JUNE 23d.—Clear and warm. The news of the capture of 1600 Federals, 4 guns, etc., yesterday at Petersburg, has put the people here in better humor, which has been bad enough, made so by reported rapes perpetrated by negro soldiers on young ladies in Westmoreland county. There has been talk of vengeance, and no doubt [...]
JUNE 22d.—Dry and pleasant. The city full of idle rumors—that the whole brigade of local troops were captured yesterday—that Gen. Fitz Lee has again been made prisoner, and that another raiding party is threatening the Danville Road, the canal, etc. There is no foundation for any of them, so far as I can learn.
June 23, 1864, 9 a.m. The Rebels opened furiously from the mountain last night about 12. Here they are firing at a division of the 14th who had advanced and were fortifying. No harm done. I failed to wake up. It is reported this morning that Ewell’s Corps has arrived to reinforce Johnston. Don’t think [...]
June 23d. Left New Castle very early this hot morning. No air in these valleys of Virginia and West Virginia. Most of our rations consist of fresh meat. It is brought in to us in the night and cooked in the night, broiled on the end of a ramrod. It is hard to keep out [...]
June 22, 1864. Our Adjutant Wagstaff is out of the service and the recommendation for Frank Lermond to receive the appointment has gone on to Governor Yates. Frank is well worthy of the place and has earned it. We flatter ourselves that no regiment has less skulkers than ours in battle, and we have through [...]
June 22nd. In camp late last night after a long hard march. A good night’s rest. The ground for a bed and the sky for a covering. Sadly in need of rations. On the march pass the ruins of many army wagons being burned up to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy. [...]
June 21st. After an all night’s march, we reach the town of Salem, Roanoke county, Virginia, located near the mountains. The scenery good. After we came to a halt by the roadside, tired – worn out– hungry, leaning up against a rail fence, I soon fell asleep. Later I was awakened by the cavalry, then [...]
JUNE 21st.—Clear and warmer. Gen. Beauregard has not been removed from his command,—it would be too great a shock to popular sentiment. The iron-clads went out this morning and proceeded down the river, supported by Custis Lee’s brigade of local troops, including the Departmental Battalion, marching a dozen miles in the sun and dust. More [...]
June 21, 1864. No variation to report to-day. Heavy rain yesterday and to-day. Some 350 prisoners were sent in from the right yesterday, and about 80 more that I know of to-day. Figure that we have taken about 3,000 prisoners at this place. Since the army went into position here the right has advanced about [...]
JUNE 20th.—A fog; subsequently dry and dusty, but the sun in a haze, like Indian summer. As I feared; there is trouble with Beauregard. He drew off his troops from in front of Bermuda Hundred to reinforce the fewer regiments at Petersburg, and saved that city, and Gen. Lee had to drive the enemy off [...]
Same place, front of Twin Mountains, June 20, 1864, 11 a.m. Rebels still on the mountain, a good deal of our artillery, a little of theirs, and not much musketry this morning. Wheeler is in our rear, but we don’t care for that. I do hope, though, that Forrest will not be allowed to come [...]
June 20th. A hot morning. Traveled all night. Most of the time at a lively gait, at times on the run, to keep with the wagons and artillery. Sometimes we would hang on to the tailboards in order to keep up. Don’t know how many miles we have covered since we left in front of [...]
June 19th. Last night, by a forced march, we overtook the army. It was a fearful night. Dark, a part of the time marching over rough roads, through lots, wading small streams, fighting back the rebel cavalry. Glad when daylight came, but no time to stop for rest this hot Sunday morning. Tired, foot-sore, hungry, [...]
JUNE 19th, SUNDAY.—Hazy and cool. We have no details this morning of the fighting yesterday, and some doubt if a battle was fought. I presume assaults were made on our intrenchments in diverse places, and repulsed. Beauregard’s battle, Friday night, is still in smoke, but it is rumored the enemy lost 9000 killed and wounded. [...]
June 19, 1864. This is the 50th day of the campaign. Our brigade has been under musketry fire 12 days, artillery about 30. We have as a brigade fought three nice little battles, in as many days, repulsing two charges, and making one which was a perfect success. We have captured all told about 650 [...]
June 18th. Not much sleep and rest for us last night. Pickets kept up a ceaseless firing, with an occasional shell dropping in our midst. Could also hear the trains running into town all night. Beating of drums, pounding and hammering, and much noise. Estimated our lines are formed within three miles of the town. [...]
JUNE 18th.—Clear and cool. To-day, heavy firing is heard on the south side of the river. It is believed a general engagement is in progress. It is the anniversary of the battle of WATERLOO. If we gain the day, it will end the war. It is now said Gen. Early (with Ewell’s corps) has reached [...]
June 18, 1864. It rained steadily until 4 p.m. and had hardly ceased a minute when our guns opened and the skirmish lines joined issue. General Harrow and Colonel Wright rode out to the left some 200 yards from the regiment and narrowly escaped a trip over the river, a shell bursting right under the [...]
June 17th. A cornfield was a rough place to sleep for a night, and try to rest. Up early this morning. After a hasty feed, again on the march, along the main pike to Lynchburg. Our advance is slow most of the time, as we drive the enemy along. At times it is hot work. [...]
JUNE 17th.—Clear and pleasant. A dispatch from Beauregard states that two assaults of the enemy yesterday, at Petersburg, were repulsed with loss; and it is reported that he recovered all lost ground to-day. Yet Beauregard has an enemy in his rear as well as in his front. When the battles were fought on the south [...]
Near Big Shanty, Ga., June 17, 1864. Has rained steadily all day, wetting everybody, but “drying up” all shooting. A very disagreeable day. I saw 83 Rebels come in to-day, about one-half of whom were deserters and the rest figured to get captured.
June 16th. Last night some member of our company started a small fire close to the root of a pine tree. It was decayed through the center, which quickly caught fire, the blaze shooting out at the top, like a high chimney. The tree being away up the mountain, the blaze could be seen for [...]
JUNE 16th.—Clear and pleasant weather, but dusty. The Departmental Battalion marched away, last night, from the Chickahominy (guarding a ford when no enemy was on the other side!) for Chaffin’s Farm, on the James River. They were halted after marching an hour or so, and permitted to rest (sleep) while the rest of the brigade [...]
June 16, 1864. We moved back a mile last night, being relieved by the 17th Corps. Taking it easy again to-day. There has been a lively artillery fight right in front of us to-day. Tell * * * if any of the 31st or 40th Alabama officers report at Johnston’s Island, to give them my [...]
June 15th. Up and early on the march this hot morning. Going up the narrow road over the mountains we make very slow progress. The Rebs and bushwhackers have cut down large trees and fell them across the road. The Pioneer Corps are having hard work to clear the road. As we pass slowly along [...]