November 30th. Very busy since the last date. Preparing to keep comfortable for the coming cold weather. A steam sawmill near town, where we can buy lumber to make our shacks. The government only furnishes tents, so we have to chip in and buy the boards. Our quarters are six feet wide, nine feet long. [...]
Eight miles east of Summerville, November 30, 1864. Passed through the above named town this morning. All pine woods again to-day. Stopped at the first house I came to this morning and asked the resident, an ashcolored negress, something about the country. She said she’d had the chills and fever so long she didn’t know [...]
November 29th.–Clear, and warm as summer almost. Another dispatch from Bragg: “Augusta, November 28th, 1864.–On the 26th instant, the enemy started a heavy cavalry force in this direction, from his main body near Sandersville; Gen. Wheeler promptly following, leaving a portion of his force to confront Sherman. Kilpatrick reached vicinity of Waynesborough yesterday, where Wheeler [...]
Ten miles south of Sevastopol, November 29, 1864. All day in an awful pine forest, hardly broken by fence or clearing. I never saw such a lonesome place. Not a bird, not a sign of animal life, but the shrill notes of the tree frog. Not a twig of undergrowth, and no vegetable life but [...]
November 28th.–Calm and warm; clouds and sunshine, without wind. All quiet below. It is reported that one of our picket boats in the James River deserted last night. It is said the crew overpowered the officers and put them ashore, and then the boat rowed down to the enemy. I am informed by Capt. Warner [...]
November 28th.—We dined at Mrs. McCord’s. She is as strong a cordial for broken spirits and failing heart as one could wish. How her strength contrasts with our weakness. Like Doctor Palmer, she strings one up to bear bravely the worst. She has the intellect of a man and the perseverance and endurance of a [...]
November 25th.–Sherman is thundering at Augusta’s very doors. My General was on the wing, somber, and full of care. The girls are merry enough; the staff, who fairly live here, no better. Cassandra, with a black shawl over her head, is chased by the gay crew from sofa to sofa, for she avoids them, being [...]
Old Indian Battle Ground, near Drummond, November 28, 1864. Made a dozen miles to-day through the thickest pine woods I ever saw. There is no white or yellow pine here; it is all pitch. I think the division has been lost nearly all day. We have followed old Indian trails four-fifths of the time. The [...]
November 27th.–Cloudy and warmer; slight rain. Nothing from Bragg this morning. Nothing from below the city. When I entered the Secretary’s room this morning, I found him as grave as usual. L. Q. Washington, son of Peter Washington, once a clerk under President Tyler (and he still remains in the United States), and grandson of [...]
Riddlesville, November 27, 1864. Was foraging this morning and supplied the regiment with staples within a mile of camp. Took the road as train guard at 1 a.m. Have had a tedious march over sandy roads and through pine woods for 11 miles. It is too dark to see the town. Have heard no “music” [...]
November 26th. Orders are that we prepare for winter quarters, as we are to remain here. A good supply of good, clear, running water. Halltown is half way between Charlestown and Harper’s Ferry. All our supplies come from Harper’s Ferry.
November 26th.–Clear and frosty. The following dispatch was received to-day from Gen. Bragg: “Augusta, Nov. 25th, 1864. “Arrived late last night, and take command this morning. We learn from Gen. Wagner, who holds the Oconee Railroad bridge, that the enemy has not crossed the river in any force. He has concentrated in Milledgeville, and seems [...]
Eight miles east of Oconee River, three miles south of M. & S. R. R. November 26, 1864, 12 p.m. Howard wrote Osterhaus a letter congratulating him on the success in the Griswoldville fight, and had it published to us to-day. __________ Headquarters Dept. and Army of the Tennessee., Gordon, Ga., November 23d, 1864. Mayor [...]
November 25th.–Bright and frosty. A report from the Bureau of Conscription shows after all that only some 3000 men have been sent to the army during the last two months, under General Order 77, revoking details, etc. I don’t wonder, for there has been the natural confusion consequent upon a conflict of authority between Gen. [...]
Near Ball’s Ferry, Oconee River, November 25, 1864. Got off at daylight; made some eight miles, formed in a line in a field. “Halt!” “Cover!” “Front!” “Stack arms!” Now men get rails and fix for the night. So we think we have plenty of time and make our motions accordingly. We had just got our [...]
Irwinton, November 24, 1864. Made 12 miles to-day over a rolling but well settled country. This is a nice little 700 county town. I hear that the troops that were at Macon are passing us on our right. Suppose they want to get in our front to annoy us again. They had better keep out [...]
November 24th.–Clear and frosty. Ice half an inch thick this morning. All quiet below. Col. St. John, Niter and Mining Bureau, required 13,000 men to furnish ammunition, etc. Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, reports only 15 days’ bread rations in Richmond for 100,000 men, and that we must rely upon supplies hereafter from the Carolinas and Virginia [...]
November 24th. Our camp located on a high hill, west of the town. Fine scenery at this point. Our picket line will cover from Halltown to Charlestown, a distance of about five miles along the railroad.
Near Gordon, November 23, 1864. Came here to-day, about eight miles, find the Army of the Tennessee all here. Have heard nothing of the Rebels to-day; saw ice one and one-half inches thick that formed last night. Wore my overcoat all day. The left wing is either at Milledgeville or gone on east. A branch [...]
November 23d.–Snowed last night three inches. Clear and cold this morning; ground frozen. Had a dream last night–that meeting a few men in my wood and coal-house, I nominated R. Tyler for the Presidency, and it was well received. I must tell this to Mr. T. I narrated my dream to Mr. T. Before I [...]
November 23d. Called up early this morning. Sorry to leave our good camp in the Faulkner’s woods, Martinsburg. Our boys often repeat, “There is no rest for the wicked.” Soldiers must obey orders and not ask questions. Left camp, on the march for Halltown. After an uneventful march of about eighteen to twenty miles we [...]
Near Griswoldville, November 22, 1864. Has been a gay day for our brigade. The other two brigades of our division went to work on the railroad this morning, and we on a reconnoisance toward Macon. Found Rebel cavalry at once. My Companies A and B, were thrown out as skirmishers. Forty of us drove at [...]
November 22d.–Rained in torrents last night; cold this morning and cloudy. All quiet below. But there was an alarm, night before last, growing out of a stampede of some 50 of the enemy’s beeves. They charged upon our line, regardless of the fire of cannon and musketry, and were all captured after penetrating our works. [...]
November 22d. Everything has been quiet with us up to this date. The daily routine comes and goes on from day to day. Weather good for this time of the year. Late today, marching orders received. Must leave here for Halltown, four miles south of Harper’s Ferry.
Near Macon, Ga., November 21, 1864. This makes seven days from Atlanta, 114 miles by the roads we have marched. I think that time for an army like ours, over bad roads, too, for at least four days, is unprecedented. Our cavalry had a little skirmish at Macon last evening and were driven back. I [...]