October 2nd—Continued to rain all day.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
October 2, 1863.
Our foraging party brought in forty mules, fifty cattle, beef, twenty-one hogs and thirty sheep. They report a beautiful, rich country, and abundance of eatables within five miles of the landing. Went with party of bee hunters in the p.m. They had found the tree in the forenoon. They took two bucketsful of most beautiful white comb. One of my sergeants in an hour to-day found three trees, and by dark had taken the honey from all of them. We are to stay here and haul wood for the whole division (damn).
Colonel Lyons.
Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 2nd, 1863.—Yesterday we had a heavy rain. The dust has disappeared and today the weather is perfect. It is the first rain they have had for three months. The dust had become perfectly dreadful, owing to the immense numbers of wagons and teams that traversed the country in every direction.
The 11th Army Corps from the Potomac has all passed here within the last two days and is now at Bridgeport. It is probably 10,000 strong. The 12th Army Corps is expected to commence arriving tonight. It is a great relief to us to see these troops coming here, for the position in the front has been and still is full of peril.
All citizens have been ordered out of Chattanooga, and every preparation seems to be making for another battle. I learn that the balance of our wounded are being sent here, and that both armies are entrenching strongly—about three miles apart. My opinion is that neither side feels strong enough to attack the other. In these days it is hard to predict what a day will bring forth.
There was a collision between two trains near Bridgeport last night. Our officers were on one of them, returning home. No one was seriously hurt, but I learn that Col. Chapman had his head bumped rather severely.
Henry Adams to Charles Francis Adams, Jr.
London, October 2, 1863
The Scotia’s telegram has just arrived, and for an hour or two past, I have been reflecting on the news it brings of what I conceive to be a very severe defeat of Rosecrans. At this distance and with our mere scraps of doubtful intelligence, I am painfully impressed with the conviction that our Government has been again proved incompetent, and has neglected to take those measures of security which it ought to have done, expecting as we all did, just this movement, or the corresponding one on Washington. I imagine that this mischance insures us another year of war, unless the army of the Potomac shows more energy than usual and more success than ever yet. The truth is, everything in this universe has its regular waves and tides. Electricity, sound, the wind, and I believe every part of organic nature will be brought some day within this law. But my philosophy teaches me, and I firmly believe it, that the laws which govern animated beings will be ultimately found to be at bottom the same with those which rule inanimate nature, and, as I entertain a profound conviction of the littleness of our kind, and of the curious enormity of creation, I am quite ready to receive with pleasure any basis for a systematic conception of it all. Thus (to explain this rather alarming digression) as sort of experimentalist, I look for regular tides in the affairs of man, and of course, in our own affairs. In every progression, somehow or other, the nations move by the same process which has never been explained but is evident in the ocean and the air. On this theory I should expect at about this time, a turn which would carry us backward. The devil of it is, supposing there comes a time when the rebs suddenly cave in, how am I to explain that!
This little example of my unpractical experimento-philosophico-historico-progressiveness will be enough. It suffices to say that I am seeking to console my trouble by chewing the dry husks of that philosophy which, whether it calls itself submission to the will of God, or to the laws of nature, rests in bottom simply and solely upon an acknowledgment of our own impotence and ignorance. In this amusement I find, if not consolation at least some sort of mental titillation. Besides, I am becoming superstitious. I believe Nick Anderson’s killed. Write me that he’s not yet gone under, and I will say defiance to the vague breath of similar chimaeras. . . .
Charles Francis Adams to his son
London, October 2, 1863
We go on very quietly here just now. Mr. Sumner’s speech has not made much noise here, because none of the newspapers choose to reprint it. One good effect has attended it in the impulse it has given to Lord Russell to make a speech in reply, which goes a little farther on the road of peace than anything yet done. The formal retirement of Mr. Mason because Lord Russell does not incline to pet him, has not produced the smallest effect — any more than the violent, incendiary posters to be seen at all the corners, calling on the people to come to the rescue of the suffering confederates. The lower classes are most generally with us or indifferent, so that I am a little surprised such fancies, which cost money, should be indulged at all. The only mob that could be raised here in sympathy with the rebels would be among the nobility and the men of property and standing on the exchange, and that would not go far to lift any sinking party out of the mud. Their affection for the South depends entirely on the ability it has to do mischief to us. Should it prove to sink in the scale, their support would go with it. Indeed they would soon be astonished that any other issue could have been expected. . . .
2nd. After breakfast mounted and reported to Col. Purington, a mile ahead. Co. H had been to Greenville and discovered nothing but reports. Co. C, 23 men, ordered to go till we found whether the rebels were camped at Henderson, 6 miles east of Greenville. Things looked suspicious as we went along but nothing very strange. Found the pickets near Henderson. Ran them in and skirmished with the Reserve, then fell back leaving platoons and vedettes occasionally at favorable places. Squad tried to flank us a mile from Greenville, column of rebels charged upon our rear and took two prisoners. Messenger Bruce had just reported that he could not get through town, full of rebels. Had just told the boys when they charged with a yell, firing. Couldn’t hold the column. Formed line at town. Came up with drawn sabres. Reason for thankfulness none of us were hurt. Rebels reported on all sides. Seems that rebels came from woods into town after we passed and waited for us.
Friday, 2d.—Left Atlanta 10 P. M. At Chickamauga Station after dark.
October 2 — Commenced raining this morning, and we had frequent and copious showers all day, and it is still raining this evening. Much rain in this particular section of country means roads deep with tough sticky mud.
October 2.—The Natchez Courier of this day contained the subjoined editorial:
The following communication appears in the Columbia (S. C.) Guardian :
To His Excellency Governor Bonham: The stream of negro emigration from Mississippi has commenced flowing into this State, having been prohibited in Georgia and Alabama. The heavy rains of the summer have so damaged the corn crops that the question of subsistence for another year may be of great importance, and it becomes doubly so from the influx of consumers. Would it not be well for this State also to adopt some precautionary measures before it is too late? This suggestion is only thrown out to catch the attention of the proper authorities, the writer having every confidence that if any thing ought to be done in the premises, it will not be overlooked. Very respectfully,
Citizen.
To this the Augusta Constitutionalist replies:
It is untrue that either Georgia or Alabama have refused refuge and domicil to the unfortunate fugitives from Mississippi. Our people are incapable of so outrageous a breach of hospitality.
We have before alluded to this matter of emigration, and we do so again more in sorrow than anger. Although the people of Alabama and Georgia perhaps have not formally protested against Mississippians flying to those States, several of the press have spoken out against it. At the time we alluded to this matter, it was done with the view of presenting to the Mississippi citizen his true position in the present crisis.
If he emigrates with his family and negroes, he is denounced by some of the journals as a coward, for surrendering his home. Where he stays at home, endeavoring to pursue the even tenor of his way in raising crops for the support of his family, he is by other prints stigmatized as a submissionist; and cavalry squads are sent out by the confederates to subsist on his already diminished supplies, and with a view to make him miserable and poor indeed, his little crop of cotton is burnt to cap the climax of trouble.
This is no fancy sketch — it is a reality, as almost any planter on the Mississippi .River can testify. When the planter is thus made poor and even destitute, does the confederate government come to his relief? Never! Instead of this, the confederate force gradually falls back toward the Alabama River, leaving the property of Mississippians almost a total wreck.
How shall the resident of Mississippi act under this state of things? If he takes refuge further East, he is censured for leaving home; and if he remains home to raise another crop in the confederate lines, as soon as the Union army again presses forward, his supplies will once more be taken by the confederate cavalry, and his cotton committed to the flames again!
Mississippians! by staying on your places and cultivating the soil, in our humble opinion, you are doing much good for yourselves and those around you. Though given the “cold shoulder” occasionally of those who appear to think themselves entirely safe from the ravages of war in the mountains of Alabama and Georgia, by remaining at home you will have the consolation of knowing that you have been tried in the fire and have done the best for your country.
Unto the new order of things instituted by the military authority of the United States, it behooves us all to assimilate; and as its lines extend, if we have not realized all our hopeful visions, we can have the blessed consolation of knowing that we have been discreet, law -abiding citizens.
For our part, we look forward with daily renewed hope to that time when our internal strifes shall end, when brother shall cease to be arrayed against brother, and when the Constitution and Union of our fathers shall be revered by every one on American soil.
—General Rosechans issued an order, thanking his soldiers for their patience, perseverance, and courage, displayed in the campaign against General Bragg.—(Doc. 183.)
—Colonel Edward McCook, with the First Missouri and Second Indiana cavalry, attacked Wheeler’s rebel force, four thousand strong, at Anderson’s Cross-Roads, Tenn., and whipped them badly, killing and wounding one hundred and twenty, taking eighty-seven prisoners and recapturing all the Government property, including eight hundred and nine mules, and the prisoners taken from the Nationals yesterday.
Among the prisoners was a major on Wheeler’s staff, commander of the escort; a major on General Martin’s staff, Colonel Russell, commanding a brigade, and nine other officers. The enemy was completely routed and driven ten miles. — Greek fire-shells were thrown into Charleston, S. C., from the batteries of General Gillmore, on Morris Island. — The English schooner Florrie was captured six miles from Matagorda, Texas, having on board a cargo of medicines, wines, saddles, and other stores.—A cavalry skirmish occurred near Franklin, La., between the Union troops under Colonel Davis, and the rebels commanded by Captain Squires. The rebels were defeated at the first fire, Squires being mortally wounded. Colonel Davis captured one piece of artillery.
Memphis, Friday, Oct. 2. A fine sunny day. Six furloughed men returned, also Frederick Baker who was wounded at Vicksburg. He has lost the sight in one eye. Mr. Lester brought me a package of letters, papers and a pair of boots, all of which is very acceptable, but most of all he has been to my home, seen and heard them all, and says they are all in a hopeful condition. Most of the Division baggage arrived from Vicksburg, ours not yet arrived.
