August 26th. This morning finds us still in line at Halltown. A large force of skirmishers ordered outside the rifle pits. Must charge on the enemy, drive them back. The enemy in strong force, well posted. The skirmish was hot while it lasted. A number of our boys were wounded, carried inside our lines. Late in the day all became quiet. I am detailed for picket duty tonight. The boys are sleeping tonight with equipments on, ready for a sudden call to duty. We are often obliged to sleep with our guns in our arms.

AUGUST 26th.—Clear; but rained copiously last night.

A letter from Gen. Lee indicates that the “Bureau of Conscription” fails to replenish the army. The rich men and slaveowners are but too successful in getting out, and in keeping out of the service. The Governor, who commissions magistrates, is exempting some fifty daily, and these, in many instances, are not only young men, but speculators. And nearly every landed proprietor has given bonds to furnish meal, etc. to obtain exemption. Thus corruption is eating to the heart of the cause, and I fear the result of the contest between speculation and patriotism. Mr. Seddon says he has striven to make the conscription officers do their duty, and was not aware that so many farmers had gotten exemption. He promises to do all in his power to obtain recruits, and will so use the strictly local troops as to render the Reserves more active. What that means we shall soon see.

A dispatch from Mobile says Fort Morgan is in the possession of the enemy! Per contra, a dispatch from the same place says Memphis is in the possession of Forrest.

August, Friday 26, 1864

I had a regular seige today with Mrs. Reynolds hat, and did not finish it. Mrs. Johnson and I both failed to make a brim, I retreated to my room in disgust, the other girls were all enjoying a nice nap. We all went to bath, Mary Lou and I improved very much in swiming , not able to swim across the Pond yet. As usual, we played Euchre after Tea. Lou and I were beaten only one game—No news of importance from the Armys—

25th. Intended to join the regiment, but heard that it had gone out early on a reconnoissance. Eggleston remained with me. Maj. N. came up after dark tired out. Train pulled out in night and Div. crossed the river.

Thursday, 25th–There are now from five thousand to six thousand sick and wounded here, and still more are coming. Though some of the sick are gaining slowly, yet there are from five to six deaths daily; there have been as many as eight deaths in a day, and not less than three a day for the time the hospital has been established here. I am told that the dead are buried in the Rome cemetery. Most of the men are sent out to the front again just as soon as they can go. General Hospital, Ward D, Second Section, Second Division. Rome, Georgia.

August 25th. Last night, under cover of darkness, a detail was made, about twenty men, ordered to advance and intrench, to try and dislodge the enemy’s sharpshooters who were up in high trees and making trouble for us, shooting at the boys, by improving every chance they could get. When the opportunity came, our boys were to give them a volley. They did so, but did not harm the rebs. I heard them call out, as soon as our boys fired on them, “How are you Horace Greeley? ” showing that no harm came to them. It made quite a laugh at the time. The rebs often called to us “How are you Horace Greeley? Does your mother know you are out?”

Late in the afternoon all firing ceased and everything became quiet. We could hear the enemy’s drum corps and they could no doubt hear ours. Our boys and the Johnnies on the skirmish line entered into an agreement not to fire on one another. For proof they fixed bayonets on their guns, sticking them in the ground, butts up. Both sides could see. Agreements made at such times were kept. Both sides kept outside the earthworks. Sometimes the boys would meet between the lines, exchange tobacco for coffee. The rebs were always very anxious to get hold of New York papers. Night coming on, both sides would resume duty. A hard shower came late this afternoon.

AUGUST 25th.—Clear and warm.

No war news, except reports that Gen. Wheeler has destroyed much of the railroad in Sherman’s rear, and that Early has forced Sheridan back across the Potomac.

Gen. Lee writes that he already notices the good effect of the order published by our government, encouraging desertions from the enemy’s armies. He suggests that it be translated into the German, and circulated extensively in the enemy’s country.

My turnips seem to be coming up at last; have sown them everywhere, so that when other crops come off, the ground will still be producing something.

Bought a bushel of red peas to-day for $30—the last for sale—the rest being taken for horses. Such is the food that my family is forced to subsist on.

Mr. Haxall, a millionaire, of conscript age, has just been appointed assessor of tax-in-kind. The salary is a pitiful sum, but the rich man is kept out of the army while the poor man is forced to fight in defense of his property.

The President is indefatigable in his labors. Every day the papers he sends to the department bear evidence of his attention to the minutest subject, even to the small appointments; he frequently rejects the Secretary’s recommendations.

Gen. Bragg recommends that publication be made here, in the United States, and in Europe, encouraging enlistments of foreigners in our army.

August, Thursday 25, 1864

After my failure to remodel Lou’s hat on yesterday, Mrs. Johnson kindly offered to assist me, so she spent the morning making the crown. I then took it, finished puting it together, and trimed it, after finishing it looked quite nice—and Lou did not make so much sport over her milliner’s misfortunes. I finished Maj. Young’s socks, with Lou’s assistance, we played backgammon, and altogether had a very pleasant day. Mary Poullaim and I improved very much in our swimming. Col. Young got back today from his Plantation, and is quite sick tonight from fatigue.

Bad news from Va. and Mobile, Fort Morgan surrendered and we have been defeated at Fredericksburg. God grant the days may brighten for our poor bleeding Confederacy. No news from home yet—

24th. Wednesday. A beautiful day, a little hazy. Forage issued. Boys sent to Frederick to look up brigade train. Fears of its capture. Train arrived. Boys came down to shoe horses.

Wednesday, 24th–William Snow died in our ward last night. This is a dreadfully hot day, and since our ward is so crowded, we make this a special scrub-day, to cool the atmosphere as well as to keep the place clean.

August 24, 1864.

The Johnnies in our front are either tired out or short of ammunition or inclination, or else, like the quiet swine, “studying devilment.” Certain it is, that they shoot but little lately.

Five Rebel batteries which have thrown shell into our division line did not on the 20th or 21st fire a shot, on the 22d but two shots, and in response to a more than usually vigorous cannonading on our part yesterday returned not more than a dozen shots. These Rebels just opposite are a very glum set. Won’t say a single word, though the lines are at one point at least, not more than 20 yards apart. Whenever I have seen the line so close, our men invariably get the advantage, and keep the Rebels down. We go on the skirmish line every fourth day, but with ordinary care there is little danger.

The 4th, 20th and 16th Corps are preparing to start for the right. The raids in our rear—on the railroad amount to nothing. We have at least 60 days’ rations accumulated, and could rebuild the entire road in that time.

August 24th. Routed out before daylight. Our brigade ordered outside the intrenchments to charge and drive the enemy out of the woods, also to burn a number of haystacks behind which the enemy kept reserves. As we started on the charge they fell back to their main line at Charlestown. The sharpshooters came out of the trees in a hurry. Later, orders came for us to return inside the intrenchments, taking our position. The enemy followed slowly on after us, taking their old position, but not behind the haystacks, which had gone up in smoke.

August 23d. Sun shining bright this morning. Skirmishing firing began at daylight. A number of the enemy’s sharpshooters are up in high trees. They annoy us very much. Not safe to show one’s head above the rifle pits. Saw General Sheridan pass quickly along the line, just as a shell dropped inside our intrenchments. No damage from it, as it exploded just beyond our line. We are on the watch, as the skirmishers are kept very busy.

AUGUST 24th.—Clear and pleasant.

Operations now must be initiated by the enemy. Gen. Lee writes that he is too weak to attempt to dislodge the Yankees from the Weldon Railroad. He cannot afford the loss of men necessary to accomplish it. He says the enemy, however, was “worsted” in the two conflicts, that of Friday and Sunday. And if he were to drive him away, the road would still be subject to interruption. He thinks we can still get supplies, by wagons, round the enemy’s position, as well as by the Danville Road. He also suggests that corn be imported at Wilmington, and that every effort be made to accumulate supplies here; and he thinks we can hold out until corn matures some six weeks hence, so that the moral effect will be good, when it is apparent the efforts of the enemy to cut off our supplies are thwarted. He thinks the enemy has relinquished the idea of forcing our fortifications. But he says that Grant intended to force his way into Richmond last week.

I wrote a letter to the President to-day, urging the necessity of preventing the transportation of any supplies on the railroads except for distribution at cost, and thus exterminating the speculators. The poor must be fed and protected, if they be relied upon to defend the country. The rich bribe the conscription officers, and keep out of the ranks, invest their Confederate money and bonds in real estate, and would be the first to submit to the United States Government; and the poor, whom they oppress, are in danger of demoralization from suffering and disgust, and might also embrace reunion rather than a prolongation of such miseries as they have so long experienced. The patriotism of 1861 must be revived, or independence cannot be achieved. If a Peace Democrat be elected, no doubt terms of peace will be tendered, on the basis of reunion; and if they be rejected, perhaps the war may be continued. Or Lincoln may modify his conditions of peace; and the rich, always seeking repose and security, may embrace them. The surest plan is to break up speculation, and put the rich as well as the poor in the army. We must deserve independence, else we shall not get it. There must be no partiality, and especially in favor of the rich. I wrote plainly, intimating the danger of Reconstruction, without the greatest care, and a scrupulous performance of duty.

23rd. Tuesday. Lu went back to the regt. Remained with the brigade all night. Returned to train in time for breakfast. Moved train over to Cole’s. Went with Bob to barbershop. Sent Barber to his company yesterday. Ficklin has taken his place and is doing splendidly. War news seems favorable. Reports that the enemy are retreating down the valley, also that he has turned towards Washington, former probably true. Lee cannot spare so many men. Cavalry force, 2nd Ohio a part, sent out light on reconnoissance.

August 23d. Sun shining bright this morning. Skirmishing ?ring began at daylight. A number of the enemy’s sharpshooters are up in high trees. They annoy us very much. Not safe to show one’s head above the ri?e pits. Saw General Sheridan pass quickly along the line, just as a shell dropped inside our intrenchments. No damage from it, as it exploded just beyond our line. We are on the watch, as the skirmishers are kept very busy.

Tuesday, 23d–Foggy this morning and sultry throughout the day. David Huff of our company died here today in the field hospital east of town, of the wound he received on the 12th of the month. He was a schoolmate of mine, and a good boy. He will be missed by all of the boys of the company.

AUGUST 23d.—Clear and pleasant.

The enemy still occupy the Weldon Road, beyond Petersburg, in great force. Our loss in killed, wounded, and captured is estimated (in Sunday’s fight) at 1000; under the mark, perhaps.

I hear of no raid yet against the Danville Road; but the flour speculators have put up the price again. Gen. Kemper told me this morning that he had 3000 of the reserves defending the Danville Road, the number Gen. Lee asked for.

Gen. Hood is so strong at Atlanta, that he has promised to send, in an emergency, a brigade to Mobile.

Interesting events will crowd each other rapidly, now.

22nd. Monday. Breakfast at a house near camp. Went over and saw Lt. Cole, a division Q. M. Went to the Ferry, drew forage for animals. 2nd Ohio was on picket last night, deployed as skirmishers, 2 miles west of Charlestown. At daylight attacked by the rebels. Capt. Denning, the brave man, and Henry Drake, the noble and true soldier, mortally wounded, poor men. All forces fell back. Went out with forage in P. M. I feel it almost a duty to return to some of the dangers of the officers of the line.

Monday, 22d.—Reported and confirmed that Wheeler burned bridge at Resacca; blew up Tunnel Hill, and tore up a great deal of railroad. (Oh, you Rebs, why do you tell so many lies!) Woods full of big tales. Forrest has taken Memphis, and Morgan, Knoxville.

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

22d.—Just been on a shopping expedition for my sister and niece, and spent $1,500 in about an hour. I gave $110 for ladies’ morocco boots; $22 per yard for linen; $5 apiece for spools of cotton; $5 for a paper of pins, etc. It would be utterly absurd, except that it is melancholy, to see our currency depreciating so rapidly.

Monday, 22d–It is quite cool and pleasant this morning and things appear quite lively in town. I wrote a letter to Mr. G. G. Evans, Philadelphia, ordering a gold pen, for which I enclosed $5.00.^[1]

[1] Mr. Downing says that was the last of his $5.00, for he never heard from the order.—Ed.

August 22d. Early on the march. Passed through Charlestown. Pushing on, after a march of about six miles, came to a halt at Halltown. A line of battle was soon formed under a hot fire from the enemy. Go right at work building intrenchments made of logs and dirt. The strongest we were ever behind. Hot skirmishing going on. Rain and darkness put a stop to the firing. Trying to get sleep under arms, ready for an attack at night.

AUGUST 22d.—Sunshine and clouds, cool and pleasant.

There was heavy fighting on the Weldon Road yesterday evening, still held by the enemy; but no official account of the result—if it has yet reached a result—has been received. The city is full of extravagant rumors, and I incline to the belief that we gained no advantage yesterday. We took some 300 prisoners, certainly; but I fear Haygood’s Brigade of South Carolinians ventured too far, when they were enveloped by greatly superior numbers—and—we shall know all to-morrow.

The news from Hood, Wheeler, Forrest, etc. in the Southwest promises well.