a little way from the road. The company was divided, a squad taking the posts on each road, and two men sent to the rear on inside post. It was a hard night's duty, but came to an end at last, and at seven this morning we were relieved, and crawled back to town, finding our old store a palace.
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, p. 43
SIEGE AT WASHINGTON.
It has rained nearly all this week, and until yesterday we have been loafing, trying to kill time. Last night our company was on picket again up the road towards Tarboro, coming in this morning about six o'clock. They had a most miserable time. Twitchell was sent to the hospital sick. A few of us were on guard here, so escaped picket duty.
Gen. Foster arrived here this morning, and by noon Companies A and G, under command of Capt. J. M. Richardson of "A," with one howitzer, were tramping across the bridge towards New Berne on a scout. Those who could went to the water's edge to watch them. They were soon in action, meeting a force of rebels who handled them severely. Finding quite a strong force protected by breastworks, they were ordered back, to give the "Louisiana" a chance to shell the woods. Capt. Richardson of "A" was wounded twice in the left arm.
They left Sergt. Hobart, Corp. Lawrence, and John Leonard of "G," who were taken prisoners. The rebels closed on them and carried them off. Several others were struck, but none seriously hurt. About every man at the head of the column was hit. Capt. Richardson was heard to say, "It is rough to go through what I have (five or six battles) without a scratch, and get hurt in this affair."
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, p. 44
Last night about seven o'clock, as we were standing behind the breastworks looking towards the woods, we were startled by a flash, and heard a heavy report. The fort had opened fire upon the woods, the scene of our picket duty. We were immediately under arms, and after a short march were halted at the edge of the town facing the fort. Here we stacked arms and waited. It rained all the evening, and the gun-boats kept up an incessant fire over our heads. We tried to sleep, but with little success. The house immediately behind us was full, so Robbins and myself crawled underneath for shelter. We awakened to find the regiment had moved. After diligent inquiry, and some walking, we found "E" in the Academy, where we passed the rest of the night. We left our quarters about noon, and moved to the breastworks at the left of the fort, where we heard that Gen. Hill had sent in a flag to the COLONEL IN COMMAND, demanding the surrender of the town. He must have been somewhat surprised to receive a reply from GEN. FOSTER, little thinking that he is here, and has no idea of giving up, at least on the first day.
Our breastwork is about five and one-half feet high inside, one foot thick on top, and from ten to twelve feet thick at the base, with a ditch outside. In front the wood is cut away for the distance of a mile. We pitched our shelter-tents close under the breastworks, leaving room to stand between them and the works, and things began to look home-like again. How long it will last remains for the rebels to say. We have built a house for our officers, by taking a roof from a shed in town, and making it water-proof, or hoping it will be so, and banking it up with dirt. Not a very handsome edifice, but better than none.
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. 44-5
Went to Murfreesboro' on a visit from camp, as we were resting in camp on this day from the fatigue of our scout ; being two miles to town and two back again, making 4 miles. Gave up our Sibley tents and set up our dog or shelter tents for the first time, and have a fine berth. A clear day, very warm and dry, and all quiet in camp.
The following table will give you the names of the towns traveled through up to this time in the States of Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama:
|
KENTUCKY. |
TENNESSEE. |
ALABAMA. |
|
Louisville, |
Mitchelsville, |
Rogersville, |
|
Elizabethtown, |
Springhill, |
Florence, |
|
Mumfordsville, |
Nashville, |
Lawrenceburg, |
|
Woodsonville, |
Franklin, |
Mount Pleasant, |
|
Horse Cave, |
Columbia, |
Fayetteville. |
|
Cave City, |
Linnville, |
|
|
Bowling Green, |
Pulaski, |
|
|
Franklin, |
Winchester, |
|
|
Brunettstown, |
Salem, |
|
|
Fishersville, |
Jasper, |
|
|
Taylorsville, |
Chattanooga, on the line of Ga., Ala. and Tenn., |
|
|
Bloomfield, |
Watrace,* |
|
|
Chaplin, |
Altamont,* |
|
|
Maxville, |
Manchester,* |
|
|
Perryville, battle, |
Shelbyville,* |
|
|
Lebanon, |
Tullahoma,* |
|
|
Louisville, |
Smithland,* |
|
|
Nolinville, |
Nashville,* |
|
|
Lavern, |
Lavern,* |
|
|
New Albany, Ind. |
Murfreesboro', battle 30 Dec, '61 [sic] |
|
|
Louisville, |
||
|
Clarksville, |
* A counter-march into this State.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, pp. 31-2
My back is yet suffering I fear it is rheumatism Our Capt TM Fee has gone out with a squad of men on picket his first adventure here
SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 105
Steady raine from 9 Oc morning untill now 11 Oc night, I went on picket this morning & expected to remain until tomorrow morning but our Brigade got Orders to march & I was reliaved tonight I took one Rebble with his horse &c about noon & sent them in by a sargent to the Provo Marshal
SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 106
a snowey day and we
all had to go on picket down at Port Royal.
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 30
it raind all day
long and the snow nearly all melted of by nite and we still stade on picket
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 30
cloudy but no rain
and we returned to our Regiment
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 30
No. 15.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 14th of December, 1864, while lying in camp at Nashville, Tenn., on the right of Granny White pike, I received an order from Col. I. M. Kirby, commanding First Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, to be ready to move at daylight on the morning of the 15th. In accordance with said order we moved to the right to the Hardin pike, then filed to the left until we passed outside the defenses, when we were formed in rear line of brigade, on right of Hardin pike—the Thirty-eighth Illinois was on my right, the Thirty-first Indiana on my left, and the Eighty-first Indiana in my immediate front. After being formed we lay on our arms for some time, when we were moved forward to the crest of a small hill which was in our front. We lay here for near an hour, then moved to the base of the hill, and were halted in rear of a stone wall. After laying here about thirty minutes we were moved forward into a corn-field, our left resting on the Hardin pike. We lay in this position for some time, when we moved to the front about half a mile, and halted in rear of the crest of a hill near the enemy's works; here we lay about an hour, there being considerable firing from the works. About this time our front line began moving forward, and Brigadier-General Wood, commanding Fourth Army Corps, rode up and ordered us forward quickly; we advanced as rapidly as the nature of the ground (which was an open field and very muddy) would permit. The enemy about this time opened a very hot fire from his works, which were situated on the crest of a hill in our front. On arriving at the base of this hill I found a large number of men lying down. I supposed them to be the Eighty-first Indiana, who were in our front; but finding it impossible to halt at this point, I passed over them and pushed on for the works, and although we started in rear line, our color was the second on the works. That night we were sent on picket duty, and on the 16th we were again formed in rear line of brigade, and moved to the front and left, until we came near the Franklin pike, when we halted and threw up some light works. We were then moved farther to the left and halted, remaining there until the enemy's line was broken, when we started in pursuit, and moved forward until dark, when we halted. Since that time we have been with the brigade in pursuit of the enemy.
My loss during the campaign is—killed, none; wounded, 1 commissioned officer and 6 enlisted men, among whom was my color-sergeant; total, wounded, 7.
To the officers and men of this command I return my sincere thanks for their gallantry and promptness in doing their duty. It would be useless in me to designate any officer or man as doing more than another, as all did their duty truly and well.
Genl Smiths corps
commences moving at daylight; go out to see them pass; we rec orders to drill
from 10. to 11. A. M. This order is countermanded & orders to be ready to
move immediately. 5 days rations are issued to the men to be carried in the
haver sacks. The 13th Corp begin to move at 1. P. M. at 3.30 Regt falls in line
& moves out. march slow, and are to 9. P. M. getting to camp 5 miles from
Fish river station. Saw where the trees were marked where the skirmish had
occurred. I was detailed for picket as soon as I got to camp, had to go right
out. The train sticks in the mud 3 miles back & our grub did not get up,
boarded with the boys. Lt Hook Co C. detailed today as A. C. M. 3d Div. The
following promotions in co "G" are announced today. Sergt A.
Templeton to be 1st Sergt. Corp A. J. McCollum to be sergt. Privates W. H.
Downing T. J. Vineyard. H. J. Vanderwan & J. Lemons to be Corporals, Corp
W. Thomas at his own request is reduced to the ranks
SOURCE: “Diary of
John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa,
Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 580
The order to move
has been countermanded for the present, and we will be on picket duty for a few
days. I wrote you yesterday, thinking it was Tuesday, and that Mr. Robinson
would leave to day; so I will continue the account of my trip from Columbia. I
left there on the 20th in company with Decca Stark, who was about to pay a
visit to Mrs. Jennie Preston Means. I found Stark Means at the depot in
Winsboro. He is looking very well and his wounds have nearly healed. I found
all those up-country villages a great deal larger and more prosperous looking
than I expected.
When I reached
Weldon I found Troutman there as quartermaster, and spent an hour or two with
him very pleasantly, talking over old college days. He has married Miss Napier
and seems to be in good circumstances. Miss Lou Neely has married Ed. McClure.
John Neely is dead. John McLemore, Lucius Gaston and Charlie Boyd (Capt), have
all been killed in battle. The sacrifice of a nation of hired Hessians will not
atone for the loss of such men as these. I took supper with Troutman, at the
commissary's residence, and had a first-rate meal. I reached Richmond on Friday
morning about 9 o'clock, and after paying a barber $2.50 for a shave and
shampoo I took a stroll over the city; called on Mrs. Wigfall, Mrs. Chestnut,
Miss Barnwell, etc., etc., and found all at home except Miss Nannie Norton,
whom I also called to see; and I also called on Miss Mary E. Fisher. Miss
Nannie was on a visit to Raleigh.
I had a letter from
Mrs. Julia Bachman to Miss Fisher. She asked me in and gave me a drink of
water, flavored with mint, which was very acceptable. Mrs. Carter, whom I met
at Mrs. Barnwell's, seemed very glad to hear from you and asked to be
remembered to you. Mr. Barnwell was quite sick. Mrs. Chestnut invited me to
dine and Willie Preston to meet me; he is a major of artillery. Jack Preston
has married Miss Huger. I delivered Mr. Carter's letter to Mr. Winston, but he
had no time to talk to me; he has a task for each day and not a moment to
spare. I spent more of my time sightseeing, but was especially interested in
the equestrian statue of Washington, which surmounts a plain shaft of marble,
with a granite base. There are also on the same monument statues of Jefferson,
Mason and Henry. This is in Capitol Square, which is beautifully shaded. The
Square is a great resort for all classes in leisure hours. Just at this point I
was called out to our company drill, which has given me an hour and a half of
good exercise. I must write a letter to some of the folks at Austin; so will
have to curtail this. Let me repeat, you must take good care of yourself and
not trouble about me. If you cannot manage any other way you must quit thinking
of me entirely, except enough to keep from forgetting me altogether. My little
picture of you copied from one in Columbia is charming, and is a source of
great pleasure to me. Tell the servants to behave well, and to obey you, or I
will haunt them. Talk to the children about me every day and tell Stark to
say his lessons regularly.
SOURCE: John Camden
West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a
Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 65-8
I write you a few
lines by an Irishman who has just gotten a discharge from our regiment. I
merely write to take the chance of letting you know that I am well and well
satisfied. I am afraid that the Irishman will get drunk and lose this, so I
have no heart to write you as fully as I would wish, besides I have only a few
moments to write in.
We are five miles
from the rest of the brigade on picket duty at Raccoon Ford. All of our company
are doing well except Allen Killingsworth, who is sick at a private house about
five miles off. He is getting better. I have written you a great many letters,
and trust that this may reach you safely. Your daguerreotype is a great
consolation to me; I look at it every day and remember the 49th Chapter and
11th verse of Jeremiah and feel satisfied, although a letter from home would be
a great pleasure to me. I have nothing with me but the clothes on my back and a
change of underclothing. I trust that our affairs may so result at Vicksburg as
to leave the way open for you to make a visit to Columbia. I have laid out the
plan for you in three or four letters. The principal features are for you not
to go more than $500.00 in debt, and to leave the servants at home; to get a
good escort to Jackson, and as much farther as you can, and then trust to
conductors and your own good sense the rest of the way. You need not make or
send anything to me as I am unable to march with it, and will have to throw it
away. Mother gave me a nice pair of pants; they were cut out and made for
$1.50. Lamar was taken prisoner and Gillespie Thornwell killed about three
weeks ago. Lamar has been exchanged and is now with his command. Kiss the
little darlings for me. I missed the pleasure of seeing Mac in Columbia; she
had gone to Charleston. Tell the servants howdy for me, and tell them I say,
obey you. Don't forget Stark's lessons.
SOURCE: John Camden
West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a
Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 68-9
On guard. Stood
picket in a large cotton field which contains five or six hundred acres of
cotton, unpicked. I went back to the cane brake and got a fish pole. The guard
of our forage train came in contact with some cavalry in the vicinity of Old River
and routed them. In the course of the proceedings a Negro teamster hopped off
his horse, drew a revolver and shot a Reb who had just shot one of our
Captains, and took two prisoners.
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, p. 40
Rain, and nothing
but rain; only the cleanest companies relieved, and we caught it again, and
some of us are checked as extra guard. And now for the first time our regiment is
broken. Two companies, and "B," going yesterday on picket at
Batchelder's Creek, a few miles out of New Berne, towards Kinston. We have been
idle now quite a while, and think it most time to be moved. Some say we are
going as provost guard down town, but all we can do is to wait and take what
comes. Frank Learned has been appointed corporal in place of Ramsey, who joined
the band.
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. 40-1
Went on picket out
on the field where Jeff. Davis made a speech to his men, 2½ miles from
Murfreesboro' camp, making a march of 5 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S.
Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 28
Went on picket on
the Manchester pike four miles, making five days rest in camp there, and
returned the next day to camp, making a march of 8 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S.
Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 28
10 Oc I took part of
the Company & went out on Picket 1½ miles from Camp posted my Pickets &
plased my videtts, we occupied a picturesque place the ground was verry broken
deep gulshes & high knobbs, heavily timbered with Beach Oak & Poplar
tall trees in the gulches, the tops but little above the points & the
length of the tree would almost or quite reach across from point to point.
there was a perfect chattering with squerrels the videtts saw in the afternoon
1 koon several foxes & a great number of squerrels, we passed the Sabbath
watchfull & pleasantly, the pickets to our right was of the 3rd Iowa
Cavelry & the Lieut & several of the men ware from Davis Co Iowa.
Afternoon our Reg had orders & moved to the fort for its defence the Reg that
was there having gone with the fleet that leaves this day & night.
SOURCE: Edgar R.
Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2,
October 1925, p. 104
Rained moderately
untill 12 Oc night, when it commenced to pour it down in torrants &
continued incessantly all the night long At 9½ Oc morning I was required to
report with 10 men & a Corporal at head quarters for Picket duty & at
the hour we started out I stationed my pickets & placed my videtts I then
took a little exploring ramble beyont to see if I could make any discovery but discovered
no enemy & returned by the way of my post on Sunday night & found my
watch kee that I then had lost the last time I was on picket At 10 Ос night
Lieut Stanton & one of his men of the 3rd Iowa Cavelry came to apprize me
that there was a squad of rebble cavelry had aproched his videtts but their
horses had neighed & the rebbles put back my man & I was in anxious
expectation from that till day but they came not at 3 Oc afternoon I was at the
burrying of Thos W Coddington private from near Hillsborough Iowa Chaplain
Ingalls informed me that he died verry happy
SOURCE: Edgar R.
Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2,
October 1925, p. 104
