Saturday, 3. — Still fair weather. [The] Third Division, Sixth Corps, leave us. Rode around our works. Too numerous for our force. Too extensive for less than forty thousand infantry or more. A battle at Franklin. Reports look well.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
December 3d.—We drank tea at Mrs. McCord’s; she had her troubles, too. The night before a country cousin claimed her hospitality, one who fain would take the train at five this morning. A little after midnight Mrs. McCord was startled out of her first sleep by loud ringing of bells; an alarm at night may mean so much just now. In an instant she was on her feet. She found her guest, who thought it was daylight, and wanted to go. Mrs. McCord forcibly demonstrated how foolish it was to get up five hours too soon. Mrs. McCord, once more in her own warm bed, had fallen happily to sleep. She was waked by feeling two ice-cold hands pass cautiously over her face and person. It was pitch dark. Even Mrs. McCord gave a scream in her fright. She found it was only the irrepressible guest up and at her again. So, though it was only three o’clock, in order to quiet this perturbed spirit she rose and at five drove her to the station, where she had to wait some hours. But Mrs. McCord said, “anything for peace at home.” The restless people who will not let others rest!
Cedar Bottom, Va., December 3d, 1864.
I have just settled in my new quarters with Captain Sudborough’s detachment. We are three miles from the regiment and five from City Point. The men are well pleased with this kind of soldiering. They have good quarters, plenty of rations, light duty, and are out of reach of Rebel bullets; the first time in seven months. There are sixty men on duty here.
Colonel Luce has resigned and starts for home next Monday. His reasons are given out as “broken health, ruined fortunes,” and a kindly regard for his men, whom he loves as a father loves his children. Had he remained, his rank would have forced us into the line, as the Second Brigade is now commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel.
He is one of the most kindly men I ever met, and we will miss him sadly. I am living alone, away from the noise and turmoil of my boisterous companions. I prefer thus to live, where I can work without interruption, and, when my task is done, can revel in my own small “world of thought.”
I will apply for a furlough next Monday. It will be detained five or six days in the “Circumlocution Office.” which will bring me home about the fifteenth, if successful.
December 3d.—Very warm—clouds and sunshine, like April.
Roger A. Pryor, who resigned his brigadiership, and has been acting as a scout (private), fell into the hands of the enemy the other day while exchanging newspapers with their pickets. They have him at Washington, and the United States newspapers say he makes revelations of a sad state of affairs in Georgia, etc. This is doubtless erroneous.
A “peace resolution” has been introduced in the North Carolina Legislature.
Hon. Mr. Foote yesterday introduced a resolution in Congress, calling for a convention of the States—or appointment of commissioners from the States. Voted down by a large majority.
Gen. Rosser (two brigades) made a descent, a few days ago, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, capturing some nine guns altogether, including four siege, which he spiked. The others he brought off, with 800 prisoners. He destroyed 200 wagons and a large amount of quartermaster and ordnance stores.
Per contra. Grant has pounced upon one of our depots at Stony Creek, Weldon Railroad, getting some 80 prisoners, and destroying a few stores. It is said he still holds the position—of some importance.
Gen. Ewell still thinks the aspect here is “threatening.”
Brig.-Gen. Chilton, Inspector-General, has ordered investigations of the fortunes of bonded officers, who have become rich during the war.
A strong effort has been made to have Gen. Ripley removed from Charleston. He is a Northern man, and said to be dissipated. Senator Orr opposes the change; the Secretary recommends his retention, and the President indorses: “I prefer that Gen. Ripley should remain.—J. D.”
December 3d. Our duty continues to be the same from day to day. When off regular duty, work in the woods cutting up wood for camp. Everyone must take a turn at the axe. George A. Weaver, of our company, received a bad cut in the leg from an axe slipping from the hands of one of the boys. Weaver was carried to the hospital, where a number of stitches were taken in the wound. General Sheridan has posted notices along the Harper’s Ferry Railroad that if the road, or trains going to and from Winchester to Harper’s Ferry, are in any manner molested, he will burn every house and barn within a circle of five miles. I read the notice on trees along the line of the road.
Saturday, 3d.—Late in evening drove Yankee skirmishers back and moved up our main line three-quarters of a mile. Fortifying.
Fort Gillem, Saturday, Dec. 3. Our rest was unbroken. The day was very wet and camp muddy. Still we await a general engagement, and active preparations are taken to receive him, [the enemy]. Every hour he delays renders his chances of success more uncertain. Strong forts are going up on every knoll connected by rifle pits thrown up in genuine military order, and all of the citizens are out at work. Government employees arrive and drill daily. The rebel skirmish line is under Fort Negley this afternoon and Hood’s movements are still uncertain. A large force has gone up the Cumberland, and if they don’t look out, they will be in their rear.
This evening we could see artillery smoke on the left about sundown. Fort Gillem has been worked at all day and is fast approaching completion. Every platform is ready, room for thirteen guns, only six guns in now, but seven outside. Captain Hood is in command of the fort.
And now I cannot close to-day’s record without a word of the disgusting influence around us. Our camp is right by a liquor saloon, which is sold indiscriminately. Nearly all of a neighboring regiment are beastly drunk, and with their unearthly yells and maniac demonstrations are making the air hideous. Our own Battery also presents a sad sight. Last night —— was helplessly drunk. To-day our ——. Both good officers when temptation is removed. Oh, why will not our officers put a stop to this demoralization, but on the contrary, a guard is furnished this den of the devil to protect it in its wicked work.
3rd. Saturday. Spent the day in camp. Was officer of the day. Wrote to Uncle Milo.
Painting by Conrad Wise Chapman
“This battery was on Sullivan’s Island, near Fort Moultrie which can be seen in the distance. The gun shown, was considered to be a very good one. The day was cloudy when the scene was sketched.” – Conrad Wise Chapman, 1898
South bank of Scull Creek,
December 3, 1864.
We have laid here all day, being our first rest since leaving Atlanta. Had to wait for the 17th Corps and “left wing” to catch up. We laid a pontoon across the river this morning, and two of our brigade went over to tear up railroad The 17th Corps came up and relieved them about 2 p.m.
Colonel Catterson (our brigade commander) told me today that a dispatch from Bragg to had been intercepted yesterday, that stated that he was moving on us from Savannah, with 10,000 infantry and Dick Taylor’s Cavalry. See if he don’t “come to grief.” Two of our divisions are moving 12 miles to our right—the 2d and 3d— the 4th is with us.
Kilpatrick has gone for the Millen and Augusta railroad. If he hurts it much he’ll do more than cavalry usually do.
