Went out today and visited the pickets. Riding through the woods is fearful on both man and beast, as the gnats and mosquitoes are terrible, particularly on the horse. Firing going on all day with the rebel pickets—could see them distinctly.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 11
Was awakened this
morning at one o'clock, by a soldier in search of a surgeon. One of our pickets
had been wounded. The post was on the river bank. The sentinel saw a man
approaching on the opposite side of the river, challenged, and saw him level
his gun. Both fired. The sentinel was wounded in the leg by a small squirrel
bullet. The other man was evidently wounded, for after it became light enough
he was traced half a mile by blood on the ground, weeds, and leaves. The
surgeon is of the opinion that the ball struck his left arm. From information
obtained this morning, it is believed this man is secreted not many miles away.
A party of ten has been sent to look for him.
This is by far the
pleasantest camp we have ever had. The river runs its whole length. The
hospital and surgeons' tents are located on a very pretty little island, a
quiet, retired spot, festooned with vines, in the shadow of great trees, and
carpeted with moss soft and velvety as the best of Brussels.
SOURCE: John
Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 56-7
Last night a
sentinel on one of the picket posts halted a stump and demanded the
countersign. No response being made, he fired. The entire Fifteenth Indiana
sprang to arms; the cannoniers gathered about their guns, and a thousand eyes
peered into the darkness to get a glimpse of the approaching enemy. But the
stump, evidently intimidated by the first shot, did not advance, and so the
Hoosiers returned again to their couches, to dream, doubtless, of the subject
of a song very common now in camp,to wit:
SOURCE: John
Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 64
*General W. T.
Sherman was in command of this expedition.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 165-6
Six of Captain
Allison's Company (J. W. Kennedy, H. L. W. Turney, Jim Thomas, W. E. Rich, Tom
O'Conner and B. A. Hancock), whom we had left at home in Middle Tennessee, had
made their way out through the Federal lines, and after about thirteen days'
travel rejoined their company at Burnsville on the above date.
We were still
picketing the various roads leading out from Burnsville.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 166
It was reported that
the Federals were at Sulphur Springs, some twelve or fifteen miles from
Burnsville.
The picket on that
road was reenforced about midnight.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 166-7
Got his wagon and
hauled one load to Camp. Camp moved three miles further up the pike. I went up
Creek and got Mr. Jonichin to start with his wagon. Went on top the mountain to
get two more wagons and as I came back the Yanks ran our pickets in. I came
near being caught by them. Came back down Creek and told J. He turned back. I
and Polk then went on to Camp. After going to bed, all waked up and fell back
to the other Camp.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 9
we travield sloley
down the Chickahominy River driving in the pickets as we went
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 22
Bright and pleasant.
Stayed with my next
door neighbors at their request last night—all females. It was quiet; and so
far the United States pickets and guards have preserved perfect order.
The cheers that
greeted President Lincoln were mostly from the negroes and Federals comprising
the great mass of humanity. The white citizens felt annoyed that the city
should be held mostly by negro troops. If this measure were not unavoidable, it
was impolitic if conciliation be the purpose.
Mr. Lincoln, after
driving to the mansion lately occupied by Mr. Davis, Confederate States
President, where he rested, returned, I believe, to the fleet at Rocketts.
This morning
thousands of negroes and many white females are besieging the public officers
for provisions. I do not observe any getting them, and their faces begin to
express disappointment.
It is said all the
negro men, not entering the army, will be put to work, rebuilding bridges,
repairing railroads, etc.
I have seen a New
York Herald of the 3d, with dispatches of the 1st and 2d inst. from Mr.
Lincoln, who was at City Point during the progress of the battle. He sums up
with estimate of 12,000 prisoners captured, and 50 guns.
The rumor of a
success by Gen. Lee on Monday is still credited. Per contra, it is reported
that President Davis is not only a captive, but will soon be exhibited in
Capitol Square.
The Rev. Mr.
Dashiell, who visited us to-day, said it was reported and believed that 6000
South Carolina troops threw down their arms; and that a large number of
Mississippians deserted giving such information to the enemy as betrayed our
weak points, etc.
Three P.M. I feel
that this Diary is near its end.
The burnt district
includes all the banks, money-changers, and principal speculators and
extortioners. This seems like a decree from above!
Four P.M. The Square
is nearly vacated by the negroes. An officer told me they intended to put them
in the army in a few days, and that the Northern people did not really like
negro equality any better than we did.
Two rumors prevail:
that Lee gained a victory on Monday, and that Lee has capitulated, with 35,000
men.
The policy of the
conquerors here, I believe, is still undecided, and occupies the attention of
Mr. Lincoln and his cabinet.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 471-2
Left the Tunnel camp
and arrived at Grallatin on the same day, driving General Morgan and his forces
out of the above named town, killing one of the rebel pickets because he would
not halt when ordered by one of our number, and took possession of the town for
the night, making a march of 7 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S.
Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 19
It is said the
pickets of the Fourteenth Indiana and the enemy's cavalry came in collision
to-day, and that three of the latter were killed.
It is now 9 P. M.
Sergeants are calling the roll for the last time to-night. In half an hour taps
will be sounded and the lights extinguished in every private's tent. The first
call in the morning, reveille, is at five; breakfast call, six; surgeon's call,
seven; drill, eight; recall, eleven; dinner, twelve; drill again at four;
recall, five; guard-mounting, half-past five; first call for dress-parade, six;
second call, half-past six; tattoo at nine, and taps at half-past. So the day
goes round.
Hardee for a month
or more was a book of impenetrable mysteries. The words conveyed no idea to my
mind, and the movements described were utterly beyond my comprehension; but now
the whole thing comes almost without study.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 41
At one o'clock P. M. General Reynolds sent for Two of Colonel Wagner's companies had been surrounded, and an attack on Wagner's position expected to-night. The enemy reported three thousand strong. He desired me to send half of my regiment and two of Loomis' guns to the support of Wagner. I took six companies and started up the valley. Reached Wagner's quarters at six o'clock. Brought neither tents nor provisions, and to-night will turn in with the Indianians.
It is true that the enemy number three thousand; the main body being ten or fifteen miles away. Their pickets and ours, however, are near each other; but General Reynolds was misinformed as to two of Wagner's companies. They had not been surrounded.
To-morrow Colonel Wagner and I will make a reconnoissance, and ascertain if the rebels are ready to fight. Wagner has six hundred and fifty men fit for duty, and I have four hundred. Besides these, we have three pieces of artillery. Altogether, we expect to be able to hoe them a pretty good row, if they should advance on us. Four of the enemy were captured to-day. A company of cavalry is approaching. "Halt! who comes there?" cries the sentinel. "Lieutenant Denny, without the countersign." "All right," shouts Colonel Wagner, "let him come.” I write with at least four fleas hopping about on my legs.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 43-4
Major Wood, Fifteenth Indiana, thought he heard chopping last night, and imagined that the enemy was engaged in cutting a road to our rear.
Lieutenant Driscoll and party returned to-day. They slept on the mountains last night; were inside the enemy's picket lines; heard reveille sounded this morning, but could not obtain a view of the camp.
Have just returned from a sixteen-mile ride, visiting picket posts. The latter half of the ride was after nightfall. Found officers and men vigilant and ready to meet an attack.
Obtained some fine huckleberries and blackberries on the mountain to-day. Had a blackberry pie and pudding for dinner. Rather too much happiness for one day; but then the crust of the pudding was tolerably tough. The grass is a foot high in parts of my tent, where it has not been trodden down, and the gentle grasshopper makes music all the day, and likewise all the night.
Our fortifications are progressing slowly. If the enemy intends to attack at all, he will probably do so before they are complete; and if he does not, the fortifications will be of no use to us. But this is the philosophy of a lazy man, and very similar to that of the Irishman who did not put roof on his cabin: when it rained he could not, and in fair weather he did not need it.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 47-8
Pickets report firing, artillery and musketry, over the mountain, in the direction of Kimball.
The enemy's scouts were within three miles of our camp this afternoon, evidently looking for a path that would enable them to get to our rear. Fifty men have just been sent in pursuit; but owing to a little misunderstanding of instructions, I fear the expedition will be fruitless. Colonel Wagner neither thinks clearly nor talks with any degree of exactness. He has a loose, slip-shod, indefinite way with him, that tends to confusion and leads to misunderstandings and trouble.
I have been over the mountain on our left, hunting up the paths and familiarizing myself with the ground, so as to be ready to defeat any effort that may be made to turn our flank. Colonel Owen has been investigating the mountain on our right. The Colonel is a good thinker, an excellent conversationalist, and a very learned man.
Geology is his darling, and he keeps one eye on the enemy, and the other on the rocks.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 48-9
This is the fourth day that Captain Cunard's company has been lying in the woods, three miles from camp, guarding an important road, although a very rough and rugged one. Companies upon duty like this, remain at their posts day and night, good weather and bad, without any shelter, except that afforded by the trees, or by little booths constructed of logs and branches. From the main station, where the captain remains, sub-pickets are sent out in charge of sergeants and corporals, and these often make little houses of logs, which they cover with cedar boughs or branches of laurel, and denominate forts. In the wilderness, to-day, I stumbled upon Fort Stiner, the head-quarters of a sub-picket commanded by Corporal William Stiner, of the Third. The Corporal and such of his men as were off duty, were sitting about a fire, heating coffee and roasting slices of fat pork, preparing thus the noonday meal.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 50-1
Privates Vincent and Watson, sentinels of a sub-picket, under command of Corporal Stiner, discovered a man stealing through the woods, and halted him. He professed to be a farm hand; said his employer had a mountain farm not far away, where he pastured cattle. A two-year-old steer had strayed off, and he was looking for him. His clothes were fearfully torn by brush and briars. His hands and face were scratched by thorns. He had taken off his boots to relieve his swollen feet, and was carrying them in his hands. Imitating the language and manners of an uneducated West Virginian, he asked the sentinel if he "had seed anything of a red steer." The sentinel had not. After continuing the conversation for a time, he finally said: "Well, I must be a goin'; it is a gettin' late, and I am durned feared I won't git back to the farm afore night. Good day." "Hold on," said the sentinel; "better go and see the Captain." "O, no; don't want to trouble him; it is not likely he has seed the steer, and it's a gettin' late.” "Come right along," replied the sentinel, bringing his gun down; "the Captain will not mind being troubled; in fact, I am instructed to take such men as you to him."
Captain Cunard questioned the prisoner closely, asked whom he worked for, how much he was getting a month for his services, and, finally, pointing to the long-legged military boots which he was still holding in his hands, asked how much they cost. "Fifteen dollars," replied the prisoner." "Fifteen dollars! Is not that rather more than a farm hand who gets but twelve dollars a month can afford to pay for boots?” inquired the Captain. "Well, the fact is, boots is a gettin' high since the war, as well as every thing else." But Captain Cunard was not satisfied. The prisoner was not well up in the character he had undertaken to play, and was told that he must go to head-quarters. Finding that he was caught, he at once threw off the mask, and confessed that he was Captain J. A. De Lagniel, formerly of the regular army, but now in the Confederate service. Wounded at the battle of Rich mountain, he had been secreted at a farm-house near Beverly until able to travel, and was now trying to get around our pickets and reach the rebel army. He had been in the mountains five days and four nights. The provisions with which he started, and which consisted of a little bag of biscuit, had become moldy. He thought, from the distance traveled, that he must be beyond our lines and out of danger.
De Lagniel is an educated man, and his wife and friends believe him to have been killed at Rich mountain. He speaks in high terms of Captain Cunard, and says, when the latter began to question him, he soon found it was useless to play Major Andre, for Paulding was before him, too sharp to be deceived and too honest to be bribed. When De Lagniel was brought into camp he was wet and shivering, weak, and thoroughly broken down by starvation, cold, exposure, and fatigue. The officers supplied him with the clothing necessary to make him comfortable.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 51-3
The 28 day was clear and about a hour befour the sun set we left our camp And march all night down toward Hanover Coathouse And we past in about three hundred yards of the Yankeys pickets And then we stopt and rested about 3 hours And about 8 oclock the next day we started back and went about 5 or 6 miles and stopt for the night
SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 20
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
An officer of the
First Minnesota Regiment appeared at our quarters, communicating that rebel
pickets occupied Harrison's Island.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 31
Considerable picket
firing. Nothing important up to Monday, January 20.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 31
