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

September 2014

One Hundred Miles South of the Potomac,

Harrisonburg, Virginia, September 27, 1864.

Dearest: — We have left the further pursuit of Early’s broken army to cavalry and small scouting parties. We are resting near a beautiful town like Delaware. We suspect our campaigning is over and that we shall ultimately go back towards Martinsburg.

It has been a most fortunate and happy campaign for us all I mean, for all who are left! For no one more so than for me. My command has been second to none in any desirable thing. We have had the best opportunity to act and have gone through with it fortunately.

My chief anxiety these days is for you. I hope soon to hear that your troubles are happily over. — Much love to the dear ones and oceans for yourself.

Affectionately ever, your

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Tuesday, September 27. — The Carolinian came out with a long letter in reply to Captain Senn. Renewed our subscription to the Carolinian. Major Filler sent a petition to Secretary Seddon that he be allowed to go to Washington to effect the exchange of prisoners here.

September 27 — This morning we moved about seven miles in the direction of Charlottesville, and camped on the roadside.

27th. Tuesday. Burned R. R. and stores. Captured Com’y and Q. M. stores. Quite a time. Visited rebel hospital, Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and Insane Asylum. Marched to Waynesboro in eve.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 27TH.—Bright and pleasant.

            We have rumors of heavy fighting yesterday nearStaunton, but no authentic accounts.

            A dispatch from Gen. R. Taylor says Gen. Forrest had gained a victory atAthens,Ala., capturing some 1500 prisoners, 500 horses, etc. etc.

            We still hear the thunder of artillery down the river—the two armies shelling each other, I suppose, as yet at a safe distance. A few more days and the curtain will rise again—Lee and Grant the principal actors in the tragedy!

            The President is making patriotic speeches inAlabama andGeorgia.

            Mr. Hudson, ofAlabama, proposes to deliver to the government 5,000,000 pounds of bacon for the same number of pounds cotton, delivered at the same place.

            Our cotton agent in Mississippi is authorized by the government here to sell cotton in exposed situations to the enemy’s agents for specie, and to buy for Confederate notes.

            The funeral expenses of Gen. Morgan the other day amounted to $1500; the Quartermaster-General objects to paying it, and sends the bill to the Secretary for instructions.

            The following is a copy of Gen. Lee’s indorsement on Lieut.-Col. Moseby’s report of his operations from the 1st of March to the 11th of September, 1864:

“HEADQUARTERS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“September 19th, 1864.                     

            “Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector-General for the information of the department. Attention is invited to the activity and skill of Col. Moseby, and the intelligence and courage of the officers and men of his command, as displayed in this report.
            “With the loss of little more than 20 men, he has killed, wounded, and captured, during the period embraced in this report, about 1200 of the enemy, and taken more than 1600 horses and mules, 230 beef cattle, and 85 wagons and ambulances, without counting many smaller operations. The services rendered by Col. Moseby and his command in watching and reporting the enemy’s movements have also been of great value. His operations have been highly creditable to himself and his command.
            “(Signed)                                 R. E. LEE, General.
“Official: JOHN BLAIR HOGE,
                        Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.”

September 26th. Weather fine. Nothing of a special nature has taken place so far, but the hard work continues. Our camp is in a pleasant location. We enjoy it all we can, but do get very tired with the hard work put upon us.

Monday, 26th.—Jeff Davis to come round at 9 A. M. Everything has to be cleaned up. Jeff came at 11 A. M. Each regiment cheered him as he passed their colors. Pretty weak cheering. Some shouting Johnston. Give us Johnston again.

Monday, 26th—The camp of the Seventeenth Army Corps is four miles south of town. We have a very nice camp here, the boys having built good bunks out of old lumber, in their wedge tents. Our tents had been stored at Huntsville, Alabama, and after the fall of Atlanta were sent forward. General Sherman’s entire army is in camp here, and strongly fortified, just south of Atlanta. The army is to be paid off while in camp, the muster rolls having been sent in to the paymaster. All is quiet.

Etowah Bridge, Monday, Sept. 26. Everything was so very still this morning that I did not wake up till roll call, and then there were but very few to be seen, only thirty-four for duty, which will be very heavy. Worked hard all day cleaning the stables. Boys have not left yet, as no train came from the front. Griff and I were down with them this evening for a while.

Blicks Station, Va., September 26th, 1864.

The Ninth Corps is in motion, being gradually withdrawn from the front. Various rumors are in circulation. That which seems to be the best authenticated is: “We go to Baltimore and report to General Burnside.” It is amusing to hear these matters discussed by men who are supposed to know nothing but to obey orders.

We have heard nothing definite from Burnside since his return from his pleasure trip to the Green Mountains. I am positive he will not serve longer in this army, and equally positive he will have a command somewhere, and that where he is, the Ninth Corps will go; soon as it can be spared from here with safety.

Paymasters are here, and will begin paying off today or tomorrow. There is some doubt about our regiment being paid this time. Our payrolls were wrong, and were sent back from Washington. I made them out anew, and they were sent off last Friday. If they receive prompt attention they may be returned in time. I cannot reconcile myself to the disappointment. I have had no pay in eleven months, and through no fault of my own. I am grieved for my family’s sake, and am really vexed at the wrong done me.

Then Fremont has “sold out?” What a miserable thing is his letter announcing the important fact. How much it reads like Vallandigham’s speech “ratifying” McClellan’s letter of acceptance.