the post. We had a good fire at the reserve post, and our stay of twenty-four hours was rather pleasant than otherwise. Dress parade has again been introduced. Think we had dress parade at Wartrace last, before this. We now have company drill from 10 to 11:30 A. M.; battalion drill from 2:30 to 4 P. M. A regimental guard has been put on, and altogether we have time to cut a little wood and cook our rations between duties. When I get command of this department things will be different. I will see that every enlisted man has a brigadier general to cook and wash for him. 18. The pickets were on the alert last night more than usual, and an extra company was sent out to strengthen the line, but nothing was seen of the looked for enemy. Seely has been out in the country for supplies. He brings twentyfour dozen biscuits, for which he paid $12. The Metropolitan mess has now a cash basis of $30. One hundred and seventy rebel deserters reported to General Beatty to-day at his headquarters in camp. They are tired and want to go home. I wish they would all do that, don't you? Took Seely's place on picket to-day, the post being under command of Captain A. L. Messmore. Captain M. is from Fayette county, O. and is a fine looking and good officer. I slept with him, and listened to his experience in Kansas. 20. Green is on picket again. Seems to me he does more duty than any man in the camp. Seely and I went out to Mrs. Mitchell's to replenish our stock of provisions. Paid $4 for sixty-six biscuits, and $6 for a ream of paper. 21. The unarmed men of the 113th were marched to Chattanooga, six miles, and received their arms and equipments. I accompanied the party and drew a Springfield rifle for myself. Bought $4.20 worth of ink. 22. The 113th has only nine companies in the service. For some months past a number of men have been recruiting for the tenth company, and to-day a number of the new men arrived in camp, and were quartered temporarily with the other companies. Of these, Booker R. Durnell and John W. Walker, were made welcome at the "Hall." 25. Came off of picket at 9:30 A. M. Found an express box in camp from home. It contained a great coat, an army blanket, a pair of boots, a lot of stationery, dried peaches, dried apples, green apples, canned peaches, two pair socks, apple butter and fifteen postage stamps. Now we will live like brigadiers while these supplies last. 27. Camp life has grown monotonous, but drill duties give it some variety. We are expecting to march soon, and are holding ourselves in readiness. We gave a supper at the Hall this evening. Our guests were Captain John Bowersock, Lieutenant George McCrea, Milton G. Doak, John Snyder, John H. Walker, Booker R. Durnell, R. H. Seely, Milton L. Stratton, Isaac Green and myself. Didn't we have a lively time? Distributed the mess fund, each receiving $5.82. 28. The Brigade marched early this morning in the direction of Ringgold. Took dinner near Chickamauga Creek, one and a half miles from Ringgold. Rested forty-five minutes, marched a mile down stream, crossed a bridge, passed through the town, and halted for the night half a mile south of town. Green, Stratton and I slept on a brush heap. 29. Breakfasted early, and at daybreak we about-faced, and returned to our Rossville camp at 2 P. M. The object of our trip was to ascertain the position and strength of the enemy south of Ringgold. 31. Lieutenant Swisher, who has been home on furlough, joined the regiment to-day. Deserters from the rebel army are coming in daily, in squads and singly. They give a doleful account of the situation in rebeldom. FEBRUARY, 1864. 3. Started to Jasper, Tenn., in company with John Cloud, Company A, to bring forward to the regiment some goods which I left there several months ago. These were four mess chests, a wall tent and a hospital tent fly. Procuring a pass of General Beatty, we reached Chattanooga the same evening, spending the night with friends in the camp of the Second Ohio. 4. Crossing the Tennessee on the swing ferry, we proceeded down right bank to Kelley's Landing, and spent the night at the house of one David McNab. The boys of the Third Ohio camped near the landing were having a dance at this house the same evening. And such a dance! 5. Cloud remained at the house of McNab, while the son, Alex., accompanied me with a team to Jasper. Reaching our destination, we loaded the baggage and started on our return. Reaching the house of a Mr. Starling, a brother-in-law of McNab, we spent the night. 6. Reached Kelley's Landing at 3 P. M., and placed our goods in a house on the bank of the Tennessee. Spent the night with McNab. He is a clever Union man, and has suffered much at rebel hands. 7. Ferried our baggage to the opposite side, pitched our tent on the sand near the river, and, procuring transportation papers of Captain L. S. Bell, of the Third Ohio, we waited for a boat. 8 At 9 P. M. last night the steamer Chattanooga touched at the landing, on her way up, and, hurrying our goods on board, we were soon moving on. Daylight found us but a short distance above the landing, and during the day we passed two places in the river which were difficult to navigate. At one of these a rope was thrown ashore, one end of which was carried up stream and fastened to a tree; the other end was fastened to a capsail on the bow of the boat. Then by means of lever power, the boat is wound up the stream. At the other, the more difficult of the two, there are constructed on shore above the suck, two windlasses or crabs, by means of which the boat was pulled through. She ran so near the bank on one side that I could have stepped off very easily. Reaching Chattanooga at 3 P. M. we stored our goods and proceeded to camp to find that the 113th had moved yesterday to Tyner, a distance of ten miles in an easterly direction. We find in the old camp a few men of the regiment who were left behind in charge of some things which could not be taken along with the troops when they marched. 10. All the men set out to join the command at Tyner. Riegel and I rode ahead and halted at the house of Mrs. Simpson, at Shallow Ford. They seemed pleased to see us. Reached our regiment at 3 P. M. Tyner is nine miles from Chattanooga, and is a small station on the East Tennessee and Georgia railroad. I find Green at work putting the finishing touches on a rail pen which is to be our quarters. Peter Baker, who was wounded at Chickamauga, and who returned to duty since I left on the third, is in the pen with the mumps. The situation is not inviting by any means, but is a little better than nothing. Tyner is in Hamilton county. II. The men are busy at their quarters. We raised ours higher and finished the chimney, but it is not as comfortable as Metropolitan Hall. We have to stand to arms of a morning one hour before daylight. This is a plan of discipline, but not a means of grace. Captain Nichols, Sergeant Grafton, E; William Brunk, H; H. B. Briley, G; and P. H. Whitehead, B; started to Ohio on special duty. 15. Somebody raided the sutler last night, and Sergeant Barber, of Company K and I, made an unsuccessful search for a clue to the thief. Have been in the service eighteen months, and to-day I start on the second half of my three years. 16. Picketed northeast of camp, the post being in charge of Lieutenant McCrea, of the 113th, and a lieutenant of the 78th Illinois. We suffered from cold, notwithstanding we burned all the rails within our reach. Troops are marching in great numbers in the direction of Knoxville. John H. Johnson, Henry McAlexander and James O. Kite were on duty with me. General John Beatty has resigned his commission, and will return to civil life. His farewell address is as follows: “HEADQUARTERS 2d BRIGADE, 2d DIVISION, 14th ARMY CORPS, "I desire to announce to you that nearly one month ago I tendered the resignation of my position in the army, and to-day have received official notice of its acceptance. I am, therefore, no longer your commander. In separating from the brigade with which I have been connected for the past four months, I desire to offer my sincere thanks to the officers and men for the numerous manifestations of kindness to myself, and for that soldierly conduct which has rendered my associations with them most agreeable. It is hardly necessary to refer to the reasons that have induced me to return to civil life. It may be proper, however, to say that I entered the army in April, 1861, have been through the working part of three years, and, in resigning my position, entertain, undiminished, that faith and confidence in the final triumph of the Union cause with which I first entered the army. "Lieutenant Colonel Carter Van Vleck, 78th Illinois Volunteers, assumes command. My acquaintance with his character as a soldier and a man satisfies me that I shall leave the management of the brigade in competent and faithful hands, and that you will have no cause to regret the change. Trusting the time will soon come when you can be permitted to return to your homes, and enjoy in peace the rewards to which your great sacrifices and your gallant conduct entitle you, I bid you farewell. JOHN BEATTY, Brigadier General," This announcement creates universal regret throughout the entire brigade. The General is held in great esteem by officers and men, and no one questions the motives that prompt him to retire to civil life. 17. Rockwell H. Seely, my messmate, received his discharge from the service to-day, and will soon be homeward bound. The grounds for his discharge are general debility and the total loss of his voice. The regiment received new shelter tents. The weather is disagreeably cold and a high wind prevails. 23. The division marched from Tyner at 5:15 P. M. going southerly. We packed all our effects and have an understanding that we are not to return. My load consisted of two woolen blankets, one rubber blanket, one great coat, one rubber coat, one pair trousers, one shirt, one pair drawers, two pairs socks, one piece of tent, haversack full of rations, gun and equipments. I was overloaded and will march lighter another time. Reached Ringgold, fourteen miles distant, at midnight. Halted in the suburbs of town and rested till morning. Company K, being unarmed, remained in camp. 24. Reveille sounded long before daylight, and preparing and eating a hasty breakfast, we awaited orders. Moved at 8 A. M. and took up a position in Thoroughfare Gap, a mile south of Ringgold. Here we formed in line near a bridge which crosses the Chickamauga. Some fighting can be heard in the direction of Tunnel Hill, eight miles further south. Lieutenant Colonel D. B. Warner, who has been absent for some time, joined the regiment. 25. Our brigade marched back to Ringgold and halted in the suburbs. The men demolished fences and outbuildings to procure lumber for temporary quarters. When the war is over the owners of the property thus despoiled will have plenty of leisure to rebuild it again. We leave a black mark wherever we go nowadays. Colonel Mitchell, who has been home on leave of absence, joined the regiment to-day. James O. Kite and I visited a widow in town, and bought a $10 bill C. S. money for $1 in Lincoln money. The husband of this woman was killed at Fort Donelson. Our forces engaged the enemy near Dalton, fifteen miles from here. Some of our wounded are being sent back this far. Company E went on picket north of town. 26. Major Sullivant surprised our picket post by riding up to us, unannounced, finding some of us asleep and without equipments on. He seemed displeased at it. Company B, Lieutenant John W. Kile, relieved us, and our company joined the regiment. Lieutenant Chas. Sinnet, 4th Battalion, Pioneer Brigade, is here. This is Catoosa County. |