inspector general, glittering with military pomp and gaudy tassels, etc.
I did not like his appearance. He wore a sandy mustache, and looked as
though he might be forty-five years old. He was followed by the modest
unassuming Grant, dressed in plain blue, no glitter or decorations
except the small stars on his deserving shoulders. He looked much poorer
and worse than when I last saw him. By his side was General Smith, surly
as ever, and General Meigs alongside of the "war dog" Logan, who it is
said is now in command of the 15th Corps. The bands sounded the cheers
as they passed, which filled the narrow valley with echo. They passed
and the line marched to their encampment.
Near Chattanooga, Wednesday, Dec. 2. Horses fed, cleaned, etc. I
commenced writing on letter commenced yesterday, but was again disturbed
with orders to hitch up as we were to turn the battery over, horses,
harness and all to Chattanooga. Very good news, and therefore promptly
obeyed. Took the six pieces and caissons, leaving the battery wagon and
forge. The town was farther than I expected, about three miles. Crossed
the river on the pontoon bridge (simple but invaluable invention, this
pontoon), a "flying ferry" running right above it and well used. It is a
novel arrangement, in which the boat is crossed by the strength of the
current acting against gates let into the water, it being fastened to a
tow-head above by forty rods of rope. After some delay we parked the old
battery that we had hauled through the mud of Mississippi, across the
bayous of Louisiana and the mountains of Tennessee, and had belched our
terror to traitors from Corinth, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills,
Vicksburg and Chattanooga. Although once wrested from our hands for an
instant, success always crowned their labors. We left them alongside of
a long line of captured napoleons.
The town was under strict military order, and patrols busy picking up
all those found without a pass, so I did not have a chance of going
around. Had a strong desire to visit Lieutenant J. Silsby's Battery, but
I could not. Returned to camp by 5 P. M. Wrote on T. L.'s letter till
dark, when we were assembled for pay at the Captain's tent, it being for
the months of September and October. Clothing accounts settled. I was
$12.86 behind, therefore did not draw but $19.15, better than some who
did not draw any. Turned $15 over to J. Lester, to be expressed home,
leaving me but two dollars pocket money.
IN WINTER QUARTERS
[Sidenote: 1863 Scant Rations]
Enroute, Thursday, Dec. 3. Moved for Bridgeport, Ala., 7 A. M. All the
serviceable horses reported to Lieutenant Harlow of the 12th Battery and
were put in the teams. E. P. Dixon took "Reb" for a saddle horse, giving
me a pony instead, which exempted my team. Emptied my valise into E. W.
E.'s knapsack. My blanket on saddle, Evie's blanket in valise, saddle by
my side, and we started in rear of 12th Battery. Double quicked it for
the first two miles after which we came into muddy roads and moved slow.
Walked about seven miles, taking railroad. Had to wait three or four
hours for Battery to come up at South Sides coal mines. A steep stony
hill ahead of us, and a long wagon train loaded with artillery horses
stuck on it. The Battery did not get started until after sundown. The
horses were entirely jaded out, no feed and hard work. Nearly every
piece stalled and obliged to double teams. Tired of waiting and
standing in the mud, cold and cheerless we pushed on through the brush
until we reached the valley below. We unharnessed and tied to the trees
our faithful but hungry steeds, scraped our haversacks for the last
crumb, after which we laid down all alone and no "grub" for the morrow,
but it worried not our lives.
Bridgeport, Friday, Dec. 4. Awoke at dawn, the ground was white with
frost and blankets stiff, although we slept warm. The 12th Battery
succeeded in getting over some time during the night. "Ned" gone from
the tree. I started in search walking brisk for an hour over the hills
and high brush to no avail. Found our boys in squads by fires, having
suffered severely during the night. Most of them had no blankets.
Returned. Evie started and soon returned astride a fine specimen in the
shape of a "sorrel crowbait", mane and tail closely shaven and points
very prominent; but he could carry the harness, so he would do. No signs
of moving with the batteries. We have nothing to eat, and by this time
quite hungry, which induced us to push on in an independent squad. Two
miles out found "Ned" standing innocently at a fire, held by an infantry
man. Of course I traded. Passed the 1st and 2nd Brigade in camp, also
the Division headquarters. Found grain on roadside near Whiteside.
Halted to let horses eat. Passed by General Smith and Brigade. Captain
Dillon halted and spoke gruffly to us, but finally rode on, and we
followed after him. Made serious attempts to buy cornbread of citizens
or hard-tack from trains going to the front, but failed. Joined by D. J.
Davis, E. F. Hayes and W. H. H. Booth. We journeyed on together.
The sun was very warm, the frozen ground converted into mud. I was
afoot. Noon came and hunger became more pointed. We halted to rest in
sight of a camp, a brigade in winter quarters. "Council of war" held and
the following program determined upon. E. W. E. and E. F. Hayes were to
take the horses and go to the above-mentioned camp and procure
something to eat regardless of expense, while we went to "Mica Jack
Cave" to await their return. Visited this stupendous piece of God's
handiwork and proceeded into it as far as daylight would show us the
way. A truly impressive scene, solid rock under one's feet, pure crystal
water trickling down its walls, streams fell from above on * * * of
rock, which by constant trickling were now smooth and symmetrical. On
all sides long ranges of leeches were arranged for saltpetre works. The
earth out of which it was obtained was brought from the entrance of the
cave, the best of it five miles, in large vats at the mouth for boiling
it down. At length the boys came, having succeeded to a charm, as they
had a box of condemned crackers thrown aside (being mouldy) out of which
they filled their haversacks, and which to us tasted sweeter than honey.
We ate heartily and thankfully of these musty crackers and water from
the cave, after which I felt much stronger.
Seven miles to Bridgeport, which we made easily by 4 P. M. Endeavored to
buy our supper, but the hungry boys of the 1st and 2nd Brigades had
cleared the town. Waited until after night for the arrival of the rest
of the boys, as we hoped they would have rations, but as they did not
appear, D. J. D., E. W. E. and myself started in search of camping
ground. It was very dark and we wandered across the large flat covered
with logs, stumps and rifle pits in search of the camp of the 3rd
Division, from one camp fire to another, until at last we found the
train loaded with crackers. Dan succeeded in filling his haversack with
crackers from behind a wagon. Honest for a hungry man. Built a large
fire by a dead tree, made our bed in the leaves, and after eating a few
dry crackers, retired for the night, tired and rather lonesome.
Bridgeport, Saturday, Dec. 5. Had a fine night's rest, also a fine
breakfast of fried crackers and coffee. Evie borrowed the pan, I begged
the salt, Dan the coffee, after which went up town, gathered waste grain
and fed the famished horses. Ate a pie and water. 10 A. M. the batteries
came in, having been obliged to leave their ammunition chest behind, and
hard work to come at that. Eight of our horses died on the road. The
road is lined on all sides with the dead horses and mules, having died
of starvation. Went into camp east of town. Tents came in 3 P. M. Full
rations for man and beast. Night found us comfortably quartered and
"happy as lambs", infantry singing "Rally, boys, rally" etc. They have
just passed through a hard trip, no tents, got scant rations, and were
half famished by the time they got here, but there was no grumbling or
lagging, each marching cheerfully, parching his corn in the ashes, as
corn is stuff to keep up strength; but such boys are invincible while on
the field, as on the march, alike jolly and contented.
[Sidenote: 1863 A Quiet Sunday]
Bridgeport, Sunday, Dec. 6. A beautiful Sabbath day. Air soft and balmy,
camp remarkably quiet and still. Two large mails received, I the happy
recipient of eight letters. Spent most of the day in writing a letter
commenced the 1st to T. L., such is the difficulty of letter-writing in
the army. Felt tired and worn out indeed and slept considerable of the
day. Osterhaus's Division came in and went into camp on our left.
Bridgeport, Monday, Dec. 7. Changed, washed, etc. in the forenoon. Wrote
home in afternoon. All quiet in and around camp. Various rumors afloat
as to our final destination for the winter. Generally supposed we are to
open the road to Corinth. Fine weather for this time of the year.
Bridgeport, Tuesday, Dec. 8. A cold rainy day, very disagreeable in
camp; naturally thought much of home and its comforts. But we looked
forward to the happy time coming when we will be permitted to join the
circle on the old hearthstone and know war no more. May the day soon
come. I am not impatient but anxious.
Bridgeport, Wednesday, Dec. 9. Rain ceased, sun appeared and the deep
slushy mud soon dried up. After dinner I was detailed to help take
horses to turn them over with Lieutenant Simpson. Took thirty-eight
horses and three mules, crossed the bridge on to the island, and had to
go up stream two miles to the corral. Its presence was manifested by the
stench from far off from the carrion of the dead. They filled for acres
the woods to a number almost incredible, starved to death. The
corral-master was an old-looking man. We found him in an isolated
clapboard house with only two or three inhabitants. He must enjoy the
life of a hermit. The corral was a field of ten acres containing three
thousand to four thousand head of mules and horses, all much pulled down
for want of feed. It was sundown before we turned them over. Had three
miles of bad road to camp. Walked it through the dark, lost our track
several times. Found a good supper of fried beef and biscuit awaiting
us. Spent evening in Griff's tent listening to music of flute and vocal
as discoursed by Byness, Parker, etc.
Bridgeport, Thursday, Dec. 10. Sun so hot as to be quite warm. Much like
a spring day in Wisconsin. Everybody lively and full of fun, troubled
with nothing but "nothing to do", which to me is a serious cup. Gambling
among the indulging ones quite brisk. Watches and pens raffled for, etc.
A chuckluck doing big business was surprised by a guard in Osterhaus's
camp this afternoon and the boys taken to the headquarters of the
Division under guard. The idleness and monotony of camp is fearfully
demoralizing to many, and inevitably leads to the gaming table if
indulged in.
Bridgeport, Friday, Dec. 11. A most beautiful and delightful day, and
all the boys merry and light-hearted as larks. It was expected last
night that we should march to-day, but instead we policed camp. Our
officers are making a sudden effort toward strict discipline so long
neglected, that it is properly called "putting on style" now. C---- put
on a day's extra duty under guard by order of Captain ----, more to glut
vengeance than justice, I am afraid. Men put on extra duty for not
attending roll-call.
[Sidenote: 1863 "Honest Abe"]
Bridgeport, Saturday, Dec. 12. A misty morning which broke into rain,
which drizzled all day, enough to make it sun-less and disagreeable
outside and chilly in tent for want of fire. Read "Honest Abe's"
Message, which in my estimation is true and honest, every word. The
_old_ Democrats in camp would like to criticize, but can't find much
fault. It is hard to put away party prejudices. Small mail arrived, but
none for me.
Bridgeport, Sunday, Dec. 13. The heavy rain of yesterday and last night
still continued, and in the afternoon it rained much heavier with strong
wind which drove it through the tents, rendering everything wet and
uncomfortable. Wrote an imperfect letter to Sister Ellen in A. M. The
remainder of the day spent in reading _Gleason's Companion_ which I
luckily hit on. Comrades in tent playing "poker" all day "for fun". Laid
down at night in wet blankets and aching bones.
Bridgeport, Monday, Dec. 14. Woke up last night to find myself "shaking"
at double quick. Shook for nearly an hour and a half as hard and fast as
ever, after which a burning fever came on and continued all night. Did
not get up to roll call, but watered my horses, after which I was called
on guard, the 2nd relief, guarding C----. Cold and windy, rain cleared
off. Many of the boys raising their tents, walling them with logs,
building chimneys, etc. At night C---- was allowed to go to his tent, so
I was relieved from guard. The evening seemed very long with nothing to
do or read.
Bridgeport, Tuesday, Dec. 15. Quite cold in the morning but sun soon
appeared and warmed up the air as well as the soldiers' heart. Intended
to "fix up" our tent but failed to procure team, so we washed in the
forenoon, built a fire in the woods, it resounding on all sides with the
axes of the soldiers felling trees, etc., as if it was a chopping bee in
the backwoods.
P. M. Wrote a letter to sister. Sewed and darned. The day passed quickly
and pleasantly. No mail, though much looked for.
Bridgeport, Wednesday, Dec. 16. Reveille at 5 A. M. Breakfast at 6 A. M.
Sick call at 8 A. M. Guard mounting 9 A. M. Water call 10 A. M. Dinner
and "feed horses" call 12 M. Water call 3 P. M. Retreat and roll-call 5
P. M. Tatoo 9 P. M. Taps at 9:15 P. M. This is the regular undisturbed
routine of camp duty, the same to-day as yesterday, the same yesterday
as to-morrow. Nothing to jar the well balanced wheel. On she goes with
no interruption, and we hope not for relief from this mental bane of
monotony until we will be permitted to take off the uniform and don the
citizen's coat, and not obliged to listen to bugle or drum. Blake, Evans
and Dixon went to the woods this morning and got out logs to raise the
tent. After dinner hauled them up with mule team. A "raise" before night
having about three feet of a wall, much more roomy than before but
colder. Indications of rain. Expected a wetting through the cracks. All
the boys have been very busy in the same way.
[Sidenote: 1863 Building a "shebang"]
Bridgeport, Thursday, Dec. 17. Rained very heavy all night with wind
which threatened to overthrow the elevated canvas overhead. Slept warm
and dry, and after breakfast Schmidt and myself mudded the "shebang", I
acting as chief mason, he carrying the mud. Continued raining most all
day and all hands stayed in doors most of the time. Cheerless, were we
not used to it. Clothing issued. No mail.
Bridgeport, Friday, Dec. 18. Sharp, cold night, the mud of yesterday
frozen hard. Evie and myself started to the hills to quarry stone for a
fireplace after breakfast. Worked hard for two hours and gathered a good
load. Waited for a team another hour. None came, so we went to camp
after dinner. Blake did the chimney, and we had the gratification at
night to have a large blazing fire in our room, now comfortable quarters
which looked quite home-like. Stories told with fun, laughter, till late
at night.
Bridgeport, Saturday, Dec. 19. Still cold and windy. We were apparently
as much pinched as though we were in Wisconsin, notwithstanding a great
difference to be seen in the climate. The ground has not been frozen to
the depth of four inches here yet. Water open most of the time, while
there snow and ice is unceasing at this season. 2nd and 4th Divisions
reported to be coming in. After evening roll-call the Company formed in
hollow square and listened to an order from General McPherson in regard
to veterans re-enlisting which caused quite an excitement. Many talk of
re-enlisting.
Bridgeport, Sunday, Dec. 20. Considerable frost this morning, but the
boys came out in high spirits, full of fun and very noisy. The
fireplaces doing good service to keep up spirits, and all have drawn
clothing enough to keep warm. We received no mail or papers for three
days, the cars having run off the track this side of Nashville. Captain
Dillon left for Nashville this P. M. after artillery equipment. Wrote a
letter to brother John. Darned stockings, etc. Signed receipt roll for
clothing.
Bridgeport, Monday, Dec. 21. Awakened long before daylight by bugles of
the _Dutch_ in Osterhaus's camp to rally the men to prepare for
marching, and at daylight ours sounded, which brought us out to roll
call, the cold morning air giving electricity to horses and boys,
unusually lively and noisy. 1st Brigade of our Division marched by with
knapsacks, guns. They told us we were to follow soon. They were followed
by Osterhaus's Division, leaving their comfortable quarters that they
had been diligently building for the last week. Mail and papers arrived.
Order received at evening roll-call from Sherman permanently
transferring the 2nd Division, 17th Corps, to the 3rd Division, 15th
Corps, which was met with decided dissatisfaction by most of the boys,
as we did not like to leave McPherson.
8 P. M. Assembly sounded to give us the expected orders to march at 8 A.
M. to-morrow and make ready knapsacks. Packed, etc.
En route, Tuesday, Dec. 22. Reveille called us before daylight.
Breakfast over, tents struck by sunrise. All the horses still to be
turned over to the 12th Battery with the exception of enough to draw the
battery wagons and forges. The harness had to be hauled in the wagons,
so all had to carry blankets, and at the appointed time we "fell in" in
marching train, three days' rations in haversacks. Blankets rolled up
and slung over shoulder. Strict orders against straggling. A beautiful
sunny day. We marched in rear of 12th Battery which advanced with
difficulty. Camped at 4 P. M. in a grove, very beautiful and close to
good water. Cooked suppers, and large fine blazing rail fires built, by
which we sat till late.
Stevenson, Ala., Wednesday, Dec. 23. Broke camp at 8 P. M. and marched
to Stevenson. Before we arrived at 11:30 A. M. Osterhaus's train, going
in cars, went to camp to the left of town and put up tents in a fine
open field.
En route, Thursday, Dec. 24. Lay waiting for orders to move till 10 A.
M., when it came--"to strike tents" and march out. Marched through town
which was once an active place from appearances. Followed the Nashville
road for one mile then turned east through a low swampy bottom, and of
course progressed very slowly through mud holes and over corduroys,
having to halt frequently to allow trains to close up. Made coffee.
Camped at 4 P. M. Pitched our tents at will in a thicket of oak and pine
on a side hill. Rails plenty out of which we made large fires and
gathered large piles of leaves for "downy beds." The evening was calm
and still, the thick growth above giving our camp a picturesque
appearance like a mammoth hall. It was Christmas eve, and many were the
loving wishes that "we were home". Game of cards whiled away the hours
pleasantly to many. I was suffering with a severe toothache. The very
thing to relieve it--lay down early and contrasted past scenes with
present, trying to pry into the future, until weary nature lulled pain
and homesickness, and I slept to dream of home.
[Sidenote: 1863 Christmas Marching]
Bellefonte, Ala., Friday, Dec. 25. Christmas Night. Awoke, not to the
chiming voices of happy children as they cried "Wish you Merry
Christmas", but to the notes of the bugle calling us to be ready to
move. Struck tents at 8 A. M. Roads much better than those we have
passed. Marched fast most of the time, having to go much out of the way
to avoid swamps or bluffs. Marched quietly along, absorbed in thinking
of home, and what they are doing this Christmas Day. Came into camp late
at night near the county seat of Jackson County. The buildings burned
and gone to ruin. I was very tired and footsore. No crackers for supper,
so we made up the Christmas supper on parched corn and coffee. Tooth
ached badly, had but little sleep. During the night rained very heavy.
Larkinsville, Ala., Saturday, Dec. 26. Four small crackers (1/3 day's
rations) were issued to us this morning for breakfast, reserving the
others for the day's march. Struck tents in a drenching rain, and
continued all day. We marched along through the mud and rain, part of
the roads exceedingly bad, being a low marshy ground covered with water
for miles, timbered with large beech trees and green holly. Scottsboro
is a very pretty little station five miles from Larkinsville,
headquarters of the 15th Corps. Warning given not to enter houses as
smallpox was prevalent, one house had five patients, another a corpse.
Reached this place at 4 P. M. wet, footsore, and quite hungry, and had
to wait until after night for rations. 3rd Brigade to go in winter
quarters. Plenty of cedar rails.
Larkinsville, Sunday, Dec. 27. Rain, rain, all last night, and to-day I
was on guard. Stood with toothache and swollen right side of face in no
pleasant mood. Felt cross and lonesome. Foragers sent after corn.
Returned with plenty of fresh meat, etc. Larkinsville is situated in a
very fertile valley, and citizens well disposed and loyal. Forty miles
east of Huntsville, twenty-two west of Stevenson and two hundred
twenty-six east of Memphis. 3rd Brigade and 12th Battery busy at work
hauling stones, timber, etc. for winter quarters.
Larkinsville, Monday, Dec. 28. Rain ceased and sky cleared off. Sun
shone down on mud six inches deep on level. Camping ground staked out
and tents ordered to be moved into position. Blake gone out after fresh
meat. Dixon and Evie started after cedar timber to wall the tent. I
snaked them down with horse team. By night we had tent up, four feet red
cedar logs with bed of cedar boughs. Rather cold bed. Blake and Snyder
[Seiders?] returned with half a porker. Snyder [Seiders?] changed with
Schmidt and came into our mess and tent.
Larkinsville, Tuesday, Dec. 29. Warm and pleasant. Long train sent
foraging under escort. Snyder sent on detail. Hauled stone from bluff
and put up fireplace and chimney, mudded up, etc. Streets of the Battery
presenting a lively appearance, men's sleeves rolled up, coats off,
rolling stones, chopping, making mud buildings of every fancy and
description to suit the proprietors. Soldiers are not lazy when they
work for their own immediate interest.
4 P. M. Snyder's [Seiders?] horses led into camp by infantry men loaded
with five hogs, twenty-six chickens. Guards took him to headquarters,
but he outgeneraled them by sending off the game which they wanted,
therefore he was returned.
Larkinsville, Wednesday, Dec. 30. Cold and cloudy day. I suffered much
from neuralgia and toothache, from which I could get no rest. Dressed
the two hogs brought yesterday, and salted them. The chickens hung up
for New Year's. We drew rations for the tent and cooked at the
fireplace, a family of our own. Camp still busy improving. Women and
boys in camp trading cornbread off for coffee and salt, etc. with the
soldiers. Eight hundred rounds of powder ammunition received by
Lieutenant Clark for new battery. Unloaded and stored down town.
Larkinsville, Thursday, Dec. 31. Wet and disagreeable. Rained all night
and day. Water running into our houses so as to threaten drowning us
out. So we stole lumber enough from a deserted house to build us bunks,
E. W. and myself on the upper shelf four feet above, where I laid and
tossed from pain until late; the other bunk underneath. Could not sleep
and I thought of the closing year that we had commenced two hundred
miles west of here on a tedious march from Germantown to Lafayette, and
since then travelled many a hundred miles of rebel country, meeting the
enemy and winning.
[Sidenote: 1864 Reenlistment?]
Larkinsville, Friday, Jan. 1, 1864. The new year came in very cold with
a little snow, the first of the season. Ground frozen several inches in
depth. Veteran enlistments began this morning. John Eagion headed the
list and was followed by eighteen before breakfast, which continued
rapidly through the day accompanied with considerable excitement and
hesitation. Thus New Year's day was spent, a striking contrast to those
that our minds were continually turning to. A good supper for a soldier,
of "chicken fixin" which helped to make us very contented during the
long evening.