Sunday, 6th—A number of us started at two o ‘clock this morning and came on twelve miles and got breakfast. I and Oly Archer turned off at Coosyville and came by Miss Ransom’s. Miss Anna and Miss Fannie were there, also Mr. and Mrs. Settle of Murfreesboro. We spent the day with them and came to camp in the evening.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Parole Camp, Dalton, Ga.
Sunday, 6th.—Went to Stone Church; Rev. A. Y. Lockridge preached. Can hear some cannon firing towards Chattanooga. Reported Federals advancing on Rome.
Decatur, Ill., September 6, 1863.
Girls, fun, etc., have lost their charm, and I’ve made up my mind to go back to my regiment. Reasons, as follows: Firstly, the general’s health as affected by his wound is no better, and I think it doubtful whether he goes back. Second, if he does go to the army again he will be fit for nothing but “Post Duty.” Will not be able for the field. Third, I don’t like garrison work, and would rather be with my regiment in the field than with him in garrison. Fourth, my expenses are three times as heavy with him as with my regiment; and fifth and lastly, I wouldn’t, on any account, miss this fall campaign, and by staying with him I will be apt to. I presented the matter to the general in about that shape and urged him to let me slide immediately. He agreed to do so, telling me that he will not go back unless they force him to.
6th. Up early and on the march at 6:30 towards Knoxville. Passed through a very pretty country along the railroad. Passed Dr. Baker’s, killed by Trescott, Co. C on raid, bushwhacker. Many rich people, many well dressed darkies. Reached K. at 3 and lay in dust for two hours. Major Seward—disgusted—marched us through town when Col. P. overtook us and ordered us back through town and to camp north of river. Very pretty town, 6,000 or 7,000 inhabitants once, many vacant houses now. Hartsuff’s Headquarters. Depots, cars and barracks. Boys showed me old fighting ground.
Sunday, August 6. [September]—Since writing in this journal a sad change has come over the spirit of my dreams. What but a few hours ago was a scene of order and comfort, has disappeared, and in its place vacancy.
When the afternoon service was over, starting to visit the sick, I met Dr. Ray going to give orders to pack up immediately, as a raid was momentarily expected, and we would have to leave. The first thing done was to send off the sick, and to see that they were properly cared for; and then it seemed like magic the way every tent was leveled with the ground.
It is not more than a few hours since the order came, and we are nearly all packed, and many of the hospital things sent to the depot, which is some two miles distant. I suppose the cooks will be up all night, preparing rations. We will have to spread comforts on the floor to rest on for the night, as our bedding has been carried off. We do not expect to leave before morning. If the enemy do not capture us I shall be thankful.
We have three very sick men—Lieutenant Payne, Dr. Mitchell, and a Mr. Green. The last we shall be compelled to leave, as he is in a dying state. The nurse who has had him in charge is very much alarmed that he will be compelled to remain with hint. Ho does not like the idea of being captured, having been a prisoner before, and has had as much as he cares for of prison life. Dr. Bemiss thinks he will be able to get some one in the place to take care of the sick man.
Vicksburg, Sunday, Sept. 6. Warm and monotonous during the day. Felt unwell. Mail arrived in the evening. None for me.
Sunday, 6th—The sick in our regiment were sent away this morning, thirty-one in all. Those who could stand the trip North were given a thirty-day furlough, and the very sick were taken to the general hospital here in Vicksburg. The men whose thirty-day furloughs have expired are returning to their regiments.
Md. Heights, Sept. 6, 1863.
Dear Family:
Yours rec’d and contents noted. Glad to hear of your good health. Lieut. F. said you were looking well. Rec’d shirts by corp’l Frye. I wore them three days and was obliged to take them off or pass for a black man. The black came off in profusion. It took nearly half a day to wash it off my body. I would really like to hear that piano. I presume it would sound very unnatural, as I never heard one in the old house, and I believe I have not heard one since I have been out here. I often think does the poor old pear tree bear well this year? I used to think it was the nicest fruit on the farm.
I got a pass Friday, for the purpose of obtaining all the information I could in regard to growing tobacco, as that was your desire. After about an hours work in getting through the chopped down trees (to stop the rebs) I at length reached the valley. I asked one of the assistants about it and he referred me to an old negro, who had grown tons of it in his day; but by his looks, should think he had done about all the work he could do. And now, if the reader will give me his entire attention for a few moments I will explain all. (How does that sound?) A side hill or slope where the sun shines most of the day is preferable, new ground is the best; burn bush over the ground, in order to kill the weeds; then grub up the ground, working in ashes, “the more the better;” rake the ground up fine and then sow the tobacco, raking it well. After raking and cross raking and rolling (as you do most of your land), I suppose that the tobacco would grow well. It neither needs wet not dry soil, but about the common soil. It greatly depends on the season, about the last of march is the time for planting in this section; it is sown the same as grass seed, only not so thick. It is not necessary to use manure.
The heavens are assuming a dark and cloudy aspect, and the low thunder rumbling in the distance, from the Alleganies, gives tokens of a refreshing shower. It is a beautiful sight to see from this point the wind and rain come rushing down the valley, seeming to the looker on as if he were above them all. Since we have been here I have seen a thunder shower below me in the valley.
Hoping this will find you all well, I remain &c.
Lev.
Camp White, September 6, 1863.
Dearest: — How will it suit you to come out here as soon as you have visited Fremont, say in two or three weeks? I would like to have you here before the weather gets too bad. You can leave the boys with their grandmother somewhere and after it is known where we are to winter, I can send for Grandmother and the boys to come also. If we stay here, I will want to keep house for “you all” this winter. If we go too far into the bowels of the land for you to follow, you can return to Grandma and the boys after a suitable visit here.
As things are now it would be very agreeable for you here. I prefer not to have the boys come out until it is quite certain they can stay. If you only staid a week or two, it would be worth while to come. If any change occurs to make it not desirable for you to come, I will write you. In the meantime I hope you will be able to cut your visits short so as to get here by the last week in this month, or sooner if convenient.
I send you enclosed a letter from Mrs. Delany as one of the memorials to be kept with slips from the Catholic Telegraph.
I shall direct this to Columbus hoping however you have started for Fremont. — Love to all.
Affectionately, your
R.
Mrs. Hayes,
September 6.—A fight took place at Brandy Station, Va., in which the rebel cavalry, under General Stuart, were driven back four miles beyond Culpeper Court-House, on the road to Richmond, and two pieces of horse artillery were captured from the rebels by the Union forces, under the command, in person, of General Custar, who was slightly wounded.
—The bombardment of Forts Wagner and Gregg, in Charleston harbor, was continued during the day. Last night battery Gregg was assaulted by the National forces, who were repulsed.
—Forts Wagner and battery Gregg were evacuated by the rebels in accordance with the orders of General Beauregard, and seventy-five men and twenty-one guns were left in the hands of the National forces.—(See Supplement.)
