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

Monday, August 11, 2014

11th. Retained my order for duty but was allowed to go to town. Tried to find Mr. Mills’ and Mr. Holtslander’s but A. B. gave me the wrong directions. Filled up my requisition and went to Washington and drew clothing. Visited the Capitol.

Thursday, 11th.—J. R. Parker shot in foot. I am sick; excused from duty to-day. Yanks still shelling the city.

August 11.—A few days ago we received orders to pack up for a move. We were told to send the worst wounded to the Coweta House. As we have learned to do every thing with dispatch, all was ready for removal in a very short time. The cars were waiting for us, and the wounded who could be moved were put aboard. They disliked being left so much, that many pretended they were better than they really were. After every thing was in readiness, about dark, I went to the Coweta House to bid the patients good-by. The men had been sent from the Bragg, Gamble, and our hospitals. The galleries, halls, and rooms were full, and there were no nurses, no lights, and nothing to eat or drink, not even water. I met Dr. Wellford, who had gone over for the same purpose as myself. Never were two persons more joyfully received than we were. One poor boy was crying like a child. Dr. W. came back home with me, and we procured some of the nurses, and, taking some of the rations which we had cooked, and making a quantity of toddy, we carried all over. The men did not eat much, but the toddy seemed to revive them. We had also taken candles with us. I remained as long as I could be of any service. I believe Dr. W. was there till 12 o’clock that night .

The next morning I went to see them, and found they had no breakfast; and there was little prospect of their getting any. No one seemed to have them in charge. I was told that Dr. Smith, one of the surgeons of the place, was to take care of them, but he was not there then.

I heard no little grumbling, which was not much wonder. Many said they did not care how soon the enemy had them; that they could not use them worse than our own people had done.

I looked around, and discovered that there were no dishes, and no utensils in which to cook, even if we had any thing to cook. There were no changes of clothing for the men, and no rags for their wounds. I told Mrs. W. the plight the men were in, and she said she would remain with them and run the risk of being captured. We sent for Dr. Hughes, and he gave his consent for her to stay. I then asked him to send at least a change of clothing for the men who had left our hospital. He said he could not without orders. He left us, and after awhile some clothes were sent, and a lot of eggs and butter. The steward came, and asked us what kind of dishes we wished. I gave him a list, and he tried to get them, but was unable to do so, as they were packed away in boxes, which were in the car, and could not be got at.

Sallie (a little girl who was in the hospital with us) and I got on one of the box-cars along with the ladies of the Gamble Hospital, Miss Rigby and Mrs. Dr. Wildman. We were just about starting when we were informed that our hospital would not leave before next morning. Sallie and I got off, and remained all that night at Mrs. Dougherty’s, who, as usual, was very kind.

Mrs. W. stayed at the Coweta House, and by daylight next morning she came to me in great distress, saying she had not slept any all night, she had been kept awake by the groans of the men. And on trying to get something for them for breakfast, and finding nothing, had become sick at heart, and sick in reality. I sent over a large can filled with edibles, and Mrs. D. sent a nice breakfast for about six. I then went to the hospital, and, between us, we managed to get enough food for all. The men from the Gamble Hospital had been provided for; but there were not more than six or seven of them, so their things did not add much to the stock on hand.

I resolved not to leave Mrs. W., as she was quite sick. I told the post surgeon I would like to remain, he informed me that I could not please him better than by so doing; that he had been disappointed in procuring the assistance of some of the ladies of the place. He expected Dr. Smith would have taken charge of the patients before that time, and see that they were properly cared for. There had been some misunderstanding about the matter. In the hurry of evacuating a post, as was the case with us, oversights are unavoidable. Dr. Wible had issued an order to the surgeon in charge of each hospital to turn over, for the benefit of the patients, medicines, liquors, and money, which order was complied with. Such is the strict discipline in our medical department, that, as he did not specify any of the other necessaries, they were not left. The mistake was not found out until too late to retrieve it, as every thing had been packed up and sent off on the cars.

Dr. Gore, who remained a little while after the hospitals left, gave us a large box full of things which had been sent to him as a donation for the wounded. There were some nice wines and many other useful articles in it. Dr. Gore did his best to induce the citizens to lend us their assistance.

As many men as could be spared were sent around to the citizens, asking them to send us cooked provisions. Drs. Devine and Wellford were to be left as long as there was no sign of the approach of the enemy.

I spent the most of the day going around among the people, begging them for the loan of almost any thing. Mrs. Berry gave me a wash-boiler; Mrs. Dr. Redwine, a wash-tub; and Mrs. McKinly, a negro woman, to wash, and a small tub in which to bathe the men’s wounds.

Dishes of all kinds being very scarce, I could not even borrow any. By dinnertime the people commenced sending in all kinds of good things to eat, but we were in a dilemma, as we had nothing on which to put them. We managed after awhile to have them stored away until they would be consumed. We had to economize, as we were not certain when we would get any more. Mrs. Brooks intends sending food to six, which will be a great help.

I am completely worn out, as the day has been very warm. We do not know the moment the enemy may be on us, but we will have to make the best of it if they come. Our clothes have all gone with the hospitals, so we have nothing but ourselves to care for now.

Mr. Moore remained to help take care of the wounded, and he has done his part in procuring food; he has got a friend to send us some milk.

Thursday, 11th—A train loaded with sick and wounded came in this afternoon from the front. Some of our convalescents had to give up their cots to the sick, and go out to the field hospital, where they will occupy tents.

August 11.—Sheridan’s and Early’s troops are fighting in the Valley. We suffered a disaster near Martinsburg, and our troops fell back to Strasburg; had a fight on the old battle-ground at Kernstown, and we drove the enemy through Winchester to Martinsburg, which our troops took possession of. Poor Winchester, how checkered its history throughout the war! Abounding with patriotism as it is, what a blessing it must be to have a breath of free air, even though it be for a short time! Their welcome of our soldiers is always so joyous, so bounding, so generous! How they must enjoy the blessed privilege of speaking their own sentiments without having their servants listening and acting as spies in their houses, and of being able to hear from or write to their friends! Oh! I would that there was a prospect of their being disenthralled forever.

August 11—Last night a while after dark, and when we had already repaired to our blanket beds and were ready to enter the gates of dreamland, a blast from our bugle suddenly stirred up the whole camp. The first impression was that the Yanks were right on us, but happily such was not the case, for we were ordered to pack up our all and get ready for a moving march. The night was very dark for the marching business, nevertheless little after ten o’clock I heard the order, “Drivers mount, forward march,” and we were on the move toward Petersburg. We marched until nearly dawn, then dropped by the wayside and took a little snooze until daylight, when we renewed our march, passing through Petersburg, across the Appomattox, and moved about five miles up the Richmond road, and camped for the night.

Everything around Petersburg looks, sounds, and feels warrish. The sharpshooters are almost incessantly pegging away at one another along the line of earth works, and now and then the Yanks throw a shell into the city to scare the women. I saw about thirty little mortars to-day in a field just below Petersburg. They are made of oak timber, the base lined with sheet copper, and are used for firing short range bombs into the enemy’s fortifications and earthworks, which at some points are close to General Lee’s line of defense.

Richland Jail, Columbia, S. C., Aug. 11, 1864.

Dear Father, — Charlie Amory is here with us. He is well and unwounded. He was captured with General Bartlett. Ile is in our mess, which consists of Colonel Marshall, 14th N. Y. A., Colonel White, 31st Maine, and Lieutenant Colonel Buffum, 4th R. I., all of whom were captured the same time I was. When the enemy charged us on the 30th ult. I was in the second line with my regiment. We were so closely packed in the rifle-pit that I could not move an inch, nor could my men fire a shot. The enemy carried the first line and for some time amused themselves by shooting at the crowd I was in. I was luckily not wounded.

We are very kindly treated indeed, and I am not at all troubled except by certain little animals, which inhabit beds, and give out an unpleasant perfume when killed. They are especially fond of me.

Please send me a 20-pound sterling bill of exchange, payable to my order. I think you can send it through Major Anderson or Major General Foster, commanding at Hilton Head. If not, you can send it via Fortress Monroe. Try and get a small box through to me containing 2 shirts, 2 pairs drawers, 2 pairs stockings, and a small box of mercurial ointment. Also 6 packs cards, some needles and thread and buttons, etc., and anything else you can think of. Address me Prisoner of War, Columbia, S. C. . . . Am in good health.

Captain Fay is here, well. Sergeant Ford was also taken prisoner, unhurt.

Thursday, August 11. —We had quite a shower to-day. Usual routine gone through with. We wake up at 6 A.M., and go out into the yard for half an hour, where we wash ourselves, etc. Have a good supply of water luckily, from a hydrant. We then go back to our rooms and have an inspection of our clothing, which takes a good hour. About nine o’clock we have breakfast. At ten we are let out into the yard for an hour. Then we have until three o’clock to read, loaf, and enjoy prison life. At three we dine, and at four are let out again for an hour. In the evening we play whist, etc., and retire when we feel like it.

August 11, 1864.

We have lost 35 men since Colonel Wright left us. There has been a tall artillery fight this p.m. right here, but as usual no one hurt.

Etowah Bridge, Thursday, Aug. 11. Slept most of the afternoon after coming off guard. Trains of wounded came from the front, one of them stopped on switch. Had a long talk with the wounded. They belong to the Army of Tennessee. Severely wounded on the 22nd ult., the day our loved leader fell, of whom they speak most feelingly. Cheerful, in hopes of seeing home soon. One little drummer boy lost his right arm. Helped him out of the car. Young and beautiful, crippled for life, yet very light-hearted, buoyed up by knowing that he lost it in a good cause. Rumor that we are soon to go to the front.