13th.–At a quarter past 9 o’clock, picket firing commenced, and at 9 1-2 o’clock the enemy opened with artillery, on our left wing. In a few minutes the engagement was general. The smoke hangs thick and heavy, making it impossible to tell, this morning, whether the enemy is in force here, or whether his opening [...]
Provost Marshal’s Office, Waterford, Miss., December 12, ’62. From captain of the provost guard, I have been changed to provost marshal. I had charge of two companies, doing the guard duty for the provost of our division until yesterday; the division was ordered forward to Oxford, except our regiment, which was left to guard the [...]
Friday, 12th December. My cripple friend that I mentioned so far back continues to send me the most affecting messages. “He is really wretched about me; never was more distressed; thinks of nothing else”; and so on through the whole list. To cap the climax, he sends me word that he can now walk on [...]
Friday, 12th–Nothing of importance. I was relieved from picket this morning. New regiments from the North are arriving and passing out to the front to hear their first roar of cannon.
Friday, 12th. Issued clothing in the morning. Bathed. Marched in P. M. to Fort Lincoln. Took charge of 10 soldier prisoners.
DECEMBER 12th.—The enemy have possession of Fredericksburg, and succeeded in crossing a large portion of their force three miles below, on their pontoon bridge. Up to 3 P.M. to-day, we have no other intelligence but that “they are fighting.” We shall know more, probably, before night. The President has passed through East Tennessee on his [...]
12th–At 9 o’clock, A. M., troops are crossing, and again has commenced our cannonading, but there is no response. I sit in the building prepared for hospital, out of sight and out of danger. Are we to have a fight to-day? Doubtful. I find myself indulging in some feelings of pride on the distinction which [...]
Thursday, 11th–I was on the picket line again today. Picket duty is less dangerous now than it was, as the rebels have fallen back. We maintain a brigade guard at this camp.
DECEMBER 11th.Gen. —Lee dispatched this morning early that the enemy were constructing three pontoon bridges, and that firing had commenced on both sides. At nine o’clock A.M. the firing increased, and Gen Lee dispatched for ammunition, looking to the contingency of a prolonged battle. At three P.M., Gen. Lee says, the enemy had been repulsed [...]
11th.–At 5 o’clock, A. M., as clear and calm a morning as ever a bright and beautiful moon shone on. We struck tents and took up our line of march in the direction of Fredericksburg, only five miles distant. At a quarter before 6, precisely, the heavy reports of two large guns came booming through [...]
December 10.—Just returned from a visit of a week to my old friend Mrs. C. Her home in Richmond is the very: picture of comfort and hospitality; having wealth, she uses it freely, in these troublous times, for the comfort of others. If all hearts were as large as hers, there would be no refugees [...]
Wednesday, 10th–Our troops are still moving out to the front. It is fine weather for marching. There is very little sickness among the men now.
Wednesday, 10th. Maj. P., Capt. S., Capt. N. with 25 men came into the fort. Arrived about 2 P. M. Got supper at Mrs. Harris’–very kind. Other detachment came in. Several boys drunk.
DECEMBER 10th.—Not a word from the Rappahannock. But there soon will be. Official dispatches from Gen. Bragg confirm the achievement of Col. Morgan, acting as brigadier-general. There was a fight, several hundred being killed and wounded on both sides; but Morgan’s victory was complete, his captures amounting to 1800 men, a battery, wagon train, etc. [...]
The following letter, though not a part of my journal, is occasionally referred to in it, and I therefore have it inserted here:– Camp Near Belle Plaines, Virginia, December, 10, 1862. My Dear C–– : * * * * Our whereabouts is four miles from Falmouth, three and a half from the mouth of the [...]
Tuesday, 9th–No news of importance. Our foraging parties destroy a great deal of property unnecessarily, especially when the owner of a plantation is away with the rebel army—then there isn’t much left when the boys get through.
Tuesday, 9th. Saw a good many rebels about Turkey Creek. Camped 30 miles from fort.
DECEMBER 9th.—W_____l, another of Provost Marshal Griswold’s policemen, has arrived in Washington. I never doubted he was secretly in the Yankee service here, where many of his fellows still remain, betraying the hand that feeds them. Gen. Winder and the late Secretaries of War must be responsible for all the injury they may inflict upon [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Dec. 9—Nani is with me. All day long we heard cannonading. Who will be victorious? This constant thundering of the cannon! If the Southern troops should win, it would go hard with us. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Dec. 9 Nani is with me. All day long we [...]
Provost Marshal’s Office, 4th Division, Army of the Tennessee, near Tallahatchie, Miss., December 8, 1862. Still we tarry by the wayside anxiously awaiting the order to move forward. We did provide three days’ rations once, but devoured them without leaving camp. Two divisions, McKean’s and Ross’, have left here, while the remainder of the army [...]
Monday, 8th–The Sixth Division is running a mill now, the quartermaster having taken possession of a grist mill which he is running day and night. We are now drawing full rations of meal instead of crackers and we have plenty of fresh pork and sweet potatoes. The boys have confiscated every bake oven in the [...]
“December 8, 1862. “My dear Sir: “I have just received a letter from Genl. Johnston which causes gloomy forebodings as to our future in the West. Pemberton, he says, has fallen back before a superior force and he, Johnston, is ordered to reinforce him with troops from Bragg’s command. Consider the position of their different [...]
DECEMBER 8th.—A letter from Gen. Lee, received to-day, states that, in the recent campaigns, he has experienced the effects of having inferior artillery and fixed ammunition. But this discrepancy is rapidly disappearing, from captures of the enemy’s batteries, etc. He recommends that our 12-pounder howitzers and 6-pounder smooth bores be recast into 12-pounder Napoleons, 10-pounder [...]
Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Dec. 8—My man has returned with 28 Northerners. Maria is helping me prepare food for them. Fritz is packing up goods to take to the Northern camp to sell. At night they all left. I feared Fritz would enter the Northern army as a soldier but he promised to [...]
Sunday, 7th.—John and Alexander Smith came to-day and brought letter and some comforts from home; sent letter and $50.00 home by Mr. Smith. From this until the 19th, we were doing nothing special except marching and camping around Bradyville and Readyville. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)