July 3
When the last regiment had taken up its alloted space I found the regimental headquarters, hitched my horse to a small oak, and completely exhausted, crawled into a shelter tent and was instantly asleep. Promptly at break of day, the whole army stood in line of battle and remained in position for about an hour when they were dismissed and ordered to build fires and dry their clothes.
The storm was over and the sun shone with all the brilliancy of a July day. We formed in close column of division and laid out a regular camp, our whole corps being in reserve about half a mile from the river bank in the center of the army. Broom, with his regimental wagons intact, came up and was received with immense applause. At the sight of our wall tents, we forgot the trials of the past and eagerly watched the men as they pitched them in a comfortable spot, just in rear of the regiment. Seth was not slow in arranging matters in orthodox fashion, and by noon the beds garnished with red blankets, were ready for occupancy, a luxury to which we had long been entire strangers and so at last the great retreat, or change of base, was ended and the Army of the Potomac, just as sound as ever, was firmly planted along the James river, in spite of all the efforts of its formidable antagonist.
Thankful for my good fortune in escaping unhurt, and for the long desired repose from excessive fatigue, I slept for many hours, oblivious to all surroundings.
July 3. [Mobil]—I have just had a visit from my friend, Dr. Wm. Hughes. He is on his way to Virginia, accompanied by Judge Thornton. Judge T.’s son was more severely wounded than was at first thought, and has not been able to reach his home. Dr. H. brought me word of Mr. Oliver’s death. Poor fellow! I left him apparently doing well, but the weather is so very warm that wounded men suffer. I believe he was an only son. May God comfort his poor mother, who is far away in Missouri!
July 3rd, 1862.—We went yesterday to see the soldiers in camp. Brother Junius is as brown as a berry. I did not know blondes ever burned brown. I thought they only turned red. His uniform is extremely becoming. He did not get it until after he reached Palatka, so we had not seen him in it before.
There are two regiments beside the 5th and their tents make quite a show. We saw them drill, they looked fine, but the hot July sun must make them very uncomfortable. Mother took a large hamper of good things to eat and I heard her tell Brother Junius to share with the men who were far from their own people, said she would bring or send a similar hamper every day.
Mattie was delighted to see her father and she cried when Mother said it was time to go home. She said, “Mother, can’t we take papa, too?” The seven days battles around Richmond have filled the hospitals to overflowing; nearly every home is in mourning and the sound of “Rachel; for her children weeping,” is heard on every hand. We have so many dear ones in the army of Northern Virginia, and so far, we have not lost a single one. Father in Heaven we thank Thee. Mr. Blake preaches such beautiful, comforting sermons. I mark his text each Sunday and try to remember all he says. I told Mother, one Sunday when she was sick and could not attend church, what he had said in his sermon and she suggested that I get a blank book and write all I could remember of all his sermons. Next time we go to town I will get a book from Mr. McDougal.
July 3d.—Mem says she feels like sitting down, as an Irishwoman does at a wake, and howling night and day. Why did Huger let MeClellan slip through his fingers? Arrived at Mrs. McMahan’s at the wrong moment. Mrs. Bartow was reading to the stricken mother an account of the death of her son. The letter was written by a man who was standing by him when he was shot through the head. “My God!” he said; that was all, and he fell dead. James Taylor was color-bearer. He was shot three times before he gave in. Then he said, as he handed the colors to the man next him, “You see I can’t stand it any longer,” and dropped stone dead. He was only seventeen years old.
If anything can reconcile me to the idea of a horrid failure after all efforts to make good our independence of Yankees, it is Lincoln’s proclamation freeing the negroes. Especially yours, Messieurs, who write insults to your Governor and Council, dated from Clarendon. Three hundred of Mr. Walter Blake’s negroes have gone to the Yankees. Remember, that recalcitrant patriot’s property on two legs may walk off without an order from the Council to work on fortifications.
Have been reading The Potiphar Papers by Curtis. Can this be a picture of New York socially? If it were not for this horrid war, how nice it would be here. We might lead such a pleasant life. This is the most perfectly appointed establishment—such beautiful grounds, flowers, and fruits; indeed, all that heart could wish; such delightful dinners, such pleasant drives, such jolly talks, such charming people; but this horrid war poisons everything.
July 3.—The news of the retreat of the Union army under the command of General McClellan, from before Richmond to the James River, caused great excitement throughout the North. The details of the repulse fell upon the community with disheartening effect, and produced such a shock as had not been felt since the commencement of the war. Crowds of excited people were everywhere to be seen discussing the matter, and all sorts of inferences and conclusions were drawn therefrom.
—The brig Delilah was captured off the Hole in the Wall, Abaco, by the United States steamer Quaker City.
—Governors Tod, of Ohio, and Buckingham, of Connecticut, issued proclamations calling upon the citizens of their States for their quota of troops, under the call of the President for three hundred thousand men.
—The bombardment of Vicksburgh was continued at short intervals all day. The rebels made an attempt to capture the mortar vessels, which lay at the levee within rifle-shot of the rebel pickets, but without success.
—A skirmish occurred between a brigade of the Union army of the Potomac, on the James River, Va., under the command of Gen. Davidson, and a force of rebels, resulting in the rout of the latter, the Unionists capturing six guns and a number of prisoners.
