Wednesday, May 25. — We occupied the second line of intrenchments. Had a heavy thunder-storm. During the day we rested, while the Fifth Corps advanced their skirmish-line. We were assigned to the Army of the Potomac to-day, and our division temporarily assigned to General Warren, who is on our right. Saw Colonel Theodore Lyman to-day.
May 2014
May 25 — We were ordered to the front this morning, southwest of Hanover Court House. The Yankees are in heavy force in our immediate front. However, we did no firing to-day, as all seems to be quiet along the front. We are camped this evening near Hanover academy, about six miles from Hanover Junction. We passed Fork Church to-day, one of the oldest churches in Virginia, and it is still a good substantial building. It is built of brick that was imported from England. The church is built in a style that resembles very much our modern country churches, except that it has a portico in front like a dwelling house. Heavy thunder this evening.
Huntsville, Wednesday, May 25. The 17th Corps took up the line of march early this morning but did not get under way, all of it till 11 A. M. They go back towards Decatur, supposed to cross the river for Rome. As they marched out with bands playing and colors flying, it was a grand sight, and to any man an incentive to patriotism to watch the firm, measured step of thousands of brave men, marching cheerfully to the hardest of deaths, many miles away from home and its endearments. As they march through this traitor land, do not their hearts beat quick as they think of those behind. Would that they could but behold the cheerful and willing countenances of those they love this morning as they left Huntsville to seek the foes of this country. Wisconsin, my beloved State, has many interests centered in the 17th Corps, six regiments true and brave. Their moving eased our minds as the probabilities of our moving thereby lessened.
The guards that were posted at every corner were relieved, and the by this time quiet 3rd Division allowed to go at will and come when they pleased. They carry themselves as honorable men with but few exceptions. On guard, first relief, after returned. At 10 A. M. went up town. Sat for half a dozen photographs.
25th. Troops crossed the North Anna. Regt. camped near the train. Read in “Villette” and played a little at cards.
May 25—Engle received a letter from his father today, who told him they had seen my parents, and I would hear from them soon. This is the first time that I have heard about my parents since the commencement of the war. Thank God, my parents, as well as my sisters and brothers, are well.
by John Beauchamp Jones
MAY 25TH.—Sunshine and showers.
Custis is back again, the battalion of clerks being relieved, after three weeks’ service in the field.
Yesterday there was skirmishing between the armies, near Hanover Junction—25 miles distant from the city.
Nothing of importance from the south side. But our ironclads are certainly going down the river—they say.
To-day it is thought a battle commenced between Lee and Grant. It will be, perhaps, a decisive engagement, whenever it does take place. And yet there is no trepidation in the community; no apparent fear of defeat. Still, there is some degree of feverish anxiety, as Lee retires nearer to the capital followed by the enemy. A little delay would make us stronger, as reinforcements, especially of cavalry, are daily arriving. The trains run from the city to Lee’s headquarters in one hour and a half.
A letter from Senator Henry, of Tennessee, to the Secretary, suggests that Forrest’s cavalry be now sent to the rear of Sherman’s army in Georgia, to cut off his supplies, etc., resulting in his destruction. Perhaps this is the purpose. And Lee may have some such design. A few days will develop important events. May they put an end to this desolating war.
[May] 25. Wednesday. — Major Mcllrath with seven hundred of various regiments came in at 10 A. M.; Lieutenant Hicks, Dr. McClure, and forty men of [the] Twenty-third; about three hundred of [the] Thirty-sixth. Wrote to mother and Lucy.
Tuesday, May 24th.
It was comparatively quiet in our immediate front today, but there was heavy cannonading to our left, which is in the direction of Hanover Junction where the Second Corps is supposed to be. All hands took the opportunity to “police” themselves by taking a bath in the North Anna River. Our troops were reported to be in possession of the railroad this side of the Junction. We are picking up many straglers and deserters from the enemy who tell us all sorts of tales. Some say that they have nothing to eat; that all Lee’s men are tired of the war, and that whole brigades would come into our lines but for the fact that the men have been told that they would have to take the oath and serve for three years in our army. Others say that the “Johnies” have more than they can eat and will fight forever. All seem to have a great fear of negro soldiers, and the first Reb we captured in the Wilderness was perfectly wild until we assured him that “Burnside’s niggers” were really harmless unless stirred up with a sharp stick. The churches in this country have no steeples ; are entirely unpainted and stand many miles apart at cross-roads, looking very much like deserted country school houses at the north.
Tuesday, 24th—We remained here at Huntsville all day resting. I went to the camp of the Fifty-ninth Indiana and found my cousin, Hamilton Shepherd, and the sons of some of our old friends from my old home at Bloomfield, Indiana. The order is that we are to start for Chattanooga[1] in the morning, and we again had to turn over our tents and baggage to the quartermaster, who will put them in storage.
Huntsville is a nice little town among the hills, and as in the case of most all of the villages here in the South, its citizens fled on the approach of the “mudsills,” as they call us. There is a large spring here with a strong, steady flow of water, coming off a rocky cliff one hundred feet high, which supplies the town with water. The water runs into a large pool, from which it is pumped into an elevated tank by means of a water-wheel set near the cliff, and distributed over town through pipes.
[1] Rome, Georgia. The order was later countermanded and the army, instead of going to Chattanooga, went to Rome via Decatur. Alabama. —A. G. D.
May 24.—We have good news from the Trans-Mississippi Department. General Taylor has gained a victory over General Banks in Louisiana.
We have had more fighting in Virginia. General Longstreet is wounded. The enemy under Grant is trying to get Richmond by Petersburg. They are certainly very determined. If we hold Richmond against such odds as they bring against it, I think it will be a wonder. I see by the Mobile papers that a relief corps is coming from there, but it will be useless to come while our army is on the move.
We have a number of the sick and wounded from the Twenty-ninth Alabama Regiment. One lad, in his sixteenth year, is very ill; he requested me to write to his father, and let him know where he is. I said why not write to your mother. After hesitating awhile, tears filled his eyes, and with a quivering lip he told me she was deranged on account of her sons all leaving her for the army; he had run away two years ago. Dr. Hughes intends sending him home as soon as he is able to travel.
We get quantities of vegetables now. We have two nice gardens. Milk is still scarce.
Mrs. Brooks has taken charge of one of our large rooms. She sees that the worst cases in it are cared for, and provides them with milk and any other delicacies which they may require. This is of great assistance to me and great benefit to the patient.
We are kept very busy. Miss W. takes charge of all the groceries, as I call them— whisky, butter, etc.—and keeps a daily account of every thing that is received and issued, which is measured or weighed. The liquor of all kinds is given out on an order from the druggist, for each ward separately. I make a daily report to the steward of every article used in our kitchen, besides keeping a weekly and monthly account, not only of the articles consumed, but of all the cooking utensils, dishes, etc., which are used in the kitchen. In the care of the dishes I have the assistance of Mr. Bohannon, a nice young man, who is disabled by a wound.
I would not mind if we had more to do than we have; but I have found out that there is sly pilfering going on in the hospital. I have told Dr. Hughes, and he is trying to put a stop to the robbery. I do hope he will succeed in his efforts.
He turned off one man for dishonesty, but I believe he went to another hospital. To me all of this is a great grievance. I do not begin to get enough to feed the patients; it is with the strictest economy we can give them what we do; and here are men right before us, robbing them of what are bare necessities.
We daily see soldiers who have come from the front, ragged, barefooted, and half-starved, while right along side of them men dressed in the best the land can afford, and eating the best of fare. To get all of this they are defrauding soldiers of the comforts provided for them by the government.
I have been told of one man who a year ago was not worth a cent; he was made commissary of a hospital post, and is now worth thousands.
We are badly off for dishes, spoons, and knives and forks; of the last we are much in need. The men have to eat with their fingers. A hospital is all very well when we can get what we want, but to live as we do—with just half enough of food and furniture—it is a very trying place.
A young man died to-day, by the name of Charles Rogers, a member of the Eleventh Alabama Regiment. He was sick a long time. His mother lives in Wilcox County, Alabama.
