JULY 27TH.—Gen. Lovell, it is said, will be tried by a court-martial. The same has been said of Generals Magruder and Huger. But I doubt it.
Friday, July 27, 2012
July 27th.
I have my bird back! As I waked this morning, I heard a well-known chirp in the streets, and called to mother I knew it was Jimmy. Sure enough it is my bird. Lucy Daigre has had him ever since the shelling, as a negro caught it that day and gave it to her.
Sunday, 27th—We had regimental inspection this morning by Colonel Hare. We received orders to march in the morning. The Eleventh Iowa lost two men by disease while here in this camp—such is the penalty of camp life.
27th. Sunday. Wrote home and read some in “Nathalie,” by Julia Kavanagh. Very good story.
Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.
[Diary] July 27.
Mr. Phillips, the new minister, preached, and after church there was a continuation of the examination for baptism. Many of the people said they had desired for years to be baptized, but could not get their masters’ leave.
Headquarters, 1st Brigade Cavalry Division,
Tuscumbia, Ala., July 27, 1862 (Sunday).
We received orders for our brigade to march on the 19th, and started the 21st. We only made Jacinto that night, when the colonel and myself stayed with Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, who is a very approachable, pleasant and perfectly soldier-like man. There is a strong sprinkling in him, though, of the Regular Army and West Point. Next day we rejoined the command and marched 15 miles, camped at Bear Creek, 22 miles west of this place and just on the Mississippi and Alabama line. Thursday we joined General Morgan’s division and that night the brigade camped within four miles of Tuscumbia, and the headquarters came on into town. This is a perfect little Eden. Houses for 2,200 people with only 1,200 living here at present. We stayed at the hotel Thursday night, and the old negro who lighted me to my room amused me considerably with his account of General Turchin’s proceedings here. Turchin brought the first federal force across the Tennessee in Alabama, and I guess he “went it loosely.” The old Negro said that he only had 1,200 men and brought no luggage, knapsacks or anything else with him, but went away with 300 wagons, and everything there was in the country worth taking. That his men made the white women (wouldn’t let the colored women) do their cooking and washing, and that although they only brought one suit of clothes, they put on a new one every morning and always looked as though they had just stepped from a bandbox. People here hate General Mitchell’s whole command as they do the d___1, and many of them more. Well, we’ve settled once more, and I’ll be contented if allowed to stay here for sometime. We’re guarding about 100 miles of railroad from Iuka to Decatur, and it promises to be pretty rough work. Day before yesterday a guerilla party swooped down on a station 24 miles east of here where General Thomas had 160 men and captured all but 20 of them. We are relieving General Thomas’ command from duty here, but the Rebels saved us the trouble of relieving that party. We sent out a force yesterday of three companies and the Rebels surprised and killed and captured 20 of them. I have just heard that there has been a fight eight miles south of here to-day, between our cavalry and the Rebels, no particulars yet. ‘Tis the 3d Michigan that has suffered so far. The 7th Illinois are out now after the party that surprised the Michiganders yesterday, but have not heard of them since they started yesterday p.m. We are quartered in the house of a right good secesh, and are enjoying his property hugely. His pigs will be ripe within a week, and we’ll guard them after our style. The old fashion is played out as far as this brigade is concerned. We take what is necessary and give vouchers, which say the property will be paid for at the close of the war, on proof of loyalty. This valley is 60 or 80 miles long, 15 miles wide and the most beautiful country imaginable. It is now one vast cornfield. The residences in this town are superb, and the grounds most beautifully ornamented and filled with shrubbery. There is a spring here that throws out 17,000 cubic feet of water each minute. It supplies the town. General Thomas, whom we relieved, has gone to Huntsville to join Buell. I think they are going to Chattanooga then. People are intensely secesh here, and whine most mournfully when compelled to take the oath, or even to give their parole of honor not to give information to the enemy. Our headquarters is a mile from any troops, just for the quiet of the thing. Peaches are just in season now, and there are oceans of them here. Blackberries are still to be found, and we have plenty of apples.
The weather is beautiful, not too warm and still require my double blanket every night, and often cool at that. We have information that Hardee with a force is marching on this place, and it is the most probable rumor that I have heard since the evacuation. Time will tell.
July 27th. Sunday morning, bright and beautiful, but intensely hot during the day. Early in the morning the quartermaster issued new clothing, including drawers, socks, trousers, shoes, and blouses. At 7:30 A. M. we fell in for inspection, and nearly every man appeared in new clothes; the regiment looked very fine. After sunset, Broom and I rode over to the river to cool off.
July 27. [Mobile] —Captain Curtis has just called to see me. He is en route for the army. * Ho informed me that General Price has gone to Richmond to try and get an independent command, with which to free Missouri. Captain C. was very hopeful as to his receiving it, and drew a glowing picture of the army’s triumphal entry into St. Louis, with General P. at its head. I do hope and pray he will not be disappointed.
I have been told by many that if the president will not accede to General P.’s proposal, he intends resigning; but I trust he is more of a patriot than that. If we can not have faith in President Davis, and fully trust that what he is doing is for the good of the cause, it is no reason why we should not do our duty.
July 27.—Two rebel schooners were captured up the Chipoaks Creek, James River, near Claremont, Va., by a boat expedition under the command of Lieutenant Gibson of the United States gunboat Yankee, and brought out of the creek without molestation, although a force of rebel cavalry was stationed only three quarters of a mile distant—Official Report.
— A reconnoitring expedition, consisting of the United States gunboats Paul Jones, Unadilla, Huron and Madgie, left Savannah bay and proceeded up the Ogecchee River, Ga., until they arrived near Fort James, the strength of which they discovered by bombarding it for about two hours, when they returned to their former anchorage.—A number of young ladies of New-Albany, Indiana, proposed to act as clerks and salesmen for the young men of that place who would enlist, and give them half their salaries while they are absent, and surrender their positions to them on their return.
—Richmond, Ky., was visited by a band of guerrillas, under John Morgan, who plundered the stores, houses, and stables of the Union men of the place.—Richmond Messenger, August 1.
