a beautyfull day
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 17
a beautyfull day
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 17
was also a nice day
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 17
warm and clear
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 17
a beautyfull spring
day and we have orders this eavning to cook 3 days rashers And I hird severl
cannons fyering this eavning but what is to be the result is more than I no
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 17
it raind and haild
and snowed and sleated and friezed and done a little of all that was bad And me
and James Colmond went to Fredreksburg and went down to the landing and went in
a steam boat for the first one we ever was in
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 17
a beautyfull day and
I was on gard and my post was befour the gard house door so nothing more.
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 17
Clear and pleasant;
subsequently thawing and foggy. Gen. R. E. Lee has been appointed
General-in-Chief by the President, in response to the recent action of Congress
and the clamorous demands of the people. It is to be hoped he will,
nevertheless, remain in person at the head of the Army of Virginia, else the
change may be fraught with disaster, and then his popularity will vanish! He
has not been fortunate when not present with the troops under his command, as
evidenced by Early's defeat and Jones's disaster in the Valley last year. A
general must continue to reap successes if he retains his popularity.
Gen. Lee has called
upon the people everywhere to send in any cavalry arms and equipments in their
possession—the importation being stopped.
The report of a raid
yesterday, grew out of the return to the city of a small body of our own
cavalry that had been on detached service. Quite an alarm was raised!
The President was
better yesterday; it is neuralgia in the right shoulder, disabling his arm.
Our
"commissioners" were delayed until yesterday morning at Petersburg;
during which there was a sort of truce, and the troops of the opposing
fortifications ventured out, both sides cheering vociferously.
Gen. Lee writes that
his army is suffering for want of soap. The Secretary sends the letter to
Commissary-General Northrop (neither of their successors being inducted yet)
for "prompt attention." The Commissary-General sends it back, saying
800 barrels of soap are now, and have been for months, lying at Charlotte, N.
C., awaiting transportation! The speculators get from Charlotte that much
freight every week. The Commissary-General says 800 barrels of soap ought to last
Gen. Lee's army one month. It must be a large army to consume that amount of
soap in a month.
Yesterday Congress
passed another bill over the President's veto, to allow soldiers to receive
letters, etc. free. Thus the war progresses between the executive and the
legislative branches of the government.
In future
revolutions, never let a "permanent government" be established until
independence is achieved!
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 405-6
Bright and
beautiful, and pleasantly frosty. Gen. Sherman is advancing as usual in such
dubiety as to distract Gen. Hardee, who knows not whether Branchville or
Augusta is his objective point. I suppose Sherman will be successful in cutting
our communications with the South—and in depreciating Confederate States
Treasury notes still more, in spite of Mr. Trenholm's spasmodic efforts to
depreciate gold.
Yesterday the Senate
passed a bill dropping all commissaries and quartermasters not in the field,
and not in the bureaus in Richmond, and appointing agents instead, over 45
years of age. This will make a great fluttering, but the Richmond rascals will
probably escape.
Military men here
consider Augusta in danger; of course it is! How could it be otherwise?
Information from the
United States shows that an effort to obtain "peace" will certainly
be made. President Lincoln has appointed ex-Presidents Fillmore and Pierce and
Hon. S. P. Chase, commissioners, to treat with ours. The two first are avowed
"peace men;" and may God grant that their endeavors may prove
successful! Such is the newspaper information.
A kind Providence
watches over my family. The disbursing clerk is paying us "half salaries"
to-day, as suggested in a note I wrote the Secretary yesterday. And Mr. Price
informs me that the flour (Capt. Warner's) so long held at Greensborough has
arrived! I shall get my barrel. It cost originally $150; but subsequent
expenses may make it cost me, perhaps, $300. The market price is from $800 to
$1000. I bought also of Mr. Price one-half bushel of red or
"cow-peas" for $30; the market price being $80 per bushel. And Major
Maynard says I shall have a load of government wood in a few days!
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 406-7
Clear, but rained
last night.
From the South we
learn that Sherman is marching on Branchville, and that Beauregard is at
Augusta.
The great struggle
will be in Virginia, south of Richmond, and both sides will gather up their
forces for that event.
We can probably get
men enough, if we can feed them.
The City Council is
having green "old field pine" wood brought in on the Fredericksburg
railroad, to sell to citizens at $80 per cord a speculation.
The Quartermaster's
Department is also bringing in large quantities of wood, costing the government
about $40 per cord. Prior to the 1st inst., the Quartermaster's Department
commuted officer's (themselves) allowance of wood at $130 per cord!
The President still
suffers, but is said to be "better."
Yesterday much of
the day was consumed by Congress in displaying a new flag for the Confederacy—before
the old one is worn out! Idiots!
I have just seen on
file a characteristic letter from Major-Gen. Butler, of which this is a literal
copy:
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. VA. and N. C.,
ARMY OF THE JAMES IN THE FIELD,
FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. 9th, 1864.
HON.
ROBT. OULD-SIR:
An
attempt was made this morning by private Roucher, Co. B, 5th Penna. cavalry, to
commit a rape upon the persons of Mrs. Minzer and Mrs. Anderson, living on the
Darbytown Road.
On
the outrage being discovered, he broke through the picket line, and filed for
your lines. Our soldiers chased him, but were unable to overtake him.
I have therefore the honor to request that you will return him, that I may inflict the punishment which his dastardly offense merits. I cannot be responsible for the good conduct of my soldiers, if they are to find protection from punishment by entering your lines.
I have the honor to be, your obt. servt.,
(Signed)
B. F. BUTLER,
Major-Gen.
Comd'g and Com. for Exchange.
The ladies were
Virginians.
I got my barrel (2 bags) flour to-day; 1 bushel meal, ½ bushel peas, ½ bushel potatoes ($50 per bushel); and feel pretty well. Major Maynard, Quartermaster, has promised a load of wood... Will these last until ——? I believe I would make a good commissary.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 408-9
Cloudy and cold;
froze hard last night.
Yesterday a bill was
introduced into both houses of Congress authorizing the enlistment of 200,000
slaves, with consent of their owners, which will probably be amended. Mr.
Miles, as a test vote, moved the rejection of the bill; and the vote not to
reject it was more than two to one, an indication that it will pass.
The failure of the
peace conference seems to have been made the occasion of inspiring renewed zeal
and enthusiasm for the war in the United States, as well as here. So the
carnival of blood will be a "success."
The enemy claim an
advantage in the late battle on the south side of the James River.
Sherman's movements
are still shrouded in mystery, and our generals seem to be waiting for a
development of his intentions. Meantime he is getting nearer to Charleston, and
cutting railroad communications between that city and the interior. The city is
doomed, unless Hardee or Beauregard, or both, successfully take the initiative.
Here the price of
slaves, men, is about $5000 Confederate States notes, or $100 in specie. A great
depreciation. Before the war, they commanded ten times that price.
It is rumored that
hundreds of the enemy's transports have come into the James River. If it be
Thomas's army reinforcing Grant, Richmond is in immediate peril! Information of
our numbers, condition, etc. has been, doubtless, communicated to the enemy and
our slumbering government could not be awakened!
Wigfall, of Texas,
Graham, of North Carolina, Orr and Miles, of South Carolina, oppose the
employment of negro troops, and Gen. Wickham, of this department, openly
proclaims such a measure as the end of the Confederacy! We are upon stirring
times! Senator Wigfall demands a new cabinet, etc.
Two P.M. The sun has
come out; warmer. But it does not disperse the prevailing gloom. It is feared
Richmond must be abandoned, and our forces concentrated farther South, where
supplies may be more easily had, and where it will be a greater labor and
expense for the enemy to subsist his armies.
Assistant Secretary
of War, Judge Campbell, is still furloughing, detailing, and discharging men
from the army; and yet he thinks the country is pretty nearly exhausted of its fighting
population! His successor is not yet appointed; the sooner the better, perhaps.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 416-7
Coldest morning of
the winter.
My exposure to the
cold wind yesterday, when returning from the department, caused an attack of
indigestion, and I have sufferred much this morning from disordered stomach and
bowels.
From Northern papers
we learn that Gen. Grant's demonstration last week was a very formidable effort
to reach the South Side Railroad, and was, as yet, a decided failure. It seems
that his spies informed him that Gen. Lee was evacuating Richmond, and under
the supposition of Lee's great weakness, and of great consequent demoralization
in the army, the Federal general was induced to make an attempt to intercept
what he supposed might be a retreat of the Confederate army. There will be more
fighting yet before Richmond is abandoned, probably such a carnival of blood as
will make the world start in horror.
The New York Tribune
still affects to believe that good results may come from the recent peace
conference, on the basis of reunion, other basis being out of the question. The
new amnesty which it was said President Lincoln intended to proclaim has not appeared,
at least our papers make no mention of it.
Gen. Lee has
proclaimed a pardon for all soldiers, now absent without leave, who report for
duty within 20 days, and he appeals to their patriotism. I copy it.
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES,
February 11th, 1865.
GENERAL
ORDERS NO. 2.
In
entering upon the campaign about to open, the general-in-chief feels assured
that the soldiers who have so long and so nobly borne the hardships and dangers
of the war require no exhortation to respond to the calls of honor and duty.
With
the liberty transmitted by their forefathers they have inherited the spirit to
defend it.
The
choice between war and abject submission is before them.
To
such a proposal brave men, with arms in their hands, can have but one answer.
They
cannot barter manhood for peace, nor the right of self-government for life or
property.
But
justice to them requires a sterner admonition to those who have abandoned their
comrades in the hour of peril[.]
A
last opportunity is offered them to wipe out the disgrace and escape the
punishment of their crimes.
By
authority of the President of the Confederate States, a pardon is announced to
such deserters and men improperly absent as shall return to the commands to
which they belong within the shortest possible time, not exceeding twenty days
from the publication of this order, at the headquarters of the department in
which they may be.
Those
who may be prevented by interruption of communications, may report within the
time specified to the nearest enrolling officer, or other officer on duty, to
be forwarded as soon as practicable; and upon presenting a certificate from
such officer, showing compliance with this requirement, will receive the pardon
hereby offered.
Those
who have deserted to the service of the enemy, or who have deserted after
having been once pardoned for the same offense, and those who shall desert, or
absent themselves without authority, after the publication of this order, are
excluded from its benefits. Nor does the offer of pardon extend to other
offenses than desertion and absence without permission.
By
the same authority, it is also declared that no general amnesty will again be
granted, and those who refuse to accept the pardon now offered, or who shall
hereafter desert or absent themselves without leave, shall suffer such
punishment as the courts may impose, and no application for clemency will be
entertained.
Taking
new resolution from the fate which our enemies intend for us, let every man
devote all his energies to the common defense.
Our
resources, wisely and vigorously employed, are ample, and with a brave army,
sustained by a determined and united people, success, with God's assistance,
cannot be doubtful.
The
advantages of the enemy will have but little value if we do not permit them to
impair our resolution. Let us, then, oppose constancy to adversity, fortitude
to suffering, and courage to danger, with the firm assurance that He who gave
freedom to our fathers will bless the efforts of their children to preserve it.
R. E. LEE, General.
The Senate did
nothing on Saturday but discuss the policy of abolishing the Bureau of
Conscription, the office of provost marshal outside of our military lines.
Gov. Smith's salary
is to be increased to $20,000, and he is still exempting young justices, deputy
sheriffs, deputy clerks, constables, etc.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 419-21
Capt. Tompkins very suddenly marched off to Harper's Ferry, with the right section. Thunder storm in the evening.
SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 23
During the siege of Savannah Major Johnson was off on the flanks of the army with the mounted portion of the regiment, scouting, foraging, doing outpost duty, and gathering up stragglers from their commands. After the fall of the city General Corse sends a dispatch ordering him to join his regiment. On the evening of the twenty-second he halts on a plantation near the Ogeechee River, and after camping his men, accompanied by Lieutenant S. F. Flint, he wends his way to the planter's mansion. It is now dark and raining. The Major knocks at the door, and after an assurance of friendship, they are received into the household. Their sabres’ frightful clang grates harshly upon the ears of the inmates—an old man, woman and daughter and for a while they seem frightened, but the gentlemanly demeanor of the Major and Lieutenant soon wins their confidence, causing them to come to the conclusion that the Yankees were not the wild creatures they had been represented to be. The midnight hour approximating, they all retire, leaving the Major and Lieutenant the occupants of the parlor. In the morning, while all is quiet, they make their exit, leaving the following beautiful lines (written by the Lieutenant,) in the clock:
After our entrance into the city, we go into camp in the suburbs, where we remain during the night and the following day.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 288-90
We have had a week of comparative quiet since my last entry. The enemy have ceased shelling, and it is believed that they have abandoned the idea of taking this place at present. We have now some hope of being sent to reinforce General J. E. Johnston, who is in command of the army in Tennessee. Spring has fully opened here, and the woods and flowers are in full bloom. The weather has been oppressively warm for the last two weeks, until within a couple of days, when it has been rather cool.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 165
I have allowed a huge gap to occur in this Diary, for which I can offer a poor excuse. I have been sick with head-ache for about three weeks, until a few days ago, when it left me, and simultaneously with its departure disappeared also the feeling of lassitude with which I have been almost prostrated; but I again feel my usual flow of spirits and a desire to place on record the doings of the Forty-first. Since the bombardment of this place on the night of the 14th of March, our daily life has been somewhat interesting, compared with what it was before. The Yankee vessels remained below the point a week or ten days, occasionally throwing a shell into our midst, and finally disappeared entirely; but soon after our old acquaintance, the "Essex," hove in sight, evidently with the intention of paying us a protracted visit. During the last month, our regiment has been worked every day at the rate of two hundred and fifty men to the detail, and, when not on fatigue duty, we have drilled constantly. Our rations have improved greatly in quality, but not in quantity. We now draw bacon, meal, rice, sugar, molasses and peas, and fish are also very plentiful, but dear. For a while, after the poor Texas beef gave out, we drew spoilt pork, but it was preferable.
During the intervals between the appearance of the Yankee vessels, we have managed to pass off the time very well. The weather has been beautiful, and our minds have been kept about as busy as our hands, between hope and expectation—hope that we may get marching orders, while we have been anxiously expecting the re-appearance of the Yankee fleet. As yet no marching orders have come for us, but the gunboats have made their appearance above and below. The first intimation we had of their coming was from an order for the regiment to take position on the river bank, to act as sharpshooters during the engagement. The fleet above, after a stay of a few days, during which they sent up rockets and fired signal guns to the lower fleet, steamed up the river. After being gone over a week, they re-appeared a few days since. The situation now is: we are menaced above by three formidable vessels, while the fleet below is in plain view and very busy. The probability is that an attack may be made at any hour. We are ready for them.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 165-6
CAMP 15 MILES NORTH OF JACKSON, MISS.—Another month has passed away since my last writing—a month big with events in the history of the Forty-first Tennessee Regiment, and I regret exceedingly that I have not been able to record the incidents as they occurred, while they were fresh in my mind, and before succeeding eventse ffaced [sic] them from memory. As it is, the reports will be meagre more so than their importance deserves.
During the last week in April, I was in the country foraging (and to that trip I intended to devote at least a page), and, on returning to camp on the evening of the 1st of May, I found the Forty-first in fine spirits, caused by an order to cook up four days' rations and be ready to march by the morning of the 2nd of May. Those who have never been cooped up in a fortified camp for four months, out of the pale of civilization and out of reach of home and friends, living on half rations, with the prospect of having them reduced still lower by the cutting off of future supplies, and in such a climate in summer, can form but an imperfect idea of the joy with which we hailed the prospect of a change of scene. Our happiness was not of a kind to be confined to our bosoms, but found vent in long and oft-repeated cheers and other demonstrations of satisfaction, as we were making our preparations to leave.
It would be impossible now for me to write a correct history of the long and tiresome march from Port Hudson to Jackson, Miss. [Was a soldier ever happy longer than twenty-four hours at a time?] How many of us started with loads heavy enough to break down a mule; how Jack Smith went some distance before he found out he had left his cartridge box, and the laugh we had at his expense; how we trudged along through hot, dusty lanes, panting with heat and thirst, breaking down under the unaccustomed loads, our feet blistered and legs swollen; how on the first day we were refused water by a wealthy Louisiana woman, whose servants kindly offered to sell it to us at twenty-five cents a canteen full; how loth we were, at that time, to drink of the dirty pools by the way-side, but had to. These form some of the incidents of the first day's march of eleven miles. Each succeeding day we suffered an increase of these hardships; our feet became so sore that we could hardly put them to the ground, and many of us threw away our shoes and surplus clothing. We had to make longer marches; our rations gave out, and the heat and dust became almost insufferable; at the same time, we had to keep a sharp lookout for Yankee cavalry; and, to crown our misery, on reaching Osyka, seventy-five miles from Port Hudson, where we expected to take the cars, we found that the railroad had recently been destroyed by a raid under Grierson as far as Brookhaven, except about ten miles, and that we would get no more rations until we got to the latter place. Parched corn and peas, with a little rice, constituted our ration at Osyka; but the next night we succeeded in reaching Magnolia, where we took the cars and rode to Summit, a distance of ten miles. At Summit we were most kindly treated by the ladies, who vied with each other as to who could do the most for us. They fed at least half of the brigade.
We took it afoot to Brookhaven, a distance of twenty miles. Here we boarded the cars for Jackson, where we arrived on Saturday night, after being one week on the route. At Jackson we were allowed to rest all of Sunday, but at five o'clock Monday morning we were ordered under arms without a moment's preparation, and had to start without cooked rations. Many of us left our clothing, thinking that we were only going to move to a more suitable camping-ground, and were not a little surprised when, after marching through Jackson in column of platoons, we turned our faces westward, and it leaked out that we were going to attack the enemy.
We had a hard march, and when the brigade filed into a field near Raymond to camp, the men were too tired to stand in line long enough to "right dress," and every one dropped to rest as soon as halted. I went out foraging here, and was so fortunate as to meet up with some kind ladies, who gave me something to eat and a magnificent bouquet of magnolias, and one also of onions, both of which were very acceptable. At an early hour the next day we were ordered under arms, and formed line of battle on the square at Raymond. About 9 o'clock our forces met the advance of the enemy, some two miles beyond, and the engagement began. At 12 o'clock the Forty-first, which had been held in reserve, was ordered to advance and support the left wing, which was said to be in danger of being flanked by the enemy. We advanced at a quick step, under a broiling sun, through a dusty lane, for nearly a mile, when a courier came up with orders for us to return to town and guard the ordnance. We had hardly reached our destination when a second order came to file off on a road leading to the center. After marching a mile in this direction, another order turned us back to town, which we had hardly reached before we were again ordered to return to the battle-field on the same road. On reaching this point we were formed in line in the center, and then obliqued across a field to the extreme left. Here we piled our knapsacks in a heap and double-quicked a mile and a half. Lieutenant-Colonel Tillman performed a splendid maneuvre under the fire of the enemy's artillery, forming line of battle on the tenth company with great precision of execution and without the least confusion. We then advanced under fire to our position across a field, and gained the edge of the woods in which the enemy was concealed. Captain Ab. Boone's company was thrown out as skirmishers, while we formed along the road in an excellent defensive position. While waiting here for the advance of the enemy, we learned that Captain Boone was killed while deploying his skirmishers. His death cast a momentary gloom over the regiment, but the circumstance was soon forgotten in the excitement of the hour. We remained in position something over an hour, waiting for the enemy's advance, when an order came for the Forty-first to bring up the rear and cover the retreat of the rest of the brigade. It was now ascertained that Gregg's Brigade had been engaged all day, with a force eight or ten times its superior in numbers, and had successfully held it in check until it had orders to quit the field. The task assigned the Forty-first was performed in perfect order, though a Federal battery, on observing the movement, had advanced to within five hundred yards and opened fire on it as it crossed an open field. We fell back to a point four miles from Raymond and eleven from Jackson, where we met General Walker's Georgia Brigade, which had come out to reinforce us. We bivouacked here until the next morning, and then marched and countermarched along the road, expecting the enemy to attack, until five o'clock P.M., when we learned that the Yankees were marching on Jackson in three columns, each of which greatly outnumbered our force. General Gregg now ordered us to make time to this place, or the enemy would beat us there, which we did in four hours, without making a single halt.
Our sufferings during this engagement were such as perhaps few soldiers have endured in this war. The day was unusually hot, and the roads so dusty that we couldn't see our file-leaders on the double-quick. And, to make our misery complete, we had no time to drink the cool water which the ladies of Raymond had brought to the doors and the side-walks, though we were parching with thirst. Our loss in killed and wounded was slight-not exceeding twenty-five-but was heavy for the time we were engaged. We lost them all, except Captain Boone, while crossing the open field in front of the enemy, and it is surprising we escaped so well from a point-blank fire in plain, open view. George Saunders and Billy Floyd were wounded at this point, also Captain John Fly, who was color-bearer. Taken altogether, the behavior of the Forty-first was all that could have been desired. The brunt of the battle was borne by the Third, Tenth, and Fiftieth Tennessee Regiments and the First Tennessee Battalion—all of which sustained a considerable loss. The loss in the whole brigade is estimated at five hundred.
The morning after our arrival at Jackson, rations were issued to us, but, before we had time to cook them, an order came to pack up cooking utensils and get ready to move. I had just gotten a fire started and one skillet of bread down, and I never did an act in my life which cost me a greater effort than it did to throw out that dough, not knowing when I would have a chance to cook again, as the enemy was in a mile and a half, and a bloody battle was expected that day. The rain was pouring down that morning in torrents, and the roads were ankle deep in sticky mud. Notwithstanding all this, we were soon under arms, and marched from the left to the center; then across fields, knee deep in mud, to the extreme right. We heard the artillery booming away on the left as we plodded across the fields, but saw no Yankees. About 12 o'clock we were ordered back to the city to guard the baggage train, but, before getting there, learned that the enemy had possession of the place, and that the army was then retreating. We then changed direction, and filed off on a road leading north, and halted on top of a hill for the rest of the brigade to get before us. On looking back, we saw a column of black smoke rising over the city, caused by the burning of the ordnance stores. I couldn't help a feeling of pity for the helpless women and children, though the citizens had shown us very little sympathy on a previous visit.
The fight, I learn, was a very poor affair after all, as some of our troops broke and ran at the first charge of the enemy, giving them possession of the city almost without a struggle. It would have been folly to have attempted a defense against such superior numbers. We retreated slowly and in good order to a camping-ground seven miles north, where we rested and cooked rations—both of which were sadly needed.
I never saw so many broken-down men as on that evening. The mud and our wet clothing and blankets, together with a day's fasting and a very hard march on the previous night, were too much for us. I had to eat raw, fat bacon, without bread, on that day for the first time in my life.
The next day we made an easy march of eleven miles to a depot ten miles south of Canton; rested here a day, and then took the road again in a south-westerly course for two days, when our progress was checked in that direction by a heavy force of the enemy; were drawn up in line of battle once, but no engagement ensued. We then changed direction, going north one day, then due east to within ten miles of Canton, where we are remaining at present, being allowed a day to rest and clean up.
General J. E. Johnston assumed command of the forces on last Sunday morning, and I think it is his intention to collect an army here from Tennessee and the interior, and fall upon the rear of the enemy engaged in the siege of Vicksburg. The forces are coming in at the rate of three brigades to-day, the 21st.
While marching and counter-marching here in sixty miles of Vicksburg, it is said that our forces have been badly whipped near that place, but this wants confirmation.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 166-70
Roll call as usual 5½
A. M. Meeting at 10 A. M. Rather dull in [camp]. drissling rain in the
afternoon An order to leave to-morrow. Quite a No. of men have the ague. It is
getting to be quite sickly here Hospital is pretty near full of sick. Thirteen
men from Smiths Comp. from Galena came this evening and joined our Comp. 1861
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society
for the Year 1909, p. 223
Camp at Jacksonville
Morgan co. Ills. Roll call at 5 Breakfast at 5½ O'clock. Immediately after
breakfast the 13 men who joined last evening were examined and sworn into the
service.
Left Camp Butler
with 6 other Companies at ½ past 10 O'clock marched to Jim Town left on the
train at ½ past 11, arrived at Jacksonville at 3 P. M. marched from the depot to
our present encampment nearly 1½ miles very hot and dusty. Had rations enough
left of the amt. drawn of the commissary at Camp Butler for our supper Would
not issue rations to us this evening, for tomorrow through some mistake or
other Have a nice pleasant place for our Camp high dry and healthy.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State
Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223-4
October 3d, 1862.
We have moved camp three miles, and are now five miles above Harper's Ferry, on the banks of the Potomac. The days are extremely hot; the evenings deliciously cool, and mornings cold. We had a grand division review this morning, in honor of the President, who favored us with his presence. My curiosity was gratified by seeing a "live President," and, above all, "Old Abe." He looks much better than the likenesses we see of him—younger, and not so long and lank.
Strange rumors have been in circulation for several days—rumors of compromise; of almost unconditional surrender. What does it all mean? Is there a bare possibility the Rebels have had enough of it? That "chivalry" will acknowledge itself whipped by "mudsills," and ask for peace, while they have six hundred thousand men in the field? As far as the rank and file of this army is concerned, we would like to see them "line up" in front of us and fight it out, and have done with it.
SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 14-5
Pleasant Valley, October 9th, 1862.
We moved from Antietam day before yesterday, in order, as reported, to be nearer our supplies. However, as soldiers know nothing of movements until after they are made, we may leave here today. As I was writing the last sentence, I learned we are to move this afternoon, about two miles, where we will have more room and better accommodations. The order to march is always welcome to me. I hate the monotony of camp life. The same is true of nearly all our regiment. We want to finish up our work and go home to our families—for nearly all have families. From our old camp to the present one is about twelve miles—the toughest twelve miles I ever traveled. Our route lay over the Elk Ridge Mountain, about six miles winding up its steep, rocky sides, the remaining half down the opposite side, the midday sun pouring his fierce rays against its rocky surface, making the heat well-nigh unbearable. There was not even a whispering breeze to cool our throbbing brows. Two men of our brigade melted down and died, while hundreds fell out by the way and came straggling into camp next morning. The movement was foolishly conducted on the principle of a forced march when there was no call for haste. I was quite lame at the time, having cut a deep gash in my heel a few days before, which compelled me to walk on the toe of that foot. This made walking over such a road and for so long a distance rather difficult. I fell behind the regiment for the first time, but came into camp about sundown. Some companies left nearly every man by the roadside.
On Friday Robert Covert and myself went down to the river to wash our clothing. The day was hot, and Robert went in to bathe. I was sitting on the shore, in company with others of my regiment, dreamily watching the sportive antics of the bathers, when my attention was attracted to Robert by what I thought to be a peal of laughter.
With an exclamation of horror I sprang to my feet. "My God, boys, he's sinking, drowning!" He had made but two or three strokes when taken with cramps and rendered helpless. I will long remember the pleading look, the agonized cry, as he rose to the surface. There was no time for thought; he was going down the second time; in a moment he will be beyond our reach. I cannot swim, but I seized a long pole and plunged in. It was not quite long enough to reach the place where he went down, but at that instant a man stripped for a swim rushed past me, and, holding to the end of my pole, threw his shirt to Robert as he came to the surface. He caught it, and we pulled him to the shore.
I am frequently asked how I like soldiering. For a wonder, I am not disappointed. If anything, it is more endurable than I expected to find it. There are hardships as a matter of fact, it is all hardship—but I was prepared for all that. I expected to suffer—to endure—and find myself the gainer by it. While others say: "If I had known, I would not have enlisted," I can say with truth I am glad I did. If I can be of service to my country, I will be satisfied. That which troubles and annoys me most, others do not seem to mind. It is the intolerable, nauseating stench that envelops a military camp. My olfactories have become SO acutely sensitive I can smell an encampment "afar off." Many complain of the strictness of military discipline. That does not trouble me. The law is a "terror to evil doers.” I am thankful for the many kind friends I have found here. I hail with delight the President's proclamation. I believe it is a step in the right direction.
SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 15-7