USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 71
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AXOTHER DEATH IN CAMP.
Tuesday, December 8: Relieved this morning from picket duty by Company A. Started back to camp with about one-half bushel of dried peaches that Tommy Organ had bought. They got pretty heavy before I got to our barracks. John Huffman died this morning, and we buried him this afternoon. Roughly was he Jaid to rest In his long sleep on the mountain side in Tennessee.
Wednesday, December 9: There is considerable excitement in camp from rumor that we are to be sent back to Camp Nelson. Any rumor taking northwards is not allowed to loose anything. There are 5,000 prisoners reported to be coming through the Gap from Knoxville and we are to guard them through from here to Camp Nelson. I hope it is true, but fear not. Anything that would take the boys from this garrison of short rations is grasped and turned every way, only to find that it is false. Bought a pair of boots today of J. T. Laren; gave him two dollars and eighty-seven cents for them. the regular retail price.
Thursday, December 10: It is rumored this morning the regiment is to be re- cruited for a three years cavalry regiment after we reach Ohio. The recruits are to be allowed a thirty-day furlough and then are to return for duty. Probably another trip to Cumberland Gap, and if so, I think he will be satisfied to stay at home. Rations short as ever and sometimes a little shorter, with no money at band.
Friday, December 11: The boys are in great glee today about going to Ohio. Recruiting papers are being made out and then the boys are to enlist as fast as they can. or will. I know one, however, that goes home before enrolling for a three- year period. Drew one loaf of bread today to the man. but I did not learn how long it was to last. I'mtil we go home I reckon.
Saturday, December 12: It is raining and very disagreeable this morning. To- morrow Company I has to go on guard again and I will almost insure it rains from now until we get off. I think I will get a letter in the morning. as the mail came in tonight and I have had none for some time. I do not know why the mail is not
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gotten out and distributed. I think the boys would all sleep better to have their letters from home. The 11th Michigan Battery came into the Gap this evening and I understand are going to stay. A soldier's fortune in the feld is not to stay long in one place.
Sunday, December 13: Sunday again in Cumberland Gap. Go on guard this morning. Picket the Tazwell road; still raining, as I prophesied, and pretty cold. The mail came to the company this morning. but I drew a blank. That does not prevent the pleasure there is in anticipating a letter strongly in the next innil, There was no preaching today owing to the unsettled condition of the weather. There were about eighty-five prisoners came in today-a pretty rough looking set of Johnnies.
Monday, December 14: Well. It has been raining with an occasional fleck of snow flying in the air ever since we came out on pleket. We were relieved about nine o'clock this morning ; came into camp and found John Hatfield quite sick and irra- tional in his head. Drew a little more brend than we did for a time. The govern- ment is baking it now.
Tuesday. December 15: It is quite pleasant this morning having cleared away, but not entirely settled. Getting about three-fourth rations of bread now. It more than we have drawn at one time for weeks. Company H has been committing some depredations out at Powells river and we have to relieve them in the morning.
We.lnesday. December 16: Reported to Col. MeFarlan for guard duty at eight o'clock this morning. Received Instructions, drew rations, and started for Powells river. Tennessee. We have to throw up fortifications and stand guard duty. It is a very pleasant place ont here: the river is quite wide and a good current of water. W'e are guarding the bridge over the river here. No one seems to trouble the river. There is a good blockhouse on the western side of the river and in addition we have been throwing up breastworks in 'anticipation of an attack to burn the bridge by the rebels.
Thursday. December 17: Commenced raining last evening early and continued almost all night. just pouring down at times, making a dreadful night on the picket post. Heard heavy cannonnding all day today in the direction of Clinch river. What it all means we are unable to tell, without they are trying to kill one another. Gen. Longstreet is making an attempt to go up into Virginia by this means. we hear.
Friday. December 18: Gen. Longstreet is reported to be entirely surrounded by our forces and it is thought he will not succeed in getting away, although he is mak- ing a dreadful attempt to do so. Received some mail today: a letter from Aunt Eliza : one from Consin Anna : one from Wilson, written the 26th of October; another one from Mary MeAdams, written November 9th. You can readily understand why we boys are always expecting mail when it takes almost two months to reach us and we never know how much mall fails to reach its proper destination.
AMIDST LOYAL TENNESSEEANS.
Saturday, December 19: Cold as it can be almost this morning. Since we came out here. I have been the cook of the mess and I have trouble to keep warm by the cooking fire. We are trading our flour today for corn bread. We get one pint of corn meal baked for one pint of wheat flour. We are to go after the bread in the morning. Hucksters are coming Into the picket post in numbers. These eastern Tennessee people are many of them loyal to the Union and they talk about the old Stars and Stripes in terms of sincere affection. There Is no sham in very many of them and they give you lots of Interesting information, regarding their experiences
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with both the rebels and I'nion forces, and while we were here our confidence has never been betrayed.
Sunday. December 20: Sunday on picket post on Powells river and it is a delightful day, Indeed. I have to go after the corn bread this morning, about one mile and a half up the valley. I scarcely know what to do or how to behave upon entering the houses. Some of them did not have the bread baked and I had to wait for it to be baked. Almost all of the citizens are baking pies today.
Monday. December 21: Another beautiful day here. Duty at the camp is very heavy and the colonel, upon a request, allowed us to remain another Ave days. We seem to get along better than the detail of Company H. They are building a large hospital in the Gap which makes extra duty other than the usun! garrison duties. I received two letters from home yesterday; all old ones that I get now. I made the acquaintance of Aunt Polly Messer yesterday while waiting for the corn bread to be baked. All the boys speak of her kindness to them and of her being such a staunch I'nion sympathizer. She is a remarkable old lady.
Tuestry. December 22: Have to throw up -additional breast works today for the protection of one section of the First Tennessee Battery. We get plenty to eat here by buying it. Others buy it ratker, and I help to cook It. I went into the Gap this afternoon. returning this evening. There is considerable excitement there about re- enlisting in a cavalry regiment for a period of three years, Many of the boys think the next time they enlist, they will ride.
Wednesday. December 23: I have no appetite any more. I am glad to not feel hungry. I got so much to eat I did not give the system time to assimilate the food. Must take a rest. We get buttermilk. swert milk, butter, honey, corn meal, of which we make corn cakes, apples. five cents per dozen, small. but very good. ginger bread, etc. I always have to add the etc. to complete the list. This is a pleasant place and I would like to stay here until our term of enlistment is up. A few more days and we will see Christmas rgain. I wonder what they are doing at home: I know they are thinking of their boys in what is called the "snuny Southland."
Thursday, December 24: Tomorrow is Christmas. How much I would like to be at home and est my Christmas dinner with the folks there. I know there will be a vacant chair there this year. I will. however, content myself by eating my dinner et Powells river bridge. Tomnessee. The weather is delightful here today. It really reminds one of a pleasant day in midsummer in the North, yet probably not quite so warm. But the sun shining brightly. the trees with their overhanging branches on the bank of the placid waters of the river, makes a picture that will surely linger a long time in the memory of all the boys who are now here.
CHRISTMAS DAY IN CAMP.
Friday, December 25; Today Is Christmas and a very pleasant day it is, 1 enjoyed myself as best I could under the circumstances. The boys were wrestling and singing war-time songs, playing pranks on each other and eating our dinner and doing whatever came to our mind. I received a letter from my brother, Kemp. I answered it and wrote another to the I'nion school. We all would have been pleased to have bad dinner at our various homes, but we could not do so.
Saturday, December 26: Sprinkling rain this morning. We received more rations from the Gap this morning, and we will remain here until tomorrow or next day. Mail came out to our post. I received a good letter (and fact is. all the letters to soldiers are good) from cousin Rebecca Romm, and a Weekly Commercial, Cincinnati. from Eli and in the same mall a copy of the Citizen and Gazette, rather a large mail
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for me and all welcome visitors. The newspapers are enjoyed by all our home boys. They keep us in touch with matters of wider range than the personal letters from our friends and relatives.
Sunday, December 27: Raining again this morning, as it did almost all last night. F. M. Thompson, John Hatfield, Tommy Organ and myself were on guard at the bridge last night. Or should have been. probably, but after the boys had gone to sleep, we crawled into bed. also, and did not know anything until morning. Tommy Organ, who is orderly sergeant for Company 1. humors us boys whenever it is possible. He may have slept with only one eye shut. I went to Aunt Polly Messer's today and got a good dinner for a soldier. She Is certainly a mother to the I'nion soldier boys.
Monday, December 2%; It is yet raining a little at the bridge this morning, but not sufficient to keep the hucksters at home with their apples, pies, corn bread, etc. We are yet here at the bridge and we are not complaining. It has been raining for a few days past and makes the roads so muddy that Lieut. Col. MeFarland thought it better to stay here than to march back to the Gap through the rain and muddy roads.
Tuesday, December 29: It is clear this morning and looks like it would be a plensant day. Tommy Organ received a note this morning from Lieut. Col. McFarland saying he would relieve us tomorrow morning, as we were to be mustered for pay on the 21st of the month. We would be required to be with the garrison in the Gap after being away so long. We have been here since the 16th of the month. New Year's day will soon be here.
Wednesday, December 30: Relieved this morning by Company E and started for the Gap about noon, reaching there in the evening. While at the bridge we had no exciting rumors about returning to Ohio, but as soon as we came into camp, the first thing to learn was we are going to Ohlo within a week. The Colouel said he was expecting marching orders every day. Here in cump now we have to eat hard tack and fat pork. which is not relished like soft bread, corn bread, etc. While at the post at the bridge we could often trade rations issued by the commissary department for a variety of things brought to the port by bucksters, giving us a variety and a change that was always relished.
Thursday, December 31; This is the last day of the year. eighteen hundred and sixty-three. and an unpleasant one it has been. It has rained and is very muddy. We were mustered again today for pay. but we do not expect to be paid until we get to Ohio. Tomorrow is New Year's day and tonight is New Year's eve. How much I would like to be at home tonight and ent breakfast with the home folks in the morning. ! wonder what Kemp is doing this evening.
COLD NEW YEAR'S DAY OF 1864.
Friday, January 1. 1864: This is New Year's day. January 1st. 1864. How cold it is. I never saw it much colder. It suowed very little last night, but the most I have seen this winter; probably half an inch would cover it all. As my diary expired with the year. I will have to make the early mouths of 1863 answer the purpose, since I did not commence until July 4th. I can use this one by changing the day of the week one day later. This was an awfully cold day. I had to go up on the mountain side for wood and I thought I would freeze. I wonder how It is in Ohio.
Saturday, January 2: Detailed for picket duty this morning. During the month of December, Company I was on picket twenty-two days, and now detalled for picket duty the second day of this month to start with. I wonder if we will be on guard all of this month. Yesterday and today. the oldest inhabitants of this counry sny, were
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the coldest they ever saw. It was surely cold enough. Many people in this country are not always prepared for such extremely cold weather as this.
Sunday, January 3: Came in off picket this morning; it is much more pleasant out on the picket post than in the winter barracks. Last evening was almost as cold is the night previous, but I slept as comfortable as though I had been in a feather bed.
Monday, January 4: If we leave Cumberland Gap before our time of enlistment has expired we will have to start soon. I can not tell when we will leave, not soon. I think. I am now suffering with the yellow jaundice and feeling lazy and sore all over. I can not tell what I will do for bread If we can not draw something besides hard tack. I have not eaten a mouthful for four days, Six months ago today I enlisted. but was not mustered into the I'nited States until the 14th of July, from which date our time will be measured, I presume. During the six months I have had varied experiences and done some marching to see the country.
Tuesday, January 5: The jaundice is still keeping me in an uncomfortable condi- tion, but I am not getting any worse that I can see. Major Biers and two battalions of the 16th Regiment Illinois Cavalry ate reported to have been captured out beyond Jonesville by a band of rebels and an attack on the Gap is expected. We were ordered to be ready to move in two hours up to Company C to assist them on the picket post.
Wednesday, January G: Arrived at Company ('s post last evening, taking posses- sion of a large house In which we all bonked for the night. Nothing to eat and colder than is comfortride. Tried to sleep on the ground. but so cold I could not sleep. Had to get up and sit by the fire in order to keep warm. It snowed some last night and is snowing now, but with it all the ground is not covered.
Thursday, January 7: I voluntarily went on guard duty today that I might be with Ed. M. Thompson, and as I would be detailed tomorrow morning alone surely. It has been snowing a little all day. If I were in Ohlo I would think we were going to have a good sleighing snew now. Major General U. S. Grant came into the Gap this evening. We feel there is a strong probability that we may be relieved of garri- son duty at the Gap.
Friday, January 8: It showed about two inches last night. It is now the deepest snow we have seen this winter. Gen. Grant left the Gap for Washington, D. C. I did not get to we bim as I should like to have done very much. Captain Lysle started for home this morning on furlough. He received a dispatch of serious illness in his family and Gen. Grant gave him furlough to go home. The boys are more In high glee on account of the prospect of soon starting for Ohio.
Saturday, January 9: Went Into the country today with Jake Eckis after corn pone; had quite a good time. Got our dinner, consisting of warm pone bread, coffee and beef. How these mountaineers live In this country is more than I can tell. They are suffering now and before they can sow and reap again they will almost perish ; and then the possibility of their premises being raided and everything carried away is not without the range of probability.
Sunday, January 10: This does not seem much like Sunday to me here. It is a delightful day. I went down the mountain to the commissary after rations, but did not get anything but flour. beef and molasses. It is the first time we have drawn molasses for a long time. I should like to know what they are doing at home, and what the rations are. if good.
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ANXIOU'S TO GET STARTED HOMEWARD.
Monday, January 11: The 115th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, six months men, are in the Gap now to relieve us, they say, and why they are not doing it the boys do not know. A wagon train came In today from Camp Nelson loaded with hard tack. Looks like they had been saving rations for us to get back to Ohio for the last three months. The boys are all anxious to get started homeward.
Tuesday, January 12: Day after tomorrow our term of enlistment will have ex- pired. Here in Cumberland Gap yet and no visible prospect of our departure soon. Not more than we have seen for several weeks past. Rumor has it every day almost, we will leave soon as we can load up, but we are here yet.
Wednesday, January 13: Had a most excellent breakfast this morning of fried mush and potatoes with one of Company C boys with whom I slept last night. The snow still remains on the ground. but the sun is melting it away now slowly. The wenther is comfortable here most of the winter season and the roads are now good.
Thursday, January 14: There is happiness in our camp this morning. We received marching orders and are to be ready to move at two o'clock and we will be ready, and do not think otherwise for a moment. Few of the boys ever hope to see the place again.
Friday, January 15: While we were ordered to be ready to move at two o'clock. we were not told to march. Detailed this morning for picket duty, as usual. Our relief came out about noon. Company C of the 117th Indiana relieved us. We are to be ready to march tomorrow morning by daylight, and meet the regiment in the Gap. instead of going down to the barracks on the Tennessee side. Drew eight days' rations today. intended to last us until we reached Camp Nelson, consisting of coffee, sugar, hard tack and fat pork.
Saturday, January 16: The boys were up nearly all night last night and were jubilant at the idea that we would start for home and native land this morning. We were up and ready according to orders to march at daylight, and daylight could not come too soon for the boys. Met the regiment at the Gap as we were returning from the picket post. We were soon in our place in the column and on the move northward, many of them hoping never to see the place again. Cheers fairly rent the air and rever. berated over the hills and through the valleys In the crisp invigorating mountain atmos- phere. We marched about two miles past the ford in the Cumberland river and en- camped for the night.
Sunday, January 17: I surely did sleep last night. I knew nothing of this world after I turned in until time to get breakfast before starting on the march. We did not want to delny the start for breakfast and would go without the tin cup of hot coffee. if necessary, to be off toward Oblo as soon as possible. We started by daylight and never a murmur. We marched through Barboursville about three miles, and went into camp for the night. John Hatfield and myself fixed up our tent together and it was fortunate we did for it began to rain about midnight.
Monday, January 18: We have had good roads this far on our journey, but it is still raining this morning and the ronds are very muddy. I am afraid they will thaw out entirely and let us through and they will be almost impassable if they do. The mud today is shoe-top deep and some of the boys are mud all over. March two miles north of Camp Pitman and encamped in a barn for the night.
Tuesday, January 19: While at Camp Pitman yesterday we drew some additional rations. The colonel, thinking to shorten our route to Lexington, started on the march this morning via Richmond by sunrise, and, after going some two or three miles, the colonel learned we could not ford the Rochetto river. We had to turn back and resume our march via Crab Orchard. That was five or six miles in the mud more than needed and kept us two or three hours longer out of the Buckeye state.
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FELT LIKE GIVING UP.
Wednesday, January 20: Marched within four miles of Mt. Vernon today-a very heavy day's march. I came nenr giving out, but managed to keep in sight of the regi- ment. Last night was a restless one for me and I could scarcely get up this morn- ing, which incapacitated me for the hard day's march today. I must say I never felt more like quitting, giving up, than today, since I left home. Had I been going in the opposite direction I surely would have lost courage. We marched to Crab Orchard and went into quarters for the night in the commissary buildings,
Thursday, January 21: Left Crab Orchard this morning about half past three o'clock. The colonel told us he would have our knapsacks hauled after we caught up with the wagon train. which were encamped about eight miles from Crab Orchard. Marched to Camp Nelson today about twenty-eight miles, a henvy march, and it nearly wore me out. I feel like I could scarcely move now.
Friday, January 22: Last night was a terrible night. I laid and rolled all night; my feet and chest pained me dreadfully. The boys are all in fine spirits and would like to demonstrate if they could, but like myself. they have to conserve their strength to see them through to Ohio, before they break down entirely. Marched today to Nicholasville and took up our quarters for the night in the court house.
Saturday, January 23: This looks a little like living once more. We have plenty to eat and good places to sleep for soldiers that have been living on quarter rations for the past five months, nearly, and sleeping on rails or in the mud much of the time. We are now through with the heavy marches and will await here until transportation can he secured for us by rail to the Ohio river. Stragglers who were unable to keep up with the regiment are coming in at all hours and I am afraid they will not all get in with the regiment before we are ready to embark on the train.
Sunday, January 24: Left Nicholasville today about noon. We got aboard the ears and were soon on our way to Ohio. Several negroes, who came with us from the Gap and hoped to be able to get through with the regiment, had their hopes blasted shortly after we had gotten under way. The train was stopped by the provost marshal and a search of the entire train was made for the negroes who. up to this time, were in great glee at the thought of their soon being on what they had known as free soll. Some few of the negroes escaped detection by the aid of the soldiers and came on through with the regiment. At Lexington, they found a regiment drawn up in line of battle apprehending a raid. We remained in Lexington until after dark, when we started north again, reaching Covington about two o'clock in the morning.
Monday, January 25: We slept in the cars until morning and then marched up Into Covington and went aboard the ferryboat and were soon landed on our native state. We marched through Cincinnati to the Fifth street market house, took dinner at the Soldiers' Home and enjoyed It very much.
Tuesday, January 26: Omitted the events happened.
Wednesday, January 27: Enroute to Cleveland on the 26th and 27th.
Thursday, January 28: We reached Cleveland about eight o'clock last evening. We were furnished good barracks with a stove in them. We felt something like we might be in a parlor as compared with the lousy barracks in Cumberland Gap. Have plenty to eat. We draw as our rations, soft bread, Instead of hard tack.
AWAITING THE MUSTER-OUT ORDER.
Friday, January 29: We get plenty of rations in camp here. It does not resemble the rations in quality we got in the Gap. We are drawing soft bread, beans, potatoes, rice.
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hominy, molasses, vinegar, beef and pickled pork. This is what was issued to us yes- terday. How we would like to have drawn a few such issues while in the Gap. Being mustered out of the service is attracting the attention of the boys now, but that time we can not tell.
Saturday, January 30: The 128th Regiment, doing garrison duty here, tries to keep the $6th within the lines, but they do not stay inside. The guards make threats, but have not executed any of them yet, and the boys come and go pretty much as they choose. Took a walk into the city today, viewing the sights. John Hatfield bad his mustache colored today.
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