MUM00226
Finding-Aid for the Reverend Jesse L. Henderson Civil War Diary, Coll (MUM00226)
J.D. Williams Library
Department of Archives and Special Collections
P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
Phone: 662.915.7408
Fax: 662.915.5734
E-Mail: archive@olemiss.edu
URL: https://www.olemiss.edu/depts/general_library/archives/
Access Restrictions
Use Restriction
J.L. Henderson Co. “A” 41
Regt. Miss. vols.
March the 1st 1864
Jesse L. Henderson
Co. “A” 41 Miss regt
Inlisted under L. Hodges
Capt at Talibinela Miss
By William Hodges and left
home on the 17 Oct
1861 went to Corinth
Miss from there to Iuka
and from there to Mobile
and from there to Pensacola
and from there after the evacu
ation to Verona Miss.
and formed Tuckers regt
the 41st Miss and the
regt went and joined
Braggs Army and have
been with ever since
If any person should
find this on me killed
or dead any where they will
please write to My Parents
at Talibinela Miss
and send this if there is
any chance To Calvin &
Eglintine Henderson.
January the 1st 1864
cold windy weather get
wood make fires & sit by
them. 2nd Co. “A” goes on picket
3rd releived from picket Come
in camps tiard and hungry
4th rained all day
5 cold and winty 6th
7. Capt Hodges & Capt Ball
started home on furlough
Eleck Johnson & myself cut
a load of wood
8th halled it up weather very cold
9 built a house for Col. Tucker
10th so cold that compeled to
stay in quarters and read wich
is very agreeable for a lazy
person
11. Bought me a bible rained
with sleet & snow
12. received a letter from [my] marg
January 13th 1864
13th Almon Stanford & myself,
went to the country to pastor
McRee’s and two or three other
places to borrow some books
but failed.
14th received a dispatch from
Mary. Eward Leason come to
see mee.
15th received a letter Miss
Finnie E.
16th cut up wood for sabath
17th Parson Porter preached
for brigade
18th went on picket
19th releived from guard
20th received a letter from Cousin
Joe & one from Cousin Mollie
21st get a pass go out to
Mr Frakers get some
book borrowed three and
returned and red them.
January
22nd C.C. Allen return from furlough
23rd drew a pair of pants
24th parson Porter preached in our
regiment.
25th Camps nothing turned up
26th John Moore & John Mcgill
started home on furlough.
27th Gen Johnston reviewed
brigade
28th I reinlisted for the war
at night ordered to cook up
three days rashens and be redy
to move a moments warning
29th Mustered in the [service] of
the Confederate states for the
[duering] the war
30 drew for furlough A K
Howell got the furlough
31st went on brigade inspe
ction
February 1864
1st went on guard around
the regiment
2nd Releived from guard
3rd Byrd Teale started home
on furlough
4th Match drill seveal Girls
out to look at us our Co got
beet by having fast judges —
partial rather.
5 went to cary books
home that I borrowed. got
acquianted with Miss Mollie
[Tucker]
6 Rainy & cold I read my
bible and and study about
the Girls that are far away
at home but I hope
to see them some day if
the war will ever come
to a close and the yankees
dont get me.
February
7th Capt Ball preached for [us]
8th 9th drill
10th Alarm given ordered to cook
up rashens. at night
11th Brigade inspection
12th Brigade review by Gen [Johnston]
13th Lay round in camps cook &
eat Bread for that is the
most we have and hardly
enough of that but I like
a good soldier [shouldnt]
grumble
14th went on picket rained
all day
15th Releived from picket
16 turned cold. the Yankees
reported in Miss at Interprise
and our army faling back.
before them how it greives me
to think they are permit[ed]
February
to just go where they
please without any inter-
ruption.
17 very cold and windy
18 ” ” ” Clear
20th went out in the country
to get some sewing done
21st Preaching in camps.
22nd My birth day twenty
Years old in the war and no
chance to get out until the
Yankees are whiped and
drove from our soil and
wouldent get out on any
other terms ordered to cook
up three days rashens and
be redy to move at a mo
ments warning
23rd about sun up the wagon
come after the cooking
February
utinsels about eleven oclock
the yankee Cavalry made
a dash in up on our pick
ets and drove them in captur[ed]
five of our men
and went back their loss
was three killed and five
wounded one Captured.
24th hear Cannon on the left
about tunnel hill the yankes
reported coming in heavy
force.
25th waked us up about two
hours before day and formed
on the color line and remained
until sun up when we were
ordered to go back about
four hundred yards
and formed the regt acros
the road & about 12 oclock
we move about half
February
back and received orders
to go futher up on the
left and releive the pickets
wich we did and then look
in for the yankees to com
every moment and one
of the boys said
that they were in sight
I wanted them to come
that evening so we [could]
give them a good whipen
but all the time the pick[ets]
were fighting on the left
of us and the pickets
that releived had a fight
with them that mourning
that night was a night
of prayer with me I
had to stand guard
four hours on post
that night with
February
out any fire and the
weather was very cold
but still I did not
mind all that it was
for a good cause
26th The yankees are all
gone none any where in
hearing we were releived
about twelve oclock and
went to the rear and
staid until next mourn
27th ing when we thought that
we would have to go
on a march somewhere
but we staid there all
day and night John Moore
28t returned to camps
returned back to our
Camps Went to the bath
house and washed good and
put on clean clothes and
now we feel good.
29th rained and turned cold
March 1864
1st Washed my clothes
2nd 3rd Fair & pleasant
4th Went to the 18th Ala
Regt to see my old [acquaintances]
but they were gone home
on Furloug Co A goes on
picket
5th Co A releived from picket
6th Sunday Col Bolding
started home on furlough
I sent two letters by him
one to My 25d491 and one
to Pa
7th Drill in the mourning went
out in the evening to shoot
at target and it commen[ced]
raining so we had to go
back to quarters
March 1864
8th shot six shoots at target
I bursted [tube] out of my
gun while shooting Gen
Johnston come round and
asked [us] if our Gun was
all [infield] rifles and we
told him they was and he
told us that we ought to
hit the target oftener and
rode off
9th Company drill in the
mourning and brigade drill
in the evening. rained at night
10 Col Tucker returned retur
ned to camps from home on
furlough he was in the
fight at Okolona and
from there to Pontotoc
told us all about it but
could not tell me any
thing about home [folk]
March 1864
11th Gen Hood review our
brigade
12 Lay round in camps
13 Sunday went on picket
14th Releived from picket
[Received 1 62tt29 fr47
N9 d196389 Oh4 h4w p945d
I was t4 h202 48c2 m4a2
B89d L2162 r2t598201 t4c17p
f947 h472 48 fu9c4 5gh b945
-ght 72 tw4 letters one from
home and one from S9 A199
that t46d M2 s412] of the
perticulars about what
the Yankees done when
they were in there.
Preaching in camps at night
by Capt Ball Col Tucker
promoted to Brigadear Gen
and after preaching the [band]
of the ninth Miss [sureneded] him
he delivered a [Fortpece]
March
16 Corps Drill and after
the drill went through the form
of a fight all loaded our Gun
and fired one round
17th Lieut Cullens returned
to camps after being at home
on furlough received another
Letter from J4d32
18th [Our detail] to go to
town after rashens I will
tel the rest when I [s]22J43
19th Co drill in mourning
after drill went to the
Bath house and washed —
and put on clean clothes
and at night we had
preaching in camps Col
Ball preached. had a very
good meeting. the Mason[s]
met at a lodge near
hear.
March 1864
20th Sunday mourning [was]
on brigade inspection and after
inspection went [Met Cap]
Ball preached again and
after preaching had Rabbit
pie for dinner and din
ner is over I take my pen
to write some in my diary
and when I quit I must
read my bible for it will
soon be time for preaching
but O how I would rather
be at home to day to
enjoy the pleasure of a quiet
home with kind friends who
I have enjoyed many peace
ful hours and what is the
sense of all this I anser
sin we have all sined
and come short of the glory
[of God the Lord make me]
March 1864
to live more humble that
we may inherit a peaceful
rest after we are done with
vail of tears and Oh: Lord
that I may live more devoted
to thy cause and that I may
do something for the advance
ment of thy kingdom. O Lord
well we have had preaching
this evening by Reverent
Mafloid and after preaching
I take my pen in hand to
write to Cousin [S191h
G1992tt] and at night Rev
Mr Mccain [preaches] his text
will be found. Rev 22: 14:15
turned very cold after preaching
come back to my hut
warmed my self and
went to Pallet as [some say]
March 1864
21st Got up in the mourn
ing get breakfast very
cold and windy had Corn
Bread for Breakfast
write a letter to my sweet
heart. and Mitchell Jackson
got dinner beef and bred
Oh: that I knew that I
could al ways get bread
when I wanted it but
they are all ways provision
made for the people of God
how near I should live
to God and his [cause] how
unworthy I am a sinful
wretch hear below who
are doomed to eat bread
by the sweat of my brow
and then grumble at
toil and pain
March 1864
I don’t go they will wallow
me in the snow — and
we all fell in ranks are
a greate many at least
went over and demand
ed a surrender but said
they would not and we
charged on them and we
fought a while and we
quit because they were
two many getting hurt so
we quit and went back
to our quarters and got
after some of the boys
and made them treat to
Goobers and we wallowed
some of them in the snow
and that ended that days
work only I bought a [quart]
of Ground peas from [Eleok]
March 1864
Wednesday the 23rd got
up in the mourning every
thing bright and clear
I got up made a fire [cook]
breakfast Bread & bacon
and the sun rise so
butiful and the snow
is bright and the [thought]
passed thoug my mind
what a delightful place
heaven is just to look
[out] over this world
how beutiful every thing
looks and then with the eye
of faith behold what a
place heaven is the place
where God has built for
them that love him and
then look as it were
in to heaven and see it
just as glorious as we can im
March 1864
agine it then read what the
bible says,. “Eye hasth not seen
neither ear heard [neither]
has it intered [tin] the heart
of man to [conceive] the things
that God has prepared for
them that love him” and then
how near we should live to
our post of duty and watch
and pray every day that we
may enjoy the glories of [another]
world wish is prepared for us
that love him. & if we
love him we love his [people]
and if we love his people we
love him. After dinner we
drew whiskey I gave mine
to one of the boys and some
of them got a little [funny]
such snow balling I saw
and riped around until [night]
March the 24 1864
Thursday bright and
cleer Co. Drill in the
mourning & in the evening
Match drill Co A” against
Co. “B” Co “A” beet sligh
tly at one end as the [les
lazing] is after dril
cloudying up some pros
pects of rain the snow
all gone
Friday the 25th awaked
before day the Ground cover
with snow after break
fast I went out [trying]
to catch [a] rabbit the
snow had melted two
much to catch up with
them by tracking them
in the snow so I had
to quit trying and
went back to camps
March 1864
and taken my bible and
read some after I got
tiard of reading I writen
a letter to Brother [Mike]
the snow all melted off
drew rations part of
the Co. went on picket
saturday the 26th the rest
Co. A went on picket and
releive the part of the
Co that was out at night
preaching by parson porter
Sunday the 27 Co [A realive]
from picket brigade in
spection. Preaching in
Camps by Capt Ball takes
first [Pslam] for text
at two/2 o’clock preaching
by
March the 28
Monday Company drill
in the mourning rained
in the evening. Lt [Rand]
returned to camp
Tuesday March the 29
in the mourning turned
cold. Writen to Cousin
Sarah Merks & Cousin
[Adalrenstce] Nobles and received
a letter from Cousin
Larence
Wednesday 30th
Very cold in the mourning
and snowed a little in the
mourning brigade drill
in the evening dres parade
March 1864
Thursday the 31 Co
drill in the mourning
dresparade in the evening
Meeting at night Parson
Porter preached Capt [Bia]
April the 1, 1864
Friday cold and rainy
[W93t28 t4 73ss M276632 St2w=
19t, M46632 H19748s.
C4Sd 18d wr38d9] dresparade
in the evening
April 1864
Sunday 3rd Brigade
inspection Preaching by
Major Ball in the evening
[Maloird] preached and
at night Parson porter
the Mourning Baptis
ing nine baptized
Tuesday 5th went over to
the 18th Ala to
se Pompy Season and
Jim Durrett Capt Ball
started home on furlough
sent a letter t4 61
Wednesday 6th went on
picket on the Cleveland
road
April 1864
Thursday 7th releived from
picket Calvin [Bolding]
[&] Tom Price returned from
home on furlough [brught
62 1 62 tt29 fA4r 79 d19
638g. Rev Dr Teisdel preached
Friday the 8th
[Fast] day prayer meeting
in the brigade rainy &
cold
Saturday 9th
Cleer & warm no drill
Sunday 10th
Brigade in spection after
preaching in the mourning
& [evening] Dresparade order
red out to have five me to
be shot for deserting and
only being gone two days
Parson Teisdel preached at night
April 1864
Munday 11 Cleer and
warm Battalion drill
in the evening preaching
at night.
Tuesday 12 —
Rained all day
Wednesday 13th
Match drill in the morning
Between Cos A, & C. Co A beat — brigade drill
in the evening Preaching
at night
Thursday 14th
Co. Drill in the [mourning]
brigade drill in the evening
Friday 15
Division review
Saturday 16th
Clean up guns and [pre
pare] for in spection
April 1864
Sunday the 17th
Brigade inspection Preaching
by Rev Mr Turner.
after preaching held commun
ion . then in the evening
at three oclock we met at
the creek and the [ordnan
ce] of Baptism was administer
=ed to nineteen new converts
it was a glorious seen.
Munday 18th
started to go on gen review
but the order was counter–
manded. rained in the evening
Tuesday 19th
Army reviews went to [court]
Preacing at night.
Wednesday 20th
Brigade drill & Baptising
in the evening and a short
sermon at the [watter side]
April 1864
Thursday 21
Co drill in the morning
Battallion drill in the
evening rainy late in
the evening.
Friday 22
Brigade drill in the
evening Preaching at night
16 joined the church.
Sunday 24th
Raining in the mourning
preaching in the [illegible]
at night six [sprinkled]
and preachin by rev
Mr Henderson.
Munday 25th
Cleer & warm no drill
Preaching at night.
April 1864
Tuesday 26th
Battalion dril in the evening
[Dears] brigade moved out in
front of ours. Preaching [Teisdel]
Wednesday 27
Cleer and very warm [Battel]
dril received a letter from Cousin Joe Holloway answered
it & [w94t2 482 t4, T9, r192]
Thursday 28th
Usual drill. Preaching
at night.
Friday 29th
Drill as before. Preaching
at night
Saturday 30th
Wash day nothing done
in the way of Labor [Meeting]
at night as [usual].
April 1864 (May?)
Sunday the 1st
Preaching in the mourning
Baptising in the evening
Eighty three (83) baptised
Dr Teisdel preached at the
the water.
Monday 2nd Usual drill
Preaching as usual at
night.
Tuesday 3rd Drill &
Preaching as before
Baptising at night
Wednesday 4th Drill in
the mourning. Orders come
about One oclocko to get
redy to move at a moments
warning wagons come to get
cooking utinsels formed on
the color line order counter
manded Preaching. as usual
April 1864 (May?)
Thursday 5th
News come the enemy ad
vancing I went on picket
orders come to move out
to the Breast works the
command went out in
the night
Friday 6th
Releived from picket &
went to the breast works
about 4 miles very near
tiard me down received &
letter from Miss L.J.J.
Mitchel Jackson and my
self built us a shelter
Saturday 7th
Ordered in the breast works
Enemy advancing on the Ring
-old road & Scirmishing in
front.
April 1864 (May?)
Sunday the 8th
Heavy scirmishing on the
left all day
Monday the 9th
Fortifying potato ridge
Scirmishing on the left and
front James M. Jackson woun
ded in the elbow slightly by
a spent ball
Tuesday the 10th
heavy scirmishing all day
at night about 2 oclock
ordered to move and to keep
very silent that we did not
have any person between us
and the enemy we were all
most scard out of our
wits for we thought that we
would not get away before
day & the enemy would
be right on us for we thou
ght that we was retreating
but after we started and
got about a mile we
found out better then we
heard that the yankees
had got two our rear and
was about to take [Resasa]
and we marched about
fifteen miles and then ordered
to move back the Yankees
gone back so we started
back to Dalton went about
a mile or two then they told
us that when we got to the
rail road that we could
ride that the train was waiting
for us so we pushed on to
the rail road & [Theaethdles]
brigade got on the train
April 1864 (May?)
and went to Dalton &
left us to wait for the train
but train after train [passed]
but none come for us so
we waited all night
after night a while they come
up a storm and like to drou
ned us all and some of the
boys lay down on the ground
and taken it all and the
water run under [them] and
we staid there until mour
ning Wednesday 11th
About sun up we started
to Dalton went up about
two miles and were ordered
back to take the cars & went
about two miles
this side drew whiskey then
went to the depot and such
hollowing I never heard
but after we got to
the depot the orders was
countermanded so we went
out in the woods east of
[town] & staid all night
drew two day rations
Next mourning early we
Thursday the 12th
started to the front again
when we were ordered
back went back to town
taken an other road and
went about nine miles
north of Dalton and the
Yankees were in a small
force up there & Wheelers Cav
run them back a few
miles and our brigade followed
on a while and then we started
back to Dalton and marched
two miles the other side &
when when we was passing
through town we found that
they were evacuating the town so
we stoped and drew one days rations
and rested a few hours
and started for Resaca &
marched about six miles &
stoped about day light so
we stoped and went to sleep
Friday 13th
About 12[th] O’clock we started
for [Resaca] again & went
within about two miles
of Resaca & formed line of
battle then moved
about two miles to the left
remained all night
Saturday 14
Moved about a half Mile
to the left then commenced
fortifying Walthalls brigade
was in front of us & about
Eleven o’clock the enemy
charged our works drove back
[hansomly] with out our brig
be engaged Gen Tucker wounde
d in the arm sevearly one
hundred & one of our brigade
wounded & killed two or three
of our regt
killed 20 or 30 wounded [worked]
on the breast works all night
Sunday [15th]
next day heavy scirmishing on
our part of the line & the
enemy shell all day wound
ing several of our boys. orders
come about our by sun that
Deas brigade was going to
charge the enemy & for us to
move up to the right but
that order was suspended
and about dark orders come
to move and one of Walthals
Deserted to the enemy & I
suppose told them that we
we were going to leive and
a soon as we started they
charged our pickets and
drove them in then they
was an other scard set
if the ever was one and
the [worst] confused I ever
saw but we went on throu
gh town and I taken [Alac]
Johnson Canteen and went
on a head after some water
and I come across some
Boxes of hard bread & & [filled]
my haversack and went
on and got the water &
waited until the [command]
come up & we crossed the
river & pushed on [until]
nearly day when we [stoped]
Monday the 16th
Marched untel about four miles
and put up untel night
Tuesday 17th
Taken up line of mach &
marched untel late in the
evening got in the neigh
borhood of Adairsville &
remained all night
Wednesday 18th
Marched to a little town
called Cassville and remained
there untel all night went
to see Cousin Joe Hollaway
Thursday the 19th
The enemy advancing moved
over on the right & formed
line of battle [then was] with
drawn from that place & then
Gen Johnston sent round &
May 1864
circular that he was going
to stop retreating & turn to
meet the [advancing] Colums of
the enemy then we formed a
line of battle in rear of
Cassville and about three
oclock in the evening the
enemy commenced running our
pickets in and come up very
close brought up some battery
in position and shelled us
powerful killing [two] &
wound several. none of our
Co. & after night we com
menced building breast works
& worked untel about
midnight when we got
orders to move wich we
did without making any
fuss the enemy flanking [on] the left
May 1864
Friday the 20th
Marched about seven miles
& crosed the river & went into
camp
Saturday 21st
Lay in Camps writen some
letters to send of by Mr. Martai[n]
some of the 1st Miss Co come
over to see us
Sunday 22nd
Went over to see Cousin Joe
Hollaway & several other boy
that I knew in Ala.
Monday 23rd
Moved to a new camp about
two miles east of the first
Tuesday 24th
Jame Burgess taken our clothes
out in the country to get them
washed, and a croud of us went
May 1864
to the creek to wash orders
come soon after we got down
there couries come to let us
know that we had [orders to]
move & we (illegible) back as
fast as we could we got
there in time but our chothes
was left we left one boy
who [stayed] to [wait]
for him and bring them
when he came Then we
marched (illegible) for
eight miles (illegible) towards
Dallase & (illegible)
next [Monday before day]
(illegible)
We started (illegible)
marched(illegible)
and stoped (illegible)
newhope & formed line of
May 1864
battle & drill all the [evening]
moving back backwards & [forwards]
all the evening untel about
two hours by sun when we
got still then soon afterward
they attacked our line in
in front of the church with several
lines of battle but was
repulsed every time untel dark
when they with drew their
forses and about dark
they come very heavy rain
& we staid there untel about
mid night when [Lowerings]
division taken our place
and we moved up in [front]
of the church & staid untel
mourning & (the following is crossed through:)
staid there untel (illegible) 12 O’clock when we
May 1864
Thursday 26th
Fromed in rear of Stewarts [Div]
pickets fighting in front ours
run in Twelve o’clock moved
two miles to the right built
breast works. and got them
about finished by night
orders for one third of the
be to remain [awaken].
Friday 27
Around about day light
orders to get redy to move
sharp shooters fighting in our
front now & then a shell
would come over. heavy
cannonading all along the
line all the evening Cleburne
Div engaged the enemy on
our right drove
them back with great
May 1864
slaughter and fought untel
late in the night. [Lowering div]
taken our place
Saturday 28th
Move off towards the right
and [marched] untel about
twelve oclock makeing & O
coming back we moved out
and stoped in the woods
and rested untel next mou
rning
Sunday the 29th
Orders come about three
P.M. to get redy to move
wich we did and went
abot three miles to the
breast works taken the
place of Cleburne’s Div.
as it was sunday I
did not want to do any
unnecessary work and we had
May 1864
very good breast works but
nothing would do but
we must make them better
so they made details of
the Co & 4 to work at
a time so we made them
very good orders come for
one third of the men to re
main a wake at night wich
we did Heavy scirmishing all along
the line [all] night & [cannonading]
Monday the 30th
As soon as day light come
I lay down & went to sleep for
I had to stay a wake all
night for we were expecting
to be attacked Heavy scirm
ishing all day along the line
and the bullets would [come
over] us once & ana while
[as some a e if the] had
May 1864
no eyes but very [seldom]
they would any person get
hurt but now and then some
person would get hit &
some time killed in the eve
ning our Co & three others
detailed to to go on picket
next mourning one third of
us had to stay awake at
night as usual
Tuesday 31st
[Our] Co did not have to
go on picket taken a [detail]
form the 44 Miss to releive
them about nine o’clock
our pickets drove the enemy
pickets in the sharp shooters
was sent out to assist them
our loss was very heavy in [woun]
ded the sharp shooters [lost]
May 1864
all their officers but the [Major]
Major Ball had a bal shot
through the top of hat he
was all of our regt that was engaged
at night one third had to sit
up as usual.
June the 1st 1864
Wednesday
All quiet along the line,
drew one days rations of
meat & bread wich is all
we have ever got since [we]
have been on this campaign,
without it was a little Coffee,
but we have plenty in the [,]
Evening I went over to
Stewarts Div to see Cousin
Joe and while I was gone
the Brigade got orders to
move but the orders was
June 1864
suspended so we did not
move, at night order for
one fourth of the Com. to
remain awake and, & I
heard singing down under
the hill about where Co “B”
was in the rear of the line.
I went down and about the
time I got there they engeged
in prayer Major Ball led.
As soon as prayer was over
I went back to the Com
lay down to go to sleep and
about that time we had to
go on picket & when we
got out there we had to
sit up all night & I had
to go out to the front as
[videt] to watch and if I
saw the enemy coming to
June 1864
report it to the pickets in
rear and about Mid night
the was a fellow taken my
place but I could not go to
sleep for it was against orders
Thursday 2nd
James F. Edens & my slef went
in to a rifle pit to our selves
wich was dug a purpose for
the pickets and after day
light we was allowed to sleep
while the others watched and
we [stayed] there untel [about]
twelve oclock when they come
up a rain and liked to drown
us all and filled up our pit
half ful of water and I had
to throw it out with a tin
cup but it did not take
long and then put some
June 1864
rocks & leaves so that we
could sit down without geting
in the mud for we was dirty
enough without geting any
worse for we had to lay round
in the dirt untel we looked like
a clay bank. and about
eight o’clock we were releived
& went back to the works
and went to sleep on the
wet ground.
Friday 3rd
slept untel about nine oclo
ck got up eat my break
fast & taken my clothes out
of my knap sack & they were
wet and mudy as they could
be, Writen a letter to Miss
Y.C.J. In the evening come
up a rain.
June 1864
Saturday 4th
Lay around in the breast
works all day now and
then some firing a long the
line Yankees taken down
thier tent in front of our
breast works so we remained
untel night every fellow [expect]
ing to leave at nigt though
we had no orders but when
night come orders for [one]
third of the command to
stay awake, & the rain
faling without seasing all
the evening night come & still
raining though we were very
comfortably situated all
had good shelters made of
bark and boards & some had
thier Blankets streatched
June 1864
and sure enough about ten
o’clock the adjutant come round
to tell us all to get redy to
move I was lying under
my shelter wel fixed so I din
not do any thing towards getting
redy & then it wasent very
long untel we had orders to
fallin wich we did. & moved
off along the breast works
towards the right wich we
thought that we was going
to the right through mud &
water & rain and had to
wade the mud nearly knee deep
for we could not see how to
get out of it & we marched
on untel nearly day and stoped
on the side of road & waited
untell day light when we were
about two or three miles from
where we started from
June 1864
Sunday the 5th
We marched on towards
[Mariettas] untel about
ten oclock when we
stoped and formed a line
in the woods & I lay down
to rest & went to sleep
and about the time I got
to sleep good James Edens
come & awoke me up and
told me he had a letter for
me Wich I was glad to
receive for I had not got one in
so long time that I did not know how to behave my
self. We lay around there
untel late in the evening.
Then we move a few
houndred yarde to rear of
where we was on a hill
June 1864
& commenced building
breast works and we went
work as hard as we could
and about night part
of our regt had to go on
picket and they left a detail
from each Co. to work on
the breast works then
part of our Co had to
go before thier time & I
was one among the rest
that had to go & it was
after dark before we started
and we went through the
worst woods I most ever
saw but we got there after
a while & posted the picket
and part of did not have
to go on post, and we went
to sleep and slept untel [day.]
June 1864
Monday 6th
Moved about there on picket
as day untel late in the
evening. Rained in the evening
but not very heavy and a-
-bout half of an hour by sun
the releif come & taken our
place. & then we moved back
to the breast fixed a pallet
and & shelter over it by [stres]
ching a blanket, then lay
down & went to sleep & slept
untel day.
Tuesday 7th
Finished our break works [writen]
a letter in answer to the
one that I got on sunday
[Aleck] Johnson went after
some boards & built a [shelter]
to stay under, In the evening rain
June 1864
Wednesday 8th
About sun up got orders
to move to the right within
three miles of Matietta
formed a line on a hill side
but they would not let us
fortify there rained in the
evening
Thursday 9th
Moved to the right about
a half a mile the enemy
advancing in our front.
Rained as usual at night
built breast works.
Friday 10th
Work on the breast work all
day. heavy scirmishing in
front
June 1864
Saturday 11th
Work on the breast works
put brush in front to
check the enemy in the
Evening half of the regt went
on picket rained in the evening
Sunday 12th
Rained all day. In the even-
-ing the other half of the regt
went on picket all [to some]
of our Co that went on
before thier time before &
I was one that was left
that time & you may [depend]
I was proud but about
ten oclock they sent back
for the rest of us and it
was raining all the while
but I went to the Capt &
got him to let me off.
June 1864
Monday 13th
Still raining & continued
untel late in the evening
when it [ceised] & faired off
The mail come in [late] in the
evening I taken the
letter for our Co out to them
and I could see the yank
[running] out in front of the
breast works after [dew
burning]. After night our
regt was releived.
Tuesday 14th
We were releived from the
front line by [Featherstons]
Brigade & went about
two miles to the rear to [biv-
-ouack] & rested there that
evening.
June 1864
Wednesday 15th
about one o’clock to [illegible]
& we went out on the front
line again only a little
futher to the right built
new breast works. [J MJ]
come to the wagon from
the hospital
Thursday 16th
Mitchel Jackson come to
the regt work on the breast
works
Friday 17th
Not any thing done today
untel late in the evening,
orders come to move to sup
port Hardee provided the eni
my should attack him wich
was expected about night
went on picket
June 1864
Saturday 18th
About two hours before day we got
orders to go back to the breast
works, wich we did and about
that time it commenced
raining we staid there a few
minutes and stared towards
the left and got down on
the left of Hardees Corps & it
still raining & about the time
we got there they attacked our
pickets and tried to drive them
in and failed but they still
kept up a heavy picket fire
all day cannonading very heavy
and in the evening we started
back to the right again/illegible
raining) formed a new line about
two miles in rear of the old
line commenced building
June 1864
New breast works and about
ten o’clock we got orders to
move we marched nearly all
night & raining most of
the time. but They let us
stop just a little while
before day we spread down
our blankets & lay down&
went to sleep
Sunday 19th
Awoke about nine oclock
got up eat breakfast [str
eathed] our blankets [fixed]
for another rain wich soon
come & very hard at that
and continued to rain until
late in the evening when it
[sceised] & then we got orders to
move [went] out on the line & commen
ced fortifying and had some of [the
regt had work all night]
June 1864
Monday 20th
Worked on the fortification all day
untel late in the evening got
orders to move to the left marched
out through Marietta & went
about 2 ½ miles and stoped
for the night. rained some in the
evening
Tuesday the 21st
Remained at the same place
untel in the evening our
brigade ordered to move went
about a half mile on [picket]
stoped neer a church. sent the 10th Miss Regt on [picket]
Wednesday 22nd
Laying round in the mourning.
We assembled in the church
to hear Major Ball preach
but after singing & prayer
orders come to move but the
Major told his text before
dismising us it is one that
I never will forget nor the
day for it was an awful
time. [I] will give his text
“Therefore be ye also redy for
in such an hour as ye
think not the son of Man
cometh” Matt 24:44.
Then we move out to the
front fromed a line & a div*
on our right was [turning]
round and we were to keep
connected with right to
prevent a flank movement
by the enemy. and while we
was moving we were under
a desperate fire from the
enemies batterys for about
* Wich was Stepenson
among the rest was Major
Ball I suppose not [serrous]
one killed in the regt. we
stoped under cover of a little
hill untel night but
Stepenson did not accomplis[h]
what he entended to I dont
thin after night we
moved back about a half
a mile formed a line of battle
Thursday 23rd
Built breast works untel
late in the evening part
of our regt had to go on
picket our Co included
went out posted the picket
at night I was detailed to
go on videt [post] and went
[and went out about three hundred yards
to the front]
June 1864
Friday the 24th
I was releived from videt
lay round all day untel late
in the evening [advaced] the
picket [line] releived about
eleven oclock in the night
went back to the breast
works
Saturday 25th
Orders come to move about
two hours before day move
about two miles to the
left to build breast work
& threw up work for our
brigade
Sunday 26th
As it was Sunday we did
not do any work drew
some clothing in the evenig
June 1864
Monday 27th
As soon as I got up in
the mourning I went down to the
branch and washed my shirt
and put on clean clothes
heavy firing on our right
wich wich is reported
a general engagement
Tuesday 28
All quiet along the lines
no fighting at all that
can be heard from [where]
we are – the first mourning
it has been so quiet in
a long time
Wednesday 2[9]
Still quiet [Hear] a few
picket guns along the line
in the evening my part of
our regt have to go on [picket]
June 1864
Thursday 30
On picket all day scirmishing
along the line on our right
rained in the evening the other
half of our regt releived us
Friday July the 1st
Heavy cannonading in the
evening. preaching in camps
by Mr Butt work on
the breast works [all]
Saturday 2nd
night about day light
the enemy commenced
Shelling our line & I
never heard as heavy in
life all our wagons order
ed off every thing out of
Marietta about dark
got orders to be redy
to move about midnight
we started and marched
July 1864
about four miles and formed
a new line
Sunday 3rd
worked on breast works
all day
Monday the 4th
still at work on the breast
works cuting down timber
and building rifle pits
for the pickets at night
got orders to move and
started about midnight
[towards] the river
Tuesday the 5th
formed a line on the [same]
side of the river and went
to building breast works
went out in front and [gath
red] as many berries [as I wanted]
Tommie Stewart come
July 1864
come to see me in the eve
ning the regt went on pick
but I was lucky enough
not to go my self. the
Yankees advanced in our
front threw some shell
at a fort on our right
[hurt] some few but [none]
very bad
Wednesday 6th
The Yankees commenced
shelling us early and con
tinued all day we lay in
the breast works very
close all day.
Thursday 7th
Lay in [dockes] all day heavy
cannonading in the evening
about dark [false alarm]
at night
July 1864
Friday 8th & Saturday 9th
All quiet along the lines
to day we have to lay very
close in breast works
on the account of the
sharp shooters firing at
us if we stir about
much.
Sunday 10th
Last night about dark
we got orders to be redy to
move that we was going to be
releived & going back to the
rear to rest wich we did
but no person taken our
plases but the enemy we
crosed the river about midnight
and marched with in four
miles of Atlanta staid there all
day rained in the evening
July 1864
Monday 11th
About Midnight last night
we got orders to get redy
to move down to the river
to go on picket on the river
about four miles we march
down there at quick time
and releived a brigade that
was there and when daylight
come we made a compromise
with the Yankees not to shoot
at each other but some
on our left did not agree
but we did not much
care we wanted to shoot
at them any how and we
had a right smart of [fun]
shooting at each other
we got one fellow wound[ed]
in the head and one eye
July 1864
shot out in the regt and
one down on our right
got his left thumb &
fore finger shot off rained
in the evening.
Tuesday 12th
Just before day the Releif come
to take our places
& we marched back were
we was on sunday and stoped
and stacked arms in the
road & drew ration & went
to the creek & washed & when
I come back they was a letter
for me from Jack.
Rained in the evening
Wednesday 13th
Preaching in camps
all quiet along the line
the line good news from [red]
July 1864
Thursday 14th
Preaching in camps
by Parson Vanhoos
Baptizing in the evening
23 baptised rained
at night
Friday the 15th
No Movement on [hand]
Very warm & showers
though the day went
to the Malitia Camp
bought a bottle of [*]
five dollars Gen Bragg
come round to see us
& made a short
speach the boys all
cheered him [so] that
we could not here
our selves hardly
Prayer Meeting at night
July 1864
Saturday the 16th
No Movements in camps
worth any thing this
Mourning. Orders to clean
up gun for inspection
Preaching in the evening
in Walthall’s Brigade
Went down to the
creek & washed come back
and write in my diary
& Pack up my knap sack
Prepare for sunday but
no telling what sabbath
mourning will tel for us
I may be in eternity
I may be gone the way
of all the world. but O
Lord let me go when
I will give me that in
surance that I may reach
July 1864
that blissful where
the wicked seace from
troubling & the weary is at
rest I wunder what
my loved ones at home
are doing this pleasant
evening I wunder have
the envading foe been [there]
at all there depredation
but I dont know what
they are doing nor how
they are geting on but
I put my trust in
God and My loved friends
in his charge.
Prayer meeting at night
Sunday the 17th
Orders for inspection
Our regt enspected
July 1864
by Gen Brown after in
spection the signal sound
ed for Preaching after
singing a hymn orders
come to be redy to move
in 20 minuets wich we
did and then the order
was suspended untel in
the evening when we marched
about two miles towards
the right and went into
camps heard that Forest
had give the yankees & other
[whipen] in Miss [reports]
that the yankees crosed the
river twenty miles above
and that they are in
Taledega
July 1864
Monday the 18th
Gen Johnston [superseeded]
by Gen Hood a great deal
of dissatisfaction on the
account of it writen a
letter to Miss J.E. J[illegible]
the Regt agreed to give the
[poor] of Atlanta one days
[of] their Rations. &
great many rumers [in]
Camps
Tuesday 19th
Last night we got orders
to move & went to the
right about five [miles]
& Lay down & went to
sleep in the edge of & ole
field & this mourning we
moved about a quarter
to the right & formed
July 1864
a line I was detailed
to go after tools & we built
breast works & I went
in the evening to an apple
Orchard & got some apples
& as soon as I got back
we got orders to move &
we went about three miles
to the right formed an other
line & lay down & remained
all night. the [Enemy burned]
Decater
Wednesday 20
About sun up got orders
to build breast works
and we commenced to build
ing about ten oclock we
got orders to quit work
to move which we did
to the right then back to the
July 1864
same place the to the [right]
right again & built more
works & move [round] and
formed in the same works
a gain Slight scirmish
ing in front one man
Mortaly [wounded] in the breast
Thursday 21
Lay round in our works
all day scirmishing in
front move an then [a]
shell or two would be
thrown over towards
Atlanta at night [moved]
back about a mile to
the breast works around
town Friday the 22nd
fixed up our works &
in the evening can
nonading was very heavy
I went down to a
branch to wash my
clothes & while I was
there orders come to be
redy to move & I got
back as quick as posible
& put on my [wet clothes]
wet & went back to the
breast works and had
been there a short time
when Col Sharp the
Brigade Commander come
riding round and told us to get [redy]
to move out and we [moved]
out by the right flank
& formed in rear of
[Managault’s Brigade] as
soon as we got formed they were
ordered forward and we were to
July 1864
support them & we mar
ched on through the woods
& over the hills for about
a mile when we caled a
halt & the brigade in
front brought a yell &
that drew the shell of the
enemy but they marched
and we kept within
two hundred yards of
them and they went up
close to the works & fell
back & we marched on
through them & when we
got up in sight of the
Yankees raised a yell
an charged them with su
ccess & drove the Yankees
out capturing a great
many prisoners & several
July 1864
peices of artilery and then
after searching thier knap
sacks we fell back to the
woods and & then we went
back to the breast works
but had to fal back
be cause the enemy was
flanking on the left & fell
back to our old position
lost Eight wounded & one Captured & two [missing]
Saturday the 23
All quiet & along the line
today sent the wounded
off to the Hospital
Sunday 24
Picket fighting as
usual
Monday 25
Went on picket in the [evening]
July 1864
Tuesday 26th
Nothing more than [usual]
Releived from picket in
the evening
Wednesday 27
Ordered in rear of the
of the ditches in a hallow
[Pvt] J.M. Rand wou
nded by a shell Cle
burnes Div releived [mov
ed] out to the left of the
line the enemy left
Hardees front on the
right
Thursday 28th
Moved out into some
woods to bivouack but
we werent more than
stoped untel we were order
ed to the right or
July 1864
front & formed line &
marched to the front on
the enemy about a half
a mile we charged them
but in vain & had to
give back on the accout
of the right not coming
when we made several
unsuccesful charges
& we lost our Capt
killed two men woun
ded.
Friday the 29th
Moved out formed
a line in rear of the
battle ground & built
breast works
Saturday 30th
Moved to right & built
[more] works
July 1864
Sunday 31st
Moved back to the right
August 1864
Monday 1st
Moved to the left & then
to the right the regt went
on picket recived a letter
Tuesday the 2nd
Remined all day had
a very lively time pick
et fighting relived at
night. Wednesday 3rd
Writen Letters to send
home by F.E. Johnson
Went down to Ghol
stons command
the Yankees drove
in the pickets on our right
August 1864
Thursday 4th
F.E. Johnson started
home our regt sent
out to support the pickets
lost two killed [& wounded]
Friday 5
Very quiet all day part
of the regt went on [picket]
Saturday 6th
Picket fighting as usual
Rained in the evening
Sunday 7th
Nothing more than usual
George Davis come over
to see me. rain.
Monday 8th
Writen a Letter to J.E.J
Built a Traverse to pre
vent cross fire heavy
cannonading in the evening
[regt went on picket] rain
August 1864
Tuesday 9th
On picket [the] Yankees
[fireing] all the time & [would]
not allow us to move
without shooting at
us but did not do
much damage wound
three releved about
dark the brigade [sent]
out to work on the
[picket] post at [night]
[no rain in the evening]
recived notice that [sugg
was near]
Wednesday 10th
Yankee[s] shell us nearly all
day our Batterries reply
vigerously. one man killed
onw [wounded] writen to
Mrs [Nasen] conserning
Hughs death.
August 1864
Thursday 11th
Written a letter to Miss
Sallie R.
Nothing transpired more
than usual Only we
had a nice shower
our regt go on picket
Friday 12
On picket all day
releived at night
Saturday 13th
Everything as usual only
a great deal of shelling all
day. Sunday 14th
Shelling as usual
Monday 15th
Not as Much shelling
as generaly are
Tuesday 16th
Very Calm today
August 1864
Wednesday the 17th
Not any fireing on
the line today our regt
went on picket
Thursday the 18
Heavy picket firing
& Cannonading all day
three men killed out
of our regt on picket
One wouned the three
was killed with one
she;;. releived from
picket at night
Friday 19th
All quiet to day
Saturday 20th
The Yankees reported
in our rear. but our
Cavalry after. part
of the regt on picket our Co
August 1864
Sunday the 21st
On picket all day rain
ed often on all day relived
at night regt moved
to the right
Monday 22nd
Built a fort to stay in
Pink Stanford wound
ed Tuesday 23rd
Very quiet to day part of our
Co went on picket
I did not have to go
received three Letters one
from home one from Mr
Edens & one from Miss
Jodie E.
Wednesday the 24th
Nothing moe than usual
part of the Co gone on
picket, I with the rest.
August 1864
Thursday 25
On picket all day
enjoyed my self very
well the Yankees could
not shoot at [mee.]
for we were behind [some]
woods from them. relived
at night.
Friday 26th
Yankees left on the
right reported massng
in our front
Saturday 27th
Yankees left in our
front. [At] night
went on picket
Sunday 28th
On picket all day the
flies like to eat me
up. writen a letter to my (illegible)
August 1864
Monday 29th
Washed my clothes & put
on clean ones & felt like
a bird out of a cage the
Yankees all gone. late
in the evening got orders
to move [while] at [preaching]
stoped servise and [moved]
about three houndred
yards to the left
Tuesday 30th
Orders to move by day
light and moved to the left
about three miles rested
untel in the evening
moved to the left [releived]
Hardee father to the left
on a creek.
Wednesday 31st
aboutmidnight [orders]
August 1864
to move went to the left
& marched all night
the Yankees reported at
Jonesboro on the rails
road at day light stoped
and rested about one
hour move on to the left
down to Jones boro [wich
is] about 15 miles from
where we started the [night]
before formed a line on
the rail road part of our
regt sent out as scir
mishers on the right
and remained al day
& in the evening [our]
forces charged the [works]
& was repulsed loss
very heavy but by being
on the right [I got out of the fight]
September 1864
Thursday 1st
We remained on pick[et]
all night Lee’s Corps
ordered back to Atlanta
but the pickets wasent
releived untel day light
releived by Cleburnes
Divi & we went to [join]
our command [marched]
all day over taken [them]
by sundown
about five miles from
Atlanta remained all
night
Friday 2nd
Moved back towards
Jonesboro again & [Stewart’s]
Corps left atlanta
after burning up al
all the [government] store
September 1864
Marched on down the
road untel we come to
the Mcdoner road &
taken that marched on
all day untel late at
night and stoped out
at the side of the road
and remained all night
got a good knap & was
aroused by a heavy rain
Saturday 3
Marched out to Mcdon
ner & taken road to as
station Caled Love Joy
Marched about one mile
and they come up a rain
Marched on about three
miles and caled a halt
and emained all night
September 1864
Sunday 4th
About daylight taken
up line of march & march
to love Joy station taken our
position on the [extreem]
right of the line remained
in bivouak the remainder
of the day
Monday 5
In the evening ordered to
move marched out to [the]
right flank to the right
about a half a mile stoped
in some woods and our
Batteries moved down to
the right and shelled the
Yankees and then moved out
to the old position
John [Sewel] come to the
Co I was detailed [to carry him to Gen]
September 1864
Tuesday the 6th
The Enemy all gone back
towards Atlanta about
twelve Oclock orders come
to move formed and moved
out into a field to hear
a speach from Gen Lee
but I had as soon
hear most any person
else but they was such
a hard rain come up
that he could not speak
but he got a good soak
ing but about the time
it quit raining we were
move back to our old pos
ition and fixed us shelter
& remained all night
September 1864
Wednesday 7th
Moved out to a new
camp ground.
Thursday 8th
Nothing of importanes
[transpired] preaching
in Camps
Friday 9th
Gen Lee spoke to the
Division Mustered for
pay preaching in the
evening
Saturday 10th
Preaching in Camps as
usual
Sunday 11th
Div inspection at ten
Oclock wich I think is
very inconsistant for the
sabbath for I do think
September 1864
that other days might
be selected for such
business & Let the Lords
day be consecrated to his
service Oh: that all of
our Generals was God loving
& God fearing men [what]
a different efect it [would]
have upon the army
Monday 12th
Preaching in Camps [Cleaned]
up Camps Armistice
commenced to day for tenday
Tuesday 13th
Corps inspection & review
Wednesday 14th
Nothing done in camp
to day preaching at
night
Thursday 15th
Fast day proclaimed
September 1864
by Gen Hood Prayer
Meeting in the mourn
ing at 9 Oclock preaching
at Eleven & at night
by Parson Russel just
from home.
Friday 16th
Rumered in camps that
we are going to move
Washed my clothes. orders
to cook up two days [rations]
orders countermanded
Saturday 17th
Writen a letter to Miss
J.E.J. orders to cook up
all the rations we have on
hand
Sunday the 18th
Orders come before day
to be ready to move at
September 1864
seven Oclock we fixed up
and at seven we started
but we did not know
where we were going we
Marched out to the rail
road and crosed the road
& Marched out west abo
ut six miles & camped
rained all day [off and on]
Monday the 19th
Taken up line of March
about 2 oclock [A.M.]
Marched to Palmetto
on the West Point &
Atlanta R.R. about
2 P.M. & waited untel
Stewarts Corps pased
through town & then mar
ched out about two
miles [&] Camped
September 1864
Tuesday 20th
Marched out about there
Miles towards [Cambledon]
and formed a line of
Battle commenced fortify
ing. & after working an hour
or two [got] orders to move to
forther to the right &
fixed up our shelters
rained in the evening
built up [new] works
Wednesday 21st
Mover [forther] to the right
built More works [some]
of the exchanged Prisoners
come in heard from
James Edens he was
exchanged with the
rest and [went] down
the rail road towards [Griffin]
September 1864
Thursday the 22nd
Finished our works some
of the exchanged prisoners
come in to Com “L” built
[Shiverdefres] in front of
our works
Friday 23rd
Built [parabates] in front
rained often on all day
T.[V.] Huey & [Stepen] Hadley
come in from Hospital
Saturday 24th
Lay round all day cleared
off inthe evening turned
cold
Sunday 25th
Pleasant & cool Preaching
mourning & evening. [I went[
on picket in the evening
September 1864
Monday 26
President Davis reviewed
the army
Tuesday 27th
John Sewell’s trial come
off.
Wednesday 28th
On detail for [ferteigue]
Thursday 29th
Thursday 29th
Gen Hood commenced a
flank movement towards
Blue Mountain. We got orders
to move by three Oclock
in the evening marched out
to the river about five
Miles Friday 30th
Crosed the river & marched
out eight miles towards
[Val ricka] taken up [camp]
October 1864
Saturday the 1st
Remained in bivouac un
tel late in the evening
Tuckers brigade ordered on
picket went out [about]
two miles on the Atlanta Road
Sunday the 2nd
Orders to move by six
A.M. Moved out to
whe the [Divn] was remained
untel 12 Oclock Gen
Hood told us that he
intended to try to throw
his lines [across] the
Rail R. and he [hoped]
we would be cheerful in
doing our duty tareing up
the C.R. We marched
out about ten miles
[north].
October 1864
Monday 3rd
Marched about five Miles
towards Marietta halted
41st went on picket [we]
Commenced Building works
Tuesday 4th
Remained on picket all
day Wednesday 5
Releived from picket &
commenced building works
worked untel ten oclock in
the night
Thursday [taken]
Taken up [line] of March
about ten oclock A.M.
Marched to Dalace about
ten miles Camp on the [east]
side of town [Malil come]
in I received a letter from
James Edens
October 1864
Friday the 7th Taken up
line of March about day
light Marched to [Main work]
about 15 miles taken up
Camp for the night
Saturday 8th
Marched out about 4
Oclock in the [road] & re
mained untel day light
& marched out [a] western
direction to Cedertown 9
miles past through town
and went out to a big
creek about four miles
and we had it to waid
so we crosed it and taken
up Camp very weary and
tired. Sunday 9th
taken up line of march
[about] ten oclock A M
October 1864
Marched through Cave Spring
and there I saw more [Ladies]
than I saw on the whole
trip marched through
town marched out to the
River about nine miles
and crosed at [Lanns fery twelve miles below Rooney]
and marched about two
miles an taken up Camp
we marched in all 15 [miles]
Monday 10th
Taken up line of march
a northern direction & [marched]
about 11 miles towards
[Dalton] taken up Camp
about [3] P.M. in what
is called Texas [Valey]
Tuesday 11th
Orders to march at [six]
A.M. taken up line of
October 1864
march up the [Sustanouc]
River towards Rasaca
marched ten miles and
halted for the night [about]
three Oclock Orders not
to make any move that
the enemy was near
Wednesday the 12th
Taken up line of march
about day light march[ed]
up to Resaca about 18
miles & surrounded the
place on the west side
of the River while [Claytons]
Div Crosed and taken [Cal
hoon] but the Garison
was all gone Gen Lee sent
in a flag [a] demanded the
surrender of Resaca but
they refused & next mor
October 1864
ning the Garison from Cal
hoon had [reinforced] them
at Resaca
Thursday 13
Lay around untel in the
evening at four Oclock
when we got orders to move
went out towards [snake]
Creek [Gap] Reported that
Chathams Corps had
taken Dalton & Gen [Hood]
[H.O. Darts] was at that
place marched out to the
appointed place
Friday 14th
Marched out in some
works the Enemy had built
and remained all day
Alec Moore was Mortaly
wounded by a scouting [party]
October 1864
of the enemy that advanced
on our picket he was a
scout for Gen Lee Shot
through the head At night
Marched futher up in the
Gap of the Mountain
Saturday 15th
Scirmishing in the fore part
of the day drove our pick[et]
in the regt taken up line
of march about two oclock
in the [eving] towards lafay
ett Marched out about
fifteen miles and taken
up for the night
Sunday 16
Moved about five miles
towards [Summerville]
and halted and our
brigade went back
October 1864
on picket remained un
tel midnight
Monday 17th
taken up line of march
about one oclock AM
Marched about twenty
four miles nine miles
this side of Summer
ville taken up Camp
Tuesday 18th
Marched within nine
Miles of Blue [Bonet]
about ten miles to
day I taken up a pass
to go to grandpas got it
assigned & marched about
fifteen miles to within a
mile of [there] & could [not]
cross the river and [had]
to [wait] untel [mourning]
October 1864
Wednesday 19th
Crosed the river about half
an hour by sun & went
to Grandpa’s house found
them in bad health Cousin
Larence Noble sick Grandpa
not well the army marched
ten miles down the river
& camped
Thursday 20
remained at Grandpas
all day the Command [down]
within six miles of
Gadsden
Friday 21st
Left Grandpa’s and went
to Gadsden & found the army
there joined my Command
late in the evening and
the boys had eight letters for me
October 1864
Saturday 22
Drew Clothing for the Regt
Inspection in the mourning
orders to move at 2 Oclock
P.M. Marched out five
miles [a] western direction
taken up Camps about
dark
Sunday 23rd
Taken up line of march
marched about twelve
miles on Sand Mountain
to the Cross Roads
& [taken] up Camp
Monday 24th
Marched on towards [Bloun]
ts ville but late in the
we turned to the right
marched about twenty one miles
and halted for the night
October 1864
Tuesday 25
Marched through a little
town caled [Sumit] [got]
off of the sand Mountain
Traveled 22 Miles.
Wednesday 26
Raining in the mourn
ing the road very mudy
marched through summer
ville [twelve] miles taken
Camps Rained ceased
in the evening
Thursday 27
Marched right ten miles
in direction of [Moulton]
I went out foraging
got water (illegible)
had to waid the Creek
October
Friday 28th
White frost Road yet
mudy in Larence County
marched twenty miles
Came down a ridge &
struck the Tenn Valley
& in the evening struck
the rail road & Camped
at gum springs in
four miles of [Courland]
Saturday 29
Marched through [Courlan]
and on down the Rail
Road to [Leton] taken up
Camp
Sunday 30th
Marched out to the river
and crosed & they were
about a regt of Cav
on the road who [thought]
October 1864
they would Capture
us but they were sadly
mistaken but they charged
our pickets and was
driving our pickets in
when our Regt
was ordered forward &
we the yakees was com
pletely demoralised
and driven clear off
we followed them about
a mile and dark over
taken us and we formed
a line & remained [there]
untel nearly day with
out any fire
Monday 3[1]st
Yankees all gone our
forses taken perses
ion of Florence
November 1864
About ten oclock AM
we marched down to
[toon] about two miles& then moved back
about a mile & Camped
untel evening we [moved]
out in line of battle
and commenced build
ing breast works
Tuesday 1st
Finished our works buil
t Shelters to [pertect]
us from the wether
Wednesday 2nd
I was detailed to go
on picket the Regt
got orders to move
moved about a half
a mile to the left
the picket went [out]
November 1864
aboout a mile in front
a creek part of us
was stationed at a
school house very rainy
and cold had a good
stove in the house &
we kept very Comfor
table
Thursday 3rd
Cold & rainy the
Yankee scouts made
there appearance on
the road and we dis
appeared untel they
left wich was very
early releived in the
evening Went to camps
fixed up a shelter &
bed Made fire eat
supper & lay down
November 1864
Friday 4th
awoke & dees [Brig
ade] was marching
in front of us to take
our place & we moved
back to our old [posi
tion] very Cold & Windy
Saturday 5th
Drew shoes before day I drew
a pair. Orders to move at
eight Oclock at the ap
pointed hour we started
up the Huntsville Road march
ed out about four miles
and struck the Yankee pick
ets. drove them in and [went]
found out where they were
& they had crosed & large
creek & we [sliped] out
below and crosed and
November 1864
got nearly in the rear
& charged them & and
drove them off & then re
crosed the creek [and had]
to waid it both times
after we marched out
and camped
Sunday 6th
Memained untel one
Oclock in the evening
& marched [back] to
Florence. [Rained] all night
Monday 7
Remained all day in
Camps Rainy & cold
Tuesday 8th
Lay up as usual
Wednesday 9th
Mustered for pay
Nothing more than usual
November 1864
Thursday 10th
Muster & Com inspec
tion Nothing transpir
ed more than usual
Friday 11th
James Burgess & Cal
Bolding come in Camps
James brought me [two shirt]
pair of shoes & Socks & [two]
letters Warm & cleer
Saturday 12th
Orders to clean up guns
& [prepare] for inspection
Nothing more than usual
Weather [fair] & windy
Sunday 13th
Inspection at ten
Oclock Preaching at
Eleven Paptising at
4 P.M.
November 1864
Monday 14th
Orders to move at sun
up to Build Breast
works Worked all day
Recived two leters from
my Mary
Tuesday 15th
Worked on breast work
all day [Rainy] & windy
Wednesday 16
Orders to go to work on
the Breast works [orders]
countermanded on the
account of so much [bad]
weather
Thursday 17
Went out & finished
the works
Friday 18
Remained in Camp
November 1864
Saturday 19
Orders to move at sunup
the order suspended very
rainy and cold
Sunday 20th
Orders to move at half
past ten Oclock
At the appointed hour
we moved out a north
direction for Tenn
Marched about [nine]
miles taken up Camp
Monday 21st
Commenced the move
about sun up and
marched on through the
Mud & water & direct
ly we started [it] com
mencd snowing & contin
ued untel in the evening
we struck the line of Tenn
November 1864
Marched about twelve
miles to Dale
Spring & taken up cam
p they was a man [hang]
that once belonged to our
Sharp Shooters for Traitor
Tuesday 22nd
Taken up line of
March at ten Oclock
Very cold & windy &
Occationaly a snow storm
would pass over
Marched out about
two miles to a hill
to help the wagons and
artilery untel late
in the evening marched
eight miles all day
Wednesday 23
taken up line of march
Nov 1864
at seven a-clock
marched about [twelve]
miles toward
Columbia taken
up camp on a [cheek]
Thursday 24
Taken up line of [march]
at half past six
A.M. marched about
eighteen miles.
Friday 25th
[Started] a six A.M.
marched through Mt
Pleasant & three mile
beyond towards
Columbia [20000 Yanks]
reported to be at the
latter place
Nov 1864
Saturday the 26th
marched out about two
miles and stoped for
a short time but [rem
ained] all day and night
Sunday the 27th
Remained all day in
Camp Scirmishing in
front Stewarts Corps
pased us & marched
out to the right and
camped
Monday 28th
the Yankees fell back
across the river.
Tuesday the 29th
Taken up line of [march]
towards Columbia &
[then]
[turned] to right &
Nov 1864
marched about nine
miles & crossed the
river & marched [round]
the Yankees but they
being aware of us com
ing stoped us by forming
a line in our front
we formed a line after
night Paralel with the
road could hear the [enemy]
passing all night orders
to be redy to move at
day light.
Wednesday the 30th
the Enemy all gone thay
were several prisners
brought in they were
left behind stragling
and our scouts taken them
in out of the wet
Nov 1864
Orders to move out on
the pike halted for
the rest of the Corps
to come that was left
on the other side of [town]
taken up line of march
about ten oclock towar
ds Franklin arived
near the about 4 Oclock
in the evening formed
a line fighting round
town very heavey [then]
we halted about ten
Minutes marched out
by the right flank about
a half miles fromed a line
Marched in line for
about one mile [untel
we come near the enemy
getting very dark
Nov 1864
by this give us orders not
to fire when we [advanced]
untel we got to where
we had some men in
breast work that they
had taken the works
we marched [in] and [when]
we got near the enemy
heard us coming they
opened a gauling fire
into us wich was of
great effect but we
did not stop for that
but went on and [soon]
we come to the works &
the enemy occupied
part of them and
our men the other part
all on the same lines
and we remained in
December 1864
that position untel
about three Olock
A.M. when the enemy
abandon theirs and
left their dead & wound
ed on the field & then
our boys commenced
plundering the Yanke
knap sacks untel day
light & [gathering] up
our wounded
Thursday 31st
Burried our dead &
taken care of the wound
ed John Sewell was [killed]
John Moore & G.A.P.
Johnson was [wounded]
14 killed & 15 wound
ed in the Regiment.
December 1864
Moved out about two
miles North of Franklin
and camped for the [night]
Friday 2nd
Taken up line of
March in the direction
of Nashville marched
up near a fortifed
at night
Saturday 3rd
drove in the enemies
pickets at dark we ad
vanced our line and built
works worked all night
Sunday 4th
All quiet today [except]
a little picket fireing
along the line and
once and a while a little
cannonading
December 1864
Monday the 5th
lay in works all day
now & then a shell
would come over
Tuesday 6th
Nothing more than usual
transpired no shelling
today
Wednesday 7th
All quiet to day cold
cloudy the weather very
disagreeable
Thursday the 8th
Very cold & Cloudy
Went on picket at
night Kept very Com
fortable
Friday the 9th
Hailed all Day & sleeted
untel late in the
December 1864
evening very cold though
we had a very comfort
able place to
stay in
Saturday the 10th
Lay up untel night
in our quarters orders
to move at dark. Moved
back to [an] other position
about a quarter & the
ground coved with snow
and had the ice and snow
to dig up to make a
fire & then we had
to build breast work
and no [wook] in a half
a mile of hear we dug
us a house in the ground
& made out vary well
considering
December 1864
Sunday the 11th
The Weather awful cold
& windy had to lay
a bed all day to keep
warm as we had no
wood
Monday 12th
The Weather vary fair
& cold the wind lay
& we make out very
well. Rations good
Make a pot of Hominy
Nat Baker goes on
picket from our men
John Johnson [on fateige]
at night remained
about one hour and
come in the sleet &
and hail commenced
Melting some the [wind]
December 1864
from the south.
Tuesday the 13th
Very windy and [the fire]
smoke us very much
Brother Archer taken
dinner with us
the boys all mad & fus
ing because the smoke come
in the house. O Lord
give me peace & a conten
ted mind above all
things [else] & grace to [bare]
every trial
Wednesday the 14th
The snow all melted last
night & now and then a
a little shower of rain
vary pleasant & cloudy
the road very mudy [and]
the fields [the (illegible) deep (illegible)]
December 1864
Heavenly Father be with me
My troubles to withstand
& may I ever be able to
bare every trial that
comes o’er my pathway
for my troubles are grate
help me to humble my
self at thy feet as I
should & make me such
a creature as thoug would
have me to be.
Thursday the 15th
About twelve Oclock
we received orders to get
redy to move and get in
the ditches and be redy
for any emergency. we
formed in the ditch
and the troops on our
right moved out
December 1864
and went to the left where
they were very heavy firing
going on & they kept mov
ing out untel it come to
our turn so we marched
out up a branch about
a mile and went on
over to where the fighting
was the enemy had run
our men in and drove
them off that was in
the first engagement
we stoped on the side
of a hill and was rest
ing foro we were very [much]
[fateuiged] after marching
two miles in the mud
and while we were [there]
resting the enemy come
up on our [left] on the
other side of the hill
and run Brantly’s Brig
back that was there then
we were ordered up on
the hill and we helt them
in check untel they [flank]
ed us on their right and
was about to get in
our rear the we fell back
about a half a mile [through]
a field and taken a
position on a hill and
[remained] there untel in
the night the enemy never
persued after us & at
the same time they taken
the [works] that we left
and Through the night
we marched from place
to place trying to get
a line formed and
about day we formed be
hind a [rock] fence and threw
off the top & commenced
work strengthening the
work
Wednesday the 16
About Sun up the enemy
appeared in three lines
in our front
Note: Original diary ends here in mid-sentence.
Several pages appear to have been used for grammar lessons.
The diary has then been flipped over and used by someone else.
Later additions to Henderson Diary
All text should be considered bracketed.
[Jan 30th] 1865
[Monday Eve]
Page illegible except for a few random words.
for my loved one it was
getting late even dark &
still he came not all [now]
proposing to go to a party
at Mrs Crulins. I had
given him out when a
step was heard . I looked up
& there stood my Jessie
is seemed as though I was
dumb with amazement
till he came to me. My
feelings were indescribable
therefore I will be silent
the [party still] went on
after [supper] for a while Mollie
taken us in a room &
staid a short time & then
left us, [now] such a nice
time as we did have talk
ing & among that set we
(illegible) the day (illegible) en
joyment to be [consumated]
so that about two oclock but
none us not much sleep
for me (illegible) went
(illegible) to get my parents
(illegible) our marriage
(illegible) their consent
willingly got back about
bed time Spent the night
went home the next mor
ning I spent quite a [long]
day written a letter to
J.W.C. Monday was a
very boring [disagreeable]
day I felt quite (illegible)
& prayerful all this (illegible)
(illegible) [he] will know it was
a serious thing. Tuesday
was still (illegible) all (illegible)
busy making prepar
ations I had chosen I (illegible)
& Mollie S. for my
brides-maids. Wednesday
(illegible) & beautiful
indeed I (illegible)
(illegible)
& beautiful & I was (illegible)
(illegible) & happy
cooking (illegible) the(illegible)
& all was going in way (illegible)
busy & cheerful time passed
swiftly Nat & Ellen came &
the afternoon had come then
I commenced to adam trying
to meet my husband. I (illegible)
(illegible) contented or happy
can (illegible) of (illegible)
& he was as joyous as a (illegible)
(illegible) making (illegible)
(illegible) Mollie S. came in
(illegible) guest was (illegible)
(illegible)
(illegible)
(illegible)
(illegible)in fast &(illegible)
(illegible) Mr. Jackson came I he told
me Jesse was very cheerful at this
(illegible)me the more it was (illegible)
(illegible) of a very [lovely] evening this
(illegible) happy eve to me. My bridal
Ere may I (illegible)
to A with (illegible) & (illegible) in this
time they had put on my bridal
dress of (illegible) with my bridal [suit]
& wreath & (illegible) [us] decked in my
bridal [costume] I all ready to meet
my darling all was ready & all(illegible)
sent out of the room had a few
of my most (illegible) friends &
my bridesmaids the (illegible)
& (illegible) indeed went (illegible) as a (illegible)
ago bell, a [familiar voice was heard]
& in an instant [Sister] had pressed
me to his heart. I had feared [she]
could not come (illegible)
Upside down at bottom of page:
Alas Lizzie’s silk
dress & hat
& Candles
(illegible) Mrs. J
Jackson
expecting the groom & his attend-
ants I now calm & composed when
suddenly some one said “(illegible)
home June,” my heart now for
a few moments beat wildly, but
when they entered & I saw my
[love was ] so much composed
my (illegible) any. he taken
a seat beside me, oh [how beautiful
a [suit] he then [offered] to me
[dressed] in black (illegible) about [five]
feet eight inches high hazel eyes
auburn hair, & oh he (illegible) such
(illegible) on (illegible) his
(illegible) & (illegible) & all
that was noble seem to one to
be (illegible) & may I never find
it (illegible) him after a
few moments in pleasant [cheer
ful] conversation. Sis (illegible)
to inform the minister she
came back & said all was ready
the visitors [went] to their places
I rose calm to be led to the
(illegible) alter there to pledge
that sacred vow before God then
indeed I felt that I was biding
adieu to girlhoods day s & pleas
ures & to rising my parent
name for another, & that my
life & all would be changed
I thought to of my absent
brothers far away in prison I
had often thought of them &
thought will they [love] me
then as now I thought of all
this & much more & asked myself
if I was willing to sacrifice
all this for [Him] my heart
(illegible) I am (illegible), We
stood before the grey (illegible)
of [God] to made [one] (illegible)
[right] a few (illegible) [moments] &
a prayer & we went (illegible) hus-
band & wife, then was many
beautiful congratulations from
loved friends. Some times I felt
like weeping then smiles of joy
would I have all [loss] away con-
gratulations our supper was an-
nounced, supper passed of very
pleasantly. the room was [crow]
ded with the guest, all seemed
to enjoy them selfs very much
the evening passed pleasantly
indeed it was a lovely night
everything looked beautiful [I] happy
to me it was between one &
two oclock at night before the
guest all left, The next day was
also a beautiful bright day &
this was the day he was to take
me home, Neither of our
Parents were present [for] the
occasion a considerable [aunt]
went with us My heart beat
[rapidly] as we neared his home
his Ma or our Ma it is now came
forth to meet us. she pressed
a Mothers [loving] kiss on my
lips & gave me a hearty wel-
come as her child, this did
me much, dinner was soon
[announced], dinner over, our
Cousin [Let Holiday] rode up was
glad to see him in the [evening]
just all dispersed. Sis Lizzie
spent the night with us, the
next day we all spent the day
at our Uncle Jesse [Gannetts]
Cousin Joe & Sis [Lizzie] came
back with us, that night when
alone in our room he [read]
a portion of Gods word & had [prayer]
that prayer fell like [imbers]on my
Soul, my heart went out to him
(illegible)
Sat 15th Cousin Joe went home that
evening we went to the [Squires]
had quite a [nice time]. went
to preachingthe next day, Mon.
day [17th ] Jesse went to Pontotoc
to get his [coat] cut [I was so
lonely]while he was gone the
time seemed so long when he
was absent, Tuesday we all
went to uncle Jesses to make
his coat Wendsday The [Squire] &
Mollie came down we all went
to Uncle Jessies & spent the night
early next morning Ma sent for
us that Cousin [Wert] Johnson was
here [herouse] we went back he
was on his way home, had been
severely wounded in Vain the leg
Friday 21st [Bro] Jim White came
also Uncle Jesse & Aunt Jane
spent the day with us, that night
Bro Jim [Jacksin] Sis Lizzie Jessie
& I went to a party at Mrs [Bakers]
was quite a large crowd that [night]
some of Jessie’s comrades persuaded
him to stay a day longer. they were
to start Monday following. I was so
glad to think I would have his dear
company one day longer. We only
staid a short time after supper
Jacksin & Sis Lizzie staid all night
next morning it was raining Bro
Jim went home. Jacksin also Sis
Lizzie staid until after dinner
I had headache all day. Sunday
We expected to go to Pa’s but the
weather was to inclement. Staid at
Uncle Jessie’s that night. next mor
ning . Jacksie told me [Mitchel] &
Lizzie was going to marry the next
[Wendsday] night. Monday Rain
We went to Pa’s I taken [headache]
& a [chill] was quite sick all
night & next morning (illegible)
oclock, but I had (illegible)
best of nurses. My [darling] was
So kind & attentive. Wendsday Eve
we came home. I was not able to
go to the wedding. & Jessie would
not go without me. Thusday we
went to Uncle Jessie to Mitchels
infore. We got there before the
Groom & bride & their attendants
Aunt Jane told me Nat was
going to marry that night. The
day passes pleasantly but was very
cold Mitchel & Lizzie went to the
Weding that evening [Jessie] was af-
fraid for me to go & he would
not go either Friday Mollie & [Pap]
spent the day with us, that evening
we went with as far as Mr
Bakers & son Nat & [Montshey]
looked very pleasing & loving indeed
Sat [88] Was very cold Jessie & I
went to the [Squires] intending to [go]
(illegible) but as it was so cold
we had prayer meeting at the [Squires}
& dismissed. Lieut Sanders called
congratulated me very highly. went
home that evening & went home
with Uncle Jessie & spent the
night. the last time we were there
together. Sunday 29th was a lovely
day but very cold we staid at
home together. how sad my heart
to know this was the last day I
would spend with my husband in
a long time & perhaps the last on
earth. but I tried to be cheerful
Aunt Jane & Uncle Jessie spent
the day with us. Mitchel & Lizzie
called that evening. they were going
to Uncle Jessies to see their Mam
ma. Mr & Mrs Lindsey & Ruth
came and staid till bedtime, Sis
Lizzie staid all night with us
it was getting late & Jessie [asked]
us to sing one more for him [& I]
tried but my voice failed I could
no longer be cheerful My thoughts
were of the [four] pleasant days
we had sent together & then he
had to leave me & I thought of
the many [many] dreary days
that might elapse ere I would se him
again, perhaps never again
for I had no assurance that
he (illegible) he would ever return
as I knew he was going as it
were into the very jaws of death
all I could do was commit
him to God, knowing if it was
his will he would restore him
to me if not to try to [bow]
submissively to his will. Jessie
read a portion of [God’s] word
then we all bowed once more
around the family alter & he
lead in prayer, he prayer so
fervently for our protection
& his & that grace sufficient
might be given us for every trial
& that we might part [cheerf
ully] trusting in God that we might
meet again. after his prayer we
also prayed. we almost had a
little meeting. We then retired to
our room, I tried to talk cheerful
& hopeful but it seemed as if
my silent grief [bereft] me of
all (illegible). Monday 30. [he] (illegible)
once again I bowed & prayed for
grace & strength sufficient
to bear the trial of parting with
My husband as I should. break-
fast (illegible) but [little was eaten]
all was busy in making prep-
erations for his departure. twas
a sinking almost (illegible)
I helped in packing up his clothes
I (illegible) calm but was
[more] (illegible) my strugles (illegible)
in firming up my (illegible) almost
idolized husband [so] soon to be
exposed to the dangers, temptations
& trials in the (illegible) & battle
field. Mitchel Lizzie & Mrs
[Jackson] & [Uncle] Jessie came
down to see him (illegible) more
time passed & all was [ready]
I [retained] my tears till [now]
but when all was [ready] & I
saw him redy to bid farewell
to his home again, my [bursting]
heart gave vent to its feelings
he first told the servants good
bye then to all the rest & then
[hasten] the trial was at hand I
could put it off [no] longer
I tried to speak but could not
find [utterance] for my words
he help me [close] to his heart
for a few moments & [pressed]
a kiss on my lips & then left
me. I can not express my feelings
[only] a young loving wife
that have experienced the [same]
can know my feelings. such
a feeling of lonelyness came
over me & I looked often [back]
& [strained] my eyes to catch
one more glimps of his [re
treating] form but could not & then
I felt that he was gone from
my embrace & perhaps for
ever. Lizzie came to tell me
good by she seemed to [sym
pathize] with me, & in my
[gnot] grief & I pityed [her]
for (illegible) girls I knew she
would lean here to words of
the same trial. Mrs Jackson &
Sis Lizzie beged me to go home with
them. I consented as one place was
about as another with me now
Ma & I went & spent the night
Lizzie came home with us [& spent}
the night. Tuesday 31st I went to (illegible)
to pass the time away. I had [spent]
18 days with my husband a happy
young wife 7 those were the happiest
of life. (illegible) at times in my life
[first] moments the thought would
occur this can not last but a little
while soon soon my loved one must
leave me but I tried to dispell
all gloomy thoughts & to be hap
py while I was with him. I had
a little hope Tuesday evening that
maybe he would come back
as I heard that the train was not
coming. but [Pa] came & my darling
I knew was gone. but Pa said they
were only going to Meridian Miss
[this pleased] me some I thought
[when] he left he was going to
S.C. S S C
The diary entries end here.
The diary continues with 1 ½ pages of
names with tally marks beside them.
Hattie Williams 18
Sallie Williams 21
Lonie William 16
Joe Williams 16
[Nannie] Williams [191/2]
[Mary] Owen 12
Ella Owen 11
Emma Owen 8
[Hillory] Owen 13
[Mon] [Florily] 19
Martha Florih 19
Holden Wood 20
Annie Wood 23
John Richey 24
Mollie [Richey] 13
Henry Roy 10
John Roy 15
Willa Roy 12
Richard [Calaway] 11
Susie [Calaway] 9
Moton Cox 19
Robert Crocker 14 ½
Annie Garrett 25
[Mary] Robards 8
[Mary] Roye 20
[Margret] Roye 22
[Hosy Baker] 13 ½
Becca Roye 8 ½
Sallie Crocker 4
[Harriet] 5
this (illegible)
to Me
CC”
