Sunday, August 28. — Captain Williams (afterwards lost on the Oneida) left prison to-day and went to the hotel, under charge of a son of Commander Ingraham, Confederate Navy, who is ordered to take him to Charleston. He is then to be released on parole for 45 days, to effect an exchange of all navy officers. He came down to see us in the evening before leaving.
August 2014
Aug. 28th. Worked on Muster rolls. Did not know that it was Sunday.
August 28th. Left Halltown and the earthworks very early this morning, following on after the rebel hordes who are under the command of General Jubal Early. We are pleased to be under the command of the Gallant Phil Sheridan. There will come a time when he will grab Early by the neck, we believe. Came to a halt at Charlestown. Again on the march, going southward through woodland and across fields. Judging by the roar of the field guns and musketry firing in the direction of Winchester, our boys have overtaken the enemy. We came to a halt in the woods. Ordered to remain here for the night. Weather fine. Our marching record for today about eight miles.
by John Beauchamp Jones
AUGUST 28TH.—A bright, pleasant day.
No news. Walked, as usual, to the department to see if any important letters had come, and then hastened back that the family might go to church in time.
Oh what a lovely day in such an unlovely time! The recent rains have washed the dust from the still dark-green leaves of the trees and vegetation in my little yard and garden, and they rustle in a genial sunlight that startles a memory of a similar scene, forty or more years ago! It is a holy Sabbath day upon the earth,—but how unholy the men who inhabit the earth! Even the tall garish sun-flowers, cherished for very memories of childhood’s days by my wife, and for amusement by my little daughter, have a gladdening influence on my spirits, until some object of scanty food or tattered garment forces upon the mind a realization of the reign of discord and destruction without. God grant there may be a speedy end of the war! And the words Armistice and Peace are found in the Northern papers and upon every one’s tongue here.
My tomato vines are looking well and are bearing well, now. My turnips are coming up everywhere. The egg-plants I nurtured so carefully have borne no fruit yet, but are going to blossom. The okras have recovered under the influence of recent showers, and have new blossoms.
Our agent inNorth Carolina has been delayed by illness, and has bought us no flour yet, but we still have hope. We trust that the enemy will not cut our communications with the South, since he has met with so many heavy mishaps in attempting it. Grant has attempted everything in his power to getRichmond, and was foiled in all. I hope he will withdraw soon. Why stay, with no prospect of success? A few days more may solve his purposes and plans, or Lee may have more enterprises against him.
It is a cloudless, silent, solemn Sabbath day, and I thank God for it!
27th. Rained last night. Thunder heavy. Moved through Sharpsburg and over the Antietam battle ground. Turned towards Williamsport and camped three miles from Sharpsburg.
August:
Day after day this skirmishing kept up. On 27th J. H. Douglas killed by whole shell. Federals left front of right wing, leaving good many guns, and some of their dead not buried. Troops moving to left.
Saturday, 27th—All things are quiet. The furloughed men left on the train this morning for their homes. This has been another very busy day with us, being our regular clean-up day. No news from the front.
Etowah Bridge, Saturday, Aug. 27. Very warm. Went to town in the morning. All were agreeably surprised by the return of our old comrade and companion T. J. Hungerford from Nashville. Looks well and hearty. Comes to be mustered out with those he served with. 1st Platoon went into permanent quarters in a machine shop building in town. Mail in the evening.
Saturday, August 27. — Nothing unusual occurred. Night chilly.
Camp Sheridan’s Army Near Halltown, Virginia,
August 27, 1864.
Dear Uncle: — I am getting letters at last; heard nothing from anybody for six weeks until last Sunday.
We are entrenching a fine camp here as if a strong Rebel attack was expected. We have the enemy directly in front — supposed to be in force. We have fighting daily. My brigade and the other brigade of Crook’s old division are in the front and do the most of it. We had quite a little battle last night — our loss seventy — Rebel about [the] same in killed and wounded and we captured a small South Carolina Rebel regiment entire (one hundred and four [men]). This is the third time we have dashed back on them and picked up their skirmish line. The Rebs did intend to go into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Perhaps we have stopped them. We don’t know yet.
Sheridan’s cavalry is splendid. It is the most like the right thing that I have seen during the war.
Discipline and drill have been woefully neglected in our army. General Crook’s army is about one-third of the force of Sheridan. Half of his (Crook’s) force is capital infantry — the old Kanawha Division and two or three other regiments. The rest is poor enough — as poor as anything here. This is what hurt us at Winchester. The Nineteenth Corps, another third of Sheridan’s army, are Yankee troops just returned from Louisiana. We have not seen them fight yet, but they look exceedingly well. We are pretty certain to have heavy fighting before long.
We are having capital times in this army — commanders that suit us (we are rid of Hunter), plenty to eat and wear, and beautiful and healthy camps, with short marches. The best times we have had since our first raid under Crook.
My old regiment keeps up notwithstanding the losses. We have filled up so as to have in the field almost six hundred men — more than any other old regiment.
I see Buckland is nominated [for Congress.] I suppose that will please him much. My college friend, from Michigan, Trowbridge, is a candidate also.
I hope McClellan will be nominated at Chicago. I shall then feel that in any event the war is to be prosecuted until the Union is restored.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
