Thursday, 27th—We returned to our old camp just vacated and put our shelter tents over the old “ranches” again. By 1 p. m. the tents were all filled, we were at home once more and enjoying ourselves. The boys are now waiting for orders to start for their homes, but we are wondering which way we will go. Some think we will have to go back to the coast and take ship for New Orleans; but I guess we will leave that to General Sherman—he has never yet made a mistake in leading us.
27th. Melissa and I went to Cleveland. F. D. Allen and C. G. Fairchild out, too. Spent a portion of the day with the boys. Dinner with Will. Called at Uncle Jones’ in the evening. Cousin Minnie there. Spent the night with the boys.
Chattanooga, Thursday, April 27. Battery drill from 7 to 8 A. M. Mail came in. Received three letters. Grazed in the afternoon. Picket officer would not allow us to go out of sight of his picket line. Forty guerrillas seen in the vicinity this morning. I guess it is a scare. Went on guard at sunset, first relief.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
April 27.—We came through the tunnel near Tullahoma. It is 2,226 feet in length and it takes five minutes to go through it, and it is as dark as a dungeon.
We are encamped in a very pleasant spot about seven miles from Nashville, in a grove on a hill, cool and shady. We shall go into Nashville next week and see our acquaintances. There is a rumor that the Fourth Corps is to be sent to Texas, but nothing definite.
When we got off the cars, a sick man was also taken off who had congestive fever the doctor said. He was lying on the ground and I went to him and asked him if I could make him a cup of tea. He said no, but that he would like to have his face washed. So I got a dish and some water and a cloth and washed his face and hands. He had a high fever and I wet his head. He was very grateful. I then made a cup of tea and some toast, but he did not eat much. [Two days after that he died of small pox. I was a little alarmed after I heard of that.]
Wednesday, 26th—The weather is pleasant. We remained in camp all day. Lieutenant-General Grant and Major-General Sherman went to the front early this morning. The report came late this afternoon that Johnston had surrendered his entire army to Sherman. Great rejoicing in camp! Johnston is to retain one-seventh of his small arms until his men start for their homes.
26th. Spent the day in O. Thought of going to Wellington with Chester but he was out of town. Read most of the day. “Gotta Family” and Atlantic. Some rain.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, April 26. A hot day. Lieutenant A. Sweet took the Battery out to drill this morning, first time he ever acted in that capacity, but he is a thorough tactician, and is at home at any post. Had an interesting drill. All gave him due attention. ——relieved from arrest, the whiskey having worked off ——’s brain, and he resumes his old position. I guess he has not yet been mustered as first lieutenant. A very pleasant day. Health very good.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
April 26.—We stayed on the track all night within seven miles of Stevenson. There was a train off the track ahead of us. There have been so many wrecks on this road that you can not go a mile without seeing where there has been one, so I am told. The guerillas fired at a train in front of us and at one behind us. I think we were fortunate to escape as we did, there were so many dangers, both seen and unseen.
Camp 1st Mass. H. A., Near Burksville Junction, Va.,
April 26, 1865.
Dear Family:
Yours of the 19th has been rec’d. Yesterday was a holiday with us, opening with a salute of thirteen guns, and a gun every half hour during the day, with a National salute of thirty six guns at sunset. We were paraded at 10 A.M. and the orders of the Sect’y of war and Lieut Genl. Grant were read to us. All the men are dissatisfied, stopping here in camp. The army of the Potomac is without an enemy in front, and we lay here waiting orders. I think that the views of President Johnson are very different from what the late old Abe’s were, in regard to the settlement of this great rebellion for which so many lives have been sacrificed. I favor the former’s views, i. e., “Treason is a crime and must be punished.” I hardly think the war worn veterans would be satisfied unless it was done. Genl. Lee must be made an example of immediately and all other Generals in our hands, particularly those who have ever meddled with politics, should suffer their fate. I can’t bring my thoughts to believe that we are soon to go home: but our minds are at ease about fighting. We are expecting good news from Genl. Sherman, but yesterday’s paper had particulars of his negotiation, which has lowered him in my estimation; but “Old Useless” himself has gone down to North Carolina to run the machine. The sun is hot enough to cook coffee in the open air. It is nearly a year since I went home on my veteran furlough, and how many scenes of strife and bloodshed I have since passed through. I had a small idea of the army then; but now I think I can well say that I have been through the mill. F. P., who left us last fall when there was fighting, has returned with Capt’s bars. I assure you he was not welcome amongst those who had done their duty at the front to the present time. I was witness to a big nigger fight last night. They were passed round through the crowd in a hurry. If you have any old magazines about the house, please send them to me, as reading matter is scarce.
Respectfully yours,
L. Bradley, Jr.,
1st Sergt. Co. B.
April 26.—We have just heard that the French fleet has had a battle with the . Federal fleet, and whipped it, and taken New Orleans. All are much rejoiced. There is really an armistice.
