September 24th. This morning details were made for picket duty and working on the railroad and the telegraph lines, doing the work laboring men ought to have done. The enemy destroyed about everything connected with the railroad. I was detailed, with twenty men, to report at the station to the road-master. Our equipments were left [...]
SEPTEMBER 24TH.–Raining alternate hours and warm. Had a chill this morning, and afterward several spells of blindness, from rushes of blood to the head. Came home and bathed my feet and recovered. Another disaster but no great loss of men. Gen. Early was compelled to retreat again on Thursday, 22d inst., the enemy flanking him, [...]
September 24th.–These stories of our defeats in the valley fall like blows upon a dead body. Since Atlanta fell I have felt as if all were dead within me forever. Captain Ogden, of General Chesnut’s staff, dined here to-day. Had ever brigadier, with little or no brigade, so magnificent a staff? The reserves, as somebody [...]
September 23d. Called up very early. Marching orders received. Report at Martinsburg, a distance about eighteen miles from Charlestown. The road led along the B. & O. R. R., a very rough road for marching over. We entered the town late this afternoon, making good time but very tired. The town was well deserted, having [...]
SEPTEMBER 23D. –Raining. Our loss, killed, wounded, and taken in the battle near Winchester, is estimated by our people at 2500. The enemy say they got 2500 prisoners. The enemy’s loss in killed and wounded amounted probably to as much as ours. Gen. Lee writes that, in his opinion, the time has come for the [...]
September 22d. This morning prisoners began to show up. They were guarded from here to Harper’s Ferry by a portion of our regiment, who relieved the cavalry escort, or guard. Our boys joking with them. Some of them we had been up against at Lynchburg, during Hunter’s raid. The wagon trains have left here, going [...]
SEPTEMBER 22D.–Cloudy; rained much last night. The following is all we know yet of Early’s defeat: “HEADQUARTERS ARMY OP NORTHERN VIRGINIA, “September 2001, 1864. “HON. JAMES A. SEDDON. “Gen. Early reports that, on the morning of the 19th, the enemy advanced on Winchester, near which place he met his attack, which was resisted from early [...]
September 21st. Pleasant, quiet morning in our camp. Nothing special to cause any alarm. Waiting and wondering what’s coming, as the wagon train is slowly leaving. Was somewhat surprised, when ordered into line, to hear Colonel Ely read his resignation as colonel of the 18th Regiment, he having been in the service for three years [...]
SEPTEMBER 21ST.–Cloudy and somber. We have authentic intelligence of the defeat of our forces under Gen. Early, near Winchester. Two generals, Rhodes and Godwin, were killed. We lost some guns, and heavily in killed and wounded. The enemy have Winchester, and Early has retreated, bringing off his trains, however. This has caused the croakers to [...]
September 21st.—Went with Mrs. Rhett to hear Dr. Palmer. I did not know before how utterly hopeless was our situation. This man is so eloquent, it was hard to listen and not give way. Despair was his word, and martyrdom. He offered us nothing more in this world than the martyr’s crown. He is not [...]
September 20th. Great excitement and talk among our boys over Sheridan’s great victory. It is now our gallant Phil Sheridan who is master of the Shenandoah Valley. Early has run up against a good soldier who has the men at his command. Too small a force has been in the valley for the past three [...]
SEPTEMBER 20TH.–Bright and pleasant. An order has been given to impress all the supplies (wheat and meat) in the State, and Gen. Kemper has been instructed to lend military aid if necessary. This is right, so that speculation may be suppressed. But, then, Commissary-General Northrop says it is all for the army, and the people–non-producers–may [...]
September 19th. Roused up at daylight by heavy cannonading in the direction of Winchester. The battle was on. Those of us who were off duty, with some of the towns-people, went to the top of a high hill to listen to the roar of musketry and the field guns. It was something frightful as it [...]
SEPTEMBER 19TH.—Clear and pleasant. We have nothing yet explanatory of the shelling yesterday. To-day we have news of an expedition of the enemy crossing Rapidan Bridge on the way toward Gordonsville, Charlottesville, etc. Gen. Anderson’s division, from Early’s army, is said to be marching after them. We shall learn more of this business very soon. [...]
September 19th.–My pink silk dress I have sold for $600, to be paid for in instalments, two hundred a month for three months. And I sell my eggs and butter from home for two hundred dollars a month. Does it not sound well –four hundred dollars a month regularly. But in what? In Confederate money. [...]
September 18th. Relieved from picket. Late in the day long wagon trains passed through town, some being parked here. Those passing on went to Harper’s Ferry. Things begin to take on a mysterious look which created much comment and talk among the boys. Either a battle was coming or Sheridan was to fall back. We [...]
SEPTEMBER 18TH–Cool and cloudy; symptoms of the equinoctial gale. We have intelligence of another brilliant feat of Gen. Wade Hampton. Day before yesterday he got in the rear of the enemy, and drove off 2500 beeves and 400 prisoners. This will furnish fresh meat rations for Lee’s army during a portion of [...]
September 17th. Pleasant morning. Detailed for picket duty. Located northeast of town, between the Harper’s Ferry Pike and the Shenandoah River, on the ground where old John Brown was hung in 1859. About noontime saw a company of cavalrymen come flying down the pike from Harper’s Ferry. Wondered what it meant. Later we learned that [...]
SEPTEMBER 17TH.–Bright and dry. The demonstration of the enemy yesterday, on both sides of the river, was merely reconnoissances. Our pickets were driven in, but were soon re-established in their former positions. The Secretary of War is now reaping plaudits from his friends, who are permitted to bring flour enough from the Valley to subsist [...]
September 16th. All is quiet in camp and on picket duty. General Sheridan and the main part of the army are near Winchester. Long wagon trains with supplies pass through town, to and from the main army. Must be kept well guarded. Guerillas are liable to attack the trains at most any point and time. [...]
SEPTEMBER 16TH.–Bright and pleasant–the weather. Gen. Hood telegraphs that his army is so much mortified at the feeble resistance it made to Sherman, that he is certain it will fight better the next time. Mr. Benjamin asks a passport and transportation for Mrs. Jane L. Brant, who goes to Europe in the employment of the [...]
September 15th. Weather fine. At this time duty is light in our camp near this town. Getting all the comfort we can out of our soldier life. Writing many letters to friends in good old Connecticut.
SEPTEMBER 15th.—Bright and pleasant. The firing was from our gun-boats and two batteries, on Gen. Butler’s canal to turn the channel of the river. Our fondly-cherished visions of peace have vanished like a mirage of the desert; and there is general despondency among the croakers. Mr. Burt, of South Carolina (late member of Congress), writes [...]
September 14th. A quiet morning in our camp. Resting and trying to get a little comfort out of life. Talking and living over our service during the past year, not forgetting our unfortunate comrades who were killed and wounded, prisoners. The life of a soldier in war is a severe and sad one. Wonderful what [...]
SEPTEMBER 14TH.–Bright and cold. Gen. Lee is in the city, looking after recruits, details, etc. Mr. Secretary Seddon appears to be in very high spirits to-day, and says our affairs are by no means so desperate as they seem on the surface. I hope the good coming will come soon. Gen. Beauregard has been sent [...]