Tuesday, 4th.—Moved two miles over awfully muddy road and in the dark last night. Eighty Yanks passed that were captured at Moon’s Station. Reported Wheeler between Dalton and Chattanooga. Federal Commander at Acworth says he surrendered five hundred men; over two hundred passed.

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

Tuesday, 4th–Rain early this morning. We stored away our tents in Atlanta and left in light marching order. The three corps started out on different roads, and the roads being muddy it made hard marching. We bivouacked for the night four miles west of Marietta, Georgia. The railroad bridge across the Tallahassee river here was partially destroyed by the rebels. They built a raft of logs and floated it down against the bridge, knocking out two piers. No news from the East.

October 4, 1864.

We have been expecting to move for several days. The Rebels have crossed the Chattanooga and are moving on our rear, a la Jonesboro. If half the force they took over get back I’ll be much disappointed. We yesterday sent our extra baggage to Atlanta to store, and at 11 last night orders came to march at 5 a.m. to-day. We will be off in a few minutes now. Marietta is in our route direction.

Saturday.–The President will be with us here in Columbia next Tuesday, so Colonel McLean brings us word. I have begun at once to prepare to receive him in my small house. His apartments have been decorated as well as Confederate stringency would permit. The possibilities were not great, but I did what I could for our honored chief; besides I like the man–he has been so kind to me, and his wife is one of the few to whom I can never be grateful enough for her generous appreciation and attention.

I went out to the gate to greet the President, who met me most cordially; kissed me, in fact. Custis Lee and Governor Lubbock were at his back.

Immediately after breakfast (the Presidential party arrived a little before daylight) General Chesnut drove off with the President’s aides, and Mr. Davis sat out on our piazza. There was nobody with him but myself. Some little boys strolling by called out, “Come here and look: there is a man on Mrs. Chesnut’s porch who looks just like Jeff Davis on postage-stamps.” People began to gather at once on the street, Mr. Davis then went in.

Mrs. McCord sent a magnificent bouquet–I thought, of course, for the President; but she gave me such a scolding afterward. She did not know he was there; I, in my mistake about the bouquet, thought she knew, and so did not send her word.

The President was watching me prepare a mint julep for Custis Lee when Colonel McLean came to inform us that a great crowd had gathered and that they were coming to ask the President to speak to them at one o ‘clock. An immense crowd it was–men, women, and children. The crowd overflowed the house, the President’s hand was nearly shaken off. I went to the rear, my head intent on the dinner to be prepared for him, with only a Confederate commissariat. But the patriotic public had come to the rescue. I had been gathering what I could of eatables for a month, and now I found that nearly everybody in Columbia was sending me whatever they had that they thought nice enough for the President’s dinner. We had the sixty-year-old Madeira from Mulberry, and the beautiful old china, etc. Mrs. Preston sent a boned turkey stuffed with truffles, stuffed tomatoes, and stuffed peppers. Each made a dish as pretty as it was appetizing.

A mob of small boys only came to pay their respects to the President. He seemed to know how to meet that odd delegation.

Then the President’s party had to go, and we bade them an affectionate farewell. Custis Lee and I had spent much time gossiping on the back porch. While I was concocting dainties for the dessert, he sat on the banister with a cigar in his mouth. He spoke very candidly, telling me many a hard truth for the Confederacy, and about the bad time which was at hand.

October 4th.–Foggy; then bright; then very warm.

Gen. Lee is at Chaffin’s Bluff. A dispatch from him this morning states that the enemy’s infantry are near Harrisonburg, in the Valley, and that his cavalry is retiring.

9 A.M. Another dispatch from Gen. Lee. The raiders’ cavalry, only 250 strong, are at Brandy Station, a body of their infantry at Bealton Central Railroad.

9 ½ Am. Gen. Lee says Gen. Breckinridge repulsed the enemy’s attack on Saltville, on Sunday, 2d inst; it was a “bloody” repulse, and Gen. B. is pursuing.

Gen. Beauregard has been appointed to the supervisory command of the army in Georgia, etc.; in response to the universal calls of the people.

The enemy threw up earthworks yesterday, toward the city, from Fort Harrison, one mile in length. He is now within five miles of the city, and if his progress is not checked, he will soon be throwing shells at us.

But Lee is there, digging also.

Flour rose yesterday to $125 per barrel, meal to $72 per bushel, and bacon $10 per pound. Fortunately, I got 100 pounds of flour from North Carolina a few days ago at $1.20 per pound. And Thomas, my son, detailed as clerk for Gen. Kemper, will draw 30 pounds of flour and 10 pounds bacon per month.

Monday, June 3d.—Our forces hold railroad at Acworth. Halted our brigade at breast-works west of Kenasaw. Stewart’s Corps took Big Shanty.   [This entry is in the book after October 2d.]

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

Monday, 3d–A heavy rain last night. We started early this morning and arrived in camp about 9 o’clock. This afternoon we received orders to prepare to march early tomorrow morning with fifteen days’ rations. It is supposed that the expedition is going out towards Kenesaw mountain, as it is reported that Hood is moving north with the main part of his army, and that he is now in the vicinity of Kenesaw. The Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps are to move north, while the Twentieth and Twenty-third are to remain here at Atlanta. News came today that General Grant is within five miles of Richmond and that he has whipped the rebels at every point.

3rd. Saddled at 4 A. M. No demonstration.

Washington Oct 3^rd 1864

What a hiatus in my Journal!! Since I last wrote I have been at home six weeks having started the very next day, the 17^th July. I was a good deal out of health when I went away, the extreme hot weather had nearly “used me up.” I did not return till the 30^th of August. Considerable progress has been made in the war. Sherman has taken Atlanta. But Grant has not yet taken Petersburgh or Richmond. But is now on the move and has gained some successes the past week. There is now Fighting down there every day and a great Battle is expected soon which will probably decide the fate of Richmond. Gen^l Sheridan who superseded Hunter in the Shanandoah Valley, after the late raid into Maryland & P.a. of the Rebel Gen^ls Early & Breckenridge, has Driven them all out of the Valley after two or three hard Battles, one at “Winchester” and one at “Fishers Hill” and others of less note, and now near Staunton V.a. with a large army probably 75,000 men. Admiral Farrigut [h]as passed the Rebel Forts into Mobile Harbor, after a most gallent naval fight and captured the Forts afterwards. But has not captured the City yet. So far in this War, Gen^l W T Sherman has Shown the most ability as a Gen^l on Land (in my opinion) and Farrigut on Water, without doubt. It looks very much now as though the rebellion was “caving in” for want of men. It is not thought that they can cope with Grant, or Sherman, or Sheridan. The Draft for 300,000 men is now going on peacefully all over the Union. But the most of the number will be Volunteers. Enormous Bounties are paid in the Northern & Eastern States for Volunteers. There is a U.S. Bounty, a State Bounty, and a County, and in many of the Counties, a Town Bounty, am[oun]ting to from $1000 to $1600 for three years men and from $600 to $1200 for one years men. Gen^l Geo B M^cClellan was nominated for President of the U.S. by the Democratic Party at Chicago on the 30^th August. The “Peace at any price” men and the rebel sympathisers generaly suport him. Altho I believe him to be a good Union man, and have the highest regard for him as a Patriot and man of talents, still I do not think he can be Elected. The character of many of his supporters will ruin his prospects. His friends, (at least many of them) the most talented & influential, are not to be trusted to make a Peace with Armed Rebels, and the Chicago Resolutions or “Platform” demand a cessation of hostilities at once even when to all appearances we are about crushing the thing out. If the Rebels lay down their arms and submit to the laws, return to their allegiance, there will be peace at once, and I think they must soon do it or fare worse.

October 3d.–Misty and damp, but warm.

Guns heard down the river. On Friday, it seems, the enemy penetrated and held a portion of our works below Petersburg; and although we captured many prisoners, it does not appear that we regained the works or retook the cannon.

So far, although the enemy’s loss in men may have been greater in the operations of the last few days, it would seem that we have lost ground; that our forts, etc. have been captured and held, up to this moment; and that both the right and left wings of Grant have been advanced, and established in the positions taken. All this, too, under the eye of Gen. Lee. It is enough to make one tremble for Richmond. They do not heed his calls for men.

In the North, the Presidential campaign is growing warm. McClellan’s friends have been denounced as “traitors” in Ohio, and one of their meetings broken up by the soldiers. This fire may spread, and relieve us.

It is now said a corps of the enemy’s infantry was really peeping from the groves and lanes west of the city, on Saturday, when the furious shelling took place.

Rumors–we have nothing but rumors–of fighting, said to be in progress on the south side of the river. It is said the enemy, that were a few days ago menacing Richmond, are recrossing to the Petersburg side.

October 2d.—Marched thirteen miles and camped twelve miles west of Marietta. Reported Rebs have cut railroad.

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

Sunday, 2d–We started again early this morning, and after marching about six miles, came upon the rebels’ rear guard. We did some skirmishing with them and chased them about two miles, when we let them go and started back to Atlanta. The rebels tore up a portion of the railroad track between Marietta and Acworth, and delayed our trains. Our expedition was sent out for the purpose of cutting off their retreat from Marietta, but we were too late. After marching six miles on our return, we went into bivouac for the night.

2nd. Sunday. Changed camp. Not unsaddled before enemy came up and charged pickets through town. 2nd N. Y. and 18th P. V. charged back, driving rebs over abutments into the river. Moved back near Dayton.

October 2d–Cloudy and calm.

All quiet. It was a false alarm yesterday evening. Nothing but some of the enemy’s cavalry scouts were seen from the intermediate batteries, and it was merely a waste of ammunition on our part, and destruction of timber where the enemy were partially sheltered. Not a gun, so far as I can learn, was fired against our fortifications. Gen. Pemberton must have known that none of the enemy’s infantry and artillery had marched in this direction through the storm, and in the mud, or else our scouts are worthless.

But we have news of the capture of 500 more prisoners near Petersburg, yesterday. The particulars of the fight have not yet been received.

Every male between seventeen and fifty-five is now required to have a pass, from Gen. Kemper or Gen. Barton, to walk the streets, even to church. The militia are all out, except those hidden in the back rooms of their shops–extortioners; and the city is very quiet. No wonder the women and children were thrown into a panic yesterday.

The shelling did some good in the Saturday evening market, as most of the people were eager to get home. A boy sold me apples at 75 cents per quart, instead of $1.

The physicians have had a meeting, and agree to charge $30 per visit.

The bombardment is still in progress at Charleston, and there has never been any intermission. The enemy’s batteries now reach over two-thirds of that devoted city.

I see by a Northern paper that Gen. Grant is having his children educated at Burlington, N. J.; perhaps at the same institutions where mine were educated; and I perceive that our next door neighbor, Mrs. Kinsey, has been waving the “glorious Stars and Stripes” over Gen. G.’s head, from her ample porch. Well, I would not injure that flag; and I think it would never be assailed by the Southern people, if it were only kept at home, away from our soil. We have a flag of our own we prefer.

Saturday, 1st–This afternoon the Third and Fourth Divisions of the Seventeenth Corps started on an expedition toward Fairburn, Georgia, where, it is reported, there is a large force of the rebels. We marched about seven miles and went into bivouac for the night. I received a letter from David Cole of the Twenty-fourth Iowa. His regiment is now in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia.

October 1.–Mr Noah T. Clarke accompanied his brother to-day to the old home in Naples and found two other soldier brothers, William and Joseph, had just arrived on leave of absence from the army so the mother’s heart sang “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” The fourth brother has also returned to his home in Illinois, disabled.

1st. Saturday. My birthday. Would I could see Ma and sisters. God bless them. Gen. W. relieved by Gen. Custer. Gen. W. ordered to Gen. Sherman, Chief of cavalry.

October 1st.–Raining and cold. Horrible for the troops in the trenches!

The battle, yesterday (on this side of the river), was an attempt of Gen. Lee to retake Fort Harrison, near Chaffin’s Bluff, which failed, after two essays. Gen. Lee deemed its recapture important, and exposed himself very much in the assault: so much so as to cause a thrill of alarm throughout the field. But it all would not do; the enterprise of the enemy had in a few hours rendered the place almost impregnable. Judge Lyons, who came in to-day (from a visit to the field), estimates our killed and wounded at from 700 to 1000.

But we have better news from other quarters. Generals Hampton and Heath attacked the enemy on the south side of the river, yesterday, and captured 900 men.

Gen. Early sends word that the whole force of the enemy (Sheridan’s army) is in full retreat, and he is in pursuit.

Gen. Echols, West Virginia and East Tennessee, reports several successes to our arms in that region.

This has been a terrible day; a storm of wind and driving rain. Heavy guns are heard at intervals down the river.

At 4 P.M., while writing the last line, a furious cannonade has sprung up on the southeast of the city, and seemingly very near to it. It may be a raid. The firing increases in rapidity, mingled, I think, with the roar of small arms. We can hear distinctly the whistle of shot and shell, and the detonations shake the windows. It may be that the atmosphere (dampness) and the wind from the east cause some deception as to the distance; but really it would seem that from the apparent proximity of the enemy’s guns, some of the shells must reach the eastern parts of the city. After thirty minutes’ quick firing, it ceases in a great measure. At 5 P.M. it was resumed, and continued until dark. Some think it but a raid, others report 40,000 men engaged. If this be so, to-morrow will probably be fought the great battle for Richmond. Doubtless, Grant is eager to hold some position from which he can shell the city.

1 October

       2 Months have passed since my dear William’s death, and I feel that it was but yesterday.—

October 1st.–Mary Cantey Preston’s wedding day has come and gone and Mary is Mrs. John Darby now. Maggie Howell dressed the bride’s hair beautifully, they said, but it was all covered by her veil, which was of blond-lace, and the dress tulle and blond-lace, with diamonds and pearls. The bride walked up the aisle on her father’s arm, Mrs. Preston on Dr. Darby’s. I think it was the handsomest wedding party I ever saw. John Darby[1] had brought his wedding uniform home with him from England, and it did all honor to his perfect figure. I forget the name of his London tailor–the best, of course! “Well,” said Isabella, “it would be hard for any man to live up to those clothes.”

And now, to the amazement of us all, Captain Chesnut (Johnny) who knows everything, has rushed into a flirtation with Buck such as never was. He drives her every day, and those wild, runaway, sorrel colt’s terrify my soul as they go tearing, pitching, and darting from side to side of the street. And my lady enjoys it. When he leaves her, he kisses her hand, bowing so low to do it unseen that we see it all.

[1] After the war, Dr. Darby became professor of Surgery in the University of the City of New York; he had served as Medical Director in the Army of the Confederate States and as Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the University of South Carolina; had also served with distinction in European wars.

September 30th. At Harper’s Ferry with the prisoners, having been on duty all night. Had a great time talking to the rebs over past experiences. Met one, formerly from our old home town, Norwich, Conn. Turned the prisoners over to the commander of the post, when we returned to Martinsburg. As soon as we arrived went right on duty, after being up all last night. Picket duty and working on the railroad. The guerillas are at work. Old Mosby keeps us busy. They managed to steal horses, and get the best. Our boys are kicking over the hard work on the railroad. Trains are running regular again over the road. This is an important line, through, on to the west. Business is improving, judging by the number of trains.

Friday, 30th.—Crossed Chattahoochie River at Pumpkin Town Ferry at 9 A. M. Camped for the night seven and one half miles from Villarica.

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

Friday, 30th–The weather is quite pleasant. Nothing of any importance. I have made loans to the boys of my company as follows: Samuel Bain, $5.00; John Ford, $5.00; Samuel Metcalf, $5.00; Burtis Rumsey, $3.00; William Green, $3.00, and Monroe Blazer, $1.00. I also loaned $5.00 to John Hemphill of Company I of the Sixteenth Iowa. All loans are to be paid back on next pay day. I paid a debt of $5.00 to Thomas Armstrong. I bought a gold pen from Jason Sparks for $5.00. All is quiet on the post.

September 30.–To-day the “Benjamin” of the family reached home under the care of Dr J. Byron Hayes, who was sent to Washington after him. I went over to Mr Noah T. Clarke’s to see him and found him just a shadow of his former self. However, “hope springs eternal in the human breast” and he says he knows he will soon be well again. This is his thirtieth birthday and it is glorious that he can spend it at home.