20th. Saturday. Spent the day quietly in camp. A little skirmishing between pickets. Rebels reported moving on Martinsburg. Some talk about officers in regt. Rained.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
20th.—A friend from the Valley has described a successful attack made by Mosby on a Federal wagon-train near Berryville. It was on its way to the army near Strasburg, and Mosby was on the other side of the Shenandoah. He crossed in the night with one cannon and about seventy-five men, and at daylight surprised the drivers and guard as they were beginning to hitch their mules, by a salute from the cannon and seventy-five pistols. There was a general stampede in an instant of all who were unhurt. As quick as thought, 600 mules were turned towards the river, and driven to the command in Loudoun. In the mean time, the wagons were set on fire, and most of them and their contents were consumed before the luckless drivers could return to their charge.
It is said that our new steamer, the “Tallahassee,” has been within sixty miles of the city of New York, very much to the terror of the citizens. It also destroyed six large vessels. I bid it God-speed with all my heart; I want the North to feel the war to its core, and then it will end, and not before.
August 20th, 1864.
I have visited the regiment, as I intended. I found them all well except Colonel Luce. He is suffering from injuries received at Spottsylvania and from fever. Preparations are being made to send him home. I had but little time to visit with the boys, as they moved that night. When I returned this morning I found great changes had taken place in the hospital. First, a new Surgeon is in charge, and, of course, new regulations. All the old incumbents have been removed and an entire new set installed. An order has been issued by General Meade forbidding any enlisted man helping in any of the hospitals or commissions, which throws me out of a job. As things are not to my liking here, I will report at once to the field hospital.
Saturday, 20th—This is general scrub day. We had a busy day in the hospital fitting out cots for the latest arrivals. Our ward is crowded to the limit, there being more sick and wounded here now than at any previous time. Our hospital number 4 contains only the sick. All is quiet. No news from General Grant.
Saturday, August 20. — We amused ourselves with draw poker and whist. Hot as the devil during the day. Night cool, consequently did not suffer much from bed bugs. Major Filler’s bed was taken downstairs. Went outside the prison to get some money from Lieutenant Eichberg. We have to pay $5 per pound for butter, $2.50 a dozen for eggs, 50 cents for small loaf of bread, $4 for watermelons, $1 per dozen for small apples, etc.
Etowah Bridge, Saturday, Aug. 20. We were up in time to see an expedition start down the river, consisting of 900 cavalry and three regiments of infantry. They laid under arms all night, and were going to ascertain if there was any force in this vicinity. Infantry returned in six hours. Cavalry went. Lieutenant Clark went out scouting with armed squad. Twenty-six guerrillas and conscripters are all he can hear of. Brigade of troops from Rome arrived yesterday but returned immediately not needed. Went to town after being relieved from guard. Back mail gone to the front.
August 20, 1864.
During the last few days cavalry has been operating on the right against the enemy’s communications. We have been making demonstrations, as they call it, or diversions in favor of the cavalries; that is, one, two or three times a day we raise a yell along our corps line, and open on the enemy with cannon and muskets. This, aside from scaring them a little (and it is getting most too old to do even that), does but trifling damage, for at the opening yell they all “hunt their holes,” in army slang, take position in their works. Everybody is satisfied the Johnnies here are only waiting for dark nights to evacuate.
Aug. 20th. Same place. I stopped at the regt. hospital.
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Aug. 20, 1864.—The Adjutant has just returned from an inspection tour down the line. There is a rebel force on the other side of the river, as near as I can learn. About a regiment recently came in there. I suppose they are going to picket that side of the river and try to keep us on our side. Five of Company A men were captured across the river on Thursday, near the mouth of Flint river, twenty miles below. They were over there and were decoyed away from the river, surrounded and captured—no one hurt.
August 20th. No rain this morning, very cloudy. Keeping quiet in the woods. Late this afternoon, marching orders. Marching on towards Charlestown. The enemy must be near. Halt near the town on the Berryville Pike. Reported we remain here for the night. Very cloudy. Nothing important has taken place. All is quiet.
