April 21. – Captain Falley’s train moved from Major Spaulding’s this afternoon to Major Beers’s camp. Rode over to Major Spaulding’s and to General Couch’s headquarters with General Benham. Went ahead with a road party to repair road, etc. The Regulars moved their train to a point near the river. Major Cassin also moved his train some hundred feet or so. The only mule teams that arrived at the time they were ordered were Major Cassin’s. The others were from an hour to two hours late.
April 2013
Tuesday, April 21st. I went up town this morning; feel like I am growing stronger, but am suffering with a very sore mouth. Think I shall start for Shreveport on Tuesday. Have heard nothing of my pocketbook; paid the printer five dollars for handbills and one dollar for twenty envelopes. Heard today of the death of Captain Brownnigg; announced it to Mrs Brownnigg; the effect was as might have been expected; I thought at first that she would not revive at all; she seems more quiet now. Major Holman promised to let me have money to continue my trip. I am about to commence a letter to my wife.
April 21—Nothing doing.
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 21ST.—Gen. Longstreet lost, it is said, two 32-pounder guns yesterday, with which he was firing on the enemy’s gun-boats. A force was landed and captured the battery.
Gen. Lee writes that his men have each, daily, but a quarter pound of meat and 16 ounces of flour. They have, besides, 1 pound of rice to every ten men, two or three times a week. He says this may keep them alive; but that at this season they should have more generous food. The scurvy and the typhoid fever are appearing among them. Longstreet and Hill, however, it is hoped will succeed in bringing off supplies of provision, etc.—such being the object of their demonstrations.
Gen. Wise has fallen back, being ordered by Gen. Elzey not to attempt the capture of FortMagruder—a feat he could have accomplished.
April 21.—Captain Laypole, with seven men of the Fifth and Sixth Virginia rebel cavalry, were captured near Berryville, Va., by a party of the Second Virginia loyal infantry and New-York First cavalry, under Lieutenants Powel and Wykoff.—Colonel McReynolds’s Despatch.
—At Nashville, Tenn., by order of Brigadier-General R. B. Mitchell, all white persons over the age of eighteen years residing within the lines of his command were compelled to subscribe to the oath of allegiance or non-combatant’s parole, or to go South.
Millikens Bend, Tuesday, April 21. Fine day. Six transports preparing to run the blockade at Vicksburg. Volunteers called for from this Division to move them. Many anxious to go. Quite an excitement. Received mail.
Monday, April 20th. I was asleep the greater part of last night, but cannot call it rest. Oh! those hideous dreams which haunted me. I went to a market on Bridge street in Waco, where human flesh, sound and putrid, was bought and sold. I bought and ate, and made my children eat, then dreamed again. Oh! such horrid, phantastic and awful visions as only opium can breed! Fearful crimes were calmly concocted, and the darkest mysteries were enjoyed with devilish glee! Every thing which was unholy, everything fiendish, damnable and impure seemed ever present. But the night and the dream have past, and let them be past forever! I am not so well to-day as yesterday, but do not think I will need any more medicine.
Major Holman came to see me again this morning. Mr. Lewis, an old gentleman, formerly clerk of the Federal Court at Tyler, also came to see me. He is just from Huntsville, Alabama, and gave me suggestions as to the route across the Mississippi.
I took a whisky toddy this morning. Miss Beloy came in and brought a very fat, pretty baby, her little sister. She is an amiable looking girl—reminds me of sister Mac (Mrs. DeSanssure) as she looked in the golden old days when we were young and before so many friends had dropped like flowers in the tomb, and when Mac had lightly “supped sorrow.” When I have tears to shed let them fall for the dread affliction of my friends, for Oh! how bitterly, bitterly my dear sisters, Mrs. M. B. and Mac DeS. have suffered!
Mrs. Bacon’s little girl seems very sick to-day. I have been in Mrs. B. ‘s room lying on a lounge nearly all the morning.
April 20th. Still lying to an anchor off the mouth of Red River. The ram Switzerland, Commander Col. Ellet, and Albatross, Lieut.-Commander Hart, at anchor ahead of us, close in shore. Let me here remark, before going any further (since I think the reader is not aware of the fact), that the crew stand watch and watch every night at their guns. They are allowed to lie down on deck between same, and go to sleep. This is a necessary precaution against a surprise, and to have the men near at hand should the enemy be so foolish as to attack us where we are. We were also expecting daily to hear of Gen. Banks, who had gone around by way of Brashear City, from New Orleans to Alexandria, capturing and taking possession of same, and of seeing some of his transports some night, coming down and out of Red River. Warm and pleasant weather. All quiet on the Rappahannock—(I mean on the Mississippi.)
Monday, 20th—I leave Mr. Davis this morning for Camp. Go out by Rainey’s. I got my cartridge mended and came up to Mrs. Grandstaff’s and got my dinner. Came on to A.; met the Regiment just at Camp, on their way to Lebanon. Our Squadron on picket. Sent after them. As soon as they came Regiment started. Got to Lebanon about 11 o’clock. ‘Twas two before the last of the column passed. A train of wagons was along after the Com’s. We stopped on street and the train passed on. We picketed all the roads and remained. I slept on street, my head resting on curbstone for a pillow, but one blanket and got very cold before day. At daylight I went down and washed my mule off and warmed in blacksmith shop. Started back and Ferrill being drunk, had me arrested. Kyle had me lay off my arms, but soon after Regiment all went to water and I was released. I eat breakfast and went over to Mr. Davis. Cousin Mec and Miss Fannie were at home. Mr. Davis down in town.
20th. Passed the day very quietly in camp. Took my washing over to a house. Called at large white house to see if we could get a beef creature. Made a good many inquiries. Got shaved by one of the boys. The day has been very warm. The train brought in a good supply of forage. Everything passing quietly at camp.
