18th. Moved at 3 A. M. Up at 1:30 awakening officers, etc. Reached some large iron furnace where we fed our horses and got breakfast. Morgan stripped Rutland of most everything. Rested an hour and fed. Some old Vermonters. Reached Chester at midnight. Hour’s rest. Got a lunch. People much frightened. “A” 31 bivouacked one mile in rear of Morgan. Awful roads through woods.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Saturday, 18th.—Got to Morton at 10 last night. Got on gravel train that was gathering up railroad stuff. Conductor said engine could not pull so many soldiers; there were quite a lot of us by this time, and tried to make us get off; had soldier guards, that he ordered to shoot us if we did not get off, but we were not at all afraid of soldiers shooting another soldier that had been through the siege of Vicksburg. So we told the conductor to go ahead as far as he could, and if he did stall, we would get off and push. After cursing awhile, and finding we were determined to ride, he went on to Lake Station; here we got on a freight train, which took us to Meridian, about sundown. We called at Provost Headquarters and were ordered to go to Provost camps, but knowing our regiment was marching to Enterprise, we walked to the depot. A cotton train coming by and stopping, we climbed on, and in a short time we were in Enterprise, beating the regiment that had left us sick at Raymond, about two days.
July 18.—This day two years ago the battle of Bull Run was fought, a kind of prelude to that of Manassas, on the 21st. Since that time what scenes have been enacted! Battles have been fought by scores, and lives, precious lives, have been sacrificed by thousands, and that, too, of the very flower of our country. Again I have heard of the death of one of our dear E. H. S. boys—William H. Robb, of Westmoreland. He was with us for four years, and was very, very dear to us all. He died of wounds received in a cavalry fight at Brandy Station. We thought he had recovered, but this evening brought the fatal tidings. The news of the New York riots, which they got up in opposition to the draft, is cheering! Oh! that they could not get up another army, and would fight each other! Fitz Lee’s cavalry had a fight yesterday at Shepherdstown, and repulsed the enemy handsomely. All eyes turn gloomily to Charleston. It is greatly feared that it will have to succumb to Federal force. I trust that our Heavenly Father may avert so dire a calamity!
July 18. — Headquarters started at 5 A.M., and crossed the river at Berlin. Saw Captain Reese at the Bridge. We moved on to Lovettsville, and from there to Waterford, 7 miles distant. Just before reaching Waterford, we met a Union man, who said that a rebel cavalryman, named Orison, who lived there, was at home. I rode over to the house with two orderlies, and found that his horse was gone, and that he was not to be found. I soon found him, however, in the weaving-house, and sent him to Captain Taylor. Waterford is a good Union town. I hear that there are not more than five rebel families in the whole town. We stayed at Mr. Hough’s house, and were very kindly treated. We lived on the fat of the land, much to our enjoyment. The march to-day was one of the pleasantest we have had on this campaign. Major Russell was sick to-day, and for a few hours I acted as A. A. G. Weather pleasant.
by John Beauchamp Jones
JULY 18TH.—Lee has got over the Potomac with a loss, in crossing, of 1500; and Johnston has abandoned Jackson, Miss.
But we have awful good news from New York: an INSURRECTION, the loss of many lives, extensive pillage and burning, with a suspension of the conscription!
Gen. Morgan is in the enemy’s country.
Vicksburg, Saturday, July 18. Watered and sent team to camp. I remained with others to unload hay from barge, but could not get any. Walked back to camp by dinner time, and received pay up to first of July.
