Tuesday, [May] 10. — Went to New River Bridge. They shelled the woods filled with our men killing three or four. A fine artillery duel between our guns on the high ground on the west side of the river, theirs on the east. The Rebel effort was to keep our men from firing the bridge. It was soon done. A fine scene it was, my band playing and all the regiments marched on to the beautiful hills hurrahing and enjoyed the triumph. Marched thence to Pepper’s Ferry and spent the afternoon and night fording and ferrying the river. Sixteen miles.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Tuesday, 10th—We had an all day rain, and there was no drill or dress parade. The country around Clifton is very rough. There are but a few small farms, found only in the bottom land. Clifton is on the east bank of the Tennessee river about twenty-five miles below Savannah. The town has been burned and the people driven out, there being only four or five of the thirty log huts standing.
Yellow Bluff, Fla.,
May 10, 1864.
Dear Sister L.:—
Everybody is talking now of the event of yesterday, the destruction of the little steamer Harriet Weed by a torpedo. It occurred about four miles above here. Captain Dickey, who was coming down from Jacksonville on the Boston, saw it. The Boston is quite a large boat and carried a large party of excursionists or “inspectionists” from Hilton Head. There were some fifty ladies on board. The captain for some whim ran a little nearer the shore than the regular channel. He had never done so before. The Weed, however, was just behind, and she kept the regular channel and was blown to atoms. She sank immediately. There were ten killed and wounded. The rest escaped unhurt. The gunboat Mahaska had been lying there for some time and her launches patrolled the river, but the day before she went up to Jacksonville, and the first night she was gone two torpedoes were planted. We received orders last night to patrol that part hereafter. It brings it pretty hard on us. I am very glad it did not occur on our part of the river. Much blame is or would be attached to us if a torpedo should be found in our part. Under the circumstances it would be unhealthy business for a strange boat to be caught on the river here. I would shoot first and court-martial afterwards. This is the third steamer blown up on this river already, and any amount of torpedoes have been found.
The paymaster came on Saturday with his $7 per month. Not half the men would sign the rolls or take their pay, and those who did, did so under protest. It is too bad. Seven dollars a month for the heroes of Olustee! I received two months’ pay, deducting the tax, $213.49. Some difference between that and $26. My expenses besides clothing, etc., are about $6 a week and I hope to save some money now.
We are living very quietly, enjoying ourselves as well as we can.
The weather is extremely warm in the middle of the day, July and August weather, but the evenings—O, how I wish you could be here to enjoy a few! When the moon rises red as blood and throws across the river a long shining path; when the air is so balmy you seem to float in some other element. And then to go out on the river where your oars drip pearls or drops of fire, and the sparks fly from the prow of the boat as she plows her way along. I suppose it is electricity in the water. I know it is beauty.
A man just down from Yorktown says there is a bigger army on the Peninsula than was there before, and as many as the old army along the Rappahannock. The advance was at Bottom’s Bridge, ten miles from Richmond, when he left. I have no doubt that is the route to Richmond, notwithstanding McClellan’s failures, and Grant is the man to go in. Even now, for all I know, the North may be in jubilee over his victory. The rebels seem to have accepted our discarded “scatteration” policy, and Grant works on the concentration. Richmond must be taken. No doubt they will blow up the prison where our soldiers are, but God pity the prisoners we take after that.
Tuesday, 10th.—Moved on hill just to our right before day; soon after relieved by brigade of Cleaborn’s Division. Returned to our old position. Federals have some little forts six hundred yards in our front. 8 A. M., our batteries opened on those in our front; they replied, and brisk cannonading continued for some time, when the Yanks ceased firing, and in short time took their cannon away. 11 A. M., Yanks all gone from our front; have fallen back some distance, but are shelling our skirmish line from the mountain.
Spottsylvania C. H., May 10, 1864.
Dear Hannah, — I am safe and sound so far, I am thankful to say. We have had the hardest battle of the war, with fearful loss on our side. We were in the second day’s fight in the battle of the Wilderness and had a mighty tough time of it. It was by far the hottest fire I have ever been under. Colonel Griswold was killed while behaving most nobly. We were in line of battle along the side of the road, when the Second Corps came rushing over our two right companies, throwing them into some confusion. Colonel Griswold ran up there with the color-bearer to rally the men, and while doing so was shot dead through the jugular vein. I then took command of the regiment, which had to fall back soon on account of being flanked. We had the rebs on three sides of us, and I held on as long as I possibly could, and then gave the order to fall back. General Webb was a few yards behind me, and I did not retreat until he ordered me to. The men and officers behaved splendidly, and I am real proud of them. We are following the enemy up close, and driving him. We are going to whip them thoroughly, I think.
Henry Abbott is killed and Colonel Macy wounded, not serious. General Stevenson was killed by a stray shot from the enemy this morning while in a comparatively secure place.
Since the third day’s fight I have been in command of my brigade, and Major Jarves of the regiment. Imagine me in command of a brigade. Colonel Bartlett is wounded, not serious. Colonel Gould and Colonel Carruth were both sun-struck.
May 10 — This morning the Spottsylvania Court House road was clear of Yanks. We moved out on the road and put our guns in battery near the same place where we were driven from yesterday. We remained there in position until midday, and sighted no game; then we moved round to the Louisa Court House road southwest of Spottsylvania Court House.
Tuesday, May 10. — Weather pleasant. Heavy firing began on our right, and continued during the day. Regulars were sent to Colonel Humphreys to keep up the communication with General Meade. The 59th and 56th were afterwards ordered there. An attack was made along the whole line about 5 P.M. We gained ground in front of our corps. The firing on Meade’s left surpassed anything I have ever heard. The firing lasted over an hour, but with what success I cannot say. The 56th was afterwards moved over the creek to support a battery. I had my headquarters with them. We all of us felt dreadfully to-day on account of Tom Stevenson’s death. Was with him when he died. Had some of my men make a coffin for him. On the left of the road were three or four terraces, and he was lying down under one of them, when a sharpshooter from Spottsylvania fired at him from one of the trees. The bullet penetrated his head, and he died in half an hour. He will be a sad loss to us all.
Huntsville, Tuesday, May 10. 6 A. M. detail of fifty men to report at the fort, taking all the men in camp except the guards, leaving the non-commissioned officers to groom the horses. Marched up through a heavy rain which continued all day. Laid idle till 10 A. M. for want of tools. All the negroes in town pressed in and put to work. Twenty of us detailed with Corporal Ferris to load a train with 3 by 8 stuff for gun platforms, to obtain which we had to tear down an old machine shop. Returned and unloaded by noon.
All the details marched up in line to McBride’s headquarters, where whiskey rations were freely issued to all that wanted, many of the most greedy drinking in several different details. After this issue the Captain mounted a table and read a dispatch from Sherman by telegraph, of glorious news from Grant. Whips Lee and in full pursuit. Butler in Petersburg within ten miles of Richmond. The news and whiskey brought forth thundering acclamations from the soldiers. After stating the importance of the immediate completion of the works, we were dismissed for dinner and started home. Deplorable sight. The intemperate indulgence by those but little used to the poison, caused a large portion of them to be beastly drunk, and our march through town was filled with demoniac yells, tumbling in the mud and mire. I felt ashamed to be seen in the crowd. Such mistaken kindness tends to demoralize the army as well as to increase the hatred of our enemy. Many of the boys had to be carried to their tents, and were unable to return to their work in the afternoon. Rained heavy all the afternoon. Worked hard. At night a terrible thunder storm deluged our camp, water standing in one of the tents eighteen inches deep. Our floor was all afloat, and we had to climb into our bunks to keep dry. Dry land could not be seen. Much noise and fun in order to forget the disagreeable in the humorous.
May 10th. Turned out early this morning. Orders to prepare for inspection and drill. Officers seem bound to keep us busy. This afternoon while enjoying a bath and a swim in Cedar Creek, felt something around my leg under water. It did not take me long to pull the thing off, which proved to be a water snake. With a jump I was soon out of the water. My leg bled freely from a small wound. First thought that I had been bitten. No bad results coming from it, decided that the wound was made by a sharp stone. Comrade Charlie Geer of our company was with me.
10th. During the day went to the regt. Some beef, 16½ cents per pound. Thomas and I went to the front. Arrived there at nearly sundown just as a charge was to be made. Gen. Grant, Meade and several lesser generals with staffs out. We fell in. Col. Upton’s Brigade charged and took the enemy’s works with a brigade of rebs under Dough. Grant had one of his never-ending stubs in his mouth, and puffed freely. Both Grant and Meade looked serious and thoughtful till the news of success came. Then they seemed pleased. Grant said “That looks like desperation, surrendering without firing a gun.” But they had held their ground stubbornly during the day. Grant said “A brigade today, will try a corps tomorrow.” Never felt more animated. I felt such a relief from the suspense and anxiety which had been upon me for several days. I presume nearly the whole of the army and country are as uneasy and anxious as I. I awake frequently during the night. “H.” moved half a mile last night towards Fredericksburg. Rained most all day. Heavy fighting all day, with little success. Several charges made, but rebs repulsed them.
