Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
April 26.—We stayed on the track all night within seven miles of Stevenson. There was a train off the track ahead of us. There have been so many wrecks on this road that you can not go a mile without seeing where there has been one, so I am told. The guerillas fired at a train in front of us and at one behind us. I think we were fortunate to escape as we did, there were so many dangers, both seen and unseen.
Camp 1st Mass. H. A., Near Burksville Junction, Va.,
April 26, 1865.
Dear Family:
Yours of the 19th has been rec’d. Yesterday was a holiday with us, opening with a salute of thirteen guns, and a gun every half hour during the day, with a National salute of thirty six guns at sunset. We were paraded at 10 A.M. and the orders of the Sect’y of war and Lieut Genl. Grant were read to us. All the men are dissatisfied, stopping here in camp. The army of the Potomac is without an enemy in front, and we lay here waiting orders. I think that the views of President Johnson are very different from what the late old Abe’s were, in regard to the settlement of this great rebellion for which so many lives have been sacrificed. I favor the former’s views, i. e., “Treason is a crime and must be punished.” I hardly think the war worn veterans would be satisfied unless it was done. Genl. Lee must be made an example of immediately and all other Generals in our hands, particularly those who have ever meddled with politics, should suffer their fate. I can’t bring my thoughts to believe that we are soon to go home: but our minds are at ease about fighting. We are expecting good news from Genl. Sherman, but yesterday’s paper had particulars of his negotiation, which has lowered him in my estimation; but “Old Useless” himself has gone down to North Carolina to run the machine. The sun is hot enough to cook coffee in the open air. It is nearly a year since I went home on my veteran furlough, and how many scenes of strife and bloodshed I have since passed through. I had a small idea of the army then; but now I think I can well say that I have been through the mill. F. P., who left us last fall when there was fighting, has returned with Capt’s bars. I assure you he was not welcome amongst those who had done their duty at the front to the present time. I was witness to a big nigger fight last night. They were passed round through the crowd in a hurry. If you have any old magazines about the house, please send them to me, as reading matter is scarce.
Respectfully yours,
L. Bradley, Jr.,
1st Sergt. Co. B.
April 26.—We have just heard that the French fleet has had a battle with the . Federal fleet, and whipped it, and taken New Orleans. All are much rejoiced. There is really an armistice.
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.
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.
City Point, April 24, 1865.
Dear Hannah, — I received several letters from you last night, several of them complaining of my short letters and my want of enthusiasm for Lee’s surrender. To tell the truth, we none of us realize even yet that he has actually surrendered. I had a sort of impression that we should fight him all our lives. He was like a ghost to children, something that haunted us so long that we could not realize that he and his army were really out of existence to us. It will take me some months to be conscious of this fact.
In regard to the brevity of my epistle, I can only say that I have nothing to tell about. I have got a splendid mule, which I am going to take home with me, if I can. He is the finest animal I have ever seen.
Last Thursday we received orders to move to City Point, and from there to Washington. Part of our corps has already moved and we are waiting for transportation. We shall probably move to-morrow, having reached here yesterday afternoon. Last Wednesday, the day before we moved, I went up to General Miles’s headquarters. First I went to Second Corps headquarters and then with Charlie Whittier to General Miles’s. While there, about forty negroes came in from Danville. General Miles ordered the band out, and told the negroes that he would hang every one who would not dance. About seven refused to dance, saying they were church members. The rest went at it tooth and nail, gray-headed old men and young boys. I never laughed so hard in my life. From General M.’s we went to General Barlow’s, who commands the 2d Division. We amused ourselves with a galvanic battery which General B. has for his health. From there we went to General Meade’s headquarters, where I had a very pleasant talk with General M. Saw Theodore Lyman, who is probably home by this time. He was very kind to me indeed, and gave me several articles of clothing which were very acceptable. Had a very nice time there indeed, and had a very pleasant reception from the staff. When my men saw me on my arrival, they gave me 9 cheers and then 9 more, etc., etc. I tell you this because you asked me.
We had quite hard marching, making 63 miles in a little over 3 days. The story is that we are going to Texas, that we are to be sent home for 6 months to be disbanded by that time, in case we are not wanted, etc., etc. No one seems to know what we are going to do. If we have a good camp in or near Washington, perhaps I will let you come down there.
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