31st.—The booming of cannon, at no very distant point, thrills us with apprehension. We know that a battle is going on. God help us! Now let every heart be raised to the God of battles. Evening.—General Johnston brought in wounded, not mortally, but painfully, in the shoulder. Other wounded are being brought in. The fight [...]
MAY 31st.—Everybody is upon the tip-toe of expectation. It has been announced (in the streets!) that a battle would take place this day, and hundreds of men, women, and children repaired to the hills to listen, and possibly to see, the firing. The great storm day before yesterday, it is supposed, has so swollen the [...]
Saturday, 31st–There was still some fighting today with the fleeing rebels, and we took some prisoners, but the main part of the army had too much of a start on us. The Eleventh Iowa received four months’ pay today. I drew $53.00. We had to make settlement at this time for all clothing purchased.
May 31st. I was interrupted so frequently yesterday that I know not how I continued to write so much. First, I was sent for, to go to Mrs. Brunot, who had just heard of her son’s death, and who was alone with Dena; and some hours after, I was sent for, to see Fanny, now [...]
31st. Saturday. Wrote a short letter to Uncle. Issued seven days’ rations. The Major bought a mess box, $18, a splendid one. Received a letter from home.
Charles William Woolsey to New York Evening Post. Sanitary Commission, Floating Hospital, Pamunkey River, Off White House, Va., May 31, 1862. The work of the Sanitary Commission, as connected with the army of the Potomac, is just at this time, as you doubtless know, a most important and indispensable one. More than two thousand sick [...]
29th, 30th and 31st.–I am still too unwell to resume charge of this hospital, and as I hear of no action in the army, I have nothing to record.
MAY 30th.—It is said some of the enemy’s mounted pickets rode through the city last night! Northern papers manifest much confidence in the near approach of the downfall of Richmond, and the end of the “rebellion.” The 15th of June is the utmost limit allowed us for existence. A terrific storm arose yesterday; and as [...]
May 30th, Greenwell. After all our trials and tribulations, here we are at last, and no limbs lost! How many weeks ago was it since I wrote here? It seems very long after all these events; let me try to recall them. Wednesday the 28th, – a day to be forever remembered, – as [...]
30th. Friday. I wrote a letter to Ella Clark, in answer to one received weeks before. I am ashamed of my negligence or inability to write more. Showed the letter to the Oberlin boys.
May 30, 1862. invitation to dine We have our horses saddled all the time since 2:30 yesterday morning. Owing to Colonel Kellogg’s continued illness he was this morning retired from further command of brigade, and Mizner put in his place. We could hear the cars running at Corinth all last night, and now there is [...]
Friday, 30th–Corinth was evacuated during the night. Upon leaving, the rebels burned the depot and several houses, besides a large amount of other property, and also blew up their powder magazine. They burned some cars loaded with their own supplies which they could not get away because they had no engineers. At daylight General Pope [...]
29th.—No official accounts from “Stonewall” and his glorious army, but private accounts are most cheering. In the mean time, the hospitals in and around Richmond are being cleaned, aired, etc., preparatory to the anticipated battles. Oh, it is sickening to know that these preparations are necessary! Every man who is able has gone to his [...]
MAY 29th.—More troops are marching into the city, and Gen. Lee has them sent out in such manner and at such times as to elude the observations of even the spies.
Thursday, 29th–There was heavy cannonading today off on the left flank and the pickets are still fighting. General Pope cut the railroad and with the aid of the Second Iowa Cavalry burned a train of cars and took one thousand stand of arms.
May 29th. Early this morning the Brooklyn, with her attendants, arrived from up the river, when the Flag Officer ordered the troops, fifteen hundred in number, ashore to watch the city, while we broke out of our ship’s hold nearly all of our provisions for their use. At ten o’clock the Brooklyn got under way [...]
29th. Thursday. Went to Neosho Falls, nine miles, to see the Indians play ball. Gay time and gay dinner. Visited them in their camp and home. Saw some slaves among them. Was disgusted with their primeval customs. Saw Seminoles and Delawares. About 7,000 encamped along the river.
MAY 28th.—Prisoners and deserters from the enemy say the Yankees get the Richmond papers, every day, almost as soon as we do. This is a great advantage they possess; and it demonstrates the fact that the Provost Marshal has interposed no effectual barriers between us and the enemy.
Wednesday, 28th–Some very hard fighting out on the right flank. Our men were driven back from their line, but rallied and regained the ground lost. In the mix-up we took some prisoners and there were some killed and wounded on both sides.
28th. Wednesday. Wrote to Fannie in time for the mail. Read Will’s old journal.
Thunder Storms. May 28. It has rained almost constantly for the past week, and when it rains here in Dixie it is no drizzle, but comes down a perfect waterfall, sometimes for twelve hours together, accompanied with lightning and thunder of the grandest description. There is a grandeur in one of these storms at night, [...]
May 28th. During the night the levee broke opposite to our ship, and the water is running through at a fearful rate, threatening to flood the surrounding plantations. We weighed early, and arrived at Baton Rouge at ten o’clock, A. M. Everything looked quiet, and the dingey was sent ashore with Chief Engineer Kimball, manned [...]
Near Farmington, Miss., May 28, 1862 We moved up here this morning under the hottest sun and over the dustiest roads, and I then helped the major lay off the camp, and pitched our tents ourselves. Gracious, how hot it was! I worked and sweated and blessed General Pope for ordering us forward on such [...]
27th.—General Jackson’s career going on gloriously. After defeating Millroy, and Fremont’s advance in the Valley, and driving them back in confusion, so that nothing was to be feared from his threatened union with Banks, he pursued the enemy as far as Franklin, Pendleton County. Then returning, he marched on rapidly, captured Front Royal on the [...]
MAY 27th.—More troops came in last night, and were marched to the camp at once, so that the Yankees will know nothing of it.