Friday, 25th–I remained at home all day visiting and talking over some of my experiences. One change I find in myself, and that is the discomfort in sleeping in a warm room, as the custom in the homes is, for it is more than two and a half years since I have slept that way.

March, Friday 25, 1864

As usual late, and breakfast in my room, found Nannie, Jim & Mr. Pugh having a nice time in the Parlor—have not done any work scarcely, only hem’d Eddie two handkerchiefs—Mr. Pugh and I had a game of drafts—I beat him the best three in five. Helen & Joanna went over to Mr. Armstrong’s, did not hear any late news, Mr. Harbut came this evening, he had no news, no curior up for several days—heard from Mr. McMahon, in 2d. Mo Cav, he is very sick, and can’t tell when he will come for his cloth and boots. Mr. Matthews, a soldier from Jackson Cavalry is staying with us tonight, Mr. Harbut stayed too, and we have spent a very pleasant evening. Jim & Boss Pugh the life of the party. Father was very lenient with us tonight, let us sit up until 11 o’clock—we Rebels are having a gay time, although the Yankee Camp is only three miles off. God bless our servants, for they are certainly very faithful. Laura is sitting in a chair now, fast asleep—Bettie did not wait to say her lesson. Beulah and Tippie Dora both sleep—here I sit, solitary and alone—my mind giving birth to a thousand thoughts yet none mature. God bless my Brothers, and oh! make me a better and more useful woman—

MARCH 25th.—Raining moderately.

Yesterday Mr. Miles, member of Congress from South Carolina, received a dispatch from Charleston, signed by many of the leading citizens, protesting against the removal of 52 companies of cavalry from that department to Virginia. They say so few will be left that the railroads, plantations, and even the City of Charleston will be exposed to the easy capture of the enemy; and this is “approved” and signed by T. Jordan, Chief of Staff. It was given to the Secretary of War, who sent it to Gen. Bragg, assuring him that the citizens signing it were the most influential in the State, etc.

Gen. Bragg sent it back with an indignant note. He says the President gave the order, and it was a proper one. These companies of cavalry have not shared the hardships of the war, and have done no fighting; more cavalry has been held by Gen. Beauregard, in proportion to the number of his army, than by any other general; that skeleton regiments, which have gone through fire and blood, ought to be allowed to relieve them; and when recruited, would be ample for the defense of the coast, etc. Gen. Bragg concluded by saying that the offense of having the military orders of the commander-in-chief, etc. exposed to civilians, to be criticised and protested against—and “approved” by the Chief of Staff–at such a time as this, and in a matter of such grave importance—ought not to be suffered to pass without a merited rebuke. And I am sure poor Beauregard will get the rebuke; for all the military and civil functionaries near the government partake of something of a dislike of him.

And yet Beauregard was wrong to make any stir about it; and the President himself only acted in accordance with Gen. Lee’s suggestions, noted at the time in this Diary.

Gen. Polk writes from Dunapolis that he will have communications with Jackson restored in a few days, and that the injury to the railroads was not so great as the enemy represented.

Mr. Memminger, the Secretary of the Treasury, is in a black Dutch fury. It appears that his agent, C. C. Thayer, with $15,000,000 Treasury notes for disbursement in Texas, arrived at the mouth of the Rio Grande in December, when the enemy had possession of Brownsville, and when Matamoras was in revolution. He then conferred with Mr. Benjamin’s friend (and Confederate States secret agent) Mr. Quintero, and Quartermaster Russell, who advised him to deposit the treasure with P. Milmo & Co.—a house with which our agents have had large transactions, and Mr. M. being son-in-law to Gov. Vidurri—to be shipped to Eagle Pass via Monterey to San Antonio, etc.

But alas! and alas! P. Milmo & Co., upon being informed that fifteen millions were in their custody, notified our agents that they would seize it all, and hold it all, until certain alleged claims they held against the Confederate States Government were paid. Mr. Quintero, who sends this precious intelligence, says he thinks the money will soon be released—and so do I, when it is ascertained that it will be of no value to any of the parties there.

Mr. Memminger, however, wants Quartermaster Russell cashiered, and court-martialed, and, moreover, decapitated!

March 25th. Marching orders received to report at regimental headquarters, Camp Hill, Bolivar Heights, near Harper’s Ferry. A cold rain storm on at this time. On account of a hard cold, with a number of others, went to Harper’s Ferry by cars. There met by ambulance and rode to camp. My first ride in an ambulance. Bad getting around in camp on account of the deep mud. Harper’s Ferry is a side hill town. The Potomac and the Shenandoah on either side. Here the B. & O. R. R. crosses the Potomac into Maryland. Above Harper’s Ferry is located the Jefferson Rock, where one gets a fine view. The scenery at this point is grand. The mountains, rivers, and the valley, and also the great Maryland Heights.

Washington March 25^th/64

Nothing very important has occured in regard to the war since my last date. No movement of the Army of the Potomac has taken place. Some Cavalry “raids” have been made and some skirmishing has been going on. Today an order is published consolidating the Army of the Potomac into three Corps Commanded by Gen^ls Warren, Hancock and Sedgwick. Three fighting Gen^ls. Gen^l Grant does not take command in person. Gen^l Mead is to command still. Gen^l Grant will have his head Q^rs (it is said) here in the City. I do not like that. The Army of the Potomac has “swamped” so many Gen^ls that I fear for him. Should that Army be defeated now, it would be ruin to him. In fact I think the political atmosphere of Washington itself will ruin him, but it seems necessary to put forward our “biggest gun” against Lee the Rebel, who has proved himself a most consumate General and so far more than a match (as to skill and ability) for any one we have had against him. If Grant can crush the Army of Lee, then the Rebellion seem to be nearly to an End. The trial will “come off” before long. There is thought to be no great difference in the strength of the two armies now facing each other. I hope ours will be largely re-inforced before the “Trial” as everything seems to depend upon our success, at least the length of the War will very much depend upon it. A few crushing blows this spring will do the work, and not only virtualy end the War, but disappoint the slipery and “sympathising” politicians at the North who are prophesying evil things of our army and obstructing the wheels of government in every way in Congress & out of it. Julia is still at the Fort and I suppose is having a “good time.” I got a line from her the other day informing me that she was learning to ride on horseback and enjoying herself much. We must start for home in about a week, or the family will be much disappointed. We have had the deepest snow of the season the present week, it fell about eight inches but was nearly all gone by night. Today has been quite dreary and wet and tonight the rain is pattering against my window, and the wind is whistling without and driving the big drops in the faces of thousands of Sentinels and men on picket duty. Little do we think while sitting in our comfortable rooms on these cold and stormy nights what the poor soldiers are enduring.

Scottsboro, Ala, March 24, 1864.

Two months and twenty-four days without changing camp; which is the longest time our tents have covered one piece of ground since we organized. We have marched, though, some 35 days during this time, and some such marching. Whew! I think I never suffered on a march as I did on the Sand Mountain in DeKalb county. I wore a thin blouse, and had no overcoat. I’d lie so close to the fire nights that the clothes on my back would scorch and my breath would freeze on my whiskers. We had nothing to keep the freezing dews off us, and it seemed to me that it went through my clothes and an inch of flesh before the dew-point would be blunted. One night about 2 o’clock I had a huge pine knot fire and was trying to warm some half frozen portions of my body, when Captain Smith came over from his bed, as blue as a conscript, to thaw out. He turned one side and then t’other to the blaze, time and again but without much progress; finally he shivered out, “By G—d, Captain, I could wish a tribe of cannibals no worse luck than to get me for breakfast. I’m frozen hard enough to break out half their teeth, and the frost would set the rest aching.” Next morning a lot of us were standing by a fire nearly all grumbling, when the major asked me how I passed the night. “Capitally, slept as sweetly as an infant, little chilly in fore part of night, but forgot it when sleep came.” They looked so pitifully, doubtfully envious, that I got me laugh enough to warm me clear through. Captain Smith, Soot and Lieutenant Ansley have been in with me playing old sledge all evening. A storm came up, blew half of my camp house down, and broke up the party. Have just got fixed up again. Those pine knot fires we had on the mountains, made us all look like blacksmiths. Day before yesterday a foot of snow fell. Last night only drifts on the north side of things were left and to-night you have to hunt for a flake. Two shots on the picket line back of our camp. Guess it’s some of the 26th or 48th recruits. Out of every dozen or twenty recruits, there’s sure to be one who will see men skulking around his picket post, and who will shoot a stump.

Six-thirty a.m. 25th.—Bless me, how it rained and blew last night. Do you remember the storm at Point Pleasant, Mo., April 1, 1862? Never a high wind that I do not think of it. Believe we had two killed, about a dozen disabled and 20 horses killed. No paymaster yet.

Thursday, 24th. After breakfast went to town. Forgot my belt. Had to go by Mr. Cobb’s three times. Felt sad as I breathed a goodbye. Sad sad, sad! Will times ever change? I am glad none of my friends can know the feelings of my heart. Fred and Will and Terrell went to the depot with me. Boys feeling well. Got off at 10. Reached Columbus at 7 P. M. Left at 10 P. M.

Friday, 24th.—Got furlough for two days; suppose because I came so near drawing it. Went home.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Thursday, 24th–I went to Mr. Elseffer’s and spent most of the day there, taking dinner with them. Lewis Elseffer is a member of my company and was detailed as clerk in corps headquarters, thus could not return with us.

MARCH 24th.—A bright pleasant day—snow nearly gone. Next week the clerks in the departments, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, are to be enrolled, and perhaps the greater number will be detailed to their present employments.

Gov. Vance is here, and the President is about to appoint some of his friends brigadiers, which is conciliatory.

Gen. Longstreet has written a letter to the President, which I have not seen. The President sent it to the Secretary to-day, marked “confidential.” It must relate either to subsistence or to important movements in meditation. If the latter, we shall soon know it.

March, Thursday 24, 1864

I slept very late this morning—had breakfast in my room—I would rather have slept than have the choicest dishes from old Schwab’s. Ready at last, arrived in the Parlor, found Jim & Mr. Pugh with the girls having a nice time—spent the morning fixing my old Bombazine dress. Enjoyed my dinner finely, did not stay in the Parlor very long after dinner, came to my room and prepared for a nice evening siesta with London Papers for my companion—soon fell into the arms of Morpheus, slept soundly, but have had no spirit since awakening. Joanna got back from Memphis, bringing Mammy to see Prince. Anna Nelson will ride her Boo, a horse, through the lines tomorrow. Mr. Harbut came early this eve, I left them all in the Parlor—Father allows them to sit up late, as he is reading the papers—I got tired and came to my room, but found it very cheerless, no fire, smoking. Laura, Beulah & Tip all asleep—oh! I am so lonely—I feel a presentiment something good is going to turn up for the Confederacy—God bless my dear Bros, and bring them safe home again.

March 24th.–Yesterday, we went to the Capitol grounds to see our returned prisoners. We walked slowly up and down until Jeff Davis was called upon to speak. There I stood, almost touching the bayonets when he left me. I looked straight into the prisoners’ faces, poor fellows. They cheered with all their might, and I wept for sympathy, and enthusiasm. I was very deeply moved. These men were so forlorn, so dried up, and shrunken, with such a strange look in some of their eyes; others so restless and wild-looking; others again placidly vacant, as if they had been dead to the world for years. A poor woman was too much for me. She was searching for her son. He had been expected back. She said he was taken prisoner at Gettysburg. She kept going in and out among them with a basket of provisions she had brought for him to eat. It was too pitiful. She was utterly unconscious of the crowd. The anxious dread, expectation, hurry, and hope which led her on showed in her face.

A sister of Mrs. Lincoln is here. She brings the freshest scandals from Yankeeland. She says she rode with Lovejoy. A friend of hers commands a black regiment. Two Southern horrors–a black regiment and.

23rd. Boys on hand to start. Didn’t get off. Tomorrow at 10 we now expect to leave. Most of the regt. has got along. Thede and I went over to Uncle Jones’ to tea and remained till 8:30 P. M. Then went to depot and welcomed Fred. Delos and Will there too. We four “B. F.s” spent several hours very pleasantly. Made me both happy and sad. Seemed good for so many to be together again.

Snow Storm.

March 23. A snow storm commenced yesterday and continued through last night with great severity, and as our camp is only a temporary affair it afforded but slight protection; when I awoke this morning I found myself under a blanket of snow about a foot thick; there was quite a depth of snow and it was badly drifted. Before noon it cleared up and the sun shone out warm. Now commenced snow-ball battles, in which all hands engaged and seemed to take great delight. This afternoon a sleighing party drove into camp and made the rounds of the officers’ quarters. This was a battery company, which out of some timbers and boards had improvised a sled about 30 feet long, and had hitched on their whole team of horses some 80 in number. The battery boys were riding the horses, while the sled was covered with officers, both military and naval. Making the rounds of the camps and being entertained at the officers’ quarters, they had a high old time. It didn’t matter much about the sleighing, whether good or bad, as they had team and whiskey enough to make good sleighing anywhere.

Wednesday, 23d–I left all my accouterments and clothing at the hotel. Before starting for home, I purchased some clothing and other articles, all amounting to $46.50. Among other things, I bought a blouse and vest, a hat, shirts, boots, pen, and my first watch, for which I paid $17.00. I started for home at 10 o’clock, and as it is seeding time and the roads are muddy, there were no teams in town from my neighborhood, so I had to walk the entire distance, all alone. I reached home at 8 o’clock and found all well, and getting along fine.

March, Wednesday 23, 1864

Tate & I went to Memphis this morning bright and early—stoped at Mrs. Apperson’s first—from there to Cousin Frazor. Tate met me at Mrs. Worsham’s room, we then went up street, walked until three o’clock, attended to all affaires entrusted to our care, ready to leave at half past three—all of the Yankee Cavalry moveing , destination not known—could hear no particulars, think they are going after Forrest, who we think is on his way to Kentucky. The Yankees are evidently on a great fright about something. God grant they may be defeated in all their undertakings. We came through  white Pickets—I think we will not try them again—the Negroes are ten times more lenient—We came by Wash Taylor’s, got two hats for soldiers—came through Yankee Camp, if the Lord forgives me I will never do it again. Yankee Soldier drove our horse in Nonconnah for us— seemed to be a gentleman, for which we were very grateful—found Mr. Harbut awaiting our report. Mr. John & Henry Nelson & Mr. Harbut took Tea with us. Jim & Mr. Pugh completed the list for a nice Rebel meeting—brought a great deal through lines this eve—Yankee Pickets took our papers—

MARCH 23d.—Snow fell all night, and was eight or ten inches deep this morning; but it was a bright morning, and glorious sunshine all day,—the anniversary of the birth of Shakspeare, 300 years ago,—and the snow is melting rapidly.

The Secretary of War had a large amount of plate taken from the department to-day to his lodgings at the Spottswood Hotel. It was captured from the enemy with Dahlgren, who had pillaged it from our opulent families in the country.

Tuesday, 22nd. Went with Thede over to Uncle Jones’. Stayed till after dinner. Visited with boys. Saw Will and Terrell play billiards. Introduced to Mrs. Case. Col. Purington asked me in to see his wife. In the evening officers presented Mrs. P. with a silver tea service. $3.00 per man. Wine, etc. Didn’t indulge. Saw the Arabs perform–great feats.

Wednesday, 22.—Big snow. 36th and 56th fought snow battle. 36th had to retreat, being out numbered. 12 A. M., long roll beat in 39th; in short time long roll in 56th; both regiments formed at once, confronting each other, with colors flying; 39th advanced, 56th charged and drove 39th back about ten steps, when they rallied and drove 56th back some distance. The battle now raged with tremendous fury; snowballs flying and falling fast as hail. Got hold of 56th’s colors, but they rallied so strong, could not take them away. Both sides agreed to quit, the 39th having driven the 56th back about one hundred yards.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Tuesday, 22d–We reached La Salle at 2 o’clock this afternoon and changed cars for Davenport, arriving at our destination at dark. I took lodging at the Davis House. The taverns are all crowded, because of so many soldiers coming home on their furloughs.

MARCH 22d.—Cloudy morning, with ice; subsequently a snowstorm all day long. No war news. But meat and grain are coming freely from the South. This gives rise to a rumor that Lee will fall back, and that the capital will be besieged; all without any foundation.

A Mrs. _____ from Maryland, whose only son is in a Federal prison, writes the President (she is in this city) that she desires to go to Canada on some secret enterprise. The President favors her purpose in an indorsement. On this the Secretary indorses a purpose to facilitate her design, and suggests that she be paid $1000 in gold from the secret service fund. She is a Roman Catholic, and intimates that the bishops, priests, and nuns will aid her.

21st. Packed up in the morning. Went to Cleveland on the P. M. train. George went to the depot with me. Thede rode the horses. Saw Will, took supper with him. Went to the depot and around somewhat, expecting Fred. Good visit with Delos. Put up at Forest City Hotel. Saw most of the Co. Boys. Half of 2nd O. V. C. on a drunk.

          “. . . I have just returned from a ride with some of ‘the staff’ looking at the country. I think Gen. Hood is quite anxious for a fight and I have no doubt will distinguish himself whenever it does come. He brought a carriage up from Atlanta when he came, but has sent it back, and rides everywhere on horseback. He is out nearly every day and rides from twelve to fifteen and twenty miles without dismounting.
         ” . . . I heard a sermon yesterday from Gen. Pendleton, who I wrote in my last to Papa is out here inspecting the artillery of the army. He read the service, and it had a very familiar sound with the exception of the hymns, which were from the prayer book, but sung to the regular old Camp-meeting tunes, through the nose. . . .

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Monday, 21st–We reached Cairo at 4 o’clock this morning and I went ashore with my comrades to the Soldiers’ Home for breakfast. We then went to the provost marshal’s office for our railroad transportation from Cairo to Davenport. We boarded the train at noon and arrived at Centralia at 5 o’clock. We had to lie here until after midnight when we took the Illinois Central for La Salle, Illinois. The train was so crowded that in order to get a comfortable place, we bought sleeping berths. The weather is cold here, and we saw snowbanks for the first time in two years.