West bank of Crow Creek, near Stevenson, May 2d, 1864. Only about seven miles from last night’s camp, but will have to wait until to-morrow to build a bridge. The creek is some 150 feet wide. Our Pioneer Corps will from the rough put a bridge over it in ten hours, that is to be [...]
MAY 2d.—A cool day, sunshine and showers. To-day Congress assembled, and the President’s message was delivered, although he buried his youngest son yesterday, who lost his life by an accidental fall from the porch on Saturday. We have abundance of good news to-day. First, the Florida has captured one, and destroyed another of the enemy’s [...]
May 2d. Severe rain storm this morning. Came off picket wet through. Tents no good, leaking very badly. Our regiment still on the advance, holding the picket line from the main pike to the Romney dirt road on the west.
May 1st, 1864. Bivouac at Mud Creek. Up at daylight, and off on time. 6 a.m. The camp was full of citizens early, all after our leavings. The way they did snatch for old clothes was far from slow. They actually stole lots of trash right under the noses of the soldier owners. Out “jayhawking” [...]
MAY 1st.—Cloudy and showery, but warm, and fine for vegetation. My lettuce, cabbage, beans, etc. are growing finely. But the Yankee corn and lima beans, imported by Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, have rotted in the ground. No war news. Yesterday a paper was sent to the President by Gen. Pickett, recommending Gen. Roger A. [...]
May 1st. Marching orders this morning. Pushing on towards Winchester. Passed over the battle-field known to us as Carter’s Farm, or Summit Point, on the Harper’s Ferry and Winchester R. R. On this field we did some hard fighting against great odds, June 15th, 1863. Many of our boys were made prisoners. Talked over the [...]
Scottsboro, Ala., April 30th, ’64. You know we have been under marching orders for several days. At dress parade this evening orders were read notifying us that the division would move out on the road to Chattanooga at 6 a.m., May 1st. This is the first intimation of the direction we would take. It surprises [...]
APRIL 30th.—Federal papers now admit that Gen. Banks has been disastrously beaten in Louisiana. They also admit their calamity at Plymouth, N. C. Thus in Louisiana, Florida, West Tennessee, and North Carolina the enemy have sustained severe defeats: their losses amounting to some 20,000 men, 100 guns, half a dozen war steamers, etc. etc. Gen. [...]
April 30th. At Bunker Hill. Only doing picket duty and resting. Weather cloudy. Liable to march at any minute. All is quiet and nothing important has taken place up to this time. Camp made up with our shelter tents.
APRIL 29th.—A letter from Major-Gen. Hoke, dated Plymouth, April 25th, and asking the appointment of Lieut.-Col. Dearing to a brigadiership, says his promotion is desired to lead a brigade in the expedition against Newbern. The President directs the Secretary to appoint him temporarily “for the expedition.” Soon we shall know the result. By flag of [...]
April 29th. Reveille at daylight, then roll call, breakfast. Packed up waiting for orders to march, while in line. The command being given, we began our march, passing through town, out on the Winchester Pike. Macadamized roads were known as pikes. Going towards Winchester it was named after that town. Going from Winchester the same [...]
Scottsboro, Ala., April 28, 1864. We received marching orders last night, and will probably move to-morrow morning. Supposition is that we go to Huntsville first, there store our baggage, and then cross the Tennessee river and open the Spring campaign. I am much pleased at the prospect of moving once more. Have never been so [...]
APRIL 28th.—After a slight shower last night, a cool, clear morning. The ominous silence or pause between the armies continues. Lieut.-Gen. Longstreet, it is said, is “hidden.” I suppose he is working his way around the enemy’s right flank. If so, we shall soon hear thunder. It is also supposed that Lee meditates an incursion [...]
April 28th. Martinsburg, West Virginia. Up early this morning, waiting for the regiment which soon came marching into town, having camped for the night about five miles out of town. Weather fine. Ordered to camp out on the Williamsport Pike, north side. Just got camp located, tents up, orders came to strike tents, turn them [...]
APRIL 27th.—Another bright and beautiful day; and vegetation is springing with great rapidity. But nearly all my potatoes, corn, egg-plants, and tomatoes seem to have been killed by the frosts of March. I am replanting corn, lima beans, etc. The other vegetables are growing well. One of my fig-bushes was killed—that is, nearly all the [...]
April 27th. Camp Hill, Bolivar Heights, near Harper’s Ferry. Broke camp. I am detailed to go by train with regimental baggage, to load and unload and also to guard it. The regiment on the march. By noontime we had the baggage loaded and the train under way, which makes a good run. On arrival baggage [...]
APRIL 26th.—Another truly fine spring day. The ominous silence on the Rapidan and Rappahannock continues still. The two armies seem to be measuring each other’s strength before the awful conflict begins. It is said the enemy are landing large bodies of troops at Yorktown. Major-Gen. Ransom has been assigned to the command of this department; [...]
April 26th. Marching orders received. Ordered to report at Martinsburg. Now under General Sigel, who has been put in command of all the forces in the Shenandoah Valley, for an advance up the valley.
APRIL 25th.—A bright and beautiful day; southern breezes. No reliable war news; but there are rumors that our victory at Shreveport was a great one. Nothing additional from North Carolina, though something further must soon occur there. It is said the enemy’s killed and wounded at Plymouth amounted to only 100: ours 300; but we [...]
Scottsboro, Ala., April 24, 1864. Spring is here at last, and summer is almost in sight. The last two days have been fully as warm as I care to see weather in April. There has been a great deal of cold, wet weather here this spring, and vegetable life is unusually backward; but the last [...]
APRIL 24th.—Cloudy and windy, but warm. We have none of the details yet of the storming of Plymouth, except the brief dispatches in the newspapers; nor any reliable accounts of subsequent movements. But a letter from Gen. Whiting indicates that all his troops had been taken northward, and we may expect something further of interest. [...]
APRIL 23d.—A bright day, with southern breezes. It is rumored and believed that Gen. Lee’s army is in motion. If this be so, we shall soon hear of a “fight, or a foot race.” And how can Grant run away, when Mr. Chase, the Federal Secretary of the Treasury, openly proclaims ruin to the finances [...]
April 23d. Early this morning the Johnnie Rebs made an attack on the outposts on the Charlestown Pike. A hot fire was kept up. Our pickets holding them in check while our regiment was ordered out, double quick. We made a forced march out about two miles but the enemy had left. It was thought [...]
APRIL 22d.—A bright day and warmer. Cherry-trees in blossom. We have the following war news: “PLYMOUTH, N. C., April 20th. “To GEN. BRAGG. ………“I have stormed and captured this place, capturing 1 brigadier, 1600 men, stores, and 25 pieces of artillery. ………………………………………………………“R. F. HOKE, Brig.-General.” The President has changed his mind since the reception of [...]
APRIL 21st.—Bright sunshine all day, but cool. Gen. Bragg received a dispatch to day from Gen. Hoke, of Plymouth, N. C., stating that he had (yesterday) stormed Plymouth, taking 1600 prisoners, 25 cannon, stores, etc. etc. This put the city in as good spirits as possible. But the excitement from Hoke’s victory was supplanted by [...]