OCTOBER 27th.—From information (pretty direct from Washington), I believe it is the purpose of the enemy to make the most strenuous efforts to capture Richmond and Wilmington this fall and winter. It has been communicated to the President that if it takes their last man, and all their means, these cities must fall. Gen. Smith [...]
Sunday, 26th October. This place is completely overrun by soldiers passing and repassing. Friday night five stayed here, last night two more, and another has just gone. One, last night, a bashful Tennesseean, had never tasted sugar-cane. We were sitting around a blazing fire, enjoying it hugely, when in answer to our repeated invitations to [...]
Sunday, 26th–The Eleventh Iowa was detailed to work on the fortifications under construction down in town. It was quite cold all day, and disagreeable, as the snow is still on the ground.
Sunday, 26th.—Our mess has drawn pretty good tent; snowed all night and almost all day. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Sunday, 26th. Cold but pleasant morning. Made a forage detail to go out with brigade teams. Several of the boys played poker. Read some in Pope. The Iliad. Gibbs strange fellow. Came into the army a professing Christian, a class leader, today he is playing poker with the boys. I occasionally hear an oath from [...]
Saturday, 25th–It is very cold today. It snowed about two inches this afternoon. We are well fixed for a mild winter in camp, with plenty of wood for fires in our Sibley tents.
Saturday, 25th.—Started at daylight; in about an hour came by General Reynolds’ tent; looking pretty sour at us; wanted to know to what regiment we belonged, and why we were behind. I told him I had been sick and couldn’t overtake regiment last night; he said, “Aha,” and turned and went into his tent; so [...]
Saturday, 25th. A cold wintry morning. Never remember of seeing snow so early. Snow fell during the forenoon. Afternoon more moderate. Night cold. Built a big fire of brush. Comfortable.
OCTOBER 25th.—Many severe things are alleged against the President for depriving Beauregard of the command of the Western army. It is alleged that Bragg reported that the enemy would have been annihilated at Shiloh, if Beauregard had fought an hour longer. Now, it appears, that Bragg would have annihilated the enemy at Perryville, if he [...]
Camp near Charlestown, October 25, 1862. This is a dreary, rainy Sunday; every one idle and at a loss for employment. We came down on yesterday to tear up the railroad; the job is about finished, I think, and we would leave now but for the rain. We will return to Bunker Hill, I suppose, [...]
Friday, October 24th. A letter from Jimmy, the first we have received since New Orleans fell. It was dated the 10th inst., and he spoke of being on the eve of running the blockade, and going to Liverpool “to represent our unfortunate navy,” as he says, though I am at loss to imagine what he [...]
Friday, 24th–I went to wash clothes today. Company washing squads are sent out daily, except Sundays. A squad consists of eight men with a captain, a lieutenant and two sergeants. This method is necessary because we have to go so far, two miles, and a smaller group could easily be taken by the rebels’ cavalry.
Friday, 24th.—Waded Clinch River 12 M. Brother I. L. and I fell out of ranks, and, going to a house, got supper, paying 40 cents each; about 7 o’clock lay down, it being very dark and slept till morning. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Friday, 24th. Got the morning reports and combined them. Helped pitch the tent and clean up. Turned very chilly–appearance of cold weather. News of a fight, Black and Cooper, few particulars. 200 prisoners and 4 cannon. During the night three or four inches of snow fell.
(excerpts) “I had a very pleasant visit to Rosser’s Camp where I spent the night. On my way down I met Genl. Stuart and stopped and had some conversation. He was in as high spirits as ever, and told me particularly to tell you, when I wrote, that in his recent raid into Pennsylvania he [...]
OCTOBER 24th.—Bragg is in full retreat, leaving Kentucky, and racing for Chattanooga—the point of interest now. But Beauregard, from whom was taken the command of the Western army, day before yesterday repulsed with slaughter a large detachment of the Yankees that had penetrated to the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, Thus, in spite of the fantastic [...]
24th October Papa has determined to go to his Plantation early in November, and I am quite reconciled to his going because he always moves at this season, and because it is now difficult to get what he likes to eat, if he cannot remain on his place he will return to us. We will [...]
Oct. 17—Ready to march before day. Rev. Power, of 14th Regiment, arrives. Oct. 19—Preach to a small congregation. Major General D. H. Hill a devout hearer. A. R. McDonald. of Moore county arrives, and spends night with me. Oct. 21—Captain Witherspoon and I ride to Winchester. He meets Mrs. R. H. Apperson at hotel in [...]
Thursday, 23d–No news of importance. The roads are quite dusty.
Thursday, 23rd. Bill and I did some washing. Johnson, Co. E, invited us to dinner–pork and crackers. Made inquiries about Sheldon. Found he had not sold his pony–never found it. Claimed he sold it to get “poker money.” Said he went immediately to playing poker with Co. F after leaving here. They said it was [...]
East Tennessee. Thursday, 23d.—Left camp at 6:30 A. M. Crossed Powell’s River at 7 o’clock this morning; passed Tazewell at 11:30 A.M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
OCTOBER 23d.—The Gov. of Florida calls for aid, or he thinks his State will fall. Albert Pike, writing from Texas, says if the Indian Territory be not attended to “instantly,” it will be lost. Per contra, we have a rumor that Lee is recrossing the Potomac into Maryland.
Wednesday, 22d October, Linwood. We left Clinton this morning, and have just now arrived by the cars. Charlie came in last evening, to our great surprise, so we did not scruple to leave Lilly. . . . The Baton Rouge party returned late this evening. In spite of all preparation, Gibbes was horrified at the [...]
Wednesday, 22d–We had brigade inspection today with all accouterments on. There is a report in camp that the army is soon to make an important move south into Mississippi. It is rumored that there are soon to be some changes of brigade and division commanders.[1] [1] There was a sentiment even then among the rank [...]
Wednesday, 22nd. After breakfast went out on Culver’s horse foraging with Spurgeon and Bushnell. Got some apples and a sheep. At one house where we stopped, two sons were forced into the army. The people felt very badly. The old lady, 70 years old, prayed very earnestly and loudly for mercy and protection–quite touching.