10th. Wednesday. Had charge of the dock and disembarking of troops at the wharf. Rode to town near evening.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
August 10th.—To-day General Chesnut and his staff departed. His troops are ordered to look after the mountain passes beyond Greenville on the North Carolina and Tennessee quarter.
Misery upon misery. Mobile[1] is going as New Orleans went. Those Western men have not held their towns as we held and hold Charleston, or as the Virginians hold Richmond. And they call us a “frill-shirt, silk-stocking chivalry,” or “a set of dandy Miss Nancys.” They fight desperately in their bloody street brawls, but we bear privation and discipline best.
[1] The battle of Mobile Bay, won under Farragut, was fought on August 5, 1864.
Wednesday, 10th—No news from the front. The sick in my ward are all getting along well, with the exception of two men who are suffering severely with inflammatory rheumatism. Some of the men are returning to the front, while others are going home on furloughs.
Wednesday, August 10. — Colonel Marshall was appointed commandant of the prison by order of Captain Senn. Had a game of whist with the navy. Nothing new from Mobile.
August 10, 1864.
Our “color” that has floated over the 103d for nearly two years has become much worn and torn. One shell and bullets innumerable have passed through it. It is entitled to be inscribed with the following battles: Vicksburg, Black River, Jackson, Miss., Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta. It has been under the enemy’s fire 72 days on this campaign. Nearly 300 of the regiment have fallen under it.
Etowah Bridge, Wednesday, Aug. 10. On guard, second relief. Two men under arrest again. Such cases getting frequent. Rainy afternoon. No mail nor papers. All healthy, corn and peaches in plenty.
August 10th. A hot morning. Marching orders came early, to be ready to march at the report of a signal gun. It will be our first movement under the command of General Sheridan. The advance is in three grand divisions, the 19th Corps on the right, the 6th center, the 8th on the left along the river road. Signal Corps and cavalry on the advance. A part of the time we advance in line of battle. We watch, but do not understand, the work of the Signal Corps. Those boys seem to find the highest hills to work from. After advancing about ten miles, ordered to camp for the night. While all is quiet we are reminded there is trouble brewing for us. The boys talk and discuss all the movements of the day, as night comes on, and wonder what the morrow will bring.
by John Beauchamp Jones
AUGUST 10TH.—Hot and dry until 4 P.M. Gust, and 15 minutes’ rain. Good for turnips.
Forts Gaines and Powell are lost—the latter blown up. Gen. Maury telegraphs for infantry, has some 4000 men for the defense ofMobile, etc.
Our raiders, under McCausland and Bradley Johnson, it is said were surprised and defeated last Sunday, with loss of 400 men, 500 horses, and 4 pieces of artillery. A rumor prevails that Early has gained another victory nearWinchester.
No news yet from our agent sent to North Carolina to purchase supplies, but we learn flour and bacon are not held one-quarter as high there as here. I do sincerely hope Grant’s raiders will keep quiet until I can get something to eat!
