.
[The Editor has pleasure in preserving in these pages the following graphic record.
has proven himself in maturer years, as progressive, public spirited, and successful as a citizen as he was gallant and faithful as a soldier.]
, the earlier portion having been lost by me on the battle field.
In 1888, eleven years later, a letter signed
, by my brother, which conveyed the joyful news that the remaining portion of my Diary was in her possession, and that she was willing to return it. I lost no time in securing it, and offer it for what it may be worth as illustrating the daily life in camp and field of a Confederate soldier.
note.—The portion preceding the first day given was torn off, and I found the Diary began thus:
Jan. 28, 1863.
Applied to
Gen. Lee for appointment of my college mate and friend,
Sergeant R. H. Stafford, as recruiting officer for Co. ‘F,’ 12th Ala.
Jan. 29.
A committee, consisting of
Captains Fischer,
Hewlett and
Ross, was appointed to invite the officers of
Battle's Brigade to
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assemble at the headquarters of the 12th Ala., to take into consideration the propriety of memorializing Congress on the subject of regimental and company re-organization, to-morrow at 9 o'clock. There is a great desire on the part of many to enjoy the benefit of re-organization.
Many privates hope to be elected officers, and many officers expect to secure promotions.
My chance of promotion from a line to a field office is good, so I warmly favor the change.
Jan. 30.
Private Wesley Moore left for
Alabama on a 30 days furlough.
At 9 o'clock the line officers of the 6th Ala., met those of the 12th Ala. at our camp, and appointed a committee of three from each regiment to draft a memorial to be presented to Congress.
Capt. Bowie, of the 6th Ala., and I, were chosen to visit the officers of the 3rd and 5th Ala. regiments, and invite them to meet us at 6 o'clock, and participate in our proceedings.
At 6 o'clock the meeting was called to order,
Capt. Bowie being chairman, and
Lieut. Dunlop, of the 3rd Ala., acting as secretary.
The memorial drafted was read and discussed pro and con, by
Captains Bowie and
Bilbro, and
Lieutenants Larry,
Dunlop and
Wimberly, and the meeting adjourned to meet Monday at 3 o'clock.
Jan. 31.
Sunday. I am officer of the guard.
One of the 26th Ala. is officer of the day, and is exceedingly verdant.
Col. S. B. Pickens came in at night from furlough.
Feb. 1.
(Part here torn off.) The meeting was held pursuant to adjournment, the memorial adopted, and a committee appointed to get signatures to the petition and forward it to
Hon. Robert Jemison, Jr.,
C. S. Senator, and
Hon. W. P. Chilton, Representative from
Ala., for presentation to the Confederate Congress.
Feb. 2.
Called at
Dr. Terrell's, near
Orange Court House, and met his pretty daughter,
Mrs. Goodwin.
At night received five letters and several
Georgia and
South Carolina papers.
Feb. 3.
Gus. Reid returned from absence at
Lynchburg.
Orders came at night to be ready to move to
Hanover Junction at 6 o'clock.
Battle's Ala. brigade left winter quarters at 6 1/2 o'clock for
Gordonsville, and arrived there at 2 P. M. We took cars at midnight for
Hanover Junction.
Gen. Robt. D. Johnston's N. C. brigade preceded ours.
Feb. 5.
Reached the
Junction at 9 A. M., and occupied some old winter quarters near
Taylorsville.
Feb. 6.
Bill
Mims returned from furlough.
Feb. 7.
Our brigade took the train for
Richmond early in the morning, and reached the
capitol at 2 o'clock. Formed in the city,
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and marched to music to the outer fortifications on York River Railroad, about four miles from the city.
Feb. 8.
Went to
Richmond and called on some young lady friends, also visited the hall of the House of Representatives, and heard eulogies pronounced over the dead body of
Col. J. J. Wilcox, of
Texas.
At night I saw ‘irginia Cavalier’ played at Richmond Theatre,
R. D'Orsay Ogden, manager.
Returned at 1 o'clock A. M. to camp.
Theatres are a great means of diversion to soldiers.
J. W. Thorpe, our former drum-major, D'
Orsay Ogden,
J. Wilkes Booth,
Harry McCarthy,
W. H. Crisp,
Theo. Hamilton,
John Templeton, and
Alice Vane, are the favorite actors.
Soldiers are not critics, but are ever ready to be amused.
(Torn out to Feb. 12.) I remained in the city all day, meeting with many officers and men at the hospitals, the
Exchange Hotel and Ballard House, and Spotswood Hotel.
At night I saw ‘
Lady of the Lake’ acted.
At its conclusion, while en route to camp, stopped with
Capt. Hewlett and
Lieut. Tate, of 3rd Ala., at a ‘hindig,’ and had an enjoyable time.
Kissing games were popular, and some of the dancers were high kickers and not over graceful.
Late in the afternoon the brigade moved three miles further to the front to meet an expected expedition of ‘Beast’
Butler, who was located somewhere near Drury's Bluff on the
James.
The ‘Beast’ has been outlawed by
President Davis, and is generally detested.
He should keep, as heretofore, to the rear, and avoid capture.
Feb. 13.
Remained all day on outpost, but the enemy did not approach us.
Col. W. G. Swanson's 61st Ala. regiment joined our brigade, and the 26th Ala.,
Col. E. A. O'Neal, was transferred to
Mobile.
Promoted
Brigadier-General and placed in command of
Rodes' Brigade.
As there were only nine companies in the 61st, the
Secretary of War declined to issue a commission as
Colonel to
Col. Swanson, and he returned to
Alabama.
I received a neat little note inviting me to call at
Col. Thos. Bell Bigger's on Broad street, between 9th and 10th streets, and signed Mollie T—y. Her note was four days reaching me, and when I called she had left for
Petersburg.
Feb. 14.
St. Valentine's Day. I walked to the city, and had a glorious bath at the
Ballard House, and met many friends.
Feb. 15.
A light snow covered mother earth's bosom to-day, and kept us from the city.
Our trips to the city are greatly enjoyed, and all are allowed to go when they please, and stay as long as they please.
Jim Lester exchanged a jug of water for one of whiskey as adroitly as
Simon Suggs could have done.
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