Sunday, 14th—We marched fifteen miles again today and went into camp for the night. The Seventeenth Corps also corralled their wagon train, leaving two brigades as a guard. There was some skirmishing in the front today, but we learn that the rebels have left Meridian without making any resistance, retiring to the south. Some of our men occupied the town late this evening. Things are marching along fine.
Friday, February 14, 2014
February 14.—Major Larmer, of the Fifth Pennsylvania reserve regiment, Acting Inspector-General on General Crawford’s staff, was shot dead in a skirmish with guerrillas about two miles east of Brentsville, Va. He was out with a scouting-party of some fifty men of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, who, as they were crossing a bridge over Cedar Run, at the point above mentioned, were suddenly fired upon by a band of guerrillas concealed in a pine thicket a short distance off the road.
His men were driven back across the bridge, but there held their ground until assistance could be sent for from General Crawford’s division. Colonel Jackson, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania reserves, was then sent out with a portion of his regiment, and on his approach the rebels fled. The men then recrossed the bridge to the point where they had been driven back, and brought away the body of Major Larmer, which had been left in the hands of the rebels. The Nationals lost in the skirmish, besides Major Larmer, three cavalrymen killed and one wounded, and two prisoners.
—Gainesville, Florida, was captured by the United States troops under Captain George E. Marshall, of the Fortieth Massachusetts infantry, and held for fifty-six hours against several attacks of the rebels double his own number. A large quantity of rebel stores were distributed among the people of the town, after which Captain Marshall successfully evacuated the place.— (Doc. 87.)
—It appearing that large numbers of men qualified for military duty were preparing to leave Idaho for the far West, for the purpose of evading the draft ordered by the President of the United States, Governor W. M Stone, of that territory, issued a proclamation, announcing that no person would be permitted to depart in that direction without a proper pass, and that passes would be granted to those only who would make satisfactory proof that they were leaving the State for a temporary purpose, and of their intention to return on or before the day of drafting, March tenth.
—Thomas H. Watts, Governor of Alabama, issued the following communication to the people of Mobile:
“Your city is about to be attacked by the enemy. Mobile must be defended at every hazard and to the last extremity. To do this effectively, all who cannot fight must leave the city. The brave defenders of the city can fight with more energy and enthusiasm when they feel assured that the noble women and children are out of danger.
“I appeal to the patriotic non-combatants to leave for the interior. The people of the interior towns, and the planters in the country, will receive and provide support for all who go. The patriots of this city will see the importance and necessity of heeding this call.
“Those who love this city and the glorious cause in which we fight, will not hesitate to obey the calls which patriotism makes.”[1]
[1] General Dabney H. Maury, in command at Mobile, on the thirteenth despatched the following letter to K. H. Slough, the Mayor of that city:
“My Dear Sir: I see but little disposition on the part of noncombatants to leave Mobile. Please use every means in your power to induce them to do so without delay.
“The Governor of Alabama assures me that he will take measures to secure to the people an asylum in the upper region of country bordering the river above here. I cannot believe that the kind and hospitable people of Mobile, who have for years been opening their homes to the homeless refugees from other parts of the Confederacy, will fail to receive a really welcome and kind protection during the attack on their homes.
“Patriotism demands that they leave the city for a while to those who can defend it. Prudence urges that they make no unnecessary delay in going.
“I will assist you here with transportation. The Governor says he will make proper arrangements for their reception and entertainment above.”
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th spent getting mustered and rolls completed. 8th boys paid off and furloughed Saturday. Most of the regt. already in city. Work on company papers.
Huntsville, Sunday, Feb. 14. Raining heavily most of the day. Clothing inspection at 8 A. M. by Lieutenant Simpson, with the reading of Sunday orders. Weather prevented our attending church. 3 P. M. two agents of the Chirstian Enquirer and Covenant. 3 P. M. two agents of the Christian Commission held divine services under the tree in front of the tent to the members of the 6th and 12th Batteries. The afternoon was disagreeable but a large crowd turned out to listen. Preached from the parable of the Sower, and advanced ideas that to me were inconsistent and offensive.
Diary And Memoranda, 1864
Feb. 14th. Took a walk today and visited Forts Craig and Albany, also hospital and saw Geo. Frye [cousin]; he has had a rough time of it.
February _ _, 1864.—We have been at Goodwood three days now and there is so much to write about. The first night Aunt Sue invited all the social world of Tallahassee to meet Colonel Capers. He came, attended by fifty or more of his men, the artillery uniform is beautiful and it is particularly becoming to Colonel Capers. I am sure he knows it for I notice he keeps one end of his cape thrown back over his shoulder, bringing the red lining next his face. He wore a vest of fine red broadcloth, buttoned up with round balls of silver for buttons and that added much to the beauty of his uniform.
When I was introduced to him, he said, “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Bradford. I have already had the pleasure of an acquaintance with your father and mother,” and then he stood there and gave a glowing account of that most unique dinner at Pine Hill, and he added, “I wrote a full description to my wife before I slept that night.”
Lizzie Wirt pinched my arm and whispered, “Horrid creature—I hate married men.”
The music was good and we were soon dancing the Lancers. My partner was Sergeant Clayton, young and handsome and a graceful dancer. The couple opposite were evidently talking about us and presently the gentleman, who was one of the sergeant’s comrades, said, “Clayton, you and Miss Bradford are enough alike to be brother and sister.”
“Yes,” answered my partner, with an apologetic look at me, “As soon as I entered the room I noticed the strong likeness to my sister and when I was introduced was sure we must be related, for my name is Edward Bradford Clayton.”
Of course we claimed kin on that; Uncle Arvah says all Southern people are kin anyway. It is just a part of being born South of Mason and Dixon’s Line. I like the new cousin very much and he told me a great deal of army life and of his commander, whom he loves dearly.
(This diary was written in pencil and in many instances the dates are almost, or quite, illegible. The month and year are plain but the figures are not so plain; particularly is this the case during the years of warfare, possibly the pencils were poor, or the paper might have been. At any rate we ask our readers to be lenient if some little mistakes occur.)
by John Beauchamp Jones
FEBRUARY 14TH.—Clear and windy. There is nothing new that I have heard of; but great apprehensions are felt for the fate of Mississippi—said to be penetrated to its center by an overwhelming force of the enemy. It is defended, however, or it is to be, by Gen. (Bishop) Polk.
I hear of more of the escaped Federal officers being brought in to-day.
The correspondence between the President and Gen. Johnston is causing some remark. The whole is not given. Letters were received from Gen. J. to which no allusion is made, which passed through my hands, and I think the fact is noted in this diary. He intimated, I think, that the position assigned him was equivocal and unpleasant in Tennessee. He did not feel inclined to push Bragg out of the field, and the President, it seems, would not relieve Bragg.
Mr. Secretary Seddon, it is now said, is resolved to remain in office.
