John C. Lowry Diary, 1862
At
no
John C Lowry
Marion
Ala
J C Lowry
Company (F)
20th Regt Ala Vols
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To Father from his
"Little Bettie"
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Kingston April 9th 1862
Sweet Bettie your father is much oblige for this nice present, and he will try and set down every thing that transpires in camp, so that you can read it when he gets back home. Capt Lockett arrived today brought me a pair shoes & several other things also a letter from home, recd another from home & my little girl is much better. write to Paralee & Sister. Locket brought 14 recruits recd another letter from home
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April 10th 1862
How kind Paralee is to write to me so often got another letter & Bettie is well We received marching orders We started this morning for Corinth Miss. we go to Londen & take the cars to Chattanoga. we got to the river at Londen before sun down but did not get all the waggons over until midnight. we left at two oclock for Chattanoga very much crowded are allowed one & one half cars, fifty men in one but
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April 11th 1862
so crowded that we cant rest much I lost my cap went to the door to look out and a brush knocked it off. we arrived at Chatanoga at two P.M. It is a very important place, lots of R.Roads there we hear that the enemy have possession of Huntsville Ala and we have to pass through there. they also have possession of the R.R. & some cars. we draw two days rations and go to cooking. we start as soon as we get through. Lieut Speer got with us as we met the cars brought me a letter from home
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April 12th/62
I see Tom Woods a brother of Charlies he lives here he is going to Ala today to take his child to his mother as he lost his wife about a month agoe, would have written home but I did not have time. He said that he would see Pa & tell him about me. It will be a good chance for him to send Noah to me. Leave Chatanoga at five A.M. but only go about 35 miles when we hear that the enemy are advancing, so we stop & go into camps. Our company go on pickett about two miles off
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April 13th 1862
We thought at one time that we would be certain to have a fight and were drawn in line of battle on the side of the road We expected the enemy to pass on the cars, but they did not they are near us & have burnt a bridge over the river. Every one was excited but not many of us scared. Sam Tubb was on his post & dropped his gun in some way & it shot him throug the hand poor fellow he suffers very much the Dr has just cut his arm off & he has been sent to Chattanoga he is one of the men that came with the Captain. I expect we will have to go by Mobile
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April 14th 1862
Our camp is in Alabama but I dont feel much like I was in my native state. The enemy at Stevenson hearing that we were here left at double quick & left their knapsacks & things behind I finished my letter to Paralee and started it. I was detailed to floor the bridges over the Tenn river so that Cavaldry could cross. we finished and a regiment crossed, the bridges are very long. Our Company are out on skirmish drill this evening. The telegraph office is moved to camp
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April 15th/62
I was detailed to go over the river to arrest a man that was supposed to be a spy We double-quicked all the way & when we got there we found out that he was not the fellow that we thought him to be but a good southern man. The people on the other side are very much excited. We think we will have an attack. The enemy are comeing upon a boat. An artillery company came out & are stationed at the river. 5 Companies on pickett to night
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April 16th 1862
Very pleasant this morning but quite warm in the middle of the day. Nothing doing in camp and it is quite lonesome Write to Paralee, and was disapointed at not getting a letter from her. Hope I will get one tomorrow. The excitement has all died away about the attack. The Cavaldry arrested three men and brought them into camp. They are now under guard. Pickrings Company was mustered preparitory to being paid off—
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April 17th 1862
Cloudy & looks like rain. Our Company was mustered this morning I suppose that we will be paid off in a few days. A good many guns are fireing in the neighborhood of the camp, and it is against the law the Col has sent off to arrest those that are shooting. I expect he will have the guard house full. We have to go on pickett at eleven oclock to stay 24 hours I am affraid it will rain. Kinard one of Davidsons men in Guard house for going to sleep on post. It will go hard with him
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April 18th 1862
Returned from pickett to camp Someone had stolen all of our provisions while we were gone. The Cavaldry brought in three more of the bridge burners The Col sent them on to Chattanoga. I am disapointed at not getting a letter from Paralee but hope I will soon. Pratts Company moved down the road about six miles to guard the workmen while they rebuild a bridge that was burned they will be done in a few days and then I suppose we will go on to Corrinth. recd marching orders at 3 oclock we go back to Knoxville
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April 19th 1862
we had to cook 2 days rations last night to last us to Knoxville I think we we will go to Yorktown Va. We start at 8 oclock this morning. I was quite unwell yesterday evening and last night I had feaver feel only tolerable well this morning. I will write to Paralee from Knoxville. Becks regiment was on the cars but received orders to stay. we started at one oclock and get to Chattanoga about five. rained hard all day & night & the cars leak badly. we passed through 2 tunnels also by negro Jack Cave
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April 20th 1862
Leave Chattanoga at 2 this morning and get to Knoxville at 12 I feel badly because I could not lay down any last night. As we came in town 426 prisners were about leaving for the south They are all Tennessians and were taken by 70 Cavaldry in two miles of the Ky line they seem to be in fine spirits We killed forty & they one and wounded five of ours. We go into camp a mile from town on the Ky road. raining very hard I expect that we will have a bad time tonight. J Avery died here today they send him home tomorrow
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April 21st 1862
Had the worst time last night that we ever have had. Raining again this morning. I would have written to Paralee yesterday but for the rain. Murphy went down to Londen for the rest of our baggage. We have no idea how long we will stay here but hope our stay will be short. there are two Briggades of infantry and several artillery companies here write to Paralee & Sister this morning cleared off at ten oclock but rained afterwards. Cant hear any news today bought me a knife from Stokes & found a copper coin in my tobacco will send it to Bettie
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April 22d 1862
Some of the boys took hay & oats out of a mans barn to make beds of but the Col made them pay well for it. I was detailed with fifty others to go up town on guard duty. we have a good time as we have a good house to stay in and nothing to do. I had my picture taken and send it and a letter to Paralee by John Caison. I also send Bettie the copper coin I had to pay 3$ for the picture and it was very common at that. hope I will hear from home soon. the mail has come & no letter for me
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April 23 1862
Clear & pleasant. I got my breakfast this morning at a restaurant had to pay 50 cents the first time I have paid for eating since I left home We were relieved this morning at eight oclock when we got to camp. Camp very dull Capt Lockett drilling the Company for the first time. My bowels are quite sick this morning and think that I had a chill this evening and am feeling quite badly they made some very important arrests in town this day. Capt Harris has returned to camp from home
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April 24th 1862
Chear & pleasant. I am feeling badly, was sick all night with feaver Lieut Spencer is trying for a furlow to go home. two of Davidsons men had a fight & hurt each other right badly The Col makes them mark time for ten days cut my beard of tolerable close signed the pay rolls, but the Col has not approved them yet. Dont know when we will get the money. All hands went to the creek & took a good wash some of them neaded it badly. The mail has come & no letter for me. how anxious I am to hear from home
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April 25th 1862
Cloudy & looks like rain I went to the Dr to get something for my bowels He gave me some pills. Wrote a letter to Paralee & one to Bettie will send them by Lieut Spencer. Clark says that he will advance me my money so that I can send it home by Spencer. Speed has gone to Norfolk Va to carry Brownlows, Maynards, and Johnsons families. they are to be passed to the enemy They are paying off the Company for Jan & February. I send Paralee 20$ recd orders for the commissary to have ten days rashions & be ready to move at an hours notice dont know where we will go to
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April 26th 1862
We have not recd orders to march yet Each Company is only allowed one tent and only one for the field officers. I think from that, we are going to the mountains again but I hope not, I am quite unwell with my bowels again this morning & went to the Dr again for medicine. Pig Avery is discharged & will start home with Spencer. Clear this morning wrote to Sister & recd a letter from her, it was 20 days comeing. no drill today. A company of Indians got here today they are to scour the mountains. Write to Sister this evening Have dress parade. 95 prisners were brought into the city today. they were captured in the neighborhood of Cumberland Gap
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April 27th 1862
Clear & pleasant. I am about well this morning. have Company inspection at 9 oclock. Cant find out when we will leave here. went to church at the First Presbyterian Church in the city. An Ala preached. hear that the enemy have New Orleans but hope it is not so. a young man of the Eufala La was killed last night in the city, in a house of ill fame his name was Clements, and only 16 years old. We have just recd orders to march in the morning. We are to go to Cumberland Gap a distance from here of 80 miles
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April 28th 1862
L Coleman & J Crawford both got furlows to go home. Merriman also is discharged. I would have written home by them but have not had time. Start to march at eight oclock under Gen Barton go ten miles & camp at twelve oclock I like his way of marching better than Gen Ledbetters. he rests ten minutes in every hour. he does not allow any falling out of ranks and no stragling and no one is allowed to leave camp if he does he is liable to be shot by the guard. I wish that I had got a letter from Paralee before we left Knoxville I dont know now when I shall hear from her
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April 29th 1862
Cloudy & looks like rain but I hope it will not, as we have no tents. slept very comfortably last night. Leave camp at six and march slowly until we get to Clinton. Were detained some two hours crossing a creek called Bull run. We go into camp on the oposite side of the river from Clinton, find Vaughns regiment here. we dont know where we are going to yet. We heard this evening that there are 5 thousand of the enemy at Jacksboro about 18 miles from here the mail has come & no letter for me how disapointed I am.
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April 30th 1862
We stay here for a while, I suppose as we have battalion drill this morning. Muster & General inspection at ten oclock I was detailed to do regimental work. That excuses me from guard duty. we have received orders to cook four days rashions and be ready to leave here in the morning I dont know where we are to go to. It is raining & what a disagreable night we will have without our tents. we are ordered to leave immediately. we start at 5 oclock cross the river very fast as there are ten flats, all the briggade got across by 4 oclock this morning
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write to Paralee before we started. we start & leave the waggons crossing the river. very dark & raining have a dreadful time marching in the dark. we go seven miles, and go into camp at eleven oclock. I have to go on guard. I guard the Generals Smith & Barton. Three of the 3d Tenn passed the pickets & were fired on. They returned the fire but no one was hurt, but all badly scared. we took them prisners & had to guard them all night. Slept very comfortably for about an hour without any blankets as mine were in the waggon
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May the 1st 1862
Raining a little but cleared off at twelve oclock. we start at day light, ours & Pickrings Company are the advance guard. I have to stay on guard until Vaughns regiment comes up, to deliver him his men I dont catch up with my Company for two or three hours. we march in 3 miles of Jacksboro and go into camp, to wait for the waggons They come up about 4 oclock. I got my dinner at Whelers an old Linconite. Our camp is at Whelers gap. we have to cook our provisions I expect we will stay here until morning. we learn that 15 gunboats are in front of NOrleans
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and threaten to shell the city, but the French have said they shant do it. our guard at Bridgeport have destroyed the lock bridge, the powder in the other failed to catch. The yankeys were in this neighborhood last week. The Generals & Staff have their quarters at old Whelers.
Sleep very comfortably tonight the pickets took up three of Vaughns men with whiskey. they were tied to trees. I dont think that he has much discipline in his regiment
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May 2d 1862
Clear & pleasant. Start to march at eleven oclock. had to wait for Becks regiment was the reason for not starting sooner. Find it very warm marching, but we get along very well and go 15 miles from our old camp. We pass through Jacksboro & Fincastle both very pretty little towns. Our road runs right up the side of the mountains and throug a beautiful country called Powels Valley. the valley is very level and productive. One of our Cavaldry pickets was shot this evening by a bushwhacker on the enemys picket another was wounded accidently Powels Valley is sixty miles long & averages 4 wide
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May 3d 1862
Clear & pleasant. Col Garrett finishes calling the muster rolls this morning. He did not get through while at Clinton. We stay here till 2 oclock when we receive orders to cook one days rations & be ready to march immediately. We dont take any knapsacks or blankets. I suppose that we are to go to meet the enemy I got a splendid dinner for 20 cents Gen Smith & Staff inspected us this evening. he made us a glowing little speach We are going to fight this time unless the enemy back out. I think from the movements we are going to try to surprise them
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somewhere but dont know where. We may climb the mountains, as they are 15 miles from here on the other side. we start tonight. The orders are that no one is allowed to talk out of a whisper on the march. The Gen says that he places great confidence in the 20th I hope he may not be disapointed in us. Start at nine oclock it is raining & very dark. Can scarcely see the man ahead of me. We cross the mountains & march till day light when we stop for the day. I understand that we are to meet & surprise the enemy at fish creek gap. they are there cleaning out the road. we expect
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May 4th 1862
Raining early but stops at 8 oclock We stop in a deep hollow for the day & build fires to dry ourselves We had the most dreadful time last night that I ever experienced. I expected every moment to fall and break my neck or some of my limbs. I am in hopes that our surprise may be complete. We received orders to go back to camp at twelve oclock How disapointed we are; the enemy got wind of our comeing & left in quick time at daylight this morning It takes us 3 hours to get back. The scenery is the most magnifficent that I ever witnessed. the yankeys were stationed at Boston
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May 5th 1862
Raining this morning & also all night. I slept under a waggon & very comfortable. We have orders to march at 8 oclock we hear this morning that we have retaken Huntsville & Decatur but the enemy have Chattanoga we stand in the rain in line till 12 oclock, when we receive orders to break ranks & keep quiet. we are all very wet & we make fires and dry ourselves. we have been apprehending an attack all day, but it is now sun down & they have not come yet. we heard this evening that we had whipped the yankeys at Yorktown Va but did not learn the particulars of the fight
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May 6th 1862
Clear & quite cool slept cold last night. We start to march back towards Knoxville this morning & go as far as Big Creek Gap, where we go into camp I dont know how long we will stay, some think that we are going to clean out the gap. Gen Zollicoffer filled it up last fall the yankeys are at work on the other side cleaning it out. Capt Harris has resigned I understand & is going home. I got a quart of splendid buttermilk & some butter for my dinner. it was very refreshing. had I known that Harris was going home sooner I would have written by him
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May 7th 1862
Wrote to Paralee by Capt Harris he did not get a discharge but a furlow for 60 days. We recd orders to march at 8 oclock and go back up to the camp we left yesterday I dont know what the Generals object is, but think he is trying to fool the yankeys and attack them someplace where they are not looking for us—but it will be hard to do, for they have so many friends on this side of the mountains to carry them the news. I learned that 2 Ala Regts are behind us and are expected with us soon got some good milk today
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May 8th 1862
Very pleasant, nothing doing in camp wash day today. It is the first day that we have had to rest since we left Knoxville. My hip is quite sore this morning and pained me so much last night I could not sleep much, dont know what is the matter with it. the two Ala Regts have not got up with us yet. I cant find out what two they are. We took one prisner he was wounded at Big Creek & was at home getting well when the Cavaldry picked him up. write to Sister today. two of Davidsons men mauling a stump for stealing milk from a spring house
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May 9th 1862
Clear & pleasant my hip is much better. we are to march at 8 oclock we go only about three or four miles, when we go into camp off the big road about half mile in a very thick piece of woods I think the Gen is trying to fool the Yankeys & get them over this side the mountains. if he does fool them we will have a battle in this neighborhood soon. I give my old knapsack a discharge & wrap my clothes up in my blankets the knapsack was worn out & kept my back too hot all the time. On guard tonight. I got a splendid dinner today for 25 cents
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May 10th 1862
Clear & pleasant start to march at 7 oclock & go right back down the road to our old camp about ten miles distant. I dont know what the Gen means keeping us moveing sometimes up the road and the next day down again. we were the rear guard of the Batallion & we found it very hot & dusty three of our boys come from Knoxville Bunell Eubanks & Mr Doss both died since we left & Weeks took them home they brought me two letters from Paralee and one from Sister. How glad I am to hear from them. The letters were of the 22 & 28th. Some of the boys give out. my feet are very sore but I am well
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May 11th Sunday
Clear & very pleasant, some of the boys go to Knoxville. I send an over shirt, and a shirt, & two pair socks, one odd sock by Henderson. my bundle was too heavy to carry. we rest here today & have preaching. I write to Paralee, can hear no news write to Hugh Davis. Two Companies went to Clinton as guard to the waggons that went after provisions. 100 men detailed from the Briggade to go on a scout over the mountains. they killed two bushwhackers and took six prisners. they were digging graves to bury some dead, when our men fired on the crowd. they wounded many of them, none hurt on our side
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May 12th 1862
Clear & pleasant, no sign of our moveing yet. I think we will wait for the companies that are detailed off. Ten men from each company of our Regt are detailed to report to Col Vaughn of 3d Tenn we go on a scout over the mountains to attack two Regts on the other side of pine Mountain. we start at 12 oclock & march till 12 at night through a perfect wilderness & over the roughest road I ever saw. the road was blockaded by Gen Zolicoffer. we found it very difficult to get along go 15 miles & camp in two miles of the camps of the enemy
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May 13th 1862
Start at daylight & get to our destination, when and we find that the Yankeys had moved a few days before, so we were again disapointed. we got several of their guns & some of their commissary stores. we eat breakfast from their meat & start back to camp all very tired. Many of the men give out & are laying all along the road. I get very tired but stand it most as well as any of them. about fifty of the 20th have to stop & camp on the top of the mountain, about three miles from camp, because the sick could go no further. we got them in a house
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May 14th 1862
Start for camp at day light all feel very stiff & tired & feet sore. Rains very hard & get wet comeing down, get to camp about seven. Would have got in sooner but I stopped to get my breakfast. feel much better since eating. get a letter from Paralee, she got the money that I sent by Spencer. She & Pa were in Greensboro, says Pa will send Noah by first opportunity. I will be glad to have him. The Col goes home in the morning. I write to Paralee by him. hear that Lincons Congress wants peace hope it is so
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May 15th 1862
Clear & pleasant. I am quite sick I have been grunting all the week. I am haveing fevers all the time I go to the Dr & get some medicine but am sick all day. Col Garrett goes home on 60 days furlow Capt Clark goes to Mobile and Dr Moore also goes home on sick furlow. the Dr of 3 Tenn attends to his buisness while he is gone. Nothing new in camp except we caught a deserter from 23 Ala. I think they will shoot him
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May 16th 1862
Clear & pleasant I am quite sick and the Dr gives me permission to go to a private house. Patrige goes with me to fine one. I had rather they had sent any one else for he is such a fool. he finds one but a very poor place but the beds are sorter clean and much better than camp. get a letter from Sister. Murphy brought it. I have not seen him yet. I am a mile & ½ from camp and therefore cant hear any news.
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May 17th 1862
Cloudy this morning. I feel much better but am far from being well. I slept very well last night. I have no fever this morning but am very weak and have a severe pain in my left hip. I cant scarcely get about. I see no one from camp. I am in a poor log house the family are an old man & woman, two children. the man has fits and a mangy dog, a quarrelsome cat, and numerous chickens stopped up under the floor to keep them out of the corn patch & numbers of ducks tramping about in the house is the best description I can give
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May 18th Sunday
Raining & quite cool I dont think I have any fever today but my legs are in a bad fix. I can hardly get about. got a letter from Sister it was sent over from camp. she sen I intended to go over this morning, or sometime today but am too unwell & it is raining all the time. stopped raining a little before night, and Mr Ransome & Wetherly & Patrige came to see me. I was truly glad to see them for I dont enjoy such company as I have here much. one of the Tenn boys staid all night here. he is a nice fellow
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Monday 19th 1862
Clear & pleasant. Partridge comes at day light to let me know that the Regt is to leave at six. I get up and hobble over there but it takes me some time. the boys are all glad to see me but say that I am looking badly I dont know how badly I look, for I have not seen a glass in some time, but hope I dont look as badly as I feel. I go to the Dr & he gives me some medicine, and says I must stay. Stevens & I are the only ones that are left of our Company. the commissary waggons stay, or some of them, & a guard. We sick draw rashens. I am very sorry to be left & hope to go on soon
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Tuesday 20th May 1862
Raining this morning. I write to Sister, wrote to Paralee yesterday. Mr Addams from Dedmans Company told me he was to go home this morning. I went to camp as soon as I could but he was gone. I will now have to keep the letters until I get with my Regt again. I am much better this morning, look for Murphy to come up today & bring a crowd with him. I get some strawburies this evening they are very fine. the Boys did not come but we hear drums at Jacksboro, five miles below here
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May 21st 1862
Clear but began to rain about 8 oclock. A briggade comes up to our old camp & camps there. our boys come with them they did not bring my shoes but left them with Pat Coleman & the rest that are in Knoxville Speed did not come, but will be on in a day or two. Sent my letters on to the Regt, two of the 3d Tennessee committed a rape on some woman it will go hard with them, they are under guard & I think that they ought to be shot. they also have one of the 23d under guard for desertion. the name of the Gen of the Briggade that passed us is Reynolds
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May 22d 1862
The boys that came up from Knoxville went on to the Regiment this morning. I am much better this morning & would have gone with them but I am too weak to travel yet I go out & get some milk and get a splendid dinner at a Mr Richardsons he has two very nice girls & they are very intelegent. I had a nice time with them. we had some frogs for dinner they were fine & I enjoyed them much. the Briggade has not left yet. no news from our Regt yet
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Friday 23d May 1862
I go out in the field and get a mess of fine strawburies they are as fine as those raised in our gardens down south how Paralee & Bettie would enjoy picking the buries if they were here. I think of them every time I go to pick them. write to Paralee. I meet Billy Burr he is in 30th Ala. their pickets were driven in last night & a Col was shot at. they were drawn up in line but had no attack. I heard nothing of it till this evening. I come near being snake bitten when coming over to camp by a blowing viper a very large snake
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Saturday May 24th 1862
Sent my letter in the mail of 30th I hear that James McLaughlin and Wesley Hartley have died in Knoxville since we left there they were buried there. raining all the morning, stops about 12 but dont clear up, go over to camp & find that the Briggade has moved down below Jacksboro. we hear that the enemy are comeing across down there, but I dont believe it for we have heard it so often & they have not come yet. look for our Briggade this evening & if it dont come, the boys will be badly scared tonight. I dont think that they can find me
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Sunday May 25th 1862
Clear & cool: the 9th Georgia Battal came back to camp. they had no fight. can hear our drum I dont think that they are far off, and will be up after a while. I had a spell of my old complaint last night. I suffered much but am as well as usual this morning. I have not had an attack of it before in several years & hope I wont have any more our Briggade got here. we are camped a mile below our old camp. the boys look worn out & some are sick I move over to them this evening get a letter from Paralee daited the 10th May. they did not see any enemy but went in 5 miles of the Gap
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Monday May 26th 1862
Clear but cool. I find quite a differance between sleeping in a fether bed & sleeping out on the ground. One of our pickets was shot & killed by a bushwhacker on yesterday evening. we hear of a fight at Richmond & we whipped them badly & took all their arms & camp I hope it is so. loss on both sides very heavy, theirs the greatest I hear that we are to be transfered to Reynolds Briggade hope it is so for I am tired of Barton. I go out to get some light bread baked. two hundred of our Briggade go over the mountains on a scout
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26th May
they met the enemy about three miles from camp & exchanged three rounds with them and as they were too strong for our side they retreated in good order to camp. I have not heard of any killed on our side. quite an excitement in camp when I returned with my bread Gen Reynolds Briggade was drawn up in line of battle & at nine oclock we were woke up & formed in line & at two oclock were ordered to sleep in line with our things on & guns in hand a very uncomfortable way of doing we had no attack
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May 27th 1862
slept very cold & uncomfortable last night. at sun rise we broke ranks and went to getting breakfast. I was not disapointed, for I did not expect an attack. Lieut Spencers time is out I expect him every day. we are building a shelter for the sick, no more are to be sent to Knoxville The fellow of the 23 that was under guard for desertion has gotten away & is gone. I am on picket today my post at the foot of the mountain, and the black gnats are about to eat me up. otherwise I am pleasantly situated good water very convenient. received a letter from Hugh Davis daited the 18th of May. my folks all well
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Wednesday May 28th 1862
Very pleasant. I slept very comfortable not having slept well the night before but my mess did not bring me any supper. they have dress parade at camp at 8 oclock. we are relieved at three oclock. rained very hard but we got under some beach trees & did not get wet much. Our spy says that the enemy are cleaning out the blockade & that they come two or three miles daily but I dont believe it, but we heard reports this morning like cannon or blasting rock The guard that was sent after the deserter returned & say that he will not trouble either army any more. I expect that they killed him.
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May 29th 1862
pleasant. one of our pickets was shot on the mountains yesterday. he saw two men & sent the man with him on post to report & while he was gone he was shot by them. Rained a heavy shower at 12 oclock. I go to Richardsons & get a good dinner have strawbury pies for desert. I get some paper from one of the young ladies, three sheets for 5 cents. write to Paralee & Sister. We drill twice a day & dress parade in the evening. we have to be in line at roll call & have our guns inspected every morning
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May 30th 1862
Cloudy & foggy while I was gone yesterday Col Pettus sent for me to act as Orderly to the Court Marshall. I am glad I was not here, but I expect they will get me today. if a man misses roll call he is reported to the Adjutant & is put on police duty for a day. have to drill 1½ hours both morning & evening I go out & get some milk & soap to wash my clothes with. the Tenn Regt is perfectly alive with boddy lice & some companies of our Regt have them. I am very much affraid that I will get them from some fellow & I would not for any thing
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May 30th 1862 Saturday
Detailed to guard some prisners but was relieved at roll call I was congratulating myself on my good luck in getting off so soon & had just got to sleep when I was awakend & told to report to Captain Davis. I was mad but had to go. I did not know where. the Capt fooled about the Gen quarters till 11 oclock when we left down the road on a scout Some of 3 Tenn & 23 Ala were with us. we went up the mountains below our pickets to the top & then double quicked from there to Jacksboro & then climbed them again & marched on top up to where we assended the first time & then came down & went to camp all very tired. we did not see any one.
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May 31st 1862 Saturday
returned to camp this morning at 11 oclock all very tired. the country that we traveled over was very rough indeed the scenery from the top of the mountains was splendid. it was almost worth the trip to get to see it. I saw the best corn on the top that I have seen this year. I saw some entrenchments thrown up by Gen Zollicoffer last fall. while resting I saw a very large fox doging among the clifs. I am very tired & my legs and feet pain me much. Stonewall Jackson has routed the enemy in western Va & has called for 30 thousand more troops. Smith sent to Gen Barton for some but he says he cant spare a single man
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June 1st 1862 Sunday
I am quite sore & stiff this morning go to the Dr but he has nothing to give me says he will get something soon. I hear that Tom Webb is dead & Broadnax carried him home. Tom was a good fellow & good soldier. one of Davidsons men brought me the tobacco & socks that sister sent in the shoes. Gen Barton has us drilling today just like any other day I know he is the meanest man in the servis, having no respect for the Sabath. he cant expect to whip if we get into battle. Lieut Shappard hears of the death of his little girl. he takes it very hard. Tremendous storm of wind & rain this evening. one of Becks men was killed by a tree falling on him. he was mashed badly
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June 2d 1862
Cloudy, slept badly last night because the ground was so wet. my legs hurt me badly this morning. I can hardly get about. I go to surgeons call the Dr says that he has no medicine, but will get some. our waggons have not got back from Knoxville & we have nothing to eat till they come. waggons came at 12. Another hard rain & wind this evening every one runs for the field & all get very wet. detailed again for a scout over the mountains but I get off & dont go 150 go from our Regt. I dont know how many from the Briggade. they are to be gone three days write Paralee 4 pages of foolscap paper get a letter from Sister daited 26th
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June Tuesday 3d 1862
Rained all night last night, but I have a bark shelter that turns most of the rain off & I sleep very well write to Sister. the boys that went over the mountains have a bad time of it I hear that they are fighting at Richmond & that we have driven them back 3 miles & taken many stores the loss very heavy on both sides. the news is official & is so. It is nothing to see Boys throug the camp with their shirts off & picking the lice off them. we have none in our Company yet, but I expect we will have them soon, for they are on each side of our Company. Jeff Davis had the centre at the battle at Richmond. rains all day nothing doing in camp
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June 4th 1862
Almost clear but it rained all night. I am on guard today have to act as Corporal, as we have but one present in our Company I am in hopes it wont rain any more for we have enough for one time. the mess have strawbury pies for dinner made without any sugar & are not good. the scouting crowd have returned without any booty but they saw 20 yankeys but could not catch them they run so fast. they found plenty of coffee & 1500 bushels of corn in their camp with other provisions but did not disturb any thing. they are all very tired & stiff. we have had a pleasant day since ten oclock
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June 5th Thursday 1862
Cloudy & looks like rain. quite cool I had a very pleasant time on guard the Company commences drilling again this morning. no news from Spencer but I dont see what is keeping Speed behind so long. have not heard from the Captain in some time. two Regts left here today one the 52 Georgia from our brigade, also one came up from Knoxville the 73 Tenn. the Regts that left here went down the road dont know where. Capt Airey came into camp & says Spencer is at Jacksboro tonight, so he will be here in the morning. news came that we whipped them at Richmond two days & drove them from their entrenchments
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June 6th 1862
Clear all day. Spencer & Noah came this morning glad to see them Noah had to leave the box of good things in Knoxville I expect Capt. Lockett will eat them all up Dobbins Parrish H Coleburn & myself go in mess together the rest of the old mess dont like it, but I dont care how mad they get. Col Pettus is sick & Capt Davidson is in command of the Regt now Rains a little this evening write to Pa & Paralee, received two letters from her one of 29th & one 31st how kind she is to write so often. had my hair cut short this evening
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June 7th Saturday 1862
Cloudy this morning, receive orders to march at 7 but dont get off till 8 oclock. some say that we are going to Chattanoga as the report is that the enemy have that place. we started so suddenly that we had nothing cooked & we had to do without all day. it shan't be so again. we are going to get Leadbetter out of a snap we hear that he had a fight & got 200 killed & wounded. we go on to Knoxville & from there to Chattanoga by rail I am glad to leave this country & hope we wont have to come back here Noah stood the march better than I expected but he had no load
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Start to march at 7 oclock go throug Clinton at 9 oclock. leave the waggons crossing the river. we go ten miles to end of Ky R.R. and camp. all very tired having marched 18 miles. nothing of interest transpired. we are looking for the cars to take us in Knoxville
May 9th 1862
Cars did not come last night & we start to Knoxville a foot at 3 oclock A.M. get there at 7 march right to the R.R. to take the cars I get my things that Paralee sent & the shoes, but they are too short & I cant wear them. I let Shappard have them. we get off from here at
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9 oclock they say that we are certain to get into a fight as soon as we get to Chattanoga. we pick up many of the sick that we left here. the Col sent them word yesterday, "all that wanted to fight must meet him at the depot & those that did not to stay in camp but send him their guns." Lockett & Speed both go with us. Shappard broke down yesterday but goes on with us. get to Londen where we stop till orders from Smith he is at Chatanoga. I am not well at all today but I think it is because I am so tired. Cook rashions here & stay all night. the Yankeys have been shelling Chatanoga for the past two days
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June 10th 1862
Still at Londen, no orders yet for us to leave. I am not well this morning. I am affraid that we will have to march to Kingston as we hear that the enemy are crossing the river there. write to Paralee this morning send it by Lepler home. I am quite sick, but did not tell her so for it would make her uneasy & I think I will be well in a few days I think I am taking the jaundis send me to the hospital & the Dr gives me a big dose of [?] I have a very nice room superintended by Mrs Timmerman. I take Noah with me. the Yankeys are reported out of hearing of Chattanoga. the troops are still here.
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June 11th Wednesday Tuesday
Very high fever all day my medicine works me a great deal hope I will cool off tonight. the troops go back to Knoxville at daylight. I expect that they go up in the mountains again no news today June 12 62 very sick with high feaver I am affraid that I will have a bad spell. How glad I should be to have my Paralee here to nurse & console me, but I hope I will be well soon if she should know that I was sick here she would want to get to me right away wont let her know it without I get very bad off
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June 13th Friday 1862
the Dr tried to feed me last night but could not do it the medicine run off at my bowels. it made me very sick & soon I hear that our troops have gone back to Big Creek Gap I am a little better but the feaver rises very high. Noah bathes my hands & face & breast when too high this is a hot place, no breeze some Ladies came in today & one gave me a nice boquet. I get two papers to keep me from being lonesome no news in them. my bowels are about stopped. wounded soldiers are passing down from Rich
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June 14th 1862
I am feeling a little better all day & perspire occasionally through the day, very hot indeed. Jack Smith asked for a furlow & got one for 35 days, but he has no money & cant go I sent to the Regt by Rice for mine, if they had drawn. Lockett is the most contemptiable man for not paying us our just dues that he has had for 7 months. as soon as I am well enough I will try & Timmeman says there will be no difficulty in my getting off. wont they all be surprised. I wont write to P. of my sickness because she would [faded] I was
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Sunday 15 June
sick all day but set up some they have sent for Timmeman to get transportation for us I expect we get off about dark
June 16th 1862
Timm seems to be slow he can go no faster I am in hope we will get off for home men all so impatient to see our folks & been waiting here for several days. if we get off today we go at 12 oclock & go to Atlanta. get a very good breakfast & feel some stronger but am very weak & cant walk by myself. tried twice to get off today. we are to have a special train here at 6 oclock to take us on our way rejoicing
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to see the loved ones at home. how little did I expect to get to see my loved ones so soon as I do now I got right mad as the cars whirled on by me & they were not full either. I met Mr Hague looking for John. we went to Dalton that night I suffered much & could not sleep any.
June 17th 1862 left dalton at 8 travel very fast but I cant enjoy it. my bowells are bad & run very red. I hope when I get home I will soon get stout. get to Atlanta Ga in the evening
June 18th 1862
Start in the morning at 3 oclock and get to West Point at 7 oclock after passing West point one of the cars broke in some way & every one was badly scared no one was hurt but it made the dirt fly. we were detained some time fixing it up but got it fixed
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and got into Montgomery some time before night. I go immediately to the boat & fix me a good pallate how I hope that we may make the connection in Selma tomorrow so that I can go straight home. have a very pleasant nights time of it. get to Selma about 8 oclock dont see many people here
August 25th
Start back to my Regt this morning. get to Selma in due time, nothing hapened on the road. get a boat at 12 oclock tonight. Connect
Tuesday—26th
After running on various sand bars we arrive at Montgomery at sundown
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Wednesday August 27
go up to R.R. to start on 8 oclock train but was such a crowd on the cars that we had to lay over until 4 in the evening. get to west point at 12 at night. Stay there two hours & start for Atlanta.
Thursday Augst 28
get to Atlanta at daylight where we have to stay until 10 oclock & then for dalton Saw Sam Hutchinson in Atlanta.
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Friday August 29
get to Knoxville about 12 & then have to go up town to get my gun. they sent me to report to camp two miles off & was seperated from Ike his gun being at the Hotel. he went right on to the Regt. I will have to remain here to wait for a crowd to go on. find some boys here belonging to the 20th, also saw Chas Hayze in town. I hope we wont have to stay here long as I am very anxious to get on
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Saturday 29 30
Still in Knoxville and no chance to get away until sometime next week. we have plenty of work to do here as we have to guard the city as well as camp.
Sunday 31
Still in Knoxville on guard today—
Monday Sept 1st
no news today—raining some all day—
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Tuesday Sept 2d
Have inspection of all the men in camp to see how many are able to go on—we expect to start tomorrow or next day, on guard again today. I am heartily tired of this place we dont get more than half rations & it is the filthiest place that I ever saw
Sept 3d 1862
Write to Paralee today we were called out & expect to get off tomorrow I understand that we are so cut off at the Mount
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that we cant get to our Regt at present the Regt is at Richmond KY it will be a long hot march for us as it is about 200 miles. Sept 4th/62
Called out again to draw our guns we cant get out today as they have no muskets here at present Glorious news the old 20th has had a showing at last we had 3 hard battles last Saturday near Richmond KY. we killed & captured the whole army took 10 000 prisners. cant hear yet
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much about it but the news is official from Smith & is therefore so. I should have liked to have participated in the fight. we have none of the enemy between here & Lexington now write to Pa & Sister
Sept 5th 1862
Bought a paper this morning the news of our victory in Va is confirmed, but I think it is too good to be true. three of their big Generals killed McClelland among them & 80,000 killed & 30,000 prisners. our loss 15,000 killed & wounded
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Sept 6th 1862
quite cool. extend the guard to keep the men in camp. I think it very foolish to keep convalesents in this hot field when there is shade close by. heard the Col say that if we staid here much longer he thought that we would go to our Regts on the cars which I think very probable & that we will join them at Nashville. it would be foolish for us to start to overtake them (and they marching every day) when they have 200 miles the start. write to Paralee this evening
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Sept 7th 1862
go up to Knoxville to see if I cant get the postmaster to deliver my letters here, but the office was shut up & I did not get to see him. bought a fine cabbage head & got a paper but no news in it. there is talk of our leaveing here tomorrow but I dont believe it.
Sept 8th 1862
went to town but the post office was not open. how anxious I am to hear from home & I have just been away two weeks today
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Sept 9th 62
go to the country & get a mess of beans & some apples we have to wade the river to get them go to Knoxville & draw guns & canteens as we are to start tomorrow for K.Y. get back to camp at dark how glad I am
Sept 10th 1862
A dispatch came in last night that Gen Smith was in Cincinatta Ohio I hope it may be so. We leave camp & march about 1 mile from town where we are inspected we camp there all night without any thing to eat
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Sept 11th/62
start at daylight & march ten miles & stop for dinner & in the evening I get ahead of the rest & march in sight of Clinton. we have plenty of corn & meat & bread for supper & camp on the side of the road, not near so tired as I expected to be. Ike is behind with 300 more men I suppose that they will catch me at Clinton
Sept 12th/62
Write Paralee a hurried letter & then march into town there are about 2000
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troops at this place. they say that the bushwhackers are thick from this place on. the picketts were driven in here a few nights since. we will have to stay here until those that are behind get here. Ike will be on with them. if I had known that we would have stoped here I would have written Paralee a good letter but I have sent the one that I wrote & that will have to do for this time. write to Sister. look through the mail for our Regt and no letter for me. how disapointed I am
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Sept 13th 1862
Still in Clinton go up town & get breakfast & have to pay 75 cents quite a difference from 25 what we paid when here before. 750 men arrived on the other side of the river but have not crossed yet. I suppose Ike is with them. we move our camp to the woods. we and the 43 Ala are in the same company under Capt Thos Barber. we drilled this evening.
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Sept 14th 1862
have general inspection this morning. 750 men that were behind us have crossed the river. Sixty of the 20th Regt are with them I go up town & get dinner We are moved over to their camp & the same number of the 43 Ala Regt are moved over to Capt Barber. Lieut Smith is in command of our Company
Sept 15th 1862
I met Mr Phillips Chaplin of the 43d he is from Maringo County & is well acquainted with Pa. no news in camp
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Sept 16th 1862
still in Clinton & dont know when we will leave. there is some talk of our going back and going by Chattanoga. they say that we cant go through the gap. I go over the river to get some vegitables & fruit have to ford it and the shells & rocks cut my feet very badly
Sept 17th 1862
drill this morning. I go over the river about four miles get my dinner for 25 cents & bring back a load of peaches & apples. Sell Dobbins
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shoes for five dollars & his pants to Pat Coleburn. he is to settle with Dobbins when we get to the Regt. Bucks load will be very much lightened I loose my pocket book I think I must have droped it when I undressed to wade the river. I looked for it good as I came back but could not find it. it contained all the money that I had. We have marching orders for tomorrow we go down by Kingston & from there across the mountains by Watsburg
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Sept 18th 1862
Cloudy & drizeling rain we were to start at four oclock but we did not get off till 8 oclock. I found it very warm we go about 12 miles & camp. I am on guard we left Clinton with 2600 men some give out on the march.
Sept 19th 1862
I am one of the advance guard march about six miles & go into camp to wait for some waggons. they have several millions of dollars in them & it wont do to leave them far
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behind. we are also expecting to Smith's legion tonight. write to Paralee this evening & give the letter to a man that has command of a squad some are passing every day to Clinton he will mail it there. the enemy sent a brigade down the other side of the mountains to Big Creek to meet us I suppose as they will not find us there they will come on down to where we cross. Lieut Smith is in command of the Company made up of the 20th Ala we have 92 men
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Saturday Sept 20th 1862
still in camp waiting for the waggons & cooking three days rashions part of Smith's legion came last night. I go out & get my dinner some apples & potatoes to carry back to camp. have dress parade.
Sept 21st/62
start to march this morning we will have to march 15 miles without water, which will be right bad this hot weather. Suffer more from the dust than any thing else I never saw such a dirty set in my life. Camp in
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two miles of Montgomery did not see any bushwhackers
Sept 22d
pass Watburg & Montgomery both places look deserted We see only a few Duch women. March 17 miles without water & it very hot, a great many give out & drop behind. the dust is almost suffocating Camp at a pond of good water. the bushwhackers killed three of our men today I am standing the march first rate on half rashions that is all we get
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Sept 23d 1862
March only six or seven miles to Emery River when about to go into camp some of the Cavaldry were run in by the bushwhackers our Regt with another was ordered to double quick up the steepest kind of a mountain. we went 3 miles but only caught two. there was about 100 of them. they fired on our advance guard. I have been trying to catch a hog all the evening but did not
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succeed. we burnt the rendevou of the bushmen & have fed our stock from there corn fields & the boys are about to hurt themselves eating sugar cane. We are allowed to press any thing to eat, we got some fine beef cattle this evening
Sept 24th 1862
I am detailed to go after beef we have to carry it a mile on our shoulders down a mountain. we march to Jimstown, forage all the way. catch five bushwhackers & get one gun
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they wounded three of our men today. this is not much of a town they hang one of the bushwhackers for a while to make him tell where the gang staid. we dont get any thing but potatoes & beef without any salt & not half rations at that
Sept 25th/62
we march 15 miles through the mountains & over the roughest road that I ever saw many waggons break down catch one bushwhacker we are now on KY
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soil. I go out & kill a fine shoat & make a grater to grate corn. make it of an old canteen I thought we were about through the mountains but it looks like that we were are just getting into them. I am getting tired of them & my feet are getting soar
Sept 26th 1862
Slept very cold as we were camped in an old field & my blankets & wet with dew. Sept 2 Start very early our Regt is rear guard & we dont get off till 12 oclock we only
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go 8 or 10 miles because the road was so rough & mountainous dont get to camp till after dark & then dont draw any thing to eat tonight, but Buck got some meal & bacon today. I dont know what I would do without him for the officers have stoped us from pressing. provisions will be more plentiful after tomorrow. The country is more thickly settled than Tenn & the people seem to be better off
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Sept 27th 1862
dont draw any rashens this morning but my mess have plenty. march to Monticello. I go up town to buy something to eat get some meal & salt. the boys got bacon on the road at 10 cents per pound. I learn here that Gen Bragg has whiped Buel & that Nashville is evacuated Gen Smith's pickets are in 25 miles of this place this is a very nice town we entered KY in Wayne county & this is the county seat
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Sept 28th 1862
Rained last night & we got very wet. it is clear & pleasant this morning the stores here are full of goods of every kind. how much I wish that Paralee was here to buy what she needs I buy a pound of soda for 50 cents & frying pan get some bacon but have to pay 20 cents as i did not have the silver could have got it for 10 in hard money. get the best kind of dinner for 2/- Stay here all day, wash and put on clean clothes. have dress parade this evening
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Sept 29th Monday
This is the most beautiful country that I ever saw the scenery is splendid & the land very productive start to march in the rain but it dont last long. go 16 miles & camp in another old field. we are out of the mountains but can see them in the distance Capt Smith treats his Company to whiskey
Sept 30th 1862
We go in front. the ladies all along the road seem to be glad to see us
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Saturday Oct 4th 1862
March 14 miles & camp in a grove near a church. there are two fine 12 lb brass cannon here that were taken at Mumfordsville we pass through Danville it is decidedly the nicest town that I have seen. houses all built of brick & some very large and fine many pretty women welcome us all along the road. the men too have chainged since Lincolns proclimation I had a fine turkey for dinner to day. three of my mess got their supper last night & a nice baked turkey for one dollar. This is Nickolds County
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Oct 5th Sunday
March 16 miles pass through Nicholdsville a very nice place. we camp in sight of town. at sundown we are ordered to march. we go ten or twelve miles, cross the K.Y. river & go into camp two miles the other side about midnight I stay on the river bank till daylight. slept very cold. we met a tremendous drove of the finest kind of beef cattle. this is Jessamine County I am suffering with the piles so much that I can hardly walk.
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Oct 6th 1862
start to march at 8 oclock & go about 12 miles we have changed of course & we pass through Harrisburg & camp in the subburbs of the town. This is the largest & prettyest town that we have seen yet. I met George D Johnston he seemed to be glad to see me & hear from home. All the people seem to be wealthy & all their land is well fenced principally with rock. I am quite unwell with piles. I ride in the waggon with the sick one poor fellow died as we came along. Yankeys in ten miles of this place
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Oct 7th 1862
Start to march at 8 oclock we hear that our Regt is only 6 miles from this place (Harrisburg) the Col commanding wanted me to stop here in the Hospital, but I would not do it I hobble along & reach the Regt about 10 oclock. they are all very glad to see me. had not been with them long before we recd orders to march to battle, but Dr Moore would not let me go, but made me stay with the waggons the boys started in high glee. Gen Smith is to meet the enemy on one side of the town & Gen Bragg on the other
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about sundown. the waggons were ordered to move but had only proceeded about two miles when they were ordered back to camp. Can hear the cannon all the time but too far to hear the small arms. how I wish that I was able to be with them. get a letter from Paralee
Oct 8th 1862
Wake up before day & find the waggons about to start. they are ordered to Versailles about 40 miles distant. we start & as we go through Harrisburg we can hear Braggs army giving them jessee below town
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As we passed they said that we had taken 15 pieces of cannon & still fighting, but I dont expect to hear the straight tale for several days. we get to camp at 12 oclock at night. we hear that Smiths army has not fought any yet.
Oct 9th 1862
the waggons are ordered back to the same place that we came from yesterday, but the cooking utensils are sent to the Regt. it is 7 miles below town (Versales) I am much better & get to drive Broadnax waggon today. we start at 11 A.M. & drive till midnight & camp at Shaketown. there are
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only five families of people living here & there are 600 of them. they all dress alike & all work together they are very kind the ball opened with Smiths army this morning but cant hear how it is going. Gen Bragg used them up below Harrodsburg today, both armies suffered & were badly cut up. we took many prisners. we have possession of all the water near the battle field & the yankeys say that is what made them fight so hard
Oct 10th 1862
can hear cannon in the direction of Smiths army. I hear that our Regt was cut to pieces on yesterday, also hear that the Curry Draggoons were badly
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used up. I hope it may not be so. The Shakers here have most of their houses built of stone some date as far back as 1808 one of the sisters presented me with a quart jar of nice jelly we are ordered back to Harrodsburg, get there after dark drizeled rain all day & got very cold our Regt was not hurt Smith took 500 prisners we meet the Regt at Harrodsburg
Oct 11th 1862
We are ordered at 1 AM to Camp Robinson near Danville. we get there safe with the waggons at dark the Regt is only 2 miles from us camped on KY River the enemies pickets are five miles off Can hear
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nothing of the fight but hear the cannon all the time. as we came through Shaketown we stoped to feed & I eat my breakfast with the Shakers & it was a splendid breakfast every thing was very nice they would have no pay for it very cool all day
Oct 12th Sunday
we have no orders yet to move I hope we may stay here today so that I can rest. very cold & raining some every thing is still this morning can hear no guns of any kind. we go down to our Regt about ten oclock cook 3 days rations I intend to
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stay with them now. I see Jim Crow he was wounded in the left arm in the last battle. Poor Bill Cathay was killed. we will have a dreadful battle here soon, but cant tell when. we had only 15 000 engaged in the late fight the enemy had double our loss 2500 theirs was much heavier, but cant hear any thing deffinite about it. Henry Coleburn is just from home he is in the neighborhood but has not come into camp yet. Cook up 4 days rations & the waggons are sent off again. Oct 13th Monday cool & cloudy have orders to march & only go about half mile & camp. our Briggade is composed of 43 Tenn 39th & 36 Georgia & 20 Ala Latroles Battery. Reynolds is the General. I hear that the battle
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at Perryville was one of the bloodiest of the war our Regt got some mail today but there was none for me. would write home but there is no chance to send a letter off. I know that Paralee is anxious to hear from me but I am affraid it will be a long time before she can hear from me. start to march at sundown & go all night. I hear that we are skedadling back to Tenn. I go to sleep walking along. Oct 14th 62 continue to march till dinner time. I am very tired & almost worn out. we expect to stay here till tomorrow. we hear that Gen Bragg & Buel are running a race for Cumberland Gap but I think that we left Buel behind us. we burnt several waggons loaded with arms & about 1000
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barrells of pickled pork that we took from the enemy because we could not bring them with us. the yankeys are following on behind us picking up all the straglers & those that drop out of line. they have taken several of our Company. we sent back some Cavaldry to stop them. I understand that the reason that we are leaveing Ky is that it is too expensive to hold it & we can not go into winter quarters here because wood is too scarce. the yankeys claim a victory at Perryville but they were badly beaten & driven back. five negroes belonging to the boys of our Regt run away & went to the enemy. one belonged to Woods of our Company. we passed through Lancaster today our rear is fighting
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there this evening. can hear the musketry very distinctly. I learn that we are ordered out of the state by the war department as Ky is for the Union. Oct 15th 1862 Start to march at 12 oclock last night & go to Big Hill where we camp & cook two days rations we hear that Morgan was whiped by the enemy today but I dont believe it. we have left the pike road & have to throw away much of our loading. I see much amunition laying along the road, can hear cannon all day. I see Amzi Todden & several other boys from Maison I am detailed to push the waggons up the hill it is very hard work & we work at it all night
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I had no idea that we had taken so much from the enemy. there was many waggons loaded with cloth suitable for clothes. we burnt lots of clothes ready made up we have to go 15 miles without any water from this place. we also have many waggon loads of arms & the best of it is we took the waggons & teams from the yankeys
Oct 16th 1862
More men detailed to pull up waggons & I am relieved. I suppose they will all get up today the hill is very rough & steep & about a mile long. Can hear cannon this morning. We leave many valuable things on the hill. we get all the waggons up by 12 oclock tonight
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Oct 17th 1862 Friday
We start to march about one oclock & march to Rock Castle river, get there about 9 AM very tired & sleepy we have now gone four nights in sucksission & I am almost worn out. we start again & go five miles & then camp. they only give us half rations, but Spencer gave us some that he bought & we have plenty but the rest of the boys are parching corn with a vengance. one of Bartons men was shot & killed by the bushwhackers. we caught him water is very scarce but we dont need much as we travel at night
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Oct 18th 1862
Have a good nights rest but it was quite cool. Some of our Cavaldry fired on & wounded another squad that had on yankey uniforms. there has been a law passed that we should not wear their clothes. Buck & I go on a head to get water have to go four miles. I learn that the Regt has gone another way & we have to double quick till we get up which is about night Buck bought him a horse for six dollars but I think he will get tired of him for he cant feed him. we draw corn & beef parch the corn
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Oct 19th Sunday
Start at 9 A.M. & go into camp before sundown the first time in a long while. this is the third day we have had to live on parched corn & broyled beef, but the waggons are to bring us two days rations tonight we have seen hard times certain I had no idea that a man could stand so much. I shall be glad enough when we get out of these mountains. we passed where a long train of waggons had been burnt. Bucks horse is much service to us he carries all my baggage & also several blankets for the boys
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Oct 22 Wednesday
very pleasant drew one days rations of flour last night & eat it all for breakfast this morning. the scenery here is splendid we are in a small valley surrounded by the largest kind of mountains. I have taken a dreadful cold. we had to carry wood a mile last night to make us a fire. stay in camp for a while cook our beef. the Cumberland is a pretty stream & very full of fish cant dish up a bucket of water without there is some in it. start at 9AM to go to Powels river. we pass through the Gap just before sundown it is very different from what I expected the scenery is splendid as all the
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timber is cut off the mountains & one can see it good. it is naturally a very strong place & the yankeys have done a great deal of work there I think it imposible to take it any other way than we did some few sick yankeys there. it was quite cool up there got two letters from Paralee here how glad I am to hear from her the corner stone of Va Ky & Tenn is in the gap I walked around it. I think I will bring Paralee & Bettie here some day to see this romantic place. we draw half rations of flour for 3 days I get 8 buiscuit I dont know what they mean for we have plenty of flour in the waggons very cold tonight
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Oct 23d 1862
How glad I am to be again in the land of Dixie where I can hear from home again & they can hear from me. I got a letter from Sister today daited 25th Sept. we cross Powels river on a bridge made of old boats. we were agreably disapointed for we thought we would have to wade it which would not have been pleasant this cold morning. we go through Tagwell & camp (before night for a wonder) six miles below town my feet are very soar & the road is very rough. it is just two months today since the Regt started to Ky. Buel run as fast the other way as we did this. that is what we hear
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Oct 24th 62
get a letter from Sister & one from Pa but both are old. start to march at 8 oclock & go to Cedar ford where we camp. we had a fine time wadeing the Clinch had to pull off our pants as soon as Ike & I got over we hurried on three miles to Mr. Hayzes house & got a good dinner he would not charge us any thing.
Oct 25th 62
go to Blanes Xroads where we are to stay till further orders. I am glad to get to stop for a while for I am completely worn out & my feet very soar
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I will write letters home the first thing after resting a while. I wrote Paralee a hurried note yesterday poor thing. I know she has been very uneasy about me. write to Pa this evening. Oct we have no other water here but strong sulphur
Oct 26th begins to snow before day this morning & continues all day very disagreable as we have no tents or any thing to shelter us. build large fires & crowd around them to try to keep warm finish Pa's letter we are to go into winter quarters at Lenoirs factory below Knoxville dont know when we start but we will have to march all the way some say we are to go to Kingston for winter
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Oct 27th 1862
Clear & every thing looks beautiful all covered with snow. it is melting very fast. have my clothes washed write to Paralee & Sister. nothing doing in camp, very cold tonight. get a letter from Paralee daited the 7th October.
Oct 28th/62 Clear but very cold this morning We have orders to march at 8 oclock. we go to Lenoirs Station about 48 miles have to march all the way, go about 17 miles & camp. Oct near the 28th Ala Regt A Fowlkes & Jack Kynard come over to see us & sit till bed time I was very glad to see them
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Oct 29th 1862
Clear & very cold start at 7 oclock. we are having quite a sloppy march since the snow melted. How much I wish that Bettie & Paralie had some of the nice apples that I get every day I know they would enjoy them go into camp early as we have to cook some.
Oct 30th 62
Clear & cold start at daylight & get to Lenoirs Station by 3 oclock Camp on the bank of the river & are not allowed to cut any green timber so I expect that we will suffer for fire. get a letter from Paralee daited 22 Oct. how much I would like to see her & tell her all
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Oct 31st 1862
Clear but quite cold yet. we get our old tents from Knoxville but dont put them up, they are very rotten & wont protect us much. We are mustered this morning & some of the Companies are paid off I write to Sister & Pa & Paralee as the men are to start in the morning for our clothes
November 1st/62
looks something like rain. we get our pay this morning. I am only paid for 8 months $88 dont get my commutation or my bounty but hope I will soon Dobbins dont go until morning I will send 80 dollars to Pa.
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for Paralee, hope I can send her some more soon for I dont think it will be long before I will get bounty & commutation while I was at home. I will write again to Pa & Paralee as Dobbins wont get off till morning. Monroe goes out forageing today but only gets a little milk which we are glad to get as we have had none for some time. H Roberts gives me a pair of pants for Monroe I will write Pa word not to send him any from home
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I will now send this book home it may interest Bettie someday I want Pa to send it to her the first chance I hope she will take care of it & keep it till she gets old enough to read it & see where I have been & what I have gone through. there are only a few leaves more left & I will send it by N Dobbins as it is a good chance & I dont know when I will have another chance
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Pa you need not send Monroe any pants as he has plenty but be certain to send his shoes
DATABASE CONTENT
| (15313) | DL1508 | Diaries | 1862 |
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Anxiety, Artillery, Braxton Bragg, Camp/Lodging, Children, Clothing, Death (Military), Destruction of Land/Property, Discipline, Excitement, Fatigue/Tiredness, Fighting, Food, Furloughs, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guns, Illnesses, Injuries, Jefferson Davis, Mail, Marching, Medicine, Money, Nature, News, Payment, Peace, Photographs, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, Railroads, Recruitment/Recruits, Rivers, Ships/Boats, Telegraph, Weather
People - Records: 1
- (5339) [writer] ~ Lowry, John C.
SOURCES
John C. Lowry Diary, 1862, DL1508, Nau Collection
