Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

5th. Marsh came down and stayed to dinner. Moved camp a mile. A very hot day indeed. Good visit with Marsh. Better camp.

July 5.— We were to have attacked yesterday, with Ferrero’s division[1] in front, had things been ready. We moved to the front line, taking our position on the right of the battery.


[1] Ferrero commanded a negro division.

July 5th. At daylight this morning the boat got under way, pushing on up the great Ohio. Passed the towns, Middlesport, Pomeroy, Syracuse, on the Ohio side, and Hartford, West Virginia. The farther up the river we go, have more trouble with low water. Sand bars are many. Again obliged to wade ashore. Later, go on board a smaller boat. It seems to make good time as it pushes along. Reported the boat will push along all night. This will close our second day on the water. A very pleasant and interesting trip. A good rest, good food, and very plenty. We are now in good condition, ready for duty. This will no doubt be our last night on board the boat. Another good rest, provided all things go well with us during the night.

July 5 — We renewed our march this morning and moved about three miles. We are now camped on the Nottoway River in Sussex County, one mile from where the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad crosses the Nottoway.

The country here is low and flat, the land along the river being of good quality. The soil is a sandy alluvial, and produces well; but away from the river lowlands the land is poor and the general appearance of everything is uninteresting. The whole country here has a semblance of monotony that is at once tiresome to anyone who hails from the mountainous or hill country. The landscapes here are all alike and wear about the same aspect — a few level fields bounded with woods is oft repeated, and is all that one can see for miles and miles. No green mountain looms up in the distance to catch the wandering vision, and no verdant hills bound from the seemingly limitless expanse of sameness to lend enchantment to the view.

July 5th. Worked on the company’s papers. Boys are anxious to be off; but no prospect.

July 5, 1864.

Can hear no firing this p.m. It seems the Rebels have got across the Chattahoochie. We are about 12 miles from Atlanta. The river will probably trouble us some, but we all think “Pap” will make it before August 1st. Johnston don’t dare give us anything like a fair fight. We are all in splendid spirits and the boys have made the woods ring with their Fourth of July cheers, tired as they are. We have lost no men since the charge of the 27th. I have an Atlanta paper, giving an acount of that fight. They say we were all drunk with whisky and fought more like devils than men.

p.m.

We have continued our march about four or five miles today. Osterhaus and M. L. Smith are ahead of us ,and I think we are on the right of the army again. The 4th Division, 17th Army Corps is engaged one-half mile ahead of us or rather are shooting a little with their big guns. I climbed a tree a half hour ago, and what do you think?—saw Atlanta, and saw it plainly, too. I suppose it is ten miles distant, not more than 12. The country looks about as level as a floor, excepting one-half mountain, to the left of the city, some miles. We seem to be on the last ridge that amounts to anything. We are, I suppose, two and one-half miles from the river at this point, though we hold it farther to the right. Very large columns of smoke were rolling up from different parts of the city. I suppose they were the explosions of foundries, machine shops, etc. Dense clouds of dust can be seen at several points across the river; suppose it means trains or troops moving.

Have seen but few wounded going back to-day. We are laying along some very good rifle pits, occasionally embrasured for artillery, which the 17th Army Corps took this morning. They were not very stoutly defended, though, and the artillery had been moved back. With some pretty lively skirmishing the line has been advanced this evening. Not much loss on our side; saw some one-half dozen ambulance loads only.

Camp Crook, Charleston, July 5, 1864.

Dearest: — Your last from Elmwood, June 16, reached me last night. Very glad to get so good and cheerful talk.

It is not yet quite certain whether I shall be able to come and see you for a day or two or not. I think it is hardly best for you to attempt coming here now, but if I can’t come to you, we will see about it.

Sunday morning the veterans of the Twelfth under Major Carey were united to the Twenty-third and that evening your flag was formally presented to the regiment at dress parade. The hearty cheers given for Mrs. H— (that’s you) showed that you were held in grateful remembrance. I do not know whether you will get any letters from Colonel Comly or not. You certainly will if he does not think it will be a bore to you.

You have no doubt seen the proceedings of the non-veterans on giving the old flag to the governor at Columbus. I send a slip containing them to be kept with our archives. Secretary [of State, William Henry] Smith’s allusion to me was awkward and nonsensical; but as it was well meant I, of course, must submit to be made ridiculous with good grace.

The fracture of Abbott’s arm turned out like mine, a simple fracture without splintering and he saves his arm in good condition. He is doing well.

Our prisoners wounded at Cloyd’s Mountain were well treated by the citizens of Dublin and Newbern, etc., and by the Rebel soldiers of that region. Morgan and his men, however, behaved badly towards them — very badly — but as they were with them only a few hours, they were soon in better hands again. At Lynchburg the people behaved well also.

Don’t let Uncle Scott be pestered with the little sorrel. He may give him away if he can’t dispose of him otherwise.

We are gradually getting over our sore feet and weak stomachs and shall be in good condition shortly. Captain Hood is here again in command of his company. Major Mcllrath, Captain Warren, Lieutenants Deshong and Nessle and perhaps one or two others leave us here. The Twenty-third is now a large and splendid regiment again, better than ever, I suppose. — Love to all.

Affectionately, ever,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 5TH.—Cool and dry, everything suffering for rain.

            All quiet about Petersburg, but later in the day a rumor sprung up that fighting had recommenced there. I doubt it, because by Northern accounts I see Gen. Early is destroying railroads beyond the Potomac, and will undoubtedly threatenWashington itself. If Grant fails to send troops there, Early may even throw shell into the Federal city.

            Peter V. Daniel sends the Secretary of War a letter from Mr. Westmoreland, Wilmington, complaining that he is not allowed by government agents to transport cotton to that port, where his steamers are, in redemption of Confederate States bonds, while private persons, for speculative purposes, are, through the favor (probably for a consideration) of government officials, enabled to ship thousands of bales, and he submits a copy of a correspondence with Col. Sims, Assistant Quartermaster-General, and Lieut.-Col. Bayne, who is charged with the control of the exporting and importing business. Mr. Daniel thinks there is some “bribery and corruption” even in the South. But Mr. Seddon is incredulous sometimes.

            The express company has an arrangement with Col. Sims, the Assistant Quartermaster-General, by which much freight is transported.

            New potatoes are selling at $4 per quart in the market.

Kingston, Tuesday, July 5. A hot day. Evie took out my team to graze this morning. While gone three large armsful of mail was distributed to the Batteries and greedily seized by the mail-hungry Badgers. I received three good letters from home. After dinner took out horses and brought in fresh supply of berries. Found another big batch of mail for us. Two were for me. Our back mail is all up now and all are satisfied. What a manifest difference is to be seen to-night compared with last night. All is life and hilarity, songs sung, jokes cracked till late in the night.

Tuesday, 5th—Our men are still advancing. The Eleventh Iowa made a charge on the rebels’ left, on Nick-a-Jack creek, and took one line of rifle pits. We lost a few in killed and wounded. William Cross of Company E was killed by a piece of shell from the rebels’ batteries; he had returned from the hospital to his company only about two weeks before. I am still in the hospital and no better. It is quite sultry today.