A Trip through the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal. April 26. The surrender of Plymouth, N. C, and death of Flusser caused consternation at Roanoke island, lest the dreaded Albemarle should make them a visit. On the 22d we were ordered to the succor of that island. Embarking on board a large double-ender boat, we left [...]
APRIL 26th.—Another truly fine spring day. The ominous silence on the Rapidan and Rappahannock continues still. The two armies seem to be measuring each other’s strength before the awful conflict begins. It is said the enemy are landing large bodies of troops at Yorktown. Major-Gen. Ransom has been assigned to the command of this department; [...]
April 26th. Marching orders received. Ordered to report at Martinsburg. Now under General Sigel, who has been put in command of all the forces in the Shenandoah Valley, for an advance up the valley.
April, Tuesday 26, 1864 I arose very early this morning, Father was not willing I should go over the creek, went over to Mr. Farrer’s to tell Miss Annie Perdue so she would make other arrangements about sending for them. I was so distressed to think she must be so disapointed , and I did [...]
Monday, 25th–And still it is raining! Reveille sounded at 5 o’clock this morning and we strapped on our knapsacks and all accouterments, and at 7 o’clock marched to the station, where we boarded the cars and started for Cairo. We bade old Iowa farewell, perhaps never to return, for in the course of the coming [...]
April 25.—Our family in statu quo. The country in great excitement. We have lately had a splendid little victory at Plymouth, North Carolina. We have also had successes in Florida, at Shreveport, and other places in the South and South-west. The God of battles is helping us, or how could we thus succeed? This city [...]
April 25th Mr Grimball went down after his business and took a severe cold, returned & was ill, Dr Kenedy attending, he recovered very slowly. Berkley came up on sick furlough, boils on his leg, was with us 15 days, the Dr ordered generous diet, we did our best & he returned & is now [...]
April, Monday 25, 1864 Father went first thing this morning to see if he could not hear something more about those thieving Yankees,—could not hear whether the Confederate squad gained anything or not—they went down to poor old Mr. Isbell’s and beat him nearly to death because he would not show them the way to [...]
APRIL 25th.—A bright and beautiful day; southern breezes. No reliable war news; but there are rumors that our victory at Shreveport was a great one. Nothing additional from North Carolina, though something further must soon occur there. It is said the enemy’s killed and wounded at Plymouth amounted to only 100: ours 300; but we [...]
Scottsboro, Ala., April 24, 1864. Spring is here at last, and summer is almost in sight. The last two days have been fully as warm as I care to see weather in April. There has been a great deal of cold, wet weather here this spring, and vegetable life is unusually backward; but the last [...]
Sunday, 24th–It is raining again—there is nothing but rain and mud. Company B is now in camp and we received our pay today, including $50.00 of the new bounty. I got $63.00 in all. We received orders to be ready to move in the morning at 6 o’clock, and go to Cairo, Illinois. It rained [...]
April, Sunday 24, 1864 This has been a terible day of excitement, two wagons from Memphis came out and camped in front of our gate all day, the Yanks did not bother them this morning only to take some Whiskey—two Confederate Soldiers were sitting in the Parlor all the time they were here, they did [...]
APRIL 24th.—Cloudy and windy, but warm. We have none of the details yet of the storming of Plymouth, except the brief dispatches in the newspapers; nor any reliable accounts of subsequent movements. But a letter from Gen. Whiting indicates that all his troops had been taken northward, and we may expect something further of interest. [...]
23rd. Went to the White House and went through the East Room and two or three reception rooms. Eight very large mirrors in the East room, velvet and gilt papering, heavy brussels carpet, elegant sofas. Reception room surpasses anything I ever saw. Waited at Soldier’s Rest from 9 till 1 P. M. for Major Seward. [...]
Saturday, 23d–Company E reported for duty this morning, and in addition ten recruits. Our regiment has more than one hundred recruits. We signed the pay rolls this forenoon, and were expecting to receive our pay, one month’s, but as Company B has not yet arrived in camp, the paymaster withheld the pay. I swapped watches [...]
April, Saturday 23, 1864 All ready for breakfast, and very much refreshed after a good nights sleep. Dr. Sommers leaves for Vicksburgh today, inspecting hospitals. I would not care if they had no hospitals, however he is very agreeable. I prepared for my trip directly after breakfast. Mrs. Sommers came in the room and seemed [...]
APRIL 23d.—A bright day, with southern breezes. It is rumored and believed that Gen. Lee’s army is in motion. If this be so, we shall soon hear of a “fight, or a foot race.” And how can Grant run away, when Mr. Chase, the Federal Secretary of the Treasury, openly proclaims ruin to the finances [...]
April 23d. Early this morning the Johnnie Rebs made an attack on the outposts on the Charlestown Pike. A hot fire was kept up. Our pickets holding them in check while our regiment was ordered out, double quick. We made a forced march out about two miles but the enemy had left. It was thought [...]
22nd. Cars ready and off at 10 A. M. Got to Washington at 4 P. M. Rode to 6th St. wharf and made arrangements for transportation to Giesboro. Rather disappointed in the city of which I have read so much, where so many great men have congregated, where so much treason has been plotted, inhuman [...]
Friday, 22d–I started with Uncle John this morning for Davenport, but one of his neighbors, Mr. Lathrop, soon overtook us and as he had to go to town anyway, I rode with him and Uncle John returned home. I reached Davenport by noon and went to the Davis House for my dinner, after which I [...]
April, Friday 22, 1864 All ready for breakfast this morning, notwithstanding the late hour of retiring last night—they all spent a delightful evening—the Bride looked beautiful, the groom charming, and all passed as merry as a marriage bell—It was a great disapointment to me, but rather too much risk, a trip to Alton would not [...]
APRIL 22d.—A bright day and warmer. Cherry-trees in blossom. We have the following war news: “PLYMOUTH, N. C., April 20th. “To GEN. BRAGG. ………“I have stormed and captured this place, capturing 1 brigadier, 1600 men, stores, and 25 pieces of artillery. ………………………………………………………“R. F. HOKE, Brig.-General.” The President has changed his mind since the reception of [...]
21st. Went to town half a dozen times. No train comes yet. Struck tents and moved out to camp. Parole before dark. Turned over property. Slept in open air.
Thursday, 21st–This is a warm, pleasant day and I bade farewell to my home folks and friends and started back to the army, my thirty-day furlough being almost up. I went on horseback, brother John going along as far as Allen’s Grove, to Uncle John Moore’s to remain over night, while John returned home, taking [...]
April, Thursday 21, 1864 I went round according to appointment, met Capt. Woodward at 11 o’clock. Col. Patterson went with me. Capt. W. had not seen the Provost Marshall, he went as soon as I left, came round to Mrs. Facklen’s after dinner, and brought bad news—though having approached Capt. Williams as aid for a [...]