I was born in Grainger County, East Tennessee in the year of our Lord 1837, on the 29th of August. My father and mother were both born and raised up in the same county and state. They were poor people, who made their living by the sweat of the brow. My father was Scotch-Irish and my mother of English descent. My mother's maiden name was Grove, daughter of Reuben Grove, who, as well as my father's parents, had emigrated from Virginia. My father was a farmer, and being a poor man, he was forced to rent land up to about my 10th year when he bought a rough and not well improved farm between Clinch Mountain and Holston River in Grainger County, about seven miles from Rutledge, the county seat. Up to this time I had done nothing and hardly knew that this life was a reality; but after we were settled in our new home, we had to go to work to make a living. By dint of hard work and good management, my father's prospects in life began to brighten. We soon had a large farm open and under cultivation and everything in a thriving condition. He was a man of strong natural sense and he had improved his [mind] much by extensive reading and deep thought. He never had the advantage of much school training, yet he was capable of doing any kind of business of a common nature. He far surpassed in mind the masses of people in our country. Consequently, when his affairs began to prosper, he became an influential citizen. He was twice elected to the clerkship of the County Court of Grainger and to some other small offices. My mother is one of the best of women, and made an exemplary wife and affectionate mother. She had comparatively no education beyond the power to read and write, yet she had fine feelings and was by nature a most refined lady, though unacquainted with the formality of [the] etiquette of what in our day is called ``refined society''.
I have two sisters older and one younger than myself. I have a brother who is six years my junior. I had another brother younger than him who died in infancy. We live, as I have said, on our farm and I worked with my own hands till I was about 18 years old. During this time, however, I had attended the common country (or as we say, old field) school somewhat irregularly every year, and was as far advanced as most of my companions of my age. In 1855 and 1856, I attended the academy in Rutledge about 4 months, part of the time under Mr. Wood and part under Mr. Burket, who had a flourishing school and a good English education. Here I improved rapidly and began to find how little I knew, and here I formed a strong desire to gain knowledge. The session was out in July and I went home. Here I remained only a few weeks before my father sent me to Emory and Henry College in Washington County, Virginia. I was accompanied to this place by Mr. G. P. Yoe---an old school mate---and we roomed together at that place for four years. During my first session at Emory I began to study Latin and Greek, but was greatly discouraged by comparing myself with some younger than myself who were in the Junior and Senior classes; and I would most assuredly have quit college had it not been that my father was so anxious for me to remain. So going back in August 1858 and entering the Freshman class, and forming some intimate friends, I was better satisfied and began to improve more rapidly in my studies and soon made a reputation as a ``close student''.
During the autumn of this year, I began to keep a diary, or rather a journal, for I did not write in it daily, in which many things were recorded that were of deep interest. Not only events were chronicled in this book, but often when no other business was on hand, would I sit down and write my thoughts, whatever they chanced to be. And my old book had become to be my best friend, for when all else failed to give me ease of mind, a few pages from it would leave me calm and collected. It contained the names of many of my youthful friends and my estimation of their characters. It was my constant companion and contained pages written at college ``by the spring beech tree''. Among the names most venerated---often repeated---were G. I. Rogers and N. W. Greene, Sussex County, Virginia, I. E. Vawter, Red Sulphur Springs, Virginia, T. M. Hail, Cleveland, Tennessee, I. S. Hardin, Sweetwater, Tennessee, J. S. Parker, New Orleans, Louisiana, T. I. Motts, Columbus, Georgia, and last but not least in my affections, Junius Jorden, Eufaula, Alabama. Other names that were dear it contained, and histories of seasons spent in ``conservation sweet''.
This book I kept till the spring of 1861 when the war between the North and South broke out. In April of this year I left college and went home and soon attached myself to a volunteer company, then being raised by my father J. K. McAnally and C. G. Jarnagin for the Confederate Service. We were mustered into the service of the Confederate Service by J. T. Shields at Beans Station on the 29th of August, 1861, and some weeks after went to Knoxville where we formed a regiment under Colonel W. W. Carroll. From here we went to west Tennessee, to Germantown, where we stayed some six weeks, then we went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, from there back to Knoxville, where we remained till the 28th of December when we started to reinforce General Zolliecoffee at Mill Springs, Kentucky---which place we did not reach until the 16th of January, 1862. The battle of Fishing Creek came off and Zolliecoffee was killed. We were not in the fight, but crossed the Cumberland and covered the retreat. We did not halt until we reached Gainesboro about the 1st of February, from here we went to Murfreesboro where we tarried till the 28th February, when the commands from Fort Donaldson and Bowling Green, together with ours, began their march South via Decatur, Alabama, I being sick, did not go with them on this march but went to the hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and again rejoined my command at Iuka Springs, Mississippi on the 2nd April, 1862.
On the retreat from Mill Springs, I lost my trunk and many valuables in it, among which was the journal above mentioned. For, although its pages were full and I had taken my leave from it, being at home a few days previous to going to Kentucky, I had taken it along to cheer me up in gloomy hours. I also lost another journal which I commenced to keep after I went into service. Also a book of political effusions from my own pen, also a Bible which was a present from my chum G. P. Yoe and a note book (Christian Minstrel) which was a present from a very dear friend, J. P. Crews---together with many other things which were of no interesting value---but to me, as souvenirs of memory, they were invaluable.
Our Regiment was denominated the 37th Tennessee, and was, after Colonel Carroll's promotion to Brigadier, under the command of Colonel Moses White. We left Iuka about the 4th of April and went to Burnsville, Mississippi, and was here when the battle of Shiloh came off on the 6th or 7th of April. Soon after that time (on the 16th, I think), we went to Corinth and were in many small skirmishes around that place, Farmington among them. We were placed in a Brigade under General Mamaduke in Hardee's Division; Bragg's Corps. On the 15th of May, our Regiment was reorganized in accordance with the ``conscript law'' (for we were 12 months troops) and my father, being over age, went home. Lieutenant Jarnagin was made Captain of the Company. Up to this time I had been a Private and had asked for no office. Here I was a candidate for acting 2nd Lieutenant, but was defeated. I was appointed by Colonel White, Sergeant Major of the Regiment without my asking it and continued in this office till the 16th July. On the 27th May, we left Corinth, marching nearly south along the line of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad till we reached Baldwyn. Here we tarried for some days and I, being very sick, left the Regiment and went to Okolona where I stayed about one week and then rejoined the Regiment at Verona, Mississippi, and on the 16th of June we went back to Tupelo, Mississippi. Here we were stationed for nearly two months and the army was thoroughly reorganized under General Bragg. He had superseded General Beauregard. I have been very feeble during the whole summer, and on the 16th of July I obtained a furlough and went home, where I arrived on the 20th and remained till the 18th August, when upon hearing that my command was at Chattanooga, I left for that point though I was yet very weak. I found my Regiment encamped three miles from town across the river, preparing to leave for Kentucky. I found that my office had been filled by another, so I went into ranks in my old company and started on the march on the 28th day of August, 1862, and traveled across the mountains 13 miles and stopped for the night in a laurel thicket near a creek. Here two men from Company ``K'' (in which I was a Private) deserted. We left our bivouac on the creek about noon on the second day and crossed the mountains into the valley called Sequatchie and camped that night on the banks of the stream which runs through that valley and bears its name. Next day, about noon, we crossed the river and camped about one mile from its banks to await the arrival of our provision train. Here we still remain September 1, 1862.
We left Sequatchie on the 3rd of September and marched every day till we reached Sparta, Tennessee on the 6th. There we tarried till morning when we again moved forward and have been marching hard every day since, till today. We are now at Glasgow, Kentucky.
September 14, Sunday
We left Glasgow on Monday and arrived at Cave City late that night; left there on the following morning and soon came in hearing of the cannons opening roar. The fight was going on at Munfordville, where the enemy were strongly fortified. We reached the scene of action about 2 o'clock PM and sent over a flag of truce demanding an unconditional surrender, informing the enemy that they were completely surrounded and that further resistance would be futile. They refused and renewed the fight. Night coming on, the firing ceased and our forces were disposed of for an early attack next morning, and we went to sleep with our guns for pillows. But when bright eyed aurora tipped the hills with light, lo! a white flag was streaming from the hostile battlements and the enemy (about 4,200) marched out and gave up their arms and cannons.
The Federals here were commanded by Colonel Durham. We pursued our march onward through the country, passed New Haven and Balltown, crossed Beach Forte and are now camped near Bardstown in Nelson County, expecting to leave this evening.
September 24th, 1862
I neglected to state in the proper place that before we left Chattanooga, Tennessee for Kentucky, Brigadier General Mamaduke was transferred from our Brigade and sent to the Trans-Mississippi Department. The Brigade was reorganized, consisting of the 17th, 23rd, 25th, 37th and 44th Tennessee Regiments. This fine Brigade was put under Brigadier General B. R. Johnson. About the 26th September, 162 of our detachment, part of our Regiment under Captain Jarnagin, was sent to Fairfield, Kentucky about 10 miles northwest of Bardstown. Here there was a fine mill which we were to guard while it ground for the troops. We continued here about one week. In the meantime the enemy were advancing from the direction of Louisville. They had already captured guards at mills near us and burned the mills, yet we had so much on hand at this place that we determined not to fall back while it was possible for us to stay. We would work during the day, loading and unloading wagons, and at night lie in the mill house with our guns under us, determined to defend ourselves against any scouting parties that might come upon us. At length, having removed all our stores, we left the place on the night of the 4th October, about 12 o'clock. I have since learned that the enemy entered in force before daylight next morning. We hurried back to Bardstown and found that our command had left in the direction of Perryville. We hurried on and overtook them about noon that day.
But I cannot leave the little village of Fairfield without saying something of its inhabitants. Now, it is common and natural, yes, even necessary, [for citizens] to close their doors from the soldiers. For there are many [of] even a well trained army who will rob citizens of any and everything that they have a desire for. Such men are scoundrels at heart. Then there are others who will rob and impose on the hospitable people, and though they may pay them the full value of what they receive, still it leaves the citizen a beggar, for soon the necessaries of life grow scarce in the vicinity of the Army. Thus, good citizens are often left without the means of sustaining life and it becomes necessary for them to break up their dear home ties and move away from an army of friends. The Federal Army had long been passing and repassing through the beautiful and fertile country in which Fairfield is situated and had encamped a long time at Bardstown. Yet most of the people in this section were staunch Southerners and many a fair maiden nightly prayed for her father, brother, and sweetheart who were away under the gallant Morgan or the invincible Breckenridge doing battle against the enemies of the sunny South. The village of Fairfield was composed of such people---and never did I see kinder people to soldiers or people more devoted to the cause of the South than they. I made the acquaintance of several families and visited many by the invitations of the fair young damsels. At first I was ashamed to go to the house of anyone, for being a Private soldier and having made the long march on foot from Chattanooga, Tennessee to this part of the ``dark and bloody ground'', it is easily imagined that my wardrobe was not very complete. Yet ``dirt and rags'' were no excuse to the fair ones who gave these invitations and they soon made us feel as comfortable as if he had been under his own ``father's roof''. With them, nothing that they had or could obtain was too good for the soldiers and no excuse was valid for you to leave them unless ``duty called''. It was a sore trial to leave such people to the mercy of the northern vandals, yet such was the order and such the course passed by our army.
After our little detachment caught up with the Regiment, we went on fighting the enemy in our rear daily till we reached Perryville. There we halted on the evening of the 7th October and formed a line of battle to await the enemy's attack. Early next morning the skirmishes began on a different part of our line, and by noon or a little afterward, the fight became general. Here we fought one of the bloodiest battles of its magnitude of the war. From the time the engagement became general till night closed the conflict, we drove the enemy steadily backward, though they bravely defended every new position they took, but the impetuosity of our troops swept their superior numbers (for it is thought that they had two men to our one) before them like chaff before the wind. The enemy fell back at night about three miles and on the following morning we pursued our course through Harrodsburg via ``Camp Dick Robinson'', Crab Orchard, London, Barbourville, Cumberland Gap, Tazewell, Tennessee to Knoxville, Tennessee, where we arrived on about the 23rd October. Here on the 1st of November, W. H. Bernard, who was at that time in command of the Regiment, appointed me advance Sergeant of the 37th Tennessee. We left Knoxville about the 7th November and arrived at Estill Springs about the 10th. We stayed here a few days and went to Shelbyville. After a fortnight stay here, we went to College Grove---near Grianne [Triune?] in Williamson County, Tennessee. We left here about the 27th December for Murfreesboro where we arrived on the morning of the 28th. Having taken our position on the right wing and awaited the attack of the enemy till the evening of the 30th, we were then ordered round to the left. About sun up on the morning of the 31st December, the battle began and continued fiercely all day. We drove the enemy's right wing back some miles and turned it back on their center where they held an exceedingly strong position. In the battle of this day we gained decided victory---captured many prisoners and much artillery and ordnance stores, while our cavalry got in their rear and destroyed and brought over, `tis said, one thousand wagons. The enemy however held their strong position, so on Friday our right wing endeavored to gain a hill in their front and dislodge them. General Breckenridge succeeded in gaining the hill, but found that the position could not be taken, as the enemy had improved their so naturally strong position by works of their own, so he had to fall back. We then left on the 3rd January and halted at Estill Springs, where we stayed till the 9th when our Regiment was ordered to Chattanooga, at which place I arrived on the evening of the 18th January, 1863.
Tyner's Station, Tennessee
July 16th, 1863
On the 12th I went home with my father who was then in camp on a visit, but being sent on duty, I only remained a few days. On the 24th January I again arrived in camp at Chattanooga. Here I stayed on ``post duty'' till the 1st of June, 1863, when our Regiment was ordered to the front. On the night of the 2nd June, I received the very painful intelligence of the death of my father. The following is a copy of the dispatch received by Colonel White.
Morristown, June 2nd, 1863---To Colonel White or Captain Jarnagin, 37th Tennessee Regiment
Colonel James K. McAnally was shot from his horse dead last night near home. His wife desires William to come home. The murderer was concealed by the roadside. Signed:
James T. Shields
With clouded mind and grief rent heart I took charge of some federal prisoners to Knoxville and through the kindness of Colonel White I was ordered to Morristown. So I arrived home on Thursday the 4th and found that my father was already buried. Offering what consolation I could to my bereaved mother and the rest, I left again for camp on Sunday the 7th June and on Tuesday the 9th, I reached the Regiment at War Trace, Tennessee. While I was at home I found the blank in which I now write among my school books and as such a thing can now be procured nowhere for love or money, I brought it with me, hoping that I might be able to fill its pages at leisure moments with such notes as would prove interesting to me in after years, should I live, and to others if it is God's will that I should not. I began to write in it at War Trace, Tennessee, but soon my Regiment and the 15th Tennessee were consolidated, Colonel White sent on recruiting service and Colonel Tyler of the 15th put in command of the consolidated Regiment. This I did not like but could not help. We then moved up to the village of Fairfield, Tennessee in ``Brigadier General Bates' Brigade, Stewart's Division, Hardee's Corps, Army of Tennessee''. Here we rested quietly till June 25th, 1863; of our subsequent action up to this date, I will allow a few leaves from my day book to speak.
On the field near Hover's Gap
4 PM June 25th, 1863
On yesterday evening the Yankees drove in our ``pickets'' and advanced as far as Beech Grove, having passed through Hover's Gap. They penetrated to within 3 miles of General Bates, Hardee's Troops, before we were aware of danger. About 1 o'clock PM the ``long roll'' called our boys to arms, and they started off at a double quick to the scene of action. In less than two hours the wounded were returning, having had a sharp contest. Our ordnance did not go out but sent one wagon. Meantime the rain poured down in torrents. After night our Brigade was relieved by General B. R. Johnson's Brigade. Our boys came to camp and stayed till this morning when they went back and we followed them with the ordnance. The rain has been incessant till about one hour ago. Skirmishing still continues, but not so heavy as yesterday.
June 26th---4 PM
The rain still continues to fall heavily at intervals. The fighting continues heavy. Our line has been compelled to fall back to a new position. We have had only three Brigades thus far, but while I write, troops (the 32nd Tennessee, Brown's Brigade) are passing to reinforce them. The fight on our left wing has been severe all day. The enemy are endeavoring to turn our left. I am now on the top of a high hill between Fairfield and Beech Grove with the ordnance of the 15th, 37th Tennessee. This is the third day of the fight and it has rained every day. I can now see the ``signal flags'' waving from different hill tops; and I would not be surprised if we had to fall back still further, for the enemy seem to be in heavy force. No fight is now going on to our left at Liberty Gap where it was so heavy yesterday and this morning.
June 28th---8 AM
On yesterday morning we left the vicinity of Fairfield and halted not till Tullahoma was reached. The troops have all fallen back to this place or near here. There was very little fighting on yesterday. It is reported that the enemy are following us in force to this place. But I do not believe they will fight us here but expect a flank movement and then, I think, we will have to fall back across the mountains to Bridgeport or even to Chattanooga. If, however, they should attack our works here, there will be a severe battle.
June 29th---1 PM
On yesterday (Sunday) we moved across the creek to the south of Tullahoma and camped last night. About 8 o'clock this morning ``we double quicked'' out three miles north and formed lines of battle. The Cavalry are fighting in the direction of Manchester. It is still raining. I think I never saw it rain harder than it did this morning. Our ordnance is now near Tullahoma. The Brigade is out ``in front''.
July 1st, 1863
On the Road
On yesterday (Tuesday) we stood on the road nearly all day. Late in the evening we moved to our old camp and stayed until about 9 o'clock, when we drove our [ordnance] on the road toward Allisona and waited till our Brigade came to us, then, about 1 AM, we started on the muddiest road I ever saw. We are now about 11 miles from Tullahoma. Heavy firing is heard in the direction of Tullahoma. In the fight on Monday, Colonel Stearns of the Cavalry was mortally wounded.
Jasper, Tennessee---July 4th, 1863
Bethpage Bridge across Elk River was burned on the morning of the 2nd, and our Brigade (except the 20th Tennessee Regiment) moved out to ``the university of the South'' and tarried all night. On the morning of the 3rd, we moved forward on the left hand road. We descended Cumberland Mountain and camped two miles from its base. On this morning we moved down Battle Creek and reached Jasper about 12 noon, where we remain. The enemy are following us but have failed to cut off any of our wagon train. As I feared, they flanked our position at Tullahoma. It is believed they have 8 divisions of infantry, well attended with cavalry and artillery. One of my wagons was broken down on the mountain yesterday with about 8000 rounds of B and B cartridges. Another was broken but I mended it so as to get through to this point.
Kelly's Ferry---July 5th, 1863---Sunday
We left Jasper before daylight this morning and reached Kelly's Ferry about 2 PM and crossed the Tennessee River on the pontoon bridge and are now resting on the southern bank.
Nauhatchie, Tennessee---July 7, 1863
On yesterday morning our ordnance train left Kelly's Ferry and went to Chattanooga but was soon ordered back to this point where General Stewart's Division is now encamped. In crossing the mountain, I lost all my books and private papers and have not now the means of writing a letter.
Chattanooga, Tennessee---July 11, 1863
Our Brigade is ordered to Tyner's Station and I was left in charge of the ordnance. I have got it this far but know not when I will get a train to the Brigade. We have now positive information that Vicksburg, Mississippi surrendered to the enemy on the 4th of July.
Tyner's Station---July 22nd, 1863
I left Chattanooga on Monday [the] 13th and arrived at Tyner's Station on the same day with the ordnance. I have been sick for about three weeks, but still am not confined. I fear I will have a hard time in camp during the remainder of the summer. This book, together with all my private papers, were lost on the mountain, but through the kindness of a friend into whose hands this book fell, I have again possession of it. I have now written of the past, but how little I have said! when it is considered that these few pages cover a quarter of a century of time and that the spring time is life. Infancy and the halcyon days of boyhood have been merely glanced at and passed over with few notes. More mature age and army experiences have been merely glanced at, for I have not had the time nor means to go into particulars. Hereafter, I want to give the principal facts as they occur, which immediately surround me, and to invite whatever else fancy or reason may dictate.
Loudon, Tennessee---August 29th, 1863
On the 23rd of August we left our camp at Tyner's Station and went to a Railroad Bridge across Chickamauga Creek, where we tarried two days and then moved out to ``Smith's Spring'', four miles from Harrison, where we remained on outpost duty till the evening of the 28th, when we moved back to Tyner's and embarked for Loudon---where we arrived today. Our wagons have not come yet and I have my ammunition here without transportation. The people---citizens and soldiers---of East Tennessee became alarmed and left their homes for the invaders but, as yet, no invaders have come to possess them. Knoxville was evacuated but no Yankees were there to desecrate it. They now begin to show more confidence. Our army is concentrating partly at this point. It is understood that we---Stewart's Division---are transferred to Buckner's Corps, he having been made a Lieutenant General. (Mistake)
``Once more hath the Earth completed her circuit around the burning and brilliant luminary of Heaven.'' Once more hath the 29th of August dawned on me, and ushered in the beginning of my twenty-seventh year. Twenty-six times have I sped with old Earth in her circled orbit around that grand centre. Two years of my life have now passed as a soldier. Two years and how eventful! I found the army full of life and hope---exalting over the glorious victory of Manassas (1st) and since that time we have met with other victories quite as complete as that, yet we have met with reverses that have terrified the weak. They have passed, and victory perched again on our Standard in the well fought fields of Shiloh, Perryville and Murfreesboro---besides numerous points in the ``Old Dominion''. But now adversity has again overtaken us. Vicksburg fell---Middle Tennessee has been evacuated and the enemy threaten our present position. Yet today I am confident of our final success, for I believe our cause is just and that a just God guides us and will make of us a great nation. We have only to persevere---to be faithful---to trust in God---and Liberty, the priceless boon for which we fight, will be ours. The weather is cool for the season---very pleasant.
Wm. Edgar McAnally
Charlestown, Tennessee---September the 4th, 1863
On the morning of the 1st of September, Bates' Brigade left Loudon and came on the train to this point. After we left Tyner's, all our wagons and teams were turned over to another division and we are now without transportation. We (the ordnance Sergeants of the Brigade) have our ammunition, etc., in a house on the main street of this dusty village and are now awaiting orders and transportation to move. Nearly all of Buckner's Army have crossed the Weiwossa [Hiwassee?] and are now in this vicinity. Scott's Cavalry Brigade are between here and Loudon watching the enemy who are said to be advancing from that direction. Our forces destroyed the fine railroad bridge at Loudon before they fell back. I have seen many of my old friends from East Tennessee within the last two days, among whom was my old classmate and chum Captain George P. Yoe of General Pegrom's staff; also Jno. W. Yoe. This was very refreshing after having been so long cut off from communication with these old friends. Our army is concentrating rapidly and if the enemy dare meet us I fear not the result, but I fear they will by a flank movement compel us to take a position further to the ``rear''. W. E. M.
On the road 12 miles west of Opelika, Georgia. September 10, 1863
Our Brigade left Charlestown on the evening of the 4th and camped five miles out on the Georgetown Road. We started with the ordnance after night[fall] and camped on the road three miles from town. On the following morning we returned to Charlestown and unloaded the wagons, and sent them back with provisions. Soon we procured others and loaded again and started for the Brigade, which was in motion. We travelled to within five miles of Georgetown and halted till daylight, when we moved on and reached the Brigade five miles beyond Georgetown. Soon we set out again and about 8 AM [the] next morning reached Ooltaivan; here we tarried till about midnight when we started again and halted at Opelika (or Graysville, Georgia) about 11 AM [the] next morning. We tarried there till yesterday morning, when we started, and halted here late in the evening, where we now remain awaiting orders to move. The whole of East Tennessee is now open to the enemy. Heavy skirmishing is reported some miles in our front. The enemy is said to be falling back. I hope we are soon to meet and defeat them and repossess ourselves of the territory lost in Tennessee.
W. E. McAnally
LaFayette, Georgia---September 15, 1863
We have been marching and countermarching among these hills since the 10th. On yesterday, however, we remained stationary at this place which we reached on the 12th. On the 11th we had a considerable skirmish with the enemy on the Graysville Road between Rock Spring and this place. The enemy were completely routed and would, it is said, have been captured had it not been for a blunder of one of our officers (Windmauss). There has been skirmishing in every direction from this place and a general engagement is daily expected. General Forrest of the Cavalry was severly wounded two days ago, it is said. My old friend and chum, Captain George P. Yoe of General Pegrom's staff, was slightly wounded on the 11th. Our young country's prospects now look dark indeed. The enemy is advancing on every side, the country is flooded with a greatly depreciated paper currency, which is the Government's ``promise to pay''. This is worth with speculators---which class have overrun the whole land, about one fifteenth as much as gold or silver; besides this, there is much dissatisfaction in the Army and among citizens; but with all these disadvantages, I still feel confident of our final success.
LaFayette, Georgia. September 17, 1863
We are now under marching orders and have been ready to move ever since daylight, but from some cause we still delay. On yesterday I had the exquisite pleasure of meeting my much loved friend and schoolmate, Junius Jorden, from Eufaula, Alabama. He has been at school at Greensboro, Alabama for the year past, but desiring to serve his country in this hour of peril, he has laid aside his college toga, left the luxuries and enjoyments of his southern home and attached himself to Captain Oliver's Battery, which is called the ``Eufaula Artillery'', and is attached to our (Bates') Brigade. I was truly and heartily glad to see him once more, many and sweet were the recollections of bygone days aroused in my mind by a short interview with him. May God protect him through all the perils of this war. We have, it is said, been greatly reinforced at this place and important movements are now on foot. The morale of our army is rapidly improving and I think, if our Generals do their duty, our sun will soon shine brilliantly through the sombre gloom clouds which have, for a time, overshadowed us.
On the field three miles South of Chattanooga. Sunday, September 27, 1863
The shifting scenes of war for the last ten days have brought to pass many and strange events. Since then, many a heart full of high hope and lofty aspirations has ceased to pulsate; many a noble form has become cold and stiff in death and has gone to mingle with our common Mother Earth and become food for loathsome worms. After leaving LaFayette, we marched on the Ringgold Road for about six or seven miles and then inclined to the left, moving slowly forward, nearly parallel (I think) with the W & A Railroad. On the evening of the 18th, a brisk skirmish began between the advance of our right wing and the left of the enemy. This occurred near Chickamauga Creek. Night came on and the skirmish ceased and the subsequent events, I will let the following notes, taken on the battlefield, `mid the din and confusion of contending armies, speak.
Battlefield near Chickamauga Creek. September 20, 1863
On yesterday morning the advance of our army began to skirmish heavily and soon the engagement became general along our whole line and raged with great fury till night, when firing on both sides ceased except [for] an occasional shot from the advance line of sharp shooters. This morning, about 8 o'clock AM, began again a heavy and furious fire, both of artillery and small arms, and has continued so up till this time. I took ammunition to our Brigade yesterday evening, though I had to do so in a perfect shower of shot and shell. Again, this morning, we set out with a portion of the ordnance of Stewart's Division and are now immediately in rear of his line, which is engaged.
12 o'clock AM. September 22
The fighting was fierce till near night on the 20th, when the enemy's whole line fell back with a heavy loss in prisoners and artillery. Our victory is great. On yesterday there was but little fighting. Bragg is slowly following the retreating foe. We lost, during the three days fighting, many good men of whom I have not time nor space to speak. Bates' Brigade was engaged two days---the 19th and 20th, and suffered heavily in killed and wounded. Among the killed on the 20th was my friend Captain Chesley G. Jarnagin of Company ``K'', 37th Tennessee Regiment. He came into the service with me as 1st Lieutenant of the Company of which my father was Captain, and after his resignation was promoted. He was a fine man and an excellent officer and his loss is deeply felt by his many friends in the Regiment. Lieutenant Sherman K. Fielder, an old friend and schoolmate of the 18th Alabama was mortally wounded; also, Eugene Street, Company ``B'', 20th Tennessee, was killed. He was an old Emory student and an intimate friend of mine. ``In pace requiescat.''
It was a hard fought battle and resulted in a great loss to both armies, but I think the enemy's loss in killed and wounded was much greater than ours---besides his loss in prisoners, which was considerable. His loss in artillery and small arms was also great. The battlefield presented a horrid spectacle on the 21st. I had an opportunity of riding over most of the ground and, although I was in the fierce battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro, I must say that, in horror, this surpassed anything I ever witnessed. Horses and riders dead and dying, all mingled together over an area of from 4 to 7 miles long and 2 in breadth, and this space almost entirely a forest. Trees were torn to pieces and scattered in every direction. Caissons and other vehicles were mingled in wild confusion, and everything showed that the fiery god of war had been abroad in his greatest fury and could now gloat his thirst for blood and rejoice in the horrible spectacle of dead and wounded men left in a forest, and it on fire from bursting shells. On many parts of the field could be seen the bodies of men parched and charred by the burning leaves and brush. But such is ``glorious war''.
We moved forward on the main road (Ringgold) to Redhouse Bridge and stayed all night. On the 23rd we moved back to the Chattanooga Road and travelled on it till we came within two and a half miles of Chattanooga, where our Brigade is now in line of battle. On the night of the 24th, our advance line moved rapidly forward on the enemies' outposts, who as rapidly fled to their entrenchments, leaving blankets, shoes, knapsacks, haversacks, canteens in great profusion. Since then nothing of interest has occurred. We are building breast works parallel with theirs, while in the meantime, everything in the Quartermaster['s] Department is ready for a march. I hope it will be forward, and that our proud old Tennessee may once more be free from the tread of the hated invaders.
W. E. McAnally
September 28
It is a bright and beautiful morning; autumn birds are carolling their sweet sad notes on almost every tree. Neath(?) has reddened on the rock---September---like one golden mouthed has preached decay, with all its painted woods! All nature seems to be the image of happiness and contentment, but alas! War, ruinous, destructive, unrelenting war with all its concomitant evils, is here to mar that happiness. The two armies still front each other, but all is silence along the lines. Heavy guns frown over the battlements, but are maintaining an ominous silence which is hard to explain. Not a gun was fired on yesterday, nor so far today---it be the calm that precedes the storm. It is generally believed that Rosecrans has been reinforced by Burnsides since the battle. Some think that he is crossing [the] Tennessee River and is merely holding Chattanooga till his baggage can be saved. The hour is certainly pregnant with great events, either for our welfare or misfortune. One thing is certain, our army is in fine condition and ready to carry out any well matured plan of our Generals. Three miles South of Chattanooga.
October the 8th, 1863---South of Chattanooga, Tennessee
Bright and beautiful are the autumn days as they fly swiftly by and join the mysterious past, whose nightly barriers are never recrossed, and from whose dark abyss memory alone receives a messenger, to tell the toil-worn pilgrim that he once enjoyed those happy days. And when we converse with the past, through memory's golden mouthed interpreter, we are astonished that we saw so little of happiness in those bright and beautiful days. And thus we live on from day to day, regretting the past and anticipating an impossible future, but never content with what is really our own---the actual living present. We never are, but always to be blest, such is life and such is human nature.
Nothing of moment has been passing between the hostile armies, except on the 5th, our Batteries from Lookout Mountain and several other points on our line opened on the enemy's works in and around Chattanooga. The enemy replied from two points without doing us any damage; since that time no fighting has occurred. General Leonidas Polk has been suspended by General Bragg, a charge of ``disobedience of orders''. This is universally lamented for Polk is a great favorite, not only in his Corps, but in the whole army. One year ago today, the battle of Perryville was fought.
October the 11th, 1863
Sunday, cool, pleasant and beautiful, with all its sweet influences is here again, but alas! war is here to mar its beauty and make void its influences to a great extent. Sunday, in camp, is not a day of rest as it should be. Often it passes and soldiers do not know it. The course pursued by our military authority is calculated not only to make men forget the Holy Sabbath, but also to desecrate it, for they set the example by doing and requiring done things which are not necessary and could be delayed without even inconvenience till another day. Our Government has ordered no unnecessary duty (save inspection) done on the Sabbath, but this is not well enforced. They ought to order no duty done on that day and then enforce obedience to the order. They seem to forget that ``Righteousness exalteth a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any peoples'' and that God will visit the sins of a government on it in this world. For our own welfare then, as well as our own honor, we ought to honor and respect God's day.
On yesterday, the President of the Confederate States, Jefferson Davis, visited this army. He passed along the line accompanied by General Bragg and others---being introduced to the different Colonels. He passed from the right to the left. I saw him on his return. I hope his presence will do our cause much good here.
Front of Chattanooga, Tennessee. October the 30th, 1863
The days of October have passed swiftly away without anything of very grave importance having transpired along ``the lines'' of our army. Heavy guns are heard replying to each other almost every day. The Federal General Rosecrans has been relieved from duty with the Yankee Army here and General Thomas is said to be his successor. Some days ago, General Stevenson with his Division, which has lately been exchanged, went up the road toward Loudon to which point our cavalry had driven the right wing of Burnside's Army. General Cheatham has also been sent in that direction and we look for stirring news from that quarter. The right wing of Thomas' Army has crossed the Tennessee and are attempting to flank us in our present position. In consequence, our army has moved by the left flank for some distance. Longstreet's Corps now is west of Lookout Mountain. Skirmishing at the head of Wills Valley is of daily occurrence. The rains have been very heavy of late. It is now raining so hard that I will have to quit as it wets my book.
November 1st (Sunday), 1863. Front of Chattanooga
It is a calm and pleasant day. Soft eyed ``Indian Summer'' gives to the chastened soul feelings sweet yet sad. And though the feelings are not stormy nor violent, yet they are stronger and more buoyant than those inspired by the cold, wet, windy days which have lately passed when ``Boreas'' and his train, let loose from their mountain homes, with fury swept in eddying whirlwinds over Earth and Sea, apparently without any controlling hand to check their reckless course. But, in nature, some days must be dark and dreary. So in life we must have seasons of bitterness if we wish to enjoy sweetness and pleasure. Nations as well as individuals must experience adversity before they can appreciate prosperity. When we have long been tossed by time's angry billows and been driven by adverse winds away from the hoped for haven, `tis sweet to be fanned by propitious breezes and wafted on smooth seas to the harbor long desired. To meet along life's dusty highway friends with whom we loved to travel in the green paths of youth is like the ``shadow of a great rock in a weary land''. And this has lately been my good fortune. I have been permitted to spend some moments with friends whose company was much prized in the ``halcyon days'' of youth. Since I have been at this place, I have seen often my old friend and correspondent ``Callispe'', who in better days was known as my ``dear little friend Junius''. I have also seen E. A. DuBose, a former schoolmate and associate. And lately I have met with G. P. Crews, who was a favorite of mine at college. He is a member of the 46th Georgia Regiment. Some days ago I visited the camp of the 3rd Battalion, Georgia S. S. where I found my highly esteemed friend Garnett McMillan, whom we used to call ``Fresh'' and with whom I have spent many instructive and amusing hours, not only in conversation, but also in endeavoring to solve some mysterious problems in astronomy and the higher Mathematics. Nothing strange or unusual seems to be going on between the two armies. On yesterday, our batteries on Lookout Point shelled the city for some time. I think some grand move is on hand, but cannot tell what it will be.
Sunday, November 15, 1863---Front of Chattanooga
On the 5th I visited the battlefield of Chickamauga with General R. A. Gentry. Chickamauga, the river of death, how expressive the name! Little did the simple aborigines dream, when they gave it this title from the steep and rugged banks and its headlong course, how appropriate coming events would make that name. Nearly two months have passed since that heavy conflict, yet the signs of the fierce contest still look fresh. Timber torn to pieces, broken wagons, ambulances and caissons, decaying horses and horrible ..., the bleaching bones and putrid flesh of many [a] Yankee's skull strew the ground. Long will Chickamauga be visited as the scene of so fierce a conflict. Long will the river of death be held sacred by ... as the stream upon whose banks the hated Yankee invaders were checked, thwarted and driven back. On last Sunday I had an engagement to visit the top of Lookout with my friend Junius, but being unwell, I did not go. I hope yet to be able to make that visit. I have just learned of the death of Lieutenant ... Kidd of the 18th Alabama Regiment. He was a fellow student of mine at E & H and a fine young man. He came through the battle of the ... 20th of September, but was killed in the sally made by our men on the enemy's pickets, mentioned on page 34, while gallantly charging the enemy. There has been some stir among the lines lately. Cannonading is more frequent than usual. The enemy have made some advances west of Lookout and have fortified Raccoon Mountain. We now have a railroad line from Nashville to within two miles of Chattanooga---having to ferry at Bridgeport. Longstreet has been withdrawn from our left and sent to East Tennessee, and is now reported to be across the Tennessee at Loudon. While General Ransom from above is said to have advanced from Bristol to Rogersville, where he captured a Brigade of Yankees and all their stores wagons. Bates' Brigade has lately been transferred from Stewart's to Breckenridge's Division. The 38th Alabama has been ... from our Brigade and it is said the 10th and 30th Regiments and 1st Battalion Tennessee have been assigned to it. W. E. M.
Dalton, Georgia. December 7, 1863
On the 24th November, the enemy made a furious attack on Lookout and kept it up till late that night. Before daylight next morning, our troops abandoned it and passed to our right wing. Some days previous to this, General Buckner, with a considerable force, had been sent to Longstreet in East Tennessee. This left our army much inferior in number to the abolitionists with their heavy reinforcements under Sherman and others. On the morning of the 25th of November, our forces all fell back from their entrenchments at the foot and in front of Missionary Ridge to the top of the Ridge. The enemy moved out from Chattanooga in splendid style and very heavy force, estimated to have been nine times as great as ours. Our forces were massed principally on the right wing---the commander evidently expecting that an attack would be made there. But this proved to be a mistake, for while they made demonstrations against both wings, they attacked the center most ferociously. Breckenridge's Division was on the center holding the Ridge at and on each side of General Bragg's H[ea]d[quarters] Tennessee. Bates' Brigade was on the right of the division. The line was stretched to its utmost to prevent a flank movement on our left. We had no reserve. Such was the state of affairs at 3 PM when the enemy made a sudden and desperate charge on the hill. Our artillery, being on the top of the Ridge, was ineffectual after the enemy reached the base. Thrice was the charging column driven back---by the single line on the summit---with great slaughter, while our line from their superior position had suffered comparatively nothing. With fresh troops and great desperation, the bleeding but undaunted force renewed the charge. Now, Manoguilt's and Dea's Brigade, further right of Bates, faltered and then gave way in great confusion. Almost at the same time, Stewart's Division on Breckenridge's left, were driven from the hill and the left of ... and Bates' Brigade was left alone on the Ridge. Soon the order for it to retreat came and was obeyed with some confusion. Our center left was now completely routed and falling back in disorder. Our right wing still held its position. Our Division was rallied on the top of the next ridge and checked the advance of the enemy till our wagons could cross the Chickamauga. The whole line fell back that night across the stream. Our ordnance train was ordered to the Ridge early in the engagement. We took ammunition up to the line and while we were issuing it, the enemy from our front were repulsed. This lot was exhausted and we were ordered by General Bragg, through Governor Harris, to take our whole train up. We had advanced about halfway when our line gave way and artillery, caissons, ambulances and etc. all passed us, leaving us next to the enemy. We soon made a ``right about'' and with as much speed as possible, hastened to the front which so lately was the rear. We lost four of our Brigade['s] ordnance wagons: two broken down and two could not be brought off. Mine was broken and I lost all my clothing, books, private and official papers. I saved only my bed clothes and this book, for I was so exhausted that I could carry no more. We fell back to this point. General Bragg has been relieved of the command of the A. L.---`tis said at his own request. General Hardee is now in command. It is reported that Longstreet made an unsuccessful attack on Knoxville and that he is now moving in the direction of Virginia. The enemy have not followed us this side [of] Ringgold, where on the 27th, Major General Cleburne repulsed them with such slaughter.
Dalton, Georgia. December 24th, 1863
The short days have speeded swiftly away and the 24th of December---``Christmas Eve'', is here again. How different from the ``Christmas Eves'' we used to spend in our childhood's happy days! We have grown older and ceased to watch for our patron ``Santa Claus'' on such occasions. Oh, happy days of simple innocent Childhood! would that you had lasted forever! but, Alas! you are gone. Far from home and friends and without even common comforts, Christmas is not that joyous holiday of former years but rather a day of sorrows, as it causes regret by calling to mind the happy ``days of yore'' which are gone forever.
Nothing of importance is going on in this army. The enemy seem not in haste to pursue us, and we are not in a condition to move on them. We have gone into ``winter quarters'' as if the campaign was over. Lee's Army in Virginia seem to be in a similar condition, while Longstreet is actively engaged. The enemy pursued him from Knoxville and we now have news that General B. R. Johnson, commanding Buckner's Division, has met and defeated them at Beans Station in Grainger County---four miles east from Knoxville.
W. E. McAnally
Dalton, Georgia. December 27, 1863
Sunday morning! wet, muddy, dark and dreary. Sunday it is in camp. Not the welcome, wished for day that it was in the olden time when we used to listen to the mellow chiming of distant church bells, calling the pious to their worship, and causing the Sabbath breakers to feel a ... steal over them as the sweet notes sound, far away, over sunny fields and shady woodland. Not so pleasant either as the ``rainy Sabbath'' at home where we are surrounded by ``those we love and those who love us''. But the rainy Sunday in camp where the press of ``official business'' and the meaningless, thoughtless babbles of the multitude alike cease not. Yet it is Sunday and it is our duty to spend it in the best manner we can. We should lay aside everything of a business character that is not imperatively necessary and, if we can do no better, confine ourselves to our quarters and indulge [in] ``sweet memories'' of better days when we could worship unmolested and pray to the Giver of all good for a return of those brighter, happier days.
Dalton, Georgia. January 1, 1864
The old year is gone---it departed last night `mid roaring winds and sounding ...; and as it passed away, the clouds of heaven, as with sympathizing with it in its throes of agony, wept in copious showers. About midnight, when the New Year was inaugurated, the clouds ceased to weep but the winds still blew most furiously. The cold wind from the north soon froze the earth and turned the water into ice.
Formerly, it was our custom to make a retrospection of the past year when ``New Year's Day'' came, and after seeing the results of our wrong actions in the past, form new and firm resolutions to do better in the future to avoid the rocks and the quicksands on which fond hopes in the past have been wrecked and ruined. This is well. For as two points determine the direction and position of a straight line passing through them, so, the past and the present bring before us what with some certainty direct our course for the future. So I will now review the past and prepare for the future.
Dalton, Georgia. February 4, 1864
The ``still small days of January'' have passed by and left this army in the same comfortable log cabins. For the past three weeks the weather has been the most mild and beautiful I ever saw for this season of the year and in this climate. Since the beginning of the present month, however, it is some colder and tolerably windy, yet very pleasant.
There has been no movement on the part of our army. We have been busy, however, preparing for the spring campaigns and our troops are better fed, clothed and shod than we were a short time since and in consequence of this, the morale of the troops is much improved. Longstreet has been keeping the enemy awake in East Tennessee and I doubt not when the spring campaign opens, this army under General J. E. Johnston and that under Longstreet will achieve results worthy of such leaders with such men engaged in such a course. W. E. M.
Dalton, Georgia. March 1st, 1864
On the evening of the 23rd ... news was received that the enemy was advancing in heavy force on our outpost near Tunnel Hill and soon all was life an animation in our camp. All the wagons, including ordnance, was sent to the rear and the troops formed lines of battle in front of their camps between Dalton and Tunnel Hill. We went to Re... with the ordnance and from there, on the 24th, went to Lilton, where we tarried all night. Next morning, we were ordered back to Dalton where we arrived on the evening of the 25th and found a portion of our troops engaged, but they soon drove the enemy, who were trying to pierce our line through a gap in the ridge, back to their main line, killing and wounding several and losing a few men ourselves. Heavy artillery firing was kept up till night. On the 26th there was some skirmishing, but it was soon discovered that the enemy were falling back and declined a general engagement; and on the 27th the troops all went back to the old quarters, many of them Tennesseeans and Kentuckians feeling much disappointment in not having an opportunity of pressing the enemy with their own faces homeward---but they yet have hope that they may drive the hated yankee foe from their own loved, though downtrodden, States. It is curious to see how careless and ... soldiers will become while engaged in deadly strife. An illustration of this occurred on the 26th. Our skirmishes and those of the enemy at one point of our line were only a few yards from each other. Some of the 20th Tennessee were firing at the Yankees from behind trees, while the Yankees themselves were trying to keep concealed in the same manner. While thus engaged, they began to talk to each other. A ``Fed'' calls out to one of the 20th ``Come out from behind that tree''. The ``Reb'', watching for the head of his antagonist, answered ``I will not do it, you want to shoot me.''. The ``Fed'' allowed his head to peep round the tree, when the ``Reb'' fired, knocking the bark into his face. But while firing, he allowed his own head to come from behind the tree, when another ``Fed'' fired at him---the ball just passing in front of him. ``There'' cried the last ``Fed'', ``---got one of the damned ``Rebs''.'' ``You are a liar'' answered the ``Reb'', ``you shot too far to the left.''. Many such cases were related during the five days skirmishing on the front. Today is a cold, wet day, forming a striking contrast with the beautiful weather we have had for the last six weeks, for it has been warm and springlike. I received a letter from home about the 18th, being the first I have had since August of last year. The cursed Yankees ruined my mother's farm and took everything we had to subsist on next year and all her horses. A day of retribution will come. May I be the humble instrument used in wreaking vengeance on the vandals whose valor prompts them to rob and insult defenseless women and children.
Dalton, Georgia. March 29, 1864
On the night of the 21st, the snow fell to the depth of about six inches, and it snowed till 2 o'clock on the 22nd. On that day, the Florida Brigade and ours had a hard fight with snowballs. Ours was victorious, then these two made friends and were joined by the Kentucky Brigade (which three compose Bates' Division, Bates having been made a Major General) and marched against Stewart's Division and soon came up to them in line of battle with skirmishes deployed. A terrible fight ensued, but our Division captured their colors and most of their field officers, including Brigadier General Stovall. We ran them past their quarters and about this time a courier arrived, stating that General Cleburne's Division was at our camp bantering us for a fight. We hurried back and found this to be a hoax, but we had hardly got to our quarters before the news came that Stewart's Division had rallied and were advancing. The ``long roll'' was heard in every regiment and soon our Division was again in line, commanded by Colonel Smith of the 20th Tennessee. Skirmishes were deployed and we met the advancing friendly enemy in the open field. For awhile they drove us backward, but the tide turned and we charged them and hurled them back to Stovall's camps where they were reinforced by the artillery of the corps under its Chief Major Eldridge. They then drove us back and captured all our camps---save the Kentucky Brigade. The contending parties had dwindled away to a mere handful and the gallant Kentuckians and Tennesseeans finally routed them. Thus ended perhaps the greatest snow fight that ever took place. It certainly takes a stand as high as the Olympian games of the ancients.
Lieutenant Cunningham of Company ``K'', 37th Tennessee had just arrived from East Tennessee and from him, I have learned many particulars of the Yankee rule in that tory ... land. I also received a letter from my old friend J. W. Yoe on last evening. There is no news in this army. We expect soon to have a visit from the abolitionists and are ready for them.
W. E. M.
Dalton, Georgia. April 9th, 1864
On the 7th, the great sham battle of Hardee's Corps which had been looked for so long, came off, and a grand affair it was. Bates' and Cleburne's Divisions on the one side, and Walker's and Cheatham's Divisions on the other. Bates and Cleburne were supported by the batteries of Mabin and Slocomb, while two others were on the opposite side. There was an average of about four rounds of blank ammunition issued to each man. There was an immense crowd of spectators to witness the fight. A great many of the fair sex from almost every state were present, among whom was said to be Miss Belle Boyd, the noted Rebel Spy of Virginia. The fight lasted from the time it was opened by Bates' Division till it was wound up by a brilliant cavalry charge---a space of about two and a half hours, most of which time the firing was very heavy at different portions of the line. All passed off well and presented a spectacle that which nothing, save a real battle between equal numbers, could be more grand. It proved that our troops are well drilled, well disciplined, and under leaders who will lead to victory in the next campaign.
The gentle springtime is here. The flowers are springing up in every direction and the birds are singing on every tree, while the brooks, relieved from winter's cold embrace, murmur gladly over their pebbly beds. Indeed, all nature seems to be in her gayest mood, and we would gladly forget the reality of the present and wander backward through these green and pleasant pathways of the past and recall the days and the friends of yore and live again in the happy springtime of life, surrounded by those we love and those who love us. While wandering thus, fond memory dwells on the flowery days in the Springtime of 1860 when I wandered over green meadows and flowery woodlands with one who was dear to me as life itself. Oh, that loving and beloved friend, would that I could again hold that gentle hand in mine and listen to the silvery tones of that loved voice once more---`twould soften the rough scenery of war which since then have swept over us like a wave from Lethe's leading stream. Where have you gone and why can I not hear from thee! I fear that, though too pure for Earth, hast winged thy flight to a land of perpetual spring. I hope to meet thee then.
Dalton, Georgia. May 4, 1864
The soft sweet days of May have stolen on us again and I did not, as was formerly my custom, write anything on May Day. Formerly, I was wont to sit and write the thoughts that were uppermost in my mind, and wander back through the painted galleries of the past and view the former skeletons of former joys sitting in their respective niches, looking with pity on their former victory. The first of May is a day of sweet recollections to me, not on account of gorgeous ``May parties'' with their beautiful ``May Queens'' crowned with wreathes of bright sweet flowers, though these in themselves are very pleasant, but on account of one ``May Day'' which was celebrated by two young friends in a deep gorge of a mountain in the wild hills of Southwestern Virginia under the shade of a wide spreading beech tree of which mention is made on page 5. Why this particular evening---May the 1st, 1859, made such an impression on my mind---I cannot tell, but as that friend has said, ``let it be sufficient for us that it is so''. Ever since that time, it has been to me a hallowed day and as long as I was in reach, I always visited that old beech with some dear friend on the anniversary of that day. Oh, how sweet are the memories that cluster round that dear old spot! But alas! how many things we now have to call our attention from the dear old days that are gone forever! Yet, no day passes, but I think of them and wish for the happy, dreamy days of youth and the loving friends that shared those joys with me. May we meet again.
On Monday the 2nd, the enemy drove our pickets and outposts beyond Tunnel Hill, capturing that place. We went forth to meet and give them battle, but they went back as they did on former occasions. It is now rumored that a heavy column is advancing from the direction of Cleveland, and we have orders to be ready for action at any moment. If they give us battle here, I do not fear the results. We have news of glorious victories in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and we have so far been victorious in every contest this spring. The omens are truly auspicious. W. E. M.
Smithfield, North Carolina
April 7, 1865
Eleven months have passed away since I have written in this book. Eleven months! and how eventful! The soft winds and genial showers of April have brought back the sweet flowers and singing birds of Spring; but many who hailed the advent of Spring in 1864 have not been spared to witness it in 1865. Burning then with high hopes for the independence of our ``Sunny land'' and for sweet peace which would restore them to their happy homes, they entered the conflict forced upon them by the advance of the enemy into Georgia, and many have sealed their devotion by their hearts' best blood. Their graves can be found on every battlefield from Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, to Bentonsville, North Carolina.
On the 7th of May, 1864, opened a campaign which, for the magnitude of its results, the severity of its exposures, and the stubbornness of its battles, is perhaps unequalled in the annals of the world. Time and space will not allow me to write a full history of the campaign; but I hope to be able to record the principal facts connected with it, having for data notes from my daybook and the official report of Generals J. E. Johnston and J. B. Hood.
Our army on the 7th of May consisted of about 41,000 infantry [and] artillery and 5,000 cavalry. On that day, General Sherman, in command of the Federal Army, estimated at 125,000 all arms, advanced and drove in Wheeler's Cavalry from Tunnel Hill and engaged our line on Rocky Face Ridge. Here we remained, skirmishing with artillery and small arms, till the night of the 12th when, from the flank movement of the enemy toward Resaca, it became necessary for us to fall back to that point where we arrived on the 13th. Forming a line of battle one mile west of that place, with our right on the Conasauga and our left on the Oostanaula Rivers, on the 14th and 15th the enemy made many assaults on different parts of our lines and were everywhere repulsed. The fighting was very heavy, and when the enemy would advance close to our works, for we had fortified our entire line, our troops would pour a destructive fire into their ranks and hurl them back. But soon they would bring up a new line, only to suffer the same fate of their predecessors. Thus was the fighting of the 14th and 15th of May kept up incessantly, for they were all the time charging some portion of our line. We lost many men killed and wounded, but our loss must have been slight compared with that of the enemy, for we fought from works while they advanced through an open space. Their killed and wounded was very heavy. But from their superior numbers, they were able to detach a portion of their troops and send them to our flank. Crossing the Oostanaula near Calhoun, Polk's Corps reinforced us at Resaca---in all about 15,000 infantry and artillery, and 4,000 cavalry. From Calhoun we fell back to Adairsville and, awaiting the approach of the enemy, drew him into a partial engagement, we being behind fortifications; our troops had become accustomed to building works, [so] that it required only a few hours to make a line ``... proof''. Each Brigade had a ``Tool wagon" attached to it, so that whenever we stopped, all hands went to work with axes, picks and shovels to fortify their line. In this way, they could construct works in two hours, which would require as many weeks for ``raw recruits''. In this way, by partial engagement, we having position and works, we were slowly but surely reducing the Federal Army with comparatively no loss ourselves.
On the 19th of May, we skirmished near Leassville where all expected a general engagement, but which did not come off---from some misunderstanding among General Officers. On the 20th we crossed the Etowah. We remained near Cartersville till the 24th, when we moved to the road leading from Stilesboro to Atlanta, a few miles south of Dullas. In the meanwhile, Wheeler went to the rear of the enemy, and on the 24th beat a Federal Brigade, capturing and destroying 250 loaded wagons. On the 25th, a portion of our line---Stewart's Division, was ``fiercely attacked by Hooker's Corps, which it repulsed after a hot engagement of two hours''. Hardee's Corps was on the extreme left of the infantry line between Dullas and the Atlanta Road. Skirmishing was heavy on the 26th and 27th all along the lines. On the evening of the 27th, Cleburne's Division was attacked without works by Howard's Corps and after a very heavy fight of two hours, drove them back with great slaughter. Heavy skirmishing was kept up till the 2nd June, when the enemy evacuated his position in front of our corps. He was gradually extending his entrenched line toward the railroad at Acworth; on the 5th our line was changed---the left to Lost Mountain---the center at Gilgath Church---the right on Noonday Creek. On the 7th our right was across the Acworth and Marietta Road. In the meantime, the skirmishing was incessant and heavy---our men in works. The lines were only slightly changed till the 19th, but the skirmishing continued all the time. On the 14th our Division was in front of the ``main line'' at what we denominated ``Pine Mountain''. Generals Johnson, Polk and Hardee were on our line watching the movement of the enemy when General Polk was shot dead by a cannonball; thus fell a great man, distinguished alike for his bravery as an officer and his piety as a Christian. Major General Loring took command of the corps until Major General Stewart's promotion on July 7th. Since then it has been known as Stewart's Corps.
On the 19th our line was again changed---the center on Kennesaw Mountain. Loring's Corps---the left---Hardee and the right [of] Hood---on the Canton and Marietta Road. On the 21st the skirmishing was very heavy along the lines---especially so in front of our Division. The 15th and 37th Tennessee Regiments were on the skirmish line in rifle pits. They were assaulted furiously early in the morning by lines of battle, but held their position till late in the evening, when they were forced to retire as the line had given way on their right. They fired an average of 100 shot[s] to the men engaged and lost out of 170 men, 6 killed, 18 wounded and 18 captured. On the 27th the enemy made a charge all along our lines, but were everywhere repulsed with a very heavy loss. The assault was heaviest on Hardee's Corps. In the meantime, Hood had been transferred from right to left and had driven the enemy from his works, capturing some artillery, which he was compelled to leave and fall back to his former position. About this time, a division of Georgia State troops under General G. W. Smith, who had been guarding bridges, were placed by Governor Brown under the orders of General Johnston. On the 2nd July, we fell back to Smyrna Church. The enemy's right wing had so far outflanked us as to be nearer Atlanta by several miles than our left. On the 5th we fell back near [the] Chattahoochee River to a line of works which had been constructed by the engineers' department.
On the ``Kennesaw line'', our works and those of the enemy at many points were not over sixty yards apart, and if a man showed his head, he was almost sure to receive a minnie ball in it. On some portions of the line, the skirmishers would make agreements with each other not to fire; they would meet, exchange newspapers, hats, canteens and etc., and whenever their officers came around, they would cry out ``get into your rifle pits for we are ordered to fire'' and they would fire with a zeal that would surprise one who had witnessed their quasi-friendship. We remained on the Chattahoochee line till the night of the 9th July, when we crossed the river and took up our position about four miles in front of Atlanta. While the enemy were skirmishing heavily with us in front, we had sent two corps across the river above Power's Ferry, and this necessitated our crossing. As there is some controversy now about what the feelings of the people, soldiers and citizens were then with regards to the Commanding General---I will here insert a few lines from my daybook written on the 6th of July and founded on observation. ``The people throughout the Confederacy seem very cheerful and confident; the army is in good spirits and have unbounded confidence in General J. E. Johnston''.
We lay in line of battle on the high ground in rear of Peachtree Creek till the 17th, when our corps moved some distance to the right on the Peachtree Road. On the 18th, by an order from the War Department, General Johnston was relieved and General Hood placed in command of the Army of Tennessee. This change was regretted by most of the troops whose opinions I heard. On the 19th the enemy advanced and a considerable skirmish took place in front of our Division. Our skirmishers were driven in. Again, on the 20th, they attacked us and drove us a short distance, then we drove them back about one and a half miles. The cannonading was very heavy. Skirmishing continued incessant[ly]. On the night of the 21st, our corps was ordered to the extreme right toward Decatur, on the 22nd attacked the enemy, drove him from a portion of his works and captured several prisoners---but failed to entirely dislodge him---but checked his flanking us on our right which he did not again attempt. In the fight our loss was heavy. Here, Major General Walker was killed and here too, fell the fearless and brave John Marshall Faris, acting A. A. G., Tyler's Brigade. As brave a man as ever strode a stud or drew a blade. General Hood was very active in bringing into ranks all able bodied men from every Department in the rear. He also armed all artillery men not actually necessary in the working of the guns. Governor Brown sent up the ``militia'' of Georgia, and thus our numbers were considerably increased. The Georgia Division State troops and the militia did good service.
Skirmishing continued [to be] very heavy with nothing more important till the 28th July, when a portion of our troops, Hindmand's Division---charged the enemy and drove them back on the left---our loss reported heavy. About this time, the enemy's cavalry went to our rear and did some damage in destroying transportation. Many of these raiders were captured, also the raiders under Stoneman. The enemy gradually extended his fortified line to our left. The fighting was heavy every day and night till the 6th of August, when the enemy charged the picket line of our Division, and after a very stubborn fight, in which we lost but little, they were driven back. The 37th Tennessee was confronted by the 8th Tennessee Federal and killed, wounded and captured nearly all of them. We lost Ensign J. A. McNutt. Nothing of more importance than very heavy skirmishing without decisive results and the constant extension of the enemy's line to our left occurred, save the sending of Wheeler's Cavalry to his rear to try to break his communications and cut off his supplies, till the 30th, when the enemy in heavy force appeared in front of Jonesboro, Georgia. Our corps was there to meet them and Lee's (formerly Hood's) was near, expecting to cooperate with ours---but from some cause was ordered back to Atlanta. Thus Hardee was left to contend alone, after a forced march with of course, many men broken down by the wayside, with what he and other officers say was a greatly superior force, but what General Hood in his official report says was smaller than his own. Soon both armies were fortified, and it was determined after waiting for the enemy to charge, which they declined, to charge them. This was done, but our line was repulsed with loss to us and no good accomplished. This was on the 31st of August. On the eve of September 1st, the enemy charged us and succeeded in breaking our line, capturing most of Govan's Brigade of Cleburne's Division. We retreated that night to Lovejoy's Station. Atlanta was evacuated that night; Stewart's Corps going out on the McDonald Road. On the 2nd and 3rd, the army reassembled at Lovejoy's---the enemy pressed down in that direction and there was a considerable amount of skirmishing. As to my opinion of the confidence of the troops in General Hood after the evacuation of Atlanta, the following extract, from the entry in my diary of the 4th September, will show. ``The right wing of the army has rejoined General Hardee here (at Lovejoy's); General Hood is in command. The confidence of the army is, I think, somewhat impaired in him.'' After skirmishing till the 5th and sending some raiding parties to our rear to ... which our Division went to Bear Creek---but they did not come---the enemy drew back to Atlanta, entirely destroying the railroad for some distance below Jonesboro to Rough and Ready. Our forces, on the 8th, moved back to Jonesboro and went into camp, the first regular camp since we left Dalton. Thus, one hundred and twenty-five days have passed since we began the campaign, and no day has passed without some portion of our troops being engaged. Over one hundred days we were under fire. We fought on more than twenty different lines, and our corps never lost a position by the assault of the enemy, except at Jonesboro.
About the 8th of September, Major General Sherman communicated to General Hood by letter his determination to send the people of Atlanta from their homes, proposing to send them either through our lines or across the Tennessee River away from any railroad line, as they chose; and for this purpose, proposing a truce of ten days. General Hood accepted the proposition, at the same time protesting against the brutal and inhuman treatment of the people of the ``Gate City''. Many of the citizens, thus driven from their happy homes, sought ``homes and freedom'' inside the Confederate lines. On the 18th September, we moved from Jonesboro to Palmetto on the A & W[est]p[oin]t railroad. This ended what was called ``the Summer Campaign''. We had retreated about 130 miles, by the casualties of battle we had lost about 8000 men. From what we could learn of the enemy's loss, it was about twelve times as great as ours up till the 22nd of July. After that time, the losses were perhaps nearly equal. From the fact that the reports of the two commanders who had conducted the campaign conflicts, it is not possible for me to give the exact losses, but I think it is about the above stated---many of these, of course, were slightly wounded and were by this time beginning to return.
Nothing of importance occurred till the 29th of September, when the army crossed the Chattahoochee River and moved in the direction of the ``State Road'' above Marietta. The intention was to force the enemy, if possible, to fall back for supplies. Stewart's Corps struck the road near Acworth and had a considerable battle in which he captured about 500 prisoners and destroyed the road for some distance. The army moved on the 6th October in a northerly direction, our corps passing near Dallas, Van Wert via Cedartown, Cave Springs, near Rome, then on the Sugar Valley Road. Stewart and Lee again struck the railroad near Resaca, while Cheatham, in command of Hardee's old Corps, Hardee having been sent to another department, moved for Dalton. The garrison in the town, consisting of about 50 white and 50 negro troops, surrendered to Cheatham's old Division. Bates' Division was sent to Mill Creek Gap in Rocky Face Mountain where the enemy had a block house for the protection of the bridge across the creek. General Bates sent in a ``flag of truce'', but the enemy fired on it, killing the horse of A. A. G. Cheney. Then Slocomb's battery of four pounder Napoleons opened on the house at a distance of about 450 yards---after firing a few rounds, they ceased and sent another flag of truce, but the besieged paid no attention to it. Meantime, our sharpshooters were firing at the ``port holes''. Slocomb began again and kept up a steady fire till dark. Then a portion of our Brigade advanced to storm the place, but through one of the enemy's prisoners, communication was opened with them and they surrendered. They said they did not see either flag of truce---that they thought it's only Cavalry and etc. They lost, it was said, five men killed and seven wounded. This was the 13th October---thus we were on the ground where the campaign opened, exactly five months after leaving it.
From Dalton we moved via LaFayette, Alpine, Blue Pond, [and] Gadsden, Alabama, where we arrived on the 20th. The intention was to cross the Tennessee River at or near Gunter's Landing, but from the fact that General Forrest with the Cavalry of the West was not ready to cooperate with General Hood, he moved down the river. Crossing Sand Mountain, we arrived in the vicinity of Decatur, Alabama on the 27th of October, skirmished around that place till the evening of the 29th; we [then] moved toward Tuscumbia, where we arrived on the 31st of October. At Decatur we gained nothing whatever and lost several good men---a useless sacrifice. We remained at Tuscumbia till the 13th, when our corps crossed the Tennessee River at Florence, Lee's Corps having crossed before us. We remained near Florence till the 21st November, when we moved via Waynesboro, Tennessee to Columbia, Tennessee, where we arrived on the 27th. On the 29th, most of the army flanked Columbia and by a circuit, our route struck the Columbia and Nashville Road at Spring Hill. The enemy were retreating on that road. We endeavored to cut them off, but it was so late before we arrived, that it was impossible for us to accomplish much. The night was dark, and, after some skirmishing between Cleburne's Division and the enemy, we rested near the Pike till daylight on the 30th, when we moved on Franklin, pushing the enemy forward rapidly. We came up in front of their lines in front of the town about twelve, and after some desultory skirmishing, made dispositions to attack the enemy in his works. Our corps was on the left where the line was to be broken if possible. The troops moved forward in splendid style, although almost all, both officers and men, were opposed to making a fight at this place, for it was evident that the enemy would evacuate the place that night. But General Hood determined to fight, and he is responsible for the great and useless slaughter of brave men which followed. We drove in the enemy skirmishers all around the line and came to the fortifications about four and a half PM. On the right and center the enemy had three lines of works---the outer two were hastily constructed and were not very strong. On the left they had but one line, which was an extension of the inner line on the right and center. This was a strong line, constructed by throwing up dirt from the outside and making a thick bank of damp earth on which were ``head logs'' or plank boxes filled with earth, with a space between the box and the embankment just large enough to shoot through. Thus, the men in the works were well protected from the fire of the attacking party. In front of a portion of their works, they had strong abbotli(?). Most of our artillery had been left at Columbia and had not yet arrived. We had only a few light batteries to assist in the attack. Stewart's Corps engaged the enemy on the right; while Cheatham's, by a circuitous route through the hills, came up in front of the enemy's main line about 5 PM. Bates' Division was on the extreme left of the infantry---the line was prolonged by dismounted cavalry. The troops advanced in fine order under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery. Cleburne's and Cheatham's Divisions (the latter now commanded by Major General J. C. Brown) drove them easily from their outer lines and kept up with Bates, in whose front there was but one line; this line was assaulted with great spirit, but after a hard contest, our line was compelled to retire with its ranks much thinned and many of [its] best officers killed and wounded. Among these there fell no braver man than Major General Cleburne. He was killed on the enemy's works, cheering on his brave men. Many men were killed and wounded on top of the enemy's works. Some went over and escaped into town unhurt and there remained till the Federals left and then rejoined their commands. After Bates' Division were repulsed on the left, Johnson's Division of Lee's Corps passed over us and renewed the assault and fought across the works till late in the night, but never succeeded in breaking their line.
The fighting ceased about eleven o'clock that night. Our troops bivouaced on the field. Before daylight on the 1st December, the enemy evacuated Franklin, crossed [the] Harpeth River and retreated to Nashville. This battle ruined the Army of Tennessee, for our loss was very great in killed and wounded and the confidence of the army in its commanders so much impaired that it was not equal to the task before it. General Hood, with all the army except Bates' Division, pursued the enemy on the 1st December, and took position about two miles from Nashville and fortified himself---extending his line both right and left to [the] Cumberland River by Cavalry. Bates' Division---about 1500 strong---left Franklin on the 2nd December and marched in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, which was strongly garrisoned by the Federals. On the 4th we shelled a blockhouse about two miles from town. The enemy from the fort sent out a line of battle and soon the whole Division was engaged. They flanked us and we fell back fighting---they did not follow---but returned to their fortifications. That night we moved up the turnpike opposite of Smyrna. On the 5th, a portion of our Brigade went to Smyrna; the enemy evacuated two blockhouses, one above and one below that place. We captured plenty of ``hard tack'' bacon and etc. We destroyed the railroad for some distance. That evening we were reinforced by a portion of Forrest's Cavalry and moved back to the battleground of the 4th. On the 6th we skirmished and fortified all day. General Forrest, being Senior officer, assumed command of the whole force, which had been reinforced by Palmer and Sears' Brigade. General Forrest determined on the 7th to move the whole infantry force to the Salem Road, cross Stone's River and attack the place from the rear. The enemy anticipated the movement and occupied the road. Skirmishing continued all day till about 3 PM, when the enemy moved on us in line of battle and after a short engagement (in which one Brigade of our Division---Finley's, ran from their position), we fell back. As before, the enemy also retired to their works. We crossed Stewart's Creek and remained near Smyrna till the 10th. On the morning of the 10th, Bates' Division moved in the direction of Nashville; on the 13th took position in the works around the city. Nothing more than artillery duels and slight skirmishing occurred around the lines till the 15th.
Cheatham's Corps was on the right, Lee's in the center and Stewart's on the left. On the morning of the 15th, the enemy began demonstrating on our right wing, but soon made a furious assault on our extreme left---and after a hard contest, drove the left back some distance, capturing some artillery. That night Cheatham's Corps was transferred from the right to the extreme left, occupying a range of hills. Early on the morning of the 16th, the enemy began to extend his right so as to outflank us on the left. To meet this movement, our lines were extended to the left, leaving the men in only one rank. This movement continued till, for three-quarters of a mile on our left, we had only a skirmish line. The range of hills curve around in a circular form, and by 4 PM nearly all of Cheatham's Corps were enclosed in a semicircle. Bates' Division, while facing the foe in front, could hear the reports of their guns not half a mile in their rear. They were enclosed on three sides and if the right or center had given way, the whole left wing would have been captured. The hill occupied by the Division was so steep that an advancing line could not be seen till within a few paces of the works, and only then by getting on top of the works. These works were hastily constructed, consisting principally of logs. The enemy had three batteries bearing on the hill. The works were levelled by the artillery, wounding more men with the logs than the shots. About 4 PM the right of Tyler's Brigade, the 2nd and 20th Tennessee Regiments---were forced from their works after losing four fifths of their men in killed and wounded. The line on the right and left of this point began rapidly to give way, and soon the whole left and center were retreating in wild disorder. The enemy poured a destructive fire into the retreating line, killing and wounding many more, I think, than had been lost in the engagement. A portion of Cleburne's Division retreated in good order, and halting at Brentwood on the Franklin Road, collected many of the scattered troops and protected our rear from the enemy's cavalry, but the different commands were not well organized till we reached Franklin. Forty percent of the troops were barefooted---all were very badly clothed and the weather was exceedingly cold. When the ground was not frozen, the mud was generally six inches deep. On the 18th the army crossed Duck River and rested on the 19th around Columbia. On the 20th [we] moved, via Pulaski on [the] Florence and Bainbridge Roads. On the 25th reached [the] Tennessee River---near Bainbridge. On the 26th we crossed the river on pontoons and camped near Tuscumbia, Alabama. We then moved in the direction of Corinth, where we arrived on the 1st January, 1865. Here we remained till the 10th, when we marched to Tupelo, where we arrived on the 12th, remained till the 27th, when our corps marched to West Point, Mississippi, where we arrived on the 29th. We marched from Corinth to West Point on the railroad, which hurt our feet much worse than the dirt road, but we had to come [to] the railroad on account of bad roads.
From West Point, Mississippi, the army was transported by railroad and steamboat to Milledgeville, Georgia. We left West Point on the 31st of January, 1865---and reached Milledgeville on the 6th of February. From Milledgeville, we marched on the 7th and reached Mayfield on the Augusta Road on the 9th and embarked on [a] train for Augusta, where we arrived on that evening.
When we moved from Palmetto to the rear of the enemy, he followed us for some time, but seeing that we were going into Tennessee, he sent a portion of his forces there and with the remainder, pursued his march through Georgia, impeded only by Wheeler's Cavalry. He captured Milledgeville, then went to Savannah and compelled General Hardee to evacuate that place, pursued him through South Carolina, capturing Columbia and forcing the evacuation of Charleston. A portion of our army---Army of Tennessee---made a junction with Hardee near Columbia. Our Division left Augusta on the 15th of February and passing Graniteville, crossed the Big Saluda River at Halley's Ferry and reached Newberry on the 19th. Left Newberry on the 21st and crossed the Enoree River at Jones' Ferry---recrossed it next morning---went back to Newberry---took the train and went to Pomaria Station. Left there on the 26th and again crossed the Enoree at Jones' Ferry. Passing Union C. H., we crossed [the] Broad River at ... Ferry on the 3rd of March. On the 5th reached Chester C. H. Embarked on [a] train on [the] 6th and reached Charlotte, North Carolina that night. Left there on the 10th and arrived at Smithfield on the 11th. Here we began to collect our corps and organize again after our tedious journey. On the 18th of March, we moved out to Bentonsville, where the enemy had attacked our outposts. Arrived there that night. Next morning moved about three miles and formed on the right of General Bragg's and Hardee's command, which were already engaged. About one o'clock PM our line moved forward, General Bates in command of our corps, and charging the enemy, drove them from two lines of breastworks. Our loss was very slight and I think the enemy's was not very heavy. Though the fighting on both sides was very spirited, why the loss was so small is not easily explained. We held the field till the 22nd, then moved back and camped about three miles from Smithfield Station.
General Johnston commanded the army, having been restored. General R. E. Lee is Commander in Chief of all Confederate forces. Since leaving Palmetto, Georgia, our corps has marched eleven hundred and fifty-six miles, and travelled on cars and boats about eight hundred and forty-four miles, making in all two thousand miles.
Times now look very dark and all think that peace on some terms will come before the end of summer. Our present army is in good condition and have their old confidence in General Johnston.
Home. Grainger County, Tennessee
June the 7th, 1865
The army left camp near Smithfield, North Carolina on the 10th of April, moving on the Raleigh Road. Passed Raleigh on the morning of the 12th and moved on [the] Greensboro Road. The enemy followed us, and the cavalry skirmished with them in the rear. On this day we heard of the defeat and surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia---or as it was more commonly called, ``Lee's Army''---by General Grant's Army. This report was confirmed and publicly announced to our army, not until the 16th of April, on which day we reached a point about opposite to and sixteen miles from Greensboro. Here there was a truce between the armies of Johnston and Sherman, the one in Greensboro and the other in Raleigh. Previous to this, a column of Federal cavalry had penetrated to Salisbury and destroyed the railroad bridges, while another column under General Wilson had occupied Central Georgia, having possession of our arsenals in that state. While in Alabama, our forces had evacuated Mobil; Montgomery, Selma and Tuscaloosa had been captured; thus our armories and arsenals were destroyed---the army for our support and cooperation captured, and our own surrounded, without the means of replenishing the munitions of war. Under these circumstances, the armistice between the armies in North Carolina took place, and, of course, all believed that the Confederate Army was to be surrendered; and many men from all commands, mounting themselves as best they could, travelled westward, intending to cross the Mississippi River and join the army of General E. Kirby Smith in Texas. This enterprise was too uncertain and hazardous to be undertaken by any but desperate men; and many of these were deterred from making the attempt by [a] general order from Army Headquarters, announcing that the armistice was not for the purpose of surrendering the Confederate Army, but was on account of negotiations then pending between the two governments with regards to peace. This order stopped some from attempting an escape to Texas. This order was true in letter, for a treaty of peace had been agreed to, at a military convention between General Sherman, U.S.A. and General Johnston, C.S.A., subject to the ratification of the presidents of the two governments. The agreement was about this. ``The Confederates would lay down their arms, disband their armies and return to their homes, provided (which was agreed to by General Sherman) the Federals would withdraw their troops from Confederate territory, and both parties would do their parts in reestablishing the government as it was under the Constitution, before this section at strife occurred---each party to receive guarantees that their rights should be respected.'' This agreement, which in substance is about that above quoted, was forwarded to the Executive of each government for ratification. Only a few days previous to this, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, had been assassinated in Washington City, and Andrew Johnson---Vice President, had become chief magistrate. He refused to ratify the terms of the convention, and when this was announced, the armistice ceased---on the 25th of April, and we moved on this day out on the Salisbury Road. On the following day, the armistice was renewed, and the military convention between the commanding Generals again met---this time to arrange the terms of surrender of the Confederate Army. The terms agreed to were about, in substance, as follows. ``The officers and men of the Confederate States Army are to bind themselves not to take up arms against the United States until properly relieved from that obligation, and shall receive guarantees from the U. S. authorities so long as they observe that obligation and the laws in force where they reside. The troops will march under their officers to their respective States, and there be disbanded, all retaining personal property.'' In accordance with this agreement, our corps turned over their arms to the U. S. authorities on the 29th of April, excepting about one seventh which were retained for the purpose of guard and defence against lawless roving bands of robbers with whom we might meet on the way---the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee were said to be infested with these characters---these arms to be turned over when the troops from the several states were disbanded to go to their homes.
On the 3rd of May, the Tennesseeans (the infantry) under Brigadier General Palmer---about twenty-two hundred officers and men---left our camp in Guilford County, North Carolina and started on our march for Tennessee, the other troops leaving also for their respective states. On disbanding, the officers and men of our army received from the U. S. authorities a parole in the following form.
Greensboro, North Carolina
May 1, 1865
In accordance with the terms of the Military Convention, entered into on the twenty-sixth day of April, 1865 between General Joseph E. Johnston commanding the Confederate Army, and Major General W. L. Sherman commanding the United States Army in North Carolina, ... and B. ... of Company ..., ... Regiment has given his solemn obligation not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly released from this obligation: And is permitted to return to his home, not to be disturbed by the United States Authorities, so long as he observes this obligation and the laws in force where he may reside.
| C. M. Fetcher | |
| Sergeant Major | C. D. |
| U. S. and Special Communication | Colonel C.S.A. |
Starting on the 3rd May, our Brigade moved on Salisbury Road, about 20 miles---on the 4th reached Salisbury---18 miles---on the 5th moved on the Morgantown Road 18 miles. On the 6th moved about 4 miles and waited for our supply train from Salisbury. On the 7th moved at 9 o'clock AM on Morgantown Road---passed through Statesville and crossing the Catawba River at Blandford, where we had three streams divided by islands to wade, camped near the river, having come about 24 miles. On the 8th moved at 7 AM on same road and camped about 4 PM within ten miles of Morgantown, coming about 23 miles. On the 9th moved at 7 AM and halted near Morgantown and drew five days rations---passed that place about three miles and camped at 4 PM, having marched about 19 miles. On the 10th moved at 7 AM on the Asheville Road, passed Marion again, crossed the Catawba River a[t] ... ford and camped one mile from it, having come about 23 miles. On the 11th we moved early and crossed the Blue Ridge at Swannanoa Gap. Just as we reached the top of the mountain, a storm of hail and rain broke on us in great fury, and, as we had no shelter, pelted us pitilessly---we camped that night one mile from the Gap, having come about 17 miles. Moving early on the morning of the 12th, we passed through Asheville, where we saw the first organized ``Yankees'' we had seen since the surrender. Here the ladies greeted us with demonstrations of joy mingled with sorrow. While they wept over the seeming ruin of our cause and subjection of our country, they rejoiced to see our gallant Tennesseeans bearing themselves so well under adversity, and these demonstrations of joy and tokens of respect and admiration they showed in spite of the presence of the blue uniforms of the Federal garrison.
Leaving the fair ones with many a wish for their future welfare, we moved out seven miles and camped near the French Broad River, having come 24 miles. On the morning of the 13th, I, with most of the members of Companies ``B'', ``C'' and ``K'' of the 37th Tennessee and a portion of the 26th Tennessee, left the Brigade and started for home. I camped that night with some others opposite the Warm Spring, having come about 30 miles. Moved at 5 AM on [the] 14th, took breakfast at Paint Rock and moved down French Broad and camped at Kendricks, having made about 26 miles. On the 15th we moved early and crossed the mouth of Chucky and I stayed that night near Holston River, having come about 26 miles. On the morning of the 16th, I reached home about 10 AM, having come only about 4 miles. Thus, since leaving Smithfield, North Carolina April 10, I marched, altogether, over 400 miles. The march was a hard one, most of the time the weather was very warm, and a portion of the roads were very muddy from the heavy rains in April. We forded most of the water courses---the bridges having been burned.
The country is in an unsettled condition. Upper East Tennessee has suffered much from the advance and retreat of detachments from both armies. The citizens have been robbed of almost everything by thieves who profess to be either Federal or Confederate soldiers, but who are a disgrace to the profession of armies in any country. The country is infested with bad men, who, taking advantage of the unsettled state of affairs, prowl through the country and impose on defenceless citizens. Murders are frequent and robberies are of almost daily occurrence. There is what is called civil government in Tennessee, but so far its influence is not much felt nor the laws respected. When General Johnston surrendered his army, he surrendered all troops and territory east of the Chattahoochee River. President Davis and Staff started for Texas; also General Wheeler and Vaughan with portions of their cavalry---after the surrender of Johnston. The Federals say (officially) that they captured President Davis and Staff and escort near Irwinville, Georgia, and now have him at Fortress Monroe, awaiting trial for treason against the United States. They also claim to have captured all the forces east of the Mississippi River and occupied the territory. There are many conflicting reports about the Confederate army of General Smith in Texas. The most probable is that he has not yet surrendered.
Since the first of October '64, great events have followed each other rapidly---Hood with [the] Confederate Army invaded Tennessee, Sherman overruns Georgia and South Carolina---Hood is defeated at Nashville---General Lee is defeated and Richmond plundered. General Lee forced to surrender---General Johnston surrenders. All in the short space of seven months.
Home. July 30, 1865
I have been at home now about two and a half months; have done very little of anything. The country is in a very unsettled state. In my immediate vicinity there are very many bad men, most of them of the class generally denominated tories---some have been in the Federal Army and have returned home---other ones, ``moss covered veterans'', who have been concealed in woods and caves in times of danger and now crawl forth and assault and impose on the weak and defenceless. Such men have been going in gangs---in the night, to houses of Southern citizens and taking them out and whipping them with switches, clubs and etc. They endeavored to enter my mother's house some weeks since, but did not succeed. I was not at home. My brother, Jas. R., arrived at home from a Yankee prison, where he had been confined for nearly two years, a few weeks ago. He left here on the 20th in company with my good friend and tutor A. L. ... . Mr. Caloway Pemberton reached here on the 27th, having been confined in prison (and at [a] hospital on [the] road) for two years. He is very weak. I have been trying to work some on the farm for the last few days, but cannot do much. Almost everything of value has been destroyed or stolen---that belonged to us, by prowling tory thieves.
The people of the South became dispirited and chose to submit rather than prolong the war after so many disasters. They now feel the burden of the oppressor. They now feel the value of that liberty, which with diligence might have been ours, but which, for the want of determination, unanimity and self sacrifice, have been lost, apparently forever.
The corn crop in this country is not very promising---wheat was almost a failure---oats were fair---meadows not generally worth saving. The weather has been very wet lately, it having rained more or less almost every day for the last twenty days.
March the 10th, 1867
Days, weeks and months have passed into years since I have made any entry of passing events, not that there has been nothing important to record, for there has been many things transpired on all sides, which, before people became so infatuated as they have been since the close of the ``Rebellion'' (so called), would have excited much wonder and indignation. But subjected rebels (so called) have nothing to do with political affairs---so we pay but little attention to such matters, and bend all our energies to repairing the damage done us by the ``Loyal'' thieving ``Union'' Soldiers (so called). I have taken my pen this morning, not to record the misdeeds of our so called rulers (for that would be impossible), but to note an event that has fallen out in the course of nature. For the past month the weather has been very rainy and the ground had become very wet. On Thursday, the 28th of February, it began to rain and rained more or less every day and night till Thursday, the 7th of March, raining very hard most of the time. By Thursday, 2 o'clock PM (March 7), the water courses were about as high as they had ever been known to be; for the previous twenty-four hours it had rained in torrents. From 2 PM on the 7th, the Holston River rose at the rate of one foot per hour until it was about ten feet higher than it was ever before known to be. Rising to such an unprecedented height so suddenly---before daylight on Friday morning the 8th, many living on the river found themselves cut off from land. Many dwellings were washed away and much grain and other property---such as mills, live stock, lumber, boats and boating material, fencing and etc., were destroyed. Doubtless, this great ... has caused much loss of life also. The uplands are badly damaged and river lands for the present are ruined. Many families, which ten days ago had plenty of the necessaries of life, are now houseless and dependent on the charity of others for subsistence.
W. E. McAnally died at home in Grainger County
November 5th, 1893