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

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

16th.—A visit to-day from my brother Dr. B., who bears the utter desolation of his home quietly, though so sudden a change of circumstances is of course very depressing. He tells me that he has lately had a visit from a very interesting young South Carolinian, who came to look for the body of his brother. The two brothers were being educated in Germany when the war broke out; and as soon as they were of military age, with the consent of their parents, they hastened home to take part in their country’s struggle. In one of the cavalry fights in Hanover, in May last, one brother was killed, and the other, “not being able to find the body at the time, was now seeking it.” His mother was on the ocean returning to her home, and he could not meet her with the information that her son’s body could not be found. He had heard that some of the fallen had been buried at S. H. or W. He mentioned that their intimate friend, young Middleton, had fallen in the same fight. Mr. Middleton had been buried at S. H., and his grave had been marked by Mrs. N.; but young Pringle (the name of the brothers) had been carried to neither place. Mr. Pringle had seen in a New York paper an account given by a Yankee officer of several wounded Confederates who had been captured, and having died on their way to the “White House,” they were buried by the roadside, and he had some reason to believe that his brother was among them. It was then remembered that there were three graves on the opposite side of the Pamunky River, and one was marked with the name “Tingle.” It was an excessively warm Sunday morning; but as the young soldier’s furlough only extended to the following day, there was no time to be lost. Dr. B. and the brother set out upon their melancholy mission, having obtained a cart, one or two men, and given an order at a neighbouring carpenter’s shop for a coffin. After crossing the river they found the three graves, at the place designated, in the county of King William. The one marked “Tingle ” contained the body of a Federal and one of a Confederate soldier, but not the brother. The next one opened was not the right one; but the third contained the much-loved remains, which were easily recognized by the anxious brother. Tenderly and gently, all wrapped in his blanket, he was transferred from his shallow grave to his soldier’s coffin, and then conveyed to S. H., to be placed by his friend Middleton. It was now night, the moon shone brightly, and all was ready. The families from both houses gathered around the grave. “Slowly and sadly they laid him down.” No minister of the Gospel was near to perform the services. Dr. B. stood at the head with a Prayer-Book for the purpose, but his defective sight obliged him to yield the book to Mrs. N., who, with a clear, calm voice read by the light of a single lantern the beautiful ritual of the Episcopal Church. The grave was filled in solemn silence, the brother standing at the foot. When all was over, the young ladies and children of the families advanced with wreaths and bouquets, and in an instant the soldier’s grave was a mound of fresh flowers. The brother could no longer restrain his feelings; he was completely overwhelmed, and was obliged to retire to his room, where he could indulge them freely. Next morning he returned to his command, after a leave-taking in which the feelings expressed by all parties evinced more of the friendship of years than the acquaintance of hours. It seems strange indeed that this scene, so similar to that of the burial of the lamented Captain Latane, should have occurred at the same place. But who could relate, who could number the sad scenes of this war? Many such have probably occurred in various parts of the country.

Friday, 16th.—Inspection. Some talk of moving towards Alabama.

September 16th. All is quiet in camp and on picket duty. General Sheridan and the main part of the army are near Winchester. Long wagon trains with supplies pass through town, to and from the main army. Must be kept well guarded. Guerillas are liable to attack the trains at most any point and time. One can get a good view of the valley and surrounding country from the mountains and hills.

September 16.—We have a truce of ten days. It has been given to let the people get out of Atlanta. Sherman has ordered every one to leave that place. Refugees are coming out by the thousand, perfectly destitute, as they are not permitted to bring any thing with them.

The authorities in the South are doing every thing to alleviate the sufferings of these unfortunates. There are people here separated from their families, and with no idea where they have gone.

The great chieftain, General John Morgan, is no more. This brave man did not have the honor of falling on the battlefield. It is said he was betrayed by a woman, and that after he surrendered he was brutally murdered, and that indignities of all kinds were heaped on his lifeless body; but his “country conquers with his martyrdom.”

Alas! how fleeting is every thing in this world; it seems but yesterday that he took for his bride one of Tennessee’s fairest daughters. She is now bereft of her all, and, like the bride of Glenullen,

 

"Shall await,

Like a love-lighted watch-fire, all night at the gate;

A steed comes at morning; no rider is there;

But its bridle is red with the sign of despair."

 


He was brave, chivalrous, and patriotic. He will never die in the hearts of his countrymen. He has fallen in a great cause— a nobler death he could not have wished for. “His spirit will walk abroad, and never rest till the great cause triumphs.”

Friday, 16th—There was quite an excitement early this morning when it was learned that the rebel cavalry was indeed here. All the convalescents in the hospital were armed and ordered out into the rifle pits. Wheeler’s cavalry were in plain view across the river north of town. They did not come across, however, as they discovered that our garrison was in shape to give them a warm reception. All is quiet at present.

Etowah Bridge, Friday, Sept. 16. Last night was very cold, freezing a little this morning. Hot enough in midday. No news or excitement. No prospects of marching very suddenly now. The “’61 boys” are rather apprehensive that their papers will not come around in time to leave on the 20th. Interesting congratulatory order from General Logan read to us at retreat to the 15th Army Corps saying that they fear not the enemy, but punish and defeat him.

Friday, September 16. — Wrote to-day to Dr. Marks and Mr. Saunders for reading matter. By the way, whenever any one comes to see us, we always have to have a rebel officer present, so that the conversation is naturally rather constrained. Received several books from Dr. Marks, with some writing paper and a bottle of coffee.

16th. Remained in camp. Read and wrote.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 16TH.—Bright and pleasant—the weather.

            Gen. Hood telegraphs that his army is so much mortified at the feeble resistance it made toSherman, that he is certain it will fight better the next time.

            Mr. Benjamin asks a passport and transportation for Mrs. Jane L. Brant, who goes toEurope in the employment of the government.

            Gen. Morgan’s funeral took place to-day. None were allowed to see him; for the coffin was not opened. On the way toHollywoodCemetery, Gen. Ewell received a dispatch that our pickets were driven in at Chaffin’s Farm. This demonstration of the enemy compelled him to withdraw the military portion of the procession, and they were hurried off to the battle-field.

            The local troops (clerks, etc.) are ordered to assemble at 5 P.M. to day. What does Grant mean? He chooses a good time, if he means anything serious; for our people, and many of the troops, are a little despondent. They are censuring the President again, whose popularity ebbs and flows.