Monday, 7th—It is cloudy and quite cool. The Eleventh Iowa received six months’ pay this afternoon, besides another installment of the bounty. I got $148.00 in pay and $100.00 of bounty money. Our army is preparing to evacuate Atlanta. The general quartermaster is loading every train going north with the surplus commissariat and all extra army baggage. It is reported that our army is going to fall back as far as Chattanooga, and that we are to destroy the railroad as we go. There is a report that the army of the Tennessee is going on a long expedition further south..[1]
[1] This was through Georgia, but as yet the men knew nothing definite.—Ed.
Monday, November 7. — Day warm and pleasant. Bought a five-pound bale of Killickinick for $30. Captain Paine heard he was to be exchanged. Captain Hatch, assistant agent of exchange, was in the city last night. Had the room scrubbed out. Sent letter to Father.
November 7th. Nothing special has occurred up to this date. On duty most of the time as corporal of the guard.
November 7th.—Dark and raining. Cannon heard down the river.
To-day our Congress assembles. Senator Johnson, of Missouri (who relinquished six years in United States Senate and $200,000 for the cause), called to see me. He is hopeful of success in the West.
By the Northern papers we see that Mr. Seward has discovered a “conspiracy” to burn all the Northern cities on election day. It may be so—by Northern incendiaries.
Our citizens are still asking permits to bring flour and meal to the city (free from liability to impressment) for “family use.” The speculators divide and subdivide their lots, and get them in, to sell at extortionate prices.
Rumors of fighting toward Petersburg—nothing reliable.
Gen. Lee writes that he sent in the Tredegar Battalion to the foundry a few days ago (desertions being frequent from it); and now he learns it is ordered out to report to Lieut.-Col. Pemberton. He requests that it be ordered back to the foundry, where it is absolutely necessary for the supply of munitions, etc.
Etowah Bridge, Monday, Nov. 7. A fine day. Health good. Received letter from home. On duty in the afternoon. No news. Trains passing in great numbers, taking stores to the front. Artillery and wagons, etc. to the rear. Walked to town in the evening. Met Mother Bickerdyke on the hospital train going North after supplies. Shook hands with her and had a motherly chat. Noble soul. Thy memory will remain bright when that of traitors and rebels lies mouldering in oblivion. Thy smiling face is a cordial to the lonely soldier, better to the aching heart than money or medicine.
7th. Monday. Went to Cold Spring Gap in Great North Mountains, then around to Russel’s Mills and for forage and camp in old place.
