Tuesday, November 1.— Colonel Bedel went down to the stockade to-day, to get any letters or money which might be there for our officers. He found that all such things had been sent back to Charleston. He wrote to the provost marshal for it. Day pleasant. Mr. Caldwell called and cashed my draft on Father for $50 in gold. He gave me $1200 in Confederate money. I gave Captain Senn $900, making $1000 now in his hands. A draft for £5 for me was among the letters sent back to Charleston.
Cedar Creek, November 1, 1864. — Saw the new moon over my right shoulder. Thar! “Thinking of absent wife and boys will blanch a faithful cheek.” God bless the dear ones! I never was so anxious to see them before. Another fine day; cold nights.
Cedar Town, Ga., November 1, 1864.
Abomination of abominations, train guard to-day. It is the most disagreeable duty we are subject to on the march. I escaped the afternoon duty by being sent out foraging. Got all the men would carry, and disgusted a rich citizen considerably, also saw a nice, rosy-faced girl, whose teeth and fingernails would spoil a meal for any one of ordinary constitution. One man in our brigade wounded, 40th Illinois, in a little skirmish to-day.
November 1st. On duty at the camp. Waiting for the election to take place. I was one of the three corporals in charge of the main gate. The grounds and barracks are surrounded by a high board fence. A number of recruits are here, waiting to be sent to the different regiments.
November 1st.—Bright and frosty morning.
All quiet. No confirmation of Early’s defeat; and the nightfeat of Mahone puts the people in better hope.
One-third of all our lead comes from the mines near Wytheville, Virginia.
I got 128 pounds of flour from the investment in supplies in North Carolina, and one-fourth of that amount is still behind. We got 26 pounds of bacon, worth $260; the flour received, and to be received, 160 pounds, $320; and we expect to get 6 gallons molasses, $30 per gallon, $180: total, $760; and only $200 invested. This shows the profits of the speculators!
Gov. Yates, of Illinois, has declared Richmond will be in the hands of the Federals before the 8th of November. This is the 1st. It may be so; but I doubt it. It cannot be so without the effusion of an ocean of blood!
I learned to-day that every tree on Gov. Wise’s farm of any size has been felled by the enemy. What harm have the poor trees done the enemy? I love trees, anywhere.
The President attends to many little matters, such as solicitations for passports to leave the country, details or exemptions of husbands and sons; and generally the ladies who address him, knowing his religious bias, frame their phraseology accordingly, and often with effect.
The following is his last proclamation:
Proclamation appointing a Day for Public Worship.
“It is meet that the people of the Confederate States should, from time to time, assemble to acknowledge their dependence on Almighty God, to render devout thanks for his manifold blessings, to worship his holy name, to bend in prayer at his footstool, and to accept, with reverent submission, the chastening of his all-wise and all-merciful Providence.
“Let us, then, in temples and in fields, unite our voices in recognizing, with adoring gratitude, the manifestations of his protecting care in the many signal victories with which our arms have been crowned; in the fruitfulness with which our land has been blessed, and in the unimpaired energy and fortitude with which he has inspired our hearts and strengthened our arms in resistance to the iniquitous designs of our enemies.
“And let us not forget that, while graciously vouchsafing to us his protection, our sins have merited and received grievous chastisement; that many of our best and bravest have fallen in battle; that many others are still held in foreign prisons; that large districts of our country have been devastated with savage ferocity, the peaceful homes destroyed, and helpless women and children driven away in destitution; and that with fiendish malignity the passions of a servile race have been excited by our foes into the commission of atrocities from which death is a welcome escape.
“Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, do issue this my proclamation, setting apart Wednesday, the sixteenth day of November next, as a day to be specially devoted to the worship of Almighty God; and I do invite and invoke all the people of these Confederate States to assemble on the day aforesaid, in their respective places of public worship, there to unite in prayer to our heavenly Father, that he bestow his favor upon us; that he extend over us the protection of his Almighty arm; that he sanctify his chastisement to our improvement, so that we may turn away from evil paths and walk righteously in his sight; that he restore peace to our beloved country, healing its bleeding wounds, and securing to us the continued enjoyment of our right of self-government and independence; and that he graciously hearken to us, while we ascribe to him the power and glory of our deliverance.
“Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at Richmond, this 26th day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight.hundred and sixty-four.
“Jefferson Davis.“
By the President:
“J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State.”
The President gets but few letters from members of Congress.
1st. Went on picket in P. M. Board of survey in A. M. Beautiful day. Busy on returns.
Etowah Bridge, Tuesday, Nov. 1. In the forenoon we went out grazing about two miles to a clover patch. In the afternoon on detail for beef. 12th Battery took twenty-three of our best horses and six sets of harness. They bring their guns down tomorrow. A large mail came to camp 4 P. M. I received five good letters, doing me much good, one of them from my old messmate Evie. He is now enjoying the sweets of private life “ad libitum”. The forage train that started out yesterday morning not heard from yet. Fears entertained of their safety. Three of our wagons with it.
October 31st. Arrived at Jersey City all right, this morning. Crossed the Hudson River by Cortlandt Street ferry. On the march up Cortlandt Street we were hooted and jeered at by the toughs. We passed along without taking any notice of it. Our march was up Broadway. At Martinsburg, West Virginia, we were sent off with cheers. In New York City which had many thousands of its good citizens in the Union army, Union soldiers were insulted as they marched on through the streets. At the railroad station, Fourth Avenue and 27th Street, we were soon on board train for New Haven.
We enjoyed the trip. When we crossed the line cheers were given for good old Connecticut. We arrived late this afternoon. Line formed, we marched through the streets, making a good appearance, every man doing his best, from the drum corps all down the line. Passed under a large Lincoln banner, cheered by each company as we passed along. We marched out to Grapevine Point, East Haven, going into camp at Conscript Camp, there to remain on duty until further orders. This camp is used by the state. All recruits are sent here and sent from here to the different regiments.
Etowah Bridge, Monday, Oct. 31. Weather still continues enchanting. All quiet. Expecting the 12th Battery down after our horses. Invoices taken of ammunition, cannoneers and equipments, preparatory to being turned over. Mustered for pay at 12 M. Four months’ wages now due us. We hope we will receive it soon. In the evening a general discussion took place on the “nigger question”, politics, etc. All agree on “Old Abe” for president. Further than that we cannot go. I was in it on the start and was getting earnest. When everybody began talking together, I pulled in my teams and retired.
Monday, October 31.— Rumors that $29,000 came to the stockade yesterday. A lieutenant of artillery came here with a letter from a gentleman in Richmond inquiring how I was. Wrote to Dr. Marks and Mr. Kidder. Day pleasant. The five men who escaped and were put in the lock-up on bread and water, escaped again. Johnny Bull fired at them and recaptured three. Two escaped.
