February 6th. Martinsburg, West Virginia. Cloudy, cold. Detailed for picket duty. Located on Charlestown Pike, southeast of town. On post two hours and off four. So I passed the day. Along in the evening, while out on post, was relieved from duty, informed that I had been granted a furlough for ten days, giving to me an opportunity to visit old Connecticut. On my return to camp, found that Edwin White of our company had also received a furlough. After a bath and a change of raiment, we decided to journey together. We left camp about eleven o’clock at night. At the depot was informed that the next train North would leave at 2 A. M., which would be Sunday morning. About midnight we started up town to find something to eat. The town being under martial law, provost guards were at every corner to protect the town and preserve order. I was in possession of the countersign, having received it early in the evening while on picket duty. Did not find anything to eat, had a good time walking around while waiting for the train. Whenever challenged by the guards, I would advance and give the countersign. Few trains were run on the B. & O. R. R. in the night. Shall not be able to get anything to eat until our arrival in Baltimore, where the train is due about 7 A. M. We are very happy over the prospect of seeing home and friends once more, having been in the service for eighteen months.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Saturday, 6th—Our army did not move until in the afternoon, because of having to lay the pontoons across the Pearl river. The rebels had burned the bridges, twenty-eight in all, after crossing. I was detailed this morning as special guard at the Seventeenth Corps headquarters while out on this expedition. Things are quiet in the rear.
6th. In evening went to town to see about assignment. Went to Atheneum. “Hidden Hand,” Miss Sallie St. Clair played her part well—pretty actress.
February 6th, 1864.
I begin to feel quite certain that “the world does move.” The conviction is forced upon me by the fact that our Congress, the slowest of slow coaches, has actually begun to do what it should have done last year. Then look at Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee. The fires of war have lighted up these dark places, and the people begin to see the hideousness of their cherished institution. Like true patriots they have set themselves at work to make their country what its vain boast has been—a land of freedom. I have become more firmly convinced, every day, that when this war ends slavery will not exist. The States I have mentioned will be free within a year.
Huntsville, Saturday, Feb. 6. A wet night and muddy morning. On guard—to appear on guard mounting with polished boots, all things accordingly. Spent the hours not on duty reading Ned Buntline’s thrilling tale of the times Ella Adams. One hundred horses distributed to the three Batteries by chief of artillery, having received them from Nashville. “We had thirty-two beautiful animals, large and fat. —— and J. Keller returned, the former after five months’ confinement in military prison at Vicksburg, the other from hospital, wounded at Champion Hills. They were gladly welcomed.
On the 6th, we marched out of camp with the rest of the corps to Morton’s ford, and bivouacked on open ground, overlooking the river and the opposite shore, which is unusually open for this country. General Warren being sick, General Caldwell took command of the corps. Hayes with the Third division crossed over early in the day and drove in the rebel pickets who were quickly reinforced, and a heavy skirmish commenced, which lasted throughout the afternoon. The field of operations was in full view, and our division lay intently watching the progress of the fight, which like all battles, big or little, was extremely fascinating.
Towards evening the enemy showed up in force, Ewell, with his entire corps coming on the field; our batteries opened on them, and for a while there was a lively fight. Hayes gradually fell back, and after dark retired in safety. As usual during the night it rained, making it extremely unpleasant. We lost about two hundred and fifty killed and wounded, without apparently gaining any equivalent; the following morning, February 7th, we marched back to camp and resumed the usual routine.
by John Beauchamp Jones
FEBRUARY 6TH.—Major-Gen. Breckinridge, it is said, is to command in Southwestern Virginia near the Kentucky line, relieving Major-Gen. Sam Jones.
Yesterday the cabinet decided to divide the clerks into three classes. Those under eighteen and over forty-five, to have the increased compensation; those between those ages, who shall be pronounced unable for field service, also to have it; and all others the Secretaries may certify to be necessary, etc. This will cover all their cousins, nephews, and pets, and exclude many young men whose refugee mothers and sisters are dependent on their salaries for subsistence. Such is the unvarying history of public functionaries.
Gen. Pickett, finding Newbern impregnable, has fallen back, getting off his prisoners, etc. But more troops are going to North Carolina.
February 6.—The English steamer Dee was discovered ashore and on fire, at a point one mile south of Masonboro Inlet, N. C, by the National gunboat Cambridge. Finding it impossible to extinguish the flames or get her off, Commander Spicer, of the Cambridge, abandoned the attempt, and still further destroyed her by firing into her.—Admiral Lee’s Report.
—The Sixteenth army corps, General Hurlbut, and Seventeenth corps, General McPherson, under orders of Major-General Sherman, entered Jackson, Miss., the enemy offering but little resistance.—(Doc. 122.)
—A party of Yankees went to Windsor, in Bertie County, N. C, in boats, while another party landed on the Roanoke River, eight miles below, and marched on the town, where they made a junction with those that went up in boats. They burned up some meat, destroyed some salt, and carried off the Rev. Cyrus Walters, of the Episcopal Church, and several others. They attacked Captain Bowcrs’s camp, and routed the small force there; but, Captain Bowers being reenforced with a small body of cavalry, after some sharp fighting, the Yankees retired.—Raleigh Confederate.
—A detachment of the Seventh Indiana entered the town of Bolivar, Tenn., under the impression that the place was still occupied by the Federal troops. Much to their surprise, they found a regiment and a half of rebels in posession. They were in the town, and demanded what troops they were. The reply was, Mississippi. The Indianans, with the shout, “Remember Jeff Davis!” made a furious attack upon the astonished and disconcerted rebels, and drove them out of Bolivar in the utmost confusion, killing, wounding, and capturing about thirty. The Union loss was one killed and three wounded.
—In the rebel Congress, the following resolution was introduced this day: “Whereas, The President of the United States, in a late public communication, did declare that no propositions for peace had been made to that Government by the confederate States, when in truth such propositions were prevented from being made by the President, in that he refused to hear or even to receive two commissioners appointed to treat expressly of the preservation of amicable relations between the two governments; nevertheless that the confederate States may stand justified in the sight of the conservative men of the North of all parties, and that the world may know which of the two governments it is that urges on a war unparalleled for fierceness of conflict, and intensifying into a sectional hate unsurpassed in the annals of mankind; therefore,
Resolved, That the confederate States invite the United States through their government at Washington, to meet them by representatives equal to their representatives and senators in their respective congresses ——, on the day of ——, next ——, to consider, first, whether they cannot agree upon a recognition of the confederate States of America. Second, in the event of declining such a recognition, whether they cannot agree upon the formation of a new government, founded upon the equality and sovereignty of the States; but if this cannot be done, to consider, third, whether they cannot agree upon treaties offensive, defensive, and commercial.
