Colonel Lyons.
Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 25, 1863.—We put the regiment on the cars yesterday afternoon, but it did not get off until this afternoon. I go in the morning. The Quartermaster, Ira Dutton, goes with his traps tomorrow, and the mounted infantry will go in two or three days, as soon as Lieut. Lamoreau gets back from Chattanooga, where he has gone with a drove of cattle for the army. That cleans out the 13th from Stevenson.
General Hooker moves his headquarters to Bridgeport tomorrow. I was relieved yesterday by Colonel Cobham; and he was relieved today by Colonel Ross, of a Connecticut regiment.
Sunday, 25th—Went to town this morning and sent a letter to Tunnel Hill by Harper to Miss Nannie.
Loudon, October 25th, 1863.
The storm has passed away, and the sun shines out warm and genial. The roads are in fearful condition, but getting better.
Yesterday all the teams, and everything, and everybody that could not fight, were sent to the rear. Every preparation was made to repel the expected attack; things packed and we lay all day behind our arms with all equipments on, ready for instant use. About 8 o’clock a strong force was sent out to reconnoitre, Toward night we could hear the dull boom of distant cannon, feeling for the enemy. Impatiently we awaited the result.
Dickson Station, Sunday, Oct. 25. A very pleasant day and quietly spent. Firing heard in the front with artillery about noon. Enemy reported to be fortifying and on the advance. Our Division ordered to be ready to move to the front at any moment. Teams returned from Iuka at 9 A. M., Billy Hamilton having started at 2 A. M. this morning. Looks very badly and discouraged. Drew clothing. I drew a pair of pants. Wrote to T. L. None received. Two loads of corn brought in.
25th. Morning work over, set out for regt. Stopped in town and saw wounded boys. Glad to see the boys so long absent. Reached Watauga about noon. Found most of Co. C absent on a scout. Came in about dark. Grand jubilee. Proposed to re-enlist as regiment. All would like to go home this winter but some don’t want to be bound again till time’s out.
October 25 — To-day I was at General A. P. Hill’s infantry camp, to see some of my old friends and acquaintances of ante-bellum days ; they belong to Captain Rice’s New Market Battery, which is connected with A. P. Hill’s corps. While I was in their camp General Pendleton held religious services in the woods, and preached from the seventh chapter and seventeenth verse of John. His sermon was genial, mild, and full of unadorned truth, but the cold, raw northwest wind that swept through the woods and moaned a death song to Autumn with an icy breath through the bare leafless branches of the forest trees, rendered the condition of its reception most too uncomfortable and coolish to properly and fully appreciate the grandeur of its intended virtue.
Sunday, 25th—I went out on picket today. We keep a strong picket guard along the entire line. The rebels’ cavalry are not as bold as they were two or three weeks ago, for they know that we are becoming more thoroughly entrenched every day; besides this, they have been pretty well driven out of this section.
25th.—To-day we heard the Rev. Mr. Peterkin, from the text: ” Be not weary in well-doing.” It was a delightful sermon, persuasive and encouraging. Mr. —— spends Sunday morning always in the hospital. He has Hospital No. 1, in addition to the Officers’ Hospital, under his care. They occupy a great deal of his time, in the most interesting way.
Camp White, October 25, (Sunday), 1863.
Dear Mother: — I received your letter of the 19th last evening. We have been very busy here the last week, worrying the Rebels in our front to prevent their sending reinforcing the Rebels who are opposing General Burnside, and getting ready for apprehended attacks from them. It is now quiet again and the rain and snow in the mountains are fortifications getting stronger every day.
We are not allowed to build winter quarters yet, but the men are fixing up all sorts of shelters and fireplaces to find comfort these cold nights.
I heard from Lucy after she was well on her way to Chillicothe. … I think it almost certain that she will come back to stay in a fortnight or so.
I hope you will stand the cold winter well. — Love to all.
Affectionately, your son,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Painting by Conrad Wise Chapman.
“This was the first torpedo boat ever constructed; it is being repaired in one of the docks of Charleston; places may seen where the boat was struck by bullets. New plates are about to be placed into position.” – Conrad Wise Chapman, 1898
