April 28—Turned about this morning at 7, got to Greenville at 10, and went to our former camp. Then got orders to return to Pacatolus in the morning.
April 2013
A Good Sensible Talk.
April 28. I was out in the country yesterday, doing picket duty, and fell in with an old gentleman with whom I had a good sensible talk. He was an intelligent, well appearing man, who said he was a farmer, or had been one until the breaking out of the war. He owns a plantation just outside our lines, but is not permitted to go into town. He is allowed to purchase in small quantities such articles as he may need by sending in his negro man or getting the boys to bring them out. He said at the commencement of the secession movement, he and all this part of the state, in fact nearly all of the state, was opposed to it, and in two state conventions, to both of which he was a delegate, the ordinance of secession was rejected, and not until after South Carolina on one side and Virginia on the other had gone out was the ordinance of secession passed.
He said: “Situated as we were we could not remain neutral, and although opposed to it from the beginning and all the time even after the war commenced and all our young men had gone into the army, it was but natural that I should sympathize with my own people.”
“Certainly,” I replied, “but have you any hopes of the ultimate success of the Confederacy?”
“None whatever, and I told our people so at our conventions. We are a ruined people and the best thing we can do is to make peace with the government on any terms we can.”
“Yes, but you know the terms are very simple, merely to lay down your arms and return to your loyalty to the government.”
“Yes, I know it is simple enough now, but I reckon the government at Richmond is not wise enough to accept it, and the longer they keep up the war the worse we are off, and in the end we will have to accept such terms as are dictated to us.”
A sensible old gentleman that, and I should have liked to go out to his place and sample his peach and honey, scuppernong and things.
Stokes Takes His Leave Of Us.
An order was received here today from the war department discharging Stokes from the service. When the order was read, it took him by surprise as it was his first intimation of it. He seemed disappointed and said he should like well enough to go home a few days, but did not like the idea of going to stay and thought he should be back with us again in a few weeks. He left for home this afternoon. I am sorry to lose Stokes and shall miss him very much. He was my chief of staff and I placed great reliance on him. He was one of our best boys, possessed of excellent judgment, and was unsurpassed in the secret service, I parted with him with many regrets and shall always retain pleasant memories of our soldier life.
April 28th, 1863.—What shall we eat? what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we be clothed? We have no prophet of the Lord at whose prayer the meal and oil will not waste. As to wardrobe, I have learned to darn like an artist. Making shoes is now another accomplishment. Mine were in tatters. H. came across a moth-eaten pair that he bought me, giving ten dollars, I think, and they fell into rags when I tried to wear them; but the soles were good, and that has helped me to shoes. A pair of old coat-sleeves—nothing is thrown away now—was in my trunk. I cut an exact pattern from my old shoes, laid it on the sleeves, and cut out thus good uppers and sewed them carefully; then soaked the soles and sewed the cloth to them. I am so proud of these home-made shoes that I think I’ll put them in a glass case when the war is over, as an heirloom. H. says he has come to have an abiding faith that everything he needs to wear will come out of that trunk while the war lasts. It is like a fairy-casket. I have but a dozen pins remaining, I gave so many away. Every time these are used they are straightened and kept from rust. All these curious labors are performed while the shells are leisurely screaming through the air; but as long as we are out of range we don’t worry. For many nights we have had but little sleep because the Federal gun-boats have been running past the batteries. The uproar when this is happening is phenomenal. The first night the thundering artillery burst the bars of sleep, we thought it an attack by the river. To get into garments and rush upstairs was the work of a moment. From the upper gallery we have a fine view of the river, and soon a red glare lit up the scene and showed a small boat towing two large barges, gliding by. The Confederates had set fire to a house near the bank. Another night, eight boats ran by, throwing a shower of shot, and two burning houses made the river clear as day. One of the batteries has a remarkable gun they call “Whistling Dick,” because of the screeching, whistling sound it gives, and certainly it does sound like a tortured thing. Added to all this is the indescribable Confederate yell, which is a soul-harrowing sound to hear. I have gained respect for the mechanism of the human ear, which stands it all without injury. The streets are seldom quiet at night; even the dragging about of cannon makes a din in these echoing gullies. The other night we were on the gallery till the last of the eight boats got by. Next day a friend said to H., “It was a wonder you didn’t have your heads taken off last night. I passed and saw them stretched over the gallery, and grape-shot were whizzing up the street just on a level with you.” The double roar of batteries and boats was so great, we never noticed the whizzing. Yesterday the Cincinnati attempted to go by in daylight, but was disabled and sunk. It was a pitiful sight; we could not see the finale, though we saw her rendered helpless.
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Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in New Orleans, the diary was published anonymously, edited by G. W. Cable, names were changed and initials were often used instead of full names — and even the initials differed from the real person’s initials.
Much to the astonishment and inconvenience of the whole army, we remained day after day, prepared to march, keeping up our stock of eight days’ rations, wagons packed, etc., until the 28th, two weeks almost, when at 7 A. M., we marched out of camp and headed for the woods lining the banks of the Rappahannock, bivouacking opposite Banks ford in dense pine woods. We were ordered to detail one regiment to guard the ford, and two others to open a road to the United States ford. Ordered the Sixty-sixth to the ford, and the Fifty-second and Fifty-seventh to build the road and three companies of the One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers to picket it as fast as the men opened it.
According to custom it began raining soon after dark, and continued throughout the night.
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 28TH. —The enemy’s raid in Mississippi seems to have terminated at Enterprise, where we collected a force and offered battle, but the invaders retreated. It is said they had 1600 cavalry and 5 guns, and the impression prevails that but few of them will ever return. It is said they sent back a detachment of 200 men some days ago with their booty, watches, spoons, jewelry, etc. rifled from the habitations of the non-combating people.
I saw Brig.-Gen. Chilton to day, Chief of Gen. Lee’s Staff. He says, when the time comes, Gen. Lee will do us all justice. I asked him if Richmond were safe, and he responded in the affirmative.
I am glad the Secretary of War has stopped the blockade-running operations of Gen. Winder and Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War. Until to-day, Gen. W. issued many passports which were invariably approved by Judge Campbell, but for some cause, and Heaven knows there is cause enough, Mr. Secretary has ordered that no more passports be granted Marylanders or foreigners to depart from the Confederacy. I hope Mr. S. will not “back down” from this position.
To-day I returned to the department from the Bureau of Conscription, being required at my old post by Mr. Kean, Chief of the Bureau of War, my friend, Jacques, being out of town with a strangury. Thus it is; when Congress meets I am detailed on service out of the department, and when Congress adjourns they send for me back again. Do they object to my acquaintance with the members ?
A few weeks ago I addressed the President a letter suggesting that an alphabetical analysis be made of letter and indorsement books, embracing principles of decisions, and not names. This I did for the Bureau of Conscription, which was found very useful. Precedents could thus be readily referred to when, as was often the case, the names of parties could not be recollected. It happened, singularly enough, that this paper came into my hands with forty-nine others to-day, at the department, where I shall wholly remain hereafter. The President seemed struck with the idea, and indorsed a reference on it to the “State, Treasury, War, and Navy Departments,” and also to the Attorney-General. I shall be curious to know what the Secretary thinks of this plan. No matter what the Secretary of War thinks of it; he declined my plan of deriving supplies directly from the people, and then adopted it.
April 28.—About ten o’clock last night a rebel regiment, being the advance-guard of Marmaduke’s army, which was then retreating from Cape Girardeau, were surprised three miles west of Jackson, Mo. Two small howitzers loaded with musket-balls were discharged simultaneously within thirty yards of them, killing and wounding a large number. At the same time the First Iowa cavalry charged upon them, and not a man of the entire regiment escaped, all who were not killed or wounded being taken prisoners. All of their guns, horses, camp equipage, and several thousand dollars’ worth of stolen property were captured by the Union party. Early this morning General Vandeveer advanced, and perceiving the main body of the rebels in full retreat, ho immediiately followed, keeping up a constant artillery fire on their rear. At two o’clock this afternoon he was joined by General McNeil, and the combined forces continued the pursuit. — Missouri Democrat.
—General Hooker’s army crossed the Rappahannock at two points, in the advance on Fredericksburgh.—Fifteen hundred dollars each for substitutes was offered in Richmond, Va.—Captain Alexander, of Wolford’s Kentucky cavalry, with sixty picked men and horses, crossed Cumberland River at Howe’s Ford, two miles north of Mill Spring, and had a skirmish with a party of rebel pickets. Later in the day Lieutenant-Colonel Adams of the same regiment, with three hundred men followed Captain Alexander, and the combined force under Colonel Adams proceeded as far as Steubenville, where he met a body of rebel cavalry under Chenault drawn up in line of battle. The Colonel ,with ninety men prepared for a charge, but as soon as his horses struck the gallop, the enemy dispersed in confusion, leaving four of their number with their horses and equipments in the hands of the Nationals.—The Union steamers Swan and Commerce, having been blockaded in Nansemond River, Va., for several days, were this day run past the rebel batteries and taken to Suffolk. Great excitement existed at Uniontown, Pa., rumors being prevalent of a rebel raid into the State.
Colonel Lyons.
Fort Donelson, June 28, 1863.—It has rained copiously four or five days and is still raining. The river has risen fifteen feet or more and is still rising rapidly. We are almost sure of a fair stage of water for several weeks; which is, you know, a great relief to us.
Major Bigney returned last night from Nashville and Murfreesboro with saddles, equipments and arms for our mounted infantry. He brings news that General Rosecrans’ army is advancing and that they have occupied Shelbyville without opposition, Bragg having left. Great events seem to be in progress East and West, the result of which none can foretell.
Our part of the program seems to be to hold Fort Donelson. The retreat of Bragg’s army renders it highly improbable that we shall be attacked here this summer— if ever.
Captain Noyes went to Louisville with the Paymaster. He saw Colonel Lowe on Friday, en route for his command, which consists of five regiments of cavairy. His health is improved. He told Captain Noyes that he intended to telegraph to me confidentially that if I desired to go to the front he could get me there. The Captain told him that I had been to the front and having seen the elephant he did not think I was anxious to see him again. The movement of the army, however, renders any immediate change in our condition highly improbable.
The Reserve Corps, embracing all the troops left by General Rosecrans, is under command of Major-General Gordon Granger, and he may refuse to give me leave of absence. I think I could have gotten it from General Rosecrans without difficulty. This Reserve Corps is organized into divisions and brigades. Ours is the Third Division, commanded by Brigadier-General R. S. Granger, who now commands at Nashville.
The troops here and at Clarksville are the 1st Brigade of the Third Division. The ranking officer now is Colonel Bruce, who will command the brigade, I suppose; but as yet he has not assumed the command. This arrangement will not interfere with my authority here as the commander of this post, it being only for the purposes of organization.
The river is turbid and full of drift wood. Business will be lively on it while the high water lasts.
Tuesday, April 28th. Have spent another long and weary day and suffered all that is incident to a position of suspense and uncertainty; cannot tell what may await me yet, but thus far in the last three days have spent the most disagreeable period of my life. Read “Old Mortality” awhile this morning; walked up town; saw a good many drunken officers and a great deal of drinking; saw a game of billiards on a table without pockets; sixty points instead of one hundred make a game; came to my boarding house and read “Old Mortality” and tried to take a nap, but was too nervous to sleep. The stage from Mansfield has just arrived; I trust it will take a regular trip back and start early; anything to get out of this dead, still state of uncertainty; I would rather go into battle to-morrow than to remain in this position; it gives me too much time to think of home; there is no happiness in this. My French landlady mended my suspenders and made me a cup of coffee this afternoon; she seems to be a kind-hearted creature. We have just had a shower of rain and there is a most beautiful rainbow in the east.
April 27th. All still on the river; very stormy weather.
27th. Up at 4 and an early breakfast in anticipation of marching. Infantry came in a little before noon. Saw Wattle. Got dinner and then started. Bob, Col. A. and I went. Covil and Dod stayed. Marched by way of “Fishing Creek.” Very high banks. Country quite mountainous. Fun to see the infantry fording. Encamped at 16 miles. Got a ham and had tea and crackers. Rained in the night.
