October 16 — This morning the Yankees advanced on our picket post with cavalry, artillery, and infantry. One gun of our battery and three pieces of the Richmond Howitzers fought them and held them in check until our ammunition was exhausted, then retired from action, as it is perfectly indiscreet to try to hold a position without ammunition, especially under fire. The Yankees advanced as far as Charlestown. We fell back two miles south of Charlestown on the Berryville pike, took a position commanding the pike, and remained there until night, when we moved back a mile to our old camp. We remained there but a little while and moved back about eight miles from Charlestown, and camped. In the artillery fight this morning one man of the Richmond Howitzers was killed and two wounded.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Thursday, October 16th.
It seems an age since I have opened this book. How the time has passed since, I have but a vague idea, beyond that it has passed very pleasantly. . . . Once since, I have been with Mrs. Badger to a Mr. Powell, who has started quite an extensive shoemaking establishment, in the vain attempt to get something to cover my naked feet. I am so much in need that I have been obliged to borrow Lydia’s shoes every time I have been out since she returned. This was my second visit there, and I have no greater satisfaction than I had at first. He got my measure, I got his promise, and that is the end of it, thus far. His son, a young man of about twenty-four, had the cap of his knee shot off at Baton Rouge. Ever since he has been lying on his couch, unable to stand; and the probability is that he will never stand again. Instead of going out to the manufactory, Mrs. Badger has each time stopped at the house to see his mother (who, by the way, kissed me and called me “Sissie,” to my great amusement) and there I have seen this poor young man. He seems so patient and resigned that it is really edifying to be with him. He is very communicative, too, and seems to enjoy company, no matter if he does say “her ‘n” and his ‘n.” Wonder why he does n’t say “shisen” too? The girls are highly amused at the description I give of my new acquaintance, but still more so at Mrs. Badger’s account of the friendship of this poor young cripple, and his enjoyment of my visits. Of course it is only her own version, as she is very fond of jokes of all kinds.
Night before last Lydia got playing the piano for me in the darkened parlor, and the old tunes from her dear little fingers sent me off in a sea of dreams! She too caught the vision, and launched off in well-remembered quadrille. The same scene flashed on us, and at each note, almost, we would recall a little circumstance, charming to us, but unintelligible to Anna, who occupied the other side. Together we talked over the dramatis persona. Mrs. Morgan, Jr., in dark blue silk with black flounces, a crimson chenille net on her black hair, sits at the piano in her own parlor. On the Brussels carpet stands, among others, Her Majesty, Queen Miriam, in a lilac silk, with bare neck and arms save for the protection afforded by a bertha of appliqué lace trimmed with pink ribbon, with hair à la madonna, and fastened low on her neck. Is she not handsome as she stands fronting the folding doors, her hand in tall Mr. Trezevant’s, just as she commences to dance, with, the tip of her black bottine just showing? Vis-à-vis stands pretty Sophie, with her large, graceful mouth smiling and showing her pretty teeth to the best advantage. A low neck and shortsleeved green and white poplin is her dress, while her black hair, combed off from her forehead carelessly, is caught by a comb at the back and falls in curls on her shoulders. A prettier picture could not be wished for, as she looks around with sparkling eyes, eager for the dance to begin. There stands calm Dena in snuff-colored silk, looking so immeasurably the superior of her partner, who, I fancy, rather feels that she is the better man of the two, from his nervous way of shifting from one foot to the other, without saying a word to her. Nettie, in lilac and white, stands by the mantel laughing undisguisedly at her partner, rather than with him, yet so good-humoredly that he cannot take offense, but rather laughs with her. Lackadaisical Gertrude, whose face is so perfect in the daytime, looks pale and insipid by gaslight, and timidly walks through the dance. Stout, good-natured Minna smiles and laughs, never quite completing a sentence, partly from embarrassment, partly because she hardly knows how; but still so sweet and amiable that one cannot find fault with her for so trifling a misfortune. At this point, Lydia suggests, “And Sarah, do you forget her?” I laugh; how could I forget? There she stands in a light blue silk checked in tiny squares, with little flounces up to her knee. Her dress fits well, and she wears very pretty sleeves and collar of appliqué. Lydia asks if that is all, and how she looks. The same old song, I answer. She is looking at Miriam just now; you would hardly notice her, but certainly her hair is well combed. That is all you can say for her. Who is she dancing with? A youth fond of “dreams”; futile ones, at that, I laughingly reply. He must be relating one just now, for there is a very perceptible curl on her upper lip, and she is looking at him as though she thought she was the tallest. Lydia dashes off into a lively jig. “Ladies to the right!” I cried. She laughed too, well knowing that that part of the dance was invariably repeated a dozen times at least. She looked slyly up: “I am thinking of how many hands I saw squeezed,” she said. I am afraid it did happen, once or twice.
Eighteen months ago! What a change! One who was prominent on such occasions — Mr. Sparks —they tell me is dead. May God have mercy on his soul, in the name of Jesus Christ! I did not ask even this revenge.
Thursday, 16th—We have a beautiful camping ground; it is well situated on high ground which affords good drainage and in case of rain will dry off quickly. The weather is very warm and pleasant, with signs of autumn on every hand, and a northern autumn at that. We have warm days and cool nights, and the foliage of the forest is turning many different colors.
Thursday, 16th. Spent the day reading various nonsensical books. Rather a lazy day on the whole. Capt. Nettleton returned. Whole detachment ordered to “Hazel Hollow” on picket duty. Six miles, advance guard. Slept in a vacant house. Quite a confab with a Kansas Lieut.
Thursday, 16th.—Detail of fifteen more men this morning, rolling wagons up Big Hill. Two men killed last night by being accidentally thrown over bluff. Two more badly burned with powder. Were tearing up cartridges, and putting powder in canteen. Wagons ordered to Rock Castle River; think it very certain we are going back into Tennessee. Driving out great many cattle; left most of our cooking vessels at foot of Big Hill. Burning most of the tents. Heard good sermon by Chaplin Kramer; left camps at sundown; started up Big Hill at dark; being unwell, got permission to go ahead of regiment; got to top, 9 P. M. J. A. Park and I went on about two miles and lay down and went to sleep.
Corinth, Thursday, Oct. 16. I joined my Platoon, went into tent with E. W. Evans and T. J. Hungerford as before. Owing to my weakness I was not put on full duty immediately, being excused from mounted drill, etc.
OCTOBER 16TH.—There is no confirmation of the reported victory in Kentucky.
An Englishman, who has been permitted to go North, publishes there a minute and pretty accurate description of our river defenses.
I have written a leading article for the Whig to-morrow, on “Martial Law and Passports.” My plan is to organize committees in all the border counties to examine the passports of strangers seeking egress from the country; and to permit loyal citizens, not desiring to pass our borders, or the lines of the armies, to travel without passports. An officer and a squad of soldiers at the depots can decide what soldiers are entitled to pass on the roads.
October 16th. The rebel General Stuart crossed the Potomac on the 10th above Williamsport, and has made a most successful raid entirely around our army, recrossing in safety near the Monocacy. He has destroyed immense quantities of material, besides refitting his command, and captured horses enough to nearly remount it, and the country is in consequence in the direst distress. He went as far as Chambersburg, destroying everything in his path, and we sat supinely quiet, and our cavalry, too. Oh for a military genius to take command! Colonel Zook has rejoined us again and assumed command of the brigade. I, of course, go with him, and become acting assistant adjutant general.
October 16.—The One Hundred and Seventieth regiment New-York volunteers, being the second of the Irish Legion, left Staten Island, New-York, en route for the seat of war.—Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, was to-day authorized by the War Department to permit drafted militia to become volunteers by changing their term of service from nine months to three years.
—The steamer Emilie was boarded by a gang of guerrillas at Portland, Mo., and plundered of all her stores. The passengers were also robbed of their clothing and valuables.— The United States steam sloop-of-war Ticonderoga, was this day successfully launched from the Navy-Yard, Brooklyn, New-York.
—A reconnoissance by part of the army of the Potomac was made from Harper’s Ferry this morning. General Humphrey’s division, supported by that of General Porter, crossed the Potomac River at Blackford’s Ford and advanced on Shepherdstown. He was met by a strong force of the rebels, who opened a heavy fire upon him; and as General Humphrey had no artillery, and the object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, he withdrew his forces across the river.
The steamer John H. Dickey, plying between St Louis, Mo., and Memphis, Tennessee, was this day attacked by a band of rebel guerrillas, in the vicinity of Pemiscot Bayou, Missouri, but escaped without much injury. No one was killed, and only one person slightly wounded.—The rebel Brigadier-General George B. Anderson, who was wounded at Sharpsburgh, Md., died at Raleigh, North-Carolina.
—A reconnoissance under the command of General Hancock, left Bolivar Heights early this morning and proceeded toward Charlestown, Va. When a mile and a half from the town, the rebels opened fire upon the Union troops from a battery of five pieces, which was responded to by Clark’s and Tompkins’s Rhode Island batteries, for about two hours, when the rebels fell back to the hills beyond the town. The rebels’ guns were well served, but only a few of their shells exploded. The Nationals had one man killed and eight wounded; the rebels had nine men wounded and taken prisoners, among whom was Captain Smith, of the Richmond artillery.—The National troops entered Charlestown and occupied it.
—The draft commenced in every county of the State of Pennsylvania, except that of Philadelphia, without any undue excitement.
