Civil War
Confederate
Letter
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Civil War Diary Adjutant, 19th. Mississippi Regiment September 1863 Tuesday, September 1, 1863 - We drilled today as usual, the weather has Suddenly turned very cool Two Blankets were quite comfortable as cover last night. A good many ladys attended Dress parade. I went to see Wilcoxes Division reviewed, there were a great many spectators. Wednesday 2 - I have been to the Sutlers & got some Cakes, cider & Peaches. Peaches are worth Two Dollars per Dozen Have spent the day as usual reading Drilling & c. Thursday 3 - I gave my Sharps Rifle to Capt Duke. He has a commission to raise a company of Skouts in Miss. Friday, September 4, 1863 - We have spent the day as usual. Dr Broadus gave us a lecture today I like him very much. Saturday - Nothing of interest has transpired. Sunday 6 - Billie Fox came over and spent the day with me. We had divine Service Three Times from Revd Duke Revd Dobbs & Dr Lacy Monday 7 - Our Regt was inspected & mustered today by Maj Duncan, I did'nt fancy the little bigeted pop much. Tuesday, September 8, 1863 - I ate a nice watermelon & some Peaches We left camp for picket at 3 o'clock, got there and posted guard by 4 oclock, many of the boys are in the river. Wednesday 9 - We have spent the day lounging about. Some ladies sent Co Hardin a good breakfast & Cantlope. Thursday, September 10, 1863 - I went in bathing this morning,, The 48th Miss Regt relieved us this evening. We got to camp at dark I lost my old Pipe and regret it a great deal. Friday 11 - We had Corps Review today it commenced at 11 o'clock. Was a grand site all of our high Generals were present & most of their wives were there. Mrs Genl Walker was the best looking, Genl Lee's two daughters were present are not pretty. Saturday, September 12, 1863 - I have spent the day as usual, we had a Brigade Drill this morning, the weather is very warm & sultry. Sunday 13 1863 - We had Divine service. I spent the day reading writing & c. We heard cannonading towards Culpepper, have orders to be ready to move. The enemy drove Stewart back from Culpepper and are advancing. it is sprinkling rain. Monday 14 - We were hurried out of camp in the rain last night, came four miles to the River & halted at Rapidan Bridge put out pickets & slept till morning. formed in line of battle & remained all day, our Cavalry are skirmishing across the River. I have been looking at them fight. Tuesday 15 - We remained in line until 4 oclock and then went across the River on Picket. I road around to relieve the cavalry pickets after a yank road up in 50 yards of me our pick fired at him & missed, I got back to the reserve at 10 p'm'. Wednesday, September 16, 1863 - Our pickets have been constantly firing all day Co "I" is at a house nearest the enemy where they make the rascals hide themselves, I have been lounging about & reading all day, the sun shines quite warm. McCluskey brought letter & c. from home. Thursday 17 - I went last night with three companies of the 41st VA and relieved our pickets came across the River since dark. We had a very heavy rain this morning My horse had nothing to eat today I got after the Q M dept The weather is cool. Friday 18 - We had more rain today Col Hardin had the Staff Wagon brought up & tents stretched I made our Field returns A corps of yanks are in front of us across the river in front of us. Saturday, September 19, 1863 - This day has passed off very quietly, last night was very cool & today the same I have written several letters, took a long nap had pleasent dreams but not of peace so they might have been more pleasant. When this wicked war is over how happy will I be. Sunday 20 - This is a pretty day, I made a detail of one officer and Seventy Five men for fatigue Duty: I made a mornings report , and wrote two letters.. The enemy seem to be quiet. I attended divine service and then took a long nap. The weather is quite cool. I am sitting by a very comfortable fire Smoking my pipe and writing while my comrades are talking of better days. Monday 21 - We packed up and moved one mile farther from the River to a nice grove. Struck camp in regular order put out camp guards & guards around Cornfields & c. The weather is very cool. Tuesday, September 22, 1863 - I took ten men and cleaned our camp of the small undergrowth, wrote some letters & c. am now making a set of Chessmen for Dr Clark & Col Hardin.. We received a dispatch from Genl Bragg stating that he had gained a complete victory. Cheers Wednesday 23 - I spent the morning as usual. We left camp at 2 o'clock and came on picket across the River, relieved Penny's Brigade. The enemy have pulled their pickets, We have Four Companies on post. Col Manlove is in command of the Post. Thursday 24 - The enemys scouts tried to take one of our posts in front of our line at a house. Were easily repulsed. We were relieved by the 12th & 16th Regt at 4 o'clock p.m., returned to camp. Friday, September 25, 1863 - We passed the day rather quietly. Attending to common everyday camp duties. I have spent most of the day reading, Saturday 26 - We were ordered out in great haste at 4 o'ck not allowed to mak a particle of noise. Went to where the 16th was on picket, learned that the enemys Scouts had driven in their pickets & burned a house We stayed there until 4 o'clock p.m. Sunday 27 - This has been a pretty day. I have read - wrote - & slept. Col Hardin and all the Field and Staff Officers are absent but myself So I was obliged to stay close at Hdqs. Monday, September 28, 1863 - I have been busy making reports of different kinds. We have regular camp guards & guards mounting, men who have very clean guns will be excused from duty for one day. H. Hancock came from home brought letters & c. Tuesday 29 - The Regt were all after a Coon this morning Caught it, had a race after it. had Battalion Drill & Dress Parade. I read orders A party are going out Serinading tonight. Wednesday 30 - I spent the morning reading a novel Aurora Floyd We were ordered out on picket this evening I went round and posted them, Left Capt Phipps in Command, turned my horse loose to graze & resumed my novel, |
