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

Saturday, September 27, 2014

September 27th. All quiet in our camp. Martinsburg is beginning to resume business again. Stores are opening up. As far as can be known, no enemy in this vicinity at the present time. Trains are running to this town.

Tuesday, 27th—General Sherman issued an order removing all citizens from Atlanta, on account of the scarcity of food. There is only one line of railroad open from the North to Atlanta, and the rebels are destroying almost every day some portions of the track, thus delaying trains. All who take the oath of allegiance are sent north beyond the Ohio river, while those who refuse to take it are to go farther south; they can take their choice. General Sherman has notified Hood to come with wagons to a station south of Atlanta and take care of the citizens, as our teams will haul them to that station. A great many are taking the oath and going North, but some think themselves too good to take the oath. Some of the women are very strong secessionists, and spurn the idea of taking the oath, declaring that they would rather die.

Etowah Bridge, Tuesday, Sept. 27. Was happy to learn that the boys got off last night. On water detail this morning, then went and stayed with R. L. Booth in the hospital, who is very sick. His brother had to leave him, did not know whether he could live an hour or not as he was very low. Cousin Griff and Dan Davis both put into the same platoon as myself and stay in the same shebang, making a very cozy little circle.

Harrisonburg, Virginia, September 27, 1864.

Dear Mother: — We are now one hundred miles south of Harpers Ferry. Our victories have so broken and scattered the Rebel army opposed to us that it is no use for infantry to pursue further, except in small parties scouting the woods and mountains. The cavalry are going on. We are resting in a lovely valley. I rather think that our campaigning is over for the present. It has been exceedingly fortunate. General Crook’s whole command has done conspicuously well. I commanded in the last fighting the fine division formerly commanded by General Crook. We led the attack on both days. It is the pleasantest command a man could have. Half of the men are from Ohio, the rest from West Virginia.

I think we shall stay here some time and then go back towards Martinsburg. — Love to all.

Affectionately,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

One Hundred Miles South Of The Potomac,

September 27, 1864.

Dear Uncle: — Our work seems to be done for the present. The cavalry and small scouting parties are after the scattered and broken army. It looks as if we should, after [a] while, return towards the Potomac. We are resting in the magnificent Valley of Virginia. A most happy campaign it has been. Our chance to act has been good, and it has been well improved. My immediate command is one of the very finest, and has done all one could desire.

There are five or six brigadier-generals and one or two major-generals, sucking their thumbs in offices at Harpers Ferry and elsewhere, who would like to get my command. One came out here yesterday to ask for it, but General Crook tells them he has all the commanders he wants and sends them back. There is not a general officer in General Crook’s army and has not been in this campaign.

Things look well in all directions. Lincoln must be re-elected easily, it seems to me. Rebel prisoners — the common soldiers — all talk one way: “Tired of this rich man’s war; determined to quit if it lasts beyond this campaign.”

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. Birchard.

One Hundred Miles South of the Potomac,

Harrisonburg, Virginia, September 27, 1864.

Dearest: — We have left the further pursuit of Early’s broken army to cavalry and small scouting parties. We are resting near a beautiful town like Delaware. We suspect our campaigning is over and that we shall ultimately go back towards Martinsburg.

It has been a most fortunate and happy campaign for us all I mean, for all who are left! For no one more so than for me. My command has been second to none in any desirable thing. We have had the best opportunity to act and have gone through with it fortunately.

My chief anxiety these days is for you. I hope soon to hear that your troubles are happily over. — Much love to the dear ones and oceans for yourself.

Affectionately ever, your

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Tuesday, September 27. — The Carolinian came out with a long letter in reply to Captain Senn. Renewed our subscription to the Carolinian. Major Filler sent a petition to Secretary Seddon that he be allowed to go to Washington to effect the exchange of prisoners here.

September 27 — This morning we moved about seven miles in the direction of Charlottesville, and camped on the roadside.

27th. Tuesday. Burned R. R. and stores. Captured Com’y and Q. M. stores. Quite a time. Visited rebel hospital, Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and Insane Asylum. Marched to Waynesboro in eve.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 27TH.—Bright and pleasant.

            We have rumors of heavy fighting yesterday nearStaunton, but no authentic accounts.

            A dispatch from Gen. R. Taylor says Gen. Forrest had gained a victory atAthens,Ala., capturing some 1500 prisoners, 500 horses, etc. etc.

            We still hear the thunder of artillery down the river—the two armies shelling each other, I suppose, as yet at a safe distance. A few more days and the curtain will rise again—Lee and Grant the principal actors in the tragedy!

            The President is making patriotic speeches inAlabama andGeorgia.

            Mr. Hudson, ofAlabama, proposes to deliver to the government 5,000,000 pounds of bacon for the same number of pounds cotton, delivered at the same place.

            Our cotton agent in Mississippi is authorized by the government here to sell cotton in exposed situations to the enemy’s agents for specie, and to buy for Confederate notes.

            The funeral expenses of Gen. Morgan the other day amounted to $1500; the Quartermaster-General objects to paying it, and sends the bill to the Secretary for instructions.

            The following is a copy of Gen. Lee’s indorsement on Lieut.-Col. Moseby’s report of his operations from the 1st of March to the 11th of September, 1864:

“HEADQUARTERS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“September 19th, 1864.                     

            “Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector-General for the information of the department. Attention is invited to the activity and skill of Col. Moseby, and the intelligence and courage of the officers and men of his command, as displayed in this report.
            “With the loss of little more than 20 men, he has killed, wounded, and captured, during the period embraced in this report, about 1200 of the enemy, and taken more than 1600 horses and mules, 230 beef cattle, and 85 wagons and ambulances, without counting many smaller operations. The services rendered by Col. Moseby and his command in watching and reporting the enemy’s movements have also been of great value. His operations have been highly creditable to himself and his command.
            “(Signed)                                 R. E. LEE, General.
“Official: JOHN BLAIR HOGE,
                        Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.”