13th.—The day has passed as usual—six hours in the Commissary Department, and the remainder occupied in various ways. Rumours of fighting below Richmond; we hear the cannon, but it is said to be merely a skirmish.
Monday, October 13, 2014
October 13th. The long roll called us up very early, before daylight. We turned out on double-quick time leaving camp on the run, out on the Winchester Pike. When out a short distance came to a halt. After waiting a while, was ordered to return to camp. Wondering what it meant. Later in the day we heard that Mosby and his guerillas captured a train on the B. & O. R. R. between Martinsburg and Harper’s Ferry. The train was badly damaged, passengers robbed. Mosby knows every road and path in this section.
Thursday, 13th.—Marched out to Snake Creek Gap. Captain Morgan died at 12 M. Cannonading towards Dalton.
Etowah Bridge, Thursday, Oct. 13. Last night about midnight the whole camp was aroused. I was out in a hurry thinking the Johnnies were coming, but was somewhat disappointed upon finding the ordnance officer there ready to put a 1,000 rounds of musket ammunition on my shoulders to carry down the hill. Here a train was waiting to take it to Resaca, where a collision was expected between the two armies. We had to carry 100 boxes infantry, 15 boxes cavalry, and 20 of 12-pounder ammunition, which was done very quietly in about half an hour. I carried six loads, by which time I was very tired, a little the hardest work I have ever done. Went to bed again, did not get up till late. My left shoulder pains me considerable from last night’s fatigue. Pleasant day. Health very good. Very big mail. I received five.
Thursday, 13th—We left our teams behind at Kingston and they did not catch up with us till this morning. We lay here in camp all day. About sundown we received marching orders and our division started for Adairsville, some fifteen miles distant from Rome. We left our teams and all artillery behind and marching through on a by-road, reached Adairsville by midnight.
13th. Thursday. Lay in camp all day. Forage.
Three miles from Rome, Ga., October 13, 1864.
Started at 8 this morning and landed here at dark. Heard 40 or 50 cannon shots in vicinity of Rome during the day’s march. The country to-day is fair for Georgia, but not equal to that between Cartersville and Kingston. While we were resting to-day, Osterhaus (at present commanding our corps) rode by our regiment and a few scamps hollowed “sowbelly, sowbelly.” You know the men have been living on army beef for a month, and it is not desirable fare; still they were only in fun, and I noticed the general smile, but some puppy finally cried out “kraut,” and another echoed it with “kraut by the barrel.” The general wheeled his horse and rode up to us, his face white with passion. “Vat regiment ish dis?” No one answered. He rode up near me and again asked, “Vat regiment ish dis?” I told him. “Vy don’t you kit up?” I arose and again answered him respectfully, “The 103d Illinois, sir.” “Vare ish your colonel?” “At the right of the regiment, sir.” He rode up to Wright and gave him the devil. I have not been so mortified for a long time. We all think a great deal of Osterhaus, and just coming into his division were all desirous that his first impressions of our regiment should be favorable. As it is, two or three insulting puppies have given us a name with him that I have no doubt will cause us trouble for a long time. Yelping “sauer kraut” at a German is a poor way to gain his favor.
(Duplicated also.) October 13, 1864.
The men drew full rations of bacon to-day. There has been some fighting nine miles down the north side of the Coosa river to-day. Our corps moves back on the Kingston road at “retreat.” Don’t know where to.
Received two letters from you to-day, also papers, for which am very thankful. Have had a good rest to-day. Everybody is in glorious spirits. Kilpatrick started west today with 50 days’ rations of salt. I wish I was with him.
Thursday, October 13. — Today Rebels surprised us. The first intimation we had of them, a battery opened on my Second Brigade marching to put a signal station on Massanutten Mountain. Colonel Thoburn made a reconnaisance, was forced back losing Colonel Wells, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts, and one hundred and fifty men, after a great fight.
Peebles House, October 13th, 1864.
The evenings are all my own, to pass as best I may, when in camp. When I can get candles I write either to wife or children, or jot down some straggling thought in my diary. But candles are hard to get. Government furnishes only about one inch per day, and sutlers sell at seventy-five cents a pound, or two for a quarter. When I have no light, my evenings are spent in “wandering to and fro,” dreaming of my Northern home. I live, at present, a very secluded life, although surrounded by human beings. I have few sympathies in common with most men—or so it seems. Perhaps it is because all the sympathies of my nature, all the emotions of my soul, are constantly flowing, in one unceasing tide, back to my distant fireside. How my impatient spirit chafes at the long delay. Fain would I lash the lagging wheels of time into more furious pace. What power there is in love—even human love. If I have any virtues that other men have not, they all are born of love. If fewer vices, love is. the shield. Daily I strive to be that which the fond imagination of my loving wife doth paint me. Oh, from the darkness of our sorrow may new light break forth, new strength to do and suffer, if need be, new resolves and freshest hopes.
Colonel Luce, whom we have looked for since last Saturday, has just arrived. I have not seen him, but can now hear his voice as he inquires, with fatherly solicitude, as to the well-being of his men. He is one of the kindest, most indulgent of commanders; too indulgent, perhaps, but his men obey him cheerfully. I refer to the rank and file of the regiment; with officers he is sufficiently exacting.
Thursday, October 13. — Lieutenant Kramer tried to get away last night, but failed. Saw the two-headed negro girl[1] at the City Hall window, where the man brought her at our request. She has two bodies joined back to back, and she played on musical instruments, etc., with both sets of hands at once. Wrote Major Forbes. A major of the 17th Maine was in here this afternoon. He came from the stockade, and goes on to Charleston for exchange to-morrow. 20 officers sent on from Charleston stopped here last night, on their way to the stockade. Day pleasant. Drew $500; $100 to Colonel Buffum, $150 to Colonel Marshall, $50 to Colonel White, $50 to Major Filler, and $150 to Captain A.
[1] The girl was afterwards on exhibition at the North, in Boston among other places.
