September, Tuesday 13, 1864

Maj. Crump, Maj. Cheatham, Mrs. Reynolds, Lou, Mary Lou & I have spent a very pleasant day. Eddie arrived from West Point this morning—Lou made him a beautiful Tobacco bag, Mary Lou made Maj. Crump one. We all went in bathing, I swam across the Pond for the first time. Lou and I beat Eddie & Mary Lou at Cards—Mrs. Reynolds & Maj. Crump played backgammon. We sat up right late. I received a letter from Bro. Will asking me to come and stay with Mary & the Children until he returned, & of course will go, but have made no arrangements as yet—

12th.—After holding a consultation with a particular friend of Dr. M., together with Mr. –– and the “Colonel,” we have determined to await the decision of Mr. –– about the rooms on Franklin Street, and not to attempt to get others, hoping that as there are so many competitors for them, we may be considered the rightful claimants. There can be no doubt that they were promised to us.

The morning papers report “all quiet” at Petersburg, except that shells are daily thrown into the city, and that many of the women and children are living in tents in the country, so as to be out of the reach of shells.

The death of the bold and dashing General Morgan is deeply regretted. He has done us great service throughout the war, but particularly since his wonderful escape from his incarceration in the Ohio Penitentiary. It seems so short a time since he was here, all classes delighting to do him reverence. It is hard for us to have to give up such men.

General Hood telegraphs that the inhabitants of Atlanta have been ordered to leave their homes, to go they know not whither. Lord, how long must we suffer such things? I pray that the enemy’s hands may be stayed, and that they may be driven from our fair borders to their own land. I ask not vengeance upon them, but that they may be driven to their own homes, and that we may be henceforward and forever a separate people.

Monday, 12th.—Armistice began to-day. Militia discharged. G. P. Harris brought seven Yankee deserters today. All foreigners and wished to return to their native country.

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

September 12th. Cold cloudy morning. Ordered to the east side of the town, to make camp. Shelter tents put up. Picket line established out near the Shenandoah River. The fords must be guarded. Must keep a sharp lookout for Mosby and his guerillas. They know every foot of this country and all the fording places, so it is reported to us. A cold rain has come. I am detailed for picket. Have charge of the outpost, near the river. Captain Tiffany in command of our regiment. The town and vicinity in command of our Brigade Commander, Colonel Rodgers, 2d Maryland Regiment. Many army wagons are parked here.

Monday, 12th–No news. We have received no mail and no late papers for some time, because the main railroad to Atlanta has been torn up by the rebels for some distance between Nashville and Chattanooga.

12th. Monday. Regt. went out on a scout to Millwood. Remained in camp. Read some and worked. Considerable rain for two or three days. Cold nights.

SEPTEMBER 12th.—Clear, and quite cold.

Gen. Hood has agreed to a short armistice with Sherman, ten days, proposed by the latter. Our people don’t know what to think of this, and the government is acquiescent.

But there is a mournful gloom upon the brows of many, since Gen. Grant holds theWeldon Road, and is daily receiving reinforcements, while we get but few under the Conscription system and the present organization of the bureau.

There is a rumor of an intention to abandon Petersburg, and that 20,000 old men and boys, etc. must be put in the trenches on our side immediately to save Richmond and the cause.

Over 100,000 landed proprietors, and most of the slaveowners, are now out of the ranks, and soon, I fear, we shall have an army that will not fight, having nothing to fight for. And this is the result of the pernicious policy of partiality and exclusiveness, disintegrating society in such a crisis, and recognizing distinction of ranks,—the higher class staying home and making money, the lower class thrust into the trenches. And then the infamous schedule, to make the fortunes of the farmers of certain counties.

I bought 30 yards of brown cotton to-day, at $2.50 per yard, from a man who had just returned from North Carolina. The price here is $5. I sold my dear old silver reel some time ago (angling) for $75, the sum paid for this cotton.

Already the Dispatch is publishing paragraphs in praise of the “Bureau of Conscription,” never dreaming that it strikes both Gen. Bragg and the President. These articles are written probably by Lieut.-Col. Lay or Col. August. And the Examiner is opening all its batteries again on the President and Gen. Bragg. The conscription men seem to have the odds; but the President, with a single eye, can discern his enemies, and when fully aroused is apt to pounce upon them like a relentless lion. The times are critical, however, and the Secretary of War is very reserved, even when under positive orders to act.

September, Monday 12, 1864

Lou and I went up to see little Willie Young, he was better but quite sick last night. Mrs. Young came home with us, and brought him.

I sewed some on Mrs. Reynolds dress, have spent the day quite pleasantly, and had a delightful bath in the pond. Maj. Crump arrived just as we finished tea, and of course I have had a delightful evening. Lou and I beat Mary Lou & Maj. Cheatham badly at Cards, Mrs. R. and Maj. Crump played chess—

September 11th. Marching orders came early this morning. On the backward march towards Charlestown. Go into camp on the south side of the town. A good bath in a large brook over on the east side of the town. Remain here for the night.

Sunday, 11th–This is a quiet day. I have only five boys in my ward now with one nurse. The ward is to be closed in a few days and some of the wounded out in the tents will occupy it.

11th. Sunday. Spent the day quietly in camp. Read papers and “Lady of the Lake.”

SEPTEMBER 11th.—Showery.

No war news, though important events are looked for speedily. It is time. If our coat-tails were off, we should, in nine cases out of ten, be voted a nation of sans cullottes. We are already meager and emaciated. Yet I believe there is abundance of clothing and food, held by the extortioners. The government should wage war upon the speculators—enemies as mischievous as the Yankees.

September, Sunday 11, 1864

Mrs. Johnson, Mary Lou, Maj. Cheatham and Woodie went to Church, Lou, Mrs. Reynolds & I spent the morning reading, &c—All slept in the afternoon. Mr. Clapp & Lucas arrived from Holly Spring, found his Wife doing her own work. The Yanks made a complete wreck of every thing in their last raide. Lou, Mary Lou & I went up to Mr. Hamilton’s after tea—had a very pleasant evening, and beautiful moonlight walk—

Saturday, 10th.—Reported there is an armistice for ten days, to remove citizens out of Atlanta. Oh, that the time may soon come when we will all be permitted to return to our homes in peace.

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

September 10th. This morning brings rain, making camp life very miserable again. Heavy cannonading to the south, in the direction of the Winchester and Berryville Pike. The enemy is still in the valley. General Early will have to keep a sharp lookout for our gallant Phil Sheridan. A large mail received today. A very great pleasure to receive letters from home and friends in good old Connecticut. The weather clear at noon. Fine.

10th.—We must give up our rooms by the last of this month, and the question now arises about our future abode. We are searching hither and thither. We had thought for a week past that our arrangements were most delightfully made, and that we had procured, together with Dr. M. and Colonel G., six rooms in a house on Franklin Street. The arrangement had been made, and the proprietor gone from town. The M’s and ourselves were to take four rooms in the third story; the back parlour on the first floor was to be used by all parties; and Colonel G, would take the large front basement room as his chamber, and at his request, as our dining-room, as we could not be allowed to use the upper chambers as eating-rooms. Our large screen was to be transferred to the Colonel’s bedstead and washing apparatus, and the rest of the room furnished in dining-room style. These rooms are all furnished and carpeted. Nothing could have suited us better, and we have been for some days anticipating our comfortable winter-quarters. The M’s have left town with the blissful assurance of a nice home; to add to it all, the family of the proprietor is all that we could desire as friends and companions. Last night I met with a friend, who asked me where we had obtained rooms. I described them with great alacrity and pleasure. She looked surprised, and said, “Are you not mistaken? those rooms are already occupied.” “Impossible,” said I; “we have engaged them.” She shook her head, saying, ” There was some mistake; they have been occupied for some days by a family, who say that they have rented them.” None but persons situated exactly in the same way can imagine our disappointment. The Colonel looked aghast; Mr. –– pronounced it a mistake; the girls were indignant, and I went a little farther, and pronounced it bad treatment. This morning I went up before breakfast to hear the truth of the story—the family is still absent, but the servants confirmed the statement by saying that a family had been in the rooms that we looked at for a week, and that a gentleman, a third party, had been up the day before to claim the rooms, and said that the party occupying them had no right to them, and must be turned out. The servant added, that this third gentleman had sent up a dray with flour which was now in the house, and had put his coal in the coal-cellar. All this seems passing strange. Thus have we but three weeks before us in which to provide ourselves with an almost impossible shelter. The “Colonel” has written to Mr. –– for an explanation, and the M’s have been apprised of their dashed hopes. I often think how little the possessors of the luxurious homes of Richmond know of the difficulties with which refugees are surrounded, and how little we ever appreciated the secure home-feeling which we had all enjoyed before the war began. We have this evening been out again in pursuit of quarters. The advertisements of [continue reading…]

Saturday, 10th–A large number were sent to the front this morning. Jeremiah Argo of Company E, who had been among the wounded, was one of them. It is reported that the rebels are planning to raid this place, for we have but few soldiers here to defend it.

10th. Saturday. Busy over monthly papers. Letter from home. Fixed up my commissary returns.[1]

[1] ‘In my possession are a large number of these duplicate packages of “Monthly Returns of Quartermasters Stores,” “Monthly Returns of Clothing, Camp and Garrison Equipage, Abstracts, Vouchers,” etc., etc., all carefully assorted and securely fastened. (F. D. T.) The following is a copy of one of the vouchers: “I certify on honor that during the months of November and December, 1864, the following quartermasters’ stores were necessarily expended under my direction in Co. C, 2nd Ohio Cav.: 113, one hundred and thirteen grain sacks (worn). During the greater portion of this time our Regiment has been continually moving and these sacks have been used for bedding, for horses and men.

Luman H. Tenney,

Capt. 2nd Ohio Cav. Camp Russell, Va.,

December 30, 1864. Com’d’g Co. C.”

SEPTEMBER 10th.—Slight showers, and warm.

Gen. J. H. Morgan was betrayed by a woman, a Mrs. Williamson, who was entertaining him.

Custis made an estimate of the white male population in seven States this side of the Mississippi, leaving out Tennessee, between the ages of fifteen and fifty, for Gen. Kemper, for Gen. Lee, which is 800,000, subject to deduction of those between fifteen and seventeen, disabled, 250,000, leaving 550,000—enough for defense for several years yet, if the Bureau of Conscription were abolished and a better system adopted.

It is said the draft is postponed or abandoned in the United States. I hope so.

Two 32-pounder guns passed down the river to-day on this side. We shall probably hear from them soon, and then, perhaps—lose them.

September, Saturday 10, 1864

Today has been rather warm, and very idly spent by me. We have played Cards or backgammon most of the time. Lou and I beat Mrs. Reynolds and Maj. Cheatham badly after Tea. No news today, and nothing to write in my Diary—Of course ’tis always pleasant to me, I have always been happy since my stay at Waverly.

September 9th. Camp near Summit Point, our old battlefield, June 15th, 1863. Company drill this morning. Very strange to us. No other regiment out, in the face of the enemy. Battalion drill this P. M. The boys are all mad over it. The men need the rest. It is thought Captain Tiffany wished to make a show, because we are well drilled. Dress parade at 5 P. M. A number of new recruits joined our regiment today, coming from Connecticut. They were assigned to our company, C, we having the least number of any company in the regiment, owing to losses during the severe campaign for the past eight months. Wrote a few letters. Draw four days’ rations. The day closes clear and pleasant. All is quiet along the lines.

Friday, 9th–It is clear and quite warm. The constant shifting of the sick and wounded men makes a great deal of work for the convalescents here. They are planning to close the hospitals here as soon as possible and the hospital equipment will be shipped either to Chattanooga or Nashville until needed. The field hospital at Atlanta is all that will be needed.

SEPTEMBER 9th.—Rained last night; clear to-day.

We hear of great rejoicing in the United States over the fall of Atlanta, and this may be premature. President Lincoln has issued a proclamation for thanksgiving in the churches, etc.

Mr. Benjamin informs the Secretary of War that the President has agreed to facilitate the emigration of Polish exiles and a few hundred Scotchmen, to come through Mexico, etc. The former will enter our service.

The “Hope” has arrived at Wilmington with Sir Wm. Armstrong’s present of a fine 12-pounder, all its equipments, ammunition, etc. Also (for sale) two 150-pounder rifled guns, with equipments, etc.

September, Friday 9, 1864

Very cool and delightful—I finished my foullard Silk—if the weather improves as fast as it has done for the last few days, I think I will soon be left high and dry in my white dresses.

We had a call from some young Ladies of Columbus, Miss Jennie Ebert, Misses Williams, Capt. Martin and our little friend Therese. No news with them, nor have we heard any of importance today. Lou, Mary Lou & I called on Mrs. Young this evening—We had a game of Cards, Lou and I were not so fortunate, Maj. Cheatham & Mary Lou ran very evenly with us—