Scottsboro, Ala., March 12, 1864. I have been tremendously demoralized for nearly a month in consequence of a terrible cold I caught by some of my carelessness, I suppose, but am now coming out of it all right. Weather is most beautiful. Not too much duty, excellent camp, remarkably good health, and everything so near [...]
MARCH 12th.—–It cleared away yesterday evening, and this morning, after the dispersion of a fog, the sun shone out in great glory, and the day was bright, calm, and pleasant. The trees begin to exhibit buds, and the grass is quite green. My wife received a letter to-day from Mrs. Marling, Raleigh, N. C., containing [...]
March 12th. This morning opened up bright and pleasant. Camp located and tents put up. A busy day. We have here with us a battalion of cavalry known as the Loudon Rangers, composed of loyal Virginians and Marylanders. They make good scouts. Some few have been in the rebel service. They often ford the river, [...]
MARCH 11th.—Rained all night–a calm, warm rain. Calm and warm to-day, with light fog, but no rain. It is now supposed the clerks (who saved the city) will be kept here to defend it.
March 11th. Up to this date the weather has been very bad. We are also short of rations. On picket every other night. Late today our tents arrived, and a good supply of rations. We shall have to put in another night in the cold old barn. Somewhat discouraged over our present condition. It is [...]
MARCH 10TH.–th.—Raining fast all day. There was a rumor to-day that the enemy were approaching again, but the Secretary knew nothing of it. Major Griswold is at variance with Gen. Winder, who has relieved him as Provost Marshal, and ordered him to Americus, Ga., to be second in command of the prisons, and assigned Major [...]
MARCH 9th.—A frosty morning, with dense fog; subsequently a pretty day. This is the famine month. Prices of every commodity in the market—up, up, up. Bacon, $10 to $15 per pound; meal, $50 per bushel. But the market-houses are deserted, the meat stalls all closed, only here and there a cart, offering turnips, cabbages, parsnips, [...]
MARCH 8th.—An application of Capt. C. B. Duffield, for a lieutenant-colonelcy, recommended by Col. Preston, came back from the President to-day. It was favorably indorsed by the Secretary, but Gen. Cooper marked it adversely, saying the Assistant Adjutant-General should not execute the Conscription act, and finally, the President simply said, “The whole organization requires revision.—J. [...]
March 8th. A cold, wet, disagreeable night for picket duty. We are about as miserable as we can be. When off duty we find shelter in an old barn, until the arrival of our tents. Maryland mud is fully as bad as Virginia. Trying to make the best of our condition, hoping for sunshine and [...]
MARCH 7th.—Bright and frosty morning; cloudy and warm in the evening. Cannon and musketry were heard this morning some miles northwest of the city. Probably Gen. Hampton fell in with one of the lost detachments of the raiders, seeking a way of escape. This attempt to surprise Richmond was a disgraceful failure. The Secretary of [...]
March 7th. Broke camp early this morning. Marched through town. Boarded a train of box cars at the station. Headed east. Stopped at Harper’s Ferry. Five companies ordered to go in camp on Bolivar Heights. The train with five companies proceeded on, over the Potomac River into Maryland about ten miles farther, stopping at the [...]
March 7th.–Shopping, and paid $30 for a pair of gloves; $50 for a pair of slippers; $24 for six spools of thread; $32 for five miserable, shabby little pocket handkerchiefs. When I came home found Mrs. Webb. At her hospital there was a man who had been taken prisoner by Dahlgren’s party. He saw the [...]
Scottsboro, Ala., March 6, 1864. By marching 21 miles on the railroad ties we reached “home” yesterday, after an absence of 24 days, in which we traveled 280 miles. Altogether it was a very pleasant trip, although the first 10 nights were almost too cold for outdoor sleeping. I kept a “sort” of a diary [...]
MARCH 6th.—My birthday—55. Bright and frosty; subsequently warm and pleasant. No news. But some indignation in the streets at the Adjutant-General’s (Cooper) order, removing the clerks and putting them in the army, just when they had, by their valor, saved the capital from flames and the throats of the President and his cabinet from the [...]
March 6th. Sunday. Cloudy and cold. Attended church in town. Wrote letters. Late this afternoon marching orders received. Leave camp on the morrow for parts unknown to us. Soldiers must obey orders and not ask questions. At times some movements look very foolish to us. We often wish the war was over and we could [...]
March. Dead! Dead! Both dead! O my brothers! What have we lived for except you? We, who would have so gladly laid down our lives for yours, are left desolate to mourn over all we loved and hoped for, weak and helpless; while you, so strong, noble, and brave, have gone before us without a [...]
MARCH 5th.—Clear and pleasant, after a slight shower in the morning. The raid is considered at an end, and it has ended disastrously for the invaders. Some extraordinary memoranda were captured from the raiders, showing a diabolical purpose, and creating a profound sensation here. The cabinet have been in consultation many hours in regard to [...]
March 5th. Cold rain storm. A disagreeable day in camp. We are ready for duty at any time, no matter how bad the weather may be. We are starting on the fourth year of this awful war. Many more brave men must fall before the end comes.
March 5th.–Tom Fergurson walked home with me. He told me of Colonel Dahlgren’s[1] death and the horrid memoranda found in his pocket. He came with secret orders to destroy this devoted city, hang the President and his Cabinet, and burn the town! Fitzhugh Lee was proud that the Ninth Virginia captured him. Found Mrs. Semmes [...]
MARCH 4th.—Bright and frosty in the morning; warm and cloudy in the afternoon. The enemy have disappeared. On the 17th inst., Gen. Lee wrote the Secretary of War that he had received a letter from Gen. Longstreet, asking that Pickett’s Division be in readiness to join him; also that a brigade of Gen. Buckner’s Division, [...]
March 4th. Received a number of letters from friends at home. Snow has disappeared. While the weather is fine, the mud is very sticky and plenty of it. A large quantity will stick to one’s feet, or rather to our army brogans, as we attempt to walk in it. This all comes in the life [...]
March 4th.–The enemy has been reenforced and is on us again. Met Wade Hampton, who told me my husband was to join him with some volunteer troops; so I hurried home. Such a cavalcade rode up to luncheon! Captain Smith Lee and Preston Hampton, the handsomest, the oldest and the youngest of the party. This [...]
MARCH 3d.—Bright and frosty. Confused accounts of the raid in the morning papers. During the day it was reported that Col. Johnson’s forces had been cut up this morning by superior numbers, and that Butler was advancing up the Peninsula with 15,000 men. The tocsin was sounded in the afternoon, and the militia called out; [...]
March 3d.–Betty, the handsome, and Constance, the witty, came; the former too prudish to read Lost and Saved, by Mrs. Norton, after she had heard the plot. Conny was making a bonnet for me. Just as she was leaving the house, her friendly labors over, my husband entered, and quickly ordered his horse. “It is [...]
March 2nd. Came off picket duty. My laundry and repairs on my clothes I have done by a German woman in town. Called for my laundry. Had a bath, put on clean clothes, for which I am very thankful. Received a pass, visited town. No soldier can enter town without a permit, excuse and pass [...]