23rd. Tuesday. Lu went back to the regt. Remained with the brigade all night. Returned to train in time for breakfast. Moved train over to Cole’s. Went with Bob to barbershop. Sent Barber to his company yesterday. Ficklin has taken his place and is doing splendidly. War news seems favorable. Reports that the enemy are retreating down the valley, also that he has turned towards Washington, former probably true. Lee cannot spare so many men. Cavalry force, 2nd Ohio a part, sent out light on reconnoissance.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
August 23d.—All in a muddle, and yet the news, confused as it is, seems good from all quarters. There is a row in New Orleans. Memphis[1] has been retaken; 2,000 prisoners have been captured at Petersburg, and a Yankee raid on Macon has come to grief.
At Mrs. Izard’s met a clever Mrs. Calhoun. Mrs. Calhoun is a violent partizan of Dick Taylor; says Taylor does the work and Kirby Smith gets the credit for it. Mrs. Calhoun described the behavior of some acquaintance of theirs at Shreveport, one of that kind whose faith removes mountains. Her love for and confidence in the Confederate army were supreme. Why not? She knew so many of the men who composed that dauntless band. When her husband told her New Orleans had surrendered to a foe whom she despised, she did not believe a word of it. He told her to “pack up his traps, as it was time for him to leave Shreveport.” She then determined to run down to the levee and see for herself, only to find the Yankee gunboats having it all their own way. She made a painful exhibition of herself. First, she fell on her knees and prayed; then she got up and danced with rage; then she raved and dashed herself on the ground in a fit. There was patriotism run mad for you! As I did not know the poor soul, Mrs. Calhoun’s fine acting was somewhat lost on me, but the others enjoyed it.
Old Edward Johnston has been sent to Atlanta against his will, and Archer has been made major-general and, contrary to his earnest request, ordered not to his beloved Texans but to the Army of the Potomac.
Mr. C. F. Hampton deplores the untimely end of McPherson.[2] He was so kind to Mr. Hampton at Vicksburg last winter, and drank General Hampton’s health then and there. Mr. Hampton has asked Brewster, if the report of his death prove a mistake, and General McPherson is a prisoner, that every kindness and attention be shown to him. General McPherson said at his own table at Vicksburg that General Hampton was the ablest general on our side.
Grant can hold his own as well as Sherman. Lee has a heavy handful in the new Suwarrow. He has worse odds than any one else, for when Grant has ten thousand slain, he has only to order another ten thousand, and they are there, ready to step out to the front. They are like the leaves of Vallambrosa.
[1] General Forrest made his raid on Memphis in August of this year.
[2] General McPherson was killed before Atlanta during the sortie made by Hood on July 22d. He was a native of Ohio, a graduate of West Point, and under Sherman commanded the Army of the Tennessee.
Field Hospital, August 23d, 1864.
I left City Point about 5 p. m. of the 21st inst., and arrived here at 8 o’clock. It began to rain before we were out of sight of the hospital, and kept it up until morning. A little soaking, now and then, is more agreeable than otherwise, this hot weather, but not so the mud. Sacred soil is very adhesive.
Yesterday I went to the Point for a load of ice. The roads were so soft we were compelled to walk back. Darkness and a heavy rainstorm met us half way. To add to our enjoyment, we lost our way, and wandered around in mud and darkness until nearly midnight, expecting each moment to be picked up by our pickets. That gratification was denied us, and we were forced to furnish our own lodging. “All is well that ends well.” None of us are any the worse for our misadventure. We are to move our hospital this afternoon eight miles to the left, to near the Weldon Railroad. A great battle has been fought there and victory won. Many prisoners have been taken and many lost. This same railroad was once taken by the Sixth Corps, and afterward abandoned General Grant is very active, “butting,” now here, now there. At every move the Rebels get the worst of it.
Tuesday, 23d—Foggy this morning and sultry throughout the day. David Huff of our company died here today in the field hospital east of town, of the wound he received on the 12th of the month. He was a schoolmate of mine, and a good boy. He will be missed by all of the boys of the company.
Tuesday, August 23. — News better to-clay. Learned that our forces hold the Weldon R. R. Captain Senn said that he would give us a room by ourselves as soon as possible.
Etowah Bridge, Tuesday, Aug. 23. On guard, supernumerary. Very hot day. Health good. Back mail found us at last, about a bushel of it distributed 8 A. M. This afternoon went down town to attend Captain White’s funeral at 4 P. M. Most of the officers in the Division out in full regimentals. One hundred and fifty infantry as escort. Formed lines in front part of headquarters. Eight captains as pall bearers. Coffin carried down the ranks enshrouded by a large national flag. Troops at present arms. Body placed in an ambulance, 1st Brigade band playing a sweet but mournful dirge. Procession started, viz:
1st, Chaplain in plain black uniform.
2nd, Band playing with muffled drums.
3rd, Infantry escort in four sections at reverse arms.
4th, Ambulance with coffin.
5th, Officers, lowest first, Smith and McCook in the rear.
The grave situated on a knoll neath large oaks. Infantry formed line, rested on arms, while the Chaplain read a chapter and offered an impressive prayer. All the Masonic brethren dropped a twig of evergreen when the volleys were fired. Benediction pronounced, and we returned on quick time, leaving a true soldier, who is at rest.
Camp between Harpers Ferry and Charlestown,
Virginia, August 23, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We have a pretty large Rebel army just in front of us. We drove it before us several days until it was reinforced when it slowly drove us back to this point. Here we are in a pretty good position and there seems to be a purpose to fight a general battle here if the enemy choose to attack. Of course, there are frequent skirmishes and affairs in which parts of the army only are engaged which are small battles. So far our success in such affairs has been quite as good as the enemy’s. I am inclined to think that there will be no general engagement here.. It looks as if we were so well prepared that the Rebels would move in some other direction.
I am now longer without a letter from you than ever before. I know you write but we have had no mails. — My health is good. I heard from Lucy and Uncle Sunday. The weather is now delightful. We have had good rains. — Love to all.
Affectionately, your son,
R.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Camp Near Charlestown Six Miles (or Four) from
Harpers Ferry, August 23, 1864.
Dearest : — For the first time since I saw you I received letters from you the day before yesterday. I hope I shall not be so cut off again. It almost pays, however, in the increased gratification the deferred correspondence gives one. You can’t imagine how I enjoy your letters. They are a feast indeed.
I had hardly read your letter when we were called out to fight Early. We skirmished all day. Both armies had good positions and both were too prudent to leave them. So, again yesterday. We are at work like beavers today. The men enjoy it. A battle may happen at any moment, but I think there will be none at present. Last evening the Twenty-third, Thirty-sixth, and Fifth surprised the Rebel skirmish line and took a number of prisoners, etc., without loss to us. It is called a brilliant skirmish and we enjoyed it much.
You recollect “Mose” Barrett. He was taken prisoner at Lynchburg while on a risky job. I always thought he would get off. Well, he came in at Cumberland with a comrade bringing in twelve horses from the Rebel lines!
Colonel Tomlinson was slightly wounded in the skirmish last night, just enough to draw blood and tear his pants below the knee. — One corporal of the color-guard was killed at Winchester — George Hughes, Company B. He died in five minutes without pain.
Winchester is a noble town. Both Union and Secesh ladies devote their whole time to the care of the wounded of the two armies. Their town has been taken and retaken two or three times a day, several times. It has been the scene of five or six battles and many skirmishes. There are about fifty Union families, many of them “F. F.’s.” But they are true as steel. Our officers and men all praise them. One queer thing: the whole people turn out to see each army as it comes and welcome their acquaintances and friends. The Rebels are happy when the Secesh soldiers come and vice versa. Three years of this sort of life have schooled them to singular habits.
I have heard heavy skirmishing ever since I began to write. Now I hear our artillery pounding, but I anticipate no battle here as I think our position too good for Early to risk an assault and I suppose it is not our policy to attack them.
Interrupted to direct Captain Gillis about entrenching on our left. Meantime skirmish firing and cannonading have almost ceased.
I believe you know that I shall feel no apprehension of the war being abandoned if McClellan is elected President. I therefore feel desirous to see him nominated at Chicago. Then, no odds how the people vote, the country is safe. If McClellan is elected the Democracy will speedily become a war party. A great good that will be. I suspect some of our patriots having fat offices and contracts might then on losing them become enamored of peace! I feel more hopeful about things than when I saw you. This Presidential election is the rub. That once over, without outbreak or other calamity, and I think we save the country.
By the by, I think I’ll now write this to Uncle Scott. So good-bye. Love to chicks. Ever so much for their grandmother and more for you, darling.
Ever yours,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Claysville, Ala, Tues., Aug. 23, 1864.—The rebels are on the other side of the river in some force, but they do not act at all threatening. They seem to be doing the same duty on that side of the river that we are doing on this side—that is, picketing the river and watching us. Thus far they have shown no disposition to get across, but of course I know nothing of their intentions. We, however, keep a strict watch on them. They appear to be in our front from here to Whitesburg.
The river is getting quite high and two gunboats passed down yesterday to Decatur. It is rather agreeable to have these fellows about when there is an enemy near us. It seems a little more like war to see an enemy occasionally, but I do not expect to have a fight with them unless I go over there after it, which I may do when I ascertain more about their position and strength. However, I shall take no unnecessary risks.
by John Beauchamp Jones
AUGUST 23D. —Clear and pleasant.
The enemy still occupy theWeldon Road, beyondPetersburg, in great force. Our loss in killed, wounded, and captured is estimated (in Sunday’s fight) at 1000; under the mark, perhaps.
I hear of no raid yet against theDanville Road; but the flour speculators have put up the price again. Gen. Kemper told me this morning that he had 3000 of the reserves defending theDanville Road, the number Gen. Lee asked for.
Gen. Hood is so strong atAtlanta, that he has promised to send, in an emergency, a brigade toMobile.
Interesting events will crowd each other rapidly, now.
