We are now on the road leading to Waynesboro. When within two miles of the town we halt and feed. After dinner we mount, put spurs to our steeds and charge into the town, from which place we start a citizen who mistook us for guerrillas, running him from town. He meets the Fifth Tennessee Union Cavalry approaching in an opposite direction; halting, they inquire if there are any guerrillas in Waynesboro? “Yes; down the road they are now camping,” (pointing towards the Seventh's advance guard). The Seventh boys and the Fifth Tennessee meet and commence firing. The Colonel soon discovers the mistake, but is unable to stop the fray until three are wounded; two belonging to the Seventh and one to the Fifth Tennessee. The Fifth Tennessee having been deceived so often by guerrillas dressed in federal uniforms, they have in consequence become very vigilant. After the excitement, we move on five miles and go into camp at the iron foundry.
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Tuesday, December 1, 1863
Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, December 4, 1863
All still to-day; a dull monotony in camp. The Seventh are now making shelter out of rails and their oil cloths, and what few boards they can gather up; no tents; on duty every day, scouting and running everywhere. This evening a call is made upon the different companies for twenty volunteers to carry dispatches one hundred miles across the country to Eastport, Tennessee River. To be relieved from the camp's dull life, we conclude to be one of the number. The remaining nineteen soon report. About nine o'clock p, M., we leave Pulaski under the command of Lieutenant Roberts, of Company C. We travel until four o'clock in the morning, when we halt at a plantation, feed and get our breakfast, prepared by the negroes. At daylight we move on, pass through Waynesboro, and go as far as Pin Hook, where we go into camp for the night.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 212