September 19.—I received a letter from my brother, saying he had lost all his clothes except what he had on, and wishing me to procure more. As they could not be obtained here, I went up to Macon on the 17th, in company with Captain Tomlinson. He and his family are refugees from Tennessee.
He told me that Governor Brown was out with a proclamation, warning the people against refugees and runaway negroes. I think he must be deranged, as I do not think a man in his senses could be guilty of outraging the feelings of the people, as he does. We all know that there have been bad people, who have taken advantage of their being refugees, to impose on good people. But that is no reason why the good and patriotic, who have been driven from their quiet homes by the ruthless foe, should be insulted in this manner. I really think that the character of the good people of Georgia has suffered from this half-distracted governor.
On arriving at Macon, I went to Dr. Cannon’s, and one of his daughters accompanied me to Major Fairbanks, quartermaster, and one of the best men we have in the service. I told him my errand. It is against orders to get clothes from a quartermaster without a descriptive list, so I was uncertain about getting them. Major F. said, if my brother was as good a soldier as myself, he could have them. I answered, he was a much better one, as he never grumbled at any thing.
We then called on Mrs. General Anderson, who was in town with her husband, he having been badly wounded near Atlanta. He was not at home, but we saw the general’s mother, and she said he was improving.
A lady friend in Macon told mo that one of her daughters had gone through the lines to Memphis, proceeded to New York, and returned by Fortress Monroe. She went to Washington to procure a pass from Stanton, which he refused to give, but she received one from Lincoln. On reaching Fortress Monroe, General Butler disregarded her pass, and had her arrested as a spy, and she was imprisoned for six weeks. Before her trial could come off she had to send to Richmond for Colonel Breckinridge to act as witness in her defense. He had been at Fortress Monroe when she first arrived there. She was arrested on the charge of having spoken treason to him.
There is a young man stopping at Dr. Cannon’s, by the name of Stone. He has just come from Arkansas in company with recruits from that state for our army.
On Sunday, 18th, I went to church with Miss C, my old friend Mr. Stickney, and Captain Prendergast. The last has again been wounded, and was then on his way to Mississippi. He does not like Hood as a commander, and gave us a description of the terrible work in the army since that general took command. They have had to march all day, throw up intrenchmonts at night, and fight incessantly! He says they have suffered almost beyond human endurance .
Macon is a beautiful place; the streets are very wide, and the buildings lofty. It is the third town in importance in Georgia, and is one hundred miles south-east of Atlanta. The Ocamulgee River runs through it. It is a very patriotic place; the citizens have done much for the cause. The Wayside Home, of which Dr. C. has charge, is entirely supported by them. I only wish there was one at every place where our soldiers are likely to be detained. I think it one of the most useful institutions we have. When the soldiers get furloughs from the army or hospital, on their way home they are often detained at stopping-places, waiting for cars. They generally have no money, and nothing to eat, so they come to the Wayside Home, lodge there, and get their meals.
Several months ago Macon was attacked by a large raiding party, but it was driven off by our troops. I have been told by eye-witnesses that the enemy threw shells promiscuously, and some of them fell into the hospitals.
I got a very nice lot of clothes for my brother. Besides what I procured from Major F., Dr. C. procured me some from the Georgia Relief Association, and also took the parcel and got the same society to send it on. I shall ever remember the kindness of Dr. Cannon and his charming daughters with heartfelt pleasure.
The morning I left Macon I met my two kind friends, Drs. Gamble and Bemiss. Dr. G. is now post surgeon of Macon. Dr. B. is anxious to get back to the hospital again; he says it is much more gratifying to wait on patients than what he is doing.
Lieutenant Bond, a member of Garrety’s battery, is killed. He had been wounded, and was on his way home, when the train met with an accident, and he was killed instantly. This is the third lieutenant that company has lost in the last three months.
