Tuesday, 25th—We broke camp again and at 7 a. m. started to move forward, our division, the Fourth, taking up the rear. We marched six miles and went into camp for the night. All is quiet in the front. Deserters from Johnston’s army are still coming in from the front. They declare that they do not want to do any more fighting, for they know that their cause is lost. They also expressed the belief that Johnston would surrender without fighting.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
25th. Early in the morning started for Amherst with the children. Had a pleasant visit at Grandpa’s. After dinner, Lissa, Mary, Floy and I went over to cousin Helen’s. Tea there. Saw many old friends. Home at 8 P. M.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, April 25. A very pleasant day. Health good. No mail for me. Although General Thomas has stopped all great building and work of all kinds, we are still kept at it. The right wing of the stable is enlarged and roofed. Have been “shaking” all day. Did a good day’s work.
4th Army Corps returned from Knoxville, nothing for them to do there. Every train from there is alive with noisy Yankees. Some think they go to Texas to do their last work. Five batteries of the reserve, they say, to go with them. Considerable speculation as to whether we are to go along or not. I don’t care.
April 25th. Weather good. Regular routine of duty is now on again. Drill, dress parade, picket, and guard. Not much interest taken in these duties at this time. No danger now from the enemy. The only real interest is taken in our dress parades, as we have many visitors from town. Confederate soldiers are now on their way home, all having been paroled. Halt them at the outposts, send a guard with them to the Provost Marshal, when they are allowed to proceed to their homes in Virginia and Maryland. Many were glad the war was over. Some were very bitter. Would not admit they were beaten. We laughed at the poor fellows. Many having tramped for miles to reach home. Some shed tears when they were forced to admit that the war was over, and their cause was lost.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
April 25.—We got to Chattanooga, had another view of those beautiful mountains, went over this bad road at a tremendous rate, but safely. William got me to playing whist before we got to the Whiteside bridge so that I would not notice it, but I found it out. I had dreaded it. When we first went over it our attention was drawn to it. Standing in the door of the car we could see the engine and a letter S formed by the train between us and the engine. I have never been over such a crooked road, and it made me feel nervous.
25th.—J. P. arrived to-day direct from Mosby’s command, which is disbanded, but has not surrendered. He is full of enthusiasm and visions of coming success, and is bent on joining Johnston. Dear boy, his hopeful spirit has infected me, and aroused a hope which I am afraid to indulge.
