July 31st. I believe I forgot to mention one little circumstance in my account of that first night at the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, which at the time struck me with extreme disgust. That was seeing more than one man who had no females or babies to look after, who sought there a refuge from [...]

Thursday, 31st–We started at 8 o’clock this morning and arrived at Bolivar at 12 o’clock noon. We went into camp two miles east of town on the banks of the Hatchie river. Our camp is in a fine piece of timber, well shaded. I was almost played out when we arrived in camp; the weather [...]

July 31st. Thursday. Finished a letter to Fred Allen. The Court Martial meetings still continue, Major Purington presiding. The officers are beginning to be more strict and exacting. The discipline cannot but be improved. Went to the river and bathed. Washed a pair of pants and handkerchief and towel. Went up on a high bluff [...]

July 24—Leave Richmond at 4 a. m. and reach Wilmington at 8 p. m. Spend night at Mrs. McCaleb’s Hotel. July 25—Steamer North Carolina takes us to White Hall. Sunday, 27—Visit Sunday School at Bladen Springs. Capt. John Barr Andrews died at Richmond, Virginia, July 23, 1862. He was the first person to whom I [...]

30th [July]        This morning a letter was received from Baltamore to Mrs. Butler announcing her daughter’s death on the 30th of June at New Port very suddenly. Mrs. Butler was then in Richmond. I am glad she went on for she will be better satisfied. We suppose she was at her own house at Norwood [...]

July 30th.—Both Gen. Jackson and Gen. Stuart were in the department to-day. Their commands have preceded them, and must be near Orange C. H. by this time. These war-worn heroes (neither of them over forty years of age) attracted much attention. Everybody wished to see them; and if they had lingered a few minutes longer [...]

Wednesday, 30th–We camped on a large “secesh” plantation last night. The owner of it being a general in the rebel army, we made ourselves at home, killing all the cattle that we wanted and taking all the honey that we could carry away with us. We started at 8 o’clock this morning and marched fourteen [...]

30th. Wednesday. In camp on Rocky Creek, Spring River. Issued five days’ rations, preparatory to marching northward. Boys in good spirits. Wrote to Fred Allen. Saw Charlie in the morning. Read Will’s last journal, much better than his late ones. His discouragement about the late reverses. To be sure the present hour looks dark but [...]

Wednesday 30th.—Arriving at Knoxville, was ordered to convalescent camp. Don’t like the place; much rather go on to regiment; on guard nearly half the time. Regiment eighteen miles from here, at Camp Hatten. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

30th.–Rumors of battle have to-day, waked up our drowsy energies, and put all on the qui vive. Orders at noon to “be ready for action at any moment.” The enemy’s gun boats are coming down the river, and a land attack is anticipated. Humiliated as we feel at being shut up here on the defence, [...]

July 29.—No army news. In this quiet nook mail-day is looked forward to with the greatest anxiety, and the newspapers are read with avidity from beginning to end—embracing Southern rumours, official statements, army telegrams, Yankee extravaganzas, and the various et caeteras. The sick and wounded in the various hospitals are subjects for thought and action [...]

JULY 29th.—Pope’s army, greatly reinforced, are committing shocking devastations in Culpepper and Orange Counties. His brutal orders, and his bragging proclamations, have wrought our men to such a pitch of exasperation that, when the day of battle comes, there will be, most be terrible slaughter.

July 29th. This town, with its ten thousand soldiers, is more quiet than it was with the old population of seven thousand citizens. With this tremendous addition, it is like a graveyard in its quiet, at times. These poor soldiers are dying awfully. Thirteen went yesterday. On Sunday the boats discharged hundreds of sick at [...]

Tuesday, 29th–We got on the right road and started at 8 o’clock this morning. We marched twelve miles and bivouacked for the night. The weather is extremely hot and the roads are very dusty. Orlando Stout of Company E fell out of the ranks today, and getting too far behind, was taken prisoner.

29th. Wrote to Uncle Albert Harris.

Tuesday, 29th.—Left home 11 A. M. Got to Chattanooga, 4 P. M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

29th.–It is a source of unspeakable gratification to me that after my long fights, the comforts of the suffering soldiers are being heeded; whether on account of my much importunity, or from the fact that the necessity of this course has become apparent to the Military Department, or that the new Surgeon General has directed [...]

28th.—The report of Hindman’s having captured Curtis untrue; but our army is doing well in the West. Murfreesboro’, in Tennessee, has been captured by Confederates—a brigade, two brigadiers, and other officers, taken. “Jack Morgan” is annoying and capturing the Kentucky Yankees. The true Southerners there must endure an almost unbearable thraldom! A long letter from [...]

JULY 28th.—The Examining Board of Surgeons, established by the Secretary of War, has been abolished by order of Gen. Lee. It was the only idea of the Secretary yet developed, excepting the “handing over” of the” whole business of passports to Gen. Winder.”

We had a pleasant passage to New Orleans, where we arrived July 28th, and found the U. S. transport Connecticut awaiting us with a large mail. On this evening we had a heavy shower of rain, accompanied by heavy thunder and sharp lightning, purifying the air to a very pleasant degree. We now proceeded to [...]

Monday, 28th–We struck our tents and at sunup started on our march for Bolivar, Tennessee. Our guide took us on the wrong road and we countermarched about ten miles, thus not being far from our starting point. The guide was tied and taken back to Corinth.[1] It is very warm and the roads are dusty. [...]

28th. Mail came. Letter from home. Rather discouraging news. Adjutant Weeks slept with the Major. Such a time talking and carrying on.

JULY 27th.—Gen. Lovell, it is said, will be tried by a court-martial. The same has been said of Generals Magruder and Huger. But I doubt it.

July 27th. I have my bird back! As I waked this morning, I heard a well-known chirp in the streets, and called to mother I knew it was Jimmy. Sure enough it is my bird. Lucy Daigre has had him ever since the shelling, as a negro caught it that day and gave it to [...]