March 30th. Nothing special for the past few days. Daily routine is kept up. When off duty tramp through the country, calling at the farms, meeting the old men. The young men are mostly in the army, either in the Union or the Confederate. Religious service is held in the log chapel, conducted by our good Chaplain, Walker, assisted by Chaplains from other regiments and the Christian Commission.
March 2015
March 30th, 1865.
My curiosity as to what correspondents might say of the battle of the twenty-fifth inst. is partially gratified by a perusal of the Herald’s dispatch. Their account of the affair, after daylight, is in the main correct, that dated at City Point coming nearest the truth. But the facts in regard to the Rebels getting possession of the fort are suppressed or misrepresented. Neither does General Parks’ “official” come nearer the mark.
The fact is, we have one more occasion to thank God for saving us from the stupidity of “men in high places.”
The long-expected movement on our left is under way. Yesterday Army Headquarters moved to Dinwiddie Court House, about four miles beyond Hatcher’s Run. Part of the Twenty-fourth Corps and the Twenty-fifth corps have joined the expedition, which must swell the number to near one hundred thousand infantry.
This force represents the “upper” and Sherman’s the “nether” mill stones that are grinding the Confederacy to powder. Meanwhile the post assigned the Ninth Corps is one of responsibility. We must hold these lines or Grant’s supplies are cut off.
It has rained all day, steadily; a warm, gentle rain that seems so much in keeping with the season, I enjoy it. What a bright, fresh green it gives to vegetation, and how sweetly the new-born flowers look up and smile their thankfulness.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
New Market, March 30.—Cool and rainy. We find these people very friendly. They are very glad to accommodate us. Mrs. Pierce showed us a room in the center of the house that they built on purpose to protect her husband and boys when they come home. Mr. Pierce is home now. He is not well, and the rebels let him alone, but they are bent on getting the boys, because they are Union boys.
Our life is very monotonous. It seems too bad to stay here when the regiment is so near, only about thirty-five miles from here. Mrs. Moulton and I took a long walk over the hills. It is a very pretty country. A little girl brought me a nice bouquet because we are Union people; but this family are very careful about talking, for fear of being heard. They shut the doors if they want to talk.
March 29.—We have scarcely any patients, as the road between Augusta and Atlanta is not yet finished. There is rumor on rumor of battles in the direction of the army. I only wish we could get the wounded to take care of. Dr. de Yampert is busy getting every thing ready for the reception of patients. The large ward is nicely whitewashed, and he has had comfortable cotton mattresses made by a regular mattress-maker. A new bakery, wash-house, and every thing else necessary are being put up, just as if there was no such thing as moving again. I am kept quite busy attending to the sewing. The thread, bought in bunches, has to be doubled, twisted and reeled. We have no wheel of our own, but borrow, as every house in the neighborhood has one. Mrs. Love’s two little girls stay with me a great deal. In the evenings I teach them to read. Neither their father or mother know how to read They are from Tennessee.
We have a vegetable garden in cultivation next to our house, and another large one, “the plantation,” about two miles in the country, of which Mr. Yerby has charge. I have a flower garden, and Mr. Moore has procured me some very nice plants. After awhile, I have no doubt, I shall have flowers enough to delight our patients.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, March 29. Rained last night. Feel no better with my cold. Sergeant James some better this morning. All the men not on duty ordered out to police the country round. Was out with the crowd in the forenoon. Cleared and leveled off the ground in our front, forty rods around. This afternoon detailed with the house builders, put up the logs for Captain’s house. Rained heavy toward evening. Houses shed rain well.
March 29th.—Slightly overcast, but calm and pleasant.
I am better, after the worst attack for twenty years. The only medicine I took was blue mass—ten grains. My wife had a little tea and loaf-sugar, and a solitary smoked herring—and this I relish; and have nothing else. A chicken, I believe, would cost $50. I must be careful now, and recuperate. Fine weather, and an indulgence of my old passion for angling, would soon build me up again.
The papers give forth an uncertain sound of what is going on in the field, or of what is likely to occur. Unless food and men can be had, Virginia must be lost. The negro experiment will soon be tested. Custis says letters are pouring in at the department from all quarters, asking authority to raise and command negro troops: 100,000 recruits from this source might do wonders.
I think Lee’s demonstrations on Grant’s front have mainly in view the transportation of subsistence from North Carolina.
Mrs. President Davis has left the city, with her children, for the South. I believe it is her purpose to go no farther at present than Charlotte, N. C.—rear of Sherman. Some of their furniture has been sent to auction. Furniture will soon be low again.
It is now believed that the government will be removed with all expedition to Columbus, Ga. But it is said Richmond will still be held by our army. Said! Alas! would it not be too expensive— “too much for the whistle?”
Shad are selling at $50 per pair. If Richmond should be left to strictly military rule, I hope it will rule the prices.
It is reported that Gen. Johnston has fallen back on Weldon; some suppose to attack Grant’s rear, but no doubt it is because he is pressed by Sherman with superior numbers.
A dispatch from Gen. Lee, to-day, states the important fact that Grant’s left wing (cavalry and infantry) passed Hatcher’s Run this morning, marching to Dinwiddie C. H. The purpose is to cut the South Side and Danville Roads; and it may be accomplished, for we have “here no adequate force of cavalry to oppose Sheridan; and it may be possible, if Sheridan turns his head this way, that shell may be thrown into the city. At all events, he may destroy some bridges—costing him dear.” But pontoon bridges were sent up the Danville Road yesterday and to-day, in anticipation, beyond the bridges to be destroyed.
Wednesday, 29th—It is quite rainy. We are now in spring quarters. Some of the boys in the regiment get teams from the quartermaster, go out to some vacant house or barn, and get what lumber they want to build “ranches.” J. D. Moore and William Green went out this morning with a team and brought in a load of lumber, and then this afternoon we built a small house for our mess of four—Moore, Green, Jason Sparks and myself.
29th. The whole night occupied in paying off the regt. Got very little money myself. Up early after a little nap. Boys sent their money home by Dr. Smith and Adj. Pike, who have mustered out of service. Went to Army Hdqrs. Moved out. Joined Div. near old picket line. Marched 4 miles beyond Reams and camped. Rained—awful roads.
March 29.—An officer arrived here from the front yesterday and he said that, on Saturday morning, shortly after the battle commenced which resulted so gloriously for the Union in front of Petersburg, President Lincoln, accompanied by General Grant and staff, started for the battlefield, and reached there in time to witness the close of the contest and the bringing in of the prisoners. His presence was immediately recognized and created the most intense enthusiasm. He afterwards rode over the battlefield, listened to the report of General Parke to General Grant, and added his thanks for the great service rendered in checking the onslaught of the rebels and in capturing so many of their number. I read this morning the order of Secretary Stanton for the flag raising on Fort Sumter. It reads thus: “War department, Adjutant General’s office, Washington, March 27th, 1865, General orders No. 50. Ordered, first: That at the hour of noon, on the 14th day of April, 1865, Brevet Major General Anderson will raise and plant upon the ruins of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, the same U.S. flag which floated over the battlements of this fort during the rebel assault, and which was lowered and saluted by him and the small force of his command when the works were evacuated on the 14th day of April 1861. Second, That the flag, when raised be saluted by 100 guns from Fort Sumter and by a national salute from every fort and rebel battery that fired upon Fort Sumter. Third, That suitable ceremonies be had upon the occasion, under the direction of Major-General William T. Sherman, whose military operations compelled the rebels to evacuate Charleston, or, in his absence, under the charge of MajorGeneral Q. A. Gillmore, commanding the department. Among the ceremonies will be the delivery of a public address by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. Fourth, that the naval forces at Charleston and their Commander on that station be invited to participate in the ceremonies of the occasion. By order of the President of the United States E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.”
March 29 — The Second United States Artillery band from Washington was in our prison camp to-day and played for us. The members of the band are all finely uniformed, make a showy appearance, and play very well. After playing a few pieces some Rebel called for “Dixie,” and the band at once struck up old “Dixie” and played it as well as I ever heard it. As the first sweet strain swelled over the listening throng the prisoners all over camp gave a regular Rebel yell that shook the prison wall and made the welkin ring. As soon as the band got through with “Dixie” they quickly covered it up with ” Hail Columbia.”
