Came to Gifford's
blacksmith shop. Albright had swapped horses, had two shoes put on, got dinner
and came on to Joe Carter's. A. had two more shoes put on, went on to Griggs
and got supper. A. and Maze of Petticord's Company came on. We came four miles
to Joe Sullivan's; left A. there. I and Maze went over to Jordan Carr's. Yanks
all through here yesterday.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 15
Left Carr's and came
up to John Mitchell's. Came out to Stinson's on to Giles Harris. From there to
Scottsville and Gallatin. Crossed at Coatstown, went on to John Rippy's, got
supper and fed horses. Went on in rain to the Webb's, Maze's uncle, found the
Yanks so close by that we turned and went back to the hills.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 15
While at John's,
Green Crews and John West came in. I went with them over to Mrs. Dinah Huffey.
A. soon came, said Yanks were about. I staid all night. He went to John West's.
Miss Polly is a fast one.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 15
To-night stopped to
see two Lincolnites; got six shooter from one, single barrel from the other;
stopped at Squire Henry's; got some cherry bounce; played off Yankee on him;
got all the information we wanted and went on to Wickwire's; fed at Mr.
Simpson's; girls got up, chatted them awhile. I, Harper and Gibson then left
the crowd, crossed the railroad and bought two horses and came on to Bracken's
and got breakfast. From there to Ashlock's and got dinner. Came cross the pike
and I left them, went by Bass's and on to Crews and staid all night.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 16
Down to Hughes, got
my horse shod, came back, and nine of us started. Came up near Epperson
Springs, found the Yanks were there and at Scottsville too strong for us. Got
supper at Stinson's, a regular tory. Lamb swapped horses with him. Then started
for New Row. Came across to Bracken's, got breakfast, three of the boys had
left us.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 17
We came this evening
out to where the others were; Yanks in New Row; so we could not go there. Came
to Widow Hodge's. Five of boys went on; two slept in bushes; I and Jim Berryman
slept in house.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 17
To-night went down
near Redman's; run into Yankee pickets, and started back. Came cross railroad
and out to Sherwin's, got breakfast and on to Boss Meadows. From there to
Hughe's Shop; got two shoes and nails made. Went down to Essick's and got
supper and on top Mountain and staid all night.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 17
Came to
Montgomery's. Lamb left us. We came on to Widow Ballou's. Yanks close at hand.
We staid in bushes to-night.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 18
Back in town again.
I've done something but havn't the least idea what, to displease somebody and
havn't the least idea who. Perhaps some one of my friends here, will, after a
day or so find the important secret too burdensome to keep alone, and will
share it with me.
Just think what it
is, Hallicarnassus, to go abroad and see the world-and feel it too, for that
matter.
But in order to
think as little as possible of that terrible crime of which I've been guilty,
before finding out what it is, am going to hunt up enough work to keep my head
and hands busy in the hospitals about town.
Glad to meet my
travelling companion, Miss O., again. She has remained at this home of the
Christian Commission, engaged in the preparation of delicacies, which are taken
out to hospitals, or barracks, as needed.
This building, to
which we came upon our arrival, is a spacious three story brick, at No. 14
Spruce Street. It was deserted by a rebel banker just before our forces entered
Nashville, who took nothing south, except his gold and silver. A man from New
York, whose conscience permitted him to take the oath of allegiance, removed
and stored up against the return of his rebel friend, the silver and glass
service, curtains, works of art, &c., but left much fine furniture, such as
massive sofa bedsteads, marble-topped stands, tables, bureaux, a well-filled
book-case, writing table and piano.
In Secretary
Stanton's own handwriting, we saw permission given to occupy this building
till the close of the war, to Mrs. H., of the Philadelphia Ladies' Aid Society,
"together with other ladies who might be associated with her, in any
benevolent enterprise having for its object the relief of invalid Union
soldiers."
She is confident he
meant benevolent gentlemen, also, so one half of the house is given up to the
Rev. E. P. Smith and family, who make a home for the delegates of the Christian
Commission.
Thus are many of the
private as well as public buildings reduced from their lofty position of
serving southern chivalry, to the vile misuse of northern mudsills. "Oh,
Babylon how art thou fallen!" must be the lamentation of the Nashvillians,
as they see the desecration of their beautiful edifices by northern vandals.
"Oh! the
citizens here would tear us to pieces very quick," said Mrs. Smith, the
eve of our arrival, "were it not for the 'blue coats' about. Our
dependence is in those and the guns of Fort Negley."
Evening.
Visited the Refugee
Home again, this P. M. Saw some of those mentioned in a previous date. As I
entered one room, a woman was bustling about in a great passion, and picking up
a few personal rags, while ordering her son to get up and they would find a
place to stay where she shouldn't be "set to do niggar's work!"
She was a healthy,
strong woman, and had been repeatedly requested to make her own and son's bed,
and assist in sweeping or cooking for the numerous inmates. Indeed, I think she
had received a gentle hint that it might be as well to see that her son and
herself had clean linen as often as once in two or three weeks, and that the
use of a comb occasionally would not detract from their personal
appearance. But she had her own peculiar ideas, obtained from living under the
domination of a peculiar institution, and didn't fancy being dictated to in the
delicate matter of her personelle.
Upon entering what
is called the lecture-room we saw several families and parts of families, which
had within two hours arrived on the trains from Alabama or Georgia.
I found that some of
these snuff-dipping, clay-colored, greasy and uncombed ladies "from Alabam
and Gorgee," are as expert marksmen as any of our northern exquisites, as
they deposit the "terbaker" juice most beautifully into and around
any knot-hole or crack in the floor, and while they are at the distance of
several feet. Its wonderful how they do it am afraid I should never be able to
learn.
We approach one
woman who is standing by a rough board bunk, upon and around which are several
children overcome by the fatigue of travelling. She, unlike the generality, is
neatly dressed in a clean dark calico and sunbonnet, and wears a cheerful and
intelligent look. She informs us that these are all her children—six of them,
that her husband is in the Union army, only a few miles out, that he had sent
for her to come here, and she expects to see him in a few days. She cannot
write, for she hasn't been to school a day in her life, and she says:
"An' that
thar's suthin' you people hev' up north, thet we don't. Poor folks thar, hev' a
chance to give thar children some larnin'; but them as owns plantations down
our way, don't give poor folks no chance. Larnin's only for rich folks. But my
children shan't grow up to not know no more nor thar father nor thar mother, ef
I kin' help it. Ef this war don't close so's to make it better for poor folks
down har, we'll go north. Thar's a woman what kin' write," she adds with
an admiring glance to the other side of the room, "an' she's writin' a
letter for me to my husband."
We glance that way,
and see a youngish woman, whose entire clothing evidently consists of one garment,
a dress which is colored with some kind of bark. She sits in conscious
superiority, scarcely deigning to notice us, as we approach, while she is
carefully managing the writing with one eye, while her head is turned half way
from it, so that the ashes or coal, from the long pipe between her lips, may
not fall upon the paper. Her air and manner are evidently intended to be regal,
for isn't she the woman "what kin' write?" At a little
distance sat a hale, broad-shouldered, stalwart man, who looked as if he were
able to do the work of half a dozen common men, who inquired of us, where
"Hio was-if 'twas in Illinois"—and whether if he went to either of
those places he would be "pressed into the service." In reply, we
informed the gentleman that "Ohio was not in Illinois,
but that if he went to either, he would probably have to stand his chance of
being drafted, together with other good loyalists with
the physicians, lawyers, editors, and ministers. He did not reply to that, but
his looks spoke eloquently,
"For a lodge in some vast wilderness,-
Some boundless contiguity of shade"
Where war and draft come not.
Miss Ada M., the
Matron of the Refugee Home, was, in our room this eve, and said that she was
yesterday preparing some sewing for some young Misses, who were conversing
earnestly about the Yankees. Finding their ideas rather erroneous with regard
to that class of people, she made a remark to the effect that she was one
herself.
"Why, you 'aint
a Yankee?" exclaimed a Miss of fifteen dropping her work in blank
astonishment. "Yes, indeed, I am," was the reply.
"Why,"
said the girl, with remarkably large eyes, "I've allays hearn tell
that the Yankees has horns, and one eye in the middle of their foreheads!"
SOURCE: Elvira J.
Powers, Hospital Pencillings: Being a Diary While in Jefferson General
Hospital, Jeffersonville, Ind., and Others at Nashville, Tennessee, as Matron
and Visitor, pp. 54-8
To-day we are in sight of the blue hills of Western Virginia. Many years have rolled by since I roamed over those hills and with boyish ardor pursued the flying game. But, alas! Yankee soldiers have taken the place of that mountain game, and I hunt them now, though I don't like to catch too many at once.
We camped to-night in Orange county, about two miles from Gordonsville.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127
At daylight a man
shot and instantly killed. He had no particular stopping place, had become
partially crazed; in the night had crept beyond the dead line and fell asleep.
As soon as seen, the guard shot him while yet asleep. He had just been seen by
two of our men who were calling him to come out. He lay until "dead
call" and was carried out. Those who have helpless friends are eager to
get them out. So at an early hour this morning they are crowded forward.
Regulators are clearing every passage to make room for the sick. The main
street on which I stop from the gate to the east, is filled with prostrate men.
There is a greater number than yesterday. The doctors are making special
efforts and one said yesterday, "The sick must all come out. The condition
of the prison will breed pestilence that will spread through the country."
It is through their importunity that this movement is made. They appear
frightened. I heard another say, "Conditions are shameful." Long have
doctors complained that their government furnishes neither
medicine nor decent quarters; that men can not be successfully treated on such
fare and in these quarters. One told Steward Brown that men could not live long
on the rations given us; that well men will soon be sick. They have 'some new
tents up; some are being carried thither in army wagons. The Rebel sergeant who
counted us today said:
"Captain don't
care how many Yankees die; he says he has killed more men than Joe
Johnston," then added: "What did you'ns come down heah for if you'ns
didn't want tough fare? But we can't help it."
After two hours
laying in a crowd, "no sick call," is announced. The sick are being
returned to all parts of the prison. I am living on rice alone, draw some,
trade meal for some.
Report is rife that
our government has offered the Richmond dignitaries to accept a parole of all
prisoners, especially sick, and take care of prisoners of both parties.
Undoubtedly this is the disposition of our government. This evening I met an
intelligent talker who knows what he sees more than most men. Having frequently
met him, I inquired his name. "Buerila," he replied; "I am from
Illinois, have been a prisoner ten months, came here from Florida; I will stay
ten more, I will be eaten up by lice and maggots before I will ask our
government to get on its marrow bones to these Rebels. I am glad to see Lincoln
stand square on his feet. I was a Douglas man, not that he was a better man,
but had had more experience. I knew both personally and now believe Lincoln the
best man for the place. If I can get into God's country in time he will get my
vote." I referred to the report; he said:
"I asked the
old Dutch if that thing was true myself. The old bummer looked mad, but
answered more than I expected: 'Py Cot ve vills to no such ting! Py Cot, ve
vill starf every son of a pitch! Now, I tells you, you vills all tie pefore ve
vills parole ye-an pefore exchange. Py Cot, your Covment is too tevilment. Ve
cot you foul!' Turning his horse around to go away, he said: 'Py Cot, you as vell
pe schoot as stay here, and ve no trust damn Yankees.'"
SOURCE: John Worrell
Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville
and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, pp. 97-8
No sick call; the
poor fellows are disappointed. Well dressed officers ride out the street and
back. Passing near us they inquire of a fellow who is whittling a bone:
"What State you from, young man?"
"Massachusetts."
"Do you rather
live here than in Massachusetts?"
"No, sir."
"Well, you'll
be apt to live out your days here, for there'll be no exchange till the war
closes and that won't be in ten years if Lincoln is your next President."
"There'll not
be a corporal's guard left of this crowd before that time, Colonel,"
remarked the other.
Before they reached
the gate they halted to buy a watch, and a few of us followed up and I asked:
"Colonel, will
you come back into the Union if Lincoln is not elected?"
"Ho, ho! You
Yankees are not fighting for the Union; that's your mistake. It's the nigger
you want."
"If McClellan
is elected will the South come into the Union?" I repeated.
"Ah, the Union!
The Union's gone up!"
By this time the
Major had got the watch by paying $100 in "Confed" and they spurred
up. We are often taunted by the slur that we are no better than niggers. They
say:
"You fight with
niggers; you think it's all right to fight us with niggers."
We retort by saying
that it is no worse for a nigger to fight with us than to work for them, and
that they would put a gun in his hands if they dared. It is not so bad for them
to be hunted by niggers as it is for us to be hunted helpless and half starved,
by blood hounds.
A little after noon
a man shot and killed. I hastened and learned that he was dipping water from
the brook. The sentinel had been observed to be closely watching. The ball
passed through the forehead, tearing out his brains. The guard was immediately
relieved by the officer of the day as they all are when they make a sure fire.
It is a story never denied that for every Yankee killed a furlough is granted.
In a few minutes a stretcher smeared with blood and brains bore another Yankee
to the dead house.
SOURCE: John Worrell
Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville
and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, p. 102
We learn from the
New York Herald that that branch of the great Yankee nation, of which Greeley
is the organ, is very much dissatisfied with the generalship of McClellan, and
an agitation is on foot to compel him to resign. His dilatory proceedings are
sharply commented on, and incompetency and treachery both assigned as reasons
for the slow progress in subduing the Rebels. In the number of soldiers, field
artillery, rifles, muskets and ammunition, they have (says the Tribune,) twice
as many as the rebels—and surpass them in discipline, valor and all the
essentials for successful war, except rulers and officers. In this latter
particular it is admitted that the Rebels outstrip them. McClellan’s pretense
that the Grand Army is not ready to advance is pronounced a falsehood. The
whole Yankee nation is eager for fight—and is only restrained by the cowardice or
venality of their officers. These last are directly charged with prolonging the
war for the sake of high pay. “They don’t mean (Greeley says) that the Rebels
shall be too severely whipped.” What suits them best is a war, all expense and
little or no fighting, until the loyal States shall be exhausted, discouraged,
disgusted and ready to buy a peace of Jeff. Davis by almost any possible
surrender. The Government is said to be on the verge of bankruptcy by the
preparations already made—tho’ no decisive result has been reached. The
philosopher is convinced that without a change of men and measures, there is
very faint prospect of any decisive result being attained at all. The removal
of Cameron is a change in the wrong direction, and tends rather to inflame the
spleen of the philosopher.
There is some show
of justice in Greeley’s complaints. With all their vaunted resources the
Yankees have achieved very little. It is not for us to point out the blunders
of their strategy. But their failure so far corroborates the opinion we have
long entertained, that they are not capable of public affairs or the conduct of
a war.
SOURCE: “Discord at
the North,” Richmond Daily Whig,
Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday Morning, January 21, 1862, p. 2 col. 1
There was no fighting anywhere near us yesterday, though the occasional
boom of a heavy gun reached us, and it is now pretty certain that the Yankees
have, by extraordinary exertions, made their escape to the river.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I
Saw of It, p. 124
Yanks brought up three or four thousand to E. and shelled our Boys for some time.
SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11
Went out beyond Maj. Winn's, brought his family and negroes out, skirmished with the Yankees for some time, nothing serious.
SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11
And the 16 day was a
very pritty warm day and we had orders to cook too days rations we was
expecting the Yankees to cross the River again but they did not
SOURCE: Bartlett
Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 28
Our battery moved
back last night about one mile and camped on Hogan's farm. This morning when we
awoke we found a party of eight hundred Yankee prisoners at Hogan's house.
Amongst them were several surgeons, and they actually refused to attend to
their own wounded, but insisted, as surgeons were non-combatants, that they
should be sent to Richmond and immediately returned to the North.
A great number of
wounded Yankees have been brought in by our men, and are receiving all proper
attention. We moved forward to Gaines's house, where we remained all day, but
near us there was no more fighting.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 122
Brigade went out on
scout. Our Company supported battery, drove the Yanks back to their main camp
and returned.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 10
Went on a scout out
to Eaglesville. Met a Yankee scout just this side of E. We charged them and run
them one and a half miles, capturing six and wounding several.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 11
