And the 27 day it rained till about 10 oclock and then cleard off And about 3 oclock in the eavning the fight comenced down about Hanover Coathouse we surposed but we was not cauld out And I was promoted today to fourth Corporel
SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 20
A splendidly
beautiful day. I hear that the 2d Div is ordered down the river. Wm S.
McCullough tells us he is mustered as 2d Lt.
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. 571
Sergt. Follet got
his commission as junior first lieutenant.
SOURCE: John Lord
Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second
Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light
Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 270
At four o'clock this
morning "all was wrong." We were aroused from the most miserable
attempt at sleep our boys ever dreamed of trying. It was a mercy to awaken us;
only we were so stiff, sore, cold, and hungry, that it was most impossible to
get up at all. We were covered with dirt and frost. Our guns were in fearful
condition, and we were ordered to clean them and be ready for the road in half
an hour. That was good; no chance to eat anything or clean up ourselves; but
such is the luck of war. At six A.M. we started on our second day's tramp. Had
you asked any of the company, they would have said, "We have been tramping
a week." Our colonel gave us a good word this morning, in passing, saying
we had done well. We are satisfied; for although "Rawle's Mill" was
not an extensive affair, but very few men being engaged, it was an ugly
encounter for raw material, fired upon, as we were, while up to our waists in
water; the unknown force of the enemy, apparently on top of the hill, under
cover, and having a perfect knowledge of the "lay of the land.”
After a steady march
of about twelve miles, we entered Williamston, where we halted, broke ranks,
and had a picked-up dinner, and made ourselves comfortable for two hours or so.
Williamston is a pretty little town on the Roanoke. We foraged considerably;
most every man having something. The gunboats here effected a junction with us,
bringing extra rations, &c.
We visited the
wounded, calling on Charley Roberts, who was hit last night. He looks pretty
white, but is doing well, and will probably be sent to New Berne on one of the
boats. A few of us found a piano in one of the houses, and after moving it to
the piazza, Ned Ramsay played, and we sang home tunes for a while, having a
large audience on the lawn. Soon after the officers broke up our fun, by Fall
in E," and as that was what we came for, we "fell in," and
recommenced our walk at three P.M., marching about five miles, when we pitched
camp for the night. Parsons has been made sergeant for his coolness and bravery
in taking prisoners.
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. 19
Pleasant Valley, October 17th, 1862.
Being in a wakeful mood, I will try and compose my mind by writing a few lines in my diary, for we have become great friends—yes, confidantes—and tonight I need a confidante. Did I ever tell you, my silent friend, of my Northern home; of wife and children, loving and beloved? Then listen, while I whisper in your ear the sacred secret. I have a wife and four small children far off in Michigan. I love them with all the intensity and devotion of my nature. The thought of them is ever uppermost in my mind. In the daily, monotonous rounds of duty; in the long, dreary evenings, when folly reigns; in the stillness of the night; on the rugged, toilsome march, or in the tumult of battle, thoughts of the dear ones at home are ever present, inspiring me with hope, encouraging me to duty, a shield against temptation, a beacon light, shining out upon the stormy sea of strife on which my frail bark is launched, enabling me, thus far, to shun the rocks and quicksands that surround me.
Our regiment returned today from Frederic, where it has been guarding the railroad. We hear that General Wilcox, Colonel Fenton and Colonel Withington are to be promoted. We are heartily glad their eminent services are about to be rewarded by the Government. They are men of marked ability, and have well earned their honors. Although it will take from us our gallant Colonel, there is some compensation even in that. It will leave the regiment in command of Lieutenant Colonel Luce, who is beloved by all our men. We have heard heavy cannonading all day, but have not learned the result. It is rumored that we will move in a day or two-perhaps tomorrow. Where we go, even rumor sayeth not. Our men say it does not matter where, so they take us where work is to be done. Two men deserted from Co. G yesterday and two today. This splendid regiment that left Detroit two months ago nearly one thousand strong, mustered today, at inspection, two hundred and fifty-six men fit for duty. There are more sick than well, the result of insufficient supplies, and brutal, needless exposure of the men by officers high in rank.
The weather is delightful—cold and frosty nights, with warm sunshiny days and pure, fresh, mountain breezes that should strengthen and invigorate, and yet, of all who came from Blackman and Sandstone, I alone am well.
SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 19-20
very
cool And Lieutenant Lea was promoted to Captian And Sergeant Olover promoted to
Second Lieutenant to day And Nat Hester promoted to fourth Corporal
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 14
In the evening, some of the
Thirty-fourth New York Regiment crossed the river, had a skirmish with the
rebels, and returned with the loss of four men. Capt. Reynolds being promoted
to Major, left the battery. So did Lieut. Albert Munroe, promoted to Captain.
Lieut. Tompkins, also promoted, took command of our battery.
SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary
of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 20-1
Squads of cavalry and
infantry visible on the Virginia shore. Great changes took place during this
period. Orderly J. H. Newton being promoted to Lieutenant, took command of the
left section. Sergeants Owen and Randolph, after having been promoted to
Lieutenants, left the battery, and were transferred to other Rhode Island
batteries. The State having organized a regiment of light artillery, on the
thirteenth of August, we were no longer called the Second Battery, but Battery
A.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 21
This morning the command moves by day-light. The Seventh is ordered to
bring the extreme rear from the Chattahoochee to where Companies H and K are
now ordered to assist the pioneers in taking up the pontoons, after which we
move on and join the division at Atlanta, where we find it halted for dinner.
Here we receive our last mail, which brings the commissions for the new
officers of the regiment. The promotions in the veteran organizations are as
follows:
Captain Hector Perrin to be Lieutenant Colonel, vice Rowett, promoted.
Captain Edward S. Johnson to be Major, vice Estabrook, term expired.
Commissary Sergeant Frank Morse, to be First Lieutenant and Adjutant,
vice Robinson, killed in battle.
First Lieutenant Benjamin Sweeney to be Captain of Company A, vice
McGuire, term expired.
Quartermaster Sergeant Henry L. Balcom to be First Lieutenant of Company
A, vice Sweeney, promoted.
First Lieutenant Edward R. Roberts (now prisoner of war) to be Captain of
Company C, vice Lawyer, term expired.
Second Lieutenant John Hubbard to be First Lieutenant of Company C, vice
Roberts, promoted.
First Lieutenant Seth Raymond to be Captain of Company D, vice Clark,
term expired.
Private Elias Lorey to be Second Lieutenant of Company E, vice Miller,
term expired.
First Lieutenant Henry Ahern to be Captain of Company F, vice Knowlton,
term expired.
Second Lieutenant Thomas B. Atchison to be First Lieutenant of Company F,
vice Ahern, promoted.
First Sergeant William P, Hackney to be Captain of Company H, vice Ring,
term expired.
Sergeant D. Lieb Ambrose to be First Lieutenant of Company H, vice
Pegram, term expired.
Private William E. Norton to be Captain of Company I, vice Johnson,
promoted.
Private James Crawley to be First Lieutenant of Company I, vice John E.
Sullivan, killed in battle. Second Lieutenant William C. Gillson to be Captain
of Company K, vice Hunter, term expired.
First Sergeant Sanders to be First Lieutenant Company K, vice Partridge,
resigned.
Commissions for the above promotions, with the exception of Lieutenant
Colonel Hector Perrin's, Major Johnson's, and Captain Norton's, were received
by to-day's mail, Lieutenant Colonel Hector Perrin's, Major Johnson's and
Captain Norton's, having been received while in camp at Rome. The regiment is
now newly officered by soldiers who have labored long and faithfully, and
Allatoona tells us that the above list merit well their commissions. This
evening at three o'clock we again move, our division being the last to pass
through Atlanta; we go into camp three miles from the city. Up to this day
communications have kept open. This evening the last train will leave for Nashville,
by which Sherman will send his last dispatches to the Government, and ere the
sun goes down we will have launched forth upon the perilous march. The
destination we know not-everything seems to be clouded in mystery. The camp
fires are now burning as it were upon a thousand hills, as if to rival the
stars above. The boys are all in fine spirits. We to-night behold the
conflagration of the great city. Atlanta is burning. "She sowed to the
wind, she is now reaping the whirlwind."
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 275-8
Return of Capt. Reynolds, with the Third Battery, afterwards Battery B, Rhode Island Light Artillery, and some recruits for ours. The newly raised battery should have relieved us, and taken our pieces, as we had the promise of entirely new ones. We all expected to return to Washington; but Col. Geary, being in the immediate neighborhood of rebel troops, remonstrated against our departure, saying he would not rely on a new battery at such a critical moment. Owing to this, the Third Battery returned to Washington the same evening, in command of Lieut. Vaughan, he being promoted to Captain. Sergeant-Major Randolph was promoted to Lieutenant. All quiet up to [Wednesday, August 21, 1861.]
SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 17
* * * * * * * * * *
Grant and I at
Chicago had one or two stolen interviews in which he said he would leave me, as
I wished, at St. Louis till the last minute, viz., March 4, and he assured me
that he would oppose, if it came to him, any change as to the law in the matter
of the office of General, or the diminution of salary. The only trouble is in
my successor. Halleck is out of the question. Meade comes next on the list, but
is not a favorite. Sheridan comes next in order and is Grant's preference, I
think. Thomas could not be passed over if by the accidents of war Sheridan had
not already got over him.
Thomas is
universally esteemed, but was not made a regular Major General till his battle
of Nashville. Whereas Sheridan, at least 13 years younger in service, was made
a Major General for his Winchester battle the summer previous. So I think
Sheridan will be chosen by Grant as Lt. Genl. Say not a word of this, as Grant
will not wish to act till the last minute of time.
We had the most
enthusiastic meeting at Chicago possible, and on the whole it was the best
meeting we ever had or ever will have again. All persons, Grant included,
volunteered the most fulsome eulogies of my short address of welcome, which is
badly reported in the telegraphic despatches, but it was carefully written out
and will be correctly printed when the whole proceedings are booked.
SOURCE: Rachel
Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between
General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 324-5
* * * * * * * * * *
I have not yet got the order for the Atlantic Division, but it is coming by mail, and when received I must act.
I have asked the President to let me make my headquarters in New York instead of Washington, making my application on the ground that my simply being in Washington will be universally construed as rivalry to General Grant, a position which would be damaging to me in the extreme.
If I must come to Washington, it will be with a degree of reluctance never before experienced. I would leave my family here on the supposition that the change was temporary. I do not question the President's right to make the new division, and I think Congress would make a mistake to qualify his right. It would suffice for them to nonconfirm the Brevet of General. I will notify you by telegraph when the matter is concluded.
SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 306-7
Since our interview of yesterday I have given the subject of our conversation all my thoughts, and I beg you will pardon my reducing the result to writing.
My personal preferences, if expressed, were to be allowed to return to St. Louis to resume my present command; because my command was important, large, suited to my rank and inclination, and because my family was well provided for there, in house facilities, schools, living, and agreeable society.
Whilst, on the other hand, Washington was for many (to me) good reasons highly objectionable. Especially because it is the political capital of the country and focus of intrigue, gossip, and slander. Your personal preferences were, as expressed, to make a new department East adequate to my rank, with headquarters at Washington, and to assign me to its command — to remove my family here, and to avail myself of its schools, etc.; to remove Mr. Stanton from his office as Secretary of War, and have me to discharge the duties.
To effect this removal two modes were indicated: to simply cause him to quit the War Office building and notify the Treasury Department and the Army Staff Departments no longer to respect him as Secretary of War; or to remove him, and submit my name to the Senate for confirmation. Permit me to discuss these points a little, and I will premise by saying that I have spoken to no one on the subject, and have not even seen Mr. Ewing, Mr. Stanberry, or General Grant since I was with you.
It has been the rule and custom of our army since the organization of the Government that the second officer of the army should be at the second (in importance) command, and remote from general headquarters. To bring me to Washington would put three heads to an army, yourself, General Grant, and myself,— and we would be more than human if we were not to differ. In my judgment it would ruin the army, and would be fatal to one or two of us.
Generals Scott and Taylor proved themselves soldiers and patriots in the field, but Washington was fatal to both. This city and the influences that centred here defeated every army that had its head here from 1861 to 1865, and would have overwhelmed General Grant at Spottsylvania and Petersburg had he not been fortified by a strong reputation already hard earned, and because no one then living coveted the place. Whereas in the West we made progress from the start, because there was no political capital near enough to poison our minds and kindle into light that craving itching for fame which has killed more good men than bullets. I have been with General Grant in the midst of death and slaughter when the howls of people reached him after Shiloh; when messengers were speeding to and fro between his army and Washington, bearing slanders to induce his removal before he took Vicksburg; in Chattanooga, when the soldiers were stealing the corn of the starving mules to satisfy their own hunger; at Nashville, when he was ordered to the "forlorn hope" to command the army of the Potomac, so often defeated and yet I never saw him more troubled than since he has been in Washington, and been compelled to read himself a "sneak and deceiver," based on reports of four of the Cabinet, and apparently with your knowledge. If this political atmosphere can disturb the equanimity of one so guarded and so prudent as he is, what will be the result with one so careless, so outspoken as I am? Therefore, with my consent, Washington never.
As to the Secretary of War, his office is twofold. As Cabinet officer he should not be there without your hearty, cheerful consent, and I believe that is the judgment and opinion of every fair-minded man. As the holder of a civil office, having the supervision of monies appropriated by Congress, and of contracts for army supplies, I do think Congress, or the Senate by delegation from Congress, has a lawful right to be consulted. At all events, I would not risk a suit or contest on that phase of the question. The Law of Congress of March 2, 1867, prescribing the manner in which orders and instructions relating to "Military Movements" shall reach the army gives you, as Constitutional Commander-in-Chief, the very power you want to exercise, and enables you to prevent the Secretary from making any such orders and instructions, and consequently he cannot control the army, but is limited and restricted to a duty that an auditor of the Treasury could perform. You certainly can afford to await the result. The executive power is not weakened, but, rather, strengthened. Surely he is not such an obstruction as would warrant violence or even a show of force which could produce the very reaction and clamor that he hopes for, to save him from the absurdity of holding an empty office "for the safety of the country."
Dear Sir: It is hard for me to conceive you would purposely do me an unkindness, unless under the pressure of a sense of public duty, or because you do not believe me sincere.
I was in hopes, since my letter to you of the 31st ofJanuary, that you had concluded to pass over that purpose of yours, expressed more than once in conversation, to organize a new command for me in the East, with headquarters in Washington; but a telegram from General Grant of yesterday says that "the order was issued ordering you" (me) "to Atlantic division"; and the newspapers of this morning contain the same information, with the addition that I have been nominated as "Brevet General." I have telegraphed to my own brother in the Senate to oppose my confirmation, on the ground that the two higher grades in the army ought not to be complicated with brevets, and I trust you will conceive my motives aright. If I could see my way clear to maintain my family, I should not hesitate a moment to resign my present commission and seek some business wherein I would be free from those unhappy complications that seem to be closing about me, spite of my earnest efforts to avoid them; but necessity ties my hands, and I must submit with the best grace I can, till I make other arrangements.
In Washington are already the headquarters of a department, and of the army itself, and it is hard for me to see wherein I can render military service there. Any staff-officer with the rank of Major could surely fill any gap left between those two military offices; and by being placed in Washington I shall be universally construed as a rival to the General-in-Chief, a position damaging to me in the highest degree. Our relations have always been most confidential and friendly, and if, unhappily, any cloud of difficulty should arise between us, my sense of personal dignity and duty would leave me no alternative but resignation. For this I am not yet prepared, but I shall proceed to arrange for it as rapidly as possible, that when the time does come (as it surely will if this plan is carried into effect), I may act promptly.
Inasmuch as the order is now issued, I cannot expect a full revocation of it, but I beg the privilege of taking post at New York, or any point you may name within the new military division other than Washington.
This privilege is generally granted to all military commanders, and I see no good reasons why I, too, may not ask for it; and this simple concession, involving no public interest, will much soften the blow which, right or wrong, I construe as one of the hardest I have sustained in a life somewhat checkered with adversity.
Oppose confirmation of myself as Brevet General on ground that it is unprecedented, and that it is better not to extend the system of Brevets above Major-General. If I can't avoid coming to Washington, I may have to resign.
SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 306
Bright.
Fort Harrison
(Federal) opened its batteries on our lines at Chaffin's Farm yesterday
evening, without effect. An officer tells me that heavy and quick firing was
also heard on the Petersburg lines, indicating, he thought, a battle. We have
nothing of this in the papers, or in any dispatch I have seen.
Assistant Secretary
Campbell is writing a portion of Mr. Secretary Seddon's report for him. Mr.
C.'s son was promoted to a majority yesterday.
At 2 P.M. we have a
rumor that Gen. Early has been defeated, losing all his guns but one.
A letter from the
Secretary of the Treasury recommends the detail or exemption of the bank
officers of South Carolina. The poor country clod-hoppers have no friends, and
must do the fighting.
The following order,
dictated by the President, has been published :
ADJUTANT
AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
RICHMOND,
October 20th, 1864.
GENERAL
ORDERS No. 82.
I.
The Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance will, without delay, take measures to place
in the field one-fifth of all the men employed in his department (including
contractors and their employees) of the classes specified in General Order
No. 77, A. and I. G. Office (current series). To this end he
will direct the several officers in charge of arsenals, workshops, depots, etc.
to turn over to the nearest enrolling officers, by lists showing their ages,
occupations, and residences, such proportion of their employees (including
contractors and employees under them) of the classes above referred to as will
constitute in the aggregate one-fifth of the whole number in the said classes,
according to returns in his office of Sept. 30th, 1864. Duplicates of such
lists will be sent to the Generals of Reserves of the States, and triplicates
to the Chief of Ordnance. Three days are allowed for the execution of this
Order after its reception at any post or station of the Ordnance Department.
II.
he Chief of the Niter and Mining Bureau will, in like manner, turn over, on
similar lists, one-fifth of all men of the classes specified in General Order
No. 77, employed in iron, lead, copper, and coal mines, and all
service appertaining thereto, whether directly under officers of his Bureau or
by contractors. Duplicate and triplicate lists to be furnished as above
directed in the Ordnance Bureau, and will in the same manner turn over
one-fifth of all such men now employed in the Niter service.
The
period of three days, under the same conditions as above mentioned, is allowed
for the execution of this order.
III.
The list of persons directed in the foregoing sections to be turned over to the
enrolling officers will be prepared at once on the reception of this Order, and
will be furnished to the said officers within three days, as above prescribed,
by the various officers of each of the above Bureaus, having men under their
charge, and every assistance will be rendered by the latter to the enrolling
officer to carry out the intention of this order.
IV.
So much of General Order No. 77 as relates to men employed in the two Bureaus
named above is hereby suspended, and the foregoing Orders will stand in lieu of
all requirements under the former.
By
order.
S.
COOPER
A. and I. General.
Cloudy; rained last
night. 2 P.M.—Cold, and prospects of snow.
The news of Early's
disaster, and loss of artillery at Strasburg, is confirmed, and casts a new
vexation over the country.
Mr. M. Byrd, Selma,
Ala., is addressing some bold letters to the President on the blunders of the
administration.
Gen. Longstreet has
resumed command of the first army corps.
G. W. Custis Lee
(son of the general) has been made a major-general.
There was no
fighting below yesterday, that I have heard of.
Gold, which was $1
for $30 in Confederate States notes, commands $35 for $1 to-day, under the news
from the Valley. Yet our sagacious statesmen regard the re-election of Lincoln
(likely to follow our reverses) as favorable to independence, though it may
prolong the war. It is thought there will certainly be revolution or civil war
in the North, if the Democrats be beaten; and that will relieve us of the vast
armies precipitated on our soil. Many of the faint-hearted croakers are anxious
for peace and reconstruction.
Gen. Butler, called
“the Beast” by the press, has certainly performed a generous action. Messrs.
McRae and Henley, two government clerks in the local battalion, wandered into
the enemy's lines, and were put to work in the canal by Gen. Butler, who had
been informed that we made some prisoners taken from him work on the
fortifications. This was done but a short time, when they were relieved; and
Mr. McRae was permitted to return to the city, to learn whether the Federal
prisoners were really required to perform the labor named. No restrictions were
imposed on him, no parole required. He came with Gen. B.'s passport, but felt
in honor bound to communicate no intelligence, and voluntarily returned to
captivity. We had Federal prisoners at work, but they were
remanded to prison.
MY DEAR SIR: A day or two after I wrote you I received orders to break up at this place and join General Thomas. I had sent on a portion of our sick to Crab Orchard and a portion of our commissary stores, but fortunately I was unable to obtain wagons enough to move the whole and was detained until this morning, when I received other orders from department headquarters to remain at London. I know not what will be the next move, but hope most sincerely it may be towards Eastern Tennessee. If something is not done, and that speedily, our people will be cut up and ruined. A column should be ordered to move into Eastern Tennessee, one detailed for that purpose and no other, to go without reference to any other movement, with the specific object of relieving our people, simply on account of their loyalty and as though it were entirely disconnected with any military advantages. I intend to say that our people deserve protection and should have it at once, and independently of all outside considerations.
I sent on 21st between 600 and 700 men, under Lieutenant-Colonel Spears, to Flat Lick, a point 8 miles below Cumberland Ford, for the purpose of obtaining information of the enemy, and with the hope they would fall in with a portion of them and cut them up. Some of our men went nearly to the Ford. None of the rebels were there. From best information the force at the Gap was only about 2,000. Zollicoffer, with some 6,000, was at Ross, in Anderson County.
If we had a battery I believe we could go into Tennessee, and then, if we could carry arms or even powder and lead to furnish to our people, I believe we could stay there.
Will help ever come? I do not mean contingent aid, but special and direct.
We are getting along well. Most of our men have returned who left on night of 13th, and all are elated at the orders to remain here. If it be possible, have it so arranged that the Eastern Tennesseeans shall not again, except in case of urgent and pressing necessity, be ordered back towards Central Kentucky. Many would sooner perish in battle than turn their backs towards the Tennessee line again.
Will you please write me if the President has ever acted on the petition which you forwarded from the officers of the two regiments to commission me as brigadier-general, and, if so, the reason for his non-compliance, as well as what you can learn of his intentions in regard to that matter.With best wishes, I am, yours, very truly,
CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND,
March 2, 1865.
DEAR HASTINGS: —
Glad to get yours of the 27th and to find you are sound on
the question of promotion. There is some danger that your absence
over sixty days may in the War Office induce your discharge, but the chances
are that it will not be known. I want you to get the new title at least. The
commander of a scow on the canal is called captain, but
colonel is the best sounding title I know of.
Yes, General Crook's
capture is a great loss, as well as an especial calamity to all serving in this
command. General Hancock takes the Department of West Virginia and General
(brevet major) Carroll formerly of the Eighth Ohio, the
District of Cumberland
General Sheridan,
with an immense force of cavalry, is on a raid towards Gordonsville
or Charlottesville, or somewhere probably to distract the
attention of Lee. We are all in suspense as to Sherman and Grant.
I look forward to the capture of Richmond as my discharge from
service.
A great many staff
officers are in a state of mind about these days; also divers
brigadier-generals "of whom I am not which." Webster is often
quoted — "Where am I to go?" — in a very despondent way. General
Lightburn, Colonel Comly, and Captain Sweet are running an
examining board as usual, much to the disgust of the Thirteenth. Mrs.
Comly is here with a fine boy. The colonel makes a pretty fair
“nuss.” — My regards to your sister.
CUMBERLAND,
MARYLAND, February 17,
1865.
Dear UNCLE:- I send
for safe keeping my original appointment as brigadier-general. It was confirmed
by the Senate a few days ago.
No movements here.
It seems to be the expectation that Lee will attempt something desperate to get
out of the net forming around him. We are having a gay time. Balls,
etc., of the fastest sort are common.
