Rienzi, Saturday, Sept. 13. The 3rd Section, Lieutenant Hood, went out in front and the first fell back to its old grounds. Foraging party brought in two loads of corn, three neat cattle, one sheep, twelve geese, seven hens, two or three bushels of sweet potatoes.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
September 13 — Early this morning just at dawn we heard cannon and saw them flash as they were fired about three miles away on the National Road, where it crosses the Catoctin Mountain. The enemy also advanced on the road we came over yesterday. We went into battery near Jefferson and fired on them a while, then fell back slowly toward Middletown. About noon, by pressing and flanking, the enemy forced General Stuart to fall back on the National Road a little faster than the programme called for. Then we made a forced retreat in order to keep the Yankee flankers from interfering with our rear or cutting us off from the main body of our cavalry which was on the National Road.
In falling back to-day I think it was the intention to strike the Crampton Gap road at Middletown, but when we arrived within one mile of Middletown we learned that the Yankee cavalry, which is getting bold, adventurous, mighty, and numerous in these latter days, had forced our cavalry on the National Road back a little faster than common, and had possession of Middletown. Consequently we had to cut across the country on a narrow, lane-like, hilly road, leaving Middletown a mile to our right, and gained the Crampton Gap road without any serious inconvenience. After we struck the Crampton Gap road we moved to Burkettsville without encountering any Yankees. Burkettsville is a little village nestling at the eastern base of South Mountain and right in front of Crampton’s Gap. We halted in the village a short while and then went up on the mountain side and put our battery in position in the road at a point which thoroughly commands the Middletown road and the fields around Burkettsville.
The Yankees did not advance farther than to within two miles of Burkettsville, where our cavalry met, fought, and repulsed them. Immediately after the fight Hampton’s Legion, a body of South Carolina cavalry under the command of General Hampton, came up the Middletown road in sight of our position. Colonel Munford thought it was a regiment of Yankee cavalry and ordered us to open fire on them. Just as we were ready to fire, a courier, with a Southern flag, came up the mountain and announced that it was Hampton’s Legion that was coming up the Middletown road. The courier came just in time, for if he had been one single minute later he would have heard a shell screaming overhead on its way searching for Yankees, which would no doubt have found Hampton’s Legion of South Carolinians. We remained in position till sunset, and no Yankees came in sight, when we crossed South Mountain and camped at its western base. We heard heavy cannonading nearly all day in the direction of Harper’s Ferry.
Saturday, 13th.—Moved this morning at 7, leaving Frederick behind us. At 8, crossed the Monocacy, (a beautiful stream,) at Buckeytown, Maryland. Here heavy firing in the direction of Frederick, but as the day advances, swinging around towards Harper’s Ferry, from which we infer that Burnside is driving the enemy. Burnside is one of our reliable men, and rarely fails in what he undertakes. The enemy has been promised that if he will come in force into Maryland, he will get fifty thousand recruits from the State. He has come. Will the promise be met? A few days will tell. We too bear more towards the Ferry; I hope to intercept the retreat. But we move more slowly. Why? God forbid that our General, so rapidly rising, should, as he approaches danger, fall into his old habit, and disappoint all of our new born hopes. We laid still a long time at Buckeytown, then moved slowly forward for two miles, having made only four miles march to-day. At 9 P. M., as I write this, we are called to move, and the journal of to-morrow must tell the events of the night.
September 13. The country is very desponding and much disheartened. There is a perceptibly growing distrust of the Administration and of its ability and power to conduct the war. Military doubts were whispered on the Peninsula by McClellan’s favorites before his recall, and when he was reinstated public confidence in the Administration throughout the country was impaired. Citizens and military, though from different causes, were distrustful. It is evident, however, that the reinstatement of McC. has inspired strength, vigor, and hope in the army. Officers and soldiers appear to be united in his favor and willing to follow his lead. It has now been almost a week since he left Washington, yet he has not overtaken the enemy, who are not distant. There is doubt whether he is thirty miles from Washington. Perhaps he ought not to be, until he has gathered up and massed the dispersed elements of his command. I shall not criticize in ignorance, but insist it is the duty of all to sustain him. I am not without hopes that his late experience and the strong pressure of public opinion will overcome his hesitancy and rouse him to thorough work. He is never rash. I fear he is not a fighting general. Stanton is cross and grouty. A victory for McClellan will bring no joy to him, though it would gladden the whole country.
Rev. Dr. Patton of Chicago, chairman of a committee appointed in northern Illinois, desired an introduction with his associates to the President, to advise with him on the subject of slavery and emancipation. The President assented cheerfully.
Saturday, 13th—We started at 7 o’clock and marched fifteen miles. Bivouacked for the night on the banks of the Tuscumbie river. It was very warm and dusty marching, but all held their places in the ranks. It is said that the rebels’ cavalry which kept up close to our rear guard, had something to do with keeping the men in line, for anyone falling out behind would surely have been taken prisoner.
Frederick, Maryland, September 13, 1862, A. M.
Dearest : — Yesterday was an exciting but very happy day. We retook this fine town about 5:30 P. M. after a march of fourteen miles and a good deal of skirmishing, cannon firing and uproar, and with but little fighting. We marched in just at sundown, the Twenty-third a good deal of the way in front. There was no mistaking the Union feeling and joy of the people — fine ladies, pretty girls, and children were in all the doors and windows waving flags and clapping hands. Some “jumped up and down” with happiness. Joe enjoyed it and rode up the streets bowing most gracefully. The scene as we approached across the broad bottom-lands in line of battle, with occasional cannon firing and musketry, the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in view, the fine town in front, was very magnificent. It is pleasant to be so greeted. The enemy had held the city just a week. “The longest week of our lives,” “We thought you were never coming,” “This is the happiest hour of our lives,” were the common expressions.
It was a most fatiguing day to the men. When we got the town, before the formal entry, men laid [lay] down in the road, saying they couldn’t stir again. Some were pale, some red as if apoplectic. Half an hour after, they were marching erect and proud hurrahing the ladies!
Colonel Moor, Twenty-eighth, of Cincinnati, was wounded and taken prisoner in one of the skirmishes yesterday. The enemy treat our men well — very well. We have of sick and wounded five hundred or six hundred prisoners taken here.
Well, Lucy dearest, good-bye. Love to all. Kiss the boys.
Affectionately, ever,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Saturday, 13th. In the afternoon a brigade left under General Salomon for Carthage. Dispatches from Col. Weir came, stating a fight was soon expected. I went down and got provisions for 88 men going from our regiment under Capt. Welch. No mail again. Read the latest papers.
Saturday, 13th.—Skirmishing this evening on our right, between a squad of Federal cavalry and General Heth’s bodyguard; four Federals killed; nobody hurt on our side.
September 13.—Darius Sackett was wounded by a musket shot in the leg, at Maryland Heights, Va., and in consequence is discharged from the service.
SEPTEMBER 13TH—Buell has impressed 10,000 slaves, and is fortifying Nashville.
