Monday, 5th—Clear and quite pleasant. All things are quiet.[1]
[1] Men were leaving every day for the front and but few were brought to our hospitals, since the Union army was in possession of Atlanta, where hospitals were being established, while those at Rome were to be closed just as soon as the sick there were able to go to the front.—A. G. D.
Etowah Bridge, Monday, Sept. 5. This morning at 8 A. M. we buried the remains of Mr. Gordon, the coffin borne on a caisson followed by martial band of 48th Infantry playing the dead march. His remains were consigned to their last habitation on a pretty knoll neath large oaks, without a tear or a sigh. He was left, the band playing a lively march as if to drown all thought of the dead. Another poor soldier “off duty”. The sound of the reveille will awaken him to duty no more. May his ashes rest in peace in a traitor’s land.
On guard, second relief. Cloudy, but little rain. No mail. Two long, empty trains passed to the front, supposed to go for prisoners.
Monday, September 5. — Had our usual number of watermelons and dumplings. Had a very heavy thunderstorm, together with hail. Room was quite wet, as we have no window-sashes. Had a heavy thunder-shower in the evening.
September 5, 1864.
News of the capture of Fort Morgan. Orders to march at 8 p.m. I was detailed to bring off the pickets, which was accomplished without trouble. Rebels did not know when we left, as we heard them shooting after we got back in our old works at Jonesboro. The whole army moved into the works we built the 30th. I, with my pickets, got back just before day.
5th. Monday. Moved back to B. last night. Rained. Drivers and dead-beats got scared and pulled out very quickly before we moved. In line on left of infantry. Skirmishing soon after daylight. News of fall of Atlanta. All jubilant. Lay in camp till P. M. then went on picket. Rainy and very unpleasant. Boys suffered. Sat upon their horses and at the foot of trees all night.
by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 5TH.—Clear and warm.
Gen. Lee has called for 2000 negroes (to be impressed) to work on the Petersburg fortifications. Gen. Lee has been here two days, giving his advice, which I hope may be taken. He addresses Gen. Bragg as “commanding armies C. S.” This ought to be an example for others to follow.
The loss ofAtlanta is a stunning blow.
I am sick to-day—having been swollen by beans, or rather cow-peas.
September 4th. About midnight last night I was called up by the Adjutant to take a detail of ten men, go to the rear, find the ammunition train, obtain five thousand rounds of cartridges, five boxes. It was estimated the train was about a mile in the rear, owing to the enemy’s firing from field guns very late in the night. The boxes were very heavy. The detail ought to have been twenty men, as we had so far to carry the boxes. It was a fearful dark night. Going back we lost our reckoning. Began to think we were approaching the enemy’s line. I ordered a halt. Told the boys I would go forward and investigate and locate the regiment if I could. Going forward carefully, listening, looking in all directions, believed I was approaching the enemy’s line. I knew when darkness came on both lines were very close to each other. To the right I could see the outline of trees. Approaching them I saw horses, and men sleeping on the ground. Owing to the darkness I could not see who they were. Putting on a bold front I called out “What regiment?” For answer I received a glorious reply, “The 18th Connecticut.” Overjoyed I near dropped to the ground. I ran back to the boys and the ammunition was delivered to headquarters in safety, for which I was very thankful. On our return from the ammunition train we had worked off to the left, approached the regiment from the south instead of from the north side, where we left. Lay down for a rest. Had a talk with some prisoners captured last night on the charge. They were from Mississippi. Claimed they did not know we were in their front. They were on their way to cross Snicker’s Ford and the Gap. It seemed to be a surprise all around. We are now under the command of General Sheridan. The enemy won’t fool him. At daylight the ammunition was given out and the line of battle was changed. Ordered to fall back and change our position. Passed the 12th Connecticut, in the 19th Corps. We are under the command of Captain Tiffany. Owing to severe service for the past eight months our regiment greatly reduced in numbers. Less than one hundred men fit for duty and not a field officer except the Adjutant. Our regiment detailed to guard the wagon train. Don’t like that kind of duty. Must take our turn at it. Guerillas keep us busy. As many of them dress in blue uniforms we cannot tell them from our own men. Sometimes they manage to cut out of a train three or four wagons loaded with supplies. The drivers will most generally obey orders, whether from friend or foes, when they see a gun pointed at their heads. Sometimes it is most impossible to keep the teams close together, but at this time the train is parked, so we stand guard around it. All is quiet at this time along our lines at Berryville.
Sunday, 4th—It is cool and quite pleasant. No news of any importance. The boys in my ward are all getting along fine, with the exception of two or three, and it is doubtful whether they will ever again be well.
Etowah Bridge, Sunday, Sept. 4. Inspection as usual at 7 A. M. 8 A. M. made glad by the arrival of Uncle Lester with bag full of mail and papers. Received none of the former, but the news is glorious. Atlanta is ours. Sherman routed his foe. Fort Morgan surrendered with prisoners. Wheeler retreating. Hurrah! I say. Discouraging enough to the cowardly party that has just nominated G. B. McClellan for president at Chicago.
W. A. Gordon, one of the oldest members of the Battery, died at noon in camp after a short hut severe illness. He left a large family last winter who will miss their kind father and protector.
Richland Jail, Columbia, S. C., Sept. 4, 1864.
Dear Hannah, — We are quite comfortably situated here, considering our position as prisoners of war. Eight of us have a room together, about 18 feet by 15. It is on the ground floor and on the corner, so that we get plenty of air, and manage to keep quite cool and comfortable during this hot weather. The occupants of the room are Colonel Marshall, 14th N. Y. H. A., Colonel White, 31st Maine, Lieutenant Colonel Buffum, 4th R. I., Major Filler, 55th Penn., Captain McChesney of a N. Y. regiment, Captain Amory of Jamaica Plain, Lieutenant Sterling, A. D. C. to General Terry, and myself. Our rations are corn-meal, bacon, tobacco and salt. We have plenty, and are allowed to buy anything that we wish outside.
I wish you would try and have a box sent on to me. Send cards (6 packs at least) and clothing and books. Also send me a bill of exchange for 20 pounds sterling. Captain Williams of the navy will tell Father what I wish. Please write and give me the news. Also any information you may have from my regiment. . Send your letter by way of Port Royal.
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