Huntsville, Thursday, March 31. Dark, cloudy day. Washed in the morning, necessary but unpleasant duty, then staid in the hospital a little in the afternoon while the nurse went riding for exercise. T. J. H. weak but gaining. Herron has a terrible head from erysipelas—hair, eyebrows, all coming, out. Corp. Knapp rode into camp from left Section. They are posted in a fort on the Tennessee River at Whitesburg, fifteen miles distant, watching the enemy on the other side, fortified. Returned with nine men; comfortably quartered in vacant houses. Played ball all of the afternoon.
March 2014
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Nashville, Tenn., March 31, 1864—We got here, six companies of us, this morning just at daylight. The other four companies, E, K, G and B, were left at Chicago for want of transportation—will probably be here tomorrow. We were on the cars three nights and got but little sleep. I have commenced boarding at Mrs. Morrison’s, in Edgefield.
31st. Went to town to the Q. M. with Bill. A rainy unpleasant day. Slept with Brother N. at Q. M. Carpenter’s.
Thursday, March 31st.
Still in camp near Brandy Station and still no intimation of what is to become of us. But two incidents worthy of note occurred to-day. The first was the spectacle presented by the Commander of Co. H, who might have been seen passing down the company street with a loaf of soft bread in one hand and a piece of raw salt pork in the other, dining as he went, and here I will honestly record the fact, though I know I am kicking against the pricks of public prejudice, that of all the sumptuous dinners which I have done or which have done me, I hold none in more pleasing remembrance than the one above spoken of, composed of army bread, raw pork and a good appetite. The other noticeable fact was the Dress Parade, the first since we left Washington, and which passed off very creditably considering all the circumstances.
March 31st.—Met Preston Hampton. Constance Cary was with me. She showed her regard for him by taking his overcoat and leaving him in a drenching rain. What boyish nonsense he talked; said he was in love with Miss Dabney now, that his love was so hot within him that he was waterproof, the rain sizzed and smoked off. It did not so much as dampen his ardor or his clothes.
Thursday, March 31. — Pleasant weather. The Council of Administration, composed of Captains Putnam and Thayer and myself, met at 11 A.M. We set a tariff for the sutlers, and then adjourned until to-morrow. Had battalion drill at 3 P.M. Men did quite well. All the company cook-houses are finished except one. Quartermaster’s building all completed except roofing.
Diary And Memoranda, 1864
Mar. 31st. It is just a week ago that I took the oath to stand by the flag three years more. Have had quite a correspondance from home; I guess they are not dissatisfied.
Thursday, 31st—I went to a party this evening, given in honor of the veterans, over at Mr. Hatch’s, on Yankee Street.[1] There were not many present, but all enjoyed themselves. I found a new road to travel, a mile from this place—if all goes well. Things are very quiet in this settlement, but almost every young man here is thinking of returning with us to help bring the war to a close. It does us good to see the loyal sentiment among the people at home. The general belief at home is that the war cannot last more than a year longer.
[1] Yankee Street was the name given to an adjoining neighborhood. —A. G. D.
March 31.—Colonel Powell Clayton, from his headquarters at Pine Bluffs, Ark., despatched the following to General Halleck, at Washington: “The expedition to Mount Elba and Long View has just returned. We destroyed the pontoon-bridge at Long View, pursued a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with confederate equipments, ammunition, some stores, etc., and captured three hundred and twenty prisoners; engaged in battle, yesterday morning, General Dockney’s division of about one thousand two hundred men, from Monticello; routed and pursued him ten miles, with a loss on his side of over one hundred killed and wounded. We captured a large quantity of small-arms, two stand of colors, many negroes, and have three hundred horses and mules. Our loss will not exceed fifteen in killed, wounded, and missing. We brought in several hundred contrabands. The expedition was a complete success.”—Lieutenant-General Grant, accompanied by General Meade, left Washington for Fortress Monroe.
by John Beauchamp Jones
MARCH 31ST.—Cloudy and cold. No war news, though it is generally believed that Longstreet is really in the valley.
A speech delivered by the Hon. J. W. Wall, in New Jersey, is copied in all the Southern papers, and read with interest by our people.
