Friday, 3d–I was on camp guard all last night, on the second relief. Troops were coming in all night. This morning about daylight the Sixth Division was ordered out, and marching out about two miles to the northwest, we met the rebels in force and formed a line of battle. Our pickets having been attacked [...]
Friday, 3rd. Was going to the river to wash when I was detailed for picket guard. My first experience. Reported with 14 men. Relieved 12 on the Granby road and stayed there till 10 P. M. Drawn in to go with command. Whole body moved at 12. Got ready and fell in. N. gave me [...]
Friday, October 3d.—Aroused this morning at 4 o’clock and ordered to cook two days’ rations; rained. 12 M., had an election for second lieutenant. Candidates, L. Brown, N. A. Bryant and L. Y. Park. Brown elected over Bryant by two votes and over Park by eleven votes. Very unwell. 9 A. M., A. M. McCallister, [...]
OCTOBER 3d.—Gen. Wise was countermanded in his march against Williamsburg, by Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith. He had 2700 men, the enemy 1500, and he would have captured and slain them all. Gen. Wise was the trusted and revered Governor of Virginia, while Smith was the Street Commissioner in New York. A strong letter from Vice-President [...]
Oak Haven, Oct. 3.—To get a house in V. proved impossible, so we agreed to part for a time till H. could find one. A friend recommended this quiet farm, six miles from ______ (a station on the Jackson Railroad). On last Saturday H. came with me as far as Jackson and put me on [...]
October 2d, Thursday. With what extraordinary care we prepared for our ride yesterday! One would have thought that some great event was about to take place. But in spite of our long toilet, we stood ready equipped almost an hour before Colonel Breaux arrived. I was standing in a novel place – upon the bannisters [...]
Thursday, 2d–We started this morning at 7 o’clock, and reaching Corinth at 10, we marched out two miles west of town where we pitched our tents in the timber for camp. Water is very scarce. I took six canteens and started to find water, but to get it I must have traveled in all four [...]
Thursday, 2nd. Renewed our march without breakfast. Scoured the woods for our old friends. Took five men and acted as skirmishers. No bird discovered. Reached camp in the P. M. Heard the boys relate their stories about the fight. Somewhat tired.
Thursday, 2d.—Started to march in direction of Frankfort at 12 M. Camped on Elk Horn Creek, four and one-half miles from Frankfort; stood guard at house until midnight. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
OCTOBER 2d.—News from the North indicate that in Europe all expectation of a restoration of the Union is at an end; and the probability is that we shall soon be recognized, to be followed, possibly, by intervention. Nevertheless, we must rely upon our own strong arms, and the favor of God. It is said, however, [...]
On September 17th the fierce battle of Antietam was fought by the Army of the Potomac,–a drawn battle, little better than a defeat for us; and though the rebels retired there was no following up on our part, and no result worth the enormous loss of life. And now the moment had come for the [...]
October 1st.—Letters from Winchester, giving cheering accounts of our army. It is stationed at Bunker’s Hill, twelve miles from Winchester, greatly increased since our recent fights, and in fine spirits. We leave Lynchburg to-morrow, and after spending a few days with our friends at the University, proceed to Richmond and Ashland.
October 1st. I was detailed with twenty members of our company under the command of Lieutenant Merwin to take boats and to row to a long bridge over a branch of the Patapsco River, there to remain on guard duty for ten days. It was about eight miles from the fort. It proved to be [...]
October 1, 1862, The New York Herald It is evident, from the tone which the rebel journals have recently assumed, that a desire for peace is gaining strength in the South. It is even reported, although upon very vague authority, that a commission, or something of that kind, has been appointed by the rebel Congress [...]
October 1st, Wednesday. Just after sunset yesterday, Anna and I were walking down the road towards the sugar-house, she reading occasionally from Abbott’s “Napoleon,” and then pausing for me to explain the very difficult passages she could not understand, when we suddenly became aware of the approach of a horse, and raising our bowed heads, [...]
Wednesday, 1st–The Eleventh Iowa was ordered down into town last night, for it was expected that the rebels would make a charge into town to burn our rations. We think, however, that they want our rations for their own haversacks. We formed a line of battle and lay in the streets all night, but the [...]
Wednesday, 1st. Up at 5 o’clock. Commenced work at 5:25. Divided into three reliefs. I took charge for four hours. Boys went for provisions to a house three miles and got some breakfast at an empty house. Kept at work–after breakfasting at 10–till noon. Then marched homewards. Bivouacked 2 miles west of Carthage. Slept with [...]
OCTOBER 1st.—They are still striking at martial law in the Senate, as administered by Gen. Winder. A communication from the Secretary of War admits that Gen. W. was authorized to suppress substitute agencies—”but this did not justify impressment and confiscation.” It appears that Gen Winder ordered the agents to be impressed into the service, and [...]
NEAR BUNKER HILL, VA., October 1st, 1862. Dear Mother: I have just received a letter from you, dated Sept. 2nd. It is the first word I have heard from home since I left Richmond (I forgot I did receive one letter down at Anderson’s station, 30 miles from Richmond). It appears that you have not [...]