Monroe County, In Bivouac, May 13, 1864.
Dearest: — We are all right so far. Burned New River Bridge, etc., etc. A most successful campaign. The victory of Cloyd’s Mountain was complete. The Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth and part of Thirty-fourth fought under me. All behaved well. The Twenty-third led the charge over an open meadow to the enemy’s works and carried them with a will. It cost us one hundred and twenty killed and wounded. . . . This is our best fight. [The] Twenty-third captured two cannon and other trophies. General Jenkins and other officers and men captured. — Love to all.
H.
Mrs. Hayes.
Friday, 13 — From Salt Pond Mountain to Peters Mountain. A cold rainy morning. Afternoon, weather good. Bivouacked on east side of Peters Mountain very early. Sun and rest make all happy. Caught a Rebel train and a cannon at the foot of the hill. [At] 3 P. M. ordered to cross Peters Mountain to get forage for animals. A good little march — fifteen miles. Bivouacked at foot of Peters Mountain northeast side.
Henry Adams to Charles Francis Adams, Jr.
London, April 15, 1864
Politically we are silent and expectant. The idea is universal here that our armies are depleted and our last hour coming, while the tone of the sympathisers is more defiant than ever. I am willing to wait and I expect a terrific crash when it does come. No more news about our negotiation. In fact all this is a period of placid quiet just before everything breaks loose again. I expect about a fortnight more of it before the tussle begins that is to do for us one way or the other. Meanwhile existence floats along and time passes, thank God!
May 13, 1864
As for politics, there has been scarcely any time when our hopes stood so low in the opinion of persons in this country. The current is dead against us, and the atmosphere so uncongenial that the idea of the possibility of our success is not admitted. I am not sorry for this state of feeling. If we are defeated, it will be only what is already considered certain. If we conquer, the moral triumph here will be double.
Friday, 13th—I went out as corporal of the picket this evening at 5 o’clock. There was in all a detail of one hundred and twelve sent out from the two regiments, besides the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The guards are stationed from one to two miles from camp, where the cattle are corralled.
Friday, 13th.—Last night, just before dark, had orders to leave camp; built up big fires at dark and moved out; marched all night in direction of Resacca. Everything indicates a retreat. Some skirmishing back about Dalton. 11 A. M., Federals two miles below Dalton. Formed in line of battle at 12 M., but soon moved on; 4 P. M., formed in line of battle two miles from Resacca. Threw up breast works.
Friday, May 13. — Our men finished building their rifle-pits. Sharpshooters popping away at us all day. About 4 P.M. the enemy fired a volley at us, and another at 9.30 P.M. We were notified that two army corps were to pass in our rear during the night, and form on our left.
May 13 — Last night at two o’clock we received marching orders, and soon afterwards we were on the march through rain and thick darkness. We moved farther to our right and marched to within about two miles of Spottsylvania Court House, and in front of the enemy’s works. Some little sharpshooting along the lines to-day, with now and then a cannon shot mixed in, but no other fighting of any consequence. Our battery did no firing to-day. It rained all last night, the ground is very wet and soft, and the roads very muddy. We bivouacked to-night in front of the enemy’s works, with our guns in battery ready for action.
Huntsville, Friday, May 13. A cold, chilly night. On guard. The hours passed tedious to me, as I felt quite unwell. Did not go to work on the fort to-day. In the afternoon, ditched around the stable. 14th Illinois Regiment, the advance of the 17th Corps, arrived this morning from Athens. Report the whole Corps falling under General Blair. General Crocker in town. Three trains of wounded passed North last night and this morning. Good news from Sherman. McPherson in their rear. Reports dubious from Grant. Forrest accidentally ran against the 17th Corps on his way here, and lost all his artillery. Guess he won’t bother us any more.
May 13th. Rain continues. No prospect of a let up. I helped our wagoner, Wm. Wetmore to water the mules. Had to go about a half mile from our camp. My first ride on a mule. Rode one and led others. We are wondering if it will ever stop raining. Wet through. Must attend to our duty and sleep on the wet ground. Mud, mud, Virginia mud. Sticks like glue. Rain, rain.
May 13.—General Stuart died of his wounds last night, twenty-four hours after he was shot. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and expressed to the Rev. Dr. Peterkin his resignation to the will of God. After much conversation with his friends and Dr. P., and joining them in a hymn which he requested should be sung, he calmly resigned his redeemed spirit to the God who gave it. Thus passed away our great cavalry general, just one year after the immortal Jackson. This seems darkly mysterious to us, but God’s will be done. The funeral took place this evening, from St. James’s Church. My duty to the living prevented my attending it, for which I am very sorry; but I was in the hospital from three o’clock until eight, soothing the sufferers in the only way I could, by fanning them, bathing their wounds, and giving them a word of comfort. Mr. —— and others of our household were at the funeral. They represent the scene as being very imposing.
