December 5th.–Miss Olivia Middleton and Mr. Frederick Blake are to be married. We Confederates have invented the sit-up-all-night for the wedding night; Isabella calls it the wake, not the wedding, of the parties married. The ceremony will be performed early in the evening; the whole company will then sit up until five o ‘clock, at which hour the bridal couple take the train for Combahee. Hope Sherman will not be so inconsiderate as to cut short the honeymoon.

In tripped Brewster, with his hat on his head, both hands extended, and his greeting, “Well, here we are!” He was travel-stained, disheveled, grimy with dirt. The prophet would have to send him many times to bathe in Jordan before he could be pronounced clean.

Hood will not turn and pursue Sherman. Thomas is at his heels with forty thousand men, and can have as many more as he wants for the asking. Between Thomas and Sherman Hood would be crushed. So he was pushing–I do not remember where or what. I know there was no comfort in anything he said.

Serena’s account of money spent: Paper and envelopes, $12.00; tickets to concert, $10.00; tooth-brush, $10.00; total, $32.00.

Monday, 5th–We started out at 6 o’clock this morning, and by 11 our corps had destroyed twelve miles of railroad. We then left the railroad and marching ten miles, over very fine roads, went into camp near Oliver Station. A force of eight thousand rebels left Oliver this morning for Savannah. They came into the town last night and throwing up earthworks made preparations for a fight, but this morning they concluded that they had better move on, or they would get hurt, and the infantry left without firing a gun. Our cavalry had a little skirmish with them this morning. The Fifteenth Army Corps is on the west side of the Ogeechee river, but in advance of us, and perhaps the rebels were fearful of being cut off from Savannah.

Sunday, December 4th.–Bright, clear, and warm.

A dispatch from Gen. Bragg. “Augusta, December 3d, 6 P.M.– A strong force of the enemy’s cavalry and infantry advanced from Louisville and encamped last night six miles from Waynesborough. They turned off this morning toward Savannah. Our cavalry is pressing in the rear, and all available means is being thrown to their front by rail. There is time yet for any assistance which can be spared, to be sent by way of Charleston.–B. B.”

The Northern papers say our army under Hood in Tennessee has met with a great disaster. We are still incredulous–although it may be true. If so, the President will suffer, and Johnston and Beauregard will escape censure–both being supplanted in the command by a subordinate.

Brig.-Gen. Preston is still directing orders to Col. Shields, who is under the command of Major-Gen. Kemper, and the conflict of conscription authorities goes on, while the country perishes. Preston is a South Carolina politician–Kemper a Virginian. Mr. Secretary Seddon leans to the former.

The law allowing exemptions to owners of a certain number of slaves is creating an antislavery party. The non-slaveholders will not long fight for the benefit of such a “privileged class.” There is madness in our counsels!

We are still favored by Providence in our family. We have, at the market prices, some $800 worth of provisions, fuel, etc., at the beginning of winter, and my son Thomas is well clad and has his order for a month’s rations of beef, etc., which we get as we want it at the government shop near at hand in Broad Street. His pay and allowances are worth some $4500 per annum.

Major Ferguson having got permission of the Quartermaster-General to sell me a suit of cloth–there being a piece too dark for the army, I got four yards, enough for coat, pants, and vest, at $12 per yard–the price in the stores is $125; and I have the promise of the government tailor to make it up for some $30 or $40, the ordinary price being $350; the trimmings my family will furnish–if bought, they would cost $100. Tom has bought a new black coat, made before the war, for $175, the peace price $15, in specie, equivalent to $600. And my daughter Anne has made three fine bonnets (for her mother, sister, and herself), from the debris of old ones; the price of these would be $700. So I fear not but we shall be fed and clad by the providence of God.

December 4, Sunday.—We attended this evening the funeral of Colonel Angus W. McDonald, the relative of Mr. –– . His is a sad story. He was educated at West Point, but in early life resigned his position in the regular army and joined a company of fur traders, went with them to the Rocky Mountains, where he led an adventurous life, well suited to his excitable temper. For years his life was full of adventure, with the broad heavens for his roof and the cold earth for his couch. With a bold spirit and great muscular power, he soon acquired extensive influence with the Indian tribes among which he moved, and was chosen as the chief of one of them, where he was known as the “Big Warrior.” As such he led his braves to many a hard-fought battle, and taught surrounding tribes to fear him and them, by such courage and prowess as always so deeply impress the savage mind. Many incidents of his life among the Indians are full of interest. On one occasion, having received an injury from a neighbouring tribe, he sent to them that he was coming to settle with them for it, and that they must meet him for the purpose, at a certain time and place. Accordingly, all their warriors were assembled and seated in due form, at the proper distance from and around a central post, ready and waiting for the conference. At the appointed time, the “Big Warrior,” in full dress, made his appearance, and striding through to the centre of the dark, silent circle, he struck his tomahawk deep into the “post,” and looking quietly but sternly around from one gloomy warrior to another, he in few words told them why he was there, and what he required of them. “You have insulted me,” said he; “you robbed some of my men, and you killed two of them; you must restore the goods and give up the murderers, or you must fight it out, and I am here for that purpose.” His imposing appearance, his boldness, the justice of his cause, and his steady purpose of retaliating to the full, so awed them, that his terms were promptly assented to, and he quickly returned to his people with [continue reading…]

Sunday, 4th.—To-day we had the same old ridiculous stories about Confederate victories almost everywhere. No doubt but a battle is soon to be fought, and these stories are invented for a purpose.

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

4th. Sunday. Wrote several letters and read. Heard a sermon at Brigade Hdqrs.

Dec 4^th 1864 (Sunday)

The weather has been warm and pleasant for some ten days past, it has been “Indian Summer” with a soft balmy air and smokey atmosphere, the pleasantest days of the year. Today it has been delightful. I went to the 4½ Street Church, the 1^st Pres[byterian] (Doct Sunderlands) to hear the Rev Jonas King the Missionary from Athens Greece for the past Thirty six years. He gave quite an interesting account of his labors and trials while there. He was educated at Williams College and taught School there while in College about 1814 or 15. I think he was the first School Master I ever went to. I spoke to him after church this morning and walked with him to his lodgings at the “Avenue House” conversing about people in W^mstow[n] and the changes which had taken place in the Country since he left. He is what may be called an enthusiastic American. He must be over Seventy but does not show his age much. Toward evening I went up to Camp Stoneman, or rather Martindale Barracks, now near the “Circle” on the Avenue and took tea with Capt White & Lady. He is in command of a Veteran Reserve Com’y doing guard duty in the City. Mrs White is the daughter of John Layton of Lyons. I returned about dark and called at Charley^s who is now keeping house on F S^t opposite the Patent office. Mr Woodward & family & Mr Lieb & lady live with him. They pay $120 pr month for the House furnished for six months. Eight rooms only all told, and two of them in the Basement. Mr W. is a boarder and pays the rent. Mr Lieb pays $65 pr month. Little Charley Jr is growing and improving finaly, he is thirteen months old and very inteligent for a child so young. I returned to my room, “Shaw Settlement” as we call it, before 9 o’clk. My room is 16 by 21 feet and ceiling 10 feet high with two large front windows. There does not appear to be any very important “War news” today. Nothing from Sherman of a definite character. The Richmond papers admit that they have no force that can stop his progress to the coast. We shall hear from him soon. It is said that Sheridans Army is moving from the Valley and going down the River probably to re-inforce Grant. I suppose the Rebels have left the “Valley” if that is true. But I presume that troops enough are left to guard the important places up there. Congress meets tomorrow and the Hotels are quite full. Old faces are met with which appear here periodicaly. Old hangers on, old [“Bosess,”?] old gamblers, besides the faces of Members of congress. Many of them may be called old Sharpers, for I do believe that they get Elected to Congress more to make money than anything else. The opportunities are not wanting for any member who will sacrifice his honor to favor or oppose a measure for money.

December 4, 1864.

Got on the road before day-light and made 16 miles easily by 3:30 p.m. Good road, many fine places, and excellent forage, from 75 to 500 bushels of sweet potatoes on a farm. Heard cannonading for two hours this morning. Think it must have been in the vicinity of the 20th Corps. Quite a variety of forest trees to-day among the pines, but all of a stunted growth. Saw a very curious cactus by the roadside.

Almost all of the people from this section have sloped. I think I have not seen more than 12 white male citizens since we left Atlanta, at their homes. Am fully persuaded that Grant’s “cradle and grave” idea is correct.

Sunday, 4th–Rain last night. The First and Third Divisions and the First Brigade of the Fourth Division destroyed the railroad this forenoon for a distance of ten miles. The Iowa Brigade acted as train guard. We covered fifteen miles today and went into bivouac near Cameron Station. For the last two or three days, we marched through fine country, though in some places it is very sandy and the land is heavily timbered with pine. The soil is very sandy, but the higher land is well improved and thickly settled. Good crops were raised the past season, the work having been done by old men and negro women. Most of the citizens have left their homes.

December 3d.–Very warm–clouds and sunshine, like April.

Roger A. Pryor, who resigned his brigadiership, and has been acting as a scout (private), fell into the hands of the enemy the other day while exchanging newspapers with their pickets. They have him at Washington, and the United States newspapers say he makes revelations of a sad state of affairs in Georgia, etc. This is doubtless erroneous.

A “peace resolution” has been introduced in the North Carolina Legislature.

Hon. Mr. Foote yesterday introduced a resolution in Congress, calling for a convention of the States–or appointment of commissioners from the States. Voted down by a large majority.

Gen. Rosser (two brigades) made a descent, a few days ago, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, capturing some nine guns altogether, including four siege, which he spiked. The others he brought off, with 800 prisoners. He destroyed 200 wagons and a large amount of quartermaster and ordnance stores.

Per contra. Grant has pounced upon one of our depots at Stony Creek, Weldon Railroad, getting some 80 prisoners, and destroying a few stores. It is said he still holds the position–of some importance.

Gen. Ewell still thinks the aspect here is “threatening.”

Brig.-Gen. Chilton, Inspector-General, has ordered investigations of the fortunes of bonded officers, who have become rich during the war.

A strong effort has been made to have Gen. Ripley removed from Charleston. He is a Northern man, and said to be dissipated. Senator Orr opposes the change; the Secretary recommends his retention, and the President indorses: “I prefer that Gen. Ripley should remain.–J. D.”

December 3d. Our duty continues to be the same from day to day. When off regular duty, work in the woods cutting up wood for camp. Everyone must take a turn at the axe. George A. Weaver, of our company, received a bad cut in the leg from an axe slipping from the hands of one of the boys. Weaver was carried to the hospital, where a number of stitches were taken in the wound. General Sheridan has posted notices along the Harper’s Ferry Railroad that if the road, or trains going to and from Winchester to Harper’s Ferry, are in any manner molested, he will burn every house and barn within a circle of five miles. I read the notice on trees along the line of the road.

Saturday, 3d.—Late in evening drove Yankee skirmishers back and moved up our main line three-quarters of a mile. Fortifying.

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

3rd. Saturday. Spent the day in camp. Was officer of the day. Wrote to Uncle Milo.

December 3d.–We drank tea at Mrs. McCord’s; she had her troubles, too. The night before a country cousin claimed her hospitality, one who fain would take the train at five this morning. A little after midnight Mrs. McCord was startled out of her first sleep by loud ringing of bells; an alarm at night may mean so much just now. In an instant she was on her feet. She found her guest, who thought it was daylight, and wanted to go. Mrs. McCord forcibly demonstrated how foolish it was to get up five hours too soon. Mrs. McCord, once more in her own warm bed, had fallen happily to sleep. She was waked by feeling two ice-cold hands pass cautiously over her face and person. It was pitch dark. Even Mrs. McCord gave a scream in her fright. She found it was only the irrepressible guest up and at her again. So, though it was only three o’clock, in order to quiet this perturbed spirit she rose and at five drove her to the station, where she had to wait some hours. But Mrs. McCord said, “anything for peace at home.” The restless people who will not let others rest!

South bank of Scull Creek,
December 3, 1864.

We have laid here all day, being our first rest since leaving Atlanta. Had to wait for the 17th Corps and “left wing” to catch up. We laid a pontoon across the river this morning, and two of our brigade went over to tear up railroad The 17th Corps came up and relieved them about 2 p.m.

Colonel Catterson (our brigade commander) told me today that a dispatch from Bragg to had been intercepted yesterday, that stated that he was moving on us from Savannah, with 10,000 infantry and Dick Taylor’s Cavalry. See if he don’t “come to grief.” Two of our divisions are moving 12 miles to our right—the 2d and 3d—the 4th is with us.

Kilpatrick has gone for the Millen and Augusta railroad. If he hurts it much he’ll do more than cavalry usually do.

Saturday, 3d–We started off on our railroad destroying this morning at 7 o’clock. Our corps destroyed about ten miles of road, from Millen down to Station No. 70, where we went into camp for the night. The Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps are off on our left, destroying the railroad from Millen toward Augusta. At Millen there was located one of those hell-holes, a rebel prison, where the rebels kept about thirteen hundred of our men as prisoners. They rushed them off on the train for Charleston, South Carolina, just before our army arrived. I never saw a feed-yard looking so filthy and forsaken as this pen.^[1] We burned everything here that a match would ignite.

[1] The treatment which our soldiers received in the Confederate prisons is the one dark, damnable stain that the South of that time will always have to carry. The North can forgive, but it cannot forget.—A. G. D.

December 2d.–Warm, and raining moderately.

My landlord gets $400 of the $500 increase of my salary.

Dispatches from Gen. Bragg:

“Augusta, December 1st, 1864. – Following received from Lieut.-Gen. R. Taylor, Savannah, Ga.: ‘Gen. Hardee is at Grahamville. No fighting there since yesterday evening, when the enemy was driven five miles, leaving their dead upon the field.– B. B.’”

Another:

“Augusta, December 1st, 1864, 12m.–The (enemy’s) cavalry having been driven in, the enemy’s main force was yesterday found near Louisville, with strong outposts in this direction. They have secured large supplies in the country; but our cavalry is now all up, and it is hoped they will be prevented to a great extent in the future. The report from Savannah, of the enemy’s entrance into Millen, on the 27th, was premature. Telegraphic communication was reopened to Savannah by that route yesterday. The enemy is just now reported as at Station 9, on Central Railroad, advancing.–B. B.”

During the last month, 100 passports were given to leave the Confederate States by Provost Marshal Carrington and War Department.

Mr. G. B. Lamar, Savannah, Ga., tenders his services to go to New York and purchase supplies for our prisoners in the hands of the enemy, and to negotiate the sale of 1000 bales of cotton, etc.

Twelve M. Heavy and pretty rapid shelling is heard down the river.

Col. Chandler, Inspecting Officer, makes an ugly report of Gen. Winder’s management of the prisons in Georgia. Brig.-Gen. Chilton appends a rebuking indorsement on Gen. W.’s conduct. The inspector characterizes Gen. W.’s treatment of the prisoners as barbarous, and their condition as a “hell on earth.” And Gen. W. says his statements are “false.”

2nd. Friday. Went into our old camp at 2 P. M. Mail from home.

Friday, 2d.—Marched to within four and one-half miles of Nashville, and formed in line and began fortifying. Later moved up half-mile and began fortifying again. Can see forts in Nashville.

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

December 2d.–Isabella and I put on bonnets and shawls and went deliberately out for news. We determined to seek until we found. Met a man who was so ugly, I could not forget him or his sobriquet; he was awfully in love with me once. He did not know me, but blushed hotly when Isabella told him who I was. He had forgotten me, I hope, or else I am changed by age and care past all recognition. He gave us the encouraging information that Grahamville had been burned to the ground.

When the call for horses was made, Mrs. McCord sent in her fine bays. She comes now with a pair of mules, and looks too long and significantly at my ponies. If I were not so much afraid of her, I would hint that those mules would be of far more use in camp than my ponies. But they will seize the ponies, no doubt.

In all my life before, the stables were far off from the house and I had nothing to do with them. Now my ponies are kept under an open shed next to the back piazza. Here I sit with my work, or my desk, or my book, basking in our Southern sun, and I watch Nat feed, curry, and rub down the horses, and then he cleans their stables as thoroughly as Smith does my drawing-room. I see their beds of straw comfortably laid. Nat says, “Ow, Missis, ain’t lady’s business to look so much in de stables.” I care nothing for his grumbling, and I have never had horses in better condition. Poor ponies, you deserve every attention, and enough to eat. Grass does not grow under your feet. By night and day you are on the trot.

To-day General Chesnut was in Charleston on his way from Augusta to Savannah by rail. The telegraph is still working between Charleston and Savannah. Grahamville certainly is burned. There was fighting down there to-day. I came home with enough to think about, Heaven knows! And then all day long we compounded a pound cake in honor of Mrs. Cuthbert, who has things so nice at home. The cake was a success, but was it worth all that trouble?

As my party were driving off to the concert, an omnibus rattled up. Enter Captain Leland, of General Chesnut’s staff, of as imposing a presence as a field-marshal, handsome and gray-haired. He was here on some military errand and brought me a letter. He said the Yankees had been repulsed, and that down in those swamps we could give a good account of ourselves if our government would send men enough. With a sufficient army to meet them down there, they could be annihilated. “Where are the men to come from?” asked Mamie, wildly. “General Hood has gone off to Tennessee. Even if he does defeat Thomas there, what difference would that make here?”

West bank of Ogeechee River, eight miles
south of Millen,
December 2, 1864.

Recrossed the river this morning and, joining the brigade, made some eight miles to-day. We are ahead of the rest of the army or could have made more. Pine country, almost uninhabited. Saw to-day my favorite tree—the magnolia. Have seen but few of them in Georgia. In a swamp we passed through to-day a darkey pointed out to us some lemon trees. Saw in the same swamp some yellow pine. Nearly all the pine this side of the Oconee has been the “pitch” variety.

Friday, 2d–We marched eleven miles today and went into bivouac after dark near the town of Millen. We passed through some fine country with very large plantations. We crossed the east prong of the Ogeechee river about dusk, the infantry crossing over the railroad bridge and the artillery and teams by pontoon bridge. Millen is on the bank of this river and is a junction of the railroad running between Augusta and Savannah. We demolished the railroad all along the line.

December 1st.–Bright and warm.

It is said there is a movement of the enemy menacing our works on the north side of the river. There was shelling down the river yesterday and day before, officially announced by Gen. Lee–two of the enemy’s monitors retired.

Gen. Longstreet says “over 100 of Gen. Pickett’s men are in the guard-house for desertion, and that the cause of it may be attributed to the numerous reprieves, no one being executed for two months.” Gen. Lee indorses on the paper: “Desertion is increasing in the army, notwithstanding all my efforts to stop it. I think a rigid execution of the law is mercy in the end. The great want in our army is firm discipline.” The Secretary of War sent it to the President “for his information.” The President sent it back with the following biting indorsement: “When deserters are arrested they should be tried, and if the sentences are reviewed and remitted, that is not a proper subject for the criticism of a military commander.–Jeff. Davis. November 29th, 1864.”

Another dispatch from Gen. Bragg:

“Augusta, November 30th, 1864.–Following just received from Major-Gen. Wheeler: ‘Four Miles West Buckhead Church, November 29th, 9 P.M.–We fought Gen. Kilpatrick all night and all day, charging him at every opportunity. Enemy fought stubbornly, and left a considerable number of their killed. He stampeded, and came near capturing Kilpatrick twice; but having a fleet horse, he escaped, bareheaded, leaving his hat in our hands. Our own loss about 70, including the gallant Gen. Robertson, severely wounded. Our troops all acted handsomely.’

“Gen. Robertson has arrived here. His left arm is badly broken at the elbow, but he is doing well.–B. B.” [continue reading…]

December 1st. Time is passing very pleasantly with us. Duty so far mostly picket and guard. There are many points of interest in this vicinity that were connected with the Revolutionary War, so we have been informed. The raid of old John Brown, and his death by hanging, in December, 1859, by the State of Virginia, for treason. Trying to liberate the slaves.