Wednesday, 27th—It rained all day and there is no end of mud in our camp, which is on very low ground. Cairo is improving very fast, a great many buildings having been erected since this war broke out. The veterans still keep coming in on every train; the Eighth Iowa arrived today. About two thousand troops went aboard the transports for Huntsville, Alabama. .[1] We will be glad when we get orders to leave this mudhole.
[1] Clifton, Tennessee.—A. G. D.
April 27.—Another day and night have passed, and nothing of importance has occurred to the country. We are expecting movements in every direction. 0 God! direct our leaders!
Our daughter M. is with us, quite sick; her husband has just arrived from North Carolina, where he is attached to General Whiting’s command.
Fort Hall, Wednesday, April 27. Very heavy rain last night. Bright morning. The 56th Illinois stationed here. Were inspected by Colonel Raum, commanding 2nd Brigade. Examined our quarters and fortifications, after which he and the other officers turned in and had a game of wicket ball. Spent most of the day in looking at the used-to-be town, etc. It consists now of four or five churches and as many houses and chimneys; was once a thriving steamboat landing. River here is narrow, running through noiseless on either side. Four families live in one out-house, with about forty wee children, half naked and half starved, all the men in the Confederate army, being the most pitiful objects. Saw one woman 108 years old amongst them, an appalling sight. Two or three other families staying here, seem to be very friendly to soldiers, especially the young ladies.
Bathed in the waters of the Tennessee in the evening, 6 P. M. The anticipated but welcome orders came for us to report to Huntsville in the morning.
8 P. M. when all was still, a sentinel fired his piece on outpost. The reserve fired the alarm and instanter the long roll rattled the well known story of “fall in” which was promptly obeyed. We were out and at our posts. Moved our pieces so as to bear in the proper direction, when the infantry came in on double quick and filed into the pits and defenses. Not a word was spoken, and in less than ten minutes we were all snugly inside waiting for them. Lay still thirty minutes when we were dismissed, and all were as heedless and unconscious of danger as before the alarm. Probably a mule, too obstinate to “halt” was the whole cause. Such are the incidents of an outpost which the soldier soon gets used to and conforms with them with as much complacency as though they were to eat.
April 27, Wednesday. The Wilkes court martial has closed its labors. The proceedings have not been reported, but, as the members are anxious to get home, I have adjourned the court for ten days, unless sooner convened or dissolved.
George Bliss, Jr., counsel for Scofield, who is under arrest as a fraudulent contractor, writes a tart letter respecting his client. I have referred him to Wilson, Judge Advocate. He says by telegraph Wilson has not reached New York. I am sorry for this delay. Fox and Edgar returned this evening from Hampton Roads, — absent two days.
April 27.—Acting Master Hill, commanding the United States steamer Currituck, of the Potomac flotilla, succeeded in destroying two thousand bushels of grain, which was in process of transportation to Richmond.—Com. Parker’s Report.
—The English schooner O.K. was captured by the National vessel Union, off the coast of Florida.—The army under General Banks, including the forces of General A. J. Smith, returned to Alexandria, La.—(Doc. 131.)
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 27TH.—Another bright and beautiful day; and vegetation is springing with great rapidity. But nearly all my potatoes, corn, egg-plants, and tomatoes seem to have been killed by the frosts of March. I am replanting corn, lima beans, etc. The other vegetables are growing well. One of my fig-bushes was killed—that is, nearly all the branches. The roots live.
It is rumored that the armies on the Rapidan were drawn up in line.
The enemy have again evacuated Suffolk.
Gen. Beauregard is at Weldon. Perhaps Burnside may hurl his blows against North Carolina.
Food is still advancing in price; and unless relief comes from some quarter soon, this city will be in a deplorable condition. A good many fish, however, are coming in, and shad have fallen in price to $12 per pair.
The government ordered the toll of meal here (which the miller, Crenshaw, sold to the people) to be taken for the army; but Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, opposes this; and it is to be hoped, as usual, he may have his way, in spite of even the President. These papers pass through the hands of the Secretary of War.
The French ships have gone down the river, without taking much tobacco; said to have been ordered away by the United States Government.
Col. W. M. Browne (the President’s English A.D.C.), it is said, goes to Georgia as commandant of conscripts for that State. It is probable he offended some one of the President’s family, domestic or military. The people had long been offended by his presence and arrogance.
The Enquirer, to-day, has a communication assaulting Messrs. Toombs and Stephens, and impeaching their loyalty. The writer denounced the Vice-President severely for his opposition to the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. During the day the article was sent to Mr. Secretary Seddon, with the compliments of Mr. Parker—the author, I suppose.
April 27th. Camp Hill, Bolivar Heights, near Harper’s Ferry. Broke camp. I am detailed to go by train with regimental baggage, to load and unload and also to guard it. The regiment on the march. By noontime we had the baggage loaded and the train under way, which makes a good run. On arrival baggage was unloaded. Put up tent near railroad station. Must wait for the regiment. Called on the German people who did my washing and mending whenever we were in this vicinity. Mrs. Shults invited me to remain and have supper with the family. Such invitations did not come very often, but I accepted and enjoyed it.
Tuesday, April 26. — We remained in camp all day and sent in requisitions for ordnance, etc. Had an inspection of all our companies, and a general overhauling of all our baggage, etc., preparatory for a campaign. Gilmore, our sutler, came out to see us. Weather pleasant. General Stevenson was the only general officer present in the corps. I don’t like the way things are conducted in the corps. Every one has to move on his own hook, and things seem very loosely conducted. The 24th Massachusetts and 10th Connecticut had been sent to Fort Monroe when we arrived here. Charley Griswold showed me a letter addressed to me in his valise, to be opened in case anything happened to him.
April 26, 1864. — All things point to early action. [The] Thirty-sixth Ohio came up and entered our camp yesterday morning; now below us. The enlisted men gave General Crook a seven-hundred-dollar sword on our parade this morning.
Avery, a major, on his way to Annapolis with the Sixtieth. Glad he is getting his deserts; sorry to lose him. I hope the Thirty-sixth is to be with us. General Durfie and others dined with me today. All talked action.
April 26 — We had artillery target shooting to-day; it was the first time we ever had anything of the kind since the war.
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