Sunday, September 27.—The weather has turned quite cool. I am glad, as it will be much better for the wounded.
I took a ride this afternoon with Mrs. Johnston; we visited her brother’s grave. I am quite pleased with this place. It is not so hilly nor thickly wooded as North Georgia, but it is quite pretty.
Sunday, 27th—We start up the railroad this morning but turn back and camp on Chickamauga. Here we remain.
Colonel Lyons.
Stevenson, Ala., Sun., Sept. 27, 1863.—No changes at the front that I know of. Our army is in a strong position, close in front of Chattanooga, awaiting reinforcements, but where they are to come from is more than I know. The rebel army is close by ours but don’t seem inclined to attack. I can not learn that there has been any fighting for several days. We do not anticipate any attack here. All the fords of the river are strongly guarded, two brigades of cavalry having just come to this vicinity on that duty.
We hear a report from Ft. Donelson that the 83d Mounted Infantry had a fight near the rolling mill with Hinson’s gang and killed George Hinson, thus cheating the gallows.
Col. Smith of the 83d is at Clarksville with one-half of his regiment. The 102d Ohio is on the railroad, thirty miles above us. Not a regiment is passing through here to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans, and there he is confronted with more than double his numbers. He may get 12,000 or 15,000 of Burnside’s men from Knoxville, but I do not learn that even these have come up yet, and when they do they will not any more than make up his losses in the late battles. I doubt whether we have another General who could have prevented that army from being totally routed and cut to pieces last Sunday. There are but few who could prevent it from being done now. He ought to have 50,000 more men today than he has to make him safe. Still, I believe that he will come out all right.
The agents of the Sanitary and of the U. S. Christian Commission are on hand to take care of the wounded, and are doing (particularly the latter) an immense amount of good. I am glad to be in a position to be able to render them considerable aid in prosecuting their good work.
All of the wounded who are able to travel, I think, have gone on, and we are rid of our prisoners, so matters are not quite as pressing as they have been for a few days past.
September 27.
We sent our sick, nearly 100 in number, by wagon to the Big Black railroad depot, six miles, where they took the cars for Vicksburg. They will there await our arrival. I have now but 31 men in my company in camp. Ten months ago I marched 72 men from Bolivar, Tenn., to Lagrange. Not one has been lost by the bullet, and today a difference of 41 in the duty list. A rumor prevails to-day that Rosecrans has had a severe battle and has been defeated. It is impossible to learn or hear anything in this place until the date alone would make it uninteresting. Blair’s division moved into Vicksburg from the depot to-day to embark. Osterhaus’ division is already on its way up the river. In the evening, with Captains Bishop and Smith and Lieutenant Johnson, had a rather dull game of “California Seven Up.” All kinds of rumors today about the fight in northern Georgia. Have no hope of ever hearing the truth of the matter in camp. We are now 12 days behind in papers. The 3d brigade of our division and some cavalry started, with three days rations, on a scout across the river to-day. Suppose the object is to cover our move to Vicksburg, though I don’t believe there are 100 armed Rebels this side of the Alabama line. The soldiers of our division have been having some high fun for the last two days. Orders are very strict against firing in camp, but the men found out they could get up some artificial firing by putting green can in the fire. The steam from the sap generating between the joints will make an explosion equal to a gun fired. And they got up some artillery firing by putting canteens half full of water, stopping them tightly and then putting them in the flames. They did this just to bore the officers who are held responsible by the general for all firing. To-night the general has ordered all the officers of the 40th Illinois to patrol the camp the whole night. This, of course, tickles the men hugely, and from their beds in their tents they have been talking over the duties of a sentry for the benefit of their officer’s ears. The devilment that soldiers cannot contrive must be unearthly. To-day some of the 6th Iowa filled an oyster can half full of powder, set a slow train to it and planted it in the ground, they then set a cracker box over it and got a negro to dancing on the box A coal was then touched to the train and the “nigger” was blown full 20 feet. He landed, fortunately, without injury, but so badly scared that he was crazy for an hour. In the evening called on Captain Pinney of the 46th Ohio, and spent a very pleasant evening. He says that Vallandigham will poll about ten votes in their regiment; but that his disciples dare not open their mouths to advocate his cause. He says the loyal men would kill them sure if they dared to boast of their allegiance to a traitor.
Sunday, 27th.—Marched from Stone Mountain to Decatur.
Sunday, 27th. Sent out foraging party. Moved at 8 o’clock. Passed through Jonesboro about noon. Camped four and a half miles from town. Co. C detailed as picket. Post northwest of camp on Kinsport road. Two rebel families near by. Made a levy of bacon and potatoes and chickens. Gave receipt Bowman and Matthews. In the evening Major N. came and told me he was going home. Sent Buell and Baker into camp. Gave notes to Case for $80.00 and A. B. for $40.00. Wrote home and to Fannie Andrews. Boys all jolly. Warden officer of the day. (A. B. N. ordered to Cleveland on recruiting service.)
Memphis, Sunday, Sept. 27. Awoke to find us tied up at the wharf of Memphis with the “roustabouts” unloading the artillery as soon as possible, having arrived here at 4 A. M. The boat hands unloaded all the things without any assistance from us. Went to shore, cooked and ate our breakfast and then harnessed my team. Found George Benedict and H. Wheeler, B. Tutin and Wm. Dowden on board the “Eclipse” bound for Vicksburg to join the Battery, but they were glad to find us here. Moved up on the tableland. Came into “battery” where we stood two long hours in the sun waiting, but at last we moved out, passed through the streets of Memphis enveloped in a cloud of dust.
Seven months ago, a bright Sabbath morning, we marched through the same street to undertake a big job which we successfully achieved. 12 M. came into park on a very pretty knoll with fine shade trees a mile above town, the Wolf River a quarter of a mile to the front of us, 12th Battery to our left, and the 15th Army Corps came in late in the evening to our rear. Unharnessed and of course we were at home, no tents to bother with. What care we with God’s canopy spread over us and it don’t rain. Our destination is believed to be Rosecrans’s Army, take the rail to Corinth and thence by land. Osterhaus’s Division of 15th Army Corps is also coming. The flagship “Sultana” has arrived, at least so says dame rumor, and it is highly probable.
Knoxville, Tenn., September 27th, 1863.
We are again under marching orders. It is rumored we go to Rosecrans’ support tomorrow morning. Our boys are quite as enthusiastic as when they first left home, and for the same reason. They are ready to go anywhere—do anything—to hasten the end. They have borne with wonderful fortitude the excessive fatigue of marching through a mountainous country. Burnside does not like to spare them—will not unless absolutely necessary. He owes something to the Ninth Army Corps. Those stars upon his epaulets that shine so brightly, and which he wears so jauntily, were won for him by the Ninth Army Corps. General Burnside is truly a noble man. We respect him for his honesty and frankness in acknowledging his mistakes as well as for his great administrative ability.
Our orders to march have just been countermanded. General Burnside told Colonel Luce he had received a despatch from Rosecrans that we are not needed at present. That seems to confirm the rumor of his success. We are having delightful weather, clear and cool.
Sunday, 27th—It continues quite warm and all is quiet. We had company inspection early this morning, after which those not on duty were free to go about, and I attended services at the Baptist church in the city. It seemed like home to attend a regular church service on a Sunday morning. This church building is of brick and during the siege four or five cannon balls passed through the walls at different places.
September 27.—Captain Parker, of the First Arkansas infantry, with seventy-five men, was attacked near Moffat’s Store, in Franklin County, Arkansas, by Shelby’s rebel cavalry. His loss was two killed, two wounded, and fifteen prisoners. The rebel loss was five killed and twenty wounded—among the latter, Shelby, their commander.
Follow on facebook
RSS
email
