OCTOBER 21st.—Still nothing definite from Kentucky, more than the retreat of Bragg. Gen. Loring is here—he would not act upon the suggestions of Lee, and so he is recalled.

The government is uneasy about Richmond. They want a portion of Lee’s army sent hither. But Lee responds, that although he is not advised of the condition of things on the south side of James River, yet, if he detaches a portion of his army, he may be too weak to encounter McClellan, if he should advance.

I saw the Secretary again this morning; he wished me to turn over all the passport business to the military. I said I was glad to be rid of that business, and would never touch it again.

October 21, 1862, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)

From the Chicago Post.

Our readers will remember some mention made in these columns of Mr. Montgomery, a gentleman connected with the Vicksburg Whig, who endeavored to escape from that place on board a federal boat carrying a flag of truce, but was given up by the officer in command. The wife of Montgomery was formerly a resident of Chicago, and, together with her husband, was anxious to reach their friends in the north. Mr. Montgomery was taken from the federal boat and thrown into jail, but through the intercession of his wife with the rebel commander, was at length liberated and furnished with a pass to leave the city. With his bundle on his back, and wife and two children – one four, the other six years old – bareheaded, he started on his long journey, and, after much hardship and innumerable hair breadth escapes, at last reached the federal lines at Memphis, from which place he proceeded to St. Louis. His statement, which is published in the St. Louis Union, contains much interesting information. We reprint the following, showing the

Effect of the Bombardment of Vicksburg.

Mr. Montgomery and his family were in Vicksburg all the time during the terrible bombardment of that rebel town by our gun boats. The shelling lasted eleven weeks, lacking one day, during which period 25,000 shells were thrown into that doomed city. Every building in town was hit more or less by shells and fragments of shells. The Baptist Church was struck four times and was injured the worst. Yet it is estimated that $50,000 will repair all the damage done to the buildings. The damage done to the streets and pavements by the furrowing shells was repaired in three days, after the shelling ceased. The city being located on a number of small hills, sheltering the [continue reading…]

Monday, 20th–No news of importance. We are again drawing regular army rations, having a railroad to our base of supplies. There is little to be secured by foraging around Corinth, as the rebels’ attempt to retake the place has resulted in keeping a large force of our men here and food and feed has been almost cleaned up, with the men for a part of the time on short rations.

Monday, 20th. In the morning watered my horse and cleaned up his feet. Capt. N. told me something very acceptable from Col. Ratliffe. Read the Lorain News and Cleveland Herald. In the P. M. wrote to Fannie.

Monday, 20th.—Wagons met us this morning at 6 o’clock, with two days’ rations, ready cooked; drew one pound of bread to the man. When we arrived within four and one-half miles of Cumberland Gap, halted and waited further orders.

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

A Trip to Plymouth, N. C.

On the 15th of this month, the 25th, Major Pickett in command, with the 17th Massachusetts and the 10th Connecticut regiments, the whole under command of Col. Upton, embarked on steamers bound for Plymouth, on the Roanoke river which empties into the Albemarle sound at its extreme western end. On the morning of the 16th we passed Roanoke island, and our attention was attracted towards it as being the scene of our first conflict and success. We soon afterward entered the Albemarle sound, a beautiful sheet of water running east and weft, about 70 miles long with an average width of some 20 miles. It was a beautiful day, and the sail, as we slowly steamed along, was delightful, affording us a fine view of the shores. The shores were in striking contrast; the south shore is low and swampy, rising scarcely out of the water, while the north is bold, with a gently rising slope and shows many handsome farms. The scenery here is the first that has reminded us of home, and looks as though it was inhabited by a better class of people than we have yet seen.

About dusk we reach the upper end of the sound, and turning sharply to the left, enter the woods, where the overhanging branches of the tall trees seem almost to embrace each other. We are now in the Roanoke river, which is here quite narrow. In the dusk of the evening, as we grope our way along the narrow channel through the trees, the scenery is grandly wild. Some five or six miles through the woods brought us to the little town of Plymouth, situated on the left or south bank of the river. Here we drop anchor for the night, and wait until morning to learn more of our excursion. [continue reading…]

OCTOBER 20th.—The news from Kentucky is very vague. It seems there has been a battle, which resulted favorably for us, so far as the casualties are concerned. But then Bragg has fallen back forty miles, and is probably retiring toward Cumberland Gap, that he may not be taken in the rear by the enemy’s forces lately at Corinth.

The President intends suspending the Conscription Act in Western Virginia, for the purpose, no doubt, of organizing an army of Partisan Rangers in that direction,

It seems, from recent Northern papers received in this city, that the elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana have gone against the Abolitionists. What then? If the war should be waged by the Democrats for the restoration of the Union, and waged according to the rules of civilized nations, respecting non-combatants, and exempting private property from pillage, it would be a still more formidable war than that now waged against us.

I have just received the following note from the Secretary:

…

“OCTOBER 17th, 1862.

“MR. J. B. JONES will hereafter refer all applicants for passports to Gen. Smith’s Adjutant-General, and grant none from the department.

“GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,
“Sec. of War.”

…

Neither the acting Assistant Secretary, nor Mr. Kean, with his whole alphabet of initials, could be certain whether the order referred merely to applicants to go out of the Confederacy, or all applicants of whatever kind. If the latter, I am functus officio, so far as passports are concerned. But Capt. Kean says there is plenty of work for me to do; and I presume I will not be entirely out of employment.

I took a good look at Mr. Randolph today. He is thin, frail. His face is pale, and will soon be a mass of wrinkles, although he is not over forty. His eyes are extremely small, blue, and glisten very much.

Ashland, October 19.—We are now snugly fixed in Ashland. Our mess consists of Bishop J.and family, Major J and wife, Lieutenant J. J. and wife (our daughter,) Mrs. S. and daughter, of Chantilly, Mr.––, myself, and our two young daughters—a goodly number for a cottage with eight small rooms; but we are very comfortable. All from one neighbourhood, all refugees, and none able to do better, we are determined to take every thing cheerfully. Many remarks are jestingly made suggestive of unpleasant collisions among so many families in one house; but we anticipate no evils of that kind; each has her own place, and her own duties to perform; the young married ladies of the establishment are by common consent to have the housekeeping troubles; their husbands are to be masters, with the onerous duties of caterers, treasurers, etc. We old ladies have promised to give our sage advice and experience, whenever it is desired. The girls will assist their sisters, with their nimble fingers, in cases of emergency; and the clerical gentlemen are to have their own way, and to do their own work without let or hindrance. All that is required of them is, that they shall be household chaplains, and that Mr.–– shall have service every Sunday at the neglected village church. With these discreet regulations, we confidently expect a most pleasant and harmonious establishment. Our young gentlemen are officers stationed in Richmond. Mr. –– and themselves go in every morning in the cars, after an early breakfast, and return to dinner at five o’clock. J. J. and myself have free tickets to go on the cars to attend to our hospital duties. I go in twice a week for that purpose.

A dispatch just received from General Bragg, claiming a signal victory at Perryville; but in consequence of the arrival of large reinforcements to the enemy, he had fallen back to Cumberland Gap. These victories without permanent results do us no good, and so much blood is spilled. There seems to be a revolution going on at the North. Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania have given the Democrats a large majority for Congress! So may it be!

Clinton,
October 19th, Sunday.

What an unexpected change! I am surprised myself! Yesterday as the Baton Rouge party were about leaving, Miriam thought Lilly would be lonesome alone here with her sick baby, and decided that we should leave by the cars, and stay with her until mother returned. There was no time to lose; so dressing in haste, we persuaded Anna to accompany us, and in a few moments stood ready. We walked down to the overseer’s house to wait for the cars, and passed the time most agreeably in eating sugar-cane, having brought a little negro expressly to cut it for us and carry our carpet-bag. Three young ladies, who expected to be gone from Saturday until Wednesday, having but one carpet-bag between them! Can it be credited? But, then, we knew we had clothes here, and depended upon them for supplies, when we now find they are in the trunk and mother has the key.

We walked aboard alone, in the crowded train, and found ourselves in the only car reserved for ladies, which was already filled with a large party returning from Port Hudson, consisting of the fastest set of girls that I have seen for some time. Anna and I had to content ourselves with a seat on a small box between the benches, while Miriam was established on the only vacant one, with a sick soldier lying at her feet. The fast girls talked as loud as possible and laughed in a corresponding style in spite of the sick man. They must have been on a picnic, from the way they talked. One in a short dress complained that she had not seen her sweetheart. A pert little miss of thirteen cried, “You can bet your head I never went to any place where I did not see one of my sweethearts.” One of about seventeen, a perfect beauty, declared she would die of thirst. “So will I! and I don’t want to die before I get a husband!” exclaimed her vis-á-vis. They evidently expected to produce an impression on us. At every “brilliant” remark (“stupid” understood), they looked at us to see what we thought. All of them sat with bare heads in the strong light, an unfailing proof of la basse classe on steamers and cars. Every time my veil blew aside, they made no difficulty about scanning my features as though they thought it might be agreeable. [continue reading…]

Sunday, 19th–Nothing of importance. This is our first Sunday in a quiet camp for more than two months. We had company inspection this morning and dress parade at 5 o’clock in the evening.

Sunday, 19th. Fed when out two or three miles. Got some apples. When we reached Heron’s division, I called at his quarters and inquired if he could give the Capt. any information. Very pleasant. Stylish. A fur coverlet, neat stove and desk, cigars and very fine dress. Said that the rebel pickets were within a third of a mile of ours the night before. Wouldn’t pass his pickets, hardly advisable, do as he thought fit. Went through to the town, 100 of our Indians there. Called at two houses and had very pleasant and spicy chats with two girls, one pleasant lady. Southern officers left their “regards” for any “Feds” that might call. Believed the south right. Would fight if a man. Got back to camp at dark and found good letter from home and Fannie. Pleased with the whole trip and incidents. Quite a laugh with the captain. Like Arkansas first rate considering–good farms and orchards–pretty girls.

Martinsburg, October 19, 1862.

I have spent a busy Sunday, superintending the destruction of the railroad here, and will spend what little remains of the day in writing you a short note. It is a bad chance for a letter, as I write on my pocket-book resting on my knee. I received your letter of the 9th ult., and was glad to hear from you. I felt to-day as though I were at my old trade–destroying the railroad–which I was at eighteen months ago. Last week we thought there was a chance for another battle, as it was reported the enemy was advancing. But it turned out to be only a scouting party. With that exception, we have had a very quiet time.

October 18th, Saturday.

Last night mother arrived from Clinton with Gibbes and Lydia, who had gone there the day before to get her to go to Baton Rouge.

Saturday, 18th–It is reported that General Bragg is marching on this place.^[1] Colonel Hare has not been with us for some time and will not be with us again. We have just learned that he resigned his commission on August 31st, on account of the wound which he received at the battle of Shiloh. He was respected by all the men of the regiment, and we are sorry to lose him.

[1] This was one of those mere rumors, for we know by history that General Bragg was not around there at the time.—A. G. D.

Saturday, 18th. Lay about two or three hours, then went into camp on the rise near the spring. Marks of a large rebel camp. At noon orders came for the Capt. to go with 50 men to Bentonville, to learn locality and number of the enemy. I went. Started about dusk. Called at a house to know distance. Two or three girls. Looked like a cousin. Shattuck with advance guard two miles ahead. Boys said he was a coward, rode way behind the men. Halted and fed. Heard artillery moving. Capt. ordered me to take four men and guide and learn what it was. It sounded as though it were moving from the southwest. After going a mile or two, we were halted by a picket, close at hand. Ordered one to advance, dismount, and give the countersign. Dared not risk it. Asked who they were. “Federals.” Asked who we were. “Federals.” “Advance then.” What division did they belong to? Gen. Heron’s. Never heard of him. What brigade? Would not tell. Ordered them to tell or would march my battalion on them. Didn’t care a damn, advance or he would fire. Advanced horseback, a couple of rods. Ordered to dismount or he would shoot. Couldn’t see it and shied behind a tree. Told him to listen and I would give the countersign–”Allen.” “What! Allen–never! that won’t do here.” Did you understand it, “Allen”? Bang, bang, bang, bang. Boys wheeled and ran. I had sent two back to report to the captain. I wheeled and got behind another tree a rod back. Cocked my revolver and fired once, then wheeled and ran. The bullets followed mighty thick. Met the command and reported the facts. One of the boy’s horses was shot in the leg and abandoned. Capt. turned back and went back the same road to camp. Capt. discovered he had given me the “parole” instead of countersign, a mistake that would not happen again for an age, but one that might have caused a great deal of trouble. Started for Bentonville on another road. Slept two hours. N. had cautioned me to be very careful and not approach any force but to learn from families. Proved to be our men–Heron’s.

Saturday, 18th.—Ordered into line this morning and roll called. Ordered by Colonel McConnel to remain standing in line one hour for not being prompt to get into line. Boys pretty mad. Orders to remain here all day. 12 o’clock, ordered to move forward; passed Loudon at sundown; camped at old camping-ground at Laurel Bridge.

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

OCTOBER 18th.—Major-Gen. Jones telegraphs from Knoxville, Tenn., that a wounded officer arrived from Kentucky, reports a victory for Bragg, and that he has taken over 10,000 prisoners. We shall soon have positive news.

A letter from Admiral Buchanan states that he has inspected the defenses of Mobile, and finds them satisfactory.

I traversed the markets this morning, and was gratified to find the greatest profusion of all kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, poultry, butter, eggs, etc. But the prices are enormously high. If the army be kept away, it seems the supply must soon be greater than the demand. Potatoes at $5 per bushel, and a large crop! Half-grown chickens at $1 each! Butter at $1.25 per pound! And other things in the same proportion.

Here is a most startling matter. Gov. Baylor, appointed Governor of Arizona, sent an order some time since to a military commander to assemble the Apaches, under pretense of a treaty—and when they came, to kill every man of them, and sell their children to pay for the whisky. This order was sent to the Secretary, who referred it to Gen. Sibley, of that Territory, to ascertain if it were genuine. To-day it came back from Gen. S. indorsed a true bill. Now it will go to the President—and we shall see what will follow. He cannot sanction such a perfidious crime. I predict he will make Capt. Josselyn, his former private Secretary, and the present Secretary of the Territory, Governor in place of Baylor.

Friday, 17th–Everybody is now busy in the routine duties of camp life. The Government is having some deep wells drilled here in our camp; one of them is now completed and we are enjoying plenty of good water, although it is quite a job to draw it. We draw the water by means of a bucket attached to the end of a rope which runs upon a pulley fastened upon a tall pine tree standing near the well. The bucket is about four feet long and has a valve in the bottom. There are always some of the men at the well waiting for their turn to draw water.

Friday, 17th. Aroused at 3 A. M. Killed a calf for breakfast. Quite a time trying to kill a pig. Marched at sunrise. Whole command gone from old camp. Rear guard. At noon arrived at Kritsville. Stayed till 10 P. M. Marched again at 10 and moved till near morning. Lay down a few minutes by a little fire. Before daybreak passed the Arkansas line, Elkhorn Tavern, and stopped for a cold lunch on the old Pea Ridge battle ground. Interesting–trees considerably marred by bullets. Shot, grape, and shell picked up by different boys as relics of the battle.

Friday, 17th.—Woke up this morning; a hog had taken my haversack from under J. A. Park’s head and had eaten up all my bread. Regiment passed during the night; overtook at Rock Castle River; camped two miles farther on.

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

OCTOBER 17th.—The article in the Whig is backed by one of a similar character in the Examiner. We shall see what effect they will have on the policy adopted by the Secretary of War.

Although still unofficial, we have confirmatory accounts of Bragg’s victory in Kentucky. The enemy lost, they say, 25,000 men. Western accounts are generally exaggerated.

The President has appointed the following lieutenant-generals: Jackson, Longstreet, (Bishop) Polk, Hardee, Pemberton, Holmes, and Smith (Kirby).

The raid of Stuart into Pennsylvania was a most brilliant affair. He captured and destroyed much public property—respecting that of individuals. The Abolitionists are much mortified, and were greatly frightened. The plan of this expedition was received at the department to-day—just as conceived and prepared by Lee, and it was executed by Stuart in a masterly manner.

Advices from Winchester inform the government that McClellan is receiving large reinforcements. He may be determined to cross the Potomac and offer battle—as nothing less will satisfy the rabid Abolitionists. Gen. Lee is tearing up the rails on the road from Harper’s Ferry.

Our improvident soldiers lose a great many muskets. We should not have arms enough on the Potomac, were it not for those captured at Harper’s Ferry. An order will be issued, making every man responsible for the safe-keeping of his gun.

Thursday, October 16th.

It seems an age since I have opened this book. How the time has passed since, I have but a vague idea, beyond that it has passed very pleasantly. . . . Once since, I have been with Mrs. Badger to a Mr. Powell, who has started quite an extensive shoemaking establishment, in the vain attempt to get something to cover my naked feet. I am so much in need that I have been obliged to borrow Lydia’s shoes every time I have been out since she returned. This was my second visit there, and I have no greater satisfaction than I had at first. He got my measure, I got his promise, and that is the end of it, thus far. His son, a young man of about twenty-four, had the cap of his knee shot off at Baton Rouge. Ever since he has been lying on his couch, unable to stand; and the probability is that he will never stand again. Instead of going out to the manufactory, Mrs. Badger has each time stopped at the house to see his mother (who, by the way, kissed me and called me “Sissie,” to my great amusement) and there I have seen this poor young man. He seems so patient and resigned that it is really edifying to be with him. He is very communicative, too, and seems to enjoy company, no matter if he does say “her ‘n” and his ‘n.” Wonder why he does n’t say “shisen” too? The girls are highly amused at the description I give of my new acquaintance, but still more so at Mrs. Badger’s account of the friendship of this poor young cripple, and his enjoyment of my visits. Of course it is only her own version, as she is very fond of jokes of all kinds.

Night before last Lydia got playing the piano for me in the darkened parlor, and the old tunes from her dear little fingers sent me off in a sea of dreams! She too caught the vision, and launched off in well-remembered quadrille. The same scene flashed on us, and at each note, almost, we would recall a little circumstance, charming to us, but unintelligible to Anna, who occupied the other side. Together we talked over the dramatis persona. Mrs. Morgan, Jr., in dark blue silk with black flounces, a crimson chenille net on her black hair, sits at the piano in her own parlor. On the Brussels carpet stands, among others, Her Majesty, Queen Miriam, in a lilac silk, with bare neck and arms save for the protection afforded by a bertha of appliqué lace trimmed with pink ribbon, with hair á la madonna, and fastened low on her neck. Is she not handsome as she stands fronting the folding doors, her hand in tall Mr. Trezevant’s, just as she commences to dance, with, the tip of her black bottine just showing? Vis-á-vis stands pretty Sophie, with her large, graceful mouth smiling and showing her pretty teeth to the best advantage. A low neck and shortsleeved green and white poplin is her dress, while her black hair, combed off from her forehead carelessly, is caught by a comb at the back and falls in curls on her shoulders. A prettier picture could not be wished for, as she looks around with sparkling eyes, eager for the dance to begin. There stands calm Dena in snuff-colored silk, looking so [continue reading…]

Thursday, 16th–We have a beautiful camping ground; it is well situated on high ground which affords good drainage and in case of rain will dry off quickly. The weather is very warm and pleasant, with signs of autumn on every hand, and a northern autumn at that. We have warm days and cool nights, and the foliage of the forest is turning many different colors.

Thursday, 16th. Spent the day reading various nonsensical books. Rather a lazy day on the whole. Capt. Nettleton returned. Whole detachment ordered to “Hazel Hollow” on picket duty. Six miles, advance guard. Slept in a vacant house. Quite a confab with a Kansas Lieut.