Tuesday, 25th–Division drill in the forenoon and battalion drill in the afternoon, as usual. We had a practical demonstration during our division drill of the difficulty of drilling on uneven ground. While our column was advancing in line of battle by right flank, up hill and down hill, and across ravines and gullies, the line [...]
Tuesday, 25th. Went over to see secesh but they had gone. Shattuck went on detail as chief of commissary. Capt. Seward said I must make out morning reports after this. Major Purington received orders to proceed at once with his command to Evansville. Blair’s Battery practised with artillery–shell. Major and detachment started out on a [...]
NOVEMBER 25th.—Fredericksburg is not shelled yet; and, moreover, the enemy have apologized for the firing at the train containing women and children. Affairs remain in statu quo—the mayor and military authorities agreeing that the town shall furnish neither aid nor comfort to the Confederate army, and the Federals agreeing not to shell it—for the present. [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 25—Today I heard that Southern troops were at Mina’s house so I went over and found the house full of soldiers. They wanted all the food she had, but she told then that all pigs, hay and corn had al’ready been taken. Marmaduke promised to pay her, but [...]
Monday, 24th.—Everything on train at 8 A.M. On our way to Tullahoma. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Monday, 24th–We draw rations now of equal parts of meal, flour and crackers, and in amount equal to a one-pound loaf of bread. We have no means for baking bread, so each man turns over his flour and corn meal to the company cook, who boils it into a mush. Then at the noon hour [...]
Monday, 24th. Read 15 or 20 pages in “Hastings.” Made the details. Got my horse shod during the afternoon. Rebel Captain and 25 men with flag of truce came in with sealed orders for Gen. Blunt. Some shrewd fellows they say.
NOVEMBER 24th.—Fredericksburg not shelled yet; but the women and children are flying hither. The enemy fired on a train of women and children yesterday, supposing the cars (baggage) were conveying military stores. The Northern press says Burnside is determined to force his way, directly from the Rappahannock to Richmond, by virtue of superior numbers. The [...]
Nov. 20—Six miles on saddle, twelve on wagon, five on foot. Nov. 21—Wagon and ambulance to Mt. Crawford. Spend night in Baptist church with fifty or sixty sick men. Pray with them. All seem to feel. Many happy. Almost all of them Christians. Nov. 22—Take stage at 3 a. m. Pass Willow Pump—a curiosity. Some [...]
November 23.—Poor Fredericksburg! The enemy on the Stafford side of the river in force; their cannon planted on the hills. Day before yesterday they demanded the surrender of the town, which was declined by General Lee. They then threatened to shell it, at nine o’clock this morning; but it is now night and it has [...]
Sunday, 23d– Nothing of importance. We had general inspection this forenoon and in the afternoon the boys were permitted to remain in their tents—some were reading, some writing letters home, while others were mending their clothes.
Sunday, 23rd. In the morning commenced Macaulay’s “Warren Hastings.” Kept still during the day and commenced to feel like myself again. Had a good visit with A. B.
NOVEMBER 23th.—The cars which came in from the North last night brought a great many women, children, and negroes from Fredericksburg and its vicinity. The benevolent and patriotic citizens here had, I believe, made some provision for their accommodation. But the enemy had not yet shelled the town. There is a rumor that Jackson was [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 23—Last night I took the children over to Nani’s and stayed with her. Tonight she is with me. A group of Northern soldiers stopped and I gave them a letter to my husband. Three hours later General Marmaduke came with several thousand men. I let the rebels look [...]
23rd.–’Tis too bad!For eight days, we have been without a mail, and to-day, when the big bag was opened, not a scratch for me! I feel shut out from home; but this is only one of the discomforts of a soldier’s life. The soldier, when he enters the field, is presumed to sever all ties [...]
(excerpts) “CAMP, near Fredericksburg, Nov. 23rd, 1862. ” . . . We reached here on yesterday afternoon, having left Culpeper on Wednesday about twelve o’clock. We were on the road three days and a half, and it rained every day but the last. So you see that we have been enjoying ourselves. The Yanks were [...]
Saturday, 22d.—2 P. M. On guard, guarding prisoners. Guns loaded and capped, with orders to keep them, dead or alive. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Saturday, 22d–It is dry and the weather is quite pleasant. After the regular drills we cleaned up camp for inspection. There is no news, but the report in camp is that the division will start for the front in four or five days.
Saturday, 22nd. Took a blue pill and three quinine powders during the day. Kept very quiet. Went to bed early and rested well. Still did my usual duties. Letter from home.
Friday, 21st.—Cold and cloudy; sending on troops daily. My birthday. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, La Grange, Tenn., November 21, 1862. Every one seems to think that we will start about day-after to-morrow, Monday. We have drawn eight days’ rations, and 200 rounds of ammunition has also been drawn for our corps. I don’t think we have more than 14,000 in our corps, Logan’s and McKean’s [...]
Friday night, November 21st. Lying on my face, as it were, with my poor elbows for a support, I try to pass away these lonely hours. For with the exception of old Mrs. Carter, who is downstairs, and the General, who is elsewhere, Anna and I are the only white people on the place. The [...]
Friday, 21st–No news of importance. We are now in the regular routine of camp life, with drill twice a day. The quartermaster received a consignment of clothing and blankets for some of the men of our regiment.
Friday, 21st. Took three powders and at night had another chill. Drank some capsicum tea. Slept pretty well.
November 21.–This is my twentieth birthday. Anna wanted to write a poem for the occasion and this morning she handed me what she called “An effort.” She said she wrestled with it all night long and could not sleep and this was the result: “One hundred years from now, Carrie, dear, In all probability you’ll [...]