The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context.

I Rejoin My Regiment.

Sept. 2. About a week ago my brigade, Gen. Stannard commanding, left the trenches and was ordered into camp at Cobb’s Hill; all the convalescents belonging to it were ordered to rejoin it. When I was about leaving, all my darkies gathered around me to give me their blessing and say their goodbyes. They were earnest in their thanks for the kind treatment they had received and expressed their regrets at my leaving them. I told them to be good boys and do their duty, and they would surely receive their reward. It is possible the poor devils will miss me, as I have been to them not only ward-master, but doctor, nurse and attendant. I think I have been very successful with them in the little time I have had charge of them, having lost by death only three and I think there is small chance of anymore of them dying at present, unless they should happen to be struck by lightning.

Our brigade musters scarcely 1000 men for duty, and in a few weeks will be still further reduced by the expiration of the terms of service of those not re-enlisting. I learn that in a few days we go to Newbern, N. C, to relieve a full brigade which is ordered up here. Our old lines here are now nothing more than skirmish lines on either side, with a few pickets between. There is no firing from either side, and all is still and quiet as Sunday. The pickets keep up a truce between themselves, and although against orders, trading and communicating are carried on between them. I called on my old friend Lieut. McCarter of company B. He is now on Gen. Stannard’s staff, and is serving as brigade commissary, which gives him a fine opportunity to entertain his friends. It has been several months since I saw Mac, but he is the same genial, good-natured fellow as ever. Of course our greetings were cordial. He says the job is more to his liking than dodging shell at Cold Harbor, and the only disagreeable thing about it is in lugging water to make his accounts balance.

Sep 2d

       My mind is constantly dwelling on William’s life, his earnest, serious manner when a very little child, we were all riding together & the other boys made so much noise that W. knelt down and said his prayers, which surprised them so much they became quiet.—One day he said to me “Ma don’t die for if you die I will die too & then if you die I will go to Heaven to look for you.” He said his chatechism when he was going to college, to keep Arthur quiet.—When quite grown up he put Harry to bed for two months as H wished it.—Miss Smith said he had the most reverent manner in Church, I cannot think that with such a nature Religion being long “felt a comfort” as he wrote to me, was lightly understood. He must have taken it lovingly, into his soul. Mr Grimball often says he thinks he was not treated judiciously, & in that way met his death, but I try to think it was God’s will to take him from us, & this passing world.—When his papers came up there was a letter from William to his father, the last he wrote, saying that might be the last of him, & if it was not for the expense he wished him to come & then said come, come, it almost broke Mr Grimball’s heart, but he could not have got there sooner than he did, & then he just recognized him.—Oh my dear, dear child, how I think of you, and all your unselfish, thoughtful ways; I believe I was always kind to him, I know I meant to be.—

SEPTEMBER 2d.—Bright, and cool, and dry.

It is reported that a battle has occurred at Atlanta; but I have seen no official confirmation of it.

It is rumored that Gen. McClellan has been nominated by the Chicago Convention for President, and Fernando Wood for Vice-President. There is some interest felt by our people in the proceedings of this convention, and there is a hope that peace candidates may be nominated and elected.

Senator Johnson (Missouri) told me to-day that he had seen Mrs. Vaughan (wife of our Gen. V.), just from the United States, where she had been two months; and she declares it as her belief that Gen. McClellan will be elected, if nominated, and that he is decidedly for peace. She says the peace party would take up arms to put an end to Lincoln’s sanguinary career, but that it is thought peace can be soonest restored by the ballot-box.

The President to-day arrested the rush of staff appointments.

To-day an old gentleman, after an interview with Mr. Secretary ____, said he might be a good man, an honest man; but he certainly had a “most villainous face.”

September, Friday 2, 1864

Today has been one of the warmest I ever experienced—Lou and I buisy sewing on her dress—I finished the waiste , Lizzie the skirt and I think we will finish it tomorrow—

No news from any point today—Mary Lou joined Lou to entertain relations, Mrs. Reynolds & Mrs. Johnson went to Mrs. Hamilton’s, so Mrs. Young and I had the Pond to ourselves and the water was delightful after this warm day. Lou & I beat again at Cards—

10 o’clock at night—still suffocating. I don’t know how we shall manage to get through the night.

September 2d.–The battle has been raging at Atlanta,[1] and our fate hanging in the balance. Atlanta, indeed, is gone. Well, that agony is over. Like David, when the child was dead, I will get up from my knees, will wash my face and comb my hair. No hope; we will try to have no fear.

At the Prestons’ I found them drawn up in line of battle every moment looking for the Doctor on his way to Richmond. Now, to drown thought, for our day is done, read Dumas’s Maîtres d’Armes. Russia ought to sympathize with us. We are not as barbarous as this, even if Mrs. Stowe’s word be taken. Brutal men with unlimited power are the same all over the world. See Russell’s India–Bull Run Russell’s. They say General Morgan has been killed. We are hard as stones; we sit unmoved and hear any bad news chance may bring. Are we stupefied?

[1] After the battle, Atlanta was taken possession of and partly burned by the Federals.

September 1st.—Stayed with Brother I. L. at Brigade Infirmary; got him in ambulance and sent him to Division Infirmary, from which he was sent on South. Our corps going back towards Atlanta. Marched back within six miles of Atlanta; met the sick of militia coming out. Think Atlanta is being evacuated.

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

September 1st. Thursday. A very hot morning. Our regiment relieved from picket. Marched back to our camping place in the woods. A good bath in cold spring water coming out of the ground clear as crystal. There are many fine springs in the Shenandoah Valley. After my bath had a good sleep. Ready to eat and sleep at most any time. All sorts of rumors are passed along the lines. One report comes that we are to receive a visit from the paymaster. A poor place for us to receive six months’ pay, which is more than due. The families at home are in need of the money.

September 1.— –– has this day entered on her duties as clerk in the “Surgeon-General’s Department,” which she obtained with very little trouble on her part. We had always objected to her applying for an office, because we were afraid of the effect of sedentary employment on her health; but now it seems necessary to us, as the prices of provisions and house-rent have become so very high. Providence has dealt most mercifully with us from the beginning of the war: at first it seemed to be the pleasure of our friends as well as ourselves that we should be with them; then, when it became evident that the war would continue, Mr. –– obtained an office, which gave us a limited, but independent, support. Then, when prices became high, and we could not live on the salary, the chaplaincy came, with a little better income. As provisions continued to increase in price, and our prospect seemed very poor for the winter, my office was obtained without the least effort on my part, though I had often sought one in the Treasury without success; and now, when difficulties seem to be increasing with the great scarcity of provisions, the way is again made comparatively easy. So it seems that the Lord intends us to work for our daily bread, and to be independent, but not to abound.

Thursday, 1st–It is quite warm. Nothing of importance^.[1] The number of men in the hospitals is decreasing rapidly, for so many are going home on furloughs and no more are coming in.^[2]

[1] On September 1st Crocker’s Iowa Brigade advanced from Jonesboro to Flint creek with the remainder of Sherman’s army. The loss during the day was light.—A. G. D.
[2] This shows how completely in the dark our diarist-nurse was, as to what was going on around Atlanta.—Ed.

September 1.–My war letters come from Georgetown Hospital now. Mr Noah T. Clarke is very anxious and sends telegrams to Andrew Chesebro every day to go and see his brother.

1st. Lay in camp all day. In evening relieved 3rd Jersey on picket. Busy most all night drawing oats.

September 1st, ’64.

A real autumn morning. We were aroused at 3 a.m. and the air was then almost crisp. A breath of cold air is a luxury we can appreciate. A fresh, cool breeze is now stirring and I can almost hear the leaves falling. It is a real yellow fall and does me more good than aught else could, except a letter from home. Haven’t had one from you for ten days. A prisoner says that yesterday’s fight was rougher on them than the 28th of July fight. He said their brigade came up in front of our men, and though they did not stay more than long enough to take one look, when they got back under cover they were 500 men short. They afterwards charged again, and he said he doubted whether any of them got off alive and sound.

This is the 124th day of the campaign, exactly 90 of which we have been under fire. Have also moved 340 miles, though the direct road would be much less. The boys say we just finished the summer campaign in time to commence the fall ditto. I guess the movement surprised Hood. Prisoners all say they understood it to be a raiding party. ‘Tis a rather mighty one.

The country between these two railroads is rather better than any we have seen before in Georgia, but I never saw any in Illinois half as poor. Hardly any of the land has been under cultivation since the war commenced. A little sickly corn and a few patches of sorghum and millet are about all the farming evidence I have seen. [continue reading…]

SEPTEMBER 1st.—Clear, bright, and cool.

The intelligence from the North indicates that Gen. McClellan will be nominated for the Presidency. Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, shakes his head, and says he is not the right man. Our people take a lively interest in the proceedings of the Chicago Convention, hoping for a speedy termination of the war.

Senator Johnson, of Missouri, has a project of taxation for the extinguishment of the public debt—a sweeping taxation, amounting to one-half the value of the real and personal estate of the Confederate States. He got me to commit his ideas to writing, which I did, and they will be published.

Gen. Kemper told me to-day that there were 40,000 able-bodied men in Virginia now detailed.

There is a project on the tapis of introducing lady clerks into this bureau—all of them otherwise able to subsist themselves—while the poor refugees, who have suffered most, are denied places. Even the President named one to-day, Mrs. Ford, who, of course, will be appointed.

September, Thursday 1, 1864

Today is the first of Autumn—No falling leaves or withering buds greet us—all is sunshine and happiness—fruit in abundance, and our bath as delightful as in Summer time. Mary Lou has more confidence in swimming, yet I can go farther—Poor Lou’s relations were with her, and she could not indulge. We all enjoy life at Waverly, more than any place I have chanced to meet since the War. Gen. Cheatam’s Orderly came today for the horses, the Maj. & Gov. have gone, so no more horse back pleasures for Lou & I. Forrest has completely rid the Country above of Yanks, all bright in his Camp, nothing deffinite from Va. Ga. or Mobile. Lou and I redeemed our character tonight, in opposition to Mrs. Reynolds and Mary Lou—

31st. At daylight went on a reconnoissance towards Winchester. Found rebs and drove them to their main body on the Opequon. No one hurt. Very spirited little affair.

Wednesday, 31st.—Passed through East Lake at 2 A. M.; going in direction of Jonesboro. Being sick, J. N. Smith and I lay down and slept till morning. Overtook regiment near Jonesboro about 12 M. Formed in line of battle at 3 P. M. Everything in readiness, and told that at the firing of the cannon on the left, we were to advance in two lines of battle. Soon the cannonading began, and our advance began. Not one in a hundred believed it would accomplish anything, but moved forward in splendid order through an open field, but just simply run in and out again, at a terrible sacrifice. Our company, at the beginning of the war, had, I suppose, one hundred and twenty-five men; now, when we went into this charge, we only had nineteen men, and eleven out of the nineteen were hit; one mortally wounded and several others severely. Brother I. L., wounded in leg with minnie ball; severe. (What a foolish charge. When we came to know the facts, two corps had charged five Federal corps, and them well fortified.) Our commanders are surely getting reckless.

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

31st.—The last day of this exciting, troubled summer of 1864. How many young spirits have fled—how many bleeding, breaking hearts have been left upon earth, from the sanguinary work of this summer! Grant still remains near Petersburg; still by that means is he besieging Richmond. He has been baffled at all points, and yet his indomitable perseverance knows no bounds. Sherman still besieges Atlanta. God help us!

We are again troubled in mind and body about engaging rooms; we find we must give up these by the 1st of October, and have begun the usual refugee occupation of room-hunting.

Letters from our friends in the Valley, describing the horrors now going on there. A relative witnessed the burning of three very large residences on the 20th of August. General Custar was stationed with his brigade of Michigan Cavalry near Berryville. He had thrown out pickets on all the roads, some of which were fired on by Mosby’s men. This so exasperated the Federals, that an order was at once issued that whenever a picket-post was fired on the nearest house should be burned. On the morning of the 20th this dreadful order was put into execution, and three large houses were burnt to the ground, together with barns, wheat-stacks, and outhouses. The house of Mr. –– was near a picket-post, and about midnight on the 19th a messenger arrived with a note announcing the sudden death of Mrs.–– ‘s sister, on a plantation not many miles distant. A lamp was lighted to read the note, and, unfortunately, a little while afterwards the picket-post was fired on and one man wounded. The lighting of the lamp was regarded as a signal to Colonel Mosby. During the same night the pickets near two other large houses were fired on. This being reported at head-quarters, the order was at once issued to burn all three houses. Two companies of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Captain Drake, executed the fearful order. They drew up in front of Mr. ––’s house and asked for him. ” Are you Mr. ––?” demanded the Captain. “I have orders to burn your house.” In vain Mr. –– remonstrated. He begged for one hour, that he might see General Custar [continue reading…]

Wednesday, 31st–The same old thing over again. Nothing new from the front.^[1] The sick and also the attendants here in the hospital were mustered for pay today. This is muster day throughout the entire army.

[1] Crocker’s Iowa Brigade at this time was down at Jonesboro, below Atlanta, stationed on the Atlanta & Montgomery Railroad, which was one of the main roads running into Atlanta from the South. The losses in the brigade while there, were small.—A. G. D.

August 31st. Camp in the woods. Called up very early. Our regiment detailed for picket duty. We advance towards the west, near Smithfield and the Opequon Creek. A strong picket line maintained. While everything is quiet with us, must keep a good lookout. Cannot tell what an hour may bring forth. We have been in the service for over two years on this the last day in August.

Near Jonesboro, August 31, 1864.

We were afraid we would have no battle this month, but our fears were disappointed in a very summary manner this p.m. Hardee, in command of his own and Hood’s old corps, attacked the Army of the Tennessee again, the weight of the assault being on our corps. The second division, M. L. Smith’s, had the hardest of the fighting. The position our regiment held was unluckily too strong. They did not dare attack us. But we had a splendid view of the fight, both on our right and left.

Six Johnnie lines of battle debouched from the woods on our left, and swept right across our front on open ground, within long musket range, say 600 or 700 yards. This was 2:30 p.m. They were coming over to attack the 16th Corps. A five-gun battery on the right of our regiment and two guns on our left opened on them with spherical case, and threw some canister. They had hardly fired two shots when a Rebel 10-pound Parrott opened on them in front, and a Napoleon battery on our left flank. The Rebels shot admirably and you may imagine our regiment was in a pretty warm position, though our works and traverses made the danger but little.

In ten minutes from the time we first saw the Rebels they struck the 16th Corps, and after a right heavy fight of near an hour they came back flying. Our boys, though not near enough to do much effective shooting, put in 40 or 50 rounds apiece, just to keep our hands in. About the same time they struck Morgan L. they struck our first brigade and the left of our brigade. Our division repulsed them easily and [continue reading…]

AUGUST 31st.—Bright and pleasant.

The only news to-day was a dispatch from Gen. Hood, stating that the enemy had leftHolly Springs, Miss., for the Mississippi River, supposed to reinforce Sherman, whose communications are certainly cut. It seems to me that Sherman must be doomed. Forces are gathering from every quarter around him, and it is over 200 miles to Mobile, if he has any idea to force his way thither-ward.

Attended an auction to-day. Prices of furniture, clothing, etc. still mounting higher.

Common salt herrings are at $10 per dozen; salt shad, $8 a piece. Our agent was heard from to-day. He has no flour yet, but we still have hopes of getting some.

August, Wednesday 31, 1864

After all my sitting up so late, Mr. Clapp went off and forgot my letter, or at least, I failed to awake in time to give it to him.

We have had a pleasant day, as usual, to me each day is delightful at Waverly—there is not much variety, but ’tis always pleasant—We all together had a nice bath, although ’twas very cold. I was really timid and foolish in the Water, tried to cross, but did not get more than half way, hope I will succeed some time.

Still no news from home, and nothing different from the Army’s—

August 4—Move through Martinsburg and camp near Falling Water.

August 5—Move early and cross the Potomac and camp a little beyond St. James College.

August 6—Move early through rain and stop at Williamsport. Meet Mr. E. P. Steffy and others Quite a stir about those hostages from Hagerstown. Cross river late and camp.

August 7—Move early past M. and go into old camp near Bunker Hill. Such running and chasing, back and forth, crossing and re-crossing, night and day! Such is war.

August 9—Dine with Mr. Woolridge.

August 10—Move early. Go by Mr. Silver’s and spend a few hours. Ride to Division four miles north of Winchester.

August 12—Move and camp two miles N. W. of Strasburg.

August 13—Troops in line of battle.

Sunday, August 14—Quiet. Bro. Power preaches in a. m. and I preach in p. m. Prayer meeting at night.

August 16—Preach to Hoke’s Brigade in a. m. and to Johnston’s in p. m. Prayer meeting at night.

August 17—Our men drive the enemy from W. Mills.

August 18—Pass through Winchester. See mills and wheat barns lately burned by the enemy.

August 19—Move early towards Bunker Hill. Men go into old camp.

August 20—Sudden alarm. Quiet all the balance of the day.

Sunday, August 21—Meet Rev. Wm. Hank. Heavy skirmish most of the day. Five in my Regiment killed: Pennington, Williams, Wilkins, Newkirk and Forsythe.

August 22—Drive enemy through Charlestown and two miles beyond. Heavy rain.

August 23—Quiet all day. Sup with Rev. J. Wm Jones and family. Lovely home.

August 24—Meet Rev. Marsh. Sudden attack on our front. Soon quiet.

August 25—Corps moves and camps about Shepardstown. Meet Rev. Kilgo and others. My birthday! When shall I spend a birthday with my wife and children?

August 26—Preach to Regiment. Dine at Mrs. Evans’. Troops all move to Leetown. Meet Chaplain Brooke, of Imboden’s Cavalry.

August 27—Division moves to Bunker Hill.

August 28—Preach in a. m. Hear from Mary.

August 29—Men move out and spend day on pike. Spend night in old camp.

August 30—Brother Rutledge preaches for me Write letter of condolence to Brother L.

August 31—Division moves to M. and drives out enemy’s cavalry. Returns to camp weary. I dine with Harry Thomas.

30th. Marched at 12:30. Received letter from Mrs. T. Wood. Camped at Berryville.