Tuesday, October 4. — My Charleston paper of yesterday—came this A.M. It is the first time I have received it since subscribing. Lieutenant Gear received an order to go to Richmond, probably for exchange. Had a concert at the City Hall. Sent a letter by Lieutenant Gear.
October 4 — This morning we received orders to move down the Valley. We left camp early in the day and marched once more for the Valley turnpike; we passed through Fishersville and struck the Valley pike at Staunton. We are camped to-night two miles below Staunton, on the Valley pike.
General Sheridan is in command of the Yankee army in the Valley of the Shenandoah, and if he has the men that he had at Trevillian Station, there will be some tough work on the boards yet this fall, for his cavalry is made out of first-class fighting stuff. We fought them at Trevillian last June.
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 4, 1864.—I am well but completely tired out. The raid seems to have passed us. We find that we were menaced by 4,000 men with artillery, and when they came they no doubt intended to attack, but gave it up. So we have lost another fight.
October 4th.—Foggy; then bright; then very warm.
Gen. Lee is at Chaffin’s Bluff. A dispatch from him this morning states that the enemy’s infantry are near Harrisonburg, in the Valley, and that his cavalry is retiring.
9 A.M. Another dispatch from Gen. Lee. The raiders’ cavalry, only 250 strong, are at Brandy Station, a body of their infantry at Bealton Central Railroad.
9½ Am. Gen. Lee says Gen. Breckinridge repulsed the enemy’s attack on Saltville, on Sunday, 2d inst; it was a “bloody” repulse, and Gen. B. is pursuing.
Gen. Beauregard has been appointed to the supervisory command of the army in Georgia, etc.; in response to the universal calls of the people.
The enemy threw up earthworks yesterday, toward the city, from Fort Harrison, one mile in length. He is now within five miles of the city, and if his progress is not checked, he will soon be throwing shells at us.
But Lee is there, digging also.
Flour rose yesterday to $125 per barrel, meal to $72 per bushel, and bacon $10 per pound. Fortunately, I got 100 pounds of flour from North Carolina a few days ago at $1.20 per pound. And Thomas, my son, detailed as clerk for Gen. Kemper, will draw 30 pounds of flour and 10 pounds bacon per month.
Monday, June 3d.—Our forces hold railroad at Acworth. Halted our brigade at breast-works west of Kenasaw. Stewart’s Corps took Big Shanty. [This entry is in the book after October 2d.]
Etowah Bridge, Monday, Oct. 3. Rode Sweet’s horse out this morning to get muscadines. Caught in an awful shower, got thoroughly drenched. Storms are very frequent and come with more vehemence here than any place I have ever seen. The last two weeks past heavy rains every twenty-four hours, deluging camp, sweeping down the hillsides, raising the rippling Etowah into a turbid torrent, even leaping its banks and carrying everything in its way like an infuriated monster. A large body of earth and rock fell from the side of the railroad cut in this, hill, filling the track. Fifty men of the 48th at work most all night clearing it out. Our lower bastion also fell in, in consequence of the heavy rains.
Monday, 3d—A heavy rain last night. We started early this morning and arrived in camp about 9 o’clock. This afternoon we received orders to prepare to march early tomorrow morning with fifteen days’ rations. It is supposed that the expedition is going out towards Kenesaw mountain, as it is reported that Hood is moving north with the main part of his army, and that he is now in the vicinity of Kenesaw. The Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps are to move north, while the Twentieth and Twenty-third are to remain here at Atlanta. News came today that General Grant is within five miles of Richmond and that he has whipped the rebels at every point.
Monday, October 3. — Rained hard all night. Morning dark and gloomy. Cleared off for a little while during the clay. Dr. Marks called to see me. Said he sent me a basket of books, which did not reach me. Is going to write to General Ripley for me. Received particulars of the fights near Petersburg and Richmond.
October 3 — We unloaded our guns from the cars this morning, then moved two miles down the river and camped in a section of country full of good and well cultivated farms, on the west side of the river.
3rd. Saddled at 4 A. M. No demonstration.
