[Diary] July 27, 1863.
To-day the Cosmopolitan took North many of the wounded officers — Ned Hallowell, James Pope, and others. Mr. Tomlinson went with them as nurse. Mr. Pierce could not get a permit to go. Hallowell sent me more thanks for the cornstarch, and said it was just the thing. Poor young Shaw was killed and buried in the trench with his soldiers.
Will has gone to nurse at one of the hospitals. He took in from Frogmore an ox-load of watermelons, and Mr. Fairfield took a cart-load from “The Oaks” — offerings from the people to the soldiers, “wounded for we,” they say.
Melons are pouring in from all parts of the island — free gifts — as well as potatoes (sweet), chickens, and everything the people have to give.
July 27—Left this morning at 5, crossed the Blue Ridge at Thornton Gap. We camped one mile from Sparrowsville. Marched thirteen miles to-day.
July 27th. At three A. M. the sloop-of-war Seminole came up and anchored astern of the Portsmouth; at six o’clock, the U. S. gunboat Genesee arrived from up the river; at 9 o’clock, as usual, inspected crew at quarters. During the remainder of this day, engaged setting up topmast-rigging. At five P. M., steamer General Banks went down the river with rebel prisoners, under a flag of truce, for Mobile.
July 27.—We are getting along pretty well; we have moved into the building in which is the kitchen and dining-room. The house is a very small one, and although this part of Georgia abounds in lime, it seems to be little used in the houses; the walls are generally boarded. This house has the addition of paper on its walls, which we have been compelled to take down, owing to its being in tatters.
All our cooks are negroes, and I find I have much more to do than when we had our soldiers in that capacity. A negro is a negro at best, and nothing more. They have to be told the same thing every day, and watched to see if they do it then.
I see by the Mobile papers that General Buckner, who is in command of that post, is making great preparations for a siege, as there is an attack expected there soon. I hope the city will be able to stand as nobly as Charleston is doing, and that we will have no more Vicksburg disasters.
Many of the returned prisoners are blaming Pemberton alone for the fall of Vicksburg, saying that the place was not properly provisioned, and that that was the cause of its surrender. The suffering of our men, both there and at Port Hudson, was terrible, poor fellows! it does seem hard to have had to endure so much from the incompetency of their commander.
If the people have to leave Mobile, I do not see what is to become of them. I have seen enough of refugeeing to prove that it is not the best thing in the world. But Mobilians will have to do as others have done before them—the best they can under the circumstances—knowing it a the fortune of war, and all for the cause.
27th. Guards and team came for us soon after breakfast and gave us a ride to Columbus. Provo. Marshal examined us and sent us to guard house, supposed to be implicated in stealing horses. Thede and I do not feel worried at all, for we know we are in the right. The Sergt. Major of the 18th Regulars was the man who caused us the trouble—a Dutch upstart with little brains—was all in a tremor and frightened.
Fort Duncan, Md., July 27, 1863.
Dear Family:
We have received no letters since we were at Fred. June. We have been on the tramp ever since and by several counter marches we are at length in old Maryland again, on the hill that Co. C garrisoned last winter. I should have written before, but have been unwell and have been so on the whole tramp; but I have made out to keep with the Co. all the time. We have been with the “Artillery Reserve” until last week, when we received orders to report to the Comd’g officer of Harper’s Ferry. We were at the time at a small village called Unionsville in Va. about 29 miles from Harper’s Ferry; we started at 7.30 A.m. and made 6 rests until we reached Berlin, this side of the river, 23 miles distant from Unionsville. The doctor had something to say on the tramp. The major was going to put us through to B. without any thing to eat, except hard tack which we carry in our haversacks; but the Dr. said he must stop and let us make some coffee; of course the Major obeyed. We reached B. at 8 P.m., where we took mother earth for a couch with a rubber blanket under and a woolen over; of course slept sound, woke in the morning rather stiff; during the whole tramp did not stop in one place but twice, only for a day; we have got so now we can stand quite a tramp, they say we look like “old soldiers.” I have nothing but what I have on my back, except rubber and wool blankets. We were for a while all split up into different batteries in the “Reserve Artillery.” George Bricket was detailed into the 5th Regular. It left us at Berlin, was put on the cars and started for N. Y. to help put down the riot, seventeen others are in the same battery; those from other batteries have all been recalled and are doing duty in the Co., the rest of the Co. were guard for Genl. Tyler (high position for a battalion of Mass. 14th H. A.!) I can assure you it cut the Major badly; he was down on us probably for the game Col. Green played on him. He was drunk one quarter of the time, and when he is in that condition he comes down on the men hard, ties them to wheels and trees, fences, or any thing he can come across; it is shameful for a Genl. Comdg. over 200 pieces to do so. Genl. Meade gave him a jawing one day before the whole of us, for cutting up Genl. Kilpatrick’s train; it was the second offence and when we left, heard that he was under arrest. We also saw Genl. Pleasanton with Genl. Meade. The men in the co. are glad to see men drafted at home; but wish $300 would not clear them; but then this is a rich man’s war; the poor man has to do the fighting. We have been kicked about so long that no one knows what we are.
Lieut. Hervy has gone to Washington to try and get us back to the regiment. I hope he will succeed, most of the men want to go back, officers of course want to. The papers have just come, the news is what you might call “Bully.” The cloud has passed over and things are looking more favorable. I for one would like to see this closed before winter. It greatly depends on Genl. Meade’s abilities. As we stand a chance of going to Washington, you better direct there. We have travelled in all between 150 and 175 miles; good for new beginners?
Much love to all. Hoping this will find you well and enjoying things as they come, I remain, Yours truly,
L. Bradley, Jr.
Monday, 27th.—Left Montgomery at 7:30 A. M.; at West Point, 6 P. M. Left West Point at sundown.
July 27.— I rode up to Rappahannock Station, where we have a brigade and a battery. Found that the enemy were on the opposite bank, but not in very great force. Rode over to General Buford’s headquarters, which were near, and saw Wadsworth. Dined with them, and rode down here with Captain Keough. Lamed my mare on the way down. Jackson returned to-night, and brought our mess stuff. The Eleventh Corps is now on our right, the Twelfth in our rear, the Second three miles from us, on the road to Warrenton, and the Third and Sixth at or near Warrenton. Had a heavy shower during the day. Weather unsettled and close.
Vicksburg, Monday, July 27. A severe rain storm visited us last night preceded by a heavy wind which prostrated nearly half of the huts, leaving the occupants to the mercy of the elements. Received a letter from home but one week old; the latest yet received. Northern papers of the 22nd inst.; good news from all quarters. “Oh! the good time’s a-coming”. On guard. Troubled with a gathering on my right forefinger. Very painful.
by John Beauchamp Jones
JULY 27TH.—Nothing but disasters to chronicle now. Natchez and YazooCity, all gone the way of Vicksburg, involving a heavy loss of boats, guns, and ordnance stores; besides, the enemy have got some twenty locomotives in Mississippi.
Lee has retreated as far as Culpepper Court House.
The President publishes another proclamation, fixing a day for the people to unite in prayer.
The weather is bad. With the exception of one or two bright days, it has been raining nearly a month. Superadded to the calamities crowding upon us, we have a rumor to-day that Gen. Lee has tendered his resignation. This is false. But it is said he is opposed to the retaliatory executions ordered by the President, which, if persisted in, must involve the life of his son, now in the hands of the enemy. Our officers executed by Burnside were certainly recruiting in Kentucky within the lines of the enemy, and Gen. Lee may differ with the President in the equity of executing officers taken by us in battle in retaliation.
