Messengers Ferry, Big Black River, Miss.,
September 26, 1863.
When we assembled at regimental headquarters this p.m., the colonel informed us that our corps was ordered to report to Rosecrans, at Chattanooga, and that we should prepare to move at a moment’s notice.
Messengers Ferry, Big Black River, Miss.,
September 26, 1863.
Pass in your congratulations. We are under marching orders for Chattanooga. Our whole corps is going. We steam o’er sand-bars to Memphis, and then will probably “foot it,” though may go by cars as far as Corinth. From Memphis the march will be some 450 miles. We will pass through my favorite portion of Dixie, the Tennessee valley in North Alabama. We are all much rejoiced at the idea of leaving a country where there is no enemy save mosquitoes and chiggers and ague. We keep up the form of picketing; but I find it decidedly uninteresting to do such duty, knowing that coons and owls will cause all our alarms. Aside from knowing there is no enemy near, the picket duty is delightful here. I have seldom passed a more pleasant night than the one before last. The moon is about full, and our picket line (the post under my charge), about one and a half miles long, runs along the river bank through most beautiful little magnolia and beech groves and open grass plots. But a knowledge that there are guerrillas in the country is necessary to a thorough appreciation of picket duty. We are camped on the Messenger plantation. The owner thereof was very wealthy. Worth $1,000,000.00. Had some 500 negroes, etc. He armed and uniformed a secesh regiment at his own expense, and was, and is yet probably, a Rebel to the core. He fled at the approach of our troops, leaving his wife to manage for him. General Osterhaus called on her and asked her if she desired Federal protection. She said she didn’t ask anything of him or any of his crew. The general told her she had just an hour to select and load two wagons with kitchen furniture and start across the river. She moved, was gone about a month, begged permission to return and is now eating government rations, which she is too poor to pay for.
Saturday, 26th.—Another train-load of prisoners passed. Orders to be ready to march to Decatur to-morrow morning; went to preaching at night.
26th. Unsaddled after roll call. Pretty early orders came to fall back at noon. Cos. C and E with Col. Purington, Majs. Seward and Nettleton went over the river and burned block houses and bridges. Co. C had charge of firing two large blockhouses. Built large piles of light trash inside and out. At the word all set fire. Maj. remained with reserve. Marched 8 miles and camped. 2nd rear guard. About 500 recruits went back with us. East Tennessee encouraging.
On the Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 26. Cold night, but kept comfortable in our “she-bang” of “ponchos”. H. W. Miller and Tommy Goodman returned from home. “Went out to drill as usual but soon returned with orders to embark as soon as possible (which were indeed prepared for). Both of my horses were taken from me and put in the teams, while a couple of lame “crowbates” [crow-baits] were given me instead.
By 10 A. M. the 6th and the 12th Battery were all on board the “Julia”, a large passenger boat fitted up with great elegance, on her third trip from New Orleans with several furloughed men and families fleeing from the fate of the Confederacy, to seek protection in some Northern state. Among these were two young females taking deck passage, and our mules, horses, wagons etc., were stowed away upon all sides of them. Amidst the oaths of soldiers their situation was truly pitiful. I felt thankful that my sisters are where such trials will not reach them. At 12 M. General Smith with his adjutant, came aboard, and at 2 P. M. we started up stream leaving the infantry regiments behind to follow as soon as possible. Although the lower deck was very crowded we found plenty of room and comfortable quarters above. The boat moved very fast and we go very pleasantly. Night is closing in. I will lie down, hoping that when we get to Memphis I will get some mail, as it has been a great while since I received any.
September 26.—A great battle was fought on the 19th and 20th at Chickamauga River—a victory for us. Alas! what scenes of horror does not even the word victory bring up before us!
Major Jewitt of the Thirty-eighth or Thirty-sixth Alabama Regiment is among the killed. He was an eminent lawyer of Alabama. Captain O’Brien of the Twenty-fourth Alabama Regiment is also among the killed. He was from Mobile, and a better or braver man we have not lost. He was by profession a lawyer. When the war broke out, he enlisted as a private in the Third Alabama Regiment. After serving with it in Virginia for some time, was elected Captain of the “Emmet Guards,” a company composed of men from the “Emerald Isle.”
God pity his heart-broken and desolate mother. I am told the Twenty-fourth Alabama Regiment suffered severely. General Helm of Kentucky and General Preston Smith are killed; General Hood lost a leg (the second time he has been wounded); General Adams is wounded and a prisoner. We have many men here who knew General Helm personally. They deeply mourn his death, and say the country has lost one of its bravest—a true patriot and soldier.
Major Richmond was killed while carrying dispatches for General Polk. Thus has passed away a Christian, a soldier, and accomplished gentleman. He was one of the noblest of men.
“‘T is glorious for our country thus to die;
‘Tis sweet to leave an everlasting name—
A heritage of clear and virtuous fame.”
Captain Hammond, a brother of Mrs. Johnston, was killed. He was in one of the Georgia regiments.
Generals Polk and Hindman are both suspended for disobedience of orders. General H. is in this place, and is slightly wounded.
I have been a good deal worried about my brother. I went down to the train one evening to ascertain something about him; Miss C. D. and Miss M. C. accompanied me. There were quite a number of ladies at the depot.
September 26.—Spent this morning seeking information about our plan of living in the country. Nothing satisfactory.
Saturday, 26th—There is still some shaking with the ague among the boys, but the health of our regiment is gaining slowly. We have no drill in camp at present, but we are on duty almost every day, our routine running as follows: Picket duty every other day, and the alternating days on fatigue duty either in Vicksburg or in camp, and then, once a week for twenty-four hours at a time, we are on provost duty in Vicksburg.
by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 26TH.—Nothing additional has been received from Gen. Bragg, but there is reason to believe Rosecrans is fortifying Chattanooga, preparatory to crossing the river and retreating northward with all possible expedition.
From the Upper Rappahannock there is much skirmishing, the usual preliminary to a battle; and Kemper’s brigade, of Pickett’s division, went up thither last night, and it may be probable that a battle is imminent. Lee is apt to fight when the enemy is present facing him. The victory of Bragg has lifted a mountain from the spirits of the people, and another victory would cast the North into the “slough of despond.”
Gen. C. J. McRae, and another gentleman, have been directed to investigate the accounts of Major Caleb Huse, the friend and agent of Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance. Gen. McR. writes from Folkestone, England, to Col. G. that the other gentleman not having appeared, he is undertaking the work himself, and, so far, the accounts are all right. Messrs Isaac, Campbell & Co. (Jews), with whom the Ordnance Bureau has had large transactions, have afforded (so far) every facility, etc.
September 26.—E. Kirby Smith, Lieutenant-General in the rebel army, commanding in the South-West, issued the following address to the people of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas:
“Your homes are in peril. Vigorous efforts on your part can alone save portions of your State from invasion. You should contest the advance of the enemy, thicket, gully, and stream; harass his rear and cut off his supplies. Thus you will prove important auxiliaries in any attempt to reach him in front, and drive him, routed, from our soil. Determination and energy only can prevent his destruction of your homes. By a vigorous and united effort you preserve your property, you secure independence for yourselves and children — all that renders life desirable. Time is our best friend. Endure awhile longer; victory and peace must crown our efforts. The amended regulations governing the formation of corps for local defence are published for your information, and I call upon you to organize promptly under its provisions.”
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