Monday, May 30th.
The artillery and our battalions advanced at 4 o’clock A. M., something like half a mile to a point near Totopotomoy creek, where we stacked arms in a road and a cornfield of fifty acres, or thereabouts, and threw up earthworks for the artillery within two or three hundred yards of the enemy’s line under a galling fire of musketry. The rebels in our front were busily at work also building earthworks, and at noon they opened a brisk artillery fire. Immediately in the rear of my company as it was at work on the breast-works, stood a fine large brick or stone house with a slate roof, known as the Shelton House, which was said to belong to a rebel Colonel then in the works, in front of us, and was occupied by some ladies of his family, who had, however, very properly taken refuge in the cellar. Between our works and the house, which stood with its rear towards us, was a semi-circle of negro quarters, and in front of these little frame and log houses the artillerymen had backed up their caissons and ammunition wagons to conceal them as much as possible from the enemy. At the door of one of these cabins was a large pile of ashes, where the old “mammy” who lived there had emptied the contents of her stove for years, and as the men took out the ammunition from the chest on a limber, considerable powder was sprinkled on this dumping ground. Not long after the rebels had commenced firing, and after they had sent several rifled projectiles through the main house and its roof, and had split some of the great trees standing close by, the old darkey woman came to her door, cool as a cucumber, and apparently oblivious of the danger of her act, threw a shovel full of hot ashes and coals just out of her stove squarely under the limber, and instantly the front of that shanty was taken off as cleanly as if cut down by a monster hay-knife. Two men were killed and several wounded, but the negress is said to have escaped unhurt. A tremendous cheer at once rang out from the rebel line, the occupants of which no doubt supposed that the explosion of the limber chest had been caused by one of their shells. After getting our guns in position we opened on them, and the cannonading was vigorously kept up all along the line until dark. Co. D., Capt. Jones, was to-day detailed to man a Coehorn Mortar Battery.
Monday, 30th—The weather is getting quite warm and the roads are dusty. Our advance guard broke camp at daylight, while our brigade did not get under way until 10 o’clock. We crossed a ridge of mountains this afternoon and this evening went into camp in the valley close to Warrenton. The mountains are heavily timbered, mostly chestnut, and the soil is sandy and rocky. There are only a few small farms here and there. The men have gone to war, while the women and children remain with scarcely anything to live on.
May 30.—We have had a great deal of excitement lately. Word was brought in by some one that five thousand Federal cavalry were twelve miles distant. We were ordered to pack, and the men were all sent to the woods. After preparing for the reception of the enemy we were told that it was some of our own cavalry who had been the cause of all this excitement.
There are many tales related of the Georgia militia. It seems that there was but one man in the whole place who could be prevailed on to go out as a scout. But the poor militia are constantly having some tales told on them. I think the governor is to blame for the contempt in which the Georgia militia are held. He holds to the doctrine of state rights with a greater tenacity than is at all needed at present. According to his views, Georgia had not only a right to secede in the beginning, but she can secede from the Confederacy any time she pleases. Many of the Georgians fairly worship both him and Stephens. I think that both have done our cause a vast deal of harm, at home and abroad. They have denounced the administration time and again, because it has not done exactly as they thought right. Whatever may be their views on that subject, I think they had better, for the present, keep them to themselves, as they will be productive of nothing but harm. If the present administration can not guide our affairs, why no one else can, and it is the duty of every man to give it his hearty support. “My country right, my country wrong, but still my country.” I think one of the most dignified and manly papers which President Davis has issued, is one in answer to Stephens, who had asked him to propose for peace after every victory. Davis says that no southerner with true pride, could wish to do more in that respect than he has already done.
Monday, May 30, 1864.
At dark last night I was put in charge of our brigade skirmish line of four companies; by 9:30 I had everything arranged to our notion. About that time the musketry commenced fire on our left and continued for a half hour; it was very heavy. Some three or four pieces of artillery also opened on our side. That thing was repeated eight times during the night, the last fight being just before daylight. When I was down on the right of the line I could hear the Rebels talking about the fight and saying it was a mighty hard one, and “I wonder whether our men or the Yanks are getting the best of it.” These night fights are very grand. I understand this fighting occurred between Hooker and the “Johnnies.” Attacks were made by each side, repulses easy. I guess from what little I hear there was a good deal more shooting than hitting on both sides. I think it was the intention for us to move to the left last night, but so much fighting prevented it. I don’t know when I have been so used up as this morning, and the whole command is not far from the same condition, but a few hours’ sleep made me all right again this morning. The Rebels are much more tired than we; they have had no rest since leaving Dalton. One of their wounded, a captain, told me that one of their surgeons told him their loss since leaving Dalton in killed and wounded would amount to 25,000. That’s pretty strong, the third of it or 10,000 I could believe. I was relieved at dark to-day from skirmishing duty.
Monday, May 30. — We moved to the front about noon. We then went into position in the right of the Fifth Corps. Threw up rifle-pits and remained there during the night. Quite heavy skirmishing in our front. Day pleasant.
May 30 — This morning we moved about a quarter of a mile out on the Hanover Court House road and put our guns into position, as there is plenty of game in that direction. The enemy was advancing slowly and cautiously on that road this morning, but they did not come in range of our guns. Our horseless dismounted cavalry of the corps formed a line of fight in line with our guns, and immediately commenced digging like ground hogs. To get earth for breastworks they threw up earth works all along the line on both sides of the road. To-day was the first time I ever saw cavalrymen engaged in the ditching and intrenching business, and for a while this morning they made the earth fly. We remained in position until night, then moved back couple hundred yards and camped near Hughes’ Cross Roads.
Huntsville, Monday, May 30. A very warm day. Mail train did not come in last night. The camp is anxious for news. 12th Battery veterans arrived 11 A. M. in gay colors. Expect ours daily. 13th Indiana Cavalry equipped as infantry, without horses, arrived from Nashville, and gone to relieve our Division at Madison Station. More expected soon when we will go to the front.
May 30th. Owing to our rations running very low some of the boys took the liberty to go foraging, going without a permit from the General’s headquarters. They were rounded up by cavalry scouts, placed under arrest, taken to headquarters, where they received a severe reprimand from General Hunter. All were punished. Non-commissioned officers reduced to the ranks. Privates made to carry a heavy fence rail over the shoulder and walk a beat for four hours. The lack of rations and seeing the boys undergoing a severe punishment made a gloomy time for us. The life of a soldier in the field is no picnic. We can stand most anything but hunger. It did seem very strange to us that we could not forage in the enemy’s country. We are seventy miles from our base of supplies, which must be brought to us in wagons under a strong guard. Cavalry must do that duty. Reported that they have much trouble from the guerillas under Mosby and others. They keep concealed in the woods along the pike. From the hills they can be seen far up and down the valley. Weather cloudy and muggy.
30th. Remained in camp till 5 P. M. when we were ordered to march. Went out one mile and dismounted. Soon received orders to return to camp. Artillery firing commenced early in the morning and continued all day—terrific towards evening. A continuous roar. What suspense. God grant that we may be successful. May He give wisdom and grace to our leaders, strength and nerve to our men and victory to our cause. We must be successful, for it must be that the right is on our side. I would give anything to know and witness how goes the battle. A very warm day.
May 30, Monday. My constant application has left me no time for several days to jot down occurrences and make remarks.
Mr. Sanford was very pertinacious and determined in his scheme of going out in the Niagara, and represented that Mr. Seward favored it. I am inclined to think Seward fell into the arrangement without much thought. This is the best view for Seward. Sanford is . . . fond of notoriety; delights to be busy and fussy, to show pomp and power; and to have a vessel like the Niagara bear him out to his mission would have filled him with delight, but would not have elevated the country, for Sanford’s true character is known abroad and wherever he is known, which is one of obtrusive intermeddlings, — not that he is mischievously inclined, but he seeks to be consequential, wants to figure and to do.
The consul at Bermuda having written us that the Florida was there on the 14th inst., I wrote Mr. Seward that the Niagara would be directed to cruise and get across in about thirty days, consequently Mr. Sanford had better leave by packet steamer. Mr. Seward writes me today that he concurs with me fully.
The army movements have been interesting for the last few days, though not sensational. Grant has not obtained a victory but performed another remarkably successful flank movement. Sherman is progressing in Georgia.
