USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 70
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Thursday, October 5: I have an extremely heavy cold this morning and pretty generally under the weather. My head aches terribly. I received a letter this morning from Kemp (my brother two years younger than I). He said father had received his uniform. He would make a striking looking soldier here among the boys and in the Gap. (He was a member of the National Guards). Was glad to learn my mother was getting along nicely.
Friday, October 16: I am not so well of my cold this morning, but am not going to the alek call for an excuse from duty. as no detail for special is in sight. I received a letter from Harmon Harlan. a copy of the Citizen and Gazette and a Cincinnati Com- werrial from Ell Roumine, and they all did me much good. Am feeling better this evening.
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Saturday, October 17: Feel considerably better this morning, but was troubled with a cough preventing me getting much sleep last night. No mail today. The announce- ment of George Woodwards marriage to Miss Gray surprised me very much ; may they live long and be happy is my wish. Reported we are to go back with teams of six mules each. All green to harness. We will have lively experience with them, no doubt.
Sunday, October 18: Again to spend another Sumlay In Camp Nelson, I suppose. It rained last night in torrents, wetting us through the Sibley tents, and I have been suffering with such a cold. I was afraid it might cause me to get worse again. Received marching orders to return to Cumberland Gap about four o'clock and to guard deserters enroute to Knoxville. Tennessee. It is strange we have to guard captured rebel prisoners here and then to guard deserters from the l'uion army back to their commands.
Monday, October 19: Left Camp Nelson yesterday evening and marched to Camp Dick Robinson, where we encumped for the night. The convalescents returning with us guarded the deserters at night and our forces throughout the day. We have plenty to eat here in camp. Went into emup this evening a short distance east of Crab Orchard, where we were encamped enroute to the Gap 22d August.
Tuesday, October 20: Left camp this morning about half an hour after sunrise. At roll call, nine of the prisoners failed to answer "Here", having made their escape during the night. I do not care much if they all leave. The major in charge of the con- ralescents can not get them to take the night relief ; not having guns gives us the extra duty.
Wednesday, October 21: Encamped last night nine miles west of Mt. Vernon, Ken- tucky. It was cloudy and looked very much like rain all night. Started on the march this morning about daylight while it was raining about as hard as it could. We got completely soaked and as muddy as you could possibly Imagine. We reached Mt. Vernon about 12 o'clock, when some of the boys got some whiskey and became so drunk they could not stand up.
Thursday, October 22-The whiskey and these boys got into a fight last evening before we got into camp, but no one was seriously hurt. We left our camp, starting on the march again this morning, and it was raining about as hard as it could pour down. Marched about 13 miles and stopped in some houses and stables along the road side. We encamped last night at Camp Pitman ; seems a regular camping ground for troops going either way. Our mules are about run down or we could march farther.
Friday, October 23-Left camp this morning about 7:00, and I marched through mud and rain all day: went into camp this evening tired and way worn. The prisoners have all escaped that wanted to, and we do not guard them now. They are anxious to rejoin their old regiments or commands, and endeavor to remove the stigma that may have been attached to them.
Saturday, October 24-The boys, or the sergeants I should say, sold rations that had accumulated on our trip in Mt. Vernon to the amount of twenty-five dollars. to he distributed amongst the guards My share of the twenty-five dollars is one dollar and sixty-five cents, which coming as it does is simply a find and looks big to us all. I do not think It was quite fair that we should get the benefit of the prisoners rations. The boys shot a pig today and we had it cooked for supper, and we surely ate it with relish, Fresh pork is not run across every day in the year in a field occupied alternately by the contending forces for years.
Sunday, October 25 -- This is Sunday; on the march again to the Gap. We wanted to get into camp this evening, but it was twenty-four miles and we could not make the trip. We marched to within about six miles of the Gap when we went into camp for the night. Most terribly tired and sore and worn out all over. No Sunday services on this trip.
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IN WINTER QUARTERS.
Monday, October 26-Left camp this morning early and marched at a pretty good rate until we got into camp at Cumberland Gap. When we were soon relleved and I started for my company quarters I found the company in good winter quarters on the Jacksburg road lending south into Tennessee. They are all In good spirits and getting along splendidly. Oh, yes! I had a great handful of letters to read, which I did before I stopped.
Tuesday, October 27-I found little sister Lydia's picture In one letter yesterday and two one dollar bills in another. They were all welcome, but many.times the two bills would not buy the picture from me. I bought two bushels apples today for one dollar. Kept out what Ed. Thompson and John Hatfield and myself wanted to eat and sold the balance for money and traded for enough to make ours clear. Am In pretty good spirits today and bid fair to keep them. Glad to be back in camp where I will take my share of routine camp duties. Ed. Thompson, John Hatfield and Thomas Organ said they never thought I would be back with the regiment when I left the guards.
Wednesday, October 28-Discouraging news today from the mails and wagon trains and Captain Lysle of Co. I. It is reported our mall was captured. We have not had any for several days. The telegraph wires are cut, the provision train and Captain Lysle also captured by a band of guerillas who are scouring the country west of the Gap. Bought a new comb today at the sutlers, and broke it before half an hour.
Thursday, October 20-It is not true about Captain Lysle and his wagon train being captured, and the mail taken by guerillas. As a precaution against a possible attack until the band had passed ou, they were withheld for a few days to keep the train safely. Joy to all those who are in Cumberland Gap. We drew a ration of soft bread and with our fresh pork it certainly makes a snvory dish, and we have plenty of it. I am feeling splendid today.
Friday, October 30-It rained nearly all day today about as hard as it could pour. John Hatfield got a letter today from home bringing sad news to me: stating that my mother had another attack of erysipelas in her eyes and that they were so swollen she had not seen a ray of light for several days past. I hope she will soon recover ber sight and be able to go around again.
Saturday, October 31-We were mustered this afternoon for our pay. There has been some talk of trying to organize a cavalry regiment here. It is thought there would be no trouble in raising the required number. Rations are getting a little low: we have them jasued to us again in the morning, and we will then have plenty for a time.
Sunday, November 1-This is another Sunday in Cumberland Gap. I was detailed this morning for picket duty up on the mountain, the first time I have been on detailed duty since leaving Camp Nelson, Kentucky, the 18th of October. Such a time as I had to get to the picket post on the top of the mountain. No one can imagine, but those that have tried. The Cumberland river is reported. so high that they could not cross at the fording with the malls. Wrote a letter to Harmon Harlan today.
Monday, November 2-We have had no mall for several days. First the guerillas were raiding eastern Kentucky : then the Cumberland river was so high they could not ford it. Returned to camp about ten o'clock this morning from picket duty. Found them about out of bread. but hope to draw some before long. There is a mill for grinding whent and corn at the foot of this mountain. We call it the pinacle; it Is 2,200 feet high and the face of it is almost straight up. It is from this mill we get flour and meni for the fresh bread when we can get the wheat and corn. The mill had been partly burned when the rebels left previously, but it has now been repaired, and power
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is derived from a large stream of water coming from the mountain side conveyed to the mill by a flume driving a twenty-five foot overshot wheel. The mail came in this evening. I was looking for a letter from home, as I was anxious to hear from mother, but none came. I received a letter from Aunt Eliza Woodward written the 31st of August.
"PRETTY STRENUOUS SOLDIERING."
Tuesday, November 3-Roused up last night about eleven o'clock. There was a detall of 18 men made for a scout. It took all out of our bunk but three, and John Hat- field and myself were two of them. My having just come in from picket saved me I presume, but had I been needed to fill the detall that would have made no difference. The detailed ones had to get up, pack their traps and be ready to march at a moment's notice. Ate breakfast at midnight and lay down and slept until morning. The boys did not leave all day. I was detailed again this morning for picket on the mountain, which is what I call pretty strenuous soldiering. Going to the top of the pinacle, zigzaging backward and forward to make the ascent becomes irksome indeed.
Wednesday, November 4-I returned to camp this morning and found the boys bad been detailed to guard a wagon train to Knoxville. I found a letter also for me when I came in from picket duty up on the mountain. It did me more good than my diuner, you bad better think. It is the first one I have had since mother was so afflicted with erysipelas. She is much better and I was very glad to know it.
Thursday, November 5-This was a delightful morning, but it soon clouded over and commenced raining about $ o'clock and continued all day, making it very dis- agreeable. Nothing new about our leaving here. The recruiting is not carried on ax briskly as I thought it would be.
Friday, November 6-The boys came in today that started out with the wagon train for Knoxville. They only went as far as Clinch river, a distance of about 25 miles, they said. Great excitement arose in camp this evening about one hour before sun down. Ordered to have everything ready to move in half an hour: knapsacks packed. three days' rations and guns in good order. The enemy Is approaching in large numbers.
Saturday, November 7-Sometime after dark we were ordered to lie down on our arms and get what rest we could and await the bugle call and the long roll, when we were to fall in as rapidly as possible and march in front of the Major's headquarters The bugle called and the long roll beat about midnight. We were all in another con- fusion in a short time. We marched to the Major's headquarters. Then we were taken up to the Gap, where we remained the balance of the night and nearly froze. By morning all things bad resumed their normal condition, and about 10 o'clock we re- turned to our quarters-a sleepless and bloodless battle.
Sunday. November 8-Last evening when we went to bed we had orders to be up and ready to move at 5 o'clock in the morning. According to orders we were up and rendy to move, and greatly to my surprise, we were to go foraging. Started out about $ o'clock and went to Whites and loaded our wagons with corn; started back to camp about 4 o'clock. Came about two miles to Thomas's where we went into camp for the night. Went Into Tennessee about thirteen miles.
Monday, November 9-This is the first morning I have seen ice this fall. It froze the mud hard enough to bear a man up. It snowed last evening a little, and has heen spitting snow all day. The rebels sent a flag of truce up to the Gap yesterday asking an exchange of prisoners. They had no papers or anything to Indicate public business, and were sent out of camp. Possibly they learned all they were after.
Tuesday, November 10-Good news. The boys think this morning the paymaster
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enme Into camp and is going to pay the boys off tomorrow. They are all in fine spirits because of it. i do not care anything about being paid until our time of enlistment has expired, as I have money and have had ever since 1 joined the army. There is no special need for money when your food and clothing are furnished, and no place but the sutiers to go to spend it. What to do with it when I draw my salary, I do not know, as the mails seem to be so uncertain.
Wednesday, November 11-The captains of some of the companies made a mistake in making out their payrolls, and it has retarded the payment of the other companies until now. We are not likely to be paid tomorrow. We were called out last night with the beating of the longroll. Took possession of the rifle pit on the right side of the Tazwell road, remaining there for about one hour; nearly froze, and then returned to barracks.
A BRUSH WITH GUERRILLAS.
Thursday, November 12-No pay today. They do not pay off over two companies in a day. Those who have drawn their pay are disposing of much of it pretty fast at the sutlers. Our wagon train was attacked today on the Virginia road. The train was attacked by a band of about sixty guerrillas, and I had a bad mixup for a short time. Col. Lemert's little black man died this evening after being run so hard-the only casualty reported.
Friday, November 13-Received our pay today ; the boys are all in a good humor. Some of them are as drunk as they can get. I received fifty dollars and seventy cents for my four months' pay, or nearly four months. I sent forty dollars home with a receipt and am going to send ten dollars more in a letter and keep the seventy cents of my salary. That with what I had will see me well out of Cumberland Gap, I hope.
Saturday, November 14-Today is the end of our four months, and the beginning of our last two. Such a crowd as there is about the bakery after the boys had received their pay. It seems like the states of Kentucky and Tennessee would not afford enough on the eating line. They can not buke half fast enough.
Sunday, November 15-Ordered to clean up for general inspection to take place at nine o'clock this morning. It was then postponed until one o'clock p. m., then put off until ten o'clock tomorrow morning. I have not had a letter for more than a week, and why is more than I can tell. I am very anxious to hear from home, fearing mother is not so well.
Monday, November 16-Weather Is very wet, having rained every day for the past three or four days. Grand review today at ten o'clock. We had to wade in mud and water over shoe tops, and it made It very unpleasant and disagreeable. The boys bought three bushels of apples this morning nt one dollar per bushel, and peddled them out at three for five cents. The apples here generally are fine quality and quite plentiful.
Tuesday, November 17-Considerable excitement in the Gap today. Gen. Burnsides is said to have been driven back to Knoxville by an army of 65,000 rebels, and is retreating toward the Gap. We are ordered to have five days' rations in our haver- sacks, and packed ready to move at a moment's notice. Might as well have ordered us to have ten days' rations in haversacks as five. We generally carried all we had. Reported that Gen. Burnsides has ordered us to Camp Nelson.
Wednesday, November 18-Detailed yesterday to go on picket duty, relleving the 129th Regiment for general review. My position was on the Kentucky road. We had a good position. I acted as corporal of the guard. The guard is two hours on duty and four hours off, when he can lie down and get his rest and sleep. The corporal is not supposed to ever sleep. Excitement still prevails; nothing reliable can be learned. Left our winter quarters and moved up on the hillside. I expect we will almost freeze. Had a letter from John Marshall this morning.
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Thursday, November 19-Nothing reliable can be ascertained as to the forces and position of the enemy, and the privates as well as the many of the officers do not know the position of our own forces. We are still on the mountain side in the rifle pits, where we will leave or where we will go further than that. We will go wherever we are told. All communication is cut off between the Gap and Knoxville. It is the private's duty to do whatever he is told by the officers and ask no questions, but our excited camp in the enemy's country is a wonderful field for surmisings.
AGAIN SHORT ON RATIONS.
Friday, November 20-Friday finds us still on the mountain side in the rifle pits with our pup tents for shelter. Looked very much like rain !this morning. but it cleared away about noon, but again clouded over and commenced raining in the afternoon and continued the remainder of the day. Our rations are again very short and we are hungry, but when it is not available, what can we do but go hungry? No mail from home yet. I wonder what they are all doing.
Saturday, November 21-Rain, rain, rain. It is still pouring down rain this morn- ing, and it rained all night with no appearance of quitting soon. Slept almost all night in a great puddle of water. Our blankets are soaked. One-half of each com- pany was ordered back to the barracks, but I and Tommy Organ, the orderly Ser- geant, had to stay on the mountain side. No reliable news of any kind of relief from our present position.
Sunday, November 22 -- It is very pleasant this morning, but a little cool, which is to be expected this season of the year. Still on the mountain side. Detailed about ten o'clock to report at the bakery and help to build a new oven. The baker has to board us and he does it up In good style. We had mashed potatoes, ruaks, butter, molasses, sugar, coffee, pie, etc., for dinner. No news and no mail today; becoming monotonous.
Monday, November 23-We ran out of brick yesterday about 3 o'clock and had nothing to do for some time. The water is so high they can not ford the creek, It was said. but later the brick came in and we almost finished the oven. We had a splendid time on detail. The captain is a fine fellow. I think Gen. Wilcox's brigade is encamped near the Gap. No news and no mail today.
Tuesday, November 24- Finished the oven eventually today. It rained almost all of the day. They will bake In the oven tonight and we will soon have soft brend Issued to us in the camp. We have been having plenty to eat and that which is good. Fresh bread, rusks, cakes, coffee, sugar, molasses and fresh pork constituting our bill of fare while on this detail. Sorry it is so near completion.
Wednesday, November 25-Handled a lond of old rails this morning for the bakery. Just as I was passing camp with my load of rails the long roll was beat. I hardly knew what I should do, whether I should let the oxen and the rails go to grass or fall in with my company. It, however, was soon over with, and all quiet and serene. Went on to the bakery with the rails. The usual report. No mail for today.
Thursday, November 26-Well, the mall enme in this morning and many of the boys were disappointed, among them was myself. No news concerning the army around Knoxville. There are a great many troops around the Gap now. I think now would be a good time for us to get away from here while there are so many to take our place, but that may not have entered the minds of the leaders,
Friday. November 27 -- Another mail again this morning which brought me in two letters and a pair of gloves. All better at home, which is good enough news for anybody. About three o'clock another mail came in and I got a letter from Sylpha.
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Three letters and a pair of gloves In one day partly made up for my having done without for so long. Detailed for picket duty on the mountain again this evening.
Saturday, November 28-On picket duty up here this morning again. It commenced raining last night and rained nearly all night and today. Got cold about sundown and continued to get colder and colder, and our wet blankets did not make a com- fortable covering to sleep under and upon. We seemed to do both, however, and rise up and take our turn at rellef.
SLEEPING IN FROZEN BLANKETS.
Sunday, November 20-Commenced snowing last night and we nearly froze; blankets frozen stiff and wind blowing a gale; almost hard enough to blow one down the moun- tain side if you did not keep well above the blocks of rock& No comfortable position about this job up here. No news of army maneuvers about Knoxville. I received two letters by the mail today. One from my brother Kemp and one from Harmon Harlan.
Monday, November 30-Blankets frozen stiff and covered with snow does not make comfortable bedding this morning, and opening my eyes could see the daylight through the openings in about four inches of snow over the mountain through the hole caused by my breathing during the night. Throwing my blanket off, It retained the form In which It had frozen during the night and fitting my body and legs as completely as though it were sheet iron. Tomorrow is the end of our five-day period of picket duty on the mountain, but we will not likely be relleved until Wednesday morning. It is hard service in this kind of weather. We were not allowed any fire at night. Nothing to eat but a little fresh beef. I bought a few apples which is all I have to eat, or any of the rest of the pickets. Five days' rations in a little dirty haversack is not very fat living.
Tuesday, December 1 -- Slept quite comfortably to what I did the night previous. Gen. Foster is in the Gap today enroute to his command in the army of the Cum- berland. They saluted him with 13 guns. We scarcely know what it meant on the picket post when we heard the cannonnding. We thought the enemy for a time must be close, but we knew they did not pass our post between two thousand and three thousand feet high on the crest of the mountain.
Wednesday. December 2: We were relleved last night about 10 o'clock by Com- pany C. Got up this morning and packed our traps and started for camp. I was pretty nearly starved. or felt like it, I thought. I intended to get something to eat by buying it if I could not get it otherwise. I bought some brend and apples, some corn bread and some ginger cakes, and with that relieved the extreme hunger the boys are suffering.
Thursday, December 3: Some more to ent in camp than on picket up in the mountain. I traded for a spor today, one that struck my fancy. but at present I have no use for it. If I ever get home. I think I will ride a horse occasionally again. Good news today from the army of the Cumberland. Gen. Burnsides reported to have driven the rebels back and captured many prisoners.
Friday, December 4: This is a delightful morning, cool enough to be Invigorat- ing and comfortable. The weather here is milder than in Ohio usually at this season of the year. Have had but very little snow in the valley. but upon the mountain there has been much of machinery and it is said "There is a screw loose," at times, some place. We do not draw rations enough to sustain life in an active, healthy lad, is the opinion of this one.
Saturday, December 5: It sprinkled rain this morning some little, but soon cleared
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away and gave us a delightful day. The mail comes in tomorrow morning. Wonder who will be the lucky ones. There are times and occasions, however, when schedule time is interfered with by bushwhackers and guerrillas in this part of the country. I hope I may be one that will get a few lines from home. We have cheering news to the soldiers, excepting the reported escape of Gen. John Morgan from the Ohio Penitentiary. Singular. isn't it, that after we had tried so hard to capture him. dead or allve, that he should be permitted to scale the walls, pass the guards, or walk out of the open gate.
Sunday, December 6: Sunday morning again in Cumberland Gap. It is a pleas- ant morning. indeed. so much in contrast with war paraphernalia all about us. There was preaching service at 2 o'clock this P. M. by the Chaplain of the regiment, a very good sermon. He took his text from the first chapter. twelfth verse of James : "Blessed Is the man that endureth temptation."
Monday, December 7: Our company had to go out qu picket this morning. We -all of our bunk -- went out on the Virginia road. Tom Laren. Ed Thompson, Tommy Organ and myself were on the outpost. Hucksters enme in with apples. corn bread. dried penches, butter, etc. Among the etc. was applejack and several things to sell, but they were not allowed to pass through the line, or beyond the outpost of the pickets. Applejack was a new one to me, but I soon learned many of the boys in camp made his acquaintance every opportunity. It was as bad as the mountain dew.
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