JULY 19th.—A steady, gentle rain from 8 A.M. till 4 P.M. A dispatch from Gen. Hood, who relieves Gen. Johnston, was received to-day. It was in cipher, and I did not learn the contents. I strove in vain to-day to buy a few cabbage seed! The following is a copy of a letter received from [...]
July 19th. This hot morning finds us at Snicker’s Gap. Everything quiet. The enemy on one side of the river and we the other. Both armies where we see one another. Later in the day batteries were put in position on both sides, and occasionally open fire on one another. One shell from the enemy [...]
July 18th. Up and early on the march this fine morning. Pushing on to the south in the direction of Snicker’s Gap, Blue Ridge Mountains, eighteen miles south of Harper’s Ferry. We cannot tell what an hour may bring forth. As we approach Snicker’s Gap we came to a halt. Here we meet a part [...]
Near Stone Mountain, July 18, 1864. Osterhaus (or his division, for I hear that he resigned and yesterday started for the North, en route for Mexico, where he formerly resided, and that he intends entering the Mexican Army to fight “Johnny Crapeau”) was ahead to-day, and only lost a dozen or 50 men. Our brigade [...]
JULY 18th.—Clear and dry. It is believed that a battery sent down opposite to Harrison’s Bar in the James River sank two of the enemy’s transports, Saturday, and drove back five others to Grant. It is rumored that Gen. Johnston has been relieved at Atlanta, and Lieut.-Gen. Hood placed in command. I doubt. It is [...]
July 17th. Sunday morning. Late last night we were ordered to march. Estimated we marched about five miles, when we came to a halt in a wooded field. Fine large trees. During the night we heard the rattling of the wheels of artillery and wagons, being driven very rapid, going south. This morning report reached [...]
June 17, 1864. After erecting some good works at Roswell (the best we have yet built), capable of holding at least 25,000 men, we were provided with three days’ rations and cartridges “ad libitum,” for another of what an Augusta paper calls “Sherman leap-frog-like advance.” Our corps is the extreme left of the army. We [...]
JULY 17th.—Dry—the sky bright and brassy—the gardens almost ruined. Last evening definite news came in the Washington Chronicle of the 14th. Gen. Early was recrossing the Potomac with an immense amount of stores levied in the enemy’s country, including thousands of horses, etc. This, the Chronicle thinks, will be beneficial to the United States, as [...]
July 16th. Yesterday we had a long tedious march, putting in a hard day. Last night we were glad to drop on the ground for rest and sleep. This is a hot morning out here in the open fields. Our cavalry boys brought in a captured rebel wagon train. The rebel teamsters were driving as [...]
July 16, 1864, 76th of the Campaign. I can hear no firing to-day, but we are so far from the right or center that we could hear nothing less than a 13-inch mortar. I will tell you all I know of the situation just to let you know how little a soldier knows of what [...]
JUNE 16th.—Bright and cool—the canopy assuming a brassy aspect from the drought. Alack! all the rejoicings are checked, and the public seems to have been hoaxed by the officer who reported that a Washington paper of the 13th inst. contained an account of the surrender of Baltimore to the Confederate States forces! The paper of [...]
July 15, 1864. This is a glorious place. The current in the river is very swift, and it is the nicest stream to bathe in imaginable. I’ve a mind to stay here and have my meals brought to me. Expect we will catch some nice fish after they get over being scared at having so [...]
JULY 15th.—Clear and cool; subsequently cloudy. The Washington Chronicle of the 12th, received yesterday, indicates that Washington or Baltimore, or both, were in danger of falling into our possession. Lieut.-Col. G. W. Lay said, this morning, in my office, that Grant would not leave—that he held a most important position—that he would not fail in [...]
July 15th. Came off picket very early. A fine morning. The army again on the march. Our regiment in the rear, waiting for orders. Passed through Knoxville, pushing on to Berlin, Maryland. Coming to a halt discovered the advance wading the Potomac River, over into Virginia, the Loudon Valley country. At this point there was [...]
July 14th. We have to turn out at daylight. Soon after rations, again in line and marching. We are getting very ragged. Many are barefooted. Clothes will wear out in this rough life. Pushing along. Marched over Bolivar Heights, down through Harper’s Ferry, over the Potomac River on the railroad bridge, into Maryland, taking the [...]
July 14, 1864. Another hot day. We marched down to the river at Roswell and crossed it, and have gone into camp on the bank a mile above town. This Roswell is a beautiful little town, such splendid trees all through it. Our cavalry four or five days ago destroyed some very large factories here. [...]
JULY 14th.—The drought continues here; but at some other places there has fallen heavy rain. The excitement on the news of our successes in Maryland is intense, and a belief prevails that great results will grow out of this invasion of the country held by the enemy. Twice before but little if any benefit resulted [...]
July 13th. Routed out by daylight. After rations, while waiting, wrote a few letters. The mail was most generally looked after by the Chaplain. Marching orders, “Fall in,” came the command, line soon formed. Down through the town we go, out on the Harper’s Ferry Pike. Weather fine. Soon take the route step, an easy [...]
July 13, 1864. We passed through Marietta this morning at 9; rested in a cool, nice, woody place from 11 to 2, and made this place in the cool of the evening. We marched about 14 miles today. I would rather be in a fight than endure such a day’s march, and I think fighting [...]
JULY 13th.—Bright and pleasant. The city is in great excitement and joy. Gen. Early has gained a victory in Maryland, near Frederick, defeating Gen. Wallace, capturing Gen. Tyler and Col. Seward (son of the Secretary), besides many prisoners. The slaughter was great, and the pursuit of the routed army was toward Baltimore. Grant is certainly [...]
July 12, 1864. We lay quietly in the shade all day the 11th, save those who had ambition enough to go fishing, berrying or swimming. The other bank of the Chattahoochie opposite us is yet lined with Rebel sharp-shooters, but there is a fine creek from which the boys get some fine fish. I saw [...]
JULY 12th.—Clear and warm—the earth refreshed. Gen. Johnston telegraphs to Gen. Bragg to have the United States prisoners at Andersonville “distributed immediately.” He does not allege a reason for the necessity. It may be danger of an outbreak—or that the yellow fever has broken out among them. I think Grant is about to have a [...]
July 12th. A fine morning. When relieved from duty went to the large spring for a bath. Called on Mrs. Shults, my wash-woman. A fine old German woman. Always did my washing and the mending of my clothes. Her old father lived with her. Owned a small home on the Winchester Pike, close to the [...]
July 11th. Called up early this morning. Orders to march. Left Back Creek. After a slow march of about seven miles we came to Martinsburg. We call this our home town, having served in this section of the Shenandoah Valley for two years. Marched through the town, meeting a few old friends. Camped on the [...]
JULY 11th.—Hot and dry, and the famine continues. The Secretary of War intimated on Saturday that if the clerks of the bureaus would raise a fund and send an agent South to buy provisions, he would insure them transportation, etc. To-day he denies that he made the promise, and refuses to aid them. The government [...]