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

Monday, September 22, 2014

September 22d. This morning prisoners began to show up. They were guarded from here to Harper’s Ferry by a portion of our regiment, who relieved the cavalry escort, or guard. Our boys joking with them. Some of them we had been up against at Lynchburg, during Hunter’s raid. The wagon trains have left here, going on to Harper’s Ferry. Nothing for us to do here. Reported late tonight we leave here in the morning.

Thursday, 22d.—Colonel E. P. Wadkins took command of brigade.

Thursday, 22d—It is still raining, which makes the third day’s rain. My ward was broken up today and the sick boys were transferred to Ward D in hospital number 4. We worked all afternoon making the ward ready for the wounded from the field hospital. I tried to get permission to return to my regiment today, but the doctor would not let me go. But all who are able, if not needed here, are to be sent to the front tomorrow.

Etowah Bridge, Thursday, Sept. 22. Wet and dreary, but little life manifested till 3 P. M. when the news came that order releasing the old boys was at headquarters. Received with a cheer and everybody moving. Lieutenant Clark busy taking names preparatory to turning the Battery over.

Blicks Station, Va.,
September 22d, 1864.

Blicks is the name of a station on the new railroad, near our camp. A spur runs from this road to each camp, and storehouses are being built. Nothing is being done here at present but building and drill. All hands are busy. Not an idle man in all this army, that is able to do duty. Old fortifications are being strengthened and new ones built, and drilling is pushed with as much vigor as fortifications and railroads. Barely enough men are left in the rifle pits to watch the enemy; the rest are drilling—drilling—in squads, by companies, battalions, brigades, and, twice a week, an entire division at a time.

This place has become a camp of instruction for recruits. Some regiments are nearly full. The Fifty-fifth Massachusetts has received over two hundred “Yankees” direct from Germany.

Glorious news from the “Valley” today. A dispatch was read to the men on drill, giving the news of the day up to 6 p. m. of yesterday. The air was rent with shouts that could be heard for miles. We fully understand the importance of a genuine, decisive victory in that quarter. I am waiting, with feverish anxiety, the details of Sheridan’s achievements. We are having beautiful weather—rain enough to lay the dust, but not enough to make the roads muddy.

Thursday, September 22.— Day cloudy. Dr. Marks called on me this morning. One of the deserters was roughly handled by the men. They tore his clothing off, and robbed him of his money. He did not meet with much sympathy. Had our usual concert in the night from drunkards in the lock-up.

22nd. Rebs at Milford, fortified. Whole Cav. corps up. Skirmishing all day. At night fell back. Great victory by infantry.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 22D.—Cloudy; rained much last night.

            The following is all we know yet of Early’s defeat:

“HEADQUARTERS ARMY OP NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“September 2001, 1864.                     

“HON. JAMES A. SEDDON.
            “Gen. Early reports that, on the morning of the 19th, the enemy advanced on Winchester, near which place he met his attack, which was resisted from early in the day till near night, when he was compelled to retire. After night he fell back to Newtown, and this morning to Fisher’s Hill.
            “Our loss reported to be severe.
            “Major-Gen. Rhodes and Brig.-Gen. Godwin were killed, nobly doing their duty.

            “Three pieces of artillery of King’s battalion were lost.
            “The trains and supplies were brought off safely.
            “(Signed)                                             R. E. LEE.”

            The profound chagrin produced by this event is fast becoming a sort of reckless unconcern. Many would fight and die in the last ditch, rather than give upRichmond; and many others are somewhat indifferent as to the result, disgusted with the management of affairs.

            The President left the city on Monday, ignorant of the defeat of Early, forGeorgia. It is said Beauregard is with him; but this is not certain. His private secretary, Mr. Burton Harrison, says he will be absent at least a month, perhaps until Christmas. Congress meets early in November; and before that day we may have terrible events—events determining the fate of the war.

            We have heard heavy firing down the river all day; but it may not be a serious matter, though a general battle is looked for soon on the south side.

            Gen. Lee will soon be reinforced materially. The President has adopted a suggestion I made to Gen. Bragg, and a general order is published to-day virtually abolishing the Bureau of Conscription. The business is mostly turned over to the commanders of the Reserves; and conscription is to be executed by Reserve men unfit for duty in the field. All the former conscript officers, guards, details, clerks, etc. fit to bear arms, are to go into the ranks.

            “When the cat’s away, the mice will play,” is an old saying, and a true one. I saw a note of invitation to-day from Secretary Mallory to Secretary Seddon, inviting him to his house at 5 P.M. to partake of “pea-soup” with Secretary Trenholm. His “pea-soup” will be oysters and champagne, and every other delicacy relished by epicures. Mr. Mallory’s red face, and his plethoric body, indicate the highest living; and his party will enjoy the dinner while so many of our brave men are languishing with wounds, or pining in a cruel captivity. Nay, they may feast, possibly, while the very pillars of the government are crumbling under the blows of the enemy.

            It is said the President has gone toGeorgia to prevent Governor Brown, Stephens, H. V. Johnson, Toombs, etc. from making peace (forGeorgia) withSherman.

            A splenetic letter from Gov. Vance indicates trouble in that quarter. He says the Confederate States Government threw every possible impediment in his way when he bought a steamer and imported machinery to manufacture clothing for the North Carolina troops, and now the Confederate States Quartermaster-General is interfering with these factories, because, he says, he, the Governor, is supplying the troops at less expense than the Quartermaster-General would do. He demands details for the factories, and says if the Confederate States Government is determined to come in collision with him, he will meet it. He says he will not submit to any interference. Gov. Vance was splenetic once before, but became amiable enough about the time of the election. Since his election for another term, he shows his teeth again.