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

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Saturday, 15th.—Marched twenty miles to Maddox’s Gap, in Taylor’s Ridge.

Etowah Bridge, Saturday, Oct. 15. Called out at 4 A. M. to go a-foraging. Went out on the Canton road about fifteen miles through broken country such as middle Georgia affords. Only about one-tenth of this area tillable land. Loaded up in small pockets. Our wagon capsized so we barely got off with half a load. On our way back the rebs hung in our rear, but did not molest us. Reached camp 9 P. M., hungry as a wolf. Found our shebangs all torn down and new quarters started.

Saturday, 15th—We left Resaca early this morning, going out after the rebels whom we found at the south entrance of Snake Creek Gap. Here we formed a line of battle and skirmishing commenced. A small force of the rebels was behind some old works which our men had built last spring while advancing on Resaca. Finally two regiments of the Third Division made a charge upon them and routed them. Our loss was about fifty killed and wounded. The rebels then fell back through the pass, blockading it for about eight miles, by felling trees across the road. Our corps did not succeed in getting through the pass until about dark, and the Fifteenth Army Corps was still in our rear.

clip_image00215th. Saturday. Moved out to Brigade Hdqrs. in evening. 2nd Ohio on picket.

Camp Near Strasburg, Virginia, October 15, 1864.

Dear Uncle: — We are resting. Early, reinforced, came up a few days ago, evidently thinking a good part of our army had gone to Grant. Finding his mistake, he moved back to his old fortifications on Fisher’s [Hill], and is now there digging and chopping like mad. What we are to do about it, I can’t tell. It must be a serious business for the Rebels to feed an army there now.

I have not yet heard from the Ohio election. The two Ohio regiments in my old brigade (Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio) gave five hundred and fifteen votes for the Union state and county ticket, and none at all for the Democrats. People at home can’t beat that!

Give my regards to Father Works and to Mr. and Mrs. Valette. My sympathies or congratulations, perhaps, should be given to Mr. Oscar Valette. I see he is drafted. Of course, his health will be reason enough not to go. Jim Webb was drafted; ill health excused him.

Sincerely,

R.

S. Birchard.

Resaca, October 15, 1864, 10 a.m.

We are waiting here for rations. The 4th and 14th Corps are ahead, and for the last half hour we have heard very heavy skirmishing toward “Snake Creek Gap,” just about where we heard the first fighting of the campaign, a little over five months ago. There is enough to interest me in the prospect for the next three days. Snake Creek Gap, 10 p.m. We have the whole gap.

Calhoun, Ga., October 15, 1864.

Stayed here last night. Reveille at 3 a.m., but our brigade brings up the rear of the corps to-day, and we won’t get off until after daylight.

Camp Near Strasburg, Virginia, October 15, 1864.

Dear Mother: — We have remained quiet in camp during this week with the exception of one afternoon’s skirmishing. Early, or somebody with a considerable force, is entrenched near us. We may fight another battle with him, but I have no information as to the intention.

Colonel Comly is very well. He has had great luck to get through all this fighting with so little injury. He and the Twenty-third have been in all the hottest places. Over twenty officers in the regiment have been killed or wounded since the first of May. . . . My love to all.

Affectionately, your son,

R.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

Cedar Creek Near Strasburg, Virginia, Saturday
Morning before breakfast, October 15, 1864.

My Darling Wife: — Oceans of love for you and the fine new boy — yes, and for the boys all. You may be sure I shall come to see you as soon as affairs here will allow. . . .

Early with a large re-inforcement came up to us on Thursday evening. He evidently supposed that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps were gone. The Sixth was gone. He came up very boldly. But after a brisk affair, learning that the Nineteenth was still here, he hastily withdrew and took up his old entrenched position on Fisher’s Hill. Yesterday he was at work fixing his left on North Mountain where we turned him before. The Sixth came back yesterday. This morning the Sixth and Nineteenth are moving out as if for battle.

In any event, you know all I would wish to say. So, think of me, dearest, as ever your

Loving Husband., R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Peebles House, October 15th, 1864.

The army, at this point, is pursuing a course of “masterly inactivity.” Even the work of fortifying, which has been carried on with so much vigor the past five months, is partially suspended. The hostile armies, separated by only a few rods of forbidden ground, are silently watching each other. Not a shot is fired, by day or night, along the front. The pickets, in some places not more than ten rods apart, are on the best of terms, exchanging newspapers, trading rations for tobacco, etc.

From the top of a hill but a few rods from here the Rebel camp is plainly visible. By the aid of a field glass I can see the “Johnnies” lounging lazily in camp or at work on their fortifications. But, for all this seeming quiet, we are in constant expectation of the storm that is liable to burst upon us at any moment. General Grant, with Secretaries Stanton and Fessenden, are at Ninth Corps headquarters tonight. Generally, where Grant goes a blow is to be struck. He is almost omnipresent. Today we hear of him with Sheridan, in the Valley; tomorrow he is closeted with the President; before we have time to turn around, he is back in City Point.

Our officers are, during this temporary quiet, freely indulging in those refined tastes which army life is so well calculated to develop, by engaging in such innocent amusements and gentle recreations as horse racing, gambling, and their usual accompaniments, commissary whiskey, midnight revels and broken noses.

Part of this I have seen; the rest is told me by a “reliable gentleman” on duty at headquarters. Of course, he does not make public what he sees, as it would cost him his position and do no good. Last Saturday a very exciting contest came off between two blooded horses, owned by two “bloods,” both Brigadier Generals. Another match is announced for tomorrow and another for Saturday. With such examples, is it any wonder that gambling is on the increase? So far as my observation goes, nine men of every ten play cards for money.

I received a letter from home today, filled with gloomy forebodings.

Sometimes, almost unconsciously, I give way to gloomy thoughts, bordering on despair, where hope lies buried. With me, such moods are of short duration. Can it be possible my darling wife has breathed the tainted air from the “slough of despondency” for two long years? Come up with me, dear one, and together let us climb the mountain of hope. Lean fearlessly on your husband, for he is strong in faith and will lead you gently up, above the dark, murky clouds of doubt, to bask in the bright sunshine of trust and confidence. Viewed from this height, how bright the prospect. Home treason lies powerless, bound hand and foot by a free people’s choice. Armed treason, that hideous monster, is fiercely struggling in dying agony. Its heart still beats at Richmond; but Grant, and Sherman, and “Glorious Phil” are sapping its life blood. When the heart shall cease to beat, the extremities must die.