18th. Thursday. Division came up. Moved east of town to give it opportunity to take position. Unharnessed most of the day. Visited some with Major Nettleton. Had a good night’s rest.
Monday, August 18, 2014
18th.—For several days our whole time has been occupied nursing the dear little grandchild, whose life was despaired of for two days. We are most thankful for his recovery
The army is now on the north side of James River, and this evening, at this moment, we hear heavy cannonading, and musketry is distinctly heard from the hills around the city. Oh, Heavenly Father! guide our generals and troops, and cause this sanguinary conflict to end by a desirable, an honourable peace!
Thursday, 18th—It is the same old thing over and over. The first thing we do when sick and wounded soldiers come to the hospital, is to pack all their clothing, blankets, knapsacks and the like, store their accouterments and guns in a dry place, and deal out to each a cotton shirt, drawers, socks and a pair of carpet slippers. When they get well, their clothes and equipment are returned to them, and in case of death their personal effects are turned over to the regimental officer, who sends them to their former homes.
Thursday, August 18. — While we were playing whist to-day, Colonel Morgan, brother of the rebel general, came up to see us. He has just been released. Porter came up to see us. Weather very hot, as usual.
August 18 — We moved camp to-day, two miles from Gordonsville on the Charlottesville road.
Etowah Bridge, Thursday, Aug. 18. Very quiet night, followed by as quiet a day. Mail train reported to be coming in at 10 A. M., anxiously looked for to-day, but it did not come. Rebels seem to be leaving us. We bear nothing of them to-day. All we want is news and mail. I feel as though I was 2,000 miles farther away from home this week than last.
4 P. M. Startled by the shrill toot of the engine, followed by a prolonged yell that would do honor to pandemonium, and we knew the 3rd Division is coming home. 48th and 93rd returned without firing a gun, chased the rebels across the Oostanaula River. Reported to be 3,000 strong, going towards East Tennessee.
Aug. 18th. Layed in the same place until dark, rained; started for the front of Petersburg, walked all night; rained a little. Marched until Morning of the 19th.
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Claysville, Ala., Thursday, Aug. 18, 1864.—Everything is quiet here. Occasionally a scouting party of rebels make their appearance on the other side of the river and fire across at our pickets, but they do not stay long. Yesterday this occurred opposite Company C. They are careful to keep the river between them and us. There are guerillas in the mountains on this side, but they never come on our beat. These fellows always give cavalry a wide berth, but they sometimes pitch into infantry.
A great many deserters, contrabands and refugees come to us from the other side. We send them North. Some of the deserters enlist in our regiment. They tell the same story of despondency, destitution, and a growing Union sentiment in the South. Lieut. Murray is very sick at Huntsville. Fears are entertained that he will not recover.
August 18th. Rain came during the night and this morning. While we do not like to get wet, it is welcome. Will lay the dust, provided there is not too much, to make mud. Again on the march. Left Berryville by way of the Charlestown Pike. After a march of about six miles, came to a halt in woods, a field of corn nearby furnished us with plenty to boil and roast. Rain continues. All is quiet tonight in camp.
by John Beauchamp Jones
AUGUST 18TH.—Cloudy and pleasant.
Still we have no authentic account of the details of the fights on the north side of theJames River. We know we lost two brigadier-generals, and that we captured some 600 prisoners. Of the number killed and wounded on either side is all conjecture, although a semi-official statement makes our loss but “light.”
Nevertheless, I happen to know that the President rode out yesterday, and remained until late in the night: for Mr. Craddock, his special detective (and formerly his messenger), whom he sent for to accompany him, assures me while on the field there was a flag of truce to bury the dead, and that the slaughter had been large. Our cavalry had suffered; but he thinks the enemy’s infantry lost many more men than all our slain together. He says, moreover, that only one negro prisoner reached the city. The rest, thrust forward, being killed on the field in action, I suppose.
At 2 P.M. a rumor began to be expanded that a terrific and probably a decisive battle was going on atPetersburg. One report says the enemy assaulted our lines, the operations on this side of the river having been more a feint to draw our forces away; another that Gen. Beauregard attacked the enemy, finding their troops in large force had crossed over to this side, and this in the absence of Gen. Lee, he taking the responsibility. Be this as it may, some stir was in the cabinet: and the Secretary of War was with the President from 11 A.M. till 3 P.M. This might be on “appointments and promotions,” and it might be on Beauregard.
About 5 P.M. brisk artillery firing was heard in a southeast direction, which increased in rapidity, and apparently became nearer the city, until musketry could be distinctly heard from all parts of the city. My daughter Anne and her younger brother, Thomas, had walked out toHollywoodCemetery, where they could not only hear the firing, but could see the lines of smoke below the city, on the left or north bank. Between 6 and 7 P.M. the sound seemed to recede, indicating that the assault had been repulsed; and finally all was silent again. It is probable the battle raged likewise on the south side of the river, and it may be hoped the assault onPetersburg was similarly repulsed. We shall know to-morrow.
