May 3d. Commences with clear and pleasant weather; inspected crew at quarters, and performed Divine service at ten o’clock, this morning, on quarter-deck. While at service the gunboats Albatross, Estrella, and Arizona got under way and started up Red river on a reconnoissance,—the little Albatross taking the lead.
Sunday, 3d.–Started at daylight; got within one mile of Big Black River and met wagons and artillery coming back. Grand Gulf evacuated; falling back towards Vicksburg and Jackson; started back at 5 P. M. ; marched until 3 A. M. Cannonading towards Vicksburg; are marching in direction of railroad bridge, across Big Black River. (Note: [...]
Sunday, 3d–News came that our army took five hundred prisoners at Grand Gulf. General Steele’s Division passed here today. There is an Iowa brigade in it, consisting of the Fourth, Twenty-sixth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first Infantry. The men all look fine and there are none from the brigade in the hospital.
Sunday, 3rd. Wet and muddy, disagreeable. Went to Post Commissary and drew rations, 948. Issued to the men in the P. M. Mr. Brown came, bringing the mail. Two letters for me, one from Fannie and one from home. Both did me much good. Fixed up our oilcloth as a tent. Thought it very nice. [...]
Monday, 3rd. Moved on at 8 o’clock having waited for tents to dry off. Passed Catlett Station and reached Warrenton Junction at noon. Burnside’s Hdqrs. here. One Div. here. Passed one at Manassas, at Ferrero and one at Bristol. Drew hay for our feed, also oats for three days. Also 7 wagons. Kept quite busy. [...]
Fri., May 1—Cross Roanoke at Taylor’s Ferry. Stop at Randolph Macon College. Meet Rev. P. W. Archer, Rev. Dr. W. A. Smith and Rev. Chipley. Pass on and spend night with Captain C. W. Bragg. May 2—Pass Lunenburg Court House. Meet Mrs. Ray, of Virginia Conference. Saturday night finds me with Dr. G. W. Scott. [...]
MAY 3d.—We have no further news from the army, except the usual skirmishing. A number of our wounded arrived last evening. An officer reports that, from what he could see of the enemy’s conduct, the soldiers do not come to the point with alacrity. He thinks they fight with reluctance, and are liable to be [...]
Telegram May 3,1863. The enemy was dislodged from all his positions around Chancellorsville and driven back towards the Rappahannock, over which he is now retreating. We have to thank Almighty God for a great victory. I regret to state that Gen’l Paxton was killed, Gen’l Jackson severely and Gen’l Heath and D. H. Hill slightly [...]