September 1—To-day we went on a general hunt in full force. We went into a house where we suspected there was a deserter. We hunted through all the out-houses, then went to the house, and the lady strongly denied there being any one there, but would not give us permission to look. We then searched the house, but found no one. I then proposed that we go in the loft. She objected again. But of course we were determined. It was pitch-dark in the loft. We called in, but no answer came. I then proposed, in a loud voice, so that if any one was there they could hear me, that we fix bayonets and stick around and satisfy ourselves that no one was there. Still no answer. I then got in the loft, took my gun and commenced sticking around. At last an answer came from the far corner that he would surrender. The way I got into the loft was, I being a little fellow, and Si Wolf a tall man, they put me on his shoulder, and in that way I crawled in. We then left for camp, passed a church, and was in time to see a wedding. We drilled for the ladies, and had a good time.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Tuesday, 1st—Came on to-day to Mrs. Partain’s where we stopped as we went down; found Mr. Sewell there still mending clocks; the girls looking charming. Staid all night. Music and mirth.
September 1 — Came to Fleetwood this evening on outpost picket.
SEPTEMBER, 1863
1st. Reveille at early daylight. “Boots and Saddles” at 6:30. Marched out on the Kingston road and halted till nearly noon. Gen. B. passed us. Infantry up and massed in a big field. Looks like business. Moved on London road, more big hills. Numerous reports about Rebs. Three taken at ford of Clinch River. Report that Rebs have left London. Camped after crossing river. Got corn.
September 1.—Our sick are all doing pretty well, with the exception of two, who I think will die; one of them is named E. Edney; he is from Tennessee.
I see by papers just received from home that they have adopted a system which I think will be productive of much good— giving sketches of history. I have often lamented the ignorance of our men in that respect; I think example is every thing; and when we know how others have suffered in defense of liberty, we shall know how to imitate them.
I see by the same paper that General Morgan, who is now a prisoner, has had his head shaved, and been treated with all kinds of indignities. These things seem almost incredible. Why, savages respect a brave man, and a man like General Morgan, one would think, would gain the admiration of any people who had any sense of chivalry; and we all know how kindly he has always treated whoever was in his power. But they can not degrade such a man; his spirit will soar above any insult they can heap upon him.
Vicksburg, Tuesday, Sept. 1. Did our washing before breakfast, Evie doing the rubbing and I built fire and ”toted” suds. Lieutenants Hood and Simpson returned. One year ago to-day I joined the Battery at Rienzi, a raw recruit. Little did I think that in one year I would be away down here in Vicksburg. On the contrary I hoped long ere this to be quietly at home with peace o’er all the land. Where will I be one year from to-day—God knows.
Tuesday, 1st—We lay here at Bayou Mason all day to rest. The boys are very tired after marching for twelve days, with the weather much of the time so fearfully hot. Then on account of the bad water, exposure and fatigue, a large number are sick, many of them not able to carry their accouterments, while others are too sick to walk and have to be hauled. The boys made the sweet potatoes suffer today. Received orders to start tonight at midnight and march to the Mississippi river.
September 1.—A fight took place at Barbee’s Cross-Roads, Va., between a patrol of forty-nine men belonging to the Sixth Ohio cavalry, under the command of Major John Cryor, and a party of rebel guerrillas, in which the former lost two killed, four wounded, and twenty-four prisoners.
— Thomas E. Bramlette was inaugurated as Governor of Kentucky, to-day. In his inaugural address he contends that the revolted States did not change their status by rebelling; that all that is necessary for them to do is to return to their fealty, and take their position as States; that the rebellion did not remit them to a territorial state.
He says we have now, and will have before the rebellion closes, the identical Constitution which extremists seek to destroy, the one by innovation, the other by force. It is not a restored Union, not a reconstructed Union that Kentucky desires, but a preserved Union and a restored peace upon a constitutional basis.
The Governor strongly objects to the arming of negro regiments, and asks what is to be done with such soldiers at the end of the war. He points to the result of the recent election as a proof that Kentucky will not fraternize with rebellion, either open or covert, and declares that Kentucky ever has been, and now is, and always will be, loyal to the Government of our fathers.
—A general engagement took place in Charleston harbor, between the iron-clads, and Forts Wagner, Sumter, and Moultrie. Fleet-Captain Oscar C. Badger, the successor of Captain Rodgers, was injured by the explosion of a shell.
—An engagement took place at the Devil’s Back-Bone, a point sixteen miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas, between a portion of the army of General Blunt, under Colonel Cloud, and the rebel forces under Cabell, in which the latter was routed with a loss of twenty-five killed and forty wounded. The National loss was two killed and twelve wounded and missing.—Fort Smith, Ark., was captured by the Union forces under General Blunt—(Doc. 179.)
— A force of rebel cavalry crossed the Upper Potomac, at Edwards’s Ferry, Va., and captured a large number of cattle, which, however, they were unable to carry off, being pursued by the National forces.—Six hundred persons, chiefly heads of families, and resident in Kansas City and vicinity, who were believed to be aiders and abettors of the rebellion, or strong sympathizers with it, were ordered to remove from the district, by General Ewing.
by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 1ST.—Another letter from Gen. Whiting, urging the government by every consideration, and with all the ingenuity and eloquence of language at his command, to save Wilmington by sending reinforcements thither, else it must be inevitably lost. He says it will not do to rely upon what now seems the merest stupidity of the enemy, for they already have sufficient forces and means at their command and within reach to capture the fort and city. He has but one regiment for its defense!
I saw to-day a telegraphic correspondence between the Secretary of War and Gen. Buckner in regard to the invasion of Kentucky, the general agreeing to it, being sure that with 10,000 men he could compel Rosecrans to fall back, etc. But I suppose the fall of Vicksburg, and the retreat from Pennsylvania, caused its abandonment.
Hon. Wm. Capeton, C. S. Senate, writes the Secretary on the subject of compelling those who have hired substitutes now to serve themselves, and he advocates it. He says the idea is expanding that the rich, for whose benefit the war is waged, have procured substitutes to fight for them, while the poor, who have no slaves to lose, have not been able to procure substitutes. All will be required to fight, else all will be engulfed in one common destruction. He will endeavor to get an expression of opinion from the Legislature, about to assemble, and after that he will advocate the measure in Congress, intimating that Congress should be convened at an early day.
September 1st, 1863. —The children have not been well at Bath, so Brother Amos is bringing his family home next week. The War Department will not accept his services, so he is going direct to his plantation on Lake Jackson and try to make lots of syrup, sugar and meat for the armies in the field; such as this is certainly needed.
We are busy spinning, weaving, sewing and knitting, trying to get together clothing to keep our dear soldiers warm this winter. Brother Junius writes that he has worn all his under garments to shreds and wants to know if it would be possible to get some flannel, or some kind of wool goods to make him some new ones? We have tried but none can be had, so I am spinning some wool into knitting yarn and with some big wooden needles I have I am going to knit both drawers and shirts for him. I am so impatient to get to work on them and see if my plan is feasible, that I spend all the time I can at the spinning wheel. I know the shirts can be knit, for I made some for father last winter which he found quite comfortable but I am somewhat doubtful as to the drawers. After awhile we will learn how to supply most of our needs.
Cousin Rob did not have a hat when he was getting ready for school, which opens today, so I plaited palmetto and sewed it into shape and Aunt Robinson, who knows everything, pressed it on a block and then I sewed a ribbon around it and there it was, a sure enough hat and very becoming. He sat near and admired the braid all the time I was making it. I had no shoes except some terribly rough ones that old Mr. McDermid made and Cousin Rob tanned some squirrel skins and made me a pair of really beautiful shoes, nice enough to wear with my one and only silk dress. This dress, you must know, is “made of Mammy’s old one” like Jim Crack Corn’s coat—Little Diary, I am afraid you do not know very much of Mother Goose.
