Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

July 27th. Up early this hot morning. On the march along the river road, going south. Nothing important has taken place since we waded the river at Williamsport. After a march of about six miles we came to the Maryland Heights. Passing on down, the road runs along beside the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal. Opposite is Harper’s Ferry. Here we stop for rest and rations, making coffee from the water in the canal. After a short rest we continue our march on down the road beside the river and canal, on through Sandy Hook into Pleasant Valley, Maryland, where we go into camp on high ground, overlooking the river and the canal.

Owing to the severe service many of the boys are giving out and are sent to a hospital. I would be all right, only for my feet. This is suffering for one’s country. We are in it to the finish, in spite of what we must endure. I doubt at this time, if any man would take a discharge. I have not seen or heard of any who would. We are all very anxious for the finish, when peace will reign over our fair land. We remain here for the night, but don’t know how much longer.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 27TH.—Cloudy and warm; light shower at 3. P.M.

            Gen. Lee’s dispatch, giving an account of a victory last Sunday, nearWinchester, has diffused hope and satisfaction anew in the city.

            The following dispatch was received from Gen. Bragg:

“ATLANTA, July 26th, 1864.

            “Leave to-morrow to confer with Major-Gen. Maury atMontgomery, and urge matters beyond. Lieut.-Gen. Lee arrived. Tone of the army fine, and strength increasing daily, etc. All is quiet to-day.

“B. BRAGG, General.

“CoL. J. B. SALE, Mil. Sec.”

            Nevertheless, the clerks are ordered out this afternoon at five, to march to Chaffin’s Farm.

            I met Mr. Benjamin as I was passing to the office of the Secretary of War with Gen. Bragg’s dispatch, and showed it him. After reading it carefully, he said, “That’s .very good.”

            Gen. Lee may be on the eve of attacking Grant, or Grant him, or we may be reinforcing Early, as the solution of the marching of the clerks. No doubt one of Grant’s corps is on this side of the river, but I think that is to guard the river against our batteries.

            During my conversation with Mr. Benjamin, I hoped that in two months the Federal armies would be called toWashington for the defense of the capital. He did not express any such belief. He was at the department procuring passports from Judge Campbell, for a young Jew to pass the lines into theUnited States.

Wednesday, 27th—It is quite warm. Nothing of importance. One month ago today I was taken sick with the intermittent fever, at Kenesaw mountain.

July 27, 1864.

Major Ansley and family have remained. We are feeling more settled and have begun to bring to light some of the things which we had put away.