Tuesday, 8th—All quiet. I went off over to John’s last night, but big Cousin was not there.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
August 8. [September]—We have been detained at Dalton all night, and as there was an uncertainty as to when the train would leave, we could not get off to go to any place.
Mrs. W., who is not very well, managed to get on some of the baggage and rest for the night. Some of the other ladies did the same. Mrs. Dr. Cross (whose husband is one of the surgeons) and her two daughters sat up on chairs; I do not recollect of seeing them lay their heads down once.
Mrs. General A., her three children, and myself had a space about four feet square on the floor. Mrs. A. spread a comfort, on which she placed her children, and seated herself along side of them.
I managed to get my head on my valise, with my mouth in the direction of the door, where Drs. Gore and Bemiss were seated on chairs. I was so much pleased that I had procured a place where I could get some fresh air, that I exclaimed, “O, this is so nice!” Dr. Gore laughed, and said he was glad I was so much pleased. I can not tell what became of my feet, but think I managed after awhile to get them under a table. Every time I moved, Mrs. A. said I was taking part of her children’s bed. We had many a good laugh through the night at our novel positions.
I could not but admire the ease with which Mrs. A. took this trip, as she had three young children, and one quite sick. They seemed to be no trouble to herself or any one else. She is a fine-looking woman, refined, intellectual, and a Christian, a fit companion for her brave husband. If we are to judge of him by what his men say about him, he is one on whose “brow shame is ashamed to sit.” My brother has been for some time in his command, and is one of his many admirers.
At Tunnel Hill we saw a number of new hospital buildings; there were so many that they looked like a village. It does seem too bad that we are compelled to leave all of our hard work for the enemy to destroy.
The hospitals at the different stations which we passed were packing up to move. We think this bodes a very important move of General Bragg’s. Some are hopeful and certain it will be a good one, while others are prophesying all kinds of evil.
Mrs. A., who is well acquainted with General B., says her husband has every confidence in him, and thinks he is one of our greatest generals.
She has related some very amusing anecdotes in regard to “private opinion publicly expressed,” which she has heard about our generals. At one time she had to sit quietly and hear two ladies discuss the merits of her husband. They spoke so highly in his praise, that each wished to claim him as being a native of their own state. One saying he was a Mississippian, the other a Floridian. They had quite a quarrel on the subject. He is neither, but is a Kentuckian. His command is from Mississippi, and he has been living some time in Florida.
Mrs. A. was more fortunate in hearing good of her husband than I think most of our generals’ wives would have been, for the characters of our generals, both military and civil, do not receive what St . Paul says is the greatest of all Christian graces, and the best-abused man we have is our commander-in-chief; so his subordinate generals need not mind.
I have heard many say that General Bragg has shown more patriotism by holding his position and braving all slander than any thing else he has done.
This is a free country, and people can say what they please, and at this time, when we are not at liberty to act as we please, it seems a kind of revenge to use that unruly member which we are told to keep in restraint.
The men are all busy out doors getting coffee made for the sick; some of whom have suffered no little in their journey. Lieutenant Payne has been very ill; we have sent him some cordial, which seems to do him a great deal of good.
September 8 — On picket until late this evening; were relieved then and moved back to camp.
8th. Reveille at 3 and off at 5. Marched near Tazewell and fed and got coffee. Saddled and marched half a mile and halted in shade most of the afternoon by order of Burnside, coming up with Infantry. Rode through town and got supper. Camped in a secesh widow’s orchard, two sons in rebel army, Jones. Found plenty of peaches, apples and oats. Rest of the regiment remained saddled in the streets. Moved on at sundown, Burnside having arrived. Marched to within three miles of the Gap and camped on Powell river.
Vicksburg, Tuesday, Sept. 8. Preparing to march. There are but four pieces going, ten days’ rations supposed to be enough. Oiling harness, etc. On guard. Music by the fiddlers in the evening, who were not much disposed to put their lights out at taps. Orderly Jenawein dictates, which resulted in quite a row. Lieutenant Hood finally succeeded in getting things dark, but the minstrels kept on with their fun till midnight, quite sprung, some of them, by whiskey.
Tuesday, 8th—Captain McLoney is going home for thirty days and there are still others from our regiment going on furloughs. We have no drilling, dress parade, camp guard or picket duty to perform, nor yet fatigue duty—our whole duty at present is to help care for the sick boys.
September 8.—The Government employed the cars yesterday bringing Longstreet’s Corps from Fredericksburg, on its way to Chattanooga. We all stood at our gate last night to give the soldiers water; we had nothing else to give them, poor fellows, as there were three long trains, and they had no time to stay. They looked healthy and cheerful, and went off hurrahing for Virginia.
The year of our sojourn at this cottage is nearly over. Our mess must be broken up, as some of our gentlemen are ordered away. We have had a very pleasant time, and it is painful to dissolve our social relations. Not one of the families is provided with a home; we are all looking out for lodgings, and find it very difficult to get them. This change of home, habits, and association is very trying to old persons; the variety seems rather pleasant to the young.
September 8.—The United States gunboats Clifton and Sachem were captured by the rebels at Sabine Pass, La., being disabled by the fire from the fortifications on shore. They were operating for the landing of a column of United States troops under Major-General Franklin, to be employed in a movement against Louisiana and Texas. In consequence of the failure at this point, the movement was abandoned.—(Docs. 125 and 165.)
—Chattanooga was evacuated by the rebels, who retreated to the south.—The bombardment of Fort Moultrie, by the monitors Nahant, Montauk, Patapsco, and Lehigh, was renewed and continued during the first half of the day. A house on Sullivan’s Island was set on fire by the shells.—The Washita River expedition, consisting of the greater part of General Logan’s old Brigade, a regiment of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, returned to Vicksburgh from the portion of Louisiana lying adjacent to Washita River. No organized force of the rebels could be found. The detour was made to the north-west, in direction of the village of El Dorado, Ark. A large number of rebel soldiers came voluntarily into he Union lines and surrendered.—A force of National troops assaulted Fort Sumter, but were repulsed, leaving in the hands of the rebels a large number of prisoners.—(See Supplement.)
—The National forces at Bath, Va., composed of a portion of two companies of Colonel Wynkoop’s Seventieth Pennsylvania cavalry, were attacked this morning at three o’clock by a party of rebels, numbering over two hundred, who were repulsed and driven off.—At Baltimore, Md, General Schenck issued an order suppressing the substitute business in Maryland and in his department, it having been found that the agencies for procuring substitutes to go out of the State and department interfered with the operation of the draft and recruiting.
by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 8TH. —We have nothing further from Charleston, to-day, except that the enemy is not yet in possession of Sumter.
Mr. Seddon, Secretary of War, said to Mr. Lyons, M. C., yesterday, that he had heard nothing of Gen. Lee’s orders to march a portion of his army to Tennessee. That may be very true; but, nevertheless, 18,000 of Lee’s troops (a corps) is already marching thitherward.
A report on the condition of the military prisons, sent in to-day, shows that there is no typhoid fever, or many cases of other diseases, among the prisoners of war. Everything is kept in cleanliness about them, and they have abundance of food, wholesome and palatable. The prisoners themselves admit these facts, and denounce their own government for the treatment alleged to be inflicted on our men confined at FortDelaware and other places.
An extra session of the legislature is now sitting. The Governor’s message is defiant, as no terms are offered but he denounces as unjust the apportionment of slaves, in several of the counties, to be impressed to work on the defenses, etc.
September 8—We are getting ready for a corps review for to-morrow.
