July 12th. Layed in the same place all day and all night. The sun visited and spent the day with us. Sand knee deep.
July 2014
July 12, 1864.
We lay quietly in the shade all day the 11th, save those who had ambition enough to go fishing, berrying or swimming. The other bank of the Chattahoochie opposite us is yet lined with Rebel sharp-shooters, but there is a fine creek from which the boys get some fine fish. I saw an eel two feet long which came from it. Our boys never have made any bargain with the Johnnies to quit picket firing, even for an hour, but other corps and divisions often do. It would almost break the heart of one of our boys to see a Rebel without getting a shot at him. On the 12th, at 5 p.m., the “General” and “Assembly” sounded almost together, and we were under way in a twinkling. We understand we are going back to Marietta, and then over the river where the 23d Corps crossed it. We stopped here (about seven miles from Marietta), at 11 p.m., and had reveille at 3 this morning. Stoneman, with at least 10,000 cavalry, recrossed the river on the night of the 10th on a grand raid between Atlanta and Montgomery. We had a real amusing scene last night. About 12 o’clock we were nearly all asleep, when a mule came charging at full speed right through our regiment. In an instant every man was on his feet, and all who knew what was up, were swinging blankets and shouting whoa! The most of us did not know whether a cavalry charge was on us or the devil. Many of the men caught up their guns, and “treed,” and altogether it was most ludicrous. Our regiment now marches 190 guns and 7 officers. I have 20 guns, all I started with, except what I have lost in battle. Just half.
Parkersburg, West Virginia, July 12, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We are here on our way East. I managed to slip ahead of my command and spend Sunday with Lucy and the boys at Chillicothe. I should have been very glad to get to Columbus and would have done so if it had been possible. But we are being hurried forward as fast as possible to aid in putting an end to the trouble in Maryland. I know very little about it but hope it will turn out much less serious than is now represented.
I found my family well homed and in good health. It was an unexpected but very happy meeting.
My love to all the family. Letters directed to me in Crook’s Division, via Cumberland, will probably find me. I think all your letters have finally reached me.
My health, after all our severe campaigning, is excellent.
Your affectionate son,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
by John Beauchamp Jones
JULY 12TH.—Clear and warm—the earth refreshed.
Gen. Johnston telegraphs to Gen. Bragg to have theUnited States prisoners atAndersonville “distributed immediately.” He does not allege a reason for the necessity. It may be danger of an outbreak—or that the yellow fever has broken out among them.
I think Grant is about to have a race with Lee forWashington. The news from the Northern frontier is interesting.
A slight shower in the evening—heavy a few miles distant.
Cartersville, Ga., Tuesday, July 12. Reveille sounded in the small hours of the night, and with the first rays of the morn we descended the hill and were on the way. After more delay we started, seven regiments, two batteries and division train. Most of the 2nd and 3rd Brigades left behind on the roads. Marched steady and fast. Passed through Cassville at 10 A. M., a very pretty country town hid away among the hills. Four mills on the road. A large college used as general hospital by rebs here. Ascended to the observatory, had a splendid view.. A large library filled with books going to waste. As we marched, country improved. Land more arable, much less stony. Passed most excellent corn fields, although they received no care or protection. Marched through Cartersville 3 P. M., a place of some pretentions in time of peace, occupied by the cavalrymen relieved at Kingston. Camped a mile below in a pretty grove, a good ways from water. Slept in an old house that threatened to demolish us by tumbling over.
July 12th. A fine morning. When relieved from duty went to the large spring for a bath. Called on Mrs. Shults, my wash-woman. A fine old German woman. Always did my washing and the mending of my clothes. Her old father lived with her. Owned a small home on the Winchester Pike, close to the town. They were pleased to see the Union soldiers in the town again. So far all things remain quiet. The enemy must be in this section.
Tuesday, 12th—I was taken with the other sick and the wounded to Rome, to the field hospital of the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps. We left Marietta at 10 a. m. and arrived at Rome at 6 p. m. No news.
Headquarters 56TH Mass. V.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 11, 1864.
Dear Hannah, — . . . Yesterday morning I made use of the adjournment of the court-martial (it being Sunday) and started with John Jones for Point of Rocks, near which are the headquarters of the Tenth Corps. We went to see Quartermaster Hutchings, and found him there alive and well. On the way I passed General Smith’s headquarters, Eighteenth Corps, and had from there quite a fair view of Petersburg, and the surrounding country. I could see the Appomattox, and the enemy’s batteries on the other side. The view is really a very pretty one. The country is fertile and broken, being a constant succession of hills, sometimes wooded, and again in some places under cultivation.
We crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocks, on a pontoon bridge. On the other side we saw an enormous tower, over a hundred feet high, built by General Butler as a signal station. From here we had a ride of about three miles to headquarters Tenth Corps. Here we found Captain Hutchings, and in company with him rode over to wharf on the James River, where Quartermaster Thompson of the 25th Massachusetts is stationed. Here I indulged in a glass of iced milk, which was a great luxury, I can assure you. As we approached the James River, we had a most beautiful view of the banks on both sides. The valley of the James is probably the most fertile portion of Virginia. On the opposite side of the James we could see enormous fields of wheat already ripe and ready to be gathered. In fact, all the land that is under cultivation is planted with wheat or corn. On the other bank, I could see Aiken’s house and Landing. I recognized it immediately, it being the place where I was exchanged almost two years ago. From Jones’s wharf, we went on board a tugboat, and steamed up to the Alackinaw, a gunboat commanded by Captain Beaumont, formerly in command of the Nantucket. When I was introduced, he asked me immediately if I was any relation to Dr. Weld, and wished to be remembered to him. The tugboat that we went out on is called the Linda. There are four of them, called torpedo boats. They have a long pole lashed to their bow on which a torpedo with 150 lbs. of powder can be placed. As soon as the enemy’s ironclads make their appearance, these four tugs fix their torpedoes on and bunt into her. The gunboat Mackinaw was lying right off Aiken’s Landing. After dining with Captain Beaumont, we went on shore with him to see Mr. Aiken’s family and place. Aiken himself has just been arrested. We found his daughter, 14 years old, with two little brothers and two small sisters, the sole occupants of the house. It is a fine brick mansion with a park for deer on one side and numerous negro shanties, etc., on the other side. During an engagement the other day, between the enemy’s boats and ours, a hundred-pound shell exploded close by the house, denting the bricks in nine or ten places. The little girl was very polite indeed. She was strong Secesh. I could not help pitying her though. Only think of the poor child being exposed to the insults of any straggling soldiers or sailors who might come along.
We rode back home again in the moonlight, having passed a very pleasant day. It is the first time that I have been able to get away from the regiment since the campaign began.
We have received orders to begin besieging Petersburg in front of the Fifth and Ninth Corps. We shall have a hard time at it, I am afraid.
The Sixth Corps have gone to Washington to fight the rebels who invaded Maryland.
Our regiment is in the rear now, resting for two days. To-morrow we go to the front again.
Tell Father to be careful what he says about General L. or any other general. It may get me into trouble if he is not so. General L. has resigned, and will probably leave us in a day or two. He has always treated me kindly and I don’t care about saying anything against him.
Love to all. The flies bite so, I can’t write any more.
Monday, June 11th.1
Since the 2nd we have lain in the rifle-pits with the infantry, sweltering in the sun in the day time and doing quite our share of picket duty at night. The dust, fine as ashes, is at least four inches deep in the trails and covered ways used by the troops, and at midday it is no uncommon thing to see the thermometer mark 110 degrees in what little shade there is. There has been no rain for weeks, and heat is killing more men than the “Johnnies” are. I have met Harry Hopkins, son of Rev. Dr. Hopkins, President of Williams College, who was on the front line with the regiment of the Excelsior Brigade of which he is Chaplain. He was a senior in college when I was a freshman. When the Sixth Corps went to Washington to defend that city, our Second Corps became the left of the line, and Grant seems to be now building field forts all along the line.
Not having felt at all well for some time, I determined to-day to act on the advice of the surgeon and go to hospital for a few days.
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This diary entry is for July 11th, not June. It follows the entry for July 2d. In the next entry, dated July 13, the author states that he had been in the field hospital since the 11th. – Mike Goad, October 19, 2013.
11th. Was busy in the morning. Went to Q. M.’s and C. S.’s. Thought some of going to see John, but gave up the idea. Wrote home. Thede wrote too. Read some in Atlantic. Played game of “Seven Up” with Lukins.
