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

Monday, January 5, 2015

January 5th.—Clear and cold.

It is understood now that Gen. Hood has crossed to the south side of the Tennessee River with the debris of his army.

Gen. Butler has returned to Virginia from his fruitless North Carolina expedition. It is supposed we shall have active operations again before this city as soon as the weather and roads will permit.

But it really does seem that the States respectively mean to take control of all their men not now in the Confederate States armies, and I apprehend we shall soon have “confusion worse confounded.”

The President sends, “for his information,” to the Secretary of War, a letter from Gen. Beauregard, dated at Augusta, Ga., Dec. 6th, 1864, in relation to Gen. Sherman’s movement eastward, and Gen. Hood’s Middle Tennessee campaign. It appears from Gen. B.’s letter to the President that he (Gen. B.) had control of everything. He says he did not countermand Gen. Hood’s campaign, because Sherman had 275 miles the start, and the roads were impracticable in Northern Georgia and Alabama. But he telegraphed the Governors of Alabama, Georgia, etc., to concentrate troops rapidly in Sherman’s front, ordered a brigade of cavalry from Hood to Wheeler, etc., and supposed some 30,000 men could be collected to oppose Sherman’s march, and destroy him. He computed Sherman’s strength at 36,000 of all arms. The result shows how much he was mistaken. He will be held accountable for all the disasters. Alas for Beauregard! Bragg only played the part of chronicler of the sad events from Augusta. Yet the President cannot publish this letter of Beauregard’s, and the country will still fix upon him the responsibility and the odium. Gen. Beauregard is still in front of Sherman, with inadequate forces, and may again be responsible for additional calamities.

Old Mr. F. P. Blair and his son Montgomery Blair are on their way here, with authority to confer on peace and submission, etc.

Mr. Lewis, Disbursing Clerk of the Post-Office Department, on behalf of lady clerks has laid a complaint before the President that Mr. Peck, a clerk in the department, to whom was intrusted money to buy supplies in North Carolina, has failed to make return of provisions or money, retaining the latter for several months, while some of his friends have received returns, besides 10 barrels flour bought for himself, and transported at government expense. Some of the clerks think the money has been retained for speculative purposes. It remains to be seen whether the President will do anything in the premises.

The grand New Year’s dinner to the soldiers, as I supposed, has produced discontent in the army, from unequal distribution, etc. No doubt the speculators got control of it, and made money, at least provided for their families, etc.

Hon. J. R. Baylor proposes recruiting in New Mexico and Lower California. The Secretary of War opposes it, saying we shall probably require all the trans-Mississippi troops on this side the river. The President differs with the Secretary, and writes a long indorsement, showing the importance of Baylor’s project, etc. Of course the Secretary will “stint and say ay.” The President thinks Col. B. can enlist the Indian tribes on our side also.

There is a rumor that Mr. Foote, M. C., has gone into the enemy’s lines. He considered the difference between Davis and Lincoln as “between tweedledum and tweedledee.”

The prisoners of war (foreigners) that took the oath of allegiance and enlisted in the Confederate States service, are deserting back to the Federal service, under Gen. Sherman’s promise of amnesty.

January 5th, 1865.

We mustered for pay December 31st, and I have been very busy every day, and often far into the night, making out muster rolls. A muster roll is a sheet of paper two feet by three feet square, the space between the lines about two-thirds as wide as the ruling on legal cap paper. On the left is a column in which the names of the men are written in alphabetical order. Then follows a complete description—where, when and by whom enlisted; where, when and by whom mustered; when and by whom last paid; where he now is; why and how long he has been absent; if anything is due the Government, for transportation, fines, damages, etc., or if due the soldier for clothing not drawn, etc. It must all be stated.

Company G musters seventy-two men, present and absent. In order to get all this on six square feet of paper, I am forced to write as fine as possible, and frequently to interline.

Then, four of these papers are filled at each muster, corresponding in every particular, the least error in one spoiling the whole. We muster the last day of each alternate month, and the rolls must be completed within three days thereafter.

My rolls were in on time, and I have been at Headquarters all day, helping to compare and correct the regimental rolls, preparatory to sending them to Washington.

I have forced myself to write thus calmly of every day occurrences, when, in fact, my very blood is on fire, and every emotion of my soul is in a tumult of glad expectancy.

I am going home. My furlough has been approved and is now at Division Headquarters. It will reach me in a day or two. Then will I fly, on wings of steam, to my beloved one’s fond embrace.

January 5, 1865.—Our hospitals have all been ordered to Tennessee. I am highly delighted at this new move, as it shows that our army is still triumphant. The Foard has changed surgeons. Dr. Hughes had several of his ribs fractured by a fall from the cars, while in Montgomery, he has resigned until he recruits in health. Dr. de Yampert of Alabama has taken his place.

At a party a short time ago I met a friend, Mrs. Payne, who had just come from Enterprise, Mississippi. She was there at the time of Sherman’s raid. As we do not know the moment when we may be honored by a visit from the enemy, we were all eager to know how she had done, as she fared much better than many others. She informed us that when the enemy came into the town, they commenced firing promiscuously, and her little daughter, who was in the yard at the time, came very near being shot. About twenty-five of these marauders entered her house at one time. She had no one with her but the children. The sight of such a mob of lawless men filled her with dismay, but she did not lose her presence of mind, and tried to appear perfectly collected. She remarked to them that in such a crowd there must be at least one or two gentlemen, and if there were any among them, she called on them to come forward and protect her. After this speech she burst into tears. These two appeals were too much for even these vandals, and she thinks they looked ashamed of themselves, and one stepped forward, saying he would protect her. He remained with her while the others ransacked her house, from the garret to the cellar. They broke open her trunks, drawers, and pantries. She offered them her keys, but they laughed at her, saying they had no use for them. They took every little trinket that they came across, and did not even leave her scissors and thimble.

The vandals remained at Enterprise some four or five days, but she was not further molested by them, as she had the protection of one of the officers. He called on her, and offered her his aid, as she had been very kind to a young lady cousin of his some few years before. The cousin had requested him, in case of their meeting, to protect her.

This lady’s negroes all deserted her in her hour of trial, with the exception of one, and told the enemy about some valuables she had hid away. Nearly the whole town was laid in ashes, but it only shared the fate of every other town in Mississippi which the vandals visited. I am told that nearly every house in Okolona is leveled with the ground.

Mobile is gayer than over; it seems as if the people have become reckless. I am told that there was as much visiting on New Year’s day as there usually is in peace times. The city is filled with military, which is one cause of the gayety.

There is no necessity of our discussing war or politics (I mean the ladies), as we have an all-absorbing topic in the matter of dress and “something to eat” “How do you manage to live?” or, “What have you got to wear?” is the first question on meeting a friend, no matter where. The answer as to the eating is usually, “We live on peas, corn meal, and bacon.” These are the staples, and the rule; the exceptions are flour, tea, coffee, and sugar, and they are all at famine prices.

The scarcity of coffee seems to affect the spirits of the people more than any thingelse. I have noticed that some who did not touch it before the war, talk as gravely about its loss as if their very existence depended upon it, and indeed they are quite melancholy about it. It is amusing to see how seriously it is discussed. I have said jestingly that I do believe it will yet be the means of subjugating us. When invited any place, if we are certain of getting a cup of pure coffee, or even a cup of that which “cheers,” there is no sending “regrets” to that invitation.

The enemy have deprived us of one great luxury since taking possession of the bay; that is, oysters. They are not to be had, unless at an exorbitant price. With all this “starving,” people look well. I am told that there is less dyspepsia than was ever known before. The poor do not suffer as much as one would think. Work of all kinds seems to be plentiful, and the Supply Association is still in operation.

In the matter of dress we are pretty “hard up,” and if the war lasts much longer, I for one will have “nothing to wear.” We have a good many kinds of homespun for dresses; but it makes a very expensive dress. I have heard many say that they would rather have one good calico than three homespuns.

We have a very excellent home-made cloth for gentlemen’s clothing. I have seen some, made with a mixture of cow’s hair and cotton, which was really nice, and I am told that it is water-proof. I had no idea our people were so ingenious.

A friend showed me a nice pair of gloves she had made from the ravelings of scraps of silk, worked in with a little cotton. The same lady makes all the shoes worn by her household.

Dyeing old clothes is about the most fashionable thing done; those who can not afford to pay for it do it themselves. The materials used are to be found in the woods.

Gentlemen’s and ladies’ hats are made out of saw palmetto. The ladies braid it, and use it to trim their dresses, and it makes a very pretty trimming.

We have any amount of shoe establishments, and very nice boots and shoes are made in them. An excellent pair of ladies’ calf-skin bootees can be bought for one hundred dollars, and men’s are one hundred and fifty.

The gentlemen talk a good deal about the ladies dressing extravagantly, but I do not think they do so. We have learned the art of making “auld claes look amaist as weel’s the new.” All the rag-bags have been emptied, and dresses turned and cut into all kinds of shapes. Any and every thing is the fashion; nothing is lost. The old scraps of worsted and flannel are carefully unraveled, carded, and spun, for making capes and nubias. The fact is, it is a kind of disgrace to have plenty of clothes. If any one has on a new silk or calico dress, kid gloves, or any thing that is foreign, they have to give an account of how they came by it.

The Confederate oil is much improved; but we can only buy a very little at a time, as it becomes gummy by standing, and will not burn. Alabama abounds in coal, and yet we find it almost impossible to get any, and wood is from sixty to seventy dollars per cord.

There is nothing cheap. I sometimes think we will be charged for the light of heaven and the air we breathe. We expect after awhile to have to pay for merely asking for a sight of goods. Well, these are things that we can afford to laugh at, as we know they will not last forever.

I have been visiting in the suburbs, and really it is a sad sight to see how desolate every place is. The fine shrubbery, trees, and beautiful flower-gardens, once the boast of Mobile, are now laid waste by the military authorities in preparing for the defense of the city. Every tree, fruit and shade, has been demolished, and even rose-bushes have been destroyed. All houses near the intrenchments are ordered to be fired on the approach of the enemy.

We have excellent public schools, and, much to the gratification and surprise of many, they are still in operation. I was certain that the war would close them; but, as a rule, our citizens have been very energetic and liberal in money matters.

Nashville, Thursday, Jan. 5. Froze a little last night. Very muddy to-day. On guard, same old story in camp. Getting monotonous. Received a letter from Thomas and from an old Battery chum. Drew soft bread rations, a pleasant change. Clothing issued. Captain Hood got a grand military problem through his brain to-day by changing sergeants, placing ranking ones on the right of each section. Rather a fine addition to army regulations I think. This took Sergeant James away from us to 1st Platoon. Dan Goodwin takes his place. 2nd Platoon hates to see him go. Our new “non-coms” appeared in stripes.

5th. Thursday. Relieved late in the day.

Cumberland, Maryland, January 5, 1865.

Dearest: — I am just in receipt of yours of the 21st. It has probably been on the hunt of me a week or more.

I am very glad you are pleased to call the little soldier George Crook. I think it is a pretty name, aside from the agreeable association.

We are most pleasantly located here. In the midst of fine mountain scenes, plenty of wood and water, and no duty for the men. They are already in their new huts and are very jolly over it.

The publication of my appointment has been made. I have not yet got the original document. It was missent to New York City and will go from there to Chillicothe. If it gets there before I do you will open it. It gives as the reason of the appointment, gallantry and good conduct in the late battles in the Shenandoah Valley and dates from the Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. Aside from the vanity which goes always with brass buttons, I have other reasons for wanting the grounds of the appointment published. No flourish of trumpets, no comment, but simply, “Colonel R. B. Hayes, Twenty-third Regiment O. V. I., has been apopinted brigadier-general” for (here quote the exact words of the appointment). Show this to Uncle Scott and request him to have the paragraph published in the Chillicothe paper when the letter of appointment gets there. I may be there first, but it is still doubtful.

The doctor is very happy — young ladies, a pretty town, parties, balls, etc.

I hope to get home within a fortnight. — Love to all.

Affectionately, ever,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Thursday, 5. — Fine winter day. All goes well at camp. Shall call it Camp Hastings. Eve with Generals Crook [and] Duval and doctors at Mr. Thurston’s. The old gentleman a fine staunch Unionist. Miss Tidball, a cousin of doctor’s sang Secesh songs. Pretty girl.

Thursday, 5th—The order for the Iowa Brigade to move was countermanded this morning, and we remained in camp all day. The weather has been pleasant and is quite warm today.