Near Jonesboro, November 15, 1864.
The grand expeditionary force has commenced moving. Our regiment has the honor of leading our corps in the first day’s march. Made about 18 miles to-day, the first ten of which the two or three companies of cavalry who led us had quite lively skirmishing.
At one point the Rebels took advantage of an old line of works and made quite a stubborn resistance, but our regiment, though we were deployed and advanced as skirmishers, did not get a shot the whole day. Just as we turned off the road to bivouac the Rebels opened a piece of artillery on us, but fired only a few shots and hurt no one. Item: Saw a lovely girl today. Item: Had on the Union to-day. Item: Had my first drink of milk since the 26th of December, ’63. Item: Have an oppossum which “Rueben” is to cook for my breakfast. Heavy cannonading west of us.
Tuesday, November 15. — Received a letter from Lieutenant Read of the C. S. N., saying that he would do all he could for my parole, etc. Drew $100 from Captain Senn, leaving $400 due me. Mr. Caldwell called with a note from Mr. Felton. Day pleasant. We are allowed to go out into the yard whenever we choose, now that the men are gone. Received a letter from Mr. Garesché.
Tuesday, 15th—Started early this morning for the Southern coast, somewhere, and we don’t care, so long as Sherman is leading us. The Army of the Tennessee forms the right, while the Army of the Cumberland is moving off in the direction of Milledgeville, Georgia. There are about sixty thousand men of all arms, and they are in fine spirits and well clothed for the campaign. The roads are good and the weather fine for marching. We went into bivouac for the night about twelve miles from Atlanta. The country is very thinly settled and there is nothing to forage. All is quiet at the front—none of the rebels in sight.
Tuesday, November 15. — General Crook gone to Cumberland. General Duval takes his place. I today return to Second Division. Not so good quarters nor arrangements as at the brigade.
Peebles House, Va., Nor. 15th. 1864.
All is quiet in front of Petersburg. The sharp crack of the rifle is superseded by the clatter of axes. When we came here, some six weeks ago, this whole country was almost an unbroken wilderness. Now hundreds of acres are completely stripped of tree and shrub. The officers have built good, substantial log houses, with brick chimneys. The Seventeenth is now building stockades for the General’s horses.
I have had but little work since election, most of my work coming on during the last half of each month. A short period of rest was never more grateful, or more needed—I have not been sick; only worn out, as sometimes happens when teaching school “Teaching school;” how the phrase calls up old memories of the shadowy past Thank God, they are pleasant memories. I wonder, will I ever more follow that, to me, delightful occupation? I think not; the “old man,” after three years of “service,” can hardly expect to be “up to date.”
We are looking again with our accustomed eagerness, for the “Greenback Man.” We expect, too. General Burnside will be here, in a day or two, to take command of his old corps again. The event will be hailed by us with joy. Let others think of him as they may, he possesses the confidence of the Ninth Corps to an unlimited extent. The reverse is true of our present commander, General Parke.
November 15th.—Fair and cold; ice. Quiet below; rumors of further successes in the Southwest, but not official.
Congress did nothing of interest yesterday in open session, but spent most of its time in secret session. There will probably be stringent martial law, for the strong hand of unlimited power will be required to correct abuses, repress discontent, and bring into the field the whole military strength of the Confederacy. The large majorities for Lincoln in the United States clearly indicate a purpose to make renewed efforts to accomplish our destruction.
It is now contradicted that Lincoln has called for 1,000,000 men.
Three P.M. Cloudy, and threatening snow.
An attack upon the city seems to be apprehended. All men must now have passes from Mr. Carrington, Provost Marshal, or be liable to arrest in the street. Such are the changes, indicating panic on the part of official dignitaries.
Nashville, Tuesday, Nov. 15. It was not yet midnight when the rains fell, and the winds blew. By 2 A. M. I was thoroughly soaked so I had to get up and the police admitted us into the depot. Read from Scott’s Ivanhoe till morning by gaslight, rain-still falling in torrents. After breakfast six post teams came to take us to camp, Cogswell’s horses to take our battery. About noon we were left in an open field on a pretty knoll two miles west of town, with instructions not to touch board, rail or tree under penalty of court-martial. Here we were this cold morning in a muddy field with nothing to strike a light or hardly stake a tent. This was decidedly tough for “old sogers” who had been used to draw comfort from blazing rail heaps in times like this. But they say it is loyal Tennessee, and property must be respected. Very well. But they should provide something for our comfort, if we are privates. We stretched our tents, got a cold grub, no fire to cook coffee. Late in the evening Sergeant Malish came with two loads of cord wood. We drew it at the rate of 1/6 cord to a man per month.
15th. Tuesday. In camp. Read some and did company business.
November 15, 1864.
Went up to Covington to-day to pay the Confederate tax. Did not find the commissioners. Mid [a slave] drove me with Beck and the buggy. Got home about three o’clock. How very different is Covington from what it used to be! And how little did they who tore down the old flag and raised the new realize the results that have ensued!
