Thursday, 25th–General Rosecrans’s division passed here today on their way to Memphis. This is rather a gloomy, dry Christmas. We are still on half rations. But in spite of it, the boys are all enjoying themselves. They are taking everything that they can lay their hands on, carrying to their tents couches, rockers, chairs, tables, [...]
Thursday, 25th. Rather a quiet day for Christmas. Wonder how the folks at home have spent the day, happily I hope. Received a note through A. B. Went over and had a good visit with him. Told me some encouraging things. Not much faith! In the evening wrote some. Saw Dwight Burrell. The day has [...]
December 25th, 1862.—We reached home on the 24th but it is not like Christmas. No frolicking for anybody as Cousin Martha died yesterday morning and will be buried here tomorrow. Everybody loved her and grieves that she has gone. Aunt Sue is in trouble, for little Mary Eliza is sick unto death and Father and [...]
DECEMBER 25th, CHRISTMAS DAY.—Northern papers show that there is much distraction in the North; that both Seward and Chase, who had resigned their positions, were with difficulty persuaded to resume them. This news, coupled with the recent victory, and some reported successes in the West (Van Dorn’s capture of Holly Springs), produces some effect on [...]
December 24th. To-day Major-General Butler and Brigadier-General Shepley visited the ship. At eleven A. M., General Butler left the ship in the barge, and went on board the steamer S. R. Spaulding, which is to convey him North. Saluted him with thirteen guns; also cheered ship. The Spaulding went down the river as soon as [...]
Wednesday, 24th–Nothing of importance. It is quite cold and our extra clothing, underwear, is in storage at La Grange, Tennessee. There is no chance to draw new clothing now.
Wednesday, 24th. Went and saw the boys and Col. Abbey. Moved my things over to his quarters. Spent the day looking around and seeing the boys. In the evening wrote to Fannie Andrews.
We leave Plymouth. Dec. 24. On the 8th of December the regiment embarked on the schooner Skirmisher for Newbern, arriving there on the evening of the 10th. We were right glad to once more get back to camp, where we could clean ourselves up and get a change of clothing, but were much more glad [...]
DECEMBER 24th.—The Louisville Journal says the defeat of Burnside is “sickening,” and that this sad condition of affairs cannot be borne long. It is said that Confederate bonds are bringing quite as much in New York as in Richmond; and that the bonds of Southern men are freely discounted in the North. These, if true, [...]
2ith.–My resignation is accepted. I am no longer a surgeon in the army, and to-morrow I leave the camp for a home.
The following extracts were taken from the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXI,–Fredericksburg: ___________ Report Of Brig.-Gen. E. F. Paxton, C. S. Army, Commanding First Brigade ___ Hdqrs. Paxton’s Brigade, Jackson’s Division, Camp near Corbin’s Farm, December 24,1862. Captain: In pursuance of the order from division commander to report [...]
Tuesday, 23d.—Passed through Shelbyville 3 P. M. Crossed Duck River at Shelbyville. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Provost Marshal’s Office, Waterford, Miss., December 23, 1862. Suspect this will be my last from this country. Where the army is going I know not, but the divisions which have been in front are now filing past us, faces northward. The movement commencing at the time of the raid on Holly Springs, gives it the [...]
Tuesday, 23d–No news of importance. We pitched our tents this morning. I was out on a foraging train for some corn, but we got very little, as this section of the country is pretty well cleaned up. We are now on half rations.
Tuesday, 23rd. Arrived at Dayton at 2 A. M. Went into a hotel. Landlord very insolent. Turned down the gas on the Major. Major told him he was the meanest man he ever saw. He intimated that he was secesh. I told him to say he was half secesh and we would clean him out [...]
DECEMBER 23d.—he battle of Fredericksburg is still the topic, or the wonder, and it transpired more than nine days ago. It will have its page in history, and be read by school-boys a thousand years hence. The New York Times exclaims, “God help us—for man cannot.” This is another war sheet. The Tribune is bewildered, [...]
23d.–”More trouble in the wigwam.” Charges are preferred against the Colonel of the regiment with view to a court martial and dismissal from the service. ‘Twill amount to nothing more than to hurry his resignation, which he has for some time had in contemplation.
Monday, 22d–The rebels before leaving town burned several houses, altogether some two or three squares, besides burning about one million of our rations, and we are again short of food. On that account the boys are not in the best of humor, and every man has practically a free hand to take anything that he [...]
Monday, 22nd. Arrived at Lafayette at 10 A. M. Went to a bakery for dinner. Pie and bread and butter. Remained till 2 P. M. Herb. Kenaston came aboard and went with us to Indianapolis. Had a good visit with him, not much change. Told a pleasing incident about correspondence with Mary Dascomb. Arrived at [...]
DECEMBER 22d.—We shall never arrive at the correct amount of casualties at the battle of Fredericksburg. The Enquirer to-day indicates that our loss in killed, wounded, and missing (prisoners), amounted to nearly 4000. On the other hand, some of the Federal journals hint that their loss was 25,000. Gen. Armstrong (Confederate), it is said, counted [...]
22nd.–This morning I tendered my resignation; it is approved by the Colonel, and has gone forward. I am worn out by the labor of the last year and a half, and feel the necessity of withdrawing from the army. I trust that it will be accepted, and that I may be permitted to retire and [...]
Sunday, 21st.—Passed Murfreesboro 10 A. M. Camped two miles south of town; preaching from John iii. 14. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
Sunday, 21st–We left Abbeville this morning and marched through to Holly Springs, twenty-two miles. It was warm and dusty traveling. We arrived at dark, going into bivouac in the north edge of town, and I tell you the boys made the boards fly, for as the teams had not yet arrived with our tents, we [...]
Sunday, 21st. After cleaning up in the morning went up town with Brown. Promenade about the leading streets. Then left him and went to the 2nd Congregational Church and Sabbath School. Seemed very much like home but not so full and interesting. Heard a very practical sermon on the use of wealth. The congregation seemed [...]
DECEMBER 21st, SUNDAY.—Nothing, yet, has been done by the immense Federal fleet of iron-clad gun-boats which were to devastate our coast this winter. But the winter is not over yet, and I apprehend something will be attempted. However, we shall make a heroic defense of every point assailed. I omitted to state, in connection with [...]