Chattanooga, Tuesday, March 28. Last night when darkness spread her protecting veil over us, Griff, D. Evans and myself started out and appropriated some of Uncle Sam’s lumber for Uncle Sam’s benefit, or at least his boys. Returned with enough to make our bunks. Makes no difference where we got them. Cloudy and rained a little this forenoon. On duty all day with Sergeant Goodwin covering stables. Somewhat tired. Have caught a bad cold, mouth and throat sore. Sergeant James and Van Brocklin taken sick very sudden about 4 P. M. James will not live long if no change takes place.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
March 28th.—Cloudy and sunshine; but little wind. Too ill to go to the department, and I get nothing new except what I read in the papers. Some of the editorials are very equivocal, and have a squint toward reconstruction.
The President, and one of his Aids, Col. Lubbock, ex-Governor of Texas, rode by my house, going toward Camp Lee. If driven from this side the Mississippi, no doubt the President would retire into Texas.
And Lee must gain a victory soon, or his communications will be likely to be interrupted. Richmond and Virginia are probably in extreme peril at this moment.
Tuesday, 28th—We have had pleasant weather for several days, but today it is cloudy, with some rain. The men drew new clothing today just as fast as the quartermaster could receive the supply from the general quartermaster. Nearly every man in the regiment is drawing a full suit, out and out. Some of the men have to get new knapsacks, canteens and haversacks, while all are getting new shoes. I drew a pair of pants and a blouse, a pair of drawers and a pair of socks. Our regiment out on dress parade has the appearance of a new regiment.
28th. Rested in the morning. Charley Smith, Sergt., came over from the 60th Ohio. Went down to Hancock Station. Troops passing to the left. Orders to march tomorrow morning at 6. Work ahead. Broke up mess. In with Stearns.
March 28 — Worse and more of it. A telegraphic dispatch was received here at headquarters last night from General Grant, stating that there are no more prisoners to be exchanged until after the summer campaign, which means after the war is over, for if all accounts be true the star of the Confederacy will set in eternal night before the summer will be half over. Sherman’s march to the sea cut a deadly swath right through the heart of Dixie, which will cause the lifeblood of the Southern Confederacy to ebb quickly away.
Camp 1st Mass. H. Art., March 28, 1865.
Dear Jed:
I received your letter. I take this opportunity to answer, not knowing that I shall ever have another. We are under orders to move at 6 A.M. tomorrow; rations are being drawn and other little matters attended to, but you know too well how this is all done. The 24th Corps is here with Sheridan’s famous raiders and rumors have it that we are to join Sherman across the Country. I hope so for one; but it may only be a move for the south side of the R. R. The recommendations that you wished me to get for you have been obtained. I feel as though I must give you a little advice. Have you considered and made up your mind to give the rest of your years to your country? Either branches of the service are apt to lose their charm after a few years. It seems to me that you could choose some occupation or profession that you would be more capable of, and feel better satisfied with. I am willing, so far as it lays in my power, to do anything for you, even giving money for your advancement, of which you were robbed, by entering the service at so youthful an age. We can say that we passed three years in our country’s service together. I will close now, to get a little sleep before tomorrow’s movements. I beg of you now give this subject a long thought, for I think that your future depends upon it. You are moulding what is to be the man.
Give my love to all; please remember me to all enquiring friends.
Ever your brother,
L. Bradley, Jr.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
March 28, 1865.—We started this morning at six o’clock. We went over the mountains, and forded the rivers. There is only a track for one horse, and we are traveling with six mules. The people here all ride horseback and have no use for roads. I have been very nervous all day. We went through places where there is no road, and it seemed impossible to get through. But we did, however, get through to New Market about five o’clock. We came through Strawberry Plains. Had our dinner there, coffee and hard crackers again.
The 4th Army Corps makes a large army. They put up the tent and we ate our supper and thought we should be there for some time. We fixed up our bed as well as we could and I went to bed. This was my first experience in sleeping on the ground. William and the Adjutant sent over to town and found that they were ordered to go to Bull’s Gap at six o’clock tomorrow morning. In coming from town they rode over an opossum. The darkies were much pleased to get it. They sat up nearly all night in order to have it for breakfast.
Now we have gotten to the end of the railroad and we women must go back to Knoxville. The Adjutant goes with us. William left him to take care of us. We had to get up early to get packed again to move.
