Tuesday, May 3. — Rode up to Rappahannock Station, where I found my horse with the 59th Massachusetts Volunteers. Crossed the Rappahannock on a pontoon bridge, which was built under charge of Captain Slosson. Went to General Meade’s headquarters, where I saw Colonel Lyman, Bates, Bache, Riddle, Joy, Mason, and Biddle. Then went to cavalry headquarters, where I saw Colonel Kingsbury. Found General Sedgwick’s headquarters about half a mile from here, where I saw the general and Whittier. Saw Henry Dalton and General Wright, and dined with them. Saw the orders issued for the movement of the army, and also General Meade’s address to the army. The Army of the Potomac moves to-morrow at 4 A.M. They cross the river at Germanna and Ely and Culpeper Mine fords. We follow at the two first fords. Had a jolly time, and reached camp at 6 P.M. Found that we were under orders to move at a moment’s notice. Liked my horse very much indeed. Received a letter from Hannah. Day pleasant, although it sprinkled in the evening and threatened rain for to-morrow.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Yorktown.
May 3. On the 27th of April we broke camp at Getty’s station, arriving here about dark, and marched up the Williamsburg road about two miles where we bivouacked. On this trip we were furnished transportation. On the morning of the 29th we were ordered into camp about three miles higher up the road. We had not much more than got up there when an order came for us to report at the landing immediately. We now had a five mile march before us, with the dust in the road about three inches deep. This was no march but a race, the companies trying to run past each other and get the advance to shield themselves from the dust. The colonel let them have it their own way and they made the dust fly right smart. We made the distance in less than an hour and on arriving at the landing looked like walking dirt heaps. A guard was placed along the bank of the river to prevent our washing in it for fear of creating a sand bar. There didn’t appear to be anything wanted of us after we got here and we are now in camp on the bluff just above the landing.
Our brigade now consists of the 9th New Jersey and the 23d, 25th and 27th Massachusetts, under command of Brig. Gen. C. A. Heckman, and is known as the 1st brigade, 2d division, 18th army corps, under command of Gen. William P. Smith, otherwise known as “Baldy.” Our knapsacks have been sent back to Portsmouth and we are now in light marching order, having only the clothing we have on and our blankets. Our camp equipage consists of two camp kettles for each company, and shelter tents. These tents are simply pieces of cotton cloth, about six feet long by four wide, made to button together, and every man is supplied with one which he carries with his blanket. Ordinarily they are used as blankets, but in ease of a storm three of them are buttoned together, two forming the roof and the other the end, which makes a kind of burrow which partly shelters three men. We fellows who are used to roughing it think it all well enough, but I feel sorry for the officers; it will come pretty hard on them. It is something they are not used to and besides it sort of reduces them to the ranks.
Yorktown is hardly as much today as it was the day of Cornwallis’ surrender, and I don’t think there has been a nail driven or an ounce of paint used since. There is the old church and about a dozen weather-beaten old houses, the most pretentious of which was Cornwallis’ headquarters.
The 18th corps are all here, infantry, artillery and cavalry, and yesterday Gen. Butler reviewed them. The review came off on the plain below the town and was quite an imposing affair. We came a very clever little dodge on the enemy last night. About midnight we were all routed up and every man given a chunk of raw salt pork. After standing there about half an hour holding our pork and awaiting further developments, we were then told we might go back to bed again. Now that was taking a mean advantage of a brave and chivalrous foe, thus to conceal the kind and quantity of our rations. They are probably thinking that we have nothing to eat and are keeping up their hopes that we shall soon surrender.
Tuesday Morning, May 3.—Yesterday passed as usual. We attended Mr. Peterkin’s prayer-meeting before breakfast, which we generally do, and which was very interesting. Then came by market for our daily supplies; and at nine I commenced my labour in the office, while Mr. —— went to his hospital, which occupies a great deal of his time.
Washington, North Carolina, has been evacuated by the Federals, who have retired to Newbern. All quiet on the Rapidan. Six steamers have run the blockade within a few days, laden with ammunition, etc. Surely God is with us. It is a delightful thing to contemplate that so many of our officers of high position, who are leading and giving an example to our soldiers, should be God-fearing men; from the President and General Lee down, I believe a majority of them are professing Christians. On Sunday I saw General R. Ransom (who has lately been put in command here) and General Kemper, who has just recovered from the wound received at Gettysburg, both at the communion-table.
On Saturday our President had a most heart-rending accident in his family. His little son was playing on the backportico, fell over, and was picked up apparently lifeless. Both parents were absent, nor did they get home in time to see their child alive. The neighbours collected around him, physicians were immediately called in, but the little fellow could not be aroused; he breathed for about three-quarters of an hour. His devoted parents returned to find their boy, whom they had left two hours before full of “life in every limb,” now cold in death. They have the deep sympathy of the community.
May 3, Tuesday. At the Cabinet-meeting the President requested each member to give him an opinion as to what course the Government should pursue in relation to the recent massacre at Fort Pillow. The committee from Congress who have visited the scene returned yesterday and will soon report. All the reported horrors are said to be verified. The President wishes to be prepared to act as soon as the subject is brought to his notice officially, and hence Cabinet advice in advance.
The subject is one of great responsibility and great embarrassment, especially before we are in possession of the facts and evidence of the committee. There must be something in these terrible reports, but I distrust Congressional committees. They exaggerate.
Mrs. W. and Edgar left to-day for New York. She is to spend a few days at Irvington; Edgar to complete his college course.
Tom is filled with unrestrained zeal to go to the army. It is much of it youthful fervor but none the less earnest.
by John Beauchamp Jones
MAY 3D. —A cold, windy day, with sunshine and clouds.
It is rumored that Grant’s army is in motion, and the great battle is eagerly looked for. The collision of mighty armies, upon the issue of which the fate of empire depends, is now imminent.
The following dispatch was received to-day from Gen. Johnston:
“DALTON, May 2d, 1864.
“Two scouts, who went by Outawah and Cleveland, report the enemy sending all Southern people and heavy baggage to the rear, stopping rations to the inhabitants, collecting a large supply of trains at Graysville, and bringing their cavalry from Middle Tennessee. An officer just from Columbia reports 13,000 had been collected there. All scouts report Hooker’s troops in position here. J. E. JOHNSTON, General.”
MAY 4TH.—Bright, beautiful, and warmer; but fire in the morning.
The following dispatch from Gen. Lee was received by Gen. Bragg to-day and sent to the Secretary.
“ORANGE C. H., May 4th, 1864.
“Reports from our lookouts seem to indicate that the enemy is in motion. The present direction of his column is to our right.
“Gen. Imboden reports the enemy advancing from Winchester, up the Valley, with wagons, beef cattle, etc. R. E. LEE.”
There is a rumor of fighting at Chancellorville, and this is the anniversary, I believe, of the battle there. May we be as successful this time! But the report is not authentic. Firing is beard now in the direction of York River.
