JULY 19th.—We have no news this morning. But a rumor prevails, which cannot be traced to any authentic source, that Texas has put herself under the protection of France. It is significant, because public sentiment seems to acquiesce in such a measure; and I have not met with any who do not express a wish [...]
July 19th. The enemy are marching up the Shenandoah Valley. They seem to have the lead. Came to a halt at Snicker’s Gap, twenty miles south of Harper’s Ferry, after making a forced march. Here Major Peale received orders for us to report at Sharpsburg, Maryland, where another detachment of our regiment was on duty.
Saturday, 18th–Our wagon trains now move unmolested back and forth from Vicksburg to Jackson, since there are few of the rebels’ cavalry left in this section. Our brigade is to remain here at Clinton as a reserve to escort wagon trains when needed. We hear that Sherman is still after Johnston. Our camp here is [...]
Saturday, July 18th. It may be wrong; I feel very contrite; but still I cannot help thinking it is an error on the right side. It began by Miriam sending Mr. Conn a box of cigars when she was on Canal the other day, with a note saying we would be delighted to assist him [...]
July 18th. At eight A. M., U. S. M. steamer George Cromwell sailed for New York, with mails and passengers. Work going on this day, viz: repairing rigging, fishing mizzen mast, and provisioning ship, &c.
18th. Moved at 3 A. M. Up at 1:30 awakening officers, etc. Reached some large iron furnace where we fed our horses and got breakfast. Morgan stripped Rutland of most everything. Rested an hour and fed. Some old Vermonters. Reached Chester at midnight. Hour’s rest. Got a lunch. People much frightened. “A” 31 bivouacked one [...]
Saturday, 18th.—Got to Morton at 10 last night. Got on gravel train that was gathering up railroad stuff. Conductor said engine could not pull so many soldiers; there were quite a lot of us by this time, and tried to make us get off; had soldier guards, that he ordered to shoot us if we [...]
July 18.—This day two years ago the battle of Bull Run was fought, a kind of prelude to that of Manassas, on the 21st. Since that time what scenes have been enacted! Battles have been fought by scores, and lives, precious lives, have been sacrificed by thousands, and that, too, of the very flower of [...]
“CAMP NEAR LEETOWN, “JEFFERSON Co., Va., July 18, 1863. “. . . I wrote a short note to Papa from near Funkstown on the other side of the river on the 9th inst., though I have very great doubts as to whether it ever reached you. The battery is in very bad condition as to [...]
JULY 18th.—Lee has got over the Potomac with a loss, in crossing, of 1500; and Johnston has abandoned Jackson, Miss. But we have awful good news from New York: an INSURRECTION, the loss of many lives, extensive pillage and burning, with a suspension of the conscription! Gen. Morgan is in the enemy’s country.
Friday, 17th–We heard that our wagon train went through to Jackson without attack, and that the rebels evacuated the place this morning, with Sherman’s forces in hot pursuit. We hear that Johnston, after crossing the Pearl river, burned the bridges behind him and is now in rapid retreat on the other side. News came that [...]
July 17th. Calm and pleasant. Carpenter’s gang employed during the day fishing mizzen-mast, and crew at work repairing rigging, fore and aft.
17th. Up at sunrise. Crossed after some trouble and breakfasted at Piketon. Morgan well in advance. A Miss Lou C. Bailey wanted my photograph. None along. Rather pretty girl. Newton, old Oberlin student, along. Reached Jackson a little after dark and found an abundance of good things for our craving appetites. Horse mired. Camped near [...]
Friday, 17th.—Marched to Brandon to-day by 2 P. M. Found Colonel McConnell there. Gave first direct news from Brother I. L. By the help of some of the boys he got back to a house where there was a surgeon with some other wounded. The Federals coming on, they were paroled. After some days, getting [...]
JULY 17th.—At last we have the authentic announcement that Gen. Lee has recrossed the Potomac! Thus the armies of the Confederate States are recoiling at all points, and a settled gloom is apparent on many weak faces The fall of Charleston is anticipated. Subjugation is not apprehended by the government; for, if driven to an [...]
July 17—Rain, rain. Ask leave to go to Winchester to see Dr. Deems. Colonel approves. Brigade and division commanders say there is no need for me to go! They offer to send my written statement! I meet Bro. B. T. Lacy in camp. He asks me if I have a “pass at will” from the [...]
Thursday, 16th–We left our bivouac with the wagon train at an early hour and moved on quite rapidly, expecting to be attacked at any moment. We passed the place on the road where the train just ahead of us was attacked by the rebel cavalry, which captured and burned fifteen of the wagons, taking with [...]
July 16th. Commenced with pleasant and calm weather, as usual. Crew at quarters at nine A. M., and loosed sail to day. Took the fish off the mizzen-mast, and got topsail-yard ready for sending aloft; at eleven forty-five, furled sail, and during the remainder of this day, employed in repairing rigging, and fishing mizzen-mast.
16th. 2nd Ohio in advance. Rations came and delayed us a little. Drew none. Breakfasted at Winchester. Our brigade ordered to the front and to act independently. Moved over a rough road by Jacktown and Locust Grove. A high mountain to climb. Stout work. Morgan but a few miles in advance. Bridge over the Scioto [...]
Thursday, 16th.—By very hard marching, we got ten miles to-day; improving some. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
(excerpts) “ORANGE C. H., July 16th, 1863. “It is some time since I have written to you, my dearest son, but the uncertainty of your getting letters make it almost useless to write. The note you sent in pencil by Mr. Winston came yesterday and was thankfully received. ‘Tis the only tidings we have had [...]
July 16—Very unwell. Army moves on. I stop and rest at Dr. Burkhart’s in Darkville. Night in tent with Bro. Stradley. Heard from Mary. She and children are “prayerful, hopeful and happy.” Got letter from Bro. Deems, inquiring after his son, Lieut. T. D. Deems, and asking me to come to see him. Dr. Deems [...]
JULY 16th.—This is another blue day in the calendar. Nothing from Lee, or Johnston, or Bragg; and no news is generally bad news. But from Charleston we learn that the enemy are established on Morris Island, having taken a dozen of our guns and howitzers in the sand hills at the lower end; and that [...]
Wednesday, 15th–A train of provisions and ammunition arrived from Vicksburg this morning. Late in the afternoon they finished loading the wagons with the provisions and ammunition for Jackson, and our regiment was ordered to accompany them. We started late and after marching six miles stopped for the night. We received orders to keep a sharp [...]
Wednesday, July 15th. It is but too true; both have fallen. All Port Hudson privates have been paroled, and the officers sent here for exchange. Aye! Aye! I know some privates I would rather see than the officers! As yet, only ten that we know have arrived. All are confined in the Custom-House. Last evening [...]