February 28th. Nothing important has taken place since the last date. Sunshine, cold, rain, and snow has come to us weatherwise. Certain duties must be kept up regardless of weather. Attended church in town. Masonic funeral in town this afternoon. The drum corps of our regiment furnished the marching music. Many soldiers taking part in the parade who were Masons. They helped to carry on the service. The citizens were pleased to have the help of the soldiers.

FEBRUARY 29th,—Raining moderately.

There is a rumor that Frederick’s Hall, between this city and Fredericksburg, was taken to day by a detachment of the enemy’s cavalry, an hour after Gen. Lee passed on his way to the army. This is only rumor, however.

A dispatch from Gen. Lee’s Chief Commissary, received to-day, says the army has only bread enough to last till the 1st of March, to-morrow! and that meat is getting scarce again. Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, indorses on this, that he foresaw and frequently foretold that such a crisis would come. He says transportation sufficient cannot be had, and that he has just heard of an accident to the Wilmington Railroad, which will diminish the transportation of corn one-half; and he says a similar accident to the Charlotte Road would be fatal. Comfortable! And when I saw him afterward, his face was lit up with triumph, as if he had gained a victory! He predicted it, because they would not let him impress all the food in the country. And now he has no remedy for the pressing need. But the soldiers won’t starve, in spite of him.

Sunday, 28th–The supply trains started on ahead for Vicksburg, taking with them about six thousand contrabands and refugees–men, women and children, both white and black, of all sorts and sizes. The rebels drove in our pickets today, but did not come any closer. The report is that it is Wheeler and his cavalry.

28th. Thede and I attended church together. Heard Prof. Finney in the morning. Prof. Morgan in P. M. Good sermons. Heard Mr. Fairfield in evening. “Repent, lest we grieve the spirit of God.” Thede went forward. I feel determined through God’s grace to do, work and live for Jesus hereafter, less for self.

29th. Thede went to Pittsfield and around to see if he couldn’t find a recruit. Melissa and I went to Minnie’s. Came home for Thede but he had gone away. Took Floy over. Waffles and sugar for supper. Floy and I went to Young People’s meeting. Interesting. M. caught cold.

Secesh Ladies.

Feb. 29. Most of the residents in town are women and small children, and a few old men. Of course the colored people are with us always. All the men being away, makes society for the Indies a little one-sided. At the evacuation most of the women remained here to take care of their property, and there are very few empty houses. These ladies pretend to have a great contempt for Yankees, but still they don’t appear to have quite enough to prevent their talking or chatting with us. On sunny days they may be seen at the windows or on the verandas, and a passing soldier who touches his cap in a respectful manner will perhaps get an invitation to call. If he conducts himself with propriety and is agreeable, they will ask him to be seated or perhaps ask him into the house, and on leaving, if he happens to suit them, they will invite him to call again, but some of them are not always so agreeable that a second call is desirable. These ladies pride themselves on being the regular F. F. V’s, and have a great pride of birth and ancestry; they will sit by the hour and talk and boast of it. They claim to be the real thoroughbreds and can trace their lineage in a direct line right straight back to William and Mary.

One day, while a party of them were talking that kind of nonsense and making right smart of fun of the mixed Yankee race, I said: “So far as anything that I know to the contrary that may all be as you say, but if appearances go for anything one would naturally conclude that some of the colored people about here might boast that some of William’s and Mary’s blood coursed through their veins.” [continue reading…]

I don’t like the idea of leaving our winter quarters this time of the year. We are bound to have some very severe weather yet.

CAMP, FOURTH N. C., NEAR ORANGE COURT HOUSE,
February, 1864.

My Dear Mother:
I received your letter dated February 21st, Friday, and I should have answered it yesterday, but for the want of time. Our Brigade has about one mile of plank road to ditch and grade and there is a very heavy detail from the Regiment every day. The whole regiment is on duty every day and will be for eight or ten days more. Those that are not on guard are at work on the roads. I came off guard this morning and will be on fatigue duty tomorrow until we make some move. We got orders this morning to cook up two days’ rations and keep it on hand until further orders. I can’t imagine what it is for. We have had so much nice weather for the past week or two. I think our General anticipates an attack. I don’t like the idea of leaving our winter quarters this time of the year. We are bound to have some very severe weather yet. The day Cullen left, it snowed about two or three inches deep, and before the next day at 12 o’clock all traces of it had disappeared. It is warm enough at present to be without a fire. All are busy cooking up rations for fear we may have to leave. I haven’t cut the ham you sent by Cullen, yet, and I have about half the middling which Mr. Christman brought me. I have one or two potatoes left yet. If we stay here until Spring, I think I shall have enough to last me. If you have an opportunity, I should like to have about a peck of peas. They go farther and do a man more good than anything that I know of.

I wish you would send my copy of Shakespeare; it’s a brown colored back, with my name in it. Wrap it up and send it by May Warren, and ask him to give it to Pat Wooten; he promised to bring it for me. The needles you sent me are the very sizes I wanted. I am very much obliged to you for them. You need not send me any more paper and envelopes until I let you know, as I have five or six on hand and I want to use them up first. I have not received the letter yet that General Battle undertook to deliver for sister. His Brigade has been back for some week or more. Give my love to all the family, and believe me, as ever,

Your sincere and affectionate son,
WALTER.

Letters from two brothers who served in the 4th North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War are available in a number of sources online.  Unfortunately, the brothers are misidentified in some places as Walter Lee and George Lee when their names were actually Walter Battle and George Battle. See The Battle Brothers for more information on the misidentification.

FEBRUARY 28th.—Bright, cool, and dusty. No war news; nor denial or confirmation of the wonderful victory of Forrest in Mississippi. That he captured the enemy’s artillery and drove them back, is official.

Longstreet has retired from before Knoxville; perhaps to assault Nashville, or to penetrate Kentucky.

Yesterday the Secretary ordered Col. Northrop to allow full rations of meal to the engineer corps; to-day he returns the order, saying: “There is not sufficient transportation for full rations to the troops in the field.”

Last night the Secretary sent for Mr. Ould, exchange agent, and it is thought an exchange of prisoners will be effected, and with Butler. A confidential communication may have been received from Butler, who is a politician, and it may be that he has offered secret inducements, etc. He would like to establish a trade with us for tobacco, as he did for cotton and sugar when he was in New Orleans. No doubt some of the high officials at Washington would wink at it for a share of the profits.

The Southern Express Company (Yankee) has made an arrangement with the Quartermaster-General to transport private contributions of supplies to the army–anything to monopolize the railroads, and make private fortunes. Well, “all’s well that ends well,” –and our armies may be forced to forage on the enemy.

I copy this advertisement from a morning paper:

“NOTICE.–Owing to the heavy advance of feed, we are compelled to charge the following rates for boarding horses on and after the 1st of March:

Board per month……………………………………….$300.00
”                  ” day……………….…………………………….15.00
Single feed………..………………………………….5.00

“Virginia Stables.                                                                                     JAMES C. JOHNSON,
W. H. SUTHERLAND,
B. W. GREEN.”

Congress and the President parted at the adjournment in bad temper. It is true everything was passed by Congress asked for by the Executive as necessary in the present exigency—a new military bill, putting into the service several hundred thousand more men, comprising the entire male population between the ages of 17 and 50; the tax and currency bills, calculated to realize $600,000,000 or $800,000,000; and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. These were conceded, say the members, for the sake of the country, and not as concessions to the Executive. But the Commissary-General’s nomination, and hundreds of others, were not sent into the Senate, in derogation of the Constitution; and hundreds that were sent in, have not been acted on by the Senate, and such officers now act in violation of the Constitution.

Dill’s Government Bakery, Clay Street, is now in flames—supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Loss not likely to be heavy.

February, Sunday 28, 1864

Cloudy and raining all day, much colder than yesterday. Anna Nelson and myself went to Mrs. Morgan’s—I went to take those letters to Cousin Cambell Edmondson, he left for Dixie, and will see that they are safely forwarded. Met a great many persons there, all in fine spirits, topic of conversation our glorious Victory, which was added to this morning by news that Sherman was in full retreat for Vicksburgh—had not reached Canton, and we were confident of ruining the whole army as Lee with his Cavalry force was between him and Vicksburgh—Spare so much bloodshed of the bravest and best of our Sunny South—Enlighten the minds of the miserable Yankees, of their sinfullness—drive them from our south! Oh, just and merciful Savior, give us peace, and our independence—

I received a letter from Dr. Moses and Maj. Price by Mrs. Facklin, through them heard from my friend Maj. Maclean, with Gen. Price.

Laura and I sat up late tonight, I slept all evening. Still raining—12 o’clock sleeting, very cold—

Saturday, 27th–We remained here in camp all day. A number of foraging parties were sent out and some of them were captured by the rebels, and so did not have the privilege of enjoying their booty with their comrades. Canton is a very nice little place, and our army did not destroy the town because so many of the citizens remained in their homes.

27th. Folks returned from Cleveland. Called at Mrs. Hudson’s. F. not at home. Visited a little while at Tutor Fairchild’s. Read Charlie’s last letter. Good time.

Saturday, 27th.—Yanks have fallen back past Tunnel Hill. Cavalry have been to Dr. Lee’s.

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

The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context.

Guard Duty.

Feb. 27. Our guard duty is just outside the town. There are three stations: one on the south side next the asylum, one at the college on the west side, and one on the north side on the Palace Green. This last station is the one I usually take charge of. At each station the guard is divided into three reliefs, and the duty is simply to keep a lookout for the approach of the enemy and turn out the guard in honor of the officer of the day and to Col. West, the post commander. Our quarters at this station are in a small house which was formerly negroes’ quarters. In the yard stands a large, unoccupied house owned by a Mr. Saunders, now a resident of New York. He is said to be a loyal man and a lawyer by profession. When McClellan passed through here, Mr. Saunders availed himself of the opportunity, and taking his family, went to New York. When I first took command of this station several mornings ago, the instructions given me were to keep a sharp lookout for the approach of the enemy. I had not been engaged in this business a great while, when the approach of Col. West was announced. I turned out the guard with a great dash, extending all the honors due his exalted rank. He inquired my instructions. I informed him of those I had received. He then inquired if I had not received instructions in regard to this house in the yard. I said I had not. “Then I will give you some; I shall expect you to look after this house and see that no one goes in there or in any way disturbs anything around it, and shall hold you responsible for its safe keeping while you are on duty.” I promised to faithfully attend to that important duty. He then dismissed the guard and rode over to call on a lady friend of his.

A Frightened Darky.

I now had a very important trust imposed on me, and I naturally felt a sort of womanly curiosity to explore that sacred realm. Soon after daylight the next morning, I took three of the boys and went around to the back side of the house and effected an entrance, but it was evident we were not the first explorers. We found nothing but a few articles of heavy furniture until we went into the southwest corner room next to the veranda. Here was a rich find, a large library. This room was about 15 feet square, and on all sides were books from the floor to the ceiling. Here was history, biography, travels, fiction, religion, law and miscellaneous works, magazines of all kinds, public documents, reports on all manner of subjects, and a large quantity of letters and private papers.

We tarried here over an hour, and on coming out met a darky on the veranda. He put on one of his ugliest looks and said: [continue reading…]

February, Saturday 27, 1864

Annie Nelson and myself went to Memphis this morning—very warm, dusty and disagreeable. Accomplished all I went for—did not go near any of the Officials, was fortunate to meet a kind friend, Lucie Harris, who gave me her pass—’tis a risk, yet we can accomplish nothing without great risk at times, I returned the favor by bringing a letter to forward to her husband, Army of Mobile. I sat up until 8 o’clock last night, arranging poor Green’s mail to forward to the different command. It was a difficult job, yet a great pleasure to know I had it in my power to rejoice the hearts of our brave Southern Soldiers—most were Kentucky letters for Breckenridge’s command—the rest were Mo. letters for Johnston’s, Polk’s, and Maury’s commands. God grant them a safe and speedy trip.

We have glorious news from Dixie—Forrest has completely routed Smith and Grierson at Okolona—God grant my Bro Eddie may be safe—we hear his Col. Jeff Forrest was killed. The Yanks are perfectly demoralized, all that escaped have arrived in Memphis. I never witnessed such a sight as the stolen negroes, poor deluded wretches—Praise God for this Victory.

Saturday February 27^th 1864

The day has been beautiful as could be wished and the streets have swarmed with ladies. The country is getting considerably excited upon the question of the “succession” to the Presidency. Mr Lincoln seems to have the “inside tract,” but he will find a good deal of opposition in the Republican party. A Strong section are talking of bringing out Mr S. P. Chase, Sec’y of the Treasury. He has managed the finances of the Country with consumate ability and is very popular. If he succeeds in giving to the Country a Uniform Currency by the banishment of State Bank bills He will deserve the everlasting gratitude of the people. There is a report tonight that our forces in Florida have been repulsed with heavy loss and have fallen back to Jacksonville. No particular news from other sections of the army.

FEBRUARY 27th.—Bright and pleasant–dusty. But one rain during the winter!

The “associated press” publishes an unofficial dispatch, giving almost incredible accounts of Gen. Forrest’s defeat of Grierson’s cavalry, 10,000 strong, with only 2000. It is said the enemy were cut up and routed, losing all his guns, etc.

Sugar is $20 per pound; new bacon, $8; and chickens, $12 per pair. Soon we look for a money panic, when a few hundred millions of the paper money is funded, and as many more collected by the tax collectors. Congress struck the speculators a hard blow. One man, eager to invest his money, gave $100,000 for a house and lot, and he now pays $5000 tax on it; the interest is $6000 more—$11,000 total. His next door neighbor, who bought his house in 1860 for $10,000, similar in every respect, pays $500 tax (valued at date of sale), interest $600; total, $1100 per annum. The speculator pays $10,000 per annum more than his patriotic neighbor, who refused to sell his house for $100,000.

Friday, 26th–General McPherson with the main part of the army left camp at 8 o’clock in the morning and after an all day march arrived at Canton after dark. They crossed the Pearl river at 10 a. m. and then reloaded the pontoons and destroyed what remained of the bridge. Just before going into camp two men were shot dead by the accidental discharge of a gun which they were pulling out from the back end of the wagon.

26th. The day at home. In evening called at Ella’s. Had a pleasant visit and a good game of chess–Prof. Clarke.

FEBRUARY 26th.—Cool, bright, but windy and dusty.

Dispatches announce heavy skirmishing in the vicinity of Dalton—and Gen. Johnston’s army was in line of battle. It may be merely a feint of the enemy to aid in the extrication of Sherman.

Gen. Lee is here in consultation with the President. They decided that over 1000 men be transferred from the army to the navy—so that something may be soon heard from our iron-clads.

Pork is selling at $8 per pound to-day.

Writings upon the walls of the houses at the corners of the streets were observed this morning, indicating a riot, if there be no amelioration of the famine.

Feb 26^th 1864

As the season advances and Spring approaches the news becomes more interesting. The Armies begin to move and important events are expected to happen soon, are in fact happening at the present time. Gen^l Sherman has struck out from Vicksburgh with about 30,000 men and has advanced far into the interior taking Jackson the Capitol of Miss and other towns in his course. It is supposed that Mobile is his destination. Gen^l Grant is moveing South from Chattanooga and the papers tonight say that he is at Dalton Georgia. The Army of the Potomac stretches from near Fairfax Courthouse to Culpepper some Thirty Miles and is now fast being reinforced. Recruits are now arriving rapidly and more than fifteen thousand soldiers have crossed the long Bridge into Virginia this week. Troops are crowding the cars & marching and again we hear “the drums beat at dead of night.”

February 26th.–We went to see Mrs. Breckinridge, who is here with her husband. Then we paid our respects to Mrs. Lee. Her room was like an industrial school: everybody so busy. Her daughters were all there plying their needles, with several other ladies. Mrs. Lee showed us a beautiful sword, recently sent to the General by some Marylanders, now in Paris. On the blade was engraved, “Aide toi et Dieu t’aidera.” When we came out someone said, “Did you see how the Lees spend their time? What a rebuke to the taffy parties!”

Another maimed hero is engaged to be married. Sally Hampton has accepted John Haskell. There is a story that he reported for duty after his arm was shot off; suppose in the fury of the battle he did not feel the pain.

General Breckinridge once asked, “What’s the name of the fellow who has gone to Europe for Hood’s leg?” “Dr. Darby.” “Suppose it is shipwrecked?” “No matter; half a dozen are ordered.” Mrs. Preston raised her hands: “No wonder the General says they talk of him as if he were a centipede; his leg is in everybody’s mouth.”

Thursday, 25th–The main army moved only eight miles today, when it went into camp for the remainder of the day and night. This is to give the Sixteenth Corps time to cross the river. Our brigade was the first to cross the river, and we went on as far as Canton, about fifteen miles north of Jackson. Here we went into camp and are waiting for the army to catch up. All is quiet. The weather is quite warm. Peach trees are in bloom and the wild grapes are getting green.

25th. Folks went down to Cleveland even to Carrie. Floy came. She, Agnes and I kept house. Good time. Commenced letter to F. Attended meeting.

Thursday, 25th.—2 A. M., aroused and marched three and one-half miles towards Tunnel Hill. After daylight marched up Crow’s Valley to Aults’ Mill, and formed in line of battle. Companies F and D thrown out half-mile as skirmishers. In short time Yanks appeared in some force and drove us back near our main line, where we reformed and skirmished with them the remainder of the day; two or three wounded. About 10 A. M., they charged Reynolds’ Brigade on our left, but were driven back. Shortly after they charged Mill Creek Gap, but were driven back with heavy loss. Reported our forces followed them to Buzzard Roost. All quiet at dark; returned to our place in line of battle.

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

February, Thursday 25, 1864

Sallie Hildebrand sent down for me this morning to go with her to Mrs. Morgan’s, poor Ladies, she has at last gone to rest, she died yesterday evening at 4 o’c. I went with her and stayed until sundown, returned home to try to get Joanna to go and sit up, but she would not do it. I went back with Miss Mary Robinson, met Helen and Nannie, got them to go back with us—they had been down to Col. Perkins to spend the day. Ben Henderson went with us, we did not get there until dark.

Poor Missie, I feel so sorry for her.