Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

1864—January:

Saturday, 2d.—Very cold. Gave John Bartly $5.00 to go on guard in my place. General routine of camp life. Prayer meetings, preaching, and debates on such subjects as “Which has the greater claim, mother or wife?” Which is the greater evil, intemperance or civil war?” As to the first decision, argument was about equal; later, war won.

Wednesday, 30th.—General Johnston to inspect us in camp. Been hard at work baking cakes since we bought our flour. Made them up with molasses and plenty of soda, with a little vinegar; they humped themselves, and baked very nice and brown; we made the cake-pans out of tin canteen sides, which we made notchy like pie pans, about four inches at the top and two at bottom; could set three in common-sized bake oven. We borrowed two other ovens, so we had three, and could bake nine cakes at one time, and we learned that they would bake in fifteen minutes; so we could bake thirty-six cakes in one hour, and we sold these as fast as we could bake them for $1.00 each. Molasses and vinegar cost us $10.00 per gallon, and soda, $1.00 per pound. But we more than doubled our money. Remember, this was Confederate money, and it was going down so rapidly, that to buy an article and then sell it for double, it was a question whether you made anything or not.

Tuesday, 29th.—Bought one-hundred-pound sack of flour to-day, for which we paid $100.00.

Sunday, 27th.—Examining vaccination marks; small-pox in army.

Friday, 25th.—Several captains under arrest this A. M., because their men went home. 36th and 39th Regiments were made up largely from surrounding country, so many of the boys would go out home for a few days.

Sunday, 25th.—Shoal Creek is about two hundred yards wide, two feet deep, and runs very swiftly. Brigade ordered to wade through. As it is extremely cold, and am sick, I did not care for such a Christmas trick. Going up to the ford, after many times asking, one little fellow, who was hauling decking plank, allowed me to ride on one of his mules that was hauling the wagon. Found brigade crossing Tennessee River at Bainbridge Ferry, in pontoon boats. Crossed over at 3 P. M., and was ordered to go three miles to a Mr. Kellocks’ to press wagon and haul plank to floor pontoon bridge. The mud was simply awful and we got there some time in the night, and asked the man if we could not have an out-house that had a chimney, to stay in until morning. He gave us permission, and we soon had a roaring fire, by which we dried our clothes and warmed while we slept. The best night’s rest we have had for some time. Next morning we got his team and about a dozen short plank and started down to the river, all of us riding on the wagon. Got back to river about 9 a. m. Army had been crossing over all morning; so our plank was not needed, and we told the fellow that he might take them back home if he wanted to.

Thursday, 24th.—L. B. Smith elected orderly sergeant today in place of J. J. Harmon, absent without leave.

Wednesday, 23d.—Built our winter quarter house to-day. Comfortable.

Friday, 11th.—Had very nice sliced potato pie for dinner. The man to be shot to-day was reprieved. I. L. sick. Everything quiet in camp.