An unidentified drummer of the 34th Massachusetts Infantry.
The following letter was written by John Avery (b. 1839) of Co. D, 34th Massachusetts Infantry. At the time of his enlistment, John was 21 years old and was described as 5 foot 9 3/4 inches tall, with dark hair and dark eyes—a farmer. He gave his birthplace as Westfield and his residence as Holyoke. His enlistment on 9 July 1862 was for three years. He entered as a private but was appointed a corporal in May 1864, and was promoted to sergeant in January 1865. Muster rolls state that he participated in the battles at New Market, Piedmont, and at Cedar Creek, Virginia. In the Battle at Piedmont he was wounded in the foot, but later returned to fight at Hatcher’s Run, at Fort Gregg, and Appomattox Court House.
According to historian Dan Masters, the 34th spent most of the first year of its service in the defenses of Washington, D.C. and Harper’s Ferry, missing out on such battles as Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. They were a spit and polish regiment, and one veterans of the Army of the Potomac would refer to as “band box soldiers….Raised in the five western counties of Massachusetts, the 34th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry entered service in response to Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more volunteers in the summer of 1862. The regiment spent months serving in the defenses of Washington, D.C. before being dispatched to Harper’s Ferry on July 9, 1863 in the closing stages of the Gettysburg campaign. But it wasn’t until New Market that the 34th Massachusetts got into a stand-up fight with the Confederates and suffered heavily in that engagement, losing 39 men killed and a total of 221 casualties in the regiment. The regiment would see extensive action in the Shenandoah Valley in the ensuing months, taking part in the battles of Piedmont, Lynchburg, Snicker’s Gap, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Stickley’s Farm near Cedar Creek, and Cedar Creek a few days later. The unidentified drummer above is wearing a field musician’s uniform with a Massachusetts belt buckle. The piping on the jacket would have been light blue in color.” [See The Purple Heart of Hell: The 34th Massachusetts at New Market]
The 34th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp John E. Wool, Worcester, on August 1, 1862, under the command of Colonel George D. Wells and Lieutenant Colonel William S. Lincoln. On Aug. 15 the regiment left Camp Wool for the seat of war, reaching Hunter’s Chapel near Arlington, Va. on the 18th. Aug. 22 it proceeded to Alexandria and thence to Cloud’s Mills. At Fort Ellsworth, Fort Lyon, and Upton’s Hill the fall and winter and spring following were spent, the regiment having been twice temporarily brigaded with other regiments. Not until July 9, 1863, was it ordered away from the defenses of Washington.
John wrote the letter to his friend, Charles Cooley (b. 1841), the son of Elicher [or Elihu?] Cooley (b. 1808) and Laura Cowles (b. 1812) of Westfield, Massachusetts.
My thanks to Abbey Weber Jones for providing a first draft of this transcription.
Header Image: The winter camp of the 34th Massachusetts near Alexandria, Virginia. The regiment camped here from September 15, 1862 to June 2, 1863. In the background is Ballenger’s Hill with Fort Lyon on the crest.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Mr. Charles Cooley, Westfield, Massachusetts
Camp Wool, Aug 9th, [1862]
Friend Charley,
How do you do this morning? I [am] well and doing well and live well and have a good time and [am] glad that I am here in the United States service so that I shant be drafted. And I tell you as a friend, don’t be drafted. If you do, you will see hard times. We leave for the seat of war Tuesday, the 12th. I think we shall go to Washington. We have enough to eat and that good and better then we had to Mr. B. when we worked there. We drill 5 hours in a day. The rest of the time we have to ourself to do what we have a mind to do. I like it so well that I would not come back till I see the war closed. I like [it] much better than I expected to. You tell mother that I like [it] well and dandy and tell her not to worry for I should [have] been drafted if I hadn’t enlisted, and if had been drafted, they would [have] put me into the old ranks and gone far South. But now this regiment is to be kept back on reserve.
I wish you could see and hear our Battallion drill. You would want to go with us where there are a 1000 muskets and drums and fifes and their bands. The band is now mounting guard and it is a splendid sight to enjoy—one that we [ ]. I will write soon after I get South, so goodbye Charley. Give my best respects to all.
— John Avery, Camp Wool, Co. D, 34th Reg.
P. S. I was home to Holyoke, [Massachusetts] the 6th. I had a good time with the two sisters that I told you about, perhaps for the last time. But I hope not. I made them a present to remember me. The felt very bad to have me leave them. It took the tears from the to part. I bid them goodbye for the last time, for the present.
I could not find an image of John but here is a watercolor of Joseph K. Hayes of Co. K, 10th New Jersey Infantry (based on poor quality image in Civil War Photo Sleuth)
The following letters were written by John A. Laur while serving as a volunteer recruit in Co. H, 10th New Jersey Infantry. John’s family appears to have been inconsistent with the spelling of their surname, which was variously rendered as Laur, Loar, or Lore. On the family gravestones, including John’s, it is inscribed as Lore; however, military records list it as Laur. At the time he accepted a substantial bounty to enlist, John had only just turned 15 years old. It is likely that the recruiting officer was aware of John’s underage status, yet he proceeded to enlist him nonetheless. During this period of the war, acquiring recruits had become increasingly challenging. Nevertheless, census records provide consistent evidence confirming that John was born in August 1849. He officially entered the service in August 1864.
There is nothing in John’s 32 letters that suggests he was motivated by a spirit of patriotism to enlist. Rather, it appears that he enlisted for the adventure and for the money. We learn from one of his letters that John feared his 44 year-old father might be drafted and he encouraged his father to use the bounty he received for enlistment to pay for a substitute, if necessary.
John was the son of William Chard Lore (1820-1895) and Catharine Adams (1831-1898) of Warren county, New Jersey. John’s younger siblings, of whom he often mentions in his letters, were Emma J. (b. 1852), George (b. 1854), and Willie (b. 1863). After his time in the service, John seems to have taken employment as a laborer in the oil industry. He was enumerated in 1870 at Oilcreek, Venango county, Pennsylvania. He became an invalid before 1900 and died in 1923 at Alpha, New Jersey.
Letter 1
Camp Distribution, Virginia August 15, 1864
Dear father,
I am well and I hope these few lines may find you the same. We left Camp Perrine, Trenton, on Saturday night and rode in the cars all next day till night and then marched 7 miles till we got to camp. I like to be a soldier first rate. We have nice times here now. We marched through Washington and I saw the Capitol were Old Abe sits. Yesterday, on Sunday, when we was a marching through Washington, I got a hold of another man’s knapsack in mistake and didn’t know it till this morning and I lost my testament and needle case and some more things. But there was a pair of boots in the knapsack that I got worth 10 dollars, but I sold them for 4 and so I didn’t lose much after all.
I don’t know when we will go to our regiment but I guess it won’t be long. They say here that it lays in Maryland, at Harpers Ferry. If it does, we are all right for there won’t be much fighting a going on there. If you write to me, don’t write before the 25th for then we will be to our regiment I guess.
I guess I will have to close for I have to write on my plate and I am getting tired. [Jacob F.] Parker and [William S.] Mettler are well. Tell Isaac Yard that I won’t write to him till I get to the regiment. Goodbye. Your affectionate son, — John A. Laur
Directions: Co. H, 10 Regt. N. J. Vols. Washington, D. C. Tell Willie that I seen some cocoa nuts down here. Don’t write before the 25th for we don’t know when we will have to move from here and then I wouldn’t get it.
Letter 2
Camp Distribution, Virginia August 15, 1864
Dear Father,
I sit down to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you all the same. Me and Jacob F. Parker and William S. Mettler are going to send our overcoats home for it is too warm to carry them now and we have no use for them now till it gets colder. Then I can draw another one, and besides, it will make you a good overcoat this winter. We will put a receipt in this letter and you show that to Brice Pursel and you can draw the box. You take the box over home and tear it open and you will find the name on each of our coats. Send Jacob F. Parker’s up to Haldron and William S. Mettler’s over to his home. We will put 50 cents in this letter. If it ain’t anough, write to me and we will send you more. And if it is to much, give it to Skid Mettler.
No more at present. Your affectionate son, — John A. Laur
Don’t write till the 25th of this month and then I think we will be to our regiment. I will write again before that time. I like it first rate. Goodbye to you all.
Letter 3
Camp Distribution, Virginia August 16, 1864
My dear father,
I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all the same. The letter that I wrote to you yesterday, I mentioned about sending home them overcoats. I told you that I would put in 50 cent to pay the freight on them and I forgot to put in the money so I thought I would write today and put it in. I will put in a dollar and if it is too much, keep the change, and if it ain’t enough, write to me and I will send you more.
When we marched from Washington to this camp we had to cross the Potomac and I got purty tired a walking across it. It is about a mile broad where we crossed. Tell Willie & George it would be a bully place to fish, I think. When we was a riding from Philadelphia to Baltimore, two men tried to desert. One jumped off the platform and broke his neck. The other jumped out of the window and the guards put two ball through him. One went through his right side and the other went through his heart and killed him on the spot. 1
I guess I will have to close for I am getting tired. Excuse poor writing for I have to write on a board. Write to me as soon as you get this letter for I guess I will be to my regiment when you get this. Tell me all that has happened since I left. Tell me how the boys are a getting along and whether Willie misses me or not. Goodbye to you all. Give my love to all.
Directions: John A. Laur, Washington D. C., Co. H, 10 Regt. N. J. Vol.
1 By the time John enlisted in late 1864, many of the “recruits” and “draftees” were reluctant participants and officers escorting these men to the the Distribution Camp near Washington D. C. often kept them under guard. Some of the men who accepted large bounties to enlist or accepted money as substitutes for drafted men did so with every intention of deserting the first opportunity presented them. The men who tried to escape were probably “bounty jumpers.”
Letter 4
On Picket near Charlestown, Virginia August 30, 1864
My dear father,
I now take this pleasant opportunity to write to write to you to let you know that I am well at present and hope these few lines will find you all the same. We left Bolivar Heights on Sunday morning and marched nearly all day and when night came, our regiment encamped near Charlestown when they sent our company out on picket and we have been out ever since. We live fine when we are out on picket. Yesterday we killed a pig and had some fresh pork.
I havent received but one letter letter from you and one from Aunt Mary Ann and so I thought I would write to you to let you know that I like it first rate. The Johnnys are laying about a mile off. Yesterday there was hard fighting in front we could hear their guns crack plain.
Write to me soon and tell me how you are a getting along. Tell me how Willie and George and Em is a getting along and tell me whether you have got my bounty or not. Dont show them songs to anybody for the writing is so poor. On the back I will send you some better ones. Goodbye all. From your son, — John A Laur
Write soon.
Letter 5
In Camp near Charlestown, Virginia September 1, 1864
My dear father,
I now take this pleasant opportunity by writing to you to let you know that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all the same. You say you want to know how I want my money—in bonds or not. You can take [them] any way you please, and if you get drafted, take the money and hire a substitute. You wanted to know whether I didn’t lose my shirt when I lost my knapsack. I got 3 shirts, 2 pair of drawers, and a blanket. I threw away one pair of drawers and a shirt and my blanket for they was too [much to] carry and it was so warm that I did not need them. I drawed one India rubber to keep me dry.
I forgot to tell you that I received two letters and some paper and was very glad to hear from you all. You wanted to know what was our captain’s name. We have no captain or lieutenants—only a sergeant. They was all killed or captured.
I will have to bring my letter to a close. Goodbye Willie and George and Emma and all. From your son, — John A. Laur
Write soon.
Letter 6
September 3, 1864
My Dear father,
You spoke about them two hundred dollars. The rest of the boys took theirs in bonds, but you can take mine any way you please. You spoke to me about a shirt. I have two shirts and a man gave me a testament in Washington. I like it first rate yet. You said you didn’t get a letter in over a week. I write a couple of times every week. I guess I will have to close by wishing you goodbye. From your son, — John A. Laur
Write soon. I received the papers and envelopes.
Letter 7
Camp near Berryville, Virginia September 7, 1864
My dear parents,
I now take this pleasant opportunity to write to you to let you know that I am well at present and hope you are all the same. I received a letter from Emma last night and was very glad to hear from her. It had a quarter of a dollar in it. I received the other two dollars when I received the papers but I forgot to mention it.
I have not been very well this while back but am all right now. When we left Charlestown, I did not feel able to march so I reported to the doctor and I was put in the ambulance and got to ride all the way where now I feel well now. I don’t know when we will have to move, but I think it will be before long. Don’t send me a box for we are a moving all the time and I would not get it. We will put up for winter quarters in a couple of months and then we will get them. Don’t worry about me for I am a getting along all right. Next Friday it will be one month since I voluntered.
I received a letter from Uncle George last night. It has been several days since I wrote to you but I was a little sick and didn’t feel much like writing. But write to me as soon as you get this. Goodbye all. From your son, John A. Laur
Letter 8
Camp near Berryville, Virginia September 11, 1864
My dear brother,
I guess I will have to write to you a little about the Johnnys. They aint very close now. We can hear a cannon crack once and a while, but I wish I had the old double barrel gun down here awhile. You ought to just see the pigeons. I see 3 or 4 flocks every morning and it is full of grey squirrels too. But we don’t shoot them with our guns. But we shoot a hog whenever we find one. We have purty plenty of pork down here.
I guess I will have to close by wishing you all goodbye. Tell mother to write soon. This here song that I send along is Willie’s.
I guess I will write a little more. When you write, tell me whether Pap was drafted or not and how he is a getting along with the work. I expect George has to work as hard as ever and Willie I suppose he is a working too. You say Julie is at our house. I would like to know whether she kissed George and Willie or not. Tell George that I was in a swimming in the Shenandooah River once. Tell Emma that I will answer her letter as soon as I get a little more time. And Willie wants me to come home and sing for him? Tell him I will come home after awhile and sing for him. I want to know whether he rides Old Jack as much as he used to but I don’t know whether I can fetch him a horse that can eat and drink or not.
I guess I will have to close. Write to me soon. Goodbye all. From your son, — John A. Laur
Goodbye Willie and George and Emma. Goodbye.
Letter 9
Camp near Berryville, Virginia September 17, 1864
My dear parents,
I now take this pleasant opportunity to write to you to let you know that I am well at at present and hope you are all the same. I received your letter on the 15th and was very glad to hear from home. I am doing well now. Tonight our company has to go out on picket and will be out 3 days.
The letter that you sent me had 50 cents in it and the next one you send me I would like you to send me a quarter’s worth of stamps for I am purty near out. You wanted to know whether I could not buy something good when I was sick. You can get plenty of good things of the sutler but he charges a purty good price. Uncle George thinks I done wrong by throwing away my blanket. I can stand it very well. Me and [William] Mettler and [Jacob] Parker each have a shelter tent and we put up together and each have a rubber blanket. We sleep very warm.
We have been in this place two weeks today and I think we will stay a while. The Johnnys have encamped on a mountain about 6 miles from us.
You wanted me to tell you whether it is any warmer out here than at home. It is purty warm in the day time but it is very cold nights. I come on guard about every 3 days. I don’t mind it mutch in the daytime but it is purty cold nights. I have seen plenty of rebel prisoners since I have been down here. I have been in the service one month and a week. Tell Willie not to ride old Jack too much. I guess I will have to close for this time. Goodbye all. From your son, — John A Laur
Goodbye Willie and George and Emma. I received a letter last night from little sissy Clark. William Mettler is well and in fine spirits.
Letter 10
Martinsburg Hospital [Sometime early October, 1864?]
My dear parents,
I now take this pleasant opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am in the Martinsburg Hospital and am doing well. I expect to be sent to Baltimore tonight or in the morning. It has been a long time since I wrote to you but we can’t send any letters out—only once a week. I received a letter from Mother and Emma last week and one from Aunt Mary Ann. Don’t worry about me for I have nothing but the diarrhea and I will soon get over that.
I would like to tell you about that Winchester battle but I hain’t got time. If I live to get home, I will tell you how I dodged the shells. I guess I will have to close for this time. Don’t write till you hear from me again for I don’t know where to tell you to direct it. No more at present. From your affectionate son, — John A Laur
Goodbye. Willie, I will write as soon as I can.
Letter 11
United States General Hospital Frederick, Maryland
My dear parents,
I now sit down to take this pleasant opportunity to write you to let you know that I am getting along fine. We went to Frederick City instead of Baltimore. It is a purty nice place and I want to stay here as long as I can. The reason I write home so soon after the other letter, I would like to have some money while we are here. I can get a pass from the doctor to go in the city and if I have a little money, I can get some butter or something that will taste good. You may send me 5 dollars if you can. Mind and send [only] government money for I can’t pass any other kind down here. Write just as soon as you get this for we may not stay here long. Don’t send any more letters to the regiment till I tell you to. There may be letters there now with money in them from home and I won’t get them till I get to my regiment again.
I guess I will have to close for this time. Tell Aunt Mary Ann and little Sissy Clark that I will answer their letters when I get to my regiment. Don’t forget to write as soon as you get this. Goodbye all. Directions: John A. Laur, United States General Hospital, Frederick Maryland. You had better get Robert Shimer to direct it. From your son, — John A Laur
Letter 12
U. S. A. General Hospital Frederick, Maryland October 21, 1864
My dear parents,
I now take this pleasant opportunity to write to you to let you know that I am getting along fine and am purty near well. I feel a little weak yet but I will soon be as strong as ever. You spoke about my staying here all winter. I would like to if I could but as soon as the men get fit for duty, they are sent to their regiments.
Last night I received mother’s letter with the money in it and was very glad for it. I went out in the city and get me a pound of butter for 50 cents and now I can live first rate. We get fresh bread every meal and but 3 times a week Monday mornings we get boiled ham and now we get potatoes boiled with the skins on, and sometimes we get apple sauce and corn bread. We have good beds nights to sleep in.
Today I received a letter from Emma and was very glad for her photograph. It looks just like her. I showed it to the boys in the tent and they thought it was a good one.
I suppose would like to know how many men there is here. There is about 12 hundred men and about half of them is wounded. I wrote today to William Mettler to send me my letters today. As long as I [have] money I can buy paper and envelopes, so you needn’t send me any. Tell Willie I got his letter and was very glad to hear from him. Tell him I have no hard tack now but I will send him a piece when I get to the regiment. Tell George that I seen plenty of dead rebs but no watches. I guess I will have to close this time by wishing you all goodbye. Don’t send a box or any more money till I write for it. Goodbye from your son, — John A. Laur
Directions the same as before: U.S.A. General Hospital, Frederick, MD
Letter 13
U.S.A. General Hospital, Frederick, Maryland October 29, 1864
My dear parents,
I now take this pleasant opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well at present and hope this will find you all the same. I received a letter from you on the 27th and it had two dollars in it and I was very glad for it. It takes money purty fast if I get a pass and go out in the city [where] I see so many good things that I can’t help but buy some. We don’t live quite so good as we did.
I want to know whether it is very cold up home. It is very cold down here. We are in great big tents—big enough to hold 10 or 12 men—and there is no stoves in them and we have to keep in bed purty near all the time to keep warm. I think I will write to Henry Thomas tomorrow. I got the combs that you spoke about.
When you write again, tell who pap is going to vote for. The soldiers are all down on Old Abe. They all go in for Little Mac. The soldiers are all tired of the war and say if Old Abe is elected, that they won’t fight any more. There is a great many soldiers die here—two or three every day. There was one died last night in the next tent to mine.
I want you to tell Willie I dont want him to shoot all the rabbits for I want to shoot some myself when I come back. I am afraid that he works most too hard. That picture in the letter is his. When you write to me again, I want to know whether pap ever got my bounty or not. I guess I will have to close for this time. Write soon. Tell the boys and girls I am well. Goodbye all. From your son, — John A. Laur Directions the same as before.
Letter 14
US General Hospital Frederick, Maryland November 19, 1864
My dear parents,
I arrived at Frederick yesterday at one o’clock and found everything as I had left it. I left Trenton for Philadelphia at one o’clock on the 17th and I left Philadelphia at 5 o’clock that night and got in Baltimore at 9 that night. And then I put up at the Union Relief and left the next morning at 9 o’clock for Frederick City. When I was in Trenton, I saw one of the old boys in my company. He had his discharge and was going home. I had a good long talk with him. He told me the name of the man who was killed in my company. His name was [Francis] Freeman—one of my best friends. A shell struck him and cut him nearly in two. 1
Tell the boys that Taylor is alright and promoted to 5th Sergeant. I guess I will have to close for this time for I don’t know what to write. Goodbye all and write soon. Your son, — John A. Laur
Directions the same as before.
1 Francis (“Frank”) H. Freeman was killed at the Battle of Cedar Creek on 19 October 1864. His illiterate wife, Hannah E. (Allen) Freeman, age 18, filed for a Widow’s Pension, claiming they were married on 14 January 1864 in Camden county, N. J. when she was 16 years old. The pension record states that Frank was “wounded in the bowels.” Curiously,Frank’s mother made an application for a “Dependent Mother Pension” claiming that Frank was never married even though Frank’s wife was living with her at the time of his death. An investigator from the Pension Office finally ruled in favor of the widow. Frank’s parent’s names were Charles Freeman and Mary B. Burt. Mary claimed that Frank’s father “ran away with another girl before Frank was four and never saw his father but once afterward.”
Letter 15
[Late November 1864]
My dear parents,
I now sit down to tell you that I arrived at the regiment this morning. I left Frederick City on Monday and I got so short notice that I hadn’t time to write. I had a purty hard march yesterday. I went out with the train from Martinsburg to Winchester. The distance is 22 miles. It was a purty hard day’s march. I wrote to you when I first come to the hospital and didn’t get no answer yet when I left and I wrote one to Aunt Mary Ann. I told the postmaster to send them to me when they come.
Last Thursday we had a bully Thanksgiving dinner at the hospital. We had 100 turkeys roasted and 21 geese and some ducks and chickens. The reason I left the hospital was because we didn’t get half anough to eat. The regiment is in winter quarters here but they think they will have to go to Winchester to guard the railroad so I won’t write for a box yet till I know we will lay still.
They say Jacob Parker is at Baltimore hospital. Tell Mrs. Mettler that William is well and that he received the shirt and gloves that she sent him. The boys are all looking fine. I guess I will have to close for this time. Goodbye all. When you write to me, tell me how Willie is a coming along. Write soon. Directions: Co. H. 10 New Jersey Vol., Washington DC
Letter 16
Camp near Petersburg December 7, 1864
My dear parents,
I now sit down to tell you that I arrived at this place last night. The 5th Corps had nice quarters built and our corps relieved them so we have nice log huts. I like it first rate. We are about 10 miles on the left of Petersburg. We can hear the cannon cracking all the time but there is no firing where we are so don’t worry about me for I am in a good place. I like it better than I did in the Valley. I tell you what, I have seen a good bit since I have been home.
So I guess I will tell you something about my journey. We left Gen. Sheridan’s army and the Shenandoah Valley on the 1st of December and took the train at Winchester and it took us a day and a night to get to Washington. We stayed there a while and then took a steamboat called the Monitor. We was on the water two days and then we came to City Point and from City Point we came here. I tell you what, we had a nice time on the Potomac and James river. When we was a going up the James river, I saw Fort Pohattan—the place where John Cyphers and the boys are. I tell you what geese and ducks I did see up the James river. The boys shot at them but couldn’t hit them.
I have not received any letters from you since I left home and I have wrote two. I wrote to Aunt Mary Ann and I dont know whether I put on the right directions or not. I will tell you the directions I put on and you can tell me whether I put them on right. Since we are in such good quarters, I guess you may send me a box. You may put in what you please. I guess I will have to close for this time by bidding you all goodbye. From your son, John A. Laur
We are now in Gen. Grant’s army. Tell the boys and girls that I am all right and tell Mrs. Mettler that Will is well and in good spirits. Write soon.
Letter 17
Camp near Petersburg December 12, 1864
My dear parents,
I received you most welcome letter last night and was very glad to hear from home for it was the first letter I have had yet since I was home [on furlough]. The letter that I received last night was date the 9th. The two first letters you wrote to me, I never got and I didn’t get Aunt Mary Ann’s letter [either].
It is very cold here today. I was out on picket two days and it rained and snowed all the time. There is about 2 inches of snow on the ground now. We had no firing when I was on picket. I had a pleasant conversation with one of the Johnnys. They come over in our lines and the boys trade coffee and tobacco with them. One of them wanted to know when the big killing was a coming off. We told him that it was a coming off before long. They are a fighting all the time off on the left and right. We can hear their cannon and musketry all the time. They open the ball about sundown and keep it up all night and in the morning it slackens.
We have nothing to do here but go out on picket and guard the forts. Tell Mrs. Mettler that Will is well. He is out on picket today. Tell Phip and Ike that I will write to them as quick as I get time. When you send the box, send me a letter the same day so I can draw it. I guess I will have to close for this time. Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
Directions: Co. H, 10 Regt. N. J. Vol., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 6th Army Corps, Washington DC. When you write to me, tell me how Willie and George and Em is a getting along. This is Willie’s hard tack.
Letter 18
Camp near Petersburg December 19, 1864
My dear parents,
I received your kind letter last night and was very glad to hear from you. I got the receipt in the letter but haven’t drawed the box yet. When I get it, I will write you. You said you heard that there was firing in our front and so there is. There was 3 or 4 brought in wounded in our brigade. The Johnnys tried to advance on the picket line but we repulsed them. The firing has nearly stopped now. I wish you was here to hear the firing at night. The cannon are a cracking all the time out at Petersburg. This morning they fired a salute of a hundred guns in honor of Gen. Thomas’s glorious achievement. I tell you what, it did roar.
I don’t know what is the reason that I did not get your two first letters and Aunt Mary Ann’s. It was raining here today and it is a great deal warmer than it was. I will have to close. This letter leaves me well and I hope it will find you all the same. Tell Mrs. Mettler that Will is well. Tell the boys that I am well. Goodbye all, from your son — John A. Laur
Tell Willie not to run too much in them new boots. John A. Laur
Letter 19
Camp near Petersburg December 22, 1864
Dear parents,
I now sit down to write a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and hope you are all the same. I haven’t received the box yet. They hadn’t been ordered up from Washington yet when you wrote but they have been now and I suppose I will get it about Christmas time. I like it first rate down here. I was never so hearty in my life as I am now. I tell you what, I stand it bully since I have come back to the regiment.
William S. Mettler is on picket today. There is a photograph gallery here and if you will send me a couple of dollars, I will get some taken with my gun and equipments on. The rebs are very quiet here now. There is scarcely any firing here at all now. You ought to see what queer railroads they have here. They hain’t like our roads but they just run with the ground, up hills and down. When we do down hill, we go like a streak. But when we go up hill, they go very slow. I wish you would send Emma’s photograph to me. There is somebody that wants it down here. Tell Willie not to eat too many Christmas candies or he will get sick. When you write to me again, tell me how him and George is a making out. Tell Mrs. Mettler that Will is a doing well. I dont want you all to eat too much turkey a Christmas. I guess I will have to close for this time by wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Goodbye all. Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
Letter 20
Camp near Petersburg December 25, 1864
My dear parents,
I received your kind letter to day and was very glad to hear from you. Today is Christmas and it is a very fine day. I have my shirts yet and I can stand the cold very well but it ain’t as cold down here as it is up there. We have good fires in our tents and we can keep good and warm. It is Christmas today and I haven’t got my box yet but I expect it tomorrow. Our chaplain is a going to City Point and I am a going to give him my receipt and if it is there, he will draw it. I am not out of envelopes and paper yet but you might send me two or three stamps if you will. I received the dollar that pap sent me and it come very good for i was out of money.
Today I received the last letter that Aunt Mary Ann sent me. It had been on the road about 20 days and it was very near worn out. I received Willie’s letter and I think he is improving some. I guess I will have to send him another piece of a hard tack. I would send him a whole one, but I cannot get it in a letter. I don’t want you to worry about me for I am in the best of health. I tell you what, I can eat pork. We get a great deal better rations than we did in the Valley. We draw two days rations of bread every week and we get beans and rice and fresh meat three times a week, plenty of sugar and coffee, and onions and potatoes and molasses and vinegar and whiskey once a week. So we live purty well.
I guess I will have to close for this time. This letter leaves me well and I hope this may find you the same. I close by wishing you all a Merry Christmas. From your son, — John A. Laur
Write soon.
To my brother George. Well George, I thought I would write a few lines to tell you not to catch all the muskrat for I want some of them myself when I come home. And George, I heard that you kissed the girls on the other day. I tell you what, it won’t do to kiss them anymore, for if you do, I will hear tell of it. George, today is Christmas and I suppose you are a eating turkey and Crristmas candies, but I have pork and hard tack. It goes nice, I tell you. Well, George, I will close by wishing you a Merry Christmas and also Emma and Willie. Give my best respects to all. Write soon.
Letter 21
Camp near Petersburg December 27, 1864
Dear Parents,
I received your kind and welcome letter on the 26th and was very glad to hear from home. I am doing very well now. I am getting fat, I tell you. I havent’ received my box yet but expect it everyday. I am afraid some of the things will be spoilt, it has been on the road so long. It is not near as cold down here as it is up there. It is raining today.
I tell you what, I had a bully old Christmas dinner. We had pork and tack. I tell you what, it went gay.
One out of our company died on the 19th. He was an old man named David Russell. Our company is very small now. There is only twelve men fit for duty now. Yesterday we drawed 2 mackerel apiece and they went purty good, I tell you.
When you write to me again, tell me now the boys are a getting along. I guess I will have to close for this time. Give my best respects to all. Write soon. From your son, John A. Laur
Directions: Co. H, 10th Regt. N. Jersey Vol., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 6th Corps, Washington DC
Letter 22
Camp near Petersburg January 5, 1865
My dear parents,
I received your kind and welcome letter today and was very glad to hear from you. I just come in off of picket this morning. I have been out two days and the first day we had a purty hard time of it for it snowed all night. But it is getting nice and warm again. The Johnnys didn’t disturb us any this time for I guess they knowed better.
Tomorrow our regiment is ordered to Gen. Meade’s Headquarters to see a man [Peter Cox] shot for desertion. He belongs to the 4th New Jersey Vols. I tell you what, I dont like to see it, but I suppose I must.
My box hasn’t come yet and I am afraid some of the things will be spoilt but we heard that the boxes was delayed at Washington and I think they will be along yet. I received the two dollars that you sent me and I was very glad too for it. I went and bought some flour and me and old Mettler had a gay old dinner of slapjacks. I think we will be paid off about the 15th of the month and I will get four months pay which will be 64 dollars, and I will send the biggest part of it home to you. I want you to see Phip Fine and Isaac Yard and I want you to see why they don’t write to me. I wrote to them when I first came down here and never received any answer. I guess they have forgot it.
Yesterday we drawed sour krout for the first time and it went purty nice, I tell you. There is a rumor now that we are to be sent back to the Valley again but I hope it ain’t so for we don’t have to march any here like we did in the Valley. Tell Willie not to cut too mutch with that knife of his. Tell George that I think I shall go to snaring rabbits down here for when I was out on picket, I saw plenty of tracks. I guess I will have to close for this time. Give my respects to all my friends. From your son, —John A. Laur
Write soon
Letter 23
Camp near Petersburg January 12, 1865
My dear parents,
I received your kind letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you to hear you was all well. I have good news to tell you. Me and Mettler received our box on the 6th of the month and it is purty near all gone too. Everything was good except the chickens. They was a little moldy on the out side, and that can of peaches Mrs. Lerch sent me was spoilt so that we had to throw them away.
Yesterday the Johnnys like to fetched me and Mettler. We was a working out on the picket line on fatigue duty and we was only a little ways off from the Johnny’s picket line. [While] we was a working away, a party of us was a standing together when all of a sudden the Johnnys poured a volley of musketry into us and wounded six of our boys. I tell you what, the bullets flew thick for a little while. We hadn’t our guns along so we had to run and I tell you what, we did run too. I had to help two of the wounded men in and I tell you, it was a purty hard job.
It is a nice warm day here today and it don’t get very cold here. I don’t think it is any colder here now than it was when I was home on furlough. I got a letter from Uncle George last night and one from John S. Hunt and one from you makes three. You wanted to know how Jacob Parker was a getting a long. He has not lost his leg. He is a doing well.
Tell Willie not to ride too much on his sled or else he will freeze his feet again. I guess I will have to close for this time. When you write to me, I wish you would send me some stamps for I am out. So goodbye all. Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
Directions the same as before.
Letter 24
Camp near Petersburg January 30, 1865
My dear parents,
I received your kind letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you and I also received one from Phip Fine. Tell him I will write to him as quick as I get some paper. If it ain’t too mutch trouble to you, I wish you would send me some paper and envelopes for these down here are so poor as I don’t know when we will get paid off. I wish you would try and get as good paper as you can and if Robert Shimer has any pocket diaries, I wish you would send me one so I could put down all that transpires.
Saturday I was on picket and two rebel deserters came over on the post I was on. I tell you what, the poor fellows looked hard. We cooked them a good supper of pork. I tell you what, how they did go into it. They belonged to a South Carolina regiment.
I expect my box will soon be on hand and I tell you what, it will go purty good. Tell Willie that I said you musn’t scold him so much and I want to know whether his boots are wore out yet or not. I expect he gets a good many sleigh rides this winter. And tell George that I am afraid he will beat me if he learns so fast before I get home. I guess I will have to close for this time. This leaves me well and I hope it will find you all the same. From your son, —John A. Laur
If you can’t get that diary at Robert’s, you needn’t trouble yourself about it. Give my respects to all. — John A. Laur
Letter 25
Camp near Petersburg Virginia February 25, 1865
My dear Parents,
I received your most welcome letter today and was very glad to hear from home. Today our regiment was paid off. I got 6 months pay. I will send home 46 dollars of it. I would send home more but I owe the sutler some and some of the boys and so when I pay off my debts, I won’t have a great [amount left]. Write to me as soon as you get this letter so I will know whether you got it or not.
We have nice times here. The weather is nice and warm. I am on guard today and it is raining like forty. Just as quick as I get a pair of pants, I will have my photograph taken. I look most too greasy now. If you get the money that is in this letter, spend it, for it is yours.
You wanted to know whether we have any officers in our company. We have none yet. Our Orderly Sergeant commands the company.
I am sorry to hear that Johnny [ ] has enlisted for I think he will have a hard time of it. I received the money you sent me. I received the ring Willie sent me. You must buy him something and tell him I bought it for him. I guess I will have to close for this time. Excuse poor writing and write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
You won’t find any money in this letter. I thought I would send it by the state agent as it would be safer. You will get a check about the time you get this and it will show you what bank to go and draw it.
Letter 26
Camp Near Petersburg, Virginia March 2, 1865
My dear parents,
I now sit down with pleasure to write a few lines to you. I suppose you have received them photographs I sent you. The one with the sergeant stripes on is Jack Taylor and the other one is named Ward. We call him goat for a nickname and I will send you one in this letter. Tell Willie that it is his’n. I am a going to send Aunt Mary Ann one with me and Mettler both in one picture. I tell you what, it is a good one.
You must tell grandmother that her peaches went bully. I would write to them all but I am on duty purty near every day and I can’t hardly get time to write home. These pictures are dear down here. I paid a $1.50 for the one that is in this letter. I guess I will have to close for this time. Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
Letter 27
Camp Near Petersburg Virginia March 8, 1865
Dear Parents,
I received your most welcome letter yesterday and was glad to hear from home. We have fine weather here now. It is almost as warm here now as it is up there in the summer time.
There is some talk of our leaving here soon and going to the Valley again but I hope it ain’t so for I would sooner be here than in the Valley. When you write to me again, tell me how Willie liked his picture. You must get his taken and send me one. I would like to see how he looks. Tell em that she can have enough of that money to buy an album if you are a mind to give it to her. It is yours—you can do as you please. You must buy Willie an orange of that money I sent him.
I think the war will soon be over myself. The rebs are deserting over to us every night. Six or seven come in were we picket every night. Six came in last night and if they come in that way all a long the line, their army must be getting weak.
I guess I will have to close for news is scarse. I hain’t had the earache once this winter or any bad colds. I am as hearty as a buck. I tell you what, the old box is a disappearing rapidly. This leaves me well and I hope it may find you all the same. Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
Write soon
Letter 28
Camp near Petersburg, Virginia March 19, 1865
My dear Parents,
I received your kind letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you. You say that you received them pictures I sent you. I want to know whether you received the one that I have my gun. I don’t know whether you got it or not. But about that photograph Mettler sent, he sent it to you but you needn’t let on to Em about it. When I wrote to you, I made a mistake about my pay. I only got four month’s pay. You said that I did not keep any money. I kept as much as I wanted for the sutler sells everything so high that it all goes anyhow. The next time you write to me, I would like you to send me a pair of suspenders if it ain’t to mutch trouble to you. The sutlers here ask 5 dollar a pair for them and I hate to pay that for them and my old ones are purty near played out.
I got Willie’s candy that he sent me and it went good. Tell him that I said he shouldn’t work so hard. Today we had a purty hard days work. We have been on review. We went about four miles and it was so hot that we come purty near roasting. I tell you what, I wish you could have seen us today. Our whole Division was out together and I tell you what, we made a show. And we are coming out gay. We have white gloves and I tell you, they look nice.
Last week we had marching orders but we didn’t have to go. When you write to me I would like to know on what bank that check is on. I guess I will have to close for this time. This leaves me well and I hope it may find you all the same. From your son, — John A. Laur
Write Soon. Co. H, 10 N. J. Vols., 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, Washington.
Letter 29
Camp Near Burksville Station, Virginia April 16, 1865
My dear Parents,
I received your welcome letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you for it was the first time that I heard from home in purty near three weeks. Today is Easter and I suppose you are a eating eggs. I received George and Willie’s photograph and I tell you, it looks bully.
We are now encamped at Burke’s Station. I don’t know how long we will stay here. You said you suppose I would see Petersburg and Richmond. I have been in Petersburg. We was out on the morning it was surrendered to our Brigade and we went into the town that morning. It is a purty nice place. I tell you what, the boys got lots of tobacco. I never saw so much tobacco in my life and we got plenty of Confederate money [too]. I will send a couple of Bills home for I guess you have not seen any yet.
I dont know what they are a going to do with us now for there is no more fighting to do here unless they send us to North Carolina but I don’t think they will. If you have any money about when you get this letter, you can send me a couple of dollars and I will buy a ham of the commissary. I guess I will have to close for this time. When you direct your letters to me, direct them the same as before. Write soon. From your son, John A. Laur
Letter 30
Camp Near Danville, Virginia May 3, 1865
My Dear Parents,
I received your kind letters to day for it has been a good while since I heard from home. I received two from you this morning.
We are now laying at Danville, Va. We have been on a purty hard march. We marched from Burksville Junction to Danville in four days and four hours. The distance was a hundred miles. And when we got to this place, we heard that Johnston had surrendered and now they talk of sending us back to Petersburg to guard the railroad. I suppose when we go, we will go on the cars.
I received the photograph that you sent me and I tell you, it was a good one. I also received the 2 dollars that you sent me and the dollar that George sent and it comes very good.
You said that the Sixth Corps lost heavy while we was after old Lee. The Corps did lose very heavy but we did not lose a great many in our Brigade. We got out of the hardest battle that was fought for we was wagon guard. I think the war is almost over. All the armies have surrendered except Kirby Smith and he will surrender too when he hears that the rest have surrendered. I will have to close for this time. This leaves me well and I hope it may find you all the same. Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
Letter 31
Camp near Petersburg May 11, 1865
My Dear Parents,
Having nothing to do at present, I thought I would write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you all the same. We left Danville last Friday and we rode about a hundred mile on the car and walked the rest of the way and now we are a laying 10 miles from Petersbug a guarding the railroad. But we won’t stay here long. We expect to move every day and when we do go, they say that we are going to Washington. They say that the 2nd and 5th Corps are there now and that Sherman’s army is a going there too.
There is to be a review there and when that is over, they say they are going to send them home. They say when we go, we will have to march all the way there. If we do, it will be a long march. It is about a hundred and 72 miles.
Yesterday I was sent on safe guard over an old farmer’s plantation and I live fine. I don’t know how long I will be kept here but I suppose till they get ready to move. I will send George a ten dollar Confed[erate] note. I guess I will have to close for I am out of news.
Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
Letter 32
Camp at Richmond, Virginia May 20, 1865
My Dear Parents,
I received your kind letter last night and I was very glad to hear from you. We are now laying about a mile from Richmond. We can see the city plain. We can see Libby Prison plain and I tell you, it is a nice city by the looks of it. And we marched through Petersburg the other day and that is a purty nice place [too].
We stopped here to draw rations and then they say we are to start on to Washington. I tell you, it will be a purty hard march—about a hundred and 32 miles. The news is down here that they are discharging the troops fast. I don’t know when we will be discharged. I don’t think we will be before our time is out. You wanted to know whether I got enough clothes. I have got as many as I can carry. We can draw all we want from the goverment. I guess Mr. Mettler’s company hain’t to Trenton for the last time Will heard from him, he was at the fort yet. I guess I will have to close for this time. Write soon. From your son, — John A. Laur
This letter was written by Manning Austin (1843-1921) who enlisted at North Landing, Tompkins county, New York, as a private in Co. G, 10th New York Cavalry on 6 October 1861. He reenlisted as a veteran corporal in December 1863 and was later transfered to Co. I, 2nd Regiment, V. R. C. Interesting quotations from several of Manning Austin’s letters appear on a webpage of the 10th New York Cavalry published by Ken Morris. He cites the source of these letters as having been posted on-line on January 2001 by David G. Phillips Co., Inc. Sale #106 but that link is no longer active.
Manning was the son of Wisner D. Austin (1811-1879) and Eliza Giltner (1806-1894) of Lansing, Tompkins county, New York.
Manning Austin’s letter gives us a riveting account of the Battle of Middleburg, Virginia, on 19 June 1863, in which three squadrons (including his own) spearheaded a daring mounted charge that broke Confederate lines, successfully pushing JEB Stuart’s dismounted cavalry out of the woods and taking the town. The cavalry engagements in Loudon county successfully delayed Stuart’s cavalry from being of greater assistance to Lee in his invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863.
“First Maine Cavalry Skirmishing”
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Miss Julia Etta Austin, North Landing, Tompkins county, New York
Headquarters 10th N. Y. Vol. Cavalry Camp at Leesburg, Virginia June 25, 1863
Dear Sister,
As I have not written home in quite a longtime, I thought I would try and write a little this morning. I am well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. You may be surprised when you get htis to find that I am now at Leesburg, Va. When we left Warrenton Junction, we moved back to Manassas Junction, stayed there over night, then went to Aldie, Va. where we met Old Stewart [J. E. B. Stuart], (the Rebel Cavalry Chief) & drove him back through Ashby Gap—a place in the Blue Ridge. We reached Aldie on the 17th last and commenced fighting the next morning. Our regiment was in front, drove the enemy as far as Middleburg, a distance of three miles. We slept upon the battlefield that night & early the next morning the fight commencedby skirmishers. Companies A and M dismounted as Carbineers and went to the front as skirmishers where they remained until about 9 a.m. they had drove the enemy about a mile west of Middleburg into a piece of wood where they made a desperate stand.
Our cannon opened upon them but could not dislodge them. Gen. Gregg then sent one squadron of the 1st Maine & three out of our regiment, 2st, 2nd, and 3rd, to charge the woods which we did to good effect. The Maine boys charged first and was repulsed with some loss. Then our 3rd and 2nd squadron charged & was driven back but they soon rallied and with the 1st [squadron] charged to woods again in the face of a galling fire from the enemy sharpshooters but we fought desperately, charging & rallying until we drove them beyond the woods. It tell you, it was a hard fight.
Mr. Maine had his horse shot from under him but he paid that [back] in their own coin. He shot a reb dead. In the last charge, I got separated from the rest of the boys. I saw some of the Rebels coming down through the woods to the right. I stopped my horse and took deliberate aim with my carbine at a rebel & fired. He fell from his horse. I marked the spot where he fell & after the battle was over I went to the spot and found him where he fell. He was shot through the heart.
I have no more time so I will bid you goodbye for this time. — M Austin
Isaac Marshall Christy, Co. I, 15th Iowa Veteran Volunteers (Iowa Civil War Images)
The following letter was written by Isaac “Marshall” Christy (1844-1905), a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, who came to Iowa with his parents in 1854. On 23 November 1861, he enlisted at Oceola, Iowa, as a private in Co. I, 15th Iowa Infantry with his older brother William Christy. Marshall survived the battle of Shiloh unscathed in April 1862 but was wounded slightly in both legs near Corinth, Mississippi, on 3 October 1862. He was promoted to corporal on 24 February 1863 and reenlisted as a Veteran in December 1863 while at Vicksburg, Mississippi. On 20 July 1864 before Atlanta, he received a slight wound to the head from a Minié ball. He became a sergeant on 25 August 1864 and served until his discharge on 24 July 1865.
After the war, Marshall attended Wesleyan University at Indianola and afterwards graduated from Bryant & Stratton’s business college at Burlington. He married Louise Almyra Bennett on 23 February 1871 and raised a family. The Christys moved from Osceola, Iowa, to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1891 where Isaac hoped that the climate would improve his health. He joined the GAR and applied for an invalid pension. He died 31 March 1905 and was buried in the Masons Cemetery, Block 17, Lot 1. His remains were moved to Greenwood Cemetery in 1907 by the Masons.
This letter was shared by Marcus Crane on his Facebook site. He is a descendant of Achsah Marshall, the recipient of this letter, who was a first cousin of Marshall Christy. Achsah married Charles A. Crane (1834-1928) in 1876.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Goldsboro, North Carolina April 1, 1865
Cousin Achsah,
Your welcome letter of March 15 came to hand yesterday and contents read with pleasure. Was glad to hear of your good health and that all the friends were enjoying themselves so well. You are a number one guesser as you guessed the reason why the first time. I had written you two letters since receiving any and had come to the conclusion that you had forgotten me entirely, but this letter has happily dispelled that illusion. I pity Cousin Louis that she has such an awful time writing her letter to Will but I can’t help her any unless it be to not be so particular in writing her letters to soldiers as it is the news they are after and do not care so much as to the penmanship. If she does not wish to profit by my advice—all well and good. There is no affront intended and I hope there will be none taken. As the boys tell, I am not accountable for what I say.
I expect you will think it would have been better for me to have taken more pains with this, but I have to write in a hurry and have no time to spend in putting on style and hate stylish things anyway. Coz, I congratulate you on your letter writing as your letters pleased me more than any I have read for a long time. There was some life and vivacity about it—not as if you were copying it off of some book as the most of the Ladies of the latter day write. You need not think I am trying to flatter you as that is not my intention.
I expect you will have heard ere this all the details of our raid through the Carolina’s so that it would only be retelling stale news to you to tell you about it. The citizens in the country we have been traveling through are the most ignorant race of people God ever let the sun shine upon. I do not blame the poor people of this country for what they have done for they are not accountable for what they do, not knowing any better. I talked with one woman about 35 years of age who lived 9 miles from Columbia S. C. I asked her how far it was to town and she said he did not know as she had never been there. I asked her how long she has lived there. She said she was born there & had lived there ever since but had never been to town. I seen hundreds of such crimes of ignorance in my travels.
This war will be the cause of one God’s blessing at least. That is that it will put the Aristocracy and poor class of the South on a more equal level, thus giving all a chance to get a limited education and know what is going on in the world & cannot be led into war and ruin so easily again. The poor people of the South do not care half as much about the destruction of their property as the rich does. I seen many a woman in the streets of Columbia with her children gathered around her while the fire was burning everything she possessed in this world say they were glad of it—that it would learn some of the Aristocracy of what it was [to] want. That it was what they had anxiously been watching & praying for—for the coming of Sherman & his army. As for themselves, they could commence anew again and with the help of God make out some way. Women that talk that way is the ones I call the true “[ ]” of the South.
We destroyed everything of a combustible nature in S.C. The burning was done by those who had been prisoners & had received such hard treatment from the rebel authorities. They all swore vengence on S. C. if they ever got inside of her “borders” and they have forcefully kept their oath as the track they left behind them will readily show. They could not have sent a better army to destroy the county than Sherman’s, as no other army has had half the experience it has. You could notice the difference in feeling as soon as we crossed the line dividing North and South Carolina. All their thirst for burning & pillaging was gone as they had become perfectly satisfied with what they had done in South Carolina.
I passed through the cities of Orangeburg, Columbia, Waynesboro [?], Fayetteville, Goldsborough, &c. Taking out Columbia, they are all small towns irregularly laid out and in mose cases, awful dirty. They are what would be called small potatoes and few in a hill by the side of most any of our county towns up North. Columbia, before it was burned, was a very neat and pretty place, but it was entirely destroyed.
I have, if anything, a great deal worse time in writing this letter than Louis had with his for there has been so many in here talking to me that I did not know half of the time what I was writing about. I never could write with a whole pack around me talking and cutting up. If you can’t read this, send it back and I will try [again]. You need not be afraid of tiring me out reading your letters. The only fault I find is that they are not long enough. You must look over bad writing and all mistakes of all kinds for I wrote under very trying circumstances but tried to be as neat as possible.
Give my best wishes to all inquiring friends. Direct the same as before. Write soon to your cousin, I. M. Christy, Co. I, 15th Iowa Vet. Vols.. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps
Oh yes, I want you to remember that photo. I want to see it very bad. Please sent it, won’t you?
I could not find an image of William (a.k.a. James Maynard) but here is one of Lorenzo Thurman Hale who also served in the 18th New Hampshire and was approximately the same age as William. (Dave Morin Collection)
The following letter was written by William Bruno Brimblcom (1832-1900) but if you look for his service record, you won’t find it under that name. For reasons that can only be conjectured, William enlisted in Co. D, 18th New Hampshire Infantry under the name “James Maynard” on 21 September 1864, giving Dover as his place of residence. He was transferred to Co. G in June 1865 and musterd out on 29 July 1865.
William was one of several children born to Rev. Samuel Brimblecom, Jr. (1799-1879) and Harriette Buttrick (1798-1878) who by the time this letter was written, had relocated from New England to Santa Clara, California. William was married to Emily Cordelia Gragg (1833-1912) but family history suggests that William’s addiction to alcohol caused a separation between the couple resulting, perhaps, in William’s enlistment and a hope that life in the service might dry him out. Perhaps he changed his name to avoid further shame to his family. A family letter posted on Ancestry.com states, “Aunt Lucy corresponded with him as James Maynard but I have never heard why he changed his name but image that it may have been on account of his weakness for alcohol. He possibly did not wish to risk disgracing the family name.”
William’s letter speaks of the final days battles around Petersburg in late March, early April 1865.
[This letter is from the collection of Greg Herr and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Mrs. Harriette Brimblecom, Santa Clara, Santa Clara county, California
Field Hospital 9th Army Corps City Point, Virginia 12th April 1865
My dear mother,
I am once more on the list of killed and wounded and will take the occasion to commence a letter to you and will finish it as the condition of my injuries will permit. The smoke of the battles has cleared away and coming out into the light we find ourselves in possession of Petersburg and Richmond, forty-five miles of the strongest fortifications in the world, prisoners by tens of thousands, Lee’s army captured or knocked to pieces, the Great Rebellion collapsed, and the War over. If Albert is all right, then you have lost none of your sons for I am all right except a bad wrench of the left thigh which happened in one of the final charges on the enemy works before Petersburg. This did not prevent me from hobbling into Petersburg the next morning with my regiment which was one of the first to enter the city. I could not have missed that on any account.
For a fortnight before the last battle, we had been in the front line of the army so near the enemy that a stone could easily be tossed from our picket line into their. I frequently shouted to the Johnnies what I would do in Petersburg in a week or two, their reply to which bravado would be a bullet answered by one from me.
Truth, I have been in some places that I wished myself well out of. For instance, on the morning of Sunday, April 2nd, when we formed a line in Fort Stedman to storm the Reb fort opposite, Minié balls buzzed like mad hornets, round shot screamed like angry hawks, and shells burst so that one could almost read by the light of them while the noise surpassed anything else of which I have any conception. Do you want to know how I felt? Well, with a perfectly clear conscience of the tremendous peril, I was cool as a cucumber and had as perfect possession of my powers and faculties as ever in my life. Had plenty of time to laugh at the cowardice of some of my officers. My 2nd Lieutenant [John Underhill of Chester, N. H.] was so scared that he could scarce stand and could not speak while Capt. [Alvah K.] Potter of Co. A ran away to a safe ravine half a mile from the battle. Had I their reputations, I would never go home.
Lt. Colonel Joseph Messer Clough was wounded in defending the Union line in and around Fort Stedman on 29 March 1865. (Watercolor from CdV in Dave Morin’s Collection)
On the 29th of March the enemy made a desperate assault in the night on the part of the line held by my regiment [in and around Fort Stedman]. The 18th [New Hampshire] won much applause by the gallant manner in which it fought and repulsed the attack. The fire we delivered is said to have supassed any ever seen in the Army of the Potomac. We fired nearly 70,000 bullets. What the enemy’s loss was never can be known as they removed most of the dead & wounded before morning. I know we changed the character of the battle yell in a very short time. In this action we lost our Major [William I. Brown] killed & [Lt-] Colonel [Joseph M. Clough] wounded. I have found out whether I have any courage.
Henry made me a call two months or so since. Stopped only three hours. Was well and doing well. I suppose you hear from [my wife] Emily occasionally. I correspond with her regularly—write often. What we shall finally do even if I live remains for time to decide. I am still young but after all have had a good deal of experience—sad enough too. Perhaps those who have separated once had better stay so. What is your advice? The Rum is pretty well out of me now. I meant it should be if I lived. Now I hope it will stay out but can’t tell.
I will close and mail this and write again sometime. Love to sis and all the boys. Affectionately your son, — William
Capt. William Christy when he was in the 8th Iowa Cavalry (courtesy of Michael Huston)
The following letter was written by William Christy while serving as a sergeant in Co. I, 15th Iowa Infantry. He was born at Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, February 14, 1841, the oldest son of George L. Christy (1815-1869) and Jane Marshall (1819-1901). In 1854 his father relinquished mercantile pursuits and moving westward, established himself as a farmer in Clarke county, Iowa, where William received a good education.
During the Civil War, William Christy enlisted as a private in Co. I, 15th Iowa Infantry, serving in that regiment one year. William enlisted with his younger brother, Isaac “Marshall” Christy (1844-1905). William was quickly promoted to sergeant; Marshall remained a private. After a year in the infantry, William was transferred to the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, rising to the rank of captain. He was attached to Sherman’s army until Atlanta was reached, when his regiment turned back with Thomas to hold Tennessee. During a skirmish in the rear of Atlanta, Captain Christy was wounded severely and fell into the hands of the enemy. He spent a whole year in Confederate prisions and hospitals, being for a short time successively in Millen and Andersonville. Exchanged in February, 1865, he rejoined his troop a poor advertisement for the fare in southern prisons, weighing less than 100 pounds. Captain Christy was afterward brevetted lieutenant-colonel of his regiment and remained with it till its disbandment in August, 1865, participating in the capture of Macon, Selma and Montgomery. Four wounds, two of them through the body, were retained as mementos of the days of raid and combat.
“Upon his return to Iowa, Colonel Christy attended college for a year and then entered a banking house at Osceola, Iowa. He was elected State Treasurer in 1872, by the modest majority of 62,000, and was reelected two years later. In 1876 he went back to the banking business in Des Moines. Colonel Christy came to Arizona in 1882, for the benefit of an oppressing asthma. He was one of the founders of the Valley Bank of this city, and has added materially to his worldly possessions in lands of the valley and by his interest in a number of profitable enterprises. Five children have been the fruit of a union contracted in 1866, with Miss Carrie E. Bennett, at Aurora, Ill. The family residence is located upon the outskirts of Phoenix and in the development of his fertile acres the financier finds his chief enjoyment.”
William’s letter describes the Battle of Shiloh in which the 15th Iowa Infantry suffered considerable losses in their first engagement. For another great account of the Battle of Shiloh from the perspective of the 15th Iowa Infantry, readers are referred to: The Civil War Diary of Cyrus F. Boyd, published in 1953, which is availsable on-line.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
[Editor’s Note: This transcript was shared by Marcus Crane on his Facebook site along with images of the original letter itself but they were so badly out of focus that I could not verify the accuracy of the transcription. That being said, I feel that this transcription must be pretty accurate as the statements made seem to be corroborated by other accounts]
I don’t know if this letter goes with this envelope but its from the same collection and my hunch is that the “Cousin” William wrote to was Miss Achsah Ann Marshall (1840-1930) of Bluffton, Allen County, Ohio.Achsah married Charles A. Crane (1834-1928) in 1876. It was Achsah who undoubtedly passed the letters to her descendants.
Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee April 17, 1862
Esteemed cousin,
I received your welcome comliment a few days since. Was glad to [hear] from you and yours. We are well as could be expected for soldiers in Tennessee. The diahhrea has had its effect on most of us. Only a few has escaped its fury. Marshall has had it very bad but is better. The regiment is not half fit for duty. We are encamped on a beautiful knoll in the timber about three miles from the river towards the enemy. Trees are covered with their green robes of summer. Peaches are the size of a cherry. Other fruit in proportion. Grass has just started. It is backward for the climate. The weather is quite warm and wet mud very deep, but drying up rapidly.
I do not like htis country. There is too much timber and clay. The soil is not more than 4 inches deep. I prefer the praities. We left our cheerful quarters in Benton Barracks [on] April 1 and arrived here the morning of the 6th just as the roar of the enemy’s guns were giving their salutations to the morn. We ate a hard cracker for breakfast, shouldered our muskets, and started for the scene of action—a distance of three miles.
Isaac “Marshall” Christy served in the same company with his brother (Iowa Civil War Images)
We were marched to within range of the enemy’s guns and then formed in line, thye firing voley after voley into our ranks which began to thin them by this time. We then fired and layed down. We soon scattered and bushwacked for two hours when we were outflanked and had to retreat. I waited til they got close enough to be sure and then fired and had the pleasure of seeing one of the graybacks fall, you bet. The bullets whistled around me thick. Then I ran my best. I was afraid of being shot in the back but as luck would have it, I came out all right. Our forces were driven back slowly till 4 p.m. Our artillery was put in position and supported the infantry. We opened on them and such anotherroar was never heard on this continent. I was behind a 64-pounder siege gun. When they fired, it kicked back 20 feet. It was deserted when the enemy made a charge but the infantry kept it from being taken with the aid of two gunboats. They were repulsed with great slaughter. Their firing nearly ceased—ours [was] more constant and destructive. Our loss in killed and wounded is from ten to fifteen thousand. Theirs from fifteen to twenty. Our loss on Sunday was as great as theirs, but on Monday their was five to one.
We were reinforced by a regiment of artillery which did fearful work on the enemy. They fought like men but they could not stand against the unerring aim of our guns. They were on the wrong side. We lost out of our regiment 25 killed and 175 wounded, 25 missing. We lost out of our company 3 killed, 15 wounded. Our 2nd Lt. [Robert W. Hamilton was]killed, Captain [James G. Day] and 1st Lieutenant [James M. Reid] wounded.
We are now encamped nearest the enemy. We are the advance of the Army of Tennessee. As soon as the roads get better, we will advance on tyhe enemy now at Corinth. They are strongly fortified. We have artillery enough to shell them out. We have six or eight hundred guns of heavy caliber.
I have been over the battlefield and such a sight I never expect to see. It far surpassed my expectations. I could stand in one place and count 300 dead. One cannon ball went through a tree and killed secesh. They all lay in a heap in one place. The wounded caught on fire and burned to death. Many wounded. It was a fearful sight to behold. I shall have to quit for want of space. Write as often as convenient. Direct to St. Louis. They will follow.
I would give 4 cents to be at Uncle B’s long enough to see you all and help you eat some of that sugar you were making not long since. But it is no go. So be it.
I received a letter from Aunt Mary yesterday. Uncle John was poorly. He had taken a back seat behind mother. Grandmother was quite poorly. The rest of the friends are quite well. It may bother you to read this. My pen is very poor and no place to write. I am sitting on the ground, a board on my lap. You can guess at the convenience of the thing.
You said you were in hopes I would return a Democrat. I think democracy has played out but all other parties, but Universalists—that is the party to which I belong. Give my love to all the friends and cousins. Yours truly, — William Christy
The following letter was written by Earl “Byron” Pierce (1842-1862), the son of Arnold Y. Pierce (1815-1891) and Wealthy Austin (1819-1902) of North East, Erie county, Pennsylvania. He wrote the letter to his siblings, Lucina Wealthy Pierce (1847-1953) and Salvador John Pierce (1844-1920).
Byron enlisted on 26 August 1862 to serve three years in Co. C, 145th Pennsylvania Volunteers. This letter was written barely over a month after his date of muster and only about ten weeks before he was killed on the battlefield at Fredericksburg on 13 December 1862. For the members of the 145th Pennsylvania, Fredericksburg was a bloody baptism of fire. Joining in the assault by the 2nd Corps, the regiment made a senseless charge against the Confederate line entrenched on Marye’s Heights that resulted in 226 casualties, nearly half of those that took the field.
My thanks to Abbey Weber Jones for providing me with a first draft of this transcript.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Harpers Ferry, [West Virginia] Thursday, Oct 2, [1862]
Dear Sister,
Well, I am well this morning and I hope that you are the same. We are having a good time here. I suppose that you have hear[d] from me since I came away from there. I have not heard from there since I came away from there. I suppose that you are having good times up there. You know that we have got to a place that we can not do as we please here. We have to stay perty close here. I would like to be in North East [Erie County, Pennsylvania] about a day. I bet that I could tell something that you would not believe but you know that I cannot come home now. But I guess we will come home some time. But I would like to have you and the rest of the girls to see us here. We sit down on the ground to write and put our paper on a box or a knapsack, so you know that we can write first rate.
Yesterday Old Abe Lincoln was here to see us. He look[ed] about the same as he did when he came through North East [Erie County, Pennsylvania]. 1
I have [to] go on drill now, so I will haft to stop till I come off from drill. I want you to write as soon as you get this letter so I can hear from home. Well, Lusina, I have gest come off from drill so I will finish my letter, but I don’t know what to write for I think of so much that I don’t know what to write first. It is very warm here in the day time, but it is as cold at night as it was in the day time. I don’t know of any news to write for you can hear more news there then we do here. I don’t think of anything else to write at present so goodbye. From a brother, — Byron E. Pierce
[to] Lusina W. Pierce
Harpers Ferry, [West Virginia] Oct 2, 1862
Dear brother,
I suppose that you would like to have me write a line to you. The first thing that I want to tell you [is] that ought never to tell that you want to enlist for you cannot never stand it. But I can stand it [much] better. Tell the boys that I want them to write to me. I suppose that you can ten[d] the mill now so papa can go [about] as much as he pleases. I hope you can so that when I come home, that you can beat me. I have see[n] one mill since I left there.
Tell Hank Stutson that I will write to him before long. I want you to do as well as you can and be a little careful who you go with. Tell all the girls & boys that I send my love to them. So, goodbye. — Byron E Pierce
[To] Salvador Pierce
Direct your letter to 145 Rgt Penn. Vol., Washington, D. C., Hancock’s Div., Sumner’s Corps, Care [of] Capt. D[yer] Loomis
1 About noon on Oct. 1, 1862, President Lincoln—traveling by rail from Washington—arrived at a stop across the Potomac River from Harpers Ferry, Va. He was to visit troops in the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam, fought two weeks earlier. The president walked into Harpers Ferry across a pontoon bridge since the bridge had been destroyed by the Confederates. See “A Hidden-In-Plain-Sight Linck to Lincoln?‘ by John Banks.
Pip: There is a corner of the internet where the mail never stops arriving — letters from Alexandria in 1862, diaries from signal stations in Georgia, dispatches to a sitting president — and Griff has been sorting it all.
Mara: This episode covers soldiers writing home from the front, a wartime diary that spans a hospital stay and the march toward Sherman's campaign, and a brief but consequential letter to Abraham Lincoln.
Pip: Let's start with the letters and diaries — the ones that tell you what the war actually felt like from the inside.
Letters From The Front: Soldiers Writing Home
Pip: The question every family letter is trying to answer is the same one: are you all right, and when are you coming back? The Rodgers brothers — Daniel, Augustine, and their cousin William Wallace, all three in Company B of the 12th Vermont Infantry — wrote a set of letters to their younger brother Jacob that trace exactly that arc, from a first winter camp to the edge of Gettysburg.
Mara: Daniel's opening letter from Alexandria sets the tone directly. Writing in November 1862, he says: "I am afraid that he won't be able to do any duty very soon — if ever. He wants to get a discharge but he can't get one yet. He had ought to be at home."
Pip: He's talking about Augustine, who's already sick before the hard months even begin. The anxiety about his brother's health sits right alongside instructions about a horse back in Vermont — how many weeks of hay, whether his ribs are covered up yet. The domestic and the desperate share the same page.
Mara: Augustine writes from Mount Pleasant Hospital through the winter of 1863, reassuring Jacob while clearly managing his own uncertainty. By March he reports he's recovered enough to be out of doors, drawing pay, and waiting on transfer orders. William Wallace's letters from the Rappahannock and then from Union Mills in June 1863 track the regiment's movement toward what would become Gettysburg, though the 12th Vermont mustered out shortly after the battle without fighting in it.
Pip: John Oliver Quinby's letter to his wife from Camp Tom Casey covers the same winter and the same anxiety from the opposite direction — a husband trying to talk a worried spouse out of worrying.
Mara: He writes: "I am afraid that if you do that, something may happen to me when I am so well off as I am." It is a man who believes, or needs to believe, that worry itself is the danger.
Pip: Then there is Benjamin Higby's single penciled note from the Shenandoah Valley — captured by guerrillas between Harpers Ferry and Winchester, robbed, escaped, and writing home to ask for money to last until payday. Remarkably matter-of-fact about the whole thing.
Mara: The James Holt letters form the longest arc here — twelve letters from Louisiana between 1862 and 1864, written to his father and mother while the 12th Maine spent most of its service in the sweltering heat far from the major campaigns. He writes about wanting a farm for his parents, about college plans, about the Louisiana constitutional convention, and about his uncle Darius who enlisted at forty-two and had to be sent home sick. Holt was killed at the Third Battle of Winchester in September 1864, two months before his enlistment would have ended.
Mara: The Lye Diary closes the theme with a different kind of document entirely — a pocket diary kept by Henry Lye on the march to Gettysburg, then continued after his death by Israel Ingolsbe, who found the book on Henry's person and used the remaining pages to write a letter to Henry's friend Myra explaining what had happened.
Pip: From a soldier's daily march log to a condolence letter written in the dead man's own notebook — that is a document that earns its place in any archive.
Mara: Which brings us to the one letter in this episode addressed not to a family member, but to the president himself.
A Kentucky Congressman Writes To Lincoln
Pip: By February 1865 the war is nearly over, and the paperwork of amnesty has begun. George Helm Yeaman — the Kentucky congressman whose vote helped pass the Thirteenth Amendment — sends a short note to Lincoln recommending nine prisoners for release under the Amnesty Oath.
Mara: The letter is brief and formal: "I recommend the release, under the Amnesty Oath, of the following prisoners." Nine names follow, spread across two days, held at Camp Morton, Camp Douglas, and Camp Chase.
Pip: Nine men, two days, one congressman who had just helped abolish slavery recommending clemency for men who had fought to preserve it. The reconstruction machinery, already turning.
Mara: That tension — between the vote Yeaman cast and the prisoners he's now vouching for — is exactly what makes the document worth reading slowly.
Pip: What stays with you is how much of the war was just waiting — for mail, for orders, for the thing that might or might not happen tomorrow.
Mara: And how much of it people tried to put into words anyway, knowing the letter might not arrive, or that they might not be there when the answer came back.
The following diary was written by Allen David Frankenberry (1841-1878), the son of Samuel Lewis Frankenberry (1819-1899) and Elizabeth Dilliner (1819-1904) of Springhill township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. A biographical sketch from the History of Fayette county informs us that he attended the common schools of Springhill till he was 20 years old when he went to Waynesburg College in Greene county. He remained at college till August 20, 1862 when he enlisted as a volunteer in Co. K, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was engaged in the battles of Antietam, Stones River, and in May, 1863, was made an orderly at Gen. Rosecrans headquarters where he remained until 14 October 1863.
He was disabled in September of that year while carrying a dispatch from Bridgeport, Alabama, by way of Trenton, Georgia, to Gen. Stanley, near Rome, Georgia. The journey in the intense heat brought on a disability from which he never entirely recovered. Upon the successful delivery of this message depended the evacuation of Chattanooga—an almost impregnable position—by Bragg. His service was rendered on the 19th day of September 1863; was so disabled, as to have to be sent to the hospital, where he remained until April, 1864, when he was transfered to the Signal Corps of the US Army and was detailed to the 14th Army Corps at Ringgold, Ga. He participated in all of the engagements of Sherman’s army till the Battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1, 1864, when he was ordered to Kenesaw Mountain and was present when the famous, “Hold the Fort,” was sent from Sherman to General Corse at Allatoona. Mr. Frankenberry still has in his possession the signal flag by means of which this message was sent, and holds it as an invaluable relic of the war. He was mustered out of the service on 30 June 1865, and returned to Pennsylvania where he engaged in the lumbering business in 1867, in which he is still engaged at Point Marion in the firm of Keyser & Frankenberry. He was married in 1869 to Miss Carrie E. Conn.
The West Virginia & Regional History Center has four of Frankenberry’s diaries as well as a 19-page memoir of his but unfortunately these are not available on the internet and can only be accessed on microfilm. According to their collection record, Frankenberry’s diaries are divided into four volumes: Book I, August 20, 1862-September 10, 1863; Book II, September 9, 1864-February 15, 1865; Book III, February 16, 1865-March 8, 1865; and Book IV, January 1, 1868-September 30, 1870. Books I, II, and III document Frankenberry’s Civil War service with almost daily entries that chiefly describe his movements (travel in Pennsylvania and Maryland in 1862, Tennessee and Kentucky in 1863, Georgia and North Carolina in 1864 and 1865), foraging for food, rations, camp and quarters, drill, and horses. There is very little information about battles, except for Frankenberry’s Signal Corps duty at Kennesaw Mountain and during the battle of Allatoona Pass in October 1864. Topics from the fall of 1864 and early 1865 also include Gen. William T. Sherman, Maj. Gen. John Corse, and prisoners in North Carolina. Book IV tells of Frankenberry’s life after the war, including the cutting, sawing, and selling of timber in Point Marion, Penn., and his daily life, including church, home, and marriage. Collection also includes a photocopy of Frankenberry’s Civil War memoir. Most of this nineteen-page document, which was written circa 1905, focuses on the Signal Corps during the battle of Allatoona Pass and Frankenberry’s return visit to the site of the battle in 1895. He describes the actions and messages of Gen. William T. Sherman and Maj. Gen. John Corse and the gospel song “Hold the Fort.” For some inexplicable reason, this diary did not get deposited at West Virginia University with the others although there are other gaps in his journaling record as well.
A. D. Frankenberry’s Memorandum Book
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Memorandum Book of Allen D. Frankenberry, Signal Corps, U. S. A. Chattanooga, Tenn.
Should this book ever be lost, or should the owner ever fall in defense of the “Starry Flag,” the finder of this will please send it to my Father or Mother at their address, — Morris X [Cross] Roads, Fayette County, Penna. My parents names are Samuel and Eliza Frankenberry and they will be glad to have any news of me should I fall or should anything happen to me. — A. D. Frankenberry
I am under Capt. Case and Lt. Hollopeter, Headquarters of the 14th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, Ringgold, Georgia. April 15, 1864
I am with Lt. Hollopeter, Chief of Signals, Headquarters, Dept. of the Cumberland, December 1st 1864
March 7th 1864. Early this morning I was prepared for my journey. I bade farewell to my dear friends, kissed dear mother and fond sisters, shook hands with father and brothers, and mounting my horse rode away. It may be never to return. God only knows.
I left home this time in better cheer than I did before. I had a very pleasant trip too Uniontown and at 1.20 p.m., took the train for Connellsville. A quick passage through a beautiful country brought us to C. Changed cars, saw Benj. F. All well. Keep on for Pittsburgh, passing down the Yonghiegheny River to its mouth, then down the banks of the Monongahela to Pittsburgh. We had some gay boys on the train and plenty of ladies. I met Dr. Robinson on the cars. He is a real gentleman. Pass by the old battlefield where Braddock fell and Washington fought so well. Honored spot. Lovely place. At dark arrived in Pittsburgh. Put up at the Mansion House. Out over the city. But why that booming cannon? Why rush the populace? Why the shouts of gladness? Lt. Gen. U. S. Grant is in the city. I saw the noble hero and heard him say when asked to make a speech that he was “too young.”
At about 11 o’clock I did not feel very well. My cough was very severe and a strange soreness in my breast. Did not get to sleep any at all.
[March] 8th. Left Pittsburgh on the 1.40 a.m. train for Crestline. Slept a little on the cars. At Alliance [Ohio] at daylight. Do not feel very well. The dampness and cloudy, foggy weather sets rough on me. [At] Massion, veterans of the 76th Ohio Veteran Volunteers got aboard. Young, noble-looking boys. Wooster—the oldest town in Ohio, Mansfield, Crestline. Change cars for Columbus &c. Crestline is a beautiful city and is well located. Move on to Columbus, passing over very beautiful country.
In the cars near me were several members of the Legislature of Ohio. Pass Columbus for Cincinnati. Xenia. Veterans getting aboard. Charleston. Here the boys got out, went to a liqour shop, rolled out a barrel of ale and took all they wanted. Went to a tin shop, took coffee boilers, tins, &c., and carried off all they could. Well, they had a high old time on the cars after that. Such noise I never heard from any set of boys. I was heartily sick of it and glad when we arrived at Cincinnati. I went to the Spencer House. Tried to find a Military Hospital but failed and as I was sick and tired, I lay down but did not sleep much. My cough was very severe and affected me seriously. My right lung appears to be badly affected and is very painful.
[March] 9th. Rest very little last night but paid 78 cents for a bed. Had no appetite to eat anything. Went to the Medical Director and asked him if I was not able to travel to send me to an hospital. He said I was not fit to travel and sent me to Seminary Hospital.
Cincinnati, Ohio, as it appeared from Covington, Kentucky, in 1862.
SEMINARY HOSPITAL IN COVINGTON, KENTUCKY
Just as I left I had a chill and felt very sick. Cross the Ohio on a steam ferry boat and after hard work, reach the hospital. Was soon in Ward 6. The doctor pronounced my disease Intermittent Fever and Pneumonia. Gave me quinine and cough syrup. I was very sick and eat nothing today.
[March] 10th. Do not feel much better today. Fever very high. Lung very sore and painful when I cough or move. Eat nothing.
[March] 11th. Am feeling no better. Am tired and very sore. Still quinine, [and more] quinine. Oh how I loath the mean stuff, yet how am I to help it? Three ladies came in to see us this afternoon.
[March] 12th. Am feeling better this day than I have this week. Was up a few moments and then had a vomit. Wrote a letter to my sisters and to Miss C[onn] of H.
[March] 13th Sunday. Inspection as usual. This looks like old last winter times. How different this Sabbath to what the last was to me. Then I was with my best friends in my happy home. Now in this miserable place. I hope I will soon get away from here. How different I spent last night and last night a week [ago]. Then I was as happy as I could be. Now sick. I wrote three letters to my friends this afternoon.
[March] 14th. Still gaining strength slowly. Up nearly all day. Snowing today and looking quite like winter again. I am slowly gaining strength.
[March] 15th. Cold today. I’m still feeling better—all but my lung. It is very sore and painful. Writing letters.
[March] 16th. Walked out of the house today for the first time. Very cool weather and this prison life does not agree with me, This place is more of a prison than any place I have been in yet. I am sick of it and wish I could get away to Nashville. Obtained a book from the Chaplain to wile away the weary hours of pain.
[March] 17th. Still feeling much better, the soreness leaving my lung and I am beginning to have some life again. Still very cool. Cannot get out to buy apples or anything of the kind.
[March] 18th. I am still gaining very fast. Appetite good and everything working well. My right lung is not quite well but is feeling much better. This afternoon the sun shines out beautifully and clear. How I wish this was not such a prison of a place. How I would enjoy myself. But the “powers that be” have otherwise decreed. Wrote a letter to my sisters.
[March] 19th. Rather cool today. Yet the sun shines out clearly and beautiful and removes a part of the gloom otherwise present. I am still gaining and but little soreness remains in my lung. But some days past I was vaccinated in the arm and now that is quite painful and getting very sore. I have but little enjoyment in this place. Sometimes we are cheered by the presence of ladies yet their visits are like any—“few and far between.” Some came to my bedside last week and said, “Well my good fellow, you are trying to be sick.” I thanked her and told her I was not trying to be sick as I could be sick without much effort and that I wanted to be getting away from this place. I wanted to go down “front” and do my duty. One asked if I did not want to go North to go home. I told her I had just been at home and had now a desire to see the front again.
Today has been cleaning up day and we now look very clean and nice. I am sure this building does not wear the same gay appearances it did when it was the temporary home of the fair daughters of Kentucky. Oh that these old venerable walls could talk that they might tell of the times passed within their enclosure. I’ll bet they could tell us some good ones. Had a dinner of bread, meat, bean soup, and cabbage. Gay, was it not!
[March] 20th. Sabbath day. Clear, cool, yet beautiful. How manly the church bells ring in the clear still air, calling the people to worship the true and living God. Am still feeling better yet my arm is very sore. Wrote a letter to Will G. Conn. I am beginning to get fat and looking well. I am glad and hope I shall soon leave here. Late this afternoon two good ladies came into the ward and with them I had a very pleasant chat. They were real true Union ladies, well educated and refined. How much good it does me to have an opportunity to converse with a lady. How much it appears like the sweet enjoyments of home.
[March] 21st. Today I will try and get out of this prison so I applied for a pass and at 1 p.m. obtained one. Then I felt free and happy once more. I went with a light, free step to the Ohio River and was soon crossed over on the steam ferry boat to Cincinnati. Cincinnati was alive with ladies and full of pedestrians. Fifth Street was completely jammed with the bounty of Cincinnati and I enjoyed my walk finely. I went into “Field’s Photo Gallery” and had fifteen pictures taken for eighty-five cents. They were all small but very good. I also had a negative taken at “Cowan’s Gallery.” Bought a haversack for $1.75 and well pleased with my trip, came back to prison life again.
The Signal Corps jacket usually had 11 small eagle buttons and 3 buttons on each cuff. Crossed flags insignia on arm.
I do not think the people of Cincinnati ever saw a Signal Corps flag before as all admired the flags I wore on my arms. I often heard the remark, “What a beautiful uniform! How well that young soldier looks! Can you tell what those flags on his arms mean? How beautiful they look!” Many asked and were quite surprised to know I was a member of the renowned Signal Corps. I came back gay and happy as a young lark.
I never yet wrote a description of the worn and present messmates with whom I have been spending prison life in this place. We have a good room on the third floor of the Seminary Building, about 45 feet long and 12 wide. 15 feet of one end is partitioned off for a washing and bathing room. Here we have warm and cold water all the time handy. In the other room are six beds, each occupied so I have six messmates. In the north end, looking towards the city, is a large window. On the east side is a door leading to the stairway. In the south end is the wash room, connected by a door. On the west side a door leading into Ward 5. Also a good old-fashioned fireplace with a small grate around which we in this cold weather delight to gather, to talk of home and those we love so well. Here often the young ladies who once attended this institution gathered and we often talk of them and imagine how they passed the time. But why need we think of them! Altogether we have fun times and plenty of fun. While I was low, my meals were sent up to me and that still continues so that now, as I have an awful appetite, I eat about seven meals each day. No wonder I am getting fat.
[March] 22nd. Am feeling quite well today. The sun comes out in full glory this morning. How beautiful the King of Day sun. How I love his bright rays and sweet loveliness. I had a good dinner today on fresh fish but I had to pay for it as I bought the fish and had them cooked. While here I have read “Napoleon and his Marshalls.” I found it quite interesting. I love to read of Murat and his splendid cavalry charges.
[March] 23rd. The day has been warmer and much more pleasant the past few weeks. I was up on the top of the building this afternoon from which I had a glorious view of Covington, Newport, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Oh, it was a grand sight to see these three cities spread out at my feet. I shall never forget it. The tall spires of the churches of Cincinnati were in grandeur before me. Tis time the smoke of foundries &c. filled the air, yet through the gloom we could penetrate and see the beautiful hills beyond the city, the Ohio River, Licking River, and many other objects of much interest. Found some splendid turnips and foraged for a mess of them.
[March] 24th. No letters from home yet. I have been more than two weeks and have not received a letter yet. “But there’s a good time coming” and that gives me hope. I took a bath last night and rested well afterwards and feel well today. I have an enormous appetite. Can eat anything and plenty of it. Bought half gallon of milk for ten cents this morning. Very pleasant out of doors today. I wish I was not in prison. I would feel “gay and happy.”
What shall I write in my diary this evening? Really I do not know. I have been in Ward 6 all day reading the telegraphic dispatches so that Lt. Gen. Grant is not going to have any news of the Potomac Army but has work for it to do. We all think he is a “hunky boy” and the prospect for an early move is`everywhere entertained. Then, “How are you, General Lee?” Hope Grant will have a good old time and plenty of “hard tack.”
The boys of the ward are all reading. Some lounging on the settee. We have just had a good supper of bread, tea and butter and I feel like foraging for some turnips. Write a “wanted [correspondence]” note to the C[incinnati] C[ommercial] today. I hope I will have plenty of answers when I get to the front. “How are you handsome vet of the Signal Corps, USA.” Hope I’ll not feel like one forsaken, forsaken, forsaken—nary me!
[March] 25th. Snowing this morning but it might as well rain as the snow all melts as fast as it falls. But it’s no use talking, folks will put on airs. So let ’em. I was “badly mad” this morning because the newspaper carrier did not bring my [Cincinnati] Commercial. I will thank him if he does not walk up to the road. Surely a dull day, very dreary and giving us no pleasure.
[March] 26th. The dullness slowly wears away. The “King of Day” comes out in full glory. I obtained a pass and was now in Cincinnati and what a crowd thronged the streets. Ladies by the score are passing along. Beauty, loveliness, and sweetness were all abroad in their glory. I saw some of the prettiest ladies today I ever saw. They really were handsome but I know not how good they are. Hope they are as pretty in their character and disposition as they are in looks. I had another lot of “Gems” taken today. They were finished by a beautiful young lady who was gay and happy.
I met an “Anderson” [Anderson Cavalry/15th Pa. Cav.] today—the only person I have seen I knew since I left Uniontown. Ryan [?] was in the best of health. He is in the Veteran Reserve Corps and is a clerk. Left a “wanted” note at the [Cincinnati] Commercial and had to pay one dollar for its insertion. I hope I will have plenty of fun from its effect on the beauty of the West. Gay boy I will be thus “Hunky boy.”
Having seen the city with its beauty and pleasures, and having been fully complimented for the gay uniform I wore and the “Signal flags” attracting the usual attention, I left the city well pleased with my visit. I came back in the best of spirits and wish I could only get out every day. I would be much pleased but I hope I will get away in a few days.
[March] 27th. This is Easter Sunday but we do not have the eggs. I surely would if I was at home. We have a glorious, beautiful day. The glorious King of health, light, and life, mounts the heavens in full glory. The air is balmy and invigorating. But hark! What sounds reach my ears! Tis the many church bells pealing forth their sweet music, ringing over the entire three cities. How glorious, how sweet, how cheering the cheering sounds come to my ears! Oh, is not the music grand? How I feel its effects and how it calls our minds away from the things of this life to the noble things of heaven, love, and God. Oh how we are carried to the home of saints free from the cares of this transitory life. Yes, these we may [ ] free from sin, death and sorrow.
After inspection we met and partook of the Lord’s Supper. Oh that we may not soon forget its obligations and duties.
This afternoon I was again up on the top of the house. The smoke was all cleared away, the air is light and clean, and the cities lay in all their beauty before me. This was the best view of any city I ever had. It was magnificent. It was sublime. It was grand. Here lay three cities at my feet! All was hushed, still, and very quiet. I enjoyed the scene very much and came down well pleased with what I had seen.
Commenced to write to Carrie but was interrupted by the entrance of the same lady that visited us last Sunday. She was very kind, full of gentleness and talk. Such ladies may accomplish much good and will ever be well remembered by the good soldiers for the act of kindness. Finished my letter to Carrie and sent her a “Gem[type].” Am happy.
[March] 28th. My name was taken this morning to go to the front. I am not at all sorry as I am very glad to get away from here. Still the place has become very pleasant and I have found many noble boys here. The cities are full of life, joy, happiness, and beauty, many happy associations cluster around this place, and I shall ever remember the kind attentions I have received. I shall not forget Sergt. I. Horsey who was always gay and in the best of humor. “Sarg” is a “hunky boy.”
In the afternoon, quite a gale commenced and continued all evening. Just as we were going to bed, we commenced a joke on one of the boys and I laughed till I was almost dead. We had [illegible—faded ink].
[March] 29th. Just after breakfast I got marching orders and was soon ready for the “advance,” but have to wait until after dinner. I am sorry to leave this place and yet I wish to see the glory of the front. I have been absent so long and Oh what joy it will be to meet my friends once more. I am sure I will be gay with them yet. We will talk of those whose spirits have gone from the tented fields of glory to share the rewards of the good and noble. Many have fallen! We will weep for them as we weep for those whom we love, for those who are noble, good and brave.
LYTLE BARRACKS, CINCINNATI
Just after dinner I bid goodbye to my room mates and with a light step, left Seminary Hospital. Went down to the post commandant, Capt. Murphy, and from there to Cincinnati. Took the street cars on 4th Street for the “Lytle Barracks.” Down 4th, then up to and down 5th to the end, then down to the end of 6th to the barracks. As I walked in, a burst of welcome met me. “Fresh fish!!” came from all sides. I soon knew what kind of boys I had for company. About 200 men were here from as many different regiments. I did not know one man. I saw how I was caught. Noise, filth, stench, curses loud and deep, mingled together in a strange confusion. I looked out of a window and a musket was leveled at my head and I was ordered by a “condemned Yank” to keep inside.
I trembled. Visions of Castle Thunder, Libby Prison, and “Rebs” came to my mind—and this in the noble city of Cincinnati! I could scarcely believe my own eyes. Met an Anderson [Anderson’s Cavalry/15th Pa. Cav.] who came up to see me. Fall in for supper. Bought a cup for 25 cents. Bread, coffee and meat for dinner. Good enough for a soldier. Now for a bed. No blanket but lay my head on my sachel and a gum blanket and overcoat over me. I—after many turns, thoughts of home, soft couches, and “graybacks”—went to sleep.
[March] 30th. Did not sleep much last night. I was almost frozen. Oh, I was cold. Up long before daylight. I never saw such an humor in any set of boys in my life. All keenly felt the injustice done them. We were all convalescents and veterans, and not deserters [or] convicts, but were returning of our own will to the front. Breakfast of coffee, meat, and bread. Quite a change since the last. I am not in the best of humor but don’t let on.
Evening. Well if this has not been a memorable day, I do not know. I never spent such an one. Squads were continually going off. As soon as their names were called, they flew to their traps with a rush [and] a yell. Each tried to see how much mischief he could do. All made as much noise as they could. Card playing, cursing, swearing, whistling, talking, singing, laughing, and in fact, all kinds of noise was the order of the day. The “Condemned Yanks” was the theme of contempt and scorn of us.
Our meals were brought up to us. We could not get out of the place. I got plenty, such as it was. Prepare for another night’s rest.
[March] 31st. Morning again and here I am in this horrible place. Yet I slept more last night than I did the night before. I was cold and chilly. Some went off but my fate was to stay. Soon we had more “Fresh Fish! Fresh Fish!” Boys lay down in the filth and slept. Oh! it was awful. I do not fancy. Yesterday guards were brought up to keep the boys still at dinner but today we had none and such a time I never had. Cursing, swearing, pushing, each for himself. Oh! it was rough.
Ho! for Louisville. What a rush! Who will be the happy boy—I am one. Soon ready and away we went to the Gen. Lytle Mail Boat, about two miles to the landing. The happiest set of boys you ever saw. As we passed along, you could hear the boys sing out, “Wait till the 15th of April. The draft will catch you. Come on Boys!”
Soon on our way to Louisville, Beautiful scenery! Grand, glorious river. Pass Lawrenceburg, Aurora, Rising Sun—a lovely place [with] gay girls. Had a supper of bread, beef steak, butter, and coffee by the quart. But how about a bed? Well pile down on boxes, barrels, and dirt. I did not sleep well owing to the fact I lay across the sharp edge of a box.
APRIL 1864
[April] 1st. At 3.30 we arrive at Louisville. Marched up to the Exchange Barracks. Well this is the place. Breakfast of bread sour and black coffee. I drank 3 pints. An awful cold place. Rain and Oh! how heavy. Hark! Bugle notes made by the post band. How sweet and cheering. Rain, rain, rain all day long, and Louisville is a most miserable place on a raint day. Nothing to see. Nothing to do. Nothing to read in this cold, damp, filthy place. Knowing no one and no such company. Oh! I was sick of it yet had to stay if I endured all the torments of the ______.
Dinner! Well there, if that don’t beat you, “I’ll eave.” Some bread, spoiled beef, water soup. and dirty water, about half of all filth. But this was “All Fool’s Day.” And I was one of the fooled. Jokes were numerous and rough. At dark, I lay down to rest.
[April] 2nd. Did not sleep but nearly froze. I still had no blankets. Up early expecting to go to Nashville. When my name was not called, I was muchly mad. I could have whipped Louisville. But what good would that do? So I was quiet. A lot of recruits came in and a lot of sharps came up to sell to them. They should have been kicked downstairs. In the evening I found the acquaintance of _________, Co. I, 9th Indiana Infantry. He has been a clerk at Gen. Palmer’s Headquarters. He was alone, happy and gay. So I kept by him that night. We cut a lot of wood, made up a good fire, and was soon acquainted. We had a gay time and when tired lay down to sleep.
[April] 3rd. Slept pretty well last night. Up at 3 a.m.. Fared sumptuously and then was ready to leave Louisville. This time I was one of the lucky boys and soon was down ready for the advance. My friend and I headed the column. We went in the back yard of the Provost Marshall’s and got our rations. Away to the cars and at a good rate we led the column and ran off from the guards. Took our seats in good cars but rough seats without cushions. After much delay we pulled out at 7 a.m. bound south. We went at a rapid rate. Passing Shephardstown on Salt River, Elizabethtown, Mumfordsville on Green River. We crossed on a very high bridge. Bowling Green, Franklin and Galatin and came to Nashville at 6 p.m. 185 miles. Marched up to [Zollicoffer’s] Barracks on Cherry and Church. “Roll call” and then a voice: “Are there any furloughed men here?” Yes! “Come this way, give your name and rank. Report to your quarters.” I asked no questions and was soon in [U. S. General Hospital] No. 8, and then to Ward 1. Met Ellis. Rested, washed, and asked and answered a thousand questions. Got 9 letters. Read part of them and at last lay down on a sofa to sleep.
Lt. George S. Fobes, Regimental Quartermaster 15th Penn. Cav.
[April] 4th. Well here I am 337 miles from Cincinnati in [Hospital] No. 8 again. Went out and had to shave. Saw Lt. [George S.] Fobes and a lot of Anderson’s [Anderson’s Cavalry/15th Pa. Cav.]. Went up to see Miss [Mary] Jewett. Had a good talk with her. Miss [Nellie] Chase in Louisville. All over the city and back up to my old haunts in No. 8—linen room, baggage room, and in Miss Jewett’s room. Left photo with ______. No chance to go south.
[April] 5th. Slept well last night. Packed my sachel full of things for the boys down front. Meet my friend from Palmer’s Headquarters. Had a good talk with him. Met my old friend “Smokey” Moyer of Co. K, A. C. Good time. No chance to go to front yet but Lt. [George S.] Fobes told me he would try to get me through. Hope I will get off tomorrow. I did not say I was at Major Gen. [Lovel H.] Rousseau’s, Major Gen. [William T.] Sherman’s and Gen. [Gordon] Granger’s yesterday and was well received at all places.
Miss Mary Jewett worked as a nuse in Hospital No. 8 in Nashville. In later years she was a published author and lecturer on temperance.
[April] 6th. Had a pretty good breakfast this morning. Then went to see Lt. [George S.] Fobes. We was soon at Lt. Col. [John] Donaldson’s office and in half a minute had my transportation to the front. Hunky Boy! Gay Chap!! Lt. Fobes signed for me and now I am ready to leave.
This is a most beautiful day. The sun shines clear and warm. I do not know how to get all my baggage down to the front. Miss Jewett gave me a sachel full of things for the boys and for myself. How good and noble she is. I shall never forget her kindness to me. May God bless her.
Evening. Well here I am again in No. 8. I bid farewell to my friends, went to the depot, but lo! there was no passenger train and I was doomed to disappointment. I gathered my baggage and came back. I came in [ ] my coat at Albert Ellis, 1st Ohio Vol. Cavalry, and sang out, “Hello boy! Do you want to hear the news from Chattanooga? Shook hands and felt gayly.
[April] 7th. Last night I had the sweet pleasure of meeting Miss [Nelly] Chase. She had been up to see her friends at Cincinnati and to regain her health. She had been over at Seminary Hospital, Covington, Ky., but I was gone. She told me how sadly she was disappointed. I had quite a chat with her.
This morning I was down at the Chattanooga Depot and was promised to get away at 4.30 p.m. but still it is quite doubtful. I left my overcoat and two shirts and a blanket with the Christian Commission. I am now in Ward 1 and as I look over the beds of sickeys I well remember when I was confined here. Ah! how well I remember how much I suffered here and just as well do I remember how kindly I have been treated by my friends. Miss [Nelly] Chase, Miss [Mary] Jewett, and Dr. Johnson are persons I shall never forget. I love them. I admire them as noble friends of the soldiers. They all will do anything for the suffering. Oh that it was in their power to do all their heart’s desire to do. Dr. Johnson has gone home. Miss [Nelly] Chase is not well, and Miss Jewett has much more than she can do. Why do not more ladies—grand noble ladies—come from the North and labor for the good of the suffering boys of our armies.
Miss Ellen Merrill (“Nelly”) Chase sits at left with two other nurses of Hospital No. 8 in Nashville. Early in the war she became a nurse and matron for the 12th Pennsylvania for three months before transferring to the 100th Pennsylvania (“Ropundheads”). She traveled with the regiment to Port Royal, South Carolina, during Burnside’s coastal campaignm where she served as regimental nurse. In 1863, Chase left the eastern theatre and went to Tennessee. She became matron of Union Hospital Number 3 in Nashville that spring. {It was there that she met her second husband, Lieutenant George W. Ernest of the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company B, later promoted to Captain of the 13th US Colored Infantry, mustered out of Nashville. On June 8, 1864, Nellie and George W. Ernest were married in Davidson, Tennessee. Life would take her and her husband to Paris, Tennessee where they worked at the Louisville and Nashville (L&N) hotel in 1878. Unfortunately, this year would be the last for both of them. Yellow Fever broke out in Memphis and the epidemic swept through the town with such violent force that many evacuated. As they evacuated, they spread the disease to other parts of Tennessee, including Paris. George and Nellie Ernest converted the hotel into a hospital to care for the local railroad employees. It was because of their desire to help those who fell ill, that Nellie began to show symptoms of the very disease she fought to contain. She was moved to the Yellow Fever hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, but died September 20th, 1878. George, who had dutifully followed her to Louisville, contracted the disease himself the day after she passed. Within two days, he joined her in death.” [Source: Emerging Civil War. “Nellie Chase—Nightingale of Fredericksburg.”]
At 3.30 I again bid adieu to my friends, Miss Chase and others, made my way to the depot, found a large crowd, made sure my papers were all right, and then waited until the military conductor came. What a rush! What jostling and pushing. I never saw men in such a rush. I got aboard finely. A “Signal Boy” had his papers examined just before me and the officer asked where is the other man?” “Signal” says, “Here he is,” and I passed in. Soon we were away. How sad I feel as I leave the “City of Rocks.” I cast a farewell glance at [Hospital] No. 8 and remembered it as my home. Here is the vast “home of the dead” where repose the bones of thousands who have fallen by the hand of disease. Farewell comrades! Sleep on! Though fallen, ye are not forgotten! Often do I see you as when ye were with us in manhood’s full glory. Your death will nerve us to noble deeds of valor and renown. Again sleep on heroes.
“Twenty minutes for supper.” R. R. Eating House. My pardner bought two tickets and soon we were down at the table and in the “twenty minutes” has a good supper and were back in the cars. Well we had a rough road to Chattanooga but came down all safe, crossing the immense bridge at Bridgeport, the Tennessee—grand and glorious—rolls at my feet in full majesty. Lookout Mountain rises with grandeur in the distance while in front the forts and rifle pits make up a grand picture never to be forgotten.
I came into the city of Chattanooga and soon reported to Capt. Babcock, Chief of Signals, and soon was with a lot of Army of the Cumberland’s. Went over to the [ ] and had a gay time. You ought to have seen me shake hands. I was really tired. All the boys are gay and in the best of health. I was assigned to the 14th Army Corps and expect to report for duty in a few days. Had a good supper of warm bread, meat, and hot coffee. Gay, was it not? Got 8 letters, two of them marked “F. Hucky” [his pen pal name].
The “city” or “The hawk’s nest” looks in a sad condition. Forts and guns look down from every point. Heavy breastworks loom up from all sides. We only see the “military”—the “pomp & glory of war,” the “paraphernalia and glorious cirumstances of mighty war.” How different from what it was when I left here October 24th, 1863. I am in a guard tent, have plenty of fun, a gay set of boys are here.
This evening I was over at the A.A.G.’s and I.G.’s offices. Met quite a number of Anderson’s [Cavalry boys] and had gay times with them. All of them expressed much sorrow when I told [them] Miss [Nelly] Chase was not well and all drank to the health of “dear loved ones far away.” I am in full glory tonight. Saw my old conrades and dear old friends and if I was not in a fine humor then, I don’t know. Oh, I was in the glory of the day and all was as happy as I dared be.
Hark to the bugle’s tones! How they swell out on the evening breeze. How they call up happy old times when I was one to answer its calls. How soon the times came back that are forever fled. How many of my comrades will never meet at “roll call” on earth again! How many sleep in a Southern grave, far from home and its many ties; away in a strange land they repose until the last trumpet of the arch angel shall call them forth to the last long roll call to be answered but once.
[April] 9th. What a glorious morning, The sun in full glory sheds light, health, and life to all nature! Hero magnificent! How glorious! The hills, the mountains stand out in grand sublimity. Behold noble Old Lookout.” How clear and lovely it stands forth! See those old works as they loom up in the clear sunlight of the bright morning. But hark! Do you not hear those noble strains of soul-stirring music? How the bugles blast mingles with the shrill fife and drum and the sweet strains of the silver bands. How harmonious! How stirring it swells forth and how my soul burns with the fires of love for my noble land. Oh that all would feel as I do now.
Today in company with Frank Guyan, I rode out to Rossville, Georgia, to see the boys of the regiment. I found them in a gay humor, in good quarters, and in the best of spirits. Clyde White was not well but could yet have fun. A. L. Hawkins was happy and free. I was well pleased with my visit. As I came back, I came down by Mission Ridge, saw the reb rifle pits, forts, &c. Also our forts, works, &c. Raining tonight and I am writing letters to my stranger [pen pal] friends.
[April] 10th. Got up, washed out my eyes, ate my grub, and was thus ordered to Ringgold, Georgia. Was soon packed up and ready. Lt. Putman gave me a letter and signed a pass. Went down to the Railroad Depot and was soon aboard the train which however was the [ ] train. Got off and mounted up on a freight train for Rossville, Georgia. Well if it is not a gay country to Rossville, I don’t know. Passed Chickamauga Station, Graysville, and was soon at Rossville. Has Hooker destroyed the entire town? I was soon at the camp and in my tent, have a good bunk, a good tent, and all I could wish. Had a good dinner of beans, bread, meat and water. Have been writing letters this afternoon and am in the best of humor. Long may I wave. Got a letter from Louisville, Kentucky.
[April] 11th. A most beautiful day. We policed the camp and made it quite beautiful. We have wall tents. A. Reed Moore, W. J. Sharp and myself occupy No. 1. We are a happy set of gay boys. I and Sharp planted the yard full of pines and you would think it was the headquarters of some Corps Commander instead of Signal Corps, USA.
Capt. Paul Babcock, Jr (1841-1903), formerly of the 7th New Jersey Infantry. He was named Chief Signal Officer in the Army of the Cumberland in September 1863.
In the afternoon, Capt. [Paul] Babcock came up see us. I think he will be ashamed of his camp now. In the evening a crowd of singers gathered in No. 1 and we had some excellent music. Some of the 2nd Minnesota came up. We had a flute and Oh how grand it was. “Wrap the flag around me boys” and “Home sweet home.” Well, well preferred. We stood out in the light of the full moon and our hearts were carried away from the scenes of war to the happy homes we love so fondly. I cannot forget the scenes of my childhood as the sweet strains float upon the breeze. I am happy. I am cheerful, and feel as though I can sleep sweetly.
[April] 12th. Raining a little today. Here comes another funeral. Another soldier has gone to his last home. That is two today. Sad indeed the thought. We are all passing away. Writing letters to my friends. Write to Miss Chase & Jewett at Nashville. The sun has come out and all nature looks happy and free again. How sweet the notes of the happy songsters!
[April] 13th. Last night I had my first lesson in flagging and succeeded very well. I do not think it will be a very difficult thing to learn.
This morning all looks pleasant and very beautiful. The pleasant sun comes out in all his loveliness. The southern breeze wafts pleasures to us. The many songsters fill the air with their sweet music, and the bands, drums and bugles mingle together in a strange wild harmony that is glorious.
[April] 14th. Last night we had a very pleasant time again. The boys gathered in No. 1 and some excellent music rolled out on the evening breeze. Lorena was well performed on the guitar and all was lovely and happy.
In the evening I was at a Signal Station on the hill near us and had a glorious view of the town and valley. The sun was sinking in a halo of glory, and the last rays fell on the streams winding through the valley, on the banks of which the troops were encamped away to the west across the mountains on which the rebels have their pickets and signal fires. It was a grand view and one to be remembered for days to come. I was out gathering wild flowers and found some very beautiful ones. I will send them to my lady friends. Flowers on the 14th of April. I know full well none are in bloom in the old North.
Went for beef but failed to obtain any. Went for wood and had a “balk” but pulled out. Weather cloudy and cold. Had a game of ball in the evening and just before I went to bed, I had a good feast of candied blackberries and condensed milk through the kindness of Miss Jewett. Sharp, Moore and myself feasted well and then lay down to rest. Three years ago today since Ft. Sumter fell.
[April] 15th. Was called up early to go after plank. Found an abundance in a camp about to be deserted by a lot of cavalry. Soon had six good loads and moved them to our camp. I do not feel too well today, yet do not know what is wrong with me.
Lt. Jehu L. Hollopeter (1836-1879). Originally in 49th OVI before transferring to the US Signal Corps.
[April] 16th. Last night we had some splendid music again. Early this morning I mounted my horse and in company with Lt. [Jehu L.] Hollopeter and [Henry W.] Howgate and three others, had quite a scout towards the old Chickamauga battle ground. Was at Bragg’s old headquarters and would have had a pleasant ride had I have had a good horse. My old friend Will Burch will come in today.
[April] 17th. Sabbath day and what a pleasant one it is. We had the usual Sunday inspection, &c. I have been writing letters all day. In the evening I went to church. Preaching from Romans 5 x 8. Not less than 90 persons went forward. The house was crowded, completely packed, and yet I never saw a crowd so quiet. Finished a 2 page letter to Carrie and then prepare to sleep for the night.
[April] 18th. Was drilled today in the flagging with the Signal flags. I know all the movements and can execute them very well. In the afternoon our tent was taken from us and we had to build a house. We worked all the afternoon and got up a house fit to sleep in for the night but it was not near finished yet.
[April] 19th. Hard at work all the forenoon getting the Shebang in order and I think we are well paid for the trouble we have had. Our shebang is an excellent one and we put on all the style possible. For dinner today we had coffee, meat, and biscuits made by Sergt. Zecker and they were real good. I feasted well upon them. Frank West and I prepared the supper, had coffee, meat, gravy, and biscuits.
We have our house finished and now I may as well give a description of the shebang. it is about 8 feet square, 5 feet up to the eve of the roof, boarded up the sides and covered with pump tents. At one end we have a door. On the right, my bunk and places for two saddles. On the left are Sharp’s saddle and the bunk occupied by Sharp and Moore. The most of the room is papered. On the back end are our haversacks, pistols, spurs, writing stand on which are books, portfolio’s, memorandums, pens, pencils, papers, brushes, &c. &c. On the shelf opposite the door are the looking glass, toothbrushes, gloves, signal instruments, shaving tools, &c. &c. &c. Well if this is not comfortable, I “don’t see it.”
We have the best, neatest tent in the camp. I did not mention the fact that we have our floor carpeted, have a chair and are “hunkey boys.” I think we are the “three Hebrew children.” We are happy and free and know no sorrow. Happy would we be if we could always be there, But soon this will all be among the things of the past. Soon the Grand Army of the Cumberland will take up the line of march for a Southern home.
We are now on the eve of the greatest campaign of the whole war. Soon the Forward will sound and then away towards Dalton, Atlanta, and Mobile, It will surely be a hard campaign and I hope to God we will have success and drive our foes to their last home.
[April] 20th. A very pleasant day, The air is balmy. The gentle breeze wafts pleasure to us and we are happy. I wrote a letter to M___ St22 C. P.. [ ]. Our mess was divided today and now we have a peaceful, good sort of boys. Sergt. Zecker, Sharp, Frank West, Harvie and myself now compose the mess. In the evening I went to church and heard an excellent sermon by a member of the Christian Commission from Roman’s 8th & 9th verses. House completely packed with soldiers and the best of order prevailed. Wrote a letter home and one to St., Paris, Ohio. Feel well. What a glorious moonlight night! How well I could spend this were I up North. But that cannot be now. My duty calls me here, away from home and all its comforts.
[April] 21st. Rather cool yet pleasant morning. Went after beef. Cleaning off the camps, &c. &c. Oh my country, all this for you! Oh Liberty, to be thus purchased! Is all this to save the Union or save the land from the traitor? So it is said and so it is.
[April] 22nd. On Station today for the first time. Have nothing to do from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Warm and very pleasant day. Feel well. Very warm afternoon. The flies commenced to torment me so I could not sleep well. On duty from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Flagging messages and receiving one from the hill. Over at Gen. [Absalom] Baird’s Headquarters, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps. A very beautiful night. The moon in all her beauty arose and shed her pale silver lightover all nature. How mellow and grand the scene! Oh how I enjoyed the pleasant recollection of happy childhoods merry days when I, free from care and trouble, roamed at will amid the happy scenes of home and sweet lovely pleasures of love.
[April] 23rd. A warm, pleasant day. Over at Headquarters, 3rd Div., 14th Corps. Received a letter from May M., Rockport, Indiana. At church. Text Revelations 3rd, 20th. Good order and the house crowded and many forward at the alter of prayer.
This morning a cavalry picket was surprised and captured at “Cave Spring” some ten miles from here. A bad piece of work.
[April] 24th. Sabbath Day and raining. I had a good bath last night and slept so well I did not know it rained until I was soaked well. Inspection as usual this morning. Soon it cleared off most beautiful. How pleasant all nature seems. The trees are putting forth their green verdure and the many songsters make all nature happy and pure. This afternoon I was down at the baptising. 38 persons were immersed and 19 sprinkled. In all, 57, all soldiers. A vast crowd collected to witness the ordinances.
The sun in all his glory is singing in a cloud of glory. How majestically the day dies out and how gloriously the night is to be ushered in. May this be the case.
[April] 25th. This morning I left camp with Harvie and a team to go to Chattanooga. Nothing of any importance occurred on the road there. I gathered a few flowers from the place where Gen. Thomas stood his ground and fought back the hosts of Bragg, Longstreet, & Co. on the 20th of Septemer 1863. Found Chattanooga as dirty and dusty as ever, and the same old stench. Boys in the best of humor. Happy and free.
[April] 26th. Still in this mean hole. Saw the steamer Chickamauga which now plies the Tennessee River from Bridgeport to Loudon. Building a good bridge across the Tennessee. [ ] Capt. Farnor for my gum blanket and obtained it. Obtained a pass and went out to Rossville to the regiment. Had a very pleasant time with a lot of old messmates. Saw Stevenson and talked with him, Hewitt and others. Clyde White all night.
[April] 27th. Good times with the boys. Harvie came out at noon and after dinner, we came on to our home where we arrived safely and found that Capt. Taylor and party had left for Graysville. All right. Warm.
[April] 28th. On [Signal] Station duty. Very warm—even almost suffocating. Gen. [Hugh Judson] Kilpatrick came down to town today and looks like a true cavalier. He rides a splendid horse and rides him well. Received a message from the hill. Up to 2 a.m.
“Old Kill”—Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick was shot in the thigh leading a cavalry raid on 29 April 1864 outside Resaca, Georgia.
[April] 29th. Was roused up early this morning and as soon as out of bed, heard the firing of the pickets. Was soon at the [Signal] Station and received a message. The excitement grows muchly intense and all look towards Ringgold Gap. Now comes a loud cheer as the rebs charge, then another as Kill [Kilpatrick] repels the charge. We lost 12 wounded. The 92nd Illinois brought in one man. Old Kill had his horse shot under him and himself trimmed at the thigh. The fight lasted about two hours when our forces came back. Very warm today. I got a letter from home. Snow at home on the 19th. All well and happy. Had a heavy game of ball this evening. Plenty of fun. Hopes of a paymaster in a few days. Sherman in Chattanooga. All right.
[April] 30th. Raining this morning and was showery with bursts of sunshine all day. I wrote a long letter to Mary today. Having plenty of fun and great times generally. Received a letter from John E. Price. He is well and at Martinsburg, Va. Wrote a letter to Ella Walls of Waynesby.
MAY 1864
[May] 1st. Sabbath Day and the usual inspection. I have nothing but myself to inspect and that was soon over. Had bean soup, pork, biscuit, and coffee for dinner. Over at the courier’s post. The regiment going to Nashville for horses. Over at church this evening. Preaching from John 12.12. by an army chaplain. A good sermon. At this meeting 423 and perhaps more have joined the church at this place in the last few weeks.
An order read cutting down our baggage to the following: two towels, two coats, two drawers, two shirts and sock, two blankets and two shelter tents and one and a half lbs. of private propery. Plenty for any man.
[May] 2nd. This morning long before daylight the troops commenced to move out through Ringgold Gap. First the cavalry under Kill [Kilpatrick]. then the infantry under Baird and others moved up as supports. The cavalry drove the enemy beyond Tunnel Hill and that too without much trouble. Here they lay for some time, fired a few shots at the rebs when the whole force returned to this point. Some of our boys were out with Kill and all say he is a “brick on wheels,” a “gay boy,” a “sweet cup.” I was orderly for the Corps today. In the afternoon Gen. Jeff C. Davis came up here and was soon followed by his Division. Out grazing. Rather cool day yet the sun shines out pleasantly. The trees are all green and all looks well.
[May] 3rd. On [signal] station duty today. Nothing to do in the forenoon. Gen. [Richard W.] Johnson and his Division came here today. Major Gen. [John M.] Palmer came up with his headquarters. Ringgold full of staff officers and all kinds of troops.
In the afternoon the sun was very warm. Went on duty at 8 p.m. and now quite busy sending and receiving dispatches. I did well in flagging the numbers. Did not make a single mistake.
The entire army on the move and soon we may expect to have exciting news of battles, &c. &c.
[May] 4th. Early this morning I was aroused from my sleep by Burch who had just come in from Graysville and wanted a bed. I was soon in the land of dreams.
Troops marching, drums beating, bugles sounding, bands playing, staff officers and orderlies galloping with orders, &c. &c. &c.—all going with an earnestness that tell of action and work. Signal Corps from Chattanooga came in. Major Gen. Thomas and staff came in with the Anderson Escort. Many swarms of heavy forces coming up, such as the 20th Corps on our right, 4th and 23rd Corps on our left, and the 15th & 16th Corps coming up via Stevenson and Chattanooga. After night, I was at Gen. Thomas’ Headquarters after inspection and [ ]. Had a rough old time getting back. Saw the [Anderson] Escort and obtained the things and after a high old time, came to camp. Got a letter from G. C. Miller. All well.
[May] 5th. Plenty of troops still marching to and fro. Started down to Department Headquarters and met Capt. Babcock. Was sent back with a dispatch and then came to camp. No mail today for me. Very warm today.
[May] 6th. Out after wood in the morning and then went on [signal] station. Maj. Gen. Sickles and Hooker came to our quarters. Traded horses today with Dinsmore. Have a small gunboat of a horse. Marching orders for the front. Well, such is life. We are now about to begin the great campaign of the war. At early dawn we move to the front. This is the last night I will spend in this pleasant camp. No more good bunks or lovely homes. Now for us we wil have the tented field. Well, all is well.
ATLANTA CAMPAIGN BEGINS
[May] 7th. Up at 4 a.m. and soon had breakfast, then packed up and was away. I had to remain with the train and was heartily sick of the job. Thousands of the troops moving forward. We came along very slow. The sun shone down with an intense heat and the dust was awful. Consequently the infanty had a severe task as they were marched lively.
Camped near Tunnel City at Corps Headquarters (14th). Put up tents and got supper. I went with a dispatch up on Bald Knob to a signal station. Pass a lot of rebel tents or camps now deserted and destroyed. Camp was built of logs and mud. Saw the rebels out in the field or down in the valley. Came down the ridge past a lot of our troops. One of our bands came out and played the Red, White and Blue, the Star Spangled Banner, and others. Came to a [ration?] and opened with others. Came to Corps Headquarters and was soon in bed and was then in the arms of Morpheus, dreaming away the sweet hours.
[May] 8th. Sabbath morning and yet how little things look like a sabbath day. At 3 a.m. the troops were up, the bugles and drums sounded over the entire army. We was soon up and ready to move. Corps Headquarters move to the front. I am to remain in camp today so I will post my journal. Over at the [Anderson] Escort and Department Headquarters and coming back my horse fell and injured my back causing me to limp to camp. Orders to report to Bald Knob. Lead a pack mule up the steep mountain side thinking “When up the mountain climbing.” Went down again to water horses at the foot of the mountains. Then went back to camp after Signal equipments, &c. Dark as dark could be, terrible roads, but went the trip finely. Our forces had a severe fight after dark. I saw the cannon’s flash and the bombs bursting in air. It was grand! It was sublime. The camp fires in the valleys, the tattoo, the cheers as they rolled along the mountain sides and were echoed along the valley filled up with thoughts never to be forgotten. Went to bed of rocks.
[May] 9th. Slept by rock and rested well. Got up, cleaned my horse, washed, cooked breakfast, and eat it. Took a look at the country. At my feet lay the armies if the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee, and away to the east, the foes haughty [hats?] and ahead silence reported. They are calling us says one of the boys and in a minute, we have the news from the extreme right 18 miles away. Our troops are engaging the rebs and quite a fight is going on. Come to the foot of the mountain and had dinner. Then to horse and away to the front with Lt. Hollopeter. Went in front of Buzzard Roost Gap, then to the right, then to the left of the 14th Army Corps. Our batteries opened on the Johnnies and they replied from St. John’s Hill. The Gap is the strongest position I ever saw—full of forts, pits, and trenches, and all full of rebs. I saw them plainly, counted their guns, and saw them load and fire. They shelled us out of our signal station. We lost several men. Generals Thomas and Sherman at the front. A heavy fight at dusk. The bands came out and soon all resounded with the sweet strains of music.
Sherman’s army advances on Buzzard’s Roost Gap—the “strongest position I ever saw—full of forts, pits, and trenches, and all full of rebs.,” wrote Frankenberry on 9 May 1864.Viewing the heights of Rocky Face Ridge one soldier noted that “buzzards are roosting (up there)” waiting for us to die.
[May] 10th. The skirmish line again at it. Went upon the hill and saw the rebs open on our lines. Come down and reported at the front. Had just opened a station when we were shelled out. Move and open another in front of the Gap. St. John’s battery opens on our lines and ours reply. If I was not exactly under fire, I was beside it. The shells whizzed by us to the right. We do not gain much. I think tomorrow will be the grand day. How will it end? Rumor says McPherson is in rear of the Johnnies. If so, the dawn will be the hour to advance and then hot work for all hands.
Just now (dusk) the shells fly in close proximity to us and burst with a loud report. The “Doe boys” 1 cheer to let the rebs know no one is hurt. A tremendous rain storm comes up. The lightnings flash, the thunders roll through the mountain passes, and the echoes fly back from the rock ribbed mountain sides. I am on [signal] station and Oh! how the rain pours down in torrents. I was wet to the skin. Too dark to see the signal lights, I thought, as I stood in the rain and thought of my home, dear ones there, and repeated the song: “Just before the battle, mother.”
1 Though extremely rare, there are a couple of examples of soldiers usingthe slang “Doe-boys” to mean infantrymen during the American Civil War. One notable example was by Corp. William P. Hogarty of the 4th US Artillry. In WWI, it was commonly used and spelled “doughboy.”
[May] 11th. Still raining and still skirmishing. I came to camp and soon the boys of the 14th Army Corps are [ordered to] pack up and move to Corps Headquarters. Had a high time there. Bunk with Zeck [George W. Zecher]. Had farina [milled wheat] for supper.
[May] 12th. Up at 3 a.m. and at dawn pull out for the right of the army. The 14th, 20th, and 25th Corps going to the right. The 4th at the Gap. One wagon cut off. I was left with it. Broke a single tree. Cut off by the 23rd Corps. I got the wagon started. I rode up to a house and asked if they had a single tree. They said yes. I told him to hand it up to me and riding off, told him U.S. pressed it into the service. Cut off by Kilpatrick’s train. Built a bridge and pull around a long train. Came up with Headquarters in the mud and mire four or five times. I helped them out and then left them. Came to Snake Creek Gap, all full of troops. At 10.30, Zeck and I camp in the woods. Unsaddle, feed, clean up, carry water, fry meat, eat supper, make down the bed and lay down, [all] in ten minutes from the time we stopped.
[May] 13th. Start to the front. A lovely day. I am laying in the woods but where will we be tonight? What shall happen to each of us? Well here I am at 14th Army Corps Headquarters. The guns are playing at the front, the troops cheering, the musketry rolls, and the fight goes bravely on.
At 1 p.m. we joined Gen. Palmer. The Divisions formed and in line of battle moved to the front. 1st Division in advance. Gen. Palmer rode on the skirmisher’s line followed by staff sent, and we were close by him. Away we go at a full gallop, up hill and down, through woods and brush, over logs, hollows, streams, mud &c. &c.
Bang! Bang!! Bang!!! Here they are and away they fly. Now the skirmish is general, but gallop to the front and on we go. Generals Thomas, Sickles, [Washingon Lafayette] Elliot, and [John Milton] Brannan with their staffs and orderlies come to the front. Camped at 14th Corps Headquarters. Slept with Zeck. We are 12 miles south of Dalton.
[May] 14th. The opening gun was fired while we were eating breakfast. Out foraging to the left on the Dalton and Resaca wagon road. Here the rebs did us a good thing. They made a splendid road on which to move supplies. We have it now and will use it. Found corn and took it. The man had seven sons in the rebel army—six now dead. We took all he had. Obtained plenty of corn.
At noon the battle commenced. The Corps lay from left to right as follows: 4th, 23rd, 14th, 20th, and still to the right McPherson’s Army. The battle raged in full fury. The 23rd Army Corps drove the rebs one and a half miles, making three charges, and covering themselves with glory. The 14th drove the rebs away from their guns and kept them in their trenches. We silenced every battery of the rebs. Our loss was heavy.
News of the great victory of the Potomac Army. Oh how it thrills our hearts to hear of our success there. I think “[ ]” is up here. Corps moves tonight. Troops fight all day and march all night and still cheerful though silent and sober. 9 p.m. and the guns still roaring at the front. I am feeling well tonight [and am] in the best of hopes. I think the morrow will be a hot day. The battle was along Camp Creek. Both armies are entrenched, the creek between them, and has been an awful battlefield.
Pen and ink drawing of the Battle of Resaca, GA., May 14-15, 1864, by G. H. Blakeslee
[May] 15th. Sabbath morn! Holy, lovely, pleasant, beautiful! The fight commences and wavers along the line. Mount and ride to the front. Pass a field hospital. The surgeons just cut off a man’s leg—the blood gushing out and the leg lying on the ground. The wounded laying in the tents and sitting in the shade in the edge of a woods in rear of the fighting at 14th Corps Headquarters.
The musketry rolls through the woods, the cannons roar at the front! How awful the sound! How it thrills to the heart! And this is the Holy sabbath day. How far different will thousands spend it in the North from what we are spending it. 11.15 [a.m.], Hark! A charge!! Listen to the awful roar of the musketry volleys. Then the cannon opens and the earth almost quakes. Oh! how many noble men are falling and how quiet all the troops are near me in rear of the line of battle at Corps Headquarters. Some are cooking meat, some pounding coffee in their tins, some sleeping, some reading, and many are writing in their memorandums. Thus passes the time during the fray of the fight of half hour. Then the usual fight goes on which by the way is not slow. Our boy “Tues[?]” sings the song, “Wrap the flag around me, boys” as [a] horse [is] killed close by us by a rebel sharpshooter. Late in the evening, came to camp and have baked beans for supper. Wrote a letter home and go to bed with Zeck.
Midnight, all is still. The moon sheds her silver light over the sleeping world. The stars shine with a clear brightness and beauty. But hark! what a noise awakes the stillness and rolls along the hills. A charge from rebs. I was soon up and dressed. The fight was grand, sublime, and terrible. The artillery opened and mingling its thunderous tones with the roar of musketry, the clash of arms and din of battle made the most terrific sound I ever heard. The loudest thunder was but as the tap of a drum to this terrible charge. The earth trembled. The cheer of the troops in the first charge, rolling out on the midnight air filled the heart with wild fancies. Hark! that is our cheer. That comes from our boys. I think “Joe” [Gen. Johnston] tried to cut his way out or drive the 20th Corps back. The 20th was on the left of the 14th and drove the rebs from two hills. I do not think “Joe” succeeded for now the whole line is quiet and now the loud cheers of our boys rolls along the entire lines telling of the defeat of “joe.” The fight lasted half an hour.
[May] 16th. Up at 4 a.m. and soon ready to move. Firing more to the right. 6 a.m., move to the front. Open with the mountain [ ]. The rebs all gone. The troops in hot pursuit. The rebs found they could not cut out so they left in ten minutes after the charge, leaving their dead [and] many wounded in our hands. We are in the best of cheer. feel in glorious spirits. Glorious news from Grant. Great victory on the Potomac. Our troops within 6 miles of Richmond. Pack up and start for Resaca. Entire Corps passing to the front. Pass the 15th Army Corps yelling their best. But here is the trench line, after line, some thrown up by our men, others by the rebs. Rode into Resaca. Not a citizen here. Railroad bridge burned over the Ostanoola River but the wagon bridge still passable. Our troops still after them. The rebs have lost heavily. We have some 2,000 prisoners. We captured the whole of the 38th Alabama—Colonel [Augustus R. Lankford], flag, and all. We captured a lot of corn and a large quantity of corn meal. I had cornbread for supper. The cars came in six hours after the rebs left! Hurrah for the Yanks!
Sketch by Adolf Metzner, Confederate dead left on the battlefield at Resaca, May 1864
[May] 17th. Raining this morning but who cares—I have cornbread for breakfast! Capt. Babcock left this morning and Capt. Case is Chief of Signals. Capt. Cole takes command of the 14th Corps Detachment. The best of news from the Potomac. Sheridan burns 1,000,000 rations, tears up the railroad, &c. &c. Butler between Lee and Richmond and bombarding Richmond.
I am left with the wagons. Have a hard time to get over the bridge. Immense trains moving to the front. Went in the wrong road to the left with the 20th Corps. Came back and followed the 4th & 14th Corps. Abandoned caissons, muskets, dead men, &c. strew the road. Rain. Pass a long wagon train. Pass Calhoun—a lovely little town. Saw the monument erected to the rebel Gen. Hardee. A few women left in town. I lost my horse but after a deal of trouble, found him with Stanley’s train. Camp at Corps Headquarters at 12 o’clock.
[May] 18th. Move towards the front. Pass a burning house where the 4th Corps had the fight last evening. The trees, fences, posts, barns riddled with balls. I never saw so many marks of balls in my life. A lovely land—the best I have seen in the South. Came into Adairsville. Laying in an open field. Corps moving to the front. Just at dark we move down the railroad track. It was a grand sight and a night I shall not soon forget. Marched some 8 miles and camp. I made some coffee and was then soon asleep. I was tired as I had been riding all day, and to midnight.
[May] 19th. A lovely morning. Cooking my breakfast and then move to the front. Came into Kingston, Cass [later Bartow] county, Georgia at noon. Minty’s Brigade of cavalry and Wilder’s Brigade of Mounted Infantry passed to the front at a full gallop. We move to the front. Saw Newton’s 2nd Division, 4th Corps marching as in grand review. Our batteries at work. Major Gen. Sherman rides to the front. Thomas, Palmer, Hooker, and many others ride to the front. Not much fighting. Came to town at dark and find the wagons. Had onions, biscuit, meat, coffee, and sugar for supper.
[May] 20th. A glorious morning. Warm and will soon be hot. The cars have a road done to this place. Move up to camp five miles south of Kingston. Had a good wash and put on clean clothes. Write home. Orders to move to the front early in the morning. The cars came in the evening with supplies. We are now 84 miles south of Chattanooga and will not stop short of Atlanta. Bands playing, troops cheering, and the boys singing. Where will we be tomorrow evening!
[May] 21st. Slept well last night and did not get up early. A very warm day. Almost hot. Feel well. At Dept. Headquarters and read two letters of Frank’s. Preparing to move to the front. Write two letters today. Late in the evening the mail came in but no letters came for me. I felt sad that I had no letters.
[May] 22nd. Sabbath day. Warm, sultry, very hot. I spection today. Write letters. We are getting rations for 20 days and expect to go on an expedition in the morning. Well, I am ready.
[May] 23rd. Up at 3 a.m. and at dawn I am ready to move forward. Gen. Butterfield’s Division, 3rd Division, 20th Corps passes to the front, and right. The 14th Corps moves out to the right. I am without a horse and have to go on foot. A hot day and very dusty. Going through a poor, marshy country. Come to Etowah River and prepare to cross over. Infantry starting to wade over—the river near four feet deep and very wide. Had a difficult time to get up the bank and hill. Move on through a good country. Pass some excellent farms—“Southern plantations,” “princely palaces.” Camp at 10 p.m. by the roadside. Came 12 miles today. Put down bed with Zeck. I walked to the river when i obtained a mule and rode it to camp. My first mule ride. Don’t fancy the mule.
[May] 24th. A very warm morning. Hot, even sultry hot is the prospect of the day. Move forward. Cross over Euharlee [river] on a bridge. Stop in the woods and Frank West and I go out in the country. This is the best country I have seen in the South and indeed, we do not find much better country any place. Saw the most Northern looking lady I have seen in the South. Started forward at dark and soon the rain began to pour down in torrents. The lightning flashed terribly and the thunder rolled over the plains of Georgia and along the hills. Camped at 11.30 p.m. in a cornfield in mud.
[May] 25th. Pulled out early and cross Racoon Creek, then up a very steep hill and along the ridge. then pull out to let them pass. Move up to “Burnt Hickory”—a one horse town. Laying in the shade waiting for the 14th Corps to come up. The 23rd on the left, 20th at the front northwest of us, the 4th on the right and the 14th yet back on the ridge near Crow Creek. Move up toward the front 4 miles and camp in a yard. 20th Corps was engaged this evening and did not gain anything but only one division was engaged. The rebels in the mountains have a good position. But at dark we had three Corps in position. Rain. I will sleep in a corncrib. Saw the Co. boys, Dept. Headqurters. Came near being captured.
We hold the bridge and can keep the rebels back, Thus we hold the passage to Dallas, 5 miles from here. The fighting was heavy.
[May] 26th. On guard last night. A lovely morning. Came back towards Burnt Hickory and camp at 14th Corps Headquarters northwest of the town. Pitch our tents and prepare for comfort. Warm—very warm. I feel well and all is lovely. Cross Pumpkinvine Creek.
[May] 27th. Front this morning and when I rode out I found the 14th Corps had passed to the front. Move down a road through the woods. Trains, ambulances, and hospitals along the road with here and there a grave where some man had fallen by the wayside. Pass out to the picket lines of the 20th Corps, then move in rear of the breastworks to the left and come upon a hill where our artillery was planted. Lay there while the guns were firing on the rebel works. The earth trembling at each sound. Generals [George H.] Thomas, [John M.] Palmer, [David S.] Stanley, [Richard W.] Johnson, [John M.] Brannan, [William D.] Whipple and [William T.] Sherman on the hill. In the afternoon, was grazing horses. Just to our left a chaplain was preaching to a regiment. A novel place. In an hour this regiment was in a battle. the artillery was terrific. I was laying near the guns . The roar and awful report made my head ache. It was the most heart rending sounds yet grand and gloriously good. At dusk we came into camp and soon the rebs commenced shelling the woods but soon they lay quiet. But in the night, they opened again and the musketry and cannons mingled in terrible harmony. The day has been warm, yet we had a pleasant breeze. Camp at 14th Corps Headquarters.
[May] 28th. Up before dawn and received two letters—one from Auburn, New York, and the other from Miss [Nelly] Chase at Nashville. Miss Chase is improving rapidly in health.
The ball opened at dawn and the entire line was engaged but not severely. Do not move out early. Last evening the news of another great victory on the Potomac. I hope it is true. Brig. Gen. [Richard W.] Johnson was wounded this morning. Not much firing this afternoon. Writing letters home. The firing has almost ceased along the entire lines.
[May] 29th. Up at 3 a.m. and soon ready to move. The skirmish lines commenced firing early. This is Sunday morning and not much prospect of rest today. The holy stillness of the morning is broken by the roar of musketry. Will the rebels fight us today? is the question asked by many. the opinion seems to prevail that neither army will go out of the trenches to fight. Our lines are near 8 miles long and we are well entrenched but the rebels are also. I am in camp. the boys are out grazing [their horses] this morning. At noon move over to the left of the army and camp in the woods. I am writing letters. Not much firing in our front this afternoon.
[May] 30th. Up at 3 a.m. and the first sound I heard was the roar of cannons echoed back from the hills, valleys, passes and gorges of Georgia. The roar of artillery and the roll of musketry are the last sounds you hear when you lay down, then you hear them about three or four times in the night, and again the first of the morning. The firing last night was terrible and this morning it sounds of heavy work, and it may be a general assault will be made today. It will be a terrible fight. Shall I be in it? If so, how shall I fare? God only knows. To His care and protection I will trust all and hope for the best.
Evening. No general assault has been [made] today. Indeed, the lines are very quiet. But just now the musketry rolls out heavily. I was up on the extremen left where Stoneman’s Cavalry are now stationed. The one constantly skirmishing but without effect. Both lines curse and swear at each shot that does not take any effect. They are a gay set of boys. Still we ask when will the fight come off? Our troops have been here six days and still the fight goes bravely on. We do not lose many men. Camp where we did last night. The boys find scorpions in their beds. Not any too pleasant.
[May] 31st. On guard last night and at it still this morning. Went on the left on [signal] station. Soon the rebels came out and we had a terrible musketry fight. We drove the rebs back. Artillery firing. I saw the shells burst on the hill tops and one rebel signal corps boy was killed. Came to camp and am writing letters. Late in the evening I was over at Dept. Headquarters and had a pleasant time with my old chums and comrades. A salute of ten guns was fired in honor of some event.
JUNE 1864
[June] 1st. The morning breaks in all the beauty and glory of a southern morning. The sun has just risen and tipped with gold the eastern hills. The air is sweet and balmy. The birds carol in the forest. All is lovely as far as natures works extend. But why that sound from the east and southeast? Ah! Thence comes the sounds that admonish us all is not well. Beyond the firing, the foes hauty hosts (in head silence) reposes. The firing still goes on this pleasant morning. The musketry rolls forth on the balmy air making the same music we have heard for the last seven days. When will the battle end? and will we be the victors? Over at Dept. Headquarters. The 20th Corps moving leftward. How quiet the lines are this afternoon.
[June] 2nd. Rode out with Lt. Hollopeter towards the left wing. Up at Connelly’s Station and then go to the extreme left of the infantry. “Corporal Sherman”, “Pap Thomas”, “Fighting Joe”, “Raider Stoneman”, Schofield, Williams, Geary, Brannan, Whipple, McKnight, all on the hill with us. Troops moving into position and soon a rainstorm burst upon us. We came back to camp and then the storm was terrific. The flash of lightning was terrible and the peals of thunder shook the earth. A lot of the Signal boys start for home, their time having expired. Joe Hooker’s guns hammering away at the Johnnies and this afternoon we have had considerable fighting. Wrote a letter home.
[June] 3rd. A beautiful morning. I was out grazing [the horses] and heard that Gen. Grant is within a four hours march of Richmond. We had considerable fighting today. New troops came up. I got 8 letters today. Lizzy sent me six sets of flags. I am writing letters home.
[June] 4th. Raining this morning. I wrote letters home. Heavy fighting all day on the front. We are still in camp in the woods near 14th Corps Headquarters.
[June] 5th. Up at 3 a.m. and prepare to move camp. Lts. Hollopeter and Howgate with their men move out of camp, rain pouring down in torrents and plenty of mud. We are joined by Capt. Messenger and all move out toward Altoona, Georgia. Pass the village of [ ] on the railroad. Came to Altoona, a rather rough southern village. Up at Gen. Stoneman’s Headquarters. Start to go upon the mountains. Take all the baggage out of the wagon and put it on our horses and then “all to the wheels” to push up the hill. Well this was the steepest hill I ever tried to shove a wagon up. It was “more than perpendicular and square up.” But up we go, “steady by degrees” and by jumps. At dark we came to a dead rest, having come about one mile up hill. Camp for the night. I go up to the highest point and go on duty. I prepare to sleep on the mountains top, high above the bivouacked armies of Joe Johnston and “Corp. Sherman.”
[June] 6th. Did not sleep well but up early. A heavy fog so that we could see no distance. I go to Cartersville for supplies. Cross the Etowah [river] on a pontoon bridge, the boats of which was made of canvas—a splendid affair. These boats are light and thus easily transported. The railroad bridge was burned by the rebels but will soon be up and the trains running. Cartersville [is] a lovely town in a very beautiful country. The citizens all gone south. Stores empty. No one at the hotels. 2 Came up home at dark very tired and find the boys had been hard at work. Had a good supper of meat, coffee, sugar and warm biscuit. I did not mention we have plenty of huckleberries up here. I had plenty of them yesterday.
2 Cartersville served as a crucial supply depot and communications hub on the Western & Atlantic Railroad. In late May and into June, as Sherman maneuvered his army south toward Kennesaw Mountain, maintaining a secure line of sight back to Union headquarters was paramount. Signal stations—most notably on high points like nearby Allatoona Mountain—were used to relay vital intelligence about Confederate positions and railroad statuses back and forth.
[June] 7th. Down at the foot to water and graze horses. Very warm, even hot as fire today. Rain. Station open with Capt. Case at Acworth. All’s well.
[[June] 8th. Out in the mountains after huckleberries and found an abundance of them and the nicest I ever saw. I picked at least a gallon of splendid berries. We have a good bunk up and I hope will sleep well. [Sgt. George W.] Zecher is not well. On duty and have plenty of work to do with the flags.
[June] 9th. On duty this morning. Go with the wagon down the hill towards Altoona. We sailed down the hill finely. It was the steepest hill I ever came down with a wagon. Came back on the hill and then to Cartersville after forage and rations. Rain. Came in to Cartersville and found the town full of wagons, men &c. &c. Get our forage and camp with the “Reserve Signal Camp” in a grove near Cartersville. Have a good supper and sleep with Sergt. [Edwin T.] Cowell.
[June] 10th. Up early and had breakfast. Then move out and start for the “mountain home.” Cross the Etowah on the canvas-boat pontoon bridge. The railroad bridge will soon be up and trains running. Came to camp at noon and in the afternoon we had a rain storm. We were high above the clouds and the roll of thunder awoke the mountain echoes and the little streams burst forth. Out after huckleberries and obtained plenty. Frank West and Shaul get eggs and [Lemuel] Shaul get eggs and pork and I shall feast at supper. We have plenty of wood ticks, bugs, flies, scorpions, buzzards, and all the torments of southern hill, mountain, and woods. I suppose all’s well.
[June] 11th. Move camp to the foot of the mountain and just get the tent and bunk up when down came the rain. Then bursts of sunshine and then rain.
[June] 12th. Sunday and I go up on the mountain on duty but too much fog to see. At 11 a.m. we get the order to report at Big Shanty [Sherman’s Headquarters] and then after hard words, get our things down and head up for the front. Pull out and came to the road, took out all the forage and carried it on our horses. Pass Altoona—one vast hospital of sick and wounded soldiers. Stop for the night two miles north of Acworth. Cold, rainy night. I was on guard.
[June] 13th. Move out and pass through Acworth. Came up to Big Shanty and then over to 14th Corps Headquarters camp. I get one letter from home. Have roast beef, coffee with sugar, and crackers with soup in for supper. Pitch tent and get leaves for a bunk and then get orders to go to the Reserve Camp at Cartersville, Ga.
[June] 14th. Went back with knapsack and all our traps. Came to camp at 3 p.m. and [John W.] Dinsmore and I put up a tent, got plank for a bunk. and putit up. I was carrying a sack of corn and hurt myself badly.
[June] 15th. A beautiful morning. We finished our tent and now feel comfortable. Boys drew rations and kill a hog and have a lot of berries so we will have something to eat.
[June] 16th. Feel better this morning. Go out to graze [the horses] and get plenty of berries. Get a stand and chairs, a lot of books, Webster’s Dictionary, Maps, &c. &c. Write letter to G. J. D.
[June] 17th. Out grazing and get plenty of berries. All day we plainly heard the heavy boom of cannons at the front and the fighting has been heavy today.
[June] 18th. Last night we were called to patrol the roads leading to this place. I was one to go. I was on the Tennessee Valley Road and all through the long night we were up and down the road, but saw only the pale, silver light of the moon shedding a tenderness over southern scenery that was grand beyond anything I have seen for many a long day. Came to camp at daylight and went to bed. Slept till daylight. Raining heavy. Cannonading at the front all day. Wrote to Will G. C[onn].
[June] 19th. Sunday morning. Pleasant and beautiful. Inspected by Ed[win] T. Cowell. Boys out and all over the country. Nearly all the troops go away from town and leave us alone. Get our rations and haul them to camp. Boys go out for pickets. I hurt myself again and am not able to more than get about camp.
[June] 20th. I tried to ride out after berries but it did me no good so I soon came [back] to camp. Raining. Pickets out on the roads.
[June] 21st. A big scare up, and all the Signal Corps out on picket, on scouts, and all over the country, but find only the usual things of this Georgia country. Not a single rebel to be seen. I can scarcely get about.
[June] 22nd. Last night the bands gave us some excellent music. “Rally round the flag, boys” was one of particular beauty and spirit. A beautiful pleasant day. I went down to the bridge to get some medicine and obtained it of the Surgeon of the 15th Illinois. We moved our boarding house and now have a woman to cook for us. She cooks for the extra rations. It has not rained today which is a great wonder as we have had rain every day except two ub June.
[June] 23rd. Was taken with a rather severe attack of “Branch Pneumonia”—severer in the left lung than in the right yet both were affected. I suffered great pain and soon prostrated and with the soreness of the spinal column and sprained condition of my leg, I can scarcely get about. I went to the Surgeon this afternoon and obtained a Spanish-fly-blister and a Syrup of Squills and Morphine. 3 The surgeon said he would come and see me in the morning. The boys were quite surprised to know I had the pneumonia but so it was. I have it.
3 This combination was used to treat severe respiratory issues, with squills acting as an expectorant to clear phlegm and morphine acting as an opiate to suppress the cough reflex. Syrup of Squills was derived from the bulb of a sea squill.
[June] 24th. Surgeon came up this morning and I feel much better and hope I shall soon be well again. But in the afternoon I was not so well and felt quite sick. The medicine made me vomit and I have no appetite to eat a single particle of food. All the boys do all they can for me. I feel very uncomfortable.
[June] 25th. All the boys of the 14th Corps ordered to the front. All go but three. I have to give up my mare. Take down my tent and move down in turn and feel quite uncomfortable. Today has been exceedingly warm. Indeed, I never felt so warm weather in my life. I feel much better yet have no appetite and am very weak.
[June] 26th. Warm, exceedingly warm. Not a breeze thus to move away the foul air. I am too weak to go over for my meals but do not eat a single particle of food.
Last night the rebs attacked the train from Kingston having just torn up the track. We were up as soon as we heard the firing and put out pickets and patrols. At last all was quiet and we slept till daylight.
[June] 27th. I am some better today and go over for my meals but do not eat much and have no strength. Very warm. Write a letter to Carrie C[onn].
[June] 28th. A shower of rain last night and the air is cool this morning. I do [not] eat any breakfast. Ride out and have a good wash. Letters come in but none for me.
[June] 29th. Cool and quite pleasant today. Frank Gwynn and I went out in the country. Found plenty of raspberries, yellow plums, and apples. Came to camp very tired.
[June] 30th. Last night we had a heavy old scare. The rebs started the pickets on three roads and drove them in. We were under arms nearly all night but all was quiet on our side of the town. Ten heavy trains went [to the] front this morning. This is the last day of June, It has been an eventful month. How will July end? God grant us success.
JULY 1864
[July] 1st. A beautiful morning ushers in the new month. But the flies torment me most unmercifully. I think they might leave the “poor Yanks” alone this warm weather. We had one scare last night. I got up, walked around my tent and went to bed, sleeping in till morning. One of the boys gave me a Mimosa “sensitive plant,” the language of which is” “My heart is a broken lute.” Rations came down at dusk and soon were in camp.
[July] 2nd. Out in the country after berries and find plenty. Move our boarding house and now have a mess of seven boys. I think we have a good place, and as we had a good dinner I am satisfied. We had a very pleasant plentiful rain today, cooling the air and making all things pleasant.
[July] 3rd. Sabbath day. Pleasant and beautiful. I went down for Dr. [Moses C.] Drake of the 15th Illinois [Infantry] to come and attend to Lt. Hollopeter who came down from the front yesterday and is sick with the flux. A very warm day. News of the rebel retreat from Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta. Sherman’s entire army except the [ ] Corps over the Chattahoochie River and are now marching direct for Atlanta in the rear of Joe Johnston’s army. Write letters homeward.
[July] 4th. The glorious old Fourth is here once more. One year ago I was at Tullahoma, Tennessee. Now we have driven the rebs at least 225 miles and are now away down in Georgia. The boys are happy and free and all moves well. I am writing letters.
Evening. Well the day is over. Another “Fourth of July” has come and gone. We have had a very pleasant time and only a few “solid shot” and “case shells” were exploded, doing no damage. We had a glorious dinner at our house and have had a good amount of “gassing and blowing” and at night the grand jubilee over the news of the capture of 3,000 rebs, many pieces of artillery, Kenesaw mountain and Marietta, &c. &c.
[July] 5th. A pleasant day. I was down at the bridge to see Dr. [Moses] Drake for the Lt. Had a good bath and feel well. At the Post Hospital and then have a good supper. Boys singing. Evening very warm, I am writing. Rumor says 8,000 rebs were gobbled this morning.
[July] 6th. A pleasant rain today but very warm. No news.
[July] 7th. Out after berries and apples, and get an abundance. In the afternoon I and [Wiliam H.] Crowell (from the 4th Corps) start for the front. We are soon on the cars and away we fly. Cross the Etowah on the immense railroad bridge, the water well at the distance of near 700 feet beneath us. Pass Altoona, Acworth, Big Shanty, and are now rolling up in front of the old works of the rebels andthe works we used. Here the rebels have had their works and here looms up Kenesaw Mountain where a few days past the rebel flag was planted. All are now gone. But few soldiers are seen. We only see lines of trenches, rifle pits, abatis, forts, the remains of old camps. And here we see the little board marking the resting place of the noble dead. We are soon in Marietta—once a rich, aristocratic town of southern chivalry. All, or at least many of the citizens are gone from their homes. “No trains South” and now 6 p.m. and nine miles to the front. No rest for the wicked and away we go, “Infantry fashion.”
At 4 p.m. I see the “Signal torch” flying on the mountain’s top. Guided to the “Signal fires,” we make our way to the station and find the 14th Corps boys there. All are glad to see me, Soon see Frank West, [Lemuel] Shaul, and “Zeck.” Get some coffee and go to bed with Zeck.
[July] 8th. Up and eat breakfast with Zeck, then go to the 14th Corps Headquarters and to Capt. [Charles R.] Case’s Headquarters. Enjoy myself finely. Down at the company and have a good time. Hear that Miss [Nelly] Chase is married to Lt. [George W.] Earnest [Ernest]. Down at 20th Corps Headquarters and see Burch. Eat dinner with him. Come back along the line of works of the 20th and 14th Corps Headquarters to the “Signal Hill” and from there had a grand, glorious view of the City of Atlanta. I could count the windows and see the people of the city on the house tops looking at the “invading hosts of vandal Yanks” coming nearer and nearer, listening to the music of the Yankee cannon thundering away at the gates of their homes. Yonder rolls the Chattahoochie on the north of which is Hardee’s rebel corps. The 28th Corps is over the river on the left, then comes the 4th, 14th, 20th, and further to the right comes McPherson’s troops. The 17th Corps of which rests on the river. Soon we are flanking them again and then Atlanta must fall.
We can see the rebels at work on their works and I saw something explode like a magazine. All goes well and finely. Troops in the best of health and humor.
[July] 9th. Over at Capt. Case’s camp and get a lot of dispatches and a pass and soon had it approved by order of “Pap” T. [Gen. Thomas]. Came back and start for house. Wait until near noon and then go to Marietta. Just as I leave, the cannons open along the lines and boom away. Wait at Marietta until near night, then come to Big Shanty where we pass seven trains going south. At Acworth we have a scare as 500 rebs are said to be near us. We are not scared so on we go and are soon safe at Altoona and then come down to Cartersville but did not stop so I was taken up to Gap Station and had to walk back and came to camp at 2 a.m. I was soon asleep and away in the land of dreams.
[July] 10th. Did not get up early but eat a good breakfast as I had but little to eat the day before. This is Sunday and is very beautiful. But how many are suffering in this army for “Man’s inhumanity to man, makes countless thousands mourn.” I got a letter—a real good letter—from my friends at Middletown, Ohio.
[July] 11th. Down in town drawing rations. I spection &c. Very warm day.
[July] 12th. [William S.] Croy and J[acob] Reese Moore came from the front this morning and say Hardee’s rebel corps has crossed the river and the 4th and 23rd are over. All moves well, Frank West has gone home. I was out after berries with Culver of the 20th Corps. [The] 3rd Division of the 15th Corps going front. Pleasant today.
[July] 13th. Writing letter to Middletown, Ohio. Very warm. I am very lazy. Out in the country and in bathing. Came to camp and got the best letter I have received for months from friend Hancy W____. Boys have a ball in town but I will not disgrace my lady friends up North by associating with these witches of Southern aristocracy. Stayed in camp and wrote a reply to the noble letter I received. Am feeling well.
[July] 14th. Pleasant yet very warm. Finished my 12 page letter to “Han.” A happy boy. Very warm. Tried to dispose of a certain animal but sadly failed. No death to the brute. The excitement of the invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania is great but we do not fear they can do as much damage and do not think U.S. [Grant] will leave Richmond to drive them away from the rear. Why not let other forces attend to them?
We are having good times. Plenty of good rations and all works well. Rumor from the front says all the Corps are over the river except the 14th & 20th. All’s well.
[July] 15th. Warm. Very warm. So we lay in the shade all day but do not exert much as we do not wish to be uncomfortable.
[July] 16th. Waiting for mail from the front but the boys have not yet returned. Late in the evening twenty-five Signal Corps boys came down from Chattanooga and pass on to the front. All the boys in the best of spirits.
[July] 17th. Sabbath morn. Sweet, clear, quiet and Oh! how holy and calm. I went to church. Mr. Hasting of the Signal Corps. His text was from Luke 16, 25th or from the word “remember” of the verse, and the sermon was a clear, plaine one.
Had green apple pie for dinner and feast well. Inspection this afternoon. I received three or four letters this morning. One from home, one from friend Lydia, and one from No. 8.
[July] 18th. Warm. Intolerably warm. Writing letters to New York. The boys are having good times and plenty of gay fun. Here are boys from eleven states and yet we all agree, live as brothers, and have plenty of the best of sport and more fun than we can enjoy. 14th Corps boys have a good boarding house and we live too well. I wish the boys at the front could live as we do. But we cannot help them, so we must enjoy ourselves as best we can.
[July] 19th. News of the surrender of the Cockade City—Petersburg. The rebs retreat from Washington City. The Army of Sherman moving. All over the Chattahoochie. All goes well.
Evening. News of the rumor of the fall of Atlanta. Hope it is true.
[July] 20th. Last night just at dark the Signal Corps boys came from the front. I was at the depot and we had a good jolly time of it. All the boys in the best of cheer, gay as the morning lark, happy and free. We will go back in a few days to get our pay at Chattanooga. Zeck was in the best of humor. I do feel sorry to hear of Zeck going home, but he has served three years and has been a faithful soldier.
I was out for berries this morning and soon had three gallons. Warm, very warm today. The boys told me the army was when they left only two miles from the City of Atlanta and moving on. The cavalry gone to cut the railroad between Atlanta and Augusta. All goes well and all are happy.
[July] 21st. Last night was the most glorious night I have seen for a long time. The moon shone out in splendor glorious and beautiful. Oh how the lovely silver light danced in the air, on the trees, here, there and everywhere—so lovely, so sweet. It was a lovely Southern scene. Delighful, yet how much more lovely if I could associate with my former friends. How I would enjoy this romantic scene with them. But that cannot be. No, my duty is here. The foes of God, of man, of liberty and freedom, of this glorious land, of this noble Republic, have conspired to destroy us. And while an armed traitor remains, I will stay to fight him. Yet with joy I will welcome the day & happy, lasting peace. When will it come? God only knows.
I have been washing my clothes today and did good work in good time. One pair of pants, three shirts, two drawers, one socks, one towel, in one and a half hours. Rain in the afternoon. The air cools down and all is pleasamt and beautiful. Writing letters too Lydia.
[July] 22nd. Cool and pleasant. Rumor says Atlanta surrendered this morning. I was out for apples on the Tennessee Road and found plenty. This road was the one made and used by the early settlers when only Kentucky and East Tennessee and Southren or Old Ga. were settled, and this part of the country was in possession of the Cherokee Indians.
At dark the boys came down from Chattanooga and we had orders to go down to Chattanooga and prepare to leave. Lively times in camp. All the boys happy.
[July] 23rd. Up at 3 a.m. and with much noise and bustle, we get down to the trains and are soon on the cars and “up brakes” and away. Saw at Kingston Zeck who told me Gen. McPherson was killed. Pass Nolinsville, Calhoun, Resaca, Dalton, Tunnel Hill, Ringgold, and Graysville, and at dark came to Chattanooga. Sign the [pay] rolls and at 11 p.m. get our pay. I got $79.90 for my portion. Get our supplies and go to bed at 2 a.m.
[July] 24th. At the Central House for breakfast and pay 75 cents. Saw the body of Major Gen. McPherson lying in state at Headquarters of the Army of the Tennessee. It was a solemn, impressive scene and one I shall never forget. Here lay the last remains of a noble officer and true patriot. Oh how many such have fallen and yet the end has not come.
After being killed at the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson’s body was transported by train to Chattanooga. From July 23 to 25, 1864, his remains lay in state at the Kennedy/Nottingham House in Chattanooga, which was draped with a massive American flag.
I went up on Lookout Mountain and had a grand, glorious view. Just as I came down, I heard the mournful strains of music which heralded the approach of the last remains of Gen. McPherson. Part of our regiment was in the escort and it was the most impressive scene I have witnessed for months.
[June] 25th. Up early and had breakfast at the Central House, then away to the front. I met Capt. J[oseph] S. Harper, A.Q.M. [Assistant Quartermaster] lately of the 18th Corps [formerly of the 12th Michigan Infantry], now on his way to Gen. Thomas, He is a clever man and I will remember him.
We came down in good time and had good times. Arrived at camp at dusk and met the boys. All’s well. Happy and free. I get photos of Shaul, Dinsmore, Hunt, [Robert H.] McHenry.
[June] 26th. A lot of the boys going back to Chattanooga to be mustered out of service. [George W.] Zecher [“Zeck”]. I was real sorry to part with him. I think as much of Zeck as I do of a brother. May he be a happy boy. [see George W. Zecher (1843-1891) on Find-A-Grave]
I get Sergt. George E. Moore’s horse. A lot of boys go to the front. Good news from the front. All goes well. Pleasant morning, The boys singing.
[June] 24th. Orders to go to the front in the morning. All night. I have sergeant G. E. Moore’s horse. He is a good old veteran. He was first drawn in the Signal Corps August 1862 at Nashville, Tennesee, was rode back to Louisville with Buell’s army, then to Crab Orchard, and was in the Battle of Perryville, then to Cumberland Gap, then to Bowling Green, Nashville, and in the Battle of Stones River, Nashville, Tullahoma, and on down to Chattanooga. In the Battle of Chickamauga and the battles of Chattanooga, Hatchie Valley and Bridgeport, Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, all the battles of this capaign Old Kill is a good old boy.
I get a good drenching this evening when out watering [my horse]. Have a full rig and all goes well. Get my blouse made to the fashion for 75 cents. Rain. Prepare for bed and rest.
[June] 28th. Up at 3 a.m. and after much getting around, many sad regrets, &c. &c. we (Sharp, Harvey and I) left Cartersville for the front. We have had a good, pleasant time here and I am almost lothe to leave the place. I have made many friends here in the Corps. I shall not soon forget. Pass Altoona, Acworth, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, and at 3 p.m. arrive at Marietta. Camp at the camp of the 2nd Minnesota Vet. Vol. Infantry. See Wood and Rhodes. Get a good supper at the Soldier’s Home in Marietta.
[June] 29th. Up, wash, get breakfast and start out with 14th Corps Headquarters train. Came to the old works of the rebels. Here they had immense works. Chattahoochie river. No [ ]. Company at work at the bridges &c. Soon hear the boom of the cannon. Come to Gen. Palmer’s Headquarters and are soon at Signal camp and have our tent up. Put up a bunk and feel comfortable. Have a good wash.
[June] 30th. I received three letters yesterday—one from home, one from Will Conn, and one from Carrie [Conn]. I must answer soon. Insoection by Lt. B. Stile [?]. All right. Warm day, even exceedingly hot. Cannon thundering away near us. I am within 2.5 miles of the city of Atlanta. All goes well. We have had awful fighting within the last ten days. All the boys well and happy. Write to Carrie and get a letter from Rockport. “Heaven’s Artillery” rumbling away and the rebs thundering at us from their batteries.
[June] 31st. Sabbath morning. Warm. I am sent to the commisaries of the 14th Corps to draw rations. We get full rations of everything. Writing letters home and enjoying myself finely. I always have the good fortune to be with a good set of boys and the boys of the S. C. [Signal Corps] USA, 14th Army Corp are no exceptions. They are good, noble fellows. And indeed, the boys of the entire corps are the same. When back at Cartersville, Dinsmore left his pocket book with $44 and Moore lost $20, when the boys made up for Dinsmore $55 and for Moore the full amount lost. Where will you find such liberality and nobleness?
I was just ready to go to bed when I heard the well known voice of Sergt. James [H.] Kelly sounded on my ears. I soon had him by the hand and gave him a hearty welcome. [Henry A.] Brewster came with him. I soon had them a good supper of tea, ham and potatoes and U.S. pies. I think the world of Kelly. He is from [Albany] New York and is a noble man [who served initially in Co. F, 44th New York Infantry].
AUGUST 1864
[August] 1st. Ride over to Dept. Headquarters. Have a good ducking and get completely soaked in a heavy rain. Find the boys at dinner and soon am in for something to eat. Coffee, beans, and corn and bread with meat make up a good dinner. See the boys of the company. All well. Hear the rebs are in Pennsylvania and rumor says 40,000 in Harrisburg. Visit the boys of the 20th Corps. Burch is gay as ever. The boys [in the 20th Corps] do not like the removal of ‘Fighting Joe” and think [Alpheus] Williams is not “Old Joe Hooker.” This afternoon I had a grand view of our lines, the rebel works, forts, &c. &c., and the City of Atlanta. Soon the guns of the entire line opened on the rebs and the shelling was terrific and sublimely grand. Rumor says the Army of the Tennessee—Howard’s Command (15th, 16th and 17th Corps)—are swinging around on the extreme right, that the Atlanta and Macon Railroad is torn up, two trains destroyed, that Hardee’s and Hood’s Headquarters trains were captured loaded and going south.
The cannonade grows terrific, the scream of shell, the shriek of solid shot, the roll of musketry breaks upon the ears with exciting effect. The rebels reply with their 20 pounders but their shells do not burst yet make an unearthly noise. Write a letter to Frank West who is now home on Veteran’s furlough.
[August] 2nd. “All quiet along our front.” Not a gun is fired. Warm but pleasant.
[August] 3rd. I go back to Vining’s Station three miles north of the Chattahoochie with [Eli] Hewitt who is sick and going North. News of the defeat and surrender of Gen. McCook’s Division of Cavalry. No news from Stoneman with his 15,000 men.
[August] 4th. Break up camp and at an early hour move towards the right. Pass the Army of the Tennessee and the Headquarters of the 23rd Corps and at noon come to camp near a good spring. Put up tents and feel comfortable. The guns booming away at the right front and quite a battle going on but at night all is quiet. News say “U. S.” [Grant] made good work at Petersburg [Battle of the Crater] and drove the rebels from their line of works. All goes well.
[August] 5th. I have been cook for the mess today and made up a blackberry pie. Roasted beef and had biscuit for dinner. The 14th Corps has captured many hundreds of prisoners today. They have been marching by us all day. Warm, very warm today. Considerable fighting on the front today. No news from Stoneman yet. McCook’s loss not half what first reported. All goes well.
[August] 6th. Very warm. Out grazing [my horse] and getting blackberries for a pie. Came in in time to see the rebs come in. Not less than 350 [prisoners] came in together. Gen. J[ohn] M. Palmer goes home and Major Gen. Crittenden takes command of the old 14th Corps. I was over at Dept. Headquarters this afternoon. Saw Lt. Fobes and all the Co. boys. All well. Eat supper with [William P.] Shrewsbury [formerly 6th Indiana Vols.] of the Signal Corps. Rains as I come back but my gums keep me dry. The guns open along the entire lines.
[August] 7th. Sabbath morning. Orders to move and soon pull out for the right. I go with officers all over the right. Put up camp in a nice place. Put up tent and put up a bunk.
At three p.m., the rebs made a charge on the hill in our frint. The assault was a terrible one. The rebs made seven charges to take the hill, but they met the veterans of the old, gallant 14th Corps and turn mangled, shattered, beaten back only to reform and charge again. But vain was all their hopes. The 3rd Division charged and took three lines of works and over 200 prisoners. While the battle was the hottest, when the roll of musketry, the boom of cannon, the shout of the victors, the noise, din, and confusion of the battle, when the smoke of the conflict enveloped the field, the rainbow of peace circled over the mad battlefield begrimed combatants and presented a scene I shall never forget. The Bow of promise and peace, and the conflict how near they met and yet how little thought of by those engaged. Once when the fight grew in intensity, the rainbow increased in brightness and glory. How beautiful, how lovely the scene was. I never saw or heard of anything of the kind and surely cannot forget it.
Get a letter from Auburn, New York, and a good letter too. Just commence to reply when the rebs make another charge on the hill. It was a real night attack. There it comes—one, two, three, five, ten, a hundred shots, a roll deep, heavy, prolonged like the rush of a nightly torrent. How it deepens. It is like the rippling of the mower swinging his scythe in ripened grass, dried and scorched by summer heat. The Great Reaper is out upon that field, stalking unseen between the trenches, walking in the darkness, bordered with lightning flashes, showering it with leaden rain, making it the Valley of the Shadow of Death. There, flash the cannon, boom, boom, boom—five, ten, twenty, a hundred discharges a minute. I can see the flash on the stormy heavens. No artist can picture it, no language describe it.
We know it is a rebel charge from the yells. Theirs is not the clean, noble, manly ring like the shout of the Union troops. The conflict deepens! It is terrific, yet gravely sublime. The altar of our country drips with holy blood. It’s a Sabbath evening’s sacrifice, pure and precious, freely offered. Fathers and Mothers have given the firstlings & their flocks with thanks that they had them to give; they have given the best, they have given all. Patriotism is not dead. At 11 p.m. all was quiet.
[August] 8th. Out with Lt. Hollopeter to the front to find his brother. Pass to the right over immense trenches, lines of works, woods, &c. &c, to the 20th Corps. Then back among the hospitals and at last find him. Came to camp at noon and write letters in the afternoon. No much fighting in the front today.
[August] 9th. Rain last night and today. Cook today. Wash my clothes and then write up my diary. Heavy firing on the front this afternoon. The cannons thundering away. It is said the line is 12 miles long and I know it is not much shorter. It is in the shape of a semicircle and extends half way round the City of Atlanta. From the right we look over the heart of the city to the left and can see the center. The 4th Corps is on the extreme left. Then comes the 20th, 17th, 16th, 15th, 14th, and the 23rd on the extreme right.
The rebs are either evacuating or getting reinforcements as the cars ran all night. All’s well.
[August] 10th. Write two letters today. Yesterday I received 8 photos from Cincinnati. Heavy firing along the lines today. Scouts say the rebs have 80,000 men, 40,000 of them old men and little boys. Prisoners say Mobile is taken by the Union forces. Cool and pleasant.
Union Major General William T. Sherman—“does not put on much style. Has but few tents and no grand fixings about him.”He was sometimes called “Corporal Sherman” because he had a habit of involving himself in maters that most generals would have delegated.
[August] 11th. Over at Dept. Headquarters. Wrote McHenry. Went up to the Co. and had a gay time. Had a good dinner with my old comrades in arms. All well and happy. The regiment will soon be down from Nashville. Saw Sergt. Kelly of the 4th Corps. Came back by Gen. Sherman’s Headquarters. The “Corporal” does not put on much style. Has but few tents and no grand fixings about him.
Got late paper and a map of the city of Atlanta. Saw the seige guns, the 32-pounder or 4.5 inch rifled Rodman. Saw them firing on the city of Atlanta.
[August] 12th. Boys out grazing [their horses]. Heavy firing along the lines with cannon. From out front each gun belched forth its thunder. The entire line was ablaze and the thunder was terrific.
[August] 13th. Did not get up until after daylight. Then after breakdast, went out grazing. Cut feed for my horse. Warm day, even hot. Laying in camp all the afternoon. This is my 23rd Birthday. I am still the spared object of God’s love and mercy. In the past year many have fallen. I still live and in full health rejoice. How thankful I should be for the many manifestations of love and mercy. May my heart incline towards God and His loving kindness. Shall I see another birthday? He who rules above only knows. My life is in His hands and I shall trust to him for the future. May He ever bless me.
All was quiet till near evening. Then their guns opened along the right and from the 14th Corps, all is well.
[August] 14th. All quiet on the front. Out grazing in the morning. Then wrote a letter home. This is Sabbath day and has been very quiet. It has been as the day should be—cal, quiet, and holy. How lovely it has been all day. The sun has shown lovely all day except when the shower fell like a mist all around us. When out grazing, I was in an old cotton gin and got full of fleas. Well they are not pleasant. I have killed about fifty and still find them.
[August] 15th. Go over to Dept. Headquarters to get horses and mules shod, Have a god time with the Co. and the “signal boys.” Went up to the 20th Corps Headquarters [of] Brigadier [Alpheus] Williams. Burch all night. Came back and then came “home.” Rained slightly. I saw William Small today. He looks well, happy and free. One letter from Lizzie K. Glad to hear from L. All well.
[August] 16th. Did not get up early as I had the diarrhea and [did] not feel well. Write a letter to L. K. this forenoon. Burch came over from the 20th Corps. Happy as ever. Burch at dinner at the Bancroft House. Sold to Burch my album for $20. No fighting on the front. Mr. Rumor says Wheeler tore up the railroad in the rear. The boys say, “Bully for Wheeler.” All quiet at the front. Hark! I hear the sweet strains of music rolling out in the evening air. Ah! how beautiful the evening is. The moon in full glory comes up over the earthen hills and shines with a clear silver light and then as the music floats in the balmy breeze I go back to long past days and live over the scenes of other days.
But why dream of this? All is well. Rumor says the rebs have 80,000 men in the works and 60,000 of Lee’s vets have come down to help Hood. All right, Mr. Johnny Reb, we are glad to see you. Hope you will have a good short time and a good grave.
[August] 17th. Beef steak, biscuit and tea for breakfast and I do full justice to it. Our grazing and I go into a corn field and pull two large bundles of blades [leaves]. It reminded me of the old “blading parties” of my youth. In the afternoon, we cut pine boughs for a walk in front of the officer’s tents. I do not think they would ask us to do such things if they had heard us talk. But little firing on the front. All was well. At dark, hear the [ ] Corps and the [ ] Corps are going on an expedition with [ ] days rations. Move at dawn on the 19th. Glad of it.
[August] 18th. Up early and feed Dick. I think he is a good, noble war horse. Finishing a letter and sending photos home. Now I must go and wash my clothes. Washing done, I go to Dept. Headquarters, see the boys and have plenty of news. Wheeler whipped at Dalton. Gen. A. J. Smith’s forces coming up. “Kill’ [Kilpatrick] on a rampage to the right, &c. &c. Come back and find marching orders for the Corps revoked, but that “our party” go on station in the morning. Well that suits me.
[August] 19th. Beef steak, biscuit and coffee. Pack up and pull out and are off. Move in rear of the Army of the Tennessee and pull up where 14th Corps Headquarters was. and in rear of the right of the 20th Corps. Put up camp and work hard. Get mad and use some rough words. Do not think I was to blame as I do not wish to be called a damned liar. All passes off. Warm day and the flies are awful. The horses are almost crazy. I am on station [Maryland?]. Try but fail to open [communication] with Signal Hill near Vining’s Station. Up till 1 a.m. Rain. Heavy fighting on the front today. I hear the rebs made a charge on the 15th Corps and were repulsed. Cannonade and musketry heavy. In the night, I saw two large fires toward Atlanta, Five of the 11th Indiana Battery’s guns are bursted. 20 pound Parrotts.
[August] 20th. Up early and go to Vining’s with Sharp. Come back and get in station. Good news from everywhere, Trains down all night. Hopes of mail, papers came. Rain. Open [communication] with Signal Hill. On duty until 7 p.m. No one at home except myself. Light my candle. Read the news and write.
Still the “pets” [cannon’s roar] will throw a few compliments into the “Gate City.” One of the “pets” shells make a most unearthly shriek and is plainly heard, I wonder if the Johnnies do not think some of the spirits of the infernal regions are not upon them. All goes well.
[August] 21st. Sunday. I am not up early. Raining. Put up a bower over the officers’ tents and our own also. Work hard all day as it is quite cool. One letter today from Lizzie with [ ]. At a citizen’s house nearby us. Came near getting into a difficulty but was innocent. “Pets” pounding away tonight.
[August] 22nd. Up early, clean up, and have inspection. Have a nice camp and feel well. But hello! How is this? Tear down, pack up, and away we go. Down by Dept. Headquarters and up near Gen. Geary’s Headquarters to a new station. All cleared off and looking nice in the shade. Put up tents, open station, and after hard work, get some rest. All has been quiet on the lines today. Sharp [went] away so I had the tent to put up myself. All’s well.
[August] 23rd. Went over to the 14th Corps Headquarters after forage and rations. Get all I want and come to camp at dark. Jeff C. Davis a Major general and in command of the 14th Corps. The 2nd Division, 14th, has been on a raid to the railroad. On duty last night.Feel well.
[August] 24th. Plenty of duty. On station two hours and off 8 hours. Went over to the 20th Corps Headquarters. Burch well. I get the photo. Eat dinner with him. Went up on a lookout station near Gen. Geary’s headquarters with Leb Metzgar. Have a good view of the city, the rebel works and guns, flags, camp houses battered down, and see plenty of rebs. I saw the two large guns of the rebs and saw them fire. Away on the right a heavy fight goes on. I can see the flash of the guns and see where the shells burst and the battyle smokey as clouds di the far heavens.
Gen. Kill [Kilpatrick] has rode entirely around Atlanta and the minions of Hood, tore up 4 miles of the Macon road, burned two trains, took 300 prisoners, was twice surrounded by immense numbers but cut his way out, charging with cannon and all. Cheers for Kill.
Shark came back with news and pictures of Pap Thomas and Gen. McPherson. Get two letters—one from home and one from Frank Stanley. Frank is well and at Monmouth, Illinois. I received his photo.
[August] 25th. Well we have new [ ] for table place, but here comes the order to break up and move to 14th Corps Headquarters and so away we go and at noon have a comfortable camp at the old camp 14th Corps. But at 4 p.m. the order pack up, up and go on station. Got there at dusk out on the front near Gen. Morgan’s Headquarters, 2nd Division, 14th Corps. An awful camp, dead hides of beeves, &c. &c.
Workmen fixed a station on the top of a mighty oak, [ ] feet high. Sharp and I got up a bunk but no tent.
[August] 26th. Put up a tent, clean off and feel well. Troops moving to the right. Warm but rain. On station and communicating with Signal Hill. receiving dispatches. Skirmish at [ ] Ferry. Got two letters. One from J. C. Price and the other from B. R, a good long noble letter.
[August] 27th. Just at dark last night we found the entire army except the 20th Corps was marching to the right. We were soon on the move, leaving a nice camp and Oh, such a time as we had. I was last to come out of camp and for awhile was last. The trains were all mixed together—guns, caissons, baggage, ornance, and supply wagins together and the night dark, roads in awful condition. At 10 p.m. we pull up for the night and camp. I do not sleep much as trains and troops pass all night.
Up at 3 a.m. and pull out moving on finely to the right. I was sure we would get wet. The heavens were bright with the flash of lightning but all passed by and we moved on to the right. Came to Gen. Davis’ headquarters, 14th A. C. Nearby are Gen. Sherman’s. Gen. Schofield’s 23rd A. C. and Gen. Hascalls. Camp and get breakfast. Cole and Howgate came near getting gobbled as the lines we occupied are new in the hands of the rebs. They threw away 16 socks of forage and came to camp with almost empty wagons. Well, that will ruin a beautiful day. Very warm.
We are waiting for the Corps to get into position, then the work will go on.
[August] 28th. Roused up at 2.30 a.m., feed [horses], get breakfast, pack up and at dawn pull out. I go down to the right and move around to the South of Atlanta. Capt. Case’s Headquarters. Meet Gen. Davis and go to Gen. Thomas Headquarters, then along the 4th Corps lines and out in advance of the pickets. Grazing horses, then move to the front. Gen. Morgan, Baird, Carlin, Davis, and Thomas go to the front. Soon we move out and have some skirmishing. 2nd Division, 14th A. C.—Gen. Morgan’s—had the advance and led off with good grace. I was with the advance and rode to the front. Came to the railroads leading to Montgomery. Cut the wire and tear up the road. We advance towards the Macon road and go within 1.25 miles of the road. Gen. Davis with staff, &c, and the Signal Corps were near a mile beyond the infantry advance. Came to camp on the railroad. Have green beans and corn, coffee, sugar, meat and hard tack for supper.
[August] 29th. On guard last night. Did not get up till after sunup. Troops tearing up the railroad and doing it with completeness. Not a thing of it remains. Troops getting into position and the 14th A. C. laying still and building works. When on the advance yesterday, the moment the line was formed, the men without command went to work to throw up works. Thus I saw several unfinished lines. This has been learned from the lessons of the past few months, and well the troops know their duty.
I was out where the troops was tearing up the railroad and I must confess I never saw so much and complete destruction. The boys did the work by turning the track upside down, then tearing all apart, piling the ties and rails together and setting all on fire. The smoke was dense all along the road for miles. We are 70 miles from West Point and 13 miles from Atlanta. All goes well.
Sherman’s troops tearing up the railroad tracks.
[August] 30th. roused up at 3 a.m. and eat breakfast by the light of the camp fires. I am left with the trains and thus move along in rear of the train of Dept. headquarters. Passing through a good country, going east and a little south. I get plenty of wild grapes, or as the right name is muscatines. They were very large and excellent. I never saw such grapes in my life—better than I ever saw up North. I had all I could eat but now wish for more. Had plenty of corn and ate all day. Pushing on for the Macon Railroad. Came over a vast swamp after night, and at 11 p.m. go into camp at Corps Headquarters and are soon in bed. I did not mention I killed a sheep today and had mutten for supper and sweet potatoes.
[August] 31st. Move camp and put up in the woods. Wash my clothes. Lay in camp till 3 p.m. and then moved down on the Jonesboro road and went to camp at 9 p.m. On guard. The 15th Corps had quite a fight this affternoon. Were first driven back. Then drove the rebs.
SEPTEMBER 1864
[September] 1st. Up at a very early hour and soon was in the saddle and then down at Dept. Headquarters. Came to camp and move to the left of the 14th Corps. Through the woods, fields, ravines, and three lines of works. Came to the Macon Railroad 18 miles from Atlanta. Col. Mitchell’s Brigade tearing up the track effectively and “taking in out of the wet” the Johnnies. We fed our horses and then came back to Gen. Thomas, then go down the road towards Jonesboro. The 2nd Division moving to the front. The 3rd Division charges and drives the rebs. Gen. Thomas moves to the front and just then the rebs charge the 17th Corps on our right but the assault was repulsed. I was up on the front in this fight. We had plenty of noise. General Thomas, Howard, Sherman, with a host of brigadiers on a hill on the front. Jeff C. Davis getting his corps into position.
We move to the left and just then the battle opens. Lt. Hollopeter and I go through a woods towards the left and just then the rebs opened on the woods and pitched in the shells, shot, &c. with a rattle and made the limbs and branches fly. Came to a hill where we had a good view of the battle. Our batteries were hotly at work. The infantry was advancing in a cornfield at the far side the rebs had their works. We charged near the works but the regular brigade broke and fell back, but we soon reformed and at three we went with a yell up to the works, over them, and the rear was flooded with reb prisoners. Hark! There comes the 6th Division on a charge. They drive all before them, capture six flags, &c. The fight lasted till after dark and indeed, we fought all night. I came to camp and had plenty of [ ] for supper. It was good even if it was ‘secesh.” I ate a good lot.
Well this is the first of September and I have spent it on the battlefield, was not well part of the time, but now am all right. [See Battle of Jonesborough]
[September] 2nd. Move camp near Jonesboro. I get plenty of corn for horses. Saw 3 guns we took from the rebs yesterday, I and Sharp go with Lieutenant to Jonesboro and soon Headquarters. The town has been a pretty place be[fore] the fight was in it last night and every house has a shot through it. Some of them are perfectly riddled. In p.m. camp in a pretty place, the rebs are gone some six miles down the railroad. I think only two Corps are down here and one was the conscripts on Atlanta. Rumor that “Atlanta is ours.” I feel well and all are happy over the victory yesterday. The 14th Corps did all the work.
[September] 3rd. Out foraging and get four loads of corn, a horse, a lot of beef, sweet potatoes, &c. Get a good cook. Rain comes up. Johnnies came in and we sent to Atlanta. 2200 are sent off. [Page missing]…[Capt. Lindsay?] of the 78th OVI came to see me. Capt. is a gay boy. The 98th was in the fight. Took 4 cannon, one General, and hundreds of rebs. Troops cheering and then men wild with shouts of victory.
[September] 4th. Drew rations. McHenry went home this morning. Capt. Cole ordered our cooks out of camp for pure revenge. But there’s a better day coming. Had a good wash and feel well. Capt. Lindsay over to see me again. This is Sunday and all is quiet. I am sleepy and thus put in a rest of the afternoon. We live well, have plenty of sweet potatoes, corn, &c. At dusk, the mail comes in. I got three letters and a blank book. Hear that CompanySergeant is not dead but is prisoner. Allison D. at home. I was up till 12 midnight. The day has been warm and sultry. Rumor of the evacuation of Richmond and that Lee is coming to Augusta to help Hood.
[September] 5th. All quiet today. I was writing letters all the forenoon. Rain in the afternoon and a storm at dusk. Trains going to the rear and I think we will soon go back to Atlanta. We have completely used up all the corn in this country. Not a thing eatable remains. Jonesboro has been a pretty place; is the County seat of Clayton county, Georgia, is 21 miles south od Atlanta. Kilpatrick made a raid into this place in August, tore up the railroad, and burned the depot, shops, &c. During the last few days, many of the citizens left for the South, yet many remain in a destitute condition. The rebel hospital was an awful place of suffering, misery, &c.
[September] 6th. Wash my duds and just then the order comes to move out. Soon ready and move out to the camp we occupied the night of the [ ]. I am cook today and have boiled beef, cracker soup, &c, &c. for dinner, and meatm coffee, sugar, and dessicated potatoes for supper.
[September] 7th. Up early and soon make out towards Atlanta. We make good time. Pass Gen. Thomas and Gen. Sherman. Pass “Rought & Ready” and go into in a pretty place. The rebs are following us up closely but do not do us much harm. Rather cool but pleasant. We have been just four months on this campaign and yet the troops look well and feel well. Thanks to Major Gen. Sherman’s policy of conducting a campaign. We have been well fed, clothed and equipped. Not one man has of necessity went without rations one day. We had all we could desire on such a march, such a campaign, and be far from our base of supplies.
[September] 8th. Move out early and just then the news of John Morgan’s death and the report of Early by Phil Sheridan was received by the troops with the wild shout of victories ringing on the clear morning air with thrilling effect. I heard the cheers of the 14th Corps and Oh! how it cheered one to know they could yet yell. We move on towards Atlanta rapidly and soon come to where the rebs had their camp and hospitals, nearby were many graves. Meet the cars coming out of the city. Come up to the old rebel works. Saw the great gun the “64 Pound” still in the carriage but spiked. Heavy works yet not so beautiful, regular, or well planned and finished as the works we put up.
Got dinner, then go into a camp. Get plenty of lumber and prepare to make a nice camp in a nice grove. Work hard. Do not get up anything but for shelter. Feel very tired and soon go to bed.
But my book is now nearly full and I must close for the present. I have tried to write a correct history of the past, yet in many places I may be mistaken as to the “Run[ ]. But of myself, I have only taken permanent notes.
Spared & Shared 23 