Friday, 31st–This was general muster day, and we were reviewed this afternoon by the commanding officer, General McArthur. The general says our division is hard to beat, declaring that it would be difficult to find a better-looking number of men armed for active service than the Sixth Division. After the review we were mustered for [...]
Friday, 31st.—Two men from each company furloughed for ten days. Harvey Montgomery came to see us to-day. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Friday, 31st. Reveille between two and three A. M. Breakfasted and off in advance at five on backward track. Reported that our rations had run short, a train been captured, etc.–again that we were to join Schofield, etc. Nothing of interest till we reached camp 10 miles from Bentonville, near where they were fired upon [...]
OCTOBER 31st.—If it be not a Yankee electioneering trick to operate at the election in New York, on the fourth of November, the Northern correspondence with Europe looks very much like speedy intervention in our behalf. Winder has really dismissed all his detectives excepting Cashmeyer, about the worst of them. If we gain our independence [...]
Oct. 25—Division moves and begins to tear up track of W and Harper’s Ferry R. R. Our Brigade operates on track below Charlestown during the night in a cold rain. Sunday, Oct. 26—Cool rain. Sit till noon under tent in front of fire. Brigades of troops passing to and fro through rain. Men suffer. Very [...]
Oct. 31.—Mr. W. said last night the farmers felt uneasy about the “Emancipation Proclamation” to take effect in December. The slaves have found it out, though it had been carefully kept from them. “Do yours know it?” I asked. “Oh, yes. Finding it to be known elsewhere, I told it to mine with fair warning [...]
October 30th. Camp fires were kept burning very late last night. The boys are singing, dancing, making speeches, and having a very merry old time. All seem happy. This morning the regiment formed in line for our march out of the old fort. When outside of the walls cheering began as the happy boys went [...]
Thursday, 30th–The weather is quite warm again. We were at work getting ready for general inspection, cleaning camping ground, clothing and accouterments. Our camp is now in fine shape and the men are well rested. Some of the sick and wounded who have been absent for some weeks are returning to camp.
Thursday, 30th.—Left camp at 6:30 A. M. Arrived at Lenoirs at 3 P. M. Reported that our regiment has been transferred to General Taylor’s Brigade. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Thursday, 30th. In the rear guard again. Till noon getting to Maysville, a little place, mostly forsaken, a few old people. Tried to catch a hog. Didn’t succeed. Letters from home, Sept. 30th, and an Independent. Read Lorain News. Little article about N. and me being taken prisoners.
OCTOBER 30th.—The Commissary-General is in hot water on account of some of his contracts, and a board of inquiry is to sit on him. The President has delayed the appointment of Gen. E. Johnson, and Gen. Echols writes that several hundred of his men have deserted; that the enemy, 10,000 or 15,000 strong, is pressing [...]
October 29th. Marching orders received. Our last day and night at Fort McHenry. Great rejoicing over the prospect of leaving the old place. Packing up and getting ready for an early start on the morrow. Singing and very happy in camp.
Wednesday, 29th–The Eleventh Iowa was detailed to clean up and smooth a tract of ground for inspection. We are to have general inspection of the army here at Corinth, and it is to be made by General Grant.
Wednesday, 29th.—Passed Copper Hill, 11 A. M. Some of our mess foraged to-day; had very good luck; bought bucket each of apple-butter and preserves. Preserves stolen from us that night, but caught the thief before he got to eat any of them. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Wednesday, 29th. Up at daybreak. In the rear guard. Waited several hours for the train to get by. Stewart and Jacobah came up and joked. Read a Leslie. Very slow work today, so many halts. Can not admire Capt. Seward. Had the impudence to keep me carrying water for him to drink. Lingered to guard [...]
Col. Upton Leaves Us. Oct. 29. Our regiment is now left with only one field officer, Major Pickett. Col. Upton left us yesterday and Lieut. Col. Sprague and Adjutant Harkness left us two weeks ago. Lieut. Col. Sprague left to take command of a nine months’ regiment already recruited in the city of Worcester. Adjutant [...]
OCTOBER 29th.—There was a rumor yesterday that the enemy were marching on Weldon; but we have no confirmation of it to-day. Loring, after all, did not send his cavalry into Pennsylvania, I presume, since nothing has been heard of it. The Charleston Mercury has some strictures on the President for not having Breckinridge in Kentucky, [...]
Tuesday, 28th–The regiment worked on the fortifications today for the third day in succession. I was not with my company though, being on other fatigue duty. The forts under construction are arranged so that if one fort should be captured, the guns of two other forts could be turned upon the enemy in that one. [...]
Tuesday, 28th.—Marching to-day over the Emory Road in the direction of Lenoir’s, Tenn. Plenty of apples along the road. One fellow of Company D fell out of an apple tree and came very near killing himself. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Tuesday, 28th. Reveille at three. Breakfasted and were on the move at 6 in the advance–bound for Maysville. Capt. kept me running a good deal. Passed through Bentonville about noon. Saw several whom I had seen on my other visit there. Passed along two miles. Got plenty of rambow apples at an orchard. Encamped in [...]
OCTOBER 28th.—Gen. Bragg is here, but will not probably be deprived of his command. He was opposed by vastly superior numbers, and succeeded in getting away with the largest amount of provisions, clothing, etc., ever obtained by an army. He brought out 15,000 horses and mules, 8000 beeves, 50,000 barrels of pork, a great number [...]
Oct. 28, 1862.—It is a month to-day since I came here. I only wish H. could share these benefits—the nourishing food, the pure aromatic air, the sound sleep away from the fevered life of Vicksburg. He sends me all the papers he can get hold of, and we both watch carefully the movements reported, lest [...]
Monday, 27th–Our entire regiment was at work on the fortifications. Nathan Chase and William Cross of my company had a fight today, all over some trivial matter. It seems that it is enough to have to fight the rebels without the men fighting among themselves. They were put into the guardhouse.
Monday, 27th.—Drew my bounty to-day, $50.00. Clothing commutation, $25.00 and two months’ wages, $22.00; making $97.00. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Monday, 27th. Report that we are to go to Camp Cleveland, boys all pleased. Made picket detail and heard the officers discuss military tactics. Some rather ignorant. A beautiful day, warm and pleasant in the sun. Cold in the shade. Capt. N. officer of the day. Small train came from the fort and recruits for [...]