MAY 20th.—Fog; then sunshine all day, but cool. Troops have been marching through the city all day from the south side. I presume others take their places arriving from the South. Barton’s brigade had but 700 out of 2000 that went into battle last Monday. Our wounded amount to 2000; perhaps the enemy’s loss was [...]
Kingston, May 20, 1864. Our cars got here this morning; the whistle woke me. One of the most improbable rumors afloat is that letters will be allowed to go North to-day. I know you are anxious, so will not lose the rumor of a chance. Billy Fox returned to-day. My things are all right at [...]
MAY 19th.—Sunshine and showers, the former predominating. Gen. Lee sends a dispatch saying the enemy’s attack yesterday was repulsed easily—our loss very light. It is said, however, that the enemy have Guinea’s Station, 12 miles this side of Fredericksburg. Gen. Beauregard intends shelling Butler in his fortifications to-morrow. From the West, in Georgia, and beyond [...]
Kingston, Cass County, Ga., May 19, 1864, 5 p.m. The artillery has been working all day, but have not heard how much of a fight. That dead Rebel colonel was Iverson, of the Second Georgia Cavalry; we think he was formerly a M. C. of this State, and a secessionist. The citizens here have most [...]
MAY 18th.—Showers and sunshine, the first preponderating. Our killed and wounded in Beauregard’s battle amount to some 1500. The enemy lost 1000 prisoners, and perhaps 1500 killed and wounded. Railroad men report heavy firing this morning near Fredericksburg, and it is believed another battle is in progress. From the West we have a report, derived [...]
May 18, 1864. Our division has had the advance to-day, but no infantry fighting. At noon we get into Adairsville and meet the 4th Army Corps. Saw Generals Howard, Thomas, Sickles and a hundred others. We are camped five miles southwest of town and by the prettiest place I ever saw. The house is excellent, [...]
May 17th. Near Cedar Creek. Took account of stock this morning. A requisition goes to the quartermaster for a supply of clothes, rubber blankets, shelter tents. Much of our luggage gets lost on the march and in battle. Captain Wm. L. Spaulding, Co. B, killed at Newmarket. Body brought along by members of his company. [...]
IN LINE BATTLE NEAR SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, VA., May 17, 1864. My Dear Mother: Again by kind Providence I am permitted to write you a short letter. There has been no general engagement since I last wrote you. Fights and skirmishing are kept up along the line. Our brigade is now the extreme left of [...]
MAY 17th.—Sunshine and showers. The battle yesterday decided nothing, that I am aware of. We captured 1000 prisoners, stormed some of their intrenchments; losing altogether probably as many as the enemy. But we drove them back to Bermuda Hundred, behind their fortifications, and near their ships. Gen. Johnston was attacked at Dalton by 80,000 men [...]
May 17, 1864, 10 a.m. Our regiment moves in rear of the division to-day and we are still waiting for the trains to pass. We can hear firing in front occasionally, and although we have seen fighting enough to satisfy us for a time, still it’s more disagreeable to be away in the rear and [...]
May 16th. Last night we fell back to Mount Jackson, when orders were given to fall back, or to continue the march. I am about worn out for the want of sleep and rest. This is war and the life of a soldier. With all our troubles it continues to rain very hard and the [...]
MAY 16th.—Warm—sunshine and light showers. Memorable day—not yet decided at 2 P.M. Early this morning Gen. Beauregard attacked the enemy on the south side of the river, and by 9 A.M. he had sent over to the city Gen. Heckman and 840 prisoners, the entire 27th Massachusetts Regiment. Subsequently it is said 400 were sent [...]
May 16, 1864, 6 p.m. The old story—the Rebels evacuated last night. They made two or three big feints of attacking during the night, but are all gone this morning. It is said they have taken up a position some five miles ahead. Prisoners and deserters are coming in. At Resaca we captured eight cannon, [...]
May 15th. Rain. Rain. On picket, wondering why we do not get relieved. It is past time for the relief to show up. Lieutenant Kerr sends a detail to camp to learn the cause. Returned in a short time, reported the regiment had left for parts unknown. The Lieutenant called in the pickets to the [...]
MAY 15th.—Clouds, sunshine, and showers. The tremendous cannonading all day yesterday at Drewry’s Bluff was merely an artillery duel—brought on by the heavy skirmishing of pickets. The batteries filled the air with discordant sounds, and shook the earth with grating vibration. Perhaps 100 on each side were killed and wounded—”not worth the ammunition,” as a [...]
May 15, 1864, 1:30 a.m. At 11 p.m. went again on the skirmish line with Captain Post and superintended the construction of rifle pits for our skirmishers. A good deal of fun between our boys and the Rebels talking only 50 yards apart. Five thirty a.m.—At 3 a.m. moved and are now supporting Osterhaus, who [...]
May 14th. Rain. Broke camp at 4 o’clock this morning. Again on the march, pushing up the valley. Heavy cannonading going on at a distance. By the sound, hot work must be going on at the front. Marching on, passed through the town of Edenburg. Go into camp about a mile from the town. Our [...]
MAY 14th.—Warm, with alternate sunshine and showers. With the dawn recommenced the heavy boom of cannon down the river. It was rumored this morning that our right wing at Drewry’s Bluff had been flanked, but no official information has been received of the progress of the fight. I saw a long line of ambulances going [...]
Every one looks as if he had passed through a hard spell of sickness, black and muddy as hogs. IN LINE OF BATTLE NEAR SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, VA., May 14, 1864. My Dear Folks: Through the kind providence of the Almighty God I have come out so far safe and sound and am spared once [...]
May 14, 1864, Daylight. We have just been in line and the intention was to charge the Rebel position, but two batteries were discovered in front of us. The skirmishers advanced a little and brought down a heavy fire. A battery is now getting into position in our front, right in front of our company, [...]
May 13th. Rain continues. No prospect of a let up. I helped our wagoner, Wm. Wetmore to water the mules. Had to go about a half mile from our camp. My first ride on a mule. Rode one and led others. We are wondering if it will ever stop raining. Wet through. Must attend to [...]
MAY 13th.—Cloudy and showery all day. Last night my youngest son Thomas came in, furloughed (unsolicited) by his officers, who perceived his exhaustion. The enemy disappeared in the night. We suffered most in the several engagements with him near the city. I suppose some sympathizer had furnished him with a copy of our photograph map [...]
Still in Snake Creek Gap, May 13, 1864. Moved forward a half mile and our regiment built a strong line of log works. We have had a perfect rush of generals along the line to-day: Hooker, Sickles, McPherson, Thomas, Palmer, Sherman and a dozen of smaller fry. The boys crowded around Sherman and he could [...]
May 12th. A severe rain storm set in last night. Detailed for picket. Wet through. Between the rain and the mud we are in misery. Duty must be attended to. We are in the field, the enemy’s country. What sleep we can get in the mud and rain doesn’t amount to very much, as we [...]
MAY 12th.—Thunder, lightning, and rain all day. The report of Gen. Lee’s victory was premature, and Butler has not gone, nor the raiders vanished. On the contrary, the latter were engaged in battle with Stuart’s division late in the afternoon, and recommenced it this morning at 3 o’clock, the enemy remaining on the ground, and [...]