June 15th.
Our Confederacy has gone with one crash — the report of the pistol fired at Lincoln.
THE END
Reading this for the first time, in all these many years, I wish to bear record that God never failed me, through stranger vicissitudes than I ever dared record. Whatever the anguish, whatever the extremity, in His own good time He ever delivered me. So that I bless Him to-day for all of life’s joys and sorrows — for all He gave — for all He has taken —and I bear witness that it was all Very Good.
Sarah Morgan Dawson.
July 23d, 1896.
Charleston,
South Carolina.
Thursday, 15th—The men found so much fault with our camp on the low ground and made so much complaint about it at headquarters that our division was ordered to move to higher ground. We moved today to a large piece of sparsely-timbered land, high and rolling, where we will have a fine camp. It is about two miles south of Louisville. The Fourteenth Army Corps and one division of the Twentieth Corps, with the exception of the eastern men in these two corps, have arrived at Louisville.
June 15th, 1865.—Once more the family are every one well and this is a truly delightful state of affairs. Ever “sence freedom drapped,” as the negroes say, we have not been permitted to ride horseback without a gentleman with us. Sometimes it was not convenient to find one and often we could not go but we young folks have determined to turn over a new leaf. We have made up our minds to drown our troubles in a sea of gaiety and with that end in view, we have organized a Riding Company, a Shakespeare Club, a Bezique Club and once a month a regular Dancing Party. This party to be held at whichever home in the neighborhood wanted us most.
The Riding Company will be commanded by Major Henry Bradford, late of the Confederate States Army. Being a cavalryman, he will be able to give us lessons in the cavalry drill.
The Bezique Club is a very informal affair. We have a handsome imported set of Bezique and any number can play it, but we also play any other game, which my be desired. Sad to relate, cards are looked upon with great disfavor in the neighborhood. Only at Pine Hill can the Bezique Club meet. It meets just any time the members please, the only proviso being that the cards must be put aside before eleven o’clock.
The Club, par excellence, is the Shakespeare Club; nobody objects to this as classical knowledge never comes amiss. To be a student of the Bard of Avon is a hall mark in the literary world. We have arranged to meet every two weeks, first at one house in the Bradford neighborhood and next and next, until the round has been made. The various housekeepers have volunteered to provide a fine supper for the Shakespeare Club at all their meetings.
Here is a secret, to be told to none, just yet; the Bezique Club will have suppers provided, too; not only on stated nights, but whenever they chance to meet. Father and Mother are the very most indulgent parents in the world.
14th. Spent the day in camp. Some rain. Sent in my resignation. The morale of the regiment is very low. A spirit of insubordination and independence prevails. Boys are very dissipated.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, June 14. Another very hot day. No drill of any kind. The other batteries go out every morning. Our officers are very easy on the boys at present. 6th Battery has changed commanders again. Simpson was mustered in this morning as captain and Jenawein as first lieutenant. This leaves a vacancy for second lieutenant soon to be filled by ——, I suppose. If he will be appointed it will cause much dissatisfaction among the men for he is not liked in the least. No “grape-vine” excitement to-day. What is to happen?
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Wed. Eve., June 14, 1865.—Our transportation starts for Johnsonville tomorrow morning, and General Wood informed me this evening that it is understood that the Second Division also goes tomorrow and our division on Friday. We probably shall not get off, however, before Saturday. If not delayed, I think I can get home by Thursday of next week, but a delay of a day or two at Johnsonville is not at all improbable. So do not look for me until the last of the week. I am very busy getting ready to move, and in the absence of the Adjutant am compelled to look after all of the details of business in person. The men mustered out will get off tomorrow evening.
I suppose you are steaming through Indiana now. It is intolerably lonesome here since you left, and we need the excitement of a march to help our spirits.
Wednesday, 14th—The weather is sultry. We occupied the day in cleaning our clothing and accouterments. The long journey of eight hundred miles on coal cars and transports was pretty hard on our clothes as well as trying on the men, for we had no protection from the hot sun nor shelter from the rain. The farmers around here are harvesting, and the grain looks fine.
13th. A. B.’s muster out came. He called the officers together and bade them goodbye, turning over the property. Attended prayer meeting at Christian Com. rooms—interesting.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, June 13. Rained a refreshing shower through the night and I slept very sound. Several squads out blackberrying. They are getting ripe. I forgot to tell you that we had blackberry pie last night. One-year men and we ’62 recruits are getting wrathy. The orders that reach all other commands except the reserve ought to take us, we think, mustering out all men where term of service expires prior to October 1. One of our boys saw the General to-day. But who cares. I am not so badly excited over this matter, but that I can rest well.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
June 13.—I am starting for home. General Beatty kindly takes me to Nashville in his ambulance. Adjutant Scott goes North with me.
