Sunday, May 1. — I was detailed as brigade field-officer of the day. Our regiment was moved out half a mile from the station, and six companies placed on picket with four in reserve. I visited my line three times, it being about five miles long. Stayed with Captain Thayer’s reserve during the night. A few shots were fired, not amounting to anything. Day pleasant. Fifth Corps move to the front to-day.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
May 1st. Busy getting ordnance boxes returned to Dept. till 10 o’clock. Regt. marched at 11. Train off at about 1 P. M.—12 wagons. Thede and I stayed behind to get receipts for property. Left Washington between 5 and 6 o’clock. Capt. and A. D. C. on Maj. Gen. Auger’s staff disliked to give me a pass for fear we would be gobbled! Caught up just as the regt. camped 9 or 10 miles from Washington. Supper and to bed at 10 P. M. Slept well, beautiful day.
May 1—Rumors are flying that we will soon get hard fighting. Nothing more up to the 4th.
by John Beauchamp Jones
MAY 1ST.—Cloudy and showery, but warm, and fine for vegetation. My lettuce, cabbage, beans, etc. are growing finely. But the Yankee corn and lima beans, imported by Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, have rotted in the ground.
No war news.
Yesterday a paper was sent to the President by Gen. Pickett, recommending Gen. Roger A. Pryor for a cavalry command in North Carolina. But the President sent it to the Secretary of War with the curt remark that the command had already been disposed of to Col. Dearing, on Gen. Hoke’s recommendation. Thus Gen. P. is again whistled down the wind, in spite of the efforts of even Mr. Hunter, and many other leading politicians. It is possible Gen. P. may have on some occasion criticised Lee.
May 1st. Marching orders this morning. Pushing on towards Winchester. Passed over the battle-field known to us as Carter’s Farm, or Summit Point, on the Harper’s Ferry and Winchester R. R. On this field we did some hard fighting against great odds, June 15th, 1863. Many of our boys were made prisoners. Talked over the events of the battle as we marched along, pointing out the places where our boys fell and were buried. We are very familiar with this section of Virginia. Pushing along, passed through Winchester. Very few people in sight. Those we saw said they hated the Yankees. Hope we would all be captured and taken to Richmond. Out on the main pike, came to a halt near the Union Mills. Our regiment detailed for picket on the advance, near Kernstown. We are now in the enemy’s country. Liable to meet trouble at any time. The signal corps is kept very busy. I do not know the code but it is very interesting to me as I watch them work. They seem to find every high point of ground where they get a fine view of the country.
