19th. Wrote home. Orders to march in the morning at 6:30 A. M.

Monday, 19th.—Crossed Duck River and marched five miles. 2 P. M., Brigade ordered back to Columbia. Being sick, I did not go back, but turned aside and built me a fire.

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

December 19th.–The deep waters are closing over us and we are in this house, like the outsiders at the time of the flood. We care for none of these things. We eat, drink, laugh, dance, in lightness of heart.

Doctor Trezevant came to tell me the dismal news. How he piled on the agony! Desolation, mismanagement, despair. General Young, with the flower of Hampton’s cavalry, is in Columbia. Horses can not be found to mount them. Neither the Governor of Georgia nor the Governor of South Carolina is moving hand or foot. They have given up. The Yankees claim another victory for Thomas.[1] Hope it may prove like most of their victories, brag and bluster. Can’t say why, maybe I am benumbed, but I do not feel so intensely miserable.

[1] Reference is here made to the battle between Hood and Thomas at Nashville, the result of which was the breaking up of Hood’s army as a fighting force.

Nov 17—Get to Staunton. See McGill, Downs and others. Go to Waynesboro with Mr. Withrow. All night on the train.

Nov. 18—Get to Richmond and go on to Danville. All night in darkness.

Nov. 19—Meet Bill Salmon, of Henry County. He is the only person I ever saw try to kill himself. At Mead’s Hotel, Martinsville, Va., in 1856, as my wife and I sat at the table, he sat in front of us and drew his knife across his throat. Some men took him away. Another freight train takes me to Greensboro, N. C. Dine with Rev. Wm. E. Edwards, a brother of Rev. Dr. J. E. Edwards, of Va. Conference. Both were born and raised near G. Spend night with Morris at Durham.

Sunday, Nov. 20—Get home to breakfast at Chapel Hill, N. C. Rains all day. Nearly nine months since I saw my family. Thank God for his goodness to me and them!

Nov 21—At home.

Nov 22—Visit Mr. Lloyd. Weather turns bitter cold.

Nov. 23—Visit sundry persons and families.

Nov. 24—Visit Rev. G. W. Purifoy and others. His father, friend of my parents and my boyhood friend, raised three sons, all preachers—Geo. W., James F. and Addison. My oldest daughter was converted under the preaching of Rev. A. F. Purifoy, a son of James F.

Nov. 24—This day I bought a barrel of home-made syrup and some barrels of corn to feed my family for 1865.

Nov. 25—At home.

Nov. 26—Walk several miles visiting Sister Nunn, Cousin Abel Madry and Wm. Strain—good people.

Nov. 27—Preach in Methodist Church at Chapel Hill, with much comfort.

Nov. 28—Attend Senior examinations of the University. Take two degrees in Royal Arch Masonry.

Nov. 29—Meet the bride of Rev. R. A. Willis.

Nov. 30—Sup with Rev. S. Pool.

Dec. 1—At home.

Dec. 2—Sup with Jones Watson, for whom my first son was named, Feb. 2, 1856.

Dec. 3—Dine with Mrs. White, daughter of Rev. Littlejohn Utley, who knelt by me and told me of Jesus, Oct. 14, 1853, the first and only time I ever presented myself as a penitent for prayer. Visit University Halls, etc.

Sunday, Dec. 4—Hear Brother Willis preach twice.

Dec. 5—Wife and I start to Conference at Mocksville. Reach Salisbury late. Sleep at Mansion House. The preachers go on to M.

Dec. 6—We ride to Mocksville, in Bro. A. Carter’s carriage and stop at W. H. Wyatt’s.

Dec. 7—Conference meets and elects Rev. D. B. Nicholson to preside. In M. we meet Sallie Pailey, who afterward married Rev. S. D. Lee, of the N. C. Conference, whom I loved most tenderly and whose son, Wm. B. Lee, went as a missionary to Brazil. We had many delightful interviews with old friends and new ones during Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Conference.

On Sunday we heard Rev. N. F. Reid preach and enjoyed The Lord’s Supper. Dr. McGuire sends us to Dr. Chun’s, where we spend the night.

Dec. 12—We drive to Salisbury and go on to Durham and spend night.

Dec. 13—Ride early home to Chapel Hill.

Dec. 14—Very busy at home getting in readiness to leave.

Dec. 15—Move my family to Stone’s house. Get off to Army again. Spend night in Durham.

Dec. 16—Detained in Greensboro. Visit Sister Bumpass.

Dec. 17—Visit family of Jones Collier. He sat in church at Chapel Hill, on the night I was a penitent till all others retired and then gently proposed for me to arise and retire. I long to see him in his heavenly home. Start late and get to Danville and stop at Tunstall House.

Sunday, Dec. 18—Hear Rev. O. H. Hall preach. Dine and sup with Bro. J. B. Pace, whom I met and loved in Henry County, Va., in 1856. Meet Brother Farley who had an interesting family in Martinsville in 1856. When I asked about his family he told me all were dead. What a change! Then wife and children around his table. Now he eats his food among strangers at the hotel and retires to his lonely room. I leave at midnight.

Dec. 19—Get to Richmond and spend the night with my wife’s father, A. M. Davis.

Monday, 19th–Weather pleasant. Reveille sounded at 1 a. m. and at 2 o’clock our brigade started for the rifle pits in front of Savannah. The first brigade was left at the bridge to guard the landing and to unload the boats. A little before daylight, unnoticed by the rebels, we passed over the same causeway that we went down on, and after marching about nine miles we formed a line of battle and sent out skirmishers. We soon drove the rebels across the swamp. They used grape and canister on us, but did little harm. At all the points where they have the roads blockaded, we have planted sixty-four-pounders, which keep their guns silent. There is some heavy cannonading and brisk skirmishing all along the lines.

Sunday, December 18th.–Raining.

The old dull sound of bombs down the river. Nothing further from Savannah. It is now believed that the raiders in Western Virginia did not attack Saltville, and that the works are safe. For two days the speculators have been buying salt, and have put up the price to $1.50 per pound. I hope they will be losers. The State distributes salt to-morrow: ten pounds to each member of a family, at 20 cents per pound.

The President’s malady is said to be neuralgia in the head–an evanescent affliction, and by no means considered dangerous. At least such is the experience in my family.

It was amusing, however, to observe the change of manner of the Secretaries and of heads of bureaus toward Vice-President Stephens, when it was feared the President was in extremis. Mr. Hunter, fat as he is, flew about right briskly.

If Savannah falls, our currency will experience another depreciation, and the croaking reconstructionists will be bolder.

The members of the Virginia Assembly propose paying themselves $50 per day!

Congress has not yet passed the act increasing the compensation of members.

18th. Sunday. A good letter from Prof. Peck. A beautiful picture of Melissa and the darling baby (Carrie Nettleton Thurber). Letter from home. Wrote to the Prof.

From his letter to Prof. Peck.

Everybody in the 2nd Ohio is familiar with the name and services of Prof. Peck, of Oberlin, the man who has always done so much for the Ohio soldiers, both the sick and well, and who had an article in the paper a short time ago about the 2nd Ohio.

The boys are delighted with your praise of the Regiment. I have told a good many what you wrote in regard to us. All say, “Well, if he says that he does not know a regiment which has done better than ours, we ought to feel proud, for he is well acquainted with Ohio troops.”

Our Regiment has been sadly depleted during the campaign. It has not been recruited, but we hope to have it filled up, if another call for troops shall be made. Perhaps a portion of the records of Company C, with which I am serving will interest you. On the 1st day of May, 1864, the Company left Washington with forty-eight men, all told. During the summer, seven recruits joined it, making a total of fifty-five. From May 1st until this date, the losses foot up as follows: Five killed–all brave and good–thirty wounded and seventeen missing. Today we number for duty, eleven enlisted men, every one good soldiers.

Theodore is robust and always ready for duty. He is well-fashioned for a soldier, having a hardy constitution and a jolly temperament. He was pleased to be remembered by you.

Yesterday I received a beautiful Christmas gift from my friends, Will Hudson, Fred Allen, Delos Haynes and Charley Fairchild, a pair of shoulder-straps. The Col. received a very cunning picture today of Sister Melissa, with her little treasure Carrie in her arms.

The glorious news from Gen’ls Thomas and Sherman has just been read to us. We gave three hearty cheers. We hope that the end is not far distant.

Yours truly,                                                

Lumen H. Tenney,

Capt. 2nd O. V. V. C.

1864—Retreat from Nashville

Sunday, 18th.—Camped near Columbia.

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

Sunday, 18th–This morning, as yesterday, there was a very heavy fog, continuing till about 9 o’clock. We drew one day’s rations of hardtack, having been without bread of any kind for six days, during which time rice was almost our sole diet. Our company was partially reorganized today by promotions. Lieutenant Spencer was promoted to captain, J. A. White to second lieutenant, and I was made fifth sergeant. J. Tomlinson is to be made first lieutenant, but the promotion was not made today because his commission had not yet arrived.

17th.—The military movements are important, but to what they tend we know not. More troops have been added from Sheridan to Grant, and Early to Lee, and Sherman has crossed Georgia with little opposition or loss. Our last news is, that he has taken Fort McAllister, some miles below Savannah. What fate awaits that city we tremble to think of. A raid on Bristol and up the railroad, towards Saltville, has alarmed us for the salt-works; but General Breckinridge having turned up in the right place, suddenly appeared in their front and drove them off, to the great relief of the public mind.

December 17th.–Warm and cloudy.

Quiet below.

The President was reported better, yesterday, to my wife, who called.

It is said Gen. Cooper, R. Ould, etc. etc. have never taken their compensation in Confederate States Treasury notes, hoping at a future day (which may not come) to draw specie or its equivalent!

It was reported on the streets, to-day, that the President was dead. He is much better; and will probably be at his office today.

The following telegram was sent over by the President this morning:

“Savannah, Ga., December 16th, 1864.–Sherman has secured a water base, and Foster, who is already nearly on my communications, can be safely and expeditiously reinforced. Unless assured that force sufficient to keep open my communications can be sent me, I shall be compelled to evacuate Savannah.–W. J. Harder, Lieut.-Gen.”

Alas for President Davis’s government! It is now in a painful strait. If reinforcements be sent from here, both Savannah and Richmond may fall. Gen. Bragg will be crucified by the enemies of the President, for staying at Augusta while Sherman made his triumphant march through Georgia; and the President’s party will make Beauregard the scape-goat, for staying at Charleston– for sending Hood North–which I am inclined to think he did not do, but the government itself.

Capt. Weiniger (government clothing warehouse) employs about 4000 females on soldiers’ clothes.

Some people still believe the President is dead, and that it is attempted to conceal his death by saying he is better, etc. I saw his indorsements on papers, to-day, dated the 15th, day before yesterday, and it was a bold hand. I am inclined almost to believe he has not been sick at all! His death would excite sympathy: and now his enemies are assailing him bitterly, attributing all our misfortunes to his incompetence, etc. etc.

17th. Saturday. More good news from Thomas. Brigade officer of the day. Rode over to infantry. Received a beautiful pair of shoulder straps as Christmas gift–with a note from A. B.

Saturday, 17th.—This morning found us at Franklin, a badly demoralized army. 39th sent back to river. Soon Yanks came up.. Our corps in rear. Our brigade rear guard. Formed in line across the old battlefield at Franklin. Federal cavalry dashed after us, but a few shot from cannon sent them back. Then the retreat began, one line being formed and fighting until another could form in the rear and so protect while the other, the first line, moved back, and so that continued all day. Late in the evening came very near surrounding our division, but Clayton’s Division coming back, fired into them and saved us. While the two brigades were engaged in front, and the three pieces of artillery were moving back in the dark, about twenty Yankee cavalrymen dashed in the rear, cut the horses loose from the artillery, and cut one wheel down, so we lost the three pieces.

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

Saturday, 17th–Large details of men from our division were sent out to cut and prepare timber for the engineers to build a wharf at the landing so that the boats can be unloaded more readily. Several hundred of us were at work, some cutting the trees–tall pines, others cutting them into proper lengths, and still others hewing and squaring the timbers. The teamsters then hauled them to the landing. Two more boats came up the river today, one loaded with hay for the mules, the other with our provisions. We received our mail today. All is quiet along the line and the weather is fine.

December 16th.–Clear and pleasant; subsequently cloudy and chilly.

All quiet below, save the occasional booming of our guns from the iron-clads.

The capture of Fort McAlister, Savannah, has caused a painful sensation. It is believed we have as many men on the Georgia coast as the enemy; but they are not the men of property–men of 1861-62; and those without property (many of them) are reluctant to fight for the benefit of the wealthy class, remaining at home.

The following dispatch from Gen. Bragg was received this morning:

“Charleston, December 15th, 1864.–My services not being longer needed in this department, I shall leave this evening for Wilmington, and resume my command.

“Sherman has opened communication with his new base, by the Ogeechee. The means to meet him do not exceed one-half the estimate in yours of the 7th instant. Braxton Bragg.”

So ends Gen. Bragg’s campaign against Sherman!

I have not heard about the President’s health to-day. But no papers have come in from his office.

Lieut.-Col. Ruffin, Commissary Department, certifies (or Col. Northrop for him) that he is “not fit for duty in the field.”

16th. Got news of Thomas’ attack on Hood’s flank. Great rejoicing in infantry.

Friday, 16th.—This morning Brigade formed in line near where we were. I went to infirmary and was excused from duty. Brigade fortifying. 7. A. M., Heavy cannonading began and continued until 12 M. Federals charged right wing, but were held back. 3 P. M., Heavy fighting all round the line. 4 P. M., lines broken; 5 P. M., whole army in retreat, in wild confusion losing most of the artillery that was on the line. Have been in good many retreats, but this was the wildest I have ever seen. No semblance of order; every fellow for himself. Late in the night came to a point where some one was calling out: All who belong to a certain corps, come this way. Afterwards called for divisions, brigades, and regiments.

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

December 16th, 1864.—We have had company today, ladies from town to spend the day. I have listened to many a bit of gossip and heard some laughable incidents related. Life is a complex problem; it is like a kaleidoscope in its changing scenes. On one side all is gay and bright and on the other, sorrow and dark misery.

One of Father’s favorite texts is this: “Trust in the Lord and do good,” and it seems that is the only thing left for us to do. Father says I must remember that the Bible says there is a time for all things, a time to laugh and a time to weep and it is as much our duty to “rejoice with them that do rejoice” as it is “to weep with them that weep.” So I have tried to forget the poor sick Yankee and his sad death and take part in the fun these ladies are having.

There are to be two or three weddings; at least two engagements are in sight, if not yet une fait accompli. One couple were married last week and parted at the church door; he to go to Virginia and she to go home to wait for him.

Lieutenant So-and-So was suspected of casting soft glances at a certain charming young widow, who still wears her weeds, and eyebrows went up and voices were lowered to a whisper, as the tale was recited of a certain aged Romeo and Juliet who are, at present, amusing Tallahassee society. Well, the day is over and I will not deny that I have laughed as heartily as if there was no war, but it is only to lose sight of it for a little while.

Susan Bradford is 18 years old when this entry was made.

Friday, 16th–Left this morning at 8 o’clock for King’s bridge over the Ogeechee river at a point fifteen miles from Savannah, where we again went into camp. All the torpedoes having been removed from the river, small boats can now come up to the bridge and land. Two boats came up with mail and some other articles. There were four tons of mail for the army. All is quiet along the line, but we have no rations yet. We still have plenty of rice with the hull on, but all the mortars upon the plantation have now been gathered together and the cavalry have put all the negroes of the plantation at work hulling rice.

December 15th.–Cloudy and cool.

A dispatch from the West states that the enemy have made a heavy raid from Bean’s Station, Ky., cutting the railroad between Abingdon and Bristol, destroying government stores, engines, etc. Breckinridge and Vaughan, I suppose, have been ordered away. Dr. Morris, Telegraph Superintendent, wants to know of the Secretary if this news shall be allowed to go to the press.

The President is ill, some say very ill, but I saw indorsements with his own hand on the 13th (day before yesterday).

Our affairs seem in a bad train. But many have unlimited confidence in Gen. Beauregard, who commands in South Carolina and Georgia, and all repose implicit trust in Lee.

A writer in the Sentinel suggests that if we should be hard pressed, the States ought to repeal the old Declaration of Independence, and voluntarily revert to their original proprietors–England, France, and Spain, and by them be protected from the North, etc. Ill-timed and injurious publication!

A letter from G. N. Sanders, Montreal, Canada E., asks copies of orders (to be certified by Secretary of War) commanding the raid into Vermont, the burning, pillaging, etc., to save Lieut. Young’s life. I doubt if such written orders are in existence–but no matter.

It is said the enemy have captured Fort McAlister, Savannah Harbor.

Mr. Hunter is very solicitous about the President’s health–said to be an affection of the head; but the Vice-President has taken his seat in the Senate.

It was rumored yesterday that the President would surely die,– an idle rumor, perhaps. I hope it is not a disease of the brain, and incurable.

Before Savannah, December 15, 1864.

First mail goes in 15 minutes. Our 2d Division charged and took Fort McAlister, at sunset, the 13th—19 guns and 300 prisoners; lost 92 men killed and wounded. We will have Savannah, sure.

15th. Got horses shod. Cloudy. Saw F. again in my dreams. I wish I could be rid of this thought about such things. Could never live at home. Am better off here than I would be there.

Thursday, 15th.—Cannonading all around the lines. 2 P. M., heavy fighting on the left, which continued until night. Stewart’s Corps flanked and had to fall back, loosing some artillery. Brigade moved to left; being sick, was left in camp with several others. In short time, orders came for sick to move back, as left wing had given way. J. N. Smith, B. F. Wells and myself managed to get back about five miles during the night.

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

Thursday, 15th–The weather is fine—days warm and pleasant and nights cool. The Thirty-second Illinois arrived in camp at 11 o’clock with sweet potatoes, fresh pork and corn for our brigade. We are still lying in camp without rations. We had company inspection and drill for the recruits. The First Division of the Fifteenth Corps advanced their skirmish line this morning toward the rebels’ post south of Savannah. There was quite an artillery duel and some sharp skirmishing, but our men succeeded in gaining their position.