grieve to write it. ---- returned with six months' pay, thereby
establishing a whiskey fund. ---- I understand, has placed him under
arrest in a fit of intoxication, I suppose. He seeks consolation in the
"flowing bowl." ---- was reported in his quarters a little dryer
Saturday. After supper ----, ----, with our ---- and a neighboring
lieutenant staggered into camp beastly drunk, an open insult to the boys
whom they command. Words ran high amongst them and a drunken brawl was
imminent while the boys flocked around to see the "example set." My
feelings were those of indignation. Here was our ---- and two ---- in
the depth of drunken degradation in broad daylight. I longed to see an
officer ride through camp who despised such things, and at once relieve
us from such disgrace. But, Oh, where is there an officer that is not a
similar slave? Echo answers _where_? But I am proud of our exceptions.
We have two officers who hold such things in proper disgust. They are
_Men_.
[Sidenote: 1865 Work Goes On]
Chattanooga, Tuesday, April 25. A very pleasant day. Health good. No
mail for me. Although General Thomas has stopped all great building and
work of all kinds, we are still kept at it. The right wing of the stable
is enlarged and roofed. Have been "shaking" all day. Did a good day's
work.
4th Army Corps returned from Knoxville, nothing for them to do there.
Every train from there is alive with noisy Yankees. Some think they go
to Texas to do their last work. Five batteries of the reserve, they say,
to go with them. Considerable speculation as to whether we are to go
along or not. I don't care.
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.
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.
Chattanooga, Friday, April 28. I have just finished treading out another
eight hours of this rebellion. Scoured my sabre and turned it over to
the orderly so my successor can have it. Most of the boys are on duty,
some are white-washing the stables, others policing, and I find more
quiet to write than usual. Our quarters are full of boisterous soldiers
generally--sixteen makes a great noise. Have written to T. L. and must
cease this scribble to enjoy a short space of quiet inaction, for I am
in a happy, lazy mood.
By the way, our gallant old leader, General Sherman, has committed a
grave mistake in dealing with his crafty foe, Johnston. Already the
ravenous editors are pouncing upon him to tear him by piecemeal, but the
soldiers are slow to censure one whom they respect so much. I for one
doubt not his sincerity for a single moment. But, great in magnanimity
himself, he placed far too much confidence in the honor of his enemy.
General Grant goes forward. All will soon be right again. Booth has been
shot by his pursuers, thereby cheating hemp of its dues.
Chattanooga, Saturday, April 29. It has been raining at times all day
and last night. Went to town on pass this morning, got a paper
containing the cheering news of Johnston's surrender of all troops east
of Chattahoochee River. Hurrah! Hurrah! Everybody feels very good, but
we have become accustomed to good news, it does not call forth much
demonstration.
Chattanooga, Sunday, April 30. A cool, windy day. This is the last day
of the month, consequently muster day. Mustering officer, Lieutenant
Dutch, arrived 12 M. Lieutenant A. Sweet commanded the company, Hood yet
unfit for duty. After inspecting our uniforms, we were soon given
another credit of two months on Uncle Sam's account. He now owes us
eight months' pay, and I think will not pay us till he gives us a final
settlement.
All is life and hilarity in our camp, and grape-vine rumors are plenty.
General Steedman has gone to Dalton to receive the surrender of rebel
General Wofford and his command. Kirby Smith I think will soon "hang up
the fiddle". Considerable of the '62 excitement prevails. They say
orders are issued to muster us out immediately. I do not credit it yet,
and am for my own self not anxious, but am willing to bide my time or
wait till "we all go home together." Yet I must admit that my heart
beats quicker and my breath comes faster as I think of returning to
"Home, sweet home."
Chattanooga, Monday, May 1. May Day, and I begin another book in good
health and splendid spirits. Went out on brigade drill this morning 8 A.
M. Four horse batteries drilled under Major Mendenhall, our chief.
Maneuvered on the nice green flat south of Fort Phelps. The loud voices
of command and the clamor of the bugles, attracted many spectators. The
drill passed off pleasantly and instructive. The 6th Battery under
Lieutenant Sweet did as well as the best. Reached camp by dinner time.
[Sidenote: 1865 Getting Relics]
Never was our camp fuller of grape-vine rumors than now, and I never
knew soldiers under greater excitement. The vague orders of the War
Department in relation to reducing expenses and mustering out the army,
gives all the ground of believing in a speedy discharge, consequently a
hundred different speculations exist. I don't feel any peculiar
exhilaration, but like the rest, I cannot stay long in a place but go
about to hear and talk. Ed Hayes and I procured a section of the mine
laid in bottom of the Tennessee River to Bridgeport during Bragg's
siege, this afternoon. Quite a curiosity.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, May 2. The sun arose in all its majesty, promising
a splendid day. After breakfast Landen and George Spencer were going on
top of Lookout. They had a pass for three, and invited me to go along.
Having a great desire to visit, I was soon before the officer of the
day, thence to Captain Hood, and the request granted. With a loaf of
bread and tin cup in my haversack, we started.
Delayed till 8 A. M. waiting for pass to go through picket lines. Two
miles brisk walking brought us to the base of the mountain which looked
much more formidable there than from camp. We made the ascent on the
military road which has been blasted and macadamized by Uncle Sam. It
ran zigzag along the east slope of the hill, and not too steep to drive
a team quite readily. Patiently we trudged along around massive piles
of eternal rocks and past beautiful rustic springs of pure cold water,
gushing from solid rocks, partly fixed by the hand of man for the
accommodation of man and beast. The road was lined on both sides with
heavy foliage of living green, with an occasional opening, through which
we could look back on the map-like plat of Chattanooga, with its
well-laid camps, and cool our heated brows with the cool refreshing
breezes.
Up and up we go, ever and anon we pass a notice by the engineer, giving
the elevation above the Tennessee and the distance up to the top. For
over two hours we tugged upwards, our enthusiasm somewhat abated by the
fatigue, but finally we reached the summit. A sentinel with white gloves
and glistening brass, a "true regular" demanded to see our pass. We were
now two miles or more from the point which overlooks the town. Here was
quite a town called Summer Town with a large tavern, stables, etc.
Evidently this was once a great pleasure resort in the summer season for
the aristocracy. Here were also extensive hospital buildings erected by
the U. S., accommodating I should judge, over 5,000 sick. Also the camp
of the Regular Brigade quartered here for over a year.
But time was precious and we pushed on toward the west side of the
mountain which is about a mile and a half across, through a heavy growth
of timber with a beautiful variety of wild flowers. Before noon we stood
on the grounds where Hooker and his men won immortal fame in November,
1863. Directly beneath us we could see the remains of the camp in
Lookout Valley. On the further side of the valley was a train of cars
leaving Sequatchie Station, looking very diminutive like a child's
plaything. On the parapet we walked around the craggy points towards the
Point, passing several heavy lines of rebel earthworks. 'Tis astounding
how men could ever fight on such precipitous rocks. By a most lovely
spring gushing over the very brink we seated ourselves in the refreshing
shade of a sycamore, and ate our dinner with keen relish.
[Sidenote: 1865 Lookout]
Now we stood on the veritable point, 1600 feet above high water mark of
the Tennessee, 200 feet straight down the rocks. The scene from this
place was the grandest I have ever seen, and may be the most extensive I
may ever see again. Chattanooga looked very regular and flat, Mission
Ridge dwindled down to an apparent flat, and miles beyond it was but one
flat ocean of green timber. Off to the east the eye could distinguish
four distinct ranges of mountains beyond the Mission Ridge, the last
being the obscure Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, undoubtedly sixty
miles distant. To the northeast the view was much further, nothing to
intercept the vision as far as the naked eye could reach. We could look
over into Western Virginia and East Tennessee, and imagine all kinds of
things of the human beings scattered along. To the west and north the
eye had not as wide a range, the Cumberland Mountains being as high, if
not higher, but could easily see Alabama in that way. Five different
states of our now almost happy Union from one place. Watered by the
creek-like Tennessee River, which made a double slant, to the foot of
the mountain, leaving the point of land on the opposite side in the
exact shape of a huge foot, hence the name "Moccasin Point", where
Thomas's batteries were so hotly engaged with Lookout during Bragg's
siege.
Here we found a photograph gallery erected on the jut of a rock--takes
pictures of objects on an adjoining point, $6.00 per dozen. He has many
very beautiful plates of the mountain scenery, prominent among them is
the Lula Falls and Lake about six miles south of the summit; but one
day's furlough would not grant us the pleasure of visiting it, so we
commenced the descent in the nearest direction, which appeared but a
short distance. For a while we went directly downward through the seam
in the rock, then by aid of trees and shrubs we kept up with ourselves.
Down, down we went, but yet no bottom, often obliged to rest. An hour's
walk brought us to the bottom and thankful for it. We wended our way to
camp, tired but well satisfied with our excursion.
We reached camp by 5 P. M. Found everything quiet. Nobody mustered out
as yet but much talk of it. 18th Ohio Battery and brigade of infantry
taken to Dalton to-day by Steedman. I understand he has made several
attempts at negotiations with rebel General Wofford, but failed. He is
now to resort to strenuous measures.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, May 3. Went on guard last night at sunset,
acting as corporal of the guard. Was on duty from 12 P. M. to 12 M. more
fatiguing I think than to stand on post. Went to town this afternoon.
Found the town guarded exclusively by negro troops, white troops retired
this morning. They must intend to dispense with some of us soon. My
health is good. News is sought with great eagerness. There are but few
cents of money in camp, and one paper often goes into every shanty.
Chattanooga, Thursday, May 4. A very hot, sultry day. Another battery
drill this morning under Lieutenant Sweet. Still the excitement runs
high. Grape-vine telegraph is very productive. Every hour through the
day has its "special items." Bets run high, with stakes mostly
"something good to eat" after the "muster out." The situation is yet
unclouded, and I can see nothing to prevent us from being sent home
soon. Bathed in the Tennessee River in the evening, drilled on the gun
after supper. Looks like rain, hope it will and cool the air.
Chattanooga, Friday, May 5. No rain to cool the terrible air or lay the
dust, which flies in heavy clouds, reminding one very vividly of old
Spring Green prairie. Have been very busy all day, could not find time
to write a letter. 7 A. M. went out for brigade drill by Major
Mendenhall, but he did not come, so we had an interesting drill of our
own. A. Sweet is bringing the Company up to its old Rienzi standard in
drilling. Great strife among the detachments, both trying to come into
battery first. Second piece is ready first every time. Returned to camp
by 11, another hour in column to water and back.
[Sidenote: 1865 A Neighborly "Lift"]
After dinner went out to Mission Ridge after wood, two wagons and four
men. At the picket post our gallant driver took up two of the fair ones,
who after enjoying their quid of tobacco silently for a mile or so, said
the ride "holped 'em right smart." Drilled two hours after supper.
Ration day. Drew two days' rations of bread and three of hard-tack, no
more soft bread to be issued. They want us to eat the surplus hard-tack.
This is considered significant.
Chattanooga, Saturday, May 6. No rain yet to settle the dust, which has
been flying in blinding clouds all day, very hot and sultry. Policed
camp and stables this afternoon instead of drill. "What is the news" is
yet the cry, and stray bits of rumors are caught and devoured with
avidity.
Chattanooga, Sunday, May 7. A very hot day, still dusty. Had the usual
morning inspection. Grazed in the afternoon. Camp more quiet than it has
been for some days. Wrote a letter to John and Hannah. Mounted guard at
retreat, as corporal this time again, Hayes sick. Found nice patch of
ripe strawberries to-day.
Chattanooga, Monday, May 8. The cooling rain drops have been falling in
a refreshing shower all day. Have done my guard duty once more. How many
more times must I go on before I will be relieved from this machine
life? Will my mind ever be allowed to dictate the movements of the body
again? I hope so. I have received an interesting letter from my old bunk
mate, Evie. Have written him two full sheets in return.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, May 9. Very much pleasanter after yesterday's
rain. Drilled to-day in camp twice. No orders disposing of us poor
"critters" received yet, although much expected. Great dissatisfaction
exists among the veterans in regard to the government mustering out all
the sick soldiers, recruits, etc. except the veterans. It is not right,
I think. They came out first and have been the means of bringing about
this happy end, and they should be the first to receive the reward, I
think. We have been eating hard-tack for the last two days, and I find
myself suffering from the change. My system, weakened from living on
inadequate food, is not vigorous enough to digest it, hence the return
of diarrhea.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, May 10. Went out on battery drill this morning,
afterwards to water. When I reached camp felt quite unwell, bowels very
painful. Drilled at noon, heavy fever followed it.
Chattanooga, Thursday, May 11. Feel much better than yesterday
afternoon, although weak yet. Yesterday afternoon had a severe fever,
and my whole frame ached sorely. Ate no supper. Bathed in the evening
and perspired freely. Bowels are yet very sore, but fever is gone. Griff
made a cup of gruel for my breakfast. Did not go to sick call, hence on
duty, were it not for Goodwin's kindness. But I have no desire to be
subjected to the doctor's barbarous cure-all. Cantharides blister is his
universal remedy for everything. Drew soft bread to-day again, which is
a little better, and by doing all I can to help nature I expect to be
all right again. I have had only one of my accustomed spells, when my
system becomes prostrated by hard usage, but I have a wonderful
vitality, and it soon rallies again to its accustomed standard. I hope
to keep all right until I bid adieu to soldiering.
Chattanooga, Friday, May 12. We derive comfort around our camp stove
with a roaring fire this morning, but about noon it grew hot enough for
comfort. Feel better, but have no appetite for the coarse rations we
receive. No drill this morning. Lieutenant Sweet and several others gone
to Lookout mounted. Also five on foot, some out of the guard list,
which brings me on No. 1 post, third relief of guard to-night. I am not
fit to go on, but will try it, as none are excused save those who report
to the doctor. Ex-rebel Wofford surrendered 8000 men at Kingston, Ga.,
to-day to Brigadier General Judah. So it goes on.
Chattanooga, Saturday, May 13. Very pleasant night to stand guard. Sun
very hot to-day. No. 1 post is most exposed. Have to walk the beat with
military precision on the park. I am no worse, but feel better. Headache
has left me. Received a letter from home; wrote one to sister Jane. She
is now teaching school, a child when I left. Thus have I been standing
still while others have been acquiring knowledge for the last three
years, but I regret not the sacrifice. Ellen's [school] commences next
Monday. Truly do I belong to an enterprising family.
Chattanooga, Sunday, May 14. A calm and quiet Sabbath has passed, and we
have had much of the time for ourselves, no grazing, etc. Wrote home and
to sister Hannah. I am troubled much in regard to her, have not received
any letter from her for over two weeks and I fear she is sick again. Her
ambition is too much for a frail nature.
[Sidenote: 1865 Justice for Davis]
2 P. M. a special dispatch brought into camp stating that Old Jeff and
crew has been taken finally. It is official and no doubt true. The arch
traitor is at last brought to justice. What will be done with him? I
trust the law will be vindicated in its full extent.
Chattanooga, Monday, May 15. Reveille sounded at 4 A. M. Harnessed and
saddled up before feeding, ate an early breakfast and started out for
brigade drill, five horse batteries on the ground by 6 A. M. Major
Mendenhall drilled us for nearly two hours. The morning being cool, it
passed off very pleasantly, and we returned to camp feeling better for
the exercise. Remainder of the forenoon appeared long. Grazed in the
afternoon and had an interesting game of chess with Ed. Hayes. No news,
but many wild reports. Amongst the most exciting is that Jeff Davis is
to pass through to-night.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, May 16. Captain Hood took us out to battery drill
early, but came back in an hour. Orders received to graze but twice a
week, which is agreeably received by the boys. Notwithstanding, went out
this afternoon, went to the hills. Will Holmes and I got into an
orchard, had all the ripe cherries we wanted to eat, also some nice
strawberries.
When we returned, we found a large squad of rebs having come in, and
they were corralled near the church where General Judah was paroling
them. After roll call Griff and I went down to view the last "row of
shad." They were a portion of Brig. Gen. B. J. Hill's Cavalry Division,
quartered in a barn. He sent several squads to other points nearer to
their homes to be paroled. He came in person with them, some 150
Tennessee and Kentucky men. The officers kept horses and side arms. Many
of them support a great deal of gold lace with an air of defiance.
Privates are the same squalid, low-foreheaded, long-haired,
unintelligent specimens of humanity. As all the others, look a little
crestfallen, but strange to say many of them thought they were not
whipped, but "reckoned they mote be arter a while". Poor ignorance.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, May 17. Reveille sounded very early every
morning now. Begin to feel very well, think I can grind hard-tack enough
to keep the system going for a while. Nothing to read or do, so procured
a pass to see if I could not find some reading matter in town.
[Sidenote: 1865 A Dashing Prisoner]
Found Chattanooga literally filled with "gray backs" riding to and fro
at will. About two hundred came in this morning, a portion of Hardee's
Corps, the picked escort of Old Jeff. They followed him to Washington,
Ga., when he took it alone with a few friends, and left them to go and
receive their paroles, which they received at Atlanta, Ga. Many of them
were quite splendidly dressed, having the finest uniforms I have ever
seen with them. I talked with many of them in a friendly strain,
astonished to find them so ignorant of the history of the last year. But
most of them are heartily tired of war, and say they are willing to bide
the will of the United States, but fear Andy Johnson's severity. One
poor fellow in a sad strain said he "was going to the place where his
home once was, but God knows where it is now, I have not heard from any
of them for ten months." They were commanded by one of the most
desperate, wild-looking colonels I have ever seen, a fair representation
of the pictures we see of brigand chiefs or buccaneers. He wore a large,
warm, home-made cloak, plaited around the waist like an old fashioned
wammus, hanging clear to his heels, and a coarse white hat with a brim a
foot wide, and greasy hair below the shoulders. About evening six
hundred more came in.
Silver and gold is quite plenty. Dealers in town are reaping a harvest.
Scrip is useless, a newsboy hesitating to sell a paper for $100.00 of
it.
Chattanooga, Thursday, May 18. Yesterday's rain continued all day to-day
with slight interruptions. Groomed "Old Gray" which is about all I did.
A little before noon we turned out to see a battalion of the 13th
Tennessee. They march by in their grey. Still they come, thicker and
faster and more of them.
5 P. M. Rebel General Williams marched in at the head of the 1st, 2nd,
and 9th Kentucky, the 1st Brigade of Wheeler's Cavalry. They rode good
horses. At the bridge a line of blue flanked them on either side. They
rode along with downcast eye and clouded brow, officers each having
three or four revolvers strapped to themselves, as they were allowed to
retain side-arms. Undoubtedly most of them were transferred from the
privates' belts before coming in. The surplus ones were thrown into the
river they say. And these were the men that had for four years made
themselves notorious by their heinous deeds, now allowed all civility. I
fear they are tame from policy, and not from principles, and will yet
give us trouble.
On guard at 7 P. M., No. 1, third relief, so I must retire in order to
get up at 11 P. M.
AWAITING DISCHARGE
Chattanooga, Friday, May 19. Rainy and disagreeable. Was wet all day
from 5 to 7. I was on post during one of the most sublime and terrific
rain storms I have ever witnessed. Two clouds of pitchy darkness swept
down upon us from different directions, enveloping all the surrounding
hills and meeting over Chattanooga. Poured rain in torrents with thunder
and lightning playing high carnival right in our midst. My poncho was
poor defense against such a storm, and I was thoroughly wetted. Feel
quite unwell, and will go to bed though it is not dark.
Chattanooga, Saturday, May 20. Last night I again suffered from chill
and very heavy fever, a type of the ague which seems to be a part of my
nature. Whatever jars my vital power is certain to bring on ague.
Suffered considerable pain under my right shoulder, experiencing some
difficulty to breathe at times, a slight attack of pleurisy, I think.
Did not arise until breakfast time, did my duty the remainder of the
day. No mail yet to speak of, five days' now due.
New excitement in camp caused by a new batch of rumors, substance of
which is that we are to take muskets and go into these forts instead of
the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery who are going home, they being but
one-year men.
Chattanooga, Sunday, May 21. A very pleasant day and I feel pretty well.
Inspection at 9 A. M., Lieut. A. Sweet in charge. Much surprised to hear
that Captain Hood has tendered his resignation, and it has been
returned accepted. Expects to leave soon for home. Waited anxiously for
the arrival of the mail this morning, but was sadly disappointed. Wrote
two long letters notwithstanding, before dinner, one to brother John, my
ever faithful weekly correspondent, the other to Sister Hannah at
Albion. Have not received a word from her this month. I fear she has
overtaxed herself again by arduous study.
[Sidenote: 1865 The National Cemetery]