Four miles southeast of Van Wirt, Ga.,
May 24, 1864.

Short march to-day–because it is a full day’s march from here to water. At Van Wirt we turned east on the Atlanta road. Will pass through Dallas to-morrow. My company was rear guard to-day for the brigade. One of my men spilled a kettle of boiling coffee last night, filling his shoe. All the skin on the top of his foot that did not come off with the socks is in horrible blisters. The surgeon said he would have to march, and he has, all day, don’t that seem rather hard? You remember how I used to detest fat meat? If I didn’t eat a pound of raw pickled pork to-day for dinner, shoot me. Things don’t go nearly as well as on the march from Memphis. ‘Tis much harder, though we don’t make as many miles per day. One reason is the weather is much warmer, and another thing, each division then marched independently, and now all three of them camp together every night. Dorrance is nearly sick to-night. I thought I heard some artillery firing this morning, but guess I was mistaken. The cavalry report they have not found any force of Rebels yesterday or to-day. Small-pox has broken out in the 6th Iowa–some 20 cases.

May 24th. Nothing of importance has taken place in camp since the last date. Marching orders received in the shape of general orders. Advance up the valley. Four days’ rations to be issued, with instructions to make it last eight. That puts us on half rations, and we are also put in light marching order. All extra baggage, with knapsacks, sent to the rear, at Martinsburg. Regiment on skirmish drill. Our company, color company, remains on the reserves. When the regiment forms in line the formation is made on center company and the colors. All things are now ready for the advance. Waiting for orders.

24th. Read in “Villette.” Saw Lt. Bennett, 44th N. Y. Heavy firing in the distance nearly all day. Train moved out in the evening. Crossed the Mattapony. Went one and one-half mile? and camped at 1:30 A. M.

MAY 24th.—Clear and warm.

No fighting yesterday besides small collisions near Hanover Junction. It is said to-day that Grant threatens the Central Railroad, on Lee’s left. This is regarded as a serious matter. We want men.

An armed guard is now a fixture before the President’s house.

Peas were in market on the 18th inst.; price $10 a half peck. Strawberries are $10 per quart. There has been no meat in market for a long time, most of the butchers’ stalls being closed during the last three months. Unless government feeds the people here, some of us may starve.

May, Tuesday 24, 1864

Little Frank waked me up this morning bright and early, I managed to get up and send Nellie, (who was with him) to the kitchen for his breakfast, he is prettier every time I look at him. Laura did not get to washing my clothes until 11 o’clock, but finished all except three dresses and has done them beautifully. Annie Nelson & Missie Morgan came out this evening—though the lines are closed, I don’t know whether Mrs. Hudghins went in or not, if she did not, I don’t know what I am to do about the things I sent for. I finished my Peasants waiste , and think it beautiful. Oh! I am so unfortunate, and unhappy—I pray for patience and submission.

No later news from Va. or Ga. I did not go in the Parlor after Tea,—the rest all spent a pleasant evening I suppose—my heart is too full to venture in company. I put little Sallie and Frank to bed.

Monday, 23d–It has been very warm but pleasant for several days. Reveille roused us this morning at 3 o’clock and at 4 our brigade started, taking the advance. Our last night’s bivouac is just twelve miles northwest of Huntsville and we had a fine road to travel on coming into town. There is some very fine country with splendid farms around Huntsville. We entered the town at 10 o’clock and went into camp, lying here the rest of the day. Here we got our knapsacks and a large mail. I received a letter and likeness from Miss G ____. All of the non-veterans joined their regiments this afternoon. Our quartermaster received a consignment of clothing for the regiment.

Four miles northwest of Van Wirt, Ga.,
May 23, 1864.

Weather is getting very hot. We have made 21 miles today, and the distance, heat and dust have made it by far the hardest march we have had for a year. Excepting about six miles of dense pine woods the country we have passed through has been beautiful, quite rolling, but fertile and well improved. In the midst of the pine woods we stopped to rest at Hollis’ Mill, a sweet looking little 17-year old lady here told me she was and always had been Union, and that nearly all the poor folks here are Union. In answer to some questions about the roads and country, she said, “Well, now, I was born and raised right here, and never was anywhere, and never see anybody, and I just don’t know anything at all.”

I never saw so many stragglers as to-day. For 12 miles no water was to be had; then we came to a spring, a very large one, say 4 or 5 hogsheads a minute. All the officers in the army could not have kept the men in ranks. Saw no cases of sunstroke, but two of my men from heat turned blue with rush of blood to the head, and had to leave the ranks. Some think we are moving on Montgomery, Ala. Our orders say we need not hope for railroad communications for 20 days; I think that Atlanta is our point, although we were 50 miles from there this morning and 60 to-night. The planters in this country own thousands of negroes, and they’ve run them all off down this road. They are about two days ahead of us, and the poor people say as thick on the road as we are. Have passed several to-day who escaped from their masters.

23d.—Our young relative, Lieutenant G., a member of General Stuart’s staff, who was always near his person, has just been giving us a most gratifying account of General Stuart’s habits. He says, that although he considered him one of the most sprightly men he has ever seen, devoted to society, particularly to that of the ladies, always social and cheerful, yet he has never seen him do any thing, even under the strongest excitement, unbecoming his Christian profession or his high position as a soldier; he never saw him drink, or heard an oath escape his lips; his sentiments were always high-minded, pure, and honourable, and his actions entirely coincided with them. In short, he considered him, whether on the field or in the private circle, the model of a Christian gentleman and soldier. When speaking of his gallantry as an officer, Lieutenant G’s admiration knows no bounds. He speaks of the devotion of the soldiers to him as enthusiastic in the extreme. The evening before his fatal wound, he sent his troops on in pursuit of Sheridan, under the command of General Fitz Lee, as he was unavoidably detained for some three or four hours. General Lee overtook the enemy, and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which Sheridan’s rear suffered very much. In the mean time, General Stuart determined to overtake General Lee, and, with his staff, rode very rapidly sixteen miles, and reached him about nightfall. They were halting for a few moments, as General Stuart rode up [continue reading…]

23rd. Aroused at 1:30 A. M. Got off at 3:30. I went back to the regt. and remained till 3 P. M. Reached the train at Milford Station, 3 miles below Bowling Green. A beautiful little village. A splendid rolling country. Rows of trees along the road each side. A good night’s rest.

MAY 23d.—Fair and warm, with pleasant breezes.

Gen. Johnston, without a defeat, has fallen back to Calhoun, Ga. Gen. Lee, without a defeat, has fallen back to Hanover Junction, his headquarters at Ashland. Grant is said to be worming his way eastward to the Peninsula, the field occupied by McClellan in 1862. Why, he might have attained that position without the loss of a man at the outset!

On Saturday night Gen. Butler made the following exploit:

“On Saturday night the enemy renewed his assault, assailing that portion of our line held principally by Wise’s brigade. In some manner our men had become apprised of the intention of the enemy to make a night attack, and were fully prepared for it. The enemy were allowed to advance, our men deliberately reserving their fire until they were within 20 or 30 yards of them, when they poured into their ranks a most terrific volley, driving them back with great slaughter. The repulse is said to have been a most decided success; the enemy were thrown into great confusion and retreated rapidly.

“The enemy’s loss is said to have been very severe, and is estimated at hardly less than four or five hundred in killed alone, while we are said to have lost none in killed, and some thirty or forty wounded.”

There was an immense mail to-day, and yet with my sore eyes I had no aid from my son, still at the intrenchments. I hinted my desire to have him, but young Mr. Kean opposed it.

May, Monday 23, 1864

I was up bright and early this morning, went over to Mr. Hudghins to get his Wife, who is going to Memphis tomorrow, to bring me out a few articles, which I am compelled to have before leaving. The day I have spent trying to get my clothes arranged to have them done up tomorrow—it has been an unpleasant task, and altogether anything but a pleasant day to me—until this evening we were all made glad by the arrival of Sister Mary, Aunt Patsy, and our dear Sister’s two youngest little Orphans—Sallie and Frank, also their nurse Nellie—both of the Children are beautiful, poor little things, how my heart aches for them, how sad is life to me without my Mother’s love. Sallie is a sad little creature, very much like her Mother in appearance. Frank, the baby, is all life & happiness, they came all the way from Pontotoc in an Ox wagon, just one week coming. Mr. Wilson was here today—no later news from our Armys—

Sunday, 22d–We started at 5:30 this morning and marched till 2 o’clock, when we again went into bivouac. Our brigade today was just in front of the rear. We passed through some very fine country with well-improved farms. Today we bade old Tennessee farewell and entered Alabama.

What a cruel thing this war is! May God hasten the day when it will be brought to a close and our nation enjoy peace once more. Here in the army we have to march on Sunday as other days. A soldier has to go through a great many hardships not thought of by others.

22nd. Got into Guiney Station at noon. Stayed till the next day;

22 [May]

       The Battles in Virginia are so far successful for us and Johnston in Georgia appears to be acting on the defence with skill, at least we hope so. He has given up some places, the Yankees file their papers with his, and we hope this Summer through the blessing of God, to arrive at a peace. The long Winter is at last over, and the Summer here. I think this a very pleasant Summer climate.

       The shoos are all too narrow, Harry’s entirely too small but we are stretching them, they are too nice to give up.—

       Received a letter from John dated 31 March containing his Photograph. It is very nicely done, but looks thinner & older than when we last saw him.—

       The Frosts party was quite a pleasant one, and the girls returned Saturday afternoon. E says the bride looked better teaching the mutes than now. There is a second rate air about the whole concern very striking comparing them with the Frosts. She paid the bride a visit on Saturday morning and said a little child playing on the floor looked very much like Mrs Henderson, her sister. Miss Mag Walker, the bride’s sister, said “Yes, he does favour Mrs Henderson some”.—

MAY 22d.—Clear and warm, but the atmosphere is charged with the smoke and dust of contending armies. The sun shines but dimly.

Custis was with us last night, and returned to camp at 5 A.M. to-day. He gets from government only a small loaf of corn bread and a herring a day. We send him something, however, every other morning. His appetite is voracious, and he has not taken cold. He loathes the camp life, and some of the associates he meets in his mess, but is sustained by the vicissitudes and excitements of the hour, and the conviction that the crisis must be over soon.

Last night there was furious shelling down the river, supposed to be a night attack by Butler, which, no doubt, Beauregard anticipated. Result not heard.

The enemy’s cavalry were at Milford yesterday, but did no mischief, as our stores had been moved back to Chesterfield depot, and a raid on Hanover C. H. was repulsed. Lee was also attacked yesterday evening, and repulsed the enemy. It is said Ewell is now engaged in a flank movement, and the GREAT FINAL battle may be looked for immediately.

Breckinridge is at Hanover Junction, with other troops. So the war rolls on toward this capital, and yet Lee’s headquarters remain in Spottsylvania. A few days more must tell the story. If he cuts Grant’s communications, I should not be surprised if that desperate general attempted a bold dash on toward Richmond. I don’t think he could take the city—and he would be between two fires

I saw some of the enemy’s wounded this morning, brought down in the cars, dreadfully mutilated. Some had lost a leg and arm—besides sustaining other injuries. But they were cheerful, and uttered not a groan in the removal to the hospital.

Flour is selling as high as $400 per barrel, and meal at $125 per bushel. The roads have been cut in so many places, and so frequently, that no provisions have come in, except for the army. But the hoarding speculators have abundance hidden.

The Piedmont Road, from Danville, Va., to Greensborough, is completed, and now that we have two lines of communication with the South, it may be hoped that this famine will be of only short duration. They are cutting wheat in Georgia and Alabama, and new flour will be ground from the growing grain in Virginia in little more than a month. God help us, if relief come not speedily! A great victory would be the speediest way.

My garden looks well, but affords nothing yet except salad.

May, Sunday 22, 1864

Everything has been in commotion, and anything but a quiet day. Mrs. Perkins is still disagreeable in her Politics—She and Nannie and Emie started down to Col. Perkins, broke down, came back, did not go until this evening—Hal and Mr. Clayton came today, we made our final arrangements for our trip, and will get off one day this week. Mr. Bray came over and made arrangements for Miss Tollison to go with us, she is going to marry Gen. Pat Claiborne—We have had anything but a pleasant say, Mrs. Perkins has been spouting forth her Unionism—everything has gone and we are quiet once more—I wish the day could have been more pleasant for Hal and Mr. Clayton—I wish I did not feel so bitter towards her—Thank God the news is still glorious for us from all quarters—Laura and I will have a pleasant night alone—

May 22, 1864.

Two regiments of three-year’s men who did not “veteran” started home to-day. The loss of the army in this way will not be much. Not more than one or two regiments in any corps refused to veteran. We are drawing 20 days’ rations, sending sick back to convalescent camp at Chattanooga, and making all preparations for a hard campaign.

Saturday, 21st–Reveille sounded at 3 o’clock and at 5 we took up the line of march, our company being rear guard for the brigade. We marched seventeen miles and went into bivouac several miles beyond Elkhorn, which we reached at 1 o’clock. Here we waded the Elkhorn^[1] river, which is from three to five feet deep and two hundred feet wide. The boys had a great deal of fun in wading across. The country is very rough and rocky, and the hard turnpike over which we marched most of the day made our feet very sore.

[1] Now called Elk river. The town which our diarist calls Elkhorn was probably what is now Aspen Hill.—Ed.

May 21st. Colonel Ely and other officers who have been prisoners since June 15th, 1863, returned and assumed command of the regiment. We are again in good condition for any kind of duty that we may be called upon. A good rest here, near Cedar Creek.

21st. Regt. back at F. All trains leaving on Bowling Green. Got off at dark. 4 miles during the night.

MAY 21st.—Sun all day, but a little hazy; perhaps a battle.

There was quite a battle yesterday on the south side. The accounts in the morning’s paper fall short of the whole of our success. The enemy, it is said to-day, did not regain the works from which they were driven, but are now cooped up at Bermuda Hundred. Nothing is feared from Butler.

Nothing from Lee, but troops are constantly going to him.

I saw some 10,000 rusty rifles, brought down yesterday from Lee’s battle-field. Many bore marks of balls, deeply indenting or perforating the barrels. The ordnance officer says in his report that he has collected many thousands more than were dropped by our killed and wounded. This does not look like a Federal victory!

May, Saturday 21, 1864

Nannie still sick in bed, got up this evening when Mr. Wilson came, I think that is the only thing which could have aroused her—Nothing unusual happened today, the news from Virginia still glorious. Oh, God! we praise, we humbly bow to thy glorious favor, of our struggle for Liberty—crown our Armys everywhere with decisive victories, and oh! we pray the for peace—Mrs. Perkins came home this evening, I am afraid she has made her arrangements for some revengeful feelings—her plans are entirely different from when she left. I did not imagine one I loved so much—I could so soon hate. Poor old Father is almost crazy with his troubles, yet the happy news from the Army keeps him up. Mrs. Perkins staid in my room and I had anything but a pleasant night—

May 21, 1864.

The 23d Army Corps moved South yesterday. I hear that they found the enemy on the south bank of the Etowah river, and that he disputes the crossing. Grant seems to be checked in his “on to Richmond.” It seems that Rebel Iverson, whom I saw dead near Adairsville, was a brigadier general and a son of the ex-Congressman. This Kingston has been a gem of a little town, but the Rebels burned most of it when they left. Our railroad men are very enterprising. The cars got here the same night we did, and a dozen or 20 trains are coming per day, all loaded inside with commissary stores and outside with soldiers.

Friday, 20th–We are having nice weather. We lay here at Pulaski all day in order to draw rations and to rest. We spent the day in washing clothes and cooking navy beans and fresh beef. The troops of our corps were ordered to pack all extra clothing in their knapsacks and turn them over to the quartermaster, who would then send them by rail to Huntsville, where they are to be stored. We are to go in light marching order from now on, having but a blanket apiece. There is but little sickness in the corps and the men are in fine spirits. All are anxious to get through to the main army.