18th.—Nothing of moment to-day. We started early; it rained a little, and to-night we are encamped within three miles of Stafford Court House, six miles from the mouth of Acquia Creek, on one of its tributaries, and about twelve miles from Fredericksburg.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Tuesday, 18th.—6 A. M. Tents all carried to railroad. 7 A. M., loaded up and ready to start at 7:30 A. M. On our way to Chattanooga; passed Mouse Creek at 12 M. ; arrived at Chattanooga at 7 P. M.; got off train two miles west of town.
18th.—Another raid upon Fredericksburg; much mischief done! They are preparing for a second evacuation of the town! The number of refugees will be greatly increased, and where are they to go? Poor homeless wanderers, leaving business and the means of support to the mercy of a vindictive soldiery!
Letters from our Valley friends taking leave of us, written some time ago, when the enemy were again closing around them. We are very anxious about them. Their situation is becoming pitiable; every new set of troops help themselves to whatever suits their fancy—stock of all sorts, grain, meat, every thing valuable and portable! Silver, glass, china, has to be buried, and very adroitly, or it is found. Some of the servants are very unfaithful, and let the enemy in to the most private places. There are some honourable exceptions to this last remark. Our relative, Mr. P., has moved below the mountains for security; but he was in the habit, when at home, of intrusting every thing to his house-servant, including his wine and ardent spirits— and it was all kept sacredly—the master knew not where; but on each departure of the enemy every thing would be returned to its accustomed place, in good order.
Tuesday, November 18th.
A note just came from mother, telling me that the most awful Yankees were coming to burn Linwood and take Port Hudson, and so this evening I must walk down to the cars with a chair to rest in until they came, and must certainly be in Clinton to-night. Delightful arrangement! I wrote to ask if she knew that my legs were of no more service to me than to her? Dr. Dortch has again been murdering me . . . . says perhaps I can stand by Sunday. If the Yankees come before —
Tuesday, 18th—We cleaned up our camp ground and finished setting in order our new camp. We have a very fine camp now and it looks quite homelike. It is located in rather open, wooded ground and the different colors of leaves on the trees make it look quite grand. The nights are getting frosty.
To Mrs. Lyon.
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1862.—I will scratch off a few lines, especially as it is our wedding anniversary. I presume you have celebrated it in due form by a gathering of the family, and I know your heart fondly whispers, ‘I wish he were here.’ I have commemorated the day by thinking over, as I often do, our married life and the almost unalloyed happiness we have enjoyed, and in anticipating the future and still greater happiness which I believe is in store for us.
Tuesday, 18th. Still rainy and muddy. Lay in the tent unless obliged to get out. Almost homesick. Body guard came back. Sore throat.
Moscow, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 18. Up at 4 A. M., cooked our breakfast and again on the road by 6 o’clock, and after a four hours’ march through a broken country, well cleared, persimmons plenty, we arrived at Moscow, where, we went into camp for the time. Rode to water through a town completely deserted, no trace of a citizen. I, as could be expected, was bothered on the march by my foot and could not have kept up, were it not for S. E. Sweet, who allowed me to ride his colt part of the time.
NOVEMBER 18TH.—Well, the President is a bold man! He has put in Randolph’s place, temporarily at least, Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith—who was Street Commissioner in the City of New York, on the day that Capt. G. W. Randolph was fighting the New Yorkers at Bethel.
Gen. Wise is out in a card, stating that in response to a requisition for shoes for his suffering troops, Quartermaster-Gen. A. C. Myers said, “Let them suffer.”
The enemy attacked Fredericksburg yesterday, and there was some skirmishing, the result of which we have not heard. It is rumored they are fighting there to-day. We have but few regiments between here and Fredericksburg.
November 18th. This morning, by direction of General Hancock, Colonel Zook assumed command of Falmouth as military governor, and I was appointed post adjutant in addition to my duties as Aide-de-Camp.
