March 1st. Since the last date we have been visited by a cold rain, hard wind, hail, snow, mud. Very disagreeable weather for army life, but it must all be endured by soldiers. On picket duty. Corporal in charge of the outpost, about one half of a mile from the reserve quarters. On duty twenty-four [...]
March 1st.–Cloudy, cold, and dismal. We have no news, except from the North, whence we learn Lieut. Beall, one of our Canada raiders, has been hung; that some little cotton and turpentine were burnt at Wilmington; and that the enemy’s columns are approaching us from all directions. They say the rebellion will be crushed very [...]
February 29th.1 –Trying to brave it out. They have plenty, yet let our men freeze and starve in their prisons. Would you be willing to be as wicked as they are? A thousand times, no! But we must feed our army first–if we can do so much as that. Our captives need not starve if [...]
February 28, 1865. High water still keeps us here. We will probably get off to-morrow. It is thought we will cross the Great Peedee at Cheraw; there is so much swamp lower down that might trouble us. A thousand rumors afloat to-day. The citizens have it that Grant has whipped Lee since the Hatcher Run [...]
February 28th.–Raining; warm. The Northern papers announce the capture of Wilmington. No doubt the city has fallen, although the sapient dignitaries of this government deem it a matter of policy to withhold such intelligence from the people and the army. And wherefore, since the enemy’s papers have a circulation here–at least their items of news [...]
Tillersville, February 27, 1865. We have half a mile of bridging to build before we can get across this Lynch’s creek, the rains have swollen it so much. Our 6th Iowa foragers we thought captured are all right. They got across this creek before the freshet and it cut them off. The 97th Indiana men [...]
February 27th.–Bright and windy. The Virginia Assembly has passed resolutions instructing the Senators to vote for the negro troops bill–so Mr. Hunter must obey or resign. It is authoritatively announced in the papers that Gen. J. E. Johnston has taken command of the army in front of Sherman (a perilous undertaking), superseding Beauregard. Grant is [...]
Fullersville, S. C., Sunday, February 26, 1865. Sixty hours of rain terminated at daylight this morning, but it has not hurt the sandy roads a particle. We made 11 miles in four and one quarter hours, and are now waiting for a bridge to be completed over this creek, “Lynch’s.” We think now we are [...]
February 26th.–Cloudy and cool; rained all night. No news from the South, this morning. But there is an ugly rumor that Beauregard’s men have deserted to a frightful extent, and that the general himself is afflicted with disease of mind, etc. Mr. Hunter is now reproached by the slaveowners, whom he thought to please, for [...]
February 26th.–Mrs. Munroe offered me religious books, which I declined, being already provided with the Lamentations of Jeremiah, the Psalms of David, the denunciations of Hosea, and, above all, the patient wail of Job. Job is my comforter now. I should be so thankful to know life never would be any worse with me. My [...]
February 25, 1865. Have not moved to-day. Rebels captured 15 men of the 29 Missouri to-day. Our foragers have been straggling for seven or eight miles in every direction; three of our regiment captured a refugee camp of seven men, ten guns, two revolvers, some pistols and 25 mules. Ordered to keep men well in [...]
February 25th. About midnight last night we were aroused by sharp firing. Made us open our eyes and ears. Ready for any sudden call. All we could do was to listen and wait. Soon all became quiet. Those of us off duty soon dropped asleep again. This morning we learned the cause of the firing [...]
February 25th.–Raining. There are more rumors of the evacuation of Wilmington and even Petersburg. No doubt that stores, etc. are leaving Petersburg; but I doubt whether it will be evacuated, or Richmond, either. Grant may, and probably will, get the Danville Railroad, but I think Lee will disappoint him in the item of evacuation, nevertheless; [...]
February 25th.–The Pfeifers, who live opposite us here, are descendants of those Pfeifers who came South with Mr. Chesnut’s ancestors after the Fort Duquesne disaster. They have now, therefore, been driven out of their Eden, the valley of Virginia, a second time. The present Pfeifer is the great man, the rich man par excellence of [...]
West’s Cross Roads, 13 miles northeast of Camden, S. C., February 24, 1865. Made 14 miles a little south of east. We passed about a mile south of Gates’ old battle ground. A dozen foragers of the 99th Indiana were captured to-day, but our foragers caught more Rebels than that, besides 50 wagons and 200 [...]
February 24th. Detailed for picket. Corporal in charge of one relief. Located about three miles from camp on the line of the railroad, all quiet.
Flat Rock P. O., February 23, 1865. Fifteen miles. Traveled east or northeast. Very rough, hilly country, hills rock topped. No enemy. Passed through a village called “Liberty Hill,” some elegant houses. Forage plenty. No news and don’t know anything.
February 23d.–Raining; the most inclement February for years. It is stated that Gen. J. E. Johnston has been replaced in command of the army in front of Sherman; a blunder, for Beauregard’s friends will raise a clamor. Grant’s men fired salutes yesterday in honor of the Day–22d– and had the Richmond papers read to them [...]
Page’s Ferry, Wateree River, February 22, 1865. It seems to be certain that we have Charleston. Made about ten miles to-day. Our regiment and the 6th Iowa were sent down to an old ferry to make a demonstration. Found no enemy. The 2d and 3d are already across and we cross in the morning and [...]
February 22d. Routed out early this morning to prepare for a review and inspection by General Crook and staff. Report came to camp that Company I, at Duffield Station, had been attacked, but succeeded in driving the guerillas away.
February 22d.–Bright and frosty. A fine February for fruit . Yesterday the Senate postponed action on the Negro bill. What this means I cannot conjecture, unless there are dispatches from abroad, with assurances of recognition based upon stipulations of emancipation, which cannot be carried into effect without the consent of the States, and a majority [...]
February 22d.–Isabella has been reading my diaries. How we laugh because my sage divinations all come to naught. My famous ”insight into character” is utter folly. The diaries were lying on the hearth ready to be burned, but she told me to hold on to them; think of them a while and don’t be rash. [...]
Pleasant Hill, S. C., February 21, 1865. Fifteen miles to-day. Yesterday we traveled the Camden road. To-day we turned northwest. Poor country, quite rolling. Pine, scrub oak and sand.
February 21st. Snow melting very fast. Must wade through the wet snow. Orders to fall in and to report at Bolivar Heights, near Harper’s Ferry, a march of about four miles. When we arrived we were surprised to learn that we must witness the execution of two deserters. Strange that we must march so far [...]
February 21st.–Another bright and glorious morning. Charleston fell on Thursday night last. A large number of heavy guns fell into the hands of the enemy. The confidential telegraph operators remained with the enemy. They were Northern men; but it is the policy of those in possession of this government to trust their enemies and neglect [...]