Confederate
Letter
|
A. L. Peel Civil War Diary Adjutant, 19th. Mississippi Regiment November 1863 Sunday, November 1 - We had no preaching today I passed the day reading writing &c & lounging about thinking how pleasantly I could pass the time if we were all at Home & our glorious Confederacy recognized, When will that happy time come ! Monday 2 - our Regt was paid today I drew $200, and after paying my numerous debts have very little left our Brigade drew clothing I got a pair of pants Tuesday 3, 1863 - This is a very warm day I have spent my time reading a novel, nothing worth writing has transpired. Wednesday 4 - I have performed my usual morning duties, made out a Mornings Report, Mounted guard, attended to details and held Dress parade - read orders & c I am now sitting by my fire listening at McNeill and other boys tell yarns of the past,, Thursday 5 - I was summoned before Division court Martial to day as witness on the tryal of Lieut L. B. Lesten Co G this Regt, The cas is put off until tomorrow, I walked about 8 miles looking for the court - Sent Damon out foraging, he has not returned, I fear that the yanks got him, Friday, November 6, 1863 - Damon came in last night with some Potatoes, Cabbage, and Turnip Salid, I attended the court martial gave in my evidence which was very little. Pryor went to Schirtzinger's and got som Apples We are eating them, Saturday 7 - I attended court martial today as a witnes in Lt. Wilkins tryal,, We were called out this evening at 5 o'clock for action, came near the Brandy ford halted kinkled fires are sitting around talking of the prospects of a fight, all of our Division except out Brigade has gone back to camp. Sunday 8 - We came by our camp at 1 o'clock last night and got our Baggage & c The most of Hays & Holts Brigades were captured last evening though they killed more of the enemy than their own number we came in 2 miles of Culpepper formed a line and are now building breastworks. There is heavy skirmishing on our right with Cavalry,, Monday, November 9, 1863 - We moved of last night a dark marched very slowly until we passed Culpepper our Division was cut into by Wilcoxes our Brigade got lost and wandered through fields & c until one o'clock we then got into the right Road marched all night, got back to our old camp near Rappidan Station at 7 o'clock a.m. came 20 miles last night over a very rough Road, struck camp & are resting. It snowed to day. Tuesday 10 - I slept finely last night, and took a short nap this morning I sent a non-com officer and 4 men to guard a private house, a non-com officer and 6 men to guard forage for a citizen. I have spent the evening by my fire the weather is quite cold. I have a large fire in front of my tent, I want to move to where there is a plenty of wood so I can build a chimney. Wednesday 11 - We put out camp guards this morning and sent Co F & some of Co D off on fatigue Duty. Sent Damon out to buy something to eat. We have orders to move tomorrow at 7 am to a better camp ground. Thursday, November 12, 1863 - We struck our tents at 7 o'clock and moved one mile south, halted laid our camp I am not pleased with out camp. I have spent most of the day working on my chimney & c the weather is quite pleasant. Friday 13 - We have orders to cook two days rations, most of the Regt stopped building huts for fear we may move soon. I sent out a company to throw up breastworks. Genl Posey is said to be very low with numonia. Damon started home this morning with Capt Lester Saturday 14 - I & my mess finished our chimney & fixed our Tent very comfortable, We heard that Genl Posey died yesterday. I read the intelligence of Genl Posey's death on Dress parade this evening. Sunday, November 15, 1863 - We had heavy rain this morning. it cleared off and we had a pretty day. there was no divine service in out Brigade I miss parson Duke a great deal. I have been reading tracks & c Monday 16 - Nothing of interest occurred to day. We had rain this morning. Col Baker is getting a petition to have himself promoted Brigadier Genl over this Brigade. Tuesday 17 - I made out a couple of Reports this evening gave payrolls to the Regt. Lou Alex lost his purse containing a Twenty Dollar gold piece. Wednesday, November 18, 1863 - Our Regt was paid to day, Billie Fox came to see me I traded horses with him got $100 to Boot Robt went hunting killed a hare. Thursday 19 - Nothing of interest occurd to day Friday 20 - I went to Davises Brigade & spent the day, returned and found that the Regt was on picket 1 1/2 miles from camp I bundled up my blanket & c and came out to it. commenced raining at dark. Saturday, November 21, 1863 - I went to camp this morning got something to eat and fed my horse returned wrote a letter. have spent the day lounging about & watching my pony graze. Sunday 22 - I have read the Bible and a few tracks, wrote a letter, received a notice that his excellency the president will review our Division soon. Add & Young went to the Sutlers & got some Cheese Cakes & c for our supper. Monday 23 - We were relieved at 2 o'clock this evening, returned to camp, I am now sitting alone in my office by a bright fire Tuesday, November 24, 1863 - This has been a rainy bad day, I sent a letter home by A Hail. (drawing of soldier with rifle) Wednesday 25 - The weather is quite cold Sleeted a little this evening The enemy are reported to be advancing. We have orders to move out when we hear a singal of Three guns in tolerable close succession. (drawing of rifle) Thursday 26 - I spent most of the day building a stable for my pony We have orders to be ready to move at a moment; drew two days rations of hard bread, none was issued to Servants. I wonder if they mean to starve them, Friday, November 27, 1863 - We moved offf at 4 o'clock this morning. Went a mile towards orange then turned back took the Fredericksburg came on within hearing of cannon & musketry Saw many wounded, left the plank road & came 3 miles east We've come 15 ms I saw a horrid sight a dying Soldier praying. Saturday 28 - We camped a little while last night then moved 3 miles camped till morning. We moved 3 miles to the right formed a line are fortifying. There is Skirmishing on our left, been raining all day. have no rations am quite hungry. I pressed some hay for my gallent steed. We are near the gold mind, have men chopping down bushes in front of our works. Sunday 29 - The enemy are advancing Genl Lee came around, a good sign of a fight We are at work 9 o'clock a.m. The weather is very cold, there is fighting on our right & left, a little skirmishing in front one man from the 12th Regt. is killed. the only loss so far 3 p.m. The enemy came in sight in large force our batterys opened on them. Monday, November 30, 1863 - our Regt relieved the 48th at 6 o'clock this morning. commenced skirmishing at 7. the rascals shot at my red Shall so I took it off, we soon repulsed the enemy got only one man wounded. I advanced our pickets? late this evening; there was hard fighting on our left, Genl Lee anticipates a night attack, cautions us to keep our eyes open & be vigilent. |
