Monday, 9th—Came in to Cedar Town this morning. Stay all night at the Hotel, ten dollars apiece. Sold some tobacco to him.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Wednesday, 9th—Another twenty-four hours duty on picket, which with the time occupied in going out and returning makes about twenty-six hours each time.
9th. Up before sunrise. Got breakfast and was off before sunrise. Reached Morristown by 7 A. M. Reported for duty as Commissary. Saw Lt. S., then went back to Russelville and got rations for 2nd and 7th of Lt. Leavitt, Div. Com’ry. 2nd and 7th went into camp north of town in the woods. Cold and chilly night.
Monday, 9th—An order was read at dress parade today announcing that ten men from each regiment would be detailed to go home to their respective states to solicit recruits for their regiments. Lieutenant Alfred Carey has been selected to represent Company E of the Eleventh Iowa.
November 9.—We are now quite comfortably fixed, in what was once my mother’s chamber, and most unexpectedly we have a carpet. The other day, while entertaining some friends, in this chamber by night, dining-room by day, and parlour ever and anon, Mrs. Secretary Mallory walked in, who, like ourselves, has had many ups-and-downs during the Confederacy, and therefore her kind heart knows exactly how to sympathize with others. While talking away, she suddenly observed that there was no carpet on the floor, and exclaimed, “Mrs. ——, you have no carpet! My boxes have just come from Montgomery, where I left them two years ago, filled with carpets and bedding. I have five, and I will lend you one. Don’t say a word; I couldn’t be comfortable, and think of you with this bare floor. Mr. ——, is too delicate for it, and you are both too old to begin now on an uncarpeted room.” An hour after she left us a servant came with the carpet, which was soon tacked down, and gives a home-like, comfortable air to the room.
November 9 — Our army fell back last night and to-day to the south side of the Rapidan. All the blazing camp-fires that glowed on the fields of Culpeper last night was nothing but a programme of deceptive pyrotechnics for the special benefit and amusement of our Northern friends and visitors. We were rear guard to-day and covered the retreat of our retiring army. The Yanks advanced very slowly and cautiously all day, and we fell back just as slowly as the enemy advanced; we put our guns in position twice during the day, but did no firing. We fell back along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Camped to-night one mile from Rapidan Station. Very cold, with a little snow mixed with the weather. The country along the north side of the Rapidan here is low, wet, and a little marshy.
Monday, November 9th.
Another odd link of the old, stale story has come to me, all the way from New York. A friend of mine, who went on the same boat with the prisoners, wrote to her mother to tell her that she had formed the acquaintance of the most charming, fascinating gentleman among them, no other than my once friend. Of course, she would have been less than a woman if she had not gossiped when she discovered who he was. So she sends me word that he told her he had been made to believe, as long as he was on parole in New Orleans, that we were all Unionists now, and that Brother would not allow a Confederate to enter the house. (O my little lisper, was I unjust to you?) He told her that I had been very kind to him when he was in prison, and he would have forgotten the rest and gladly have called to thank me in person for the kindness he so gratefully remembered, if I alone had been concerned; but he felt he could not force himself unasked into my brother’s house. . . .
She told him how false it was.
October 9th.
At daylight yesterday we were ordered to be ready to march at 9 o’clock. It had been rumored for several days the Rebels had possession of Greenville, seventy-five miles up the valley, and that our forces were falling back toward Morristown. The Second Brigade was sent that way last week. Monday the First Brigade of the First Division moved forward to Morristown and was followed on Wednesday by the Second. Today the Third Brigade follows.
The Second and Twentieth Michigan Infantry and the One Hundredth Pennsylvania have gone, and we are momentarily expecting the train which is to take us. General Wilcox has arrived with five thousand new troops, and is at Morristown. We have, also, a heavy force of mounted infantry and cavalry at Greenville. The Rebels are reported eight thousand strong. The intention is to lure them on to near Bulls Gap, and, while the mounted men work around the mountains to their rear, we close in on them in front and grind them between us.
Burnside went to the front today, from which I infer there is work to be done. This line of railroad is of the utmost importance to Virginia Rebels. They cannot safely winter there without it, and they will make a desperate effort to regain control of it.
November 9.—No. 68 E. 19th Street, New York City. Grandfather and I came from Canandaigua yesterday. He is at Gramercy Park Hotel. We were met by a military escort of “one” at Albany and consequently came through more safely, I suppose. James met us at 42d Street Grand Central Station. He lives at Uncle Edward’s; attends to all of his legal business and is his confidential clerk. I like it very much here. They are very stylish and grand but I don’t mind that. Aunt Emily is reserved and dignified but very kind. People do not pour their tea or coffee into their saucers any more to cool it, but drink it from the cup, and you must mind and not leave your teaspoon in your cup. I notice everything and am very particular. Mr Morris K. Jessup lives right across the street and I see him every day, as he is a friend of Uncle Edward. Grandfather has gone back home and left me in charge of friends “a la militaire ” and others.
November 9. — The ground is white with snow for the first time this year. Drs. Mussey and Blaney called Saturday. It is intimated that there will be difficulty, or is danger of difficulty, on account of Dr. Webb’s long absence.
