Friday, 16th.—Inspection. Some talk of moving towards Alabama.
September 2014
September 16th. All is quiet in camp and on picket duty. General Sheridan and the main part of the army are near Winchester. Long wagon trains with supplies pass through town, to and from the main army. Must be kept well guarded. Guerillas are liable to attack the trains at most any point and time. One can get a good view of the valley and surrounding country from the mountains and hills.
September 16.—We have a truce of ten days. It has been given to let the people get out of Atlanta. Sherman has ordered every one to leave that place. Refugees are coming out by the thousand, perfectly destitute, as they are not permitted to bring any thing with them.
The authorities in the South are doing every thing to alleviate the sufferings of these unfortunates. There are people here separated from their families, and with no idea where they have gone.
The great chieftain, General John Morgan, is no more. This brave man did not have the honor of falling on the battlefield. It is said he was betrayed by a woman, and that after he surrendered he was brutally murdered, and that indignities of all kinds were heaped on his lifeless body; but his “country conquers with his martyrdom.”
Alas! how fleeting is every thing in this world; it seems but yesterday that he took for his bride one of Tennessee’s fairest daughters. She is now bereft of her all, and, like the bride of Glenullen,
"Shall await,
Like a love-lighted watch-fire, all night at the gate;
A steed comes at morning; no rider is there;
But its bridle is red with the sign of despair."
He was brave, chivalrous, and patriotic. He will never die in the hearts of his countrymen. He has fallen in a great cause— a nobler death he could not have wished for. “His spirit will walk abroad, and never rest till the great cause triumphs.”
Friday, 16th—There was quite an excitement early this morning when it was learned that the rebel cavalry was indeed here. All the convalescents in the hospital were armed and ordered out into the rifle pits. Wheeler’s cavalry were in plain view across the river north of town. They did not come across, however, as they discovered that our garrison was in shape to give them a warm reception. All is quiet at present.
Etowah Bridge, Friday, Sept. 16. Last night was very cold, freezing a little this morning. Hot enough in midday. No news or excitement. No prospects of marching very suddenly now. The “’61 boys” are rather apprehensive that their papers will not come around in time to leave on the 20th. Interesting congratulatory order from General Logan read to us at retreat to the 15th Army Corps saying that they fear not the enemy, but punish and defeat him.
Friday, September 16. — Wrote to-day to Dr. Marks and Mr. Saunders for reading matter. By the way, whenever any one comes to see us, we always have to have a rebel officer present, so that the conversation is naturally rather constrained. Received several books from Dr. Marks, with some writing paper and a bottle of coffee.
16th. Remained in camp. Read and wrote.
by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 16TH.—Bright and pleasant—the weather.
Gen. Hood telegraphs that his army is so much mortified at the feeble resistance it made toSherman, that he is certain it will fight better the next time.
Mr. Benjamin asks a passport and transportation for Mrs. Jane L. Brant, who goes toEurope in the employment of the government.
Gen. Morgan’s funeral took place to-day. None were allowed to see him; for the coffin was not opened. On the way toHollywoodCemetery, Gen. Ewell received a dispatch that our pickets were driven in at Chaffin’s Farm. This demonstration of the enemy compelled him to withdraw the military portion of the procession, and they were hurried off to the battle-field.
The local troops (clerks, etc.) are ordered to assemble at 5 P.M. to day. What does Grant mean? He chooses a good time, if he means anything serious; for our people, and many of the troops, are a little despondent. They are censuring the President again, whose popularity ebbs and flows.
September 15th. Weather fine. At this time duty is light in our camp near this town. Getting all the comfort we can out of our soldier life. Writing many letters to friends in good old Connecticut.
Thursday, 15th—The day has been pleasant. It is reported that the rebel cavalry is in strong force in this vicinity and it is a good thing that the expedition returned when it did.
