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

Sunday, August 17, 2014

17th. We moved out at daylight. Passed White Post and turned towards Winchester, which we reached about noon. Train passed through and camped on Berryville road. Major Seward reported to escort the train. Moved at 5 P. M. 1st Cav. Div. and 3rd and one brigade of infantry in line south of town. Skirmishing till dark, when rebs charged on skirmish line on left and captured a good many prisoners. Major Nettleton acted as rear guard through town. Lost one killed, Johnson, and 8 wounded. Command got through town in haste. Col. Purington and Dutton again skedaddled, guess they will hear from it this time. Moved to Summit Point, 16 miles from Harper’s Ferry. Rained during the night.

August 17th, 1864.

Lieutenant Sudborough has received a captain’s commission, and commands the regiment. Rath is in Michigan, recruiting. It is very sickly here; mostly confined to new regiments and recruits. Very little sickness among the veterans.

The Christian delegation is very low; less than half as many as three months ago. Many become scared the first week and leave for their homes. Delicate looking ladies endure the heat, fatigue and malaria much better than the men.

Wednesday, 17th—No rain today—the first day without rain during this month. A train load of sick and wounded came in today from the front. The railroad is in running order again after the raid by General Wheeler, in which he tore up about two miles of track near Dalton, Georgia. It is reported that Wheeler has been captured with eight hundred of his men.

Wednesday, August 17. — Usual routine of prison life. At night the air was terribly close, and one finds it a relief to see daylight. What with bed-bugs and foul air the nights are unpleasant. They found a tunnel our men were at work on to-day.

August 17 — Our guns came up on the train to-day.

Etowah Bridge, Wednesday, Aug. 17. Night passed undisturbed with us, but all was activity at Cartersville nearly all night. Wagon trains loaded, standing hitched up ready to move any moment. On fatigue duty this morning. Went out after two loads of corn fodder, returned by 11 A. M. The day was spent with anxious glances for the train from the North, but none arrived. Although nothing formidable presents itself to us, a feeling of weakness fills the mind when the single thread that connects us with home and supplies is broken. Wheeler is reported to have been repulsed at Dalton with heavy loss, and General Smith is following, but Gen. S. D. Lee is supposed to be moving north towards this line with a heavy force of infantry, estimated from ten thousand to thirty thousand. Ditches, works were cleared out this evening. There are muskets at Brigade headquarters. If we should be pinched the extra men would be supplied with them.

Aug. 17th. Fell in with the Brigade as it passed on their way to our old Div. Layed in a close mass all day; it rained hard.

August 17th. This morning finds us at Winchester after an all night’s march. The night was hot. Did not have the hot sun beating down upon us. The return march was slow. After a few hours’ rest and something to eat, pushed on to Berryville, east of Winchester. Reached there at night, tired out. A march of thirty miles from Cedar Creek. The enemy following on after us. Orders to remain here over night. Owing to the hot dry weather, the brooks and creeks are dry, no wading.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 17TH.—Cloudy, and slight showers. In the afternoon dark clouds going round.

            We have nothing from below but vague rumors, except that we repulsed the enemy yesterday, slaughtering the negro troops thrust in front.

            FromAtlanta, it is said the enemy have measurably ceased artillery firing, and it is inferred that their ammunition is low, and perhaps their communications cut.

            The President and Secretary of War were in council all the morning, it is said, on appointments and promotions in the army.

            The President rode out toward the battle-field at 2½ P.M. There have been no guns heard to-day.