Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
Camp Harker, June 1, 1865.—We have moved camp. I found it all done when I came back from town. We take long rides every day. I enjoy it very much now, the mare is so kind and gentle.
Chattanooga, Thursday, June 1. This day is appointed by the President of the United States as a day of mourning for our honored Lincoln. All business stopped in town. Nothing only heavy duty to be done in camp, consequently we had little to do.
After dinner, hearing that Wilson’s Cavalry were moving through town, I obtained permission to leave camp. Being anxious to see the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry and find Johnny Evans if possible. Reached there as the 2nd Division was moving up Market Street. They presented a rich scene for Harper’s Illustrated, nearly the whole company were astride mules of all sizes and descriptions, the men having but a small portion of the blue on. Anyone would take them for the Confederate States Army. The majority dressed throughout in coarse dirty grey, and often a pair of faded shoulder straps could be seen resting on the shoulders of one in rebel grey and gilt. Then came the negroes, pack mules, carrying anything from a frying pan to a condemned ordnance. Vehicles of chivalric origin drawn by horseflesh, minus the flesh, in silver-mounted harness, and driven by the veritable “peculiar institutions”, for whom our Southern brethern buckled on their armor. It needed but Jeff in crinoline bringing up the rear, to show the last of the said chivalry. McCook’s Division in which is 1st Wisconsin Cavalry was behind. After waiting long I found that they were not coming in to-night so I started home, but not until hearing from one of his comrades that Johnny was all right and well.
To-night I am on another eight hours tread, not to break the rebellion, but my time of serving.
Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Alexandria, Va., June 1, 1865.
Dear Hannah, — I have received several letters from you lately, but have been so busy that I have had no chance to answer them. I am President of a Board for Examination of Officers in this brigade who desire to remain in service, and consequently have my hands full.
There was a review of the Second Army Corps day before yesterday, which I attended. I saw the Lorings there, but did not speak to them, as I did not know whether they would remember me. Also saw Miss Schenck, who told me that she had just come on from Boston, and had met you there. After the review was over there was a grand spread at Second Corps headquarters. Charlie Whittier is A. A. G. on the said staff, so I was an invited guest there. They had a long row of tent-flies stretched so as to make a tent over a hundred feet long. The sides were made of firs and green branches. Outside were hung two enormous American flags, while numerous regimental and state colors were planted in the ground all around the headquarters. Inside the tent were two rows of tables, and meat, bread, cake, strawberries and ice cream in profusion. Also punch of the kind called claret and rum, which I, of course, did not touch. I saw President Johnson and Secretary Stanton there. Also Generals Hancock, Meade, Humphreys, and numerous others. Saw most of Meade’s staff, and among them General Macy. When I got back to camp, I found George Weld. He was on his way back from Richmond. He spent the night with me, and went home the next day.
I am going to send out for Charlie Griswold’s remains in a day or two. I have received two or three letters from Mrs. G. who is very anxious to have them sent home.
I think that the men who are left from the 36th Massachusetts will be sent to my regiment. The 36th goes out of service as a regiment in a few days.
I have two hens in camp, who lay every morning under the head of my bed. They are quite tame and seem to enjoy camp life very much.
My garden in front of headquarters is the admiration of all the passers-by. It is really quite pretty and I feel quite proud of it. I manage to secure a new flower almost every day. To-day I got hold of a very fine fuchsia.
Young William when he was here offered to sell me his plantation down in South Carolina. I don’t like the idea of going down there to live; and unless there was a prospect of getting rich speedily, I should not want to hold of it. I can probably remain in service as colonel if I wish, but I don’t think I shall do so. . . .
Wednesday, 31st—I got a pass and went to the city again. I spent most of the day in the patent office and in the Smithsonian Institution. I also got my watch repaired, which cost me $3.00. The city seems to be astir; new buildings are growing up all over and some of the Government buildings are being improved. Except for the presence of so many soldiers in the city, no one would think that a four years’ war had just ended. The city needs most of all paved streets, for in wet weather they get very muddy and the city looks no better than a country town. The Washington monument is not yet finished and from a distance it looks like a large smokestack with the top lacking. A part of the Fifteenth Corps left for Louisville today, but all men whose time is out by October 1st were left here to be mustered out at once. All of the eastern men in Sherman’s four corps are to remain in Washington for the present. We had a temperance talk here this evening by William White Williams. I bought a medal of honor from him. Everything is going along fine.
31st. Arose late. Feeling well. A beautiful day. Visited hospital. Saw Sergt. Babcock and got him released. At 12 took cars. Got into Cumberland at 7:30. Stopped at St. Nicholas. Strolled up town. Some very pleasant residences. Crook and Kelley carried from here.
May 31st. 1865.
Dearest Wife:
I cannot rest this night without writing you a few lines to report progress. Have we not been busy these last—I cannot tell how many—days? To me, it seems an age. Our papers are all complete and have been sent to Headquarters for inspection. Our roll accounts for one hundred seventy-three men; this for Company G. Of the above number, twenty-three are present to be discharged.
The Twentieth Michigan was mustered out this morning, and will start for home tomorrow morning. We expect to be mustered out tomorrow; certainly the next day. My anxiety is for you, my wife, fearing the suspense is greater than you can bear.
It is useless for you to write to me again, darling, and this is the last letter you will get from your soldier. Before this reaches you, I will be on my homeward way, a full-fledged citizen, and as I come, my glad heart will ting the joyous refrain: “Oh, I come. I come, ye hare called me long; I come o’er the mountain with light and song.”
Yours lovingly.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, May 31. Had a pleasant drill with the Battery this morning. No mail, but much grape-vine news via “picket rope line”, but we have not started for home yet. Drew the “last” forage for the 10th time. Drilled an hour and a half over some dismantled pieces. Bathed in the Tennessee in the evening.
Tuesday, 30th—The weather is pleasant and seems to be settled. There is nothing new.
30th. Reveille at 2 A. M. Turned in stores. Packed up. Went to town with Lu at 10. Got some strawberries at Mrs. Mills’. She has been very kind to me. Ice cream with Stanton. At 3 P. M. took the cars with Melissa for Cincinnati. Went as far as Frederick City and remained over night at U. S. Hotel. M. and I took a stroll up street. Had a very pleasant time. Talked about Fannie. Her conduct seems very strange and yet I can not condemn her. I feel as of old. God will right things if it is best. I am very happy to be with my good sister.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, May 30. Up bright and early, policed around the stables, “blacked boots” and brushed up our brass, etc. But no inspection came, so all of this is in vain. Cool day, did but little. Drew a day’s rations of soft bread, which is getting to be a rarity. The cry of “paymaster coming” is again raised in camp. Our sutler gone to Nashville for a supply of goods on the strength of it. Several hundred dismounted men of Wilson’s Cavalry Corps and of 1st Wisconsin came in on the evening train. The entire command is expected here to-morrow. They have seen much work lately.
