MMS 1144 - James J. Wood Diary

May 1864

May 1st 1864.
11 o'clock left Charleston on Steamer LeClair upward bound. 300 of 34th Regt. commanded by Major Furney, landed 36 miles above Charleston and camped on side of mountain. Night cold and frosty. Feel well.

May 2d.
Left hillside at 5:00 lit out at the rats on [rails at?] 4 miles an hour. Halted a few minutes at Gauley. Took across Cotton Mountain, 4 miles up, 1/4 pitch, 3 down. The hardest work I ever did in my life. If I had the blankets & clothing I saw thrown away I would have all I would need for 50 years if I live so long. Got to Fayetteville at 3 o'clock & camped. Had no dinner, ate my pork raw. Raining like fun & cold. Carried all I started with and picked up a blanket. We see many effects of previous fight here, principally on the timber. Rebs drove our men away from here 1 year ago today; can't do it now. Came 18 miles today, am tired. Am well but it is no proof that I will be tomorrow. I think the Rebs will have to hunt the hole and then pull it in after them or we will riddle them clear out. About 95 miles yet to them. I will not tell you where we will strike them. We (300 of 34th) are attached to 36th Regt., OVI 1st Brigade for this trip, commanded by Col. [Rutherford B.] Hayes of 23d. None of our boys here but Jacob Long & I. Will meet the rest in a day or two. Don't know whether you will get this or not but will send it anyhow. Mail privilege cut off for 20 days. Wrote home.

May 3d.
Left Fayette at 8:00 A.M. went 17 miles till 2:00 PM. Passed where our men had several skirmishes. Desperate, mean, rough country. Camped 4 miles from saw mill called McCoys' Station. Am too tired to pay much attention to taking notes. Cold and plenty of snow on tops of mountains. Boys gave out by dozens today. I worried it along saying nothing. Stopped on bank Laurel creek. Banks in places 60 feet solid, rock; often can't see the water for laurel so thick. J. Long sleeps with me, brigade Bugler. Winter, winter, snowing hardest kind, advance caught a few Rebs.

May 4th.
Started at 5:00 on lively good roads & after cold night, rest feel well. Made 11 miles till 10 1/2 (10:30) and rested & made coffee. 12 miles to Raleigh. Passed Raleigh at 11:00 poor little place, Rebel fortifications Union put holes in houses all over town, passed Rebel log forts on Pine Creek. Scaley [?] place, indeed splendid pine timber all along right up to creek, deep gorge & high banks. Camped at 2:00 o'clock 4 miles from Raleigh. Am tired and sore but hearty and well. Floyd's old camp. God bless us in heart and give us glorious success on this trip. See the whole Div, of Inft. & 2 Batteries. Large file of human beings surely, yet nothing to the army.

May 5th.
Left at 4 1/2 [4:30] in advance of whole Regt. Brig. & Div. climbed Flat Top Mountain 2 1/2 miles high. Passed old camp at noon can see as far as eyes will carry. Saw mts. 60 miles away that we afterward crossed. Road badly blocked. Heavy pioneer squad, only detained about an hour. Passed some houses but did not see but one man. Expected bushwhackers, heard none. Camped in meadow 16 miles from Princeton on Camp Creek, nice place; well, plenty to eat. Uncle Sam just sent in a lot of beef cattle by his boys. Came 24 miles today till 4:00 o'clock. Have not heard of other boys yet. Here goes for Richmond R.R. or bone-yard[.] One Artillerist run over by Caisson, hurt badly. Hot, Hotter, Hottest.

May 6th.
Left at 8:00 being in extreme rear as train guard; nothing of note. One artillarist shot accidentally. 416 teams, all makes a train 8 miles long. Got to Princeton at 5:00. Advance had a skirmish, killed 3 Rebs, had 2 men wounded, they lit out sensibly. Strong fortifications, nice place. Am well but sore and tired marching. At sun down visited forts, poorest things I ever saw on account of position. Quite extensive & well planned otherwise. An occasional shot, on pickets tonight, one wounded man died tonight. Came 16 miles today. Hot day; cold night.

May 7th.
Left Princeton at 4 1/2 [4:30], moved off lively for 4 miles then came to East River Mt. (branch of Alleghenies). Advance was skirmishing all the way up, none hurt except a Reb slightly. Very high rough mts. Almost tired to death. Halted at 2:00 for rest. Passed up Rock Creek and through Rocky Gap. Had expected a hard time there but not a shot fired. Hardest place I ever saw, rock 200 ft. nearly plumb. Halted after going 20 miles and went with 2 cos. [companies] on picket. Goes easy, only as reserve, stand 1/2 hour. Hot day, cold frosty night, excellent water everywhere.

May 8th.
Left at 4 1/2 [4:30] Advance Brigade & Regt got 1 hr. start of us, ran our legs off to catch them. Passed some as nice farms as I want to see and many rough worthless. Came 25 miles, tired nearly to death on picket. 2 Regts Rebs passed here today; will likely have a hard time tomorrow. God bless us with success and spare our boys. 9 miles to Newbern Station, Cav[alry] passing all night, firing on pickets too, lying on the knob. Am sick and got a lame leg. 6 miles to Cloyd Mts. Could not stand so hard toil in any other cause I know as I do now. God bless us in heart & give us success.

May 9th.
Left early. Advance skirmishing all the time. At 3 miles the rebs cannon began to bark occasionally, trying to shell us without hurting us. Could not ascertain their position nor get position for our Artillery until their Infantry should be driven away. When within a mile in woods were ordered to charge. Being the reserve we came in last, mistook position and struck to[o] far to right sent us on the left, ran 1/2 mile through open field. Their infantry on a high hill 300 feet above us in the wood behind trees and log stockades. Of our men 620 were killed and wounded, theirs 750 killed and wounded. Fight lasted 1 1/2 hours, awfully severe, with the advantages they had they might have kept us back, one would have thought. 3 killed 19 wounded of 34th, 1 Co. D man wounded. They ran in great confusion. Followed up 3 miles to Dublin Station on R.R. so here we are tired nearly off our legs. My partner fell wounded in the field. Captured many arms, 2 - 32 lb brass guns, 714 prisoners. Splendid nice place here and everything NOT abundant for we could not find enough to feed us over night and they had no time to take it away. Here had pulled up the hickory saplings for bark to mix their dough up on. Cloud Mt. John Morgan came in to help after they started to run, too late. Gen. Jenkins, Reb, was killed when our men got to their breastworks they had to take open ground. Oh my how they got riddled. 7 miles today. Col. Hammond got [illegible] General Jenkins mortally wounded and taken prisoner.

May 10th.
Started early, unwell and lame, could not keep up. Teams all loaded, too hard to ride. Dr. said "do your best." At 8:00 a severe Artillery duel begun at Newbern Bridge. After 2 hours the Rebs fell back and our shells fired the bridge. We had to go 1 1/2 below to get over New River, stopped for dinner, and 1/2 hour rest, crossing river on little ferry boat, takes till 11 o'clock at night; camped 1 mile below Newbern Station, 3 killed, 2 wounded of ours today. Good farms mixed with hard mts. Awfully crooked swift stream, 500 ft. wide here. Enemy left and will follow tomorrow. Left 4 siege cannon. We buried them; too heavy to take away. The bridge was fired by hand I have lately learned. Trains crossing above the ford. Came 12 miles today. Water most awful scarce here. One of the killed proved to be a LADY in soldiers dress. She fought bravely in battle yesterday. Bridge 1080 to 1200 ft. long and very high. Loss to Rebs irreparable, at least for months (June 3d. 8th Ohio Cavalry passed, 1300 strong, splended horses, Co. D, E, and H all sorrels, Co. L. light gray, A & G dark gray, nicest thing I have seen in all Dixie.)

May 11th.
Started late, good farms & many pleasant rejoicing [illegible] people. In advance. Skirmishing with Rebs Cav. Wounded and captured Lieut Col. Linkus of 30 Va. & picked up a few straggling Rebs. Camped at 12 1/2 [12:30] at Blacksburg. Nice town, large seminary, something new, looks like civilzation again. Very rainy and wet. Came 9 miles. Citizens say Richmond has fallen. Stopped on Lieut Col. Tomry's farm (Reb 36th Va. Regt.) delightful place. The Col., Lieut. Col. & Maj. Of 36th Va. Were all killed at Cloyd Mt. Now we are camped on the latter's farm. 10 miles today. Rain, rain. Calico $15. Per yd. Coffee $30. Per lb., hay $8., wheat $30. bu., little cakes, 4 for $3. C. S. money.

May 12th.
Rained all day. Rear guard, traveled until one o'clock at night up Peters Mt. And Salt Pond Mt., 8 miles up 7 down. Slept with Sam till morning, glad to see him. Came 22 miles today. Tired nearly to death. Half rations. Large mts., lake near top looks nice, like a large river. Making our way for Lewisburg as fast as we can to get rations if possible. Nothing occurred worthy of notice. Don't like the country, the people less. Passed little town & got all the tobacco wanted to take. Good count[r]y. Plenty wheat sown in proportion to farming ground; looks fine.

May 13th.
Still raining. Sam gave me meal; made mush for breakfast thought it the best I ever ate. Stopped at 12:M 12 miles distant and made my last spoonful of coffee and drank it, hope to get something soon. Roads almost impassable for the teams, leaving lots of wagons and burning them up. Passed Rebs wagons & one large brass cannon which they had left an hour or two ago, seeing our army advancing. Came 15 miles today and stopped in woods on Mt. At 2:00 changed notion and went on 2 miles so as to get rails for fire. Passed seven deserted Reb wagons in 1/2 mile. High gap mts & good water. Raining. Rebs made stand against advance, we turned back.

May 14th.
Lying in camp on account of hard rain & tired teams. Rains all the time, cold and unpleasant as can be. Got tired of it & would rather be going as can't rest any. 9 miles to Union, 25 to Lewisburg. I think somebody could get a job of making rails & fence as they are all gone, have no right to be secessionists. I will call this camp most disagreeable and scarce of grub. Books, paper, clothes, tobacco and everything else wet as water. Now 5 o'clock. We have come 7 miles more over mts. and across high streams & raining as hard part of the time as I have ever seen. Roads miserably bad. Am in fine spirits and health, but tired and hungry. Caught 1; bushwhackers plenty today, wounded 2 men 2 horses.

May 15th.
This is Sunday at home but not here in Virginia. It is so muddy I don't see how we will get along. Near Salt Sulphur Springs on side mt. in meadow. Must leave soon as rails have become scarce. Started at 8:00[.] Union is a fine little town, 3 nice churches, passed Salt Sulphur Springs. Has been a place of resort for invalids heretofore, not now. Country well cleared up just here and all nicely set in grass, beautiful. Stopped for rest and dinner although but little to eat. Am well. Going slow for the train can't get along. Averill and Body Guard came up today. Only came 5 miles today. On picket 2 miles from camp. Have to go back past camp. Caught 2 bushwhackers today, sheep plenty near the post. Some of them died suddenly and we are eating them and drinking coffee & I think very good but would like to have a crust, at least. We are lively and think often of the better time coming rather an unsafe place among the bushwhackers but they will have to act sharp if they do us any damage. All safe & right but lack of rations. Noble country here, strange holes, water don't stand but sinks away. Some basins cover an acre and are often rounded out evenly to the depth of 50 feet or more. I would give $50. for a picture of the scenery on the road today.

May 16th.
Called at 8:00 to make a start again, want breakfast most awful bad but that does no good. Rear guard of train. Drew a little wheat this morning. Reckon we will get hay next. 6 o'clock stopped to rest & let the Train get out [of] the way. Hart Mt. stony as blue & hard as steel. Now find that we are leaving Lewisburg to the right crossing Green Brier River & going past Meadow Bluff. 9 o'clock we camped here on bank river at 9 this evening. Passed 2 miles of road & land of red clay, as red as keel. Looked nice surely. Met a partner who had a pint of flour, made flapjacks in my cup, the best I ever ate. Hunger makes anything taste good. Came 13 miles today. Anderson's Ferry here at river.

May 17.
Dark & foggy, ordered back to Union. Seems hard. 1 pm. Finds us back at Union again, object to hold place and let cavalry scout around; rations scarce, half pint flour today & little mutton (if I could have half that John and Ella waste each day at home, money would not buy it. I was never hungry till within 2 weeks now. Night passed off without disturbance or alarm. Slept well, dreamed of being home and seeing all & getting a splendid supper, caused by being so hungry perhaps. Saw the other boys today all together. Oh how glad we all were to see each other after passing through close places apart. 4 of them absent, 1 killed, 1 mortally wounded, 1 too badly to ride & 1 prisoner of D Co.

May 18th.
Started at 8:00 Back to Ferry; 1/2 pint flour for breakfast or all day rather. George Tressel gave me 1/2 dozen small potatoes in addition thereto. 8 miles out we found a soldier lying in the road having been shot dead by bushwhacker. Co. A 36th Regt. Lyman D. Parine, no clue to perpetrator although we hunted closely. Oh how hard! At 1:00 came up with Brigade, ferried Green Brier & came out 5 miles, in all 18 miles for me today. Dusk had supper, cup coffee, little wheat and 2 little potatoes. Awful tired & hungry. Am well as ever in my life. Good time coming no doubt. Camped on ridge 200 ft high, 40 wide, can see all around. Will lay down and rest & sleep till tomorrow. Hot day, cold night.

May 19th.
Wrote Martha. Am alive and well yet this morn. Started at 5:00 passed Blue Sulphur at 6:00. Nice place, no expense been spared to make it attractive. Since the war gone to rack. Climbed mt., got Meadow Bluff at 11:00 & put up tents. No grub yet. Have direct telegraph communication with Washington, having a party put up one as far as to Lewisburg from Gauley. Will note last nights news and see if it proves true. Sigel taken Stanton, 5000 prisoners, 20 ps Artillery, R R cut off from Richmond. Butler in Lee's rear with 3 corps etc, etc. Nice place to camp. Stay here tonight I think. May stay all summer. No rails here. Rebs caught 2 soldiers less than 200 yds from our advance today. My advice to all is don't straggle from ranks. Want mail badly. Came 13 miles today.

May 20th.
Started back for Lewisburg before breakfast because we had nothing to eat. Passed brushy ridge, Reb breastworks. Strong place if they had tried to hold it. At 11:00 arrived all right. Glad to see the boys again. They have been foraging and have plenty to eat. Got dinner, had ham, potatoes, pancakes, butter, sugar, coffee & melons, the way I did eat was a caution. [illegible] Lappin ordered to go back on account of wound. Am desperately tired and starved down though well. Nice time to rest & expect all are busy at home these fine days planting corn. Would like to help a few days & see the folks again. Came 12 miles today. What a great blessing it is to have kind friends especially if we are permitted to be with them. Camp at Millville on Mill Creek 5 miles west Lewisburg.

May 2lst.
As nice morning as ever seen though hot. Never rested better in my life than last night. Boys had plenty bedding and everything good to eat. 6 o'clock lying still today resting. Had dress parade, orders highly praising 34th for its good conduct & bravery, saying that it save the whole Division at Wythville which is encouraging to the mounted boys. The officers of dismounted part also praise us highly for having done our whole duty. Am alone back of camp on large rock, it being a calm & pleasant place to think of the past and pray & hope for the future. I feel worn out & tired nearly to death. God bless us and so direct that this war may end soon & we be permitted to gladden many lonely ones by returning home.

May 22d.
Am lying still to 10:00 and feel well. Had the privilege of writing to Martha. Am happy in heart but tired in limb. Pleasant day and plenty to eat. Train came in with supplies last night. At 3 o'clock am lying on grass in sugar grove by myself with C Co. having been advised to stay near my command. Most pleasant I ever have seen in Virginia, but my associates are not those most dear to me is one trouble in my idle hours. In the midst of exciting scenes I came near forgetting this was Sunday. Oh, how far different from the pleasant scenes at home today. I hear no song of prayer or praise but continual cursing & swearing. Oh God, hasten the time when this war shall end and peace again shall become the stability of this nation. God protect me from the influence of surrounding evil and help me to do my duty and serve Thee aright.

May 23d.
Awoke at earliest dawn having slept on grass beside a large rock alone with gum blanket over me. Oh how good to lie down at night feeling conscious of having done no wrong during the day. Slept well and feel well this morning. The sun is just showing his red face and everything seems encouraging. Looking every hour for mail from home, which would certainly be happyfying to us all, to me in particular as I am kept away from my comrades. It goes good to rest when one is tired but we will soon get tired resting I fear unless they adopt the foraging plan for grub again. Little coffee & cracker is all today. Am reading Testament & little work dated 1815 on astronomy. Very interesting both, nothing in the world will try a mans pluck like hunger for if nothing else makes him steal that will surely. It is hard to have plenty one day & nothing next.

May 24th.
Fine morning, am entirely well & could eat a hearty breakfast if had chance. I remember the pleasures at Pap's of 5 months ago today, will I ever see plenty to eat again? Every thing here played out. Was not enough in 10 miles around to feed us 2 days although it is an excellent country. One would think that every thing was plenty judging from fine fields but it is a great mistake. Am lying in shade, read book Romans through today. No mail yet, sent one away today. Give me grub & take my trousers & boots. If present appearances don't fail we will have a wet time tonight. Am very anxious to hear from home again soon. Are promised mail tonight. Noble spring under root oak on bank. Dull & stupid, got gaps, laugh & grow fat, better laugh than cry. There is one thing here that I would like to have 1/2 as good in Ohio at home and that is spring water. Have seen one spring that run from mt. at side road that would furnish one hundred bbls per minute, as cold and clear as water could be. This was on Salt Pond mt. one of Allegheny chain or a branch of it. I think from situation, here we have one that would furnish for forty thousand men and not miss at all. Quite windy, nice for planting at home and I expect everybody is at it likely. Am still in possession of a contented mind which is said to be a continual feast. Am trusting memory with many pleasing incidents that I may forget, but will not write fully anyhow. Hope the reports are true that the war is about played. Citizens say Reb soldiers are discouraged, but doubt it the way they fight.

May 25th.
Pleasant morning after sleeping on ground & empty stomach in rain covered with gum blanket. Am drying up fast. No train yet, no grub as a consequence. Am well, nothing worth writing passing. 3d, 4th Pa. leaving, time expired. weakens our force considerably. Oh, hunger, thou art severe on soldiers often and it is always when they are like we are now, have nothing to give thee to get thee to leave. I WILL DRIVE THEE SURELY AS SOON AS I GET BREAD ENOUGH. A few prisoners brought in occasionally. Squad gone for new guns at Gauley Bridge. Co. lost all our guns but 42. Boys gave out and ordered to put guns and knapsacks in wagons, teams gave out & wagon master threw them out and burnt them. That's the way hundreds of them were lost. Mounted boys lost many things retreating. Man lost 2 middle fingers on left hand, shot accidentally, Co. A 34th. Partner gave me 1/2 cracker. Made one laugh. Raining which makes it disagreeable. Some of the boys left in camp came out today, say we will get mail & bread in two or three days. How we will stand it till then is hard to tell but we'll see. Have not changed my mind of things in reference to success in the least, God grant us GREAT SPEEDY SUCCESS WITH LITTLE LOSS. As Johnson gave meat for supper & begged little cracker which was worth the world to us D boys in C, I hope to be again in my own Co. as it is more like home although I have friends here. Nothing in the shape of news items. Am lazy, weak & stupid. Cakes are needed badly. In patience possess ye your souls. Avoid evil and do right is my heartfelt daily endeavor.

May 26th.
Am well and happy as a lark, not forgot the hard trial of 5 months ago this morning. How I would love to see those that I parted from then. Still if I had always stayed with them I would never have known how much I love them nor what they are worth to me. I hope to get home ere long but am determined to see this war ended if saved from mishap before I leave the army for I feel it my duty and may God help me to discharge it manfully and at the proper time. Am glad to get a little bit sheep and will make the most of it and then wait patiently for more. Squad Rebs captured six patrols this noon, Cav. after them. Wrote Martha little letter. Think they will go through all right. Would give a nice thing to get one from her of a late date. Teams came this evening with a little bread, in good time to save our bacon I think (this proved to be a mistake, coming but not arrived yet). It is going to be a starving job on us if we stay here and depend on trains for supplies. Bushwhackers very plenty. If I were chief in command, I would burn every house, fence, barn, pig pen & chicken roost and devastate the whole country and make them come to the trough where they would find nothing to lick and if they prove to be Union men, pay for it as soon as the war is over. I am of no notion of protecting anything that may by any possibility fall into their hands as support. Wheat looks first rate and would destroy the last acre even if I had to plow it under. Plenty corn planted up nice. I would hoe it up higher, in short take and destroy EVERYTHING that I would find that they could use against the Union Army. Then this thing would have to end.

May 27th.
Am well but nearly starved. Oh my yes, we got mail this morning. 4 noble letters from Martha, Pap 1, John 1 [illegible] 1, M 1 in all 8. Last dated 11th inst. Oh happy privilege to hear from those we love best and receive such great encouragement. It goes awful hard to burn them, but will have to do so. I went out by myself on rock in shade and had a good time reading, laughing and crying, often all at once, as I read & reread the happyfying news and encouraging advice from all. I never saw so many HAPPY STARVED boys in my life, to make the thing long to be remembered. Indeed in the midst of this happy time, the train came in and bread, meat, and coffee were issued out to us. This is glory enough for one day. God grant to fill our hearts with thy love.

May 28th.
Feel good having slept on bark to keep off damp ground. Raining freely, makes it nasty. Got Kenton papers. It seems like a good thing after seeing none for so long. Wrote Martha. Got one from her after mailing date 14 & 15. Oh how good to hear from my dearest friends. Militia boys in 135th Regt. OVI N.G. [National Guard] Co. I Capt. Melhorn in Maryland I think mumps at home. Plenty beef & crackers & coffee. Nothing occurring in camp worthy of note. Would like a letter from N. G. boys so as to hear what they have to do. I had paper would write them. Saw some of officers little tricks that don't like. Viewed country through large glass. Saw a man 2 miles off, had only 2 buttons on his jacket. Mts. look odd when brought in close view in this way. Encouraging news in Richmond papers. Lee falling back 3 miles per day on an average.

May 29th.
Cold night. Frosted a little. Too cold to sleep good on damp ground with only gum blanket as cover. Am in noble health and fine spirits. Have spent now 4 weeks traveling over these rough mts. Most pleasant, bright Sabbath morning I ever saw in Virginia, probably because I am contented and feel well and am looking on the bright side of everything. Lord, help me to spend THIS and EVERY DAY right. It is all noise and bustle in camp this morning, far different from that peaceful happy home in woods but have become so accustomed to it that it don't disturb me. Forward movement on hand, I am quite sure to Beverly, I think and may possibly get sight of Richmond yet. J. Wells sick. Nice day as ever dawned. I have read Testament all forenoon.

May 30th.
Am well & hearty as a bear. Nice morning, cold night. New items are: Grant drove Lee into his last fortifications, captured 1 Div. 1 Brig. & 1 Regt. and drove balance of 2 Corps into James River. Will wait to see if it is true. The day has now passed off very pleasantly as we have nothing to do, not over much to eat, out at that. A few of 2d Va. Cav. Left camp to forage without permit and were captured, horses and equipment all taken, themselves parolled, made no resistance at all. Court martialled for disobeying orders in going and have to pay for all lost, about $200 each, gold. These days are just right to be planting corn at home if like they are here. I saw corn up 3 inches 3 weeks ago, none in this neighborhood that I have seen yet. Dug potatoes and had a fine mess. Fence gone & I think we had better save them from growing anyhow.

May 31st.
Awoke at 4:00 and took a ramble for exercise & think I feel better than those who lie till six and get up dreaming & nodding around too lazy to see straight. Cold night & an extremely warm day. No grub. Health good, not but very little sickness in camp, OWING TO LIGHT DIET PERHAPS. I am certain this is the last day we will see in May 1864 and I hope ere we can say this of June that the war will be ended and glorious peace declared all over the land. Saw and talked with owner of our camping farm. Left 3 years ago, never back till now. Says he don't care for farm if we succeed in crushing Rebellion. Land was worth $35 to $50 per acre ere the war. Duffie had inspection of arms but didn't inspect our bellies at all to see whether they were full or not. 6 o'clock. Oh yes, we have got bread, coffee & sugar for tonight and tomorrow.

June 1864

June 1st.
Am well this fine morning. All regular infantry rolled out this morn early. We await orders. I feel like not neglecting any of my duties and like living so that I may have a house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens. Lord support us by thy grace and fill our hearts with love divine. Wrote to Martha. Poor prospect of getting it mailed. Oh what a pleasure to converse even in this poor way when there is no other. I will try to live so that if I never meet them on Earth again we may meet in that land where we will never part. Soldiers have many hardships to endure but can be contented & happy nevertheless if they take the proper course. I am glad that I get good advice and encouragement from kind friends at home for it is scarce indeed here although fine men are plenty. I cannot see how they can become so reckless and profane when they know their dangers & their duties as well as they do. They talk as though being a soldier excuses a man from being accountable for his moral conduct. Am determined to not be influenced by their example as far as they incline to lead me astray. Oh that today we might get the glorious news of peace having become the stability of our Nation. God grant success & speed this happy day. Lee cut off from Richmond and falling back is the last report. Butler at Fort Darling. Wrote Martha before dinner and mailed while eating mutton soup got one from her of 19th ult. and S.W. Nixon's of 22d Martinsburg, W. Va. Answered immediately. Happy privilege indeed to talk with those we love best even in this poor way. I have kind friends whereever I have been and will always try to use others in the same way.

June 2d.
Still lying in camp in idleness & hope. Sam, J. Wells & W. Shadle of D sent back to Hospital last night but I did not know it until they were gone. Am in good health, the greatest blessing we enjoy. I think I am now able and better prepared to cherish love and respect the memory of our grand sires who fought & bled to achieve American Independence than ever before. I wonder if coming generations will thus fondly appreciate the labors of US soldiers at the present hour? Will they ever think of the privations under which we have to pass? At 2:00 fell in and advanced 4 miles to Lewisburg. Raining & slippery, swealtry & hot: hotter. Am well and happy because contented. Boys killed a hog & had meat plenty. Dark gloomy & raining. All lively.

June 3d.
Arose early & took a good lot of fresh hog for breakfast; slept well, nice country for wheat & grazing. Started and passed Lewisburg, 1/2 size Lima, 3 fine churches, brick & stone buildings almost entire, half of them empty & going to rack. Waded Greenbriar River, 300 yards wide, cold, awfully stony & hard on bare feet. Camped mile beyond in flat, large brick house. Rebel breastworks on right, our Regt. helped to shell this out here once last summer & burned camp & supplies. Viewed breastworks, very steep mts. each side, almost impassable, 250 ft. apart. Nasty place. Could have been shelled all to pieces though. Company 7th horses came in scared & running, stopped, fell into line as nicely as if had riders; are in Rebel country now. Dug potatoes with tops foot high & though old ones good. Large brick house, on guard, pickets fired on, no blood spilt.

June 4th.
Started at 4:00 Passed White Sulphur town, as fine a place as need be, attractive in appearance & in some respects in reality. Large 3 story hotel 250 x 60 I judge, cost at least $100,000. Came in contact with branches of Allegheny Mts. Stanton Pike, good road, Allegheny Valley in places 100 yards wide & in others 40 ft. Stopped for dinner at 2 o'clock having come 23 miles, raining. J. Frith, Sergeant Co D. Duffield scout killed here 3rd, bushwhackers, moved on at 4:00 till 6:00 in all 29 miles. Pretty well on 1/4 rations, we will call this place Camp Scanty. Tired & sleepy, raining. Frith was shot by one 23rd, thought he was rebel as he was a piece off with big hat on & they were being fired on at the time. Oh noble man thy fate was sudden & hard. Had one cracker as rations today.

June 5th.
Started at 4:00 and came across mts. across Jackson river on foot. Came 12 miles and stopped on creek to rest & WISH for something to eat. Dismounted men all thrown together, large Regt. left in rear of whole Div. Take my coat & give me a cracker. Left again at 12:00 awful warm. Came 8 miles & all gave out & laid down. Train came up & gave us 3 crackers. Hot springs, warm as milk & more. Fair view of the old HE Allegheny Mts. here. Nice place for an artist to take a fine picture. They must have started early to get so LONG & AWFUL HIGH. Passed on to water works, 3 fine churches, high style. Halted after dark having passed all the Cos. coming 23 miles. We are wild infantry, 3 crackers more, coffee & sugar.

June 6th.
Arose long before day. Am well & happy except rheumatism left leg, all lame & gave out. Ordered to go onward with wild boys so that if others got tired riding they might take their place. Rode 5 miles till noon, crossed cow pasture river & Allegheny Mts. for height see map [?]. Came to Western Central RR which was intended to end at Barborsville but is only running to Jackson, 18 miles from here. Boys ahead on foot to Painters Gap, possibly will skirmish, 38 miles to Stanton. Holding horses to graze, led up, boys had no trouble, Mill Creek. R.B & W.R. together, valley 40 to 100 wide, almost perpendicular rock each side, stone wall, ugly place. Stopped at 4 and camped near station, 32 miles to Stanton, driving hard to join Hunter & thus concentrate the 8th Corps. Will make if no hindrance in 2 days more. Nice view from Mts.

June 7th.
Jogging onward lively by R R on foot, all torn to pieces. Boys upset in pieces a 1/4 mile long in one piece & set on fire, burnt bridges and ties & all, splendid track though very crooked, passed over Pond Mt., very high beautiful scenery, hot. Came into fine valley, splendid soil & well tended. Wheat, oats, grass & corn growing plenty and looks noble indeed. Stanton taken by Hunter, Rebs lit out, will follow tomorrow. Camped at Middle brook. Rebs left at 10 a.m. Pleasant place. Tired and will have supper at 10 and start at 2 to overtake them. 24 miles today, 10 to Stanton, having come 2 miles around to get in rear on Lynchburg Pike. S. A. Dorr, 2 Lieut Co. D wounded & left at Lynchburgh.

June 8th.
Am well. Started late behind Cav. & train, all passed then right about having likely learned something of their retreat of importance to change directions, hope to get them in a hole yet today. Passed through noble country as need be. Everything looks splendid. Reached the city at 12:00 M. fine town. Hunter in possession having drove & scattered them capturing 1300 of them, 700 killed, wounded and missing of his command, their loss 1180. 8th Corps all together, quite an army surely. Everybody in our ranks is in the very best spirits and will light out for Richmond next perhaps. Lord grant to continue our successes everywhere. Gen. Jones (Reb) killed Hunters fight Sunday. Shells threw rail stockades every way killing dozens at once.

June 9th.
Cool pleasant morning and having a nice place & good floored shed made of board fence we are enjoying rest finely with great anxiety we await an opportunity to hear from & write home. We will bear every hardship bravely & try end this thing soon and then enjoy life in a better & different style. Oh my but we are all tired. I hope we will get horses or else not have to travel to keep up with Cavalry. We are doing fine, hear that our men met the enemy and captured 1300 men & 300 horses. Happy with privilege of writing Martha to tell her of my health, about all I had time to do. Hope she will get it all right anyhow as it is the last I can send now.

June 10th.
Fine morning and will start out in some direction. At 5:00 started back for Lexington passing over 11 miles same road we came in on till 12:M. advance skirmishing with McCaslin's men all along, wounding a few of them & capturing them. At 3:00 we stopped 20 minutes for dinner, made a cup of coffee & drank it & am waiting for orders. Lieut. 5th Va. killed on skirmish line here. Rebs keep a pretty safe distance today. We are after them and may yet be overtaken ourselves ere we know it. Don't expect to be so lucky all the time as for a month past. Camped at sundown tired and hungry, having come 24 miles. Till midnight cooking meat and bread for tomorrow. Awful dusty, almost smothered us at times.

June 11th.
Very unfortunate this morn at 4 1/2 [4:30], someone discharged a gun while I was lying asleep wounding left wrist, bad enough I think at least. Somebody must have loaded it to shoot a hog or sheep & left it capped. Riding in the ambulance today. Oh how hard it seems to labor so hard to get here & then not be able to take a part. Skirmishing warmly till noon. Artillery firing till it got too hot & Rebs lit out. Had a noble position but done what was best for them. This is said to be the nicest town in all Virginia, but have not much chance to see it. Lexington, W. Va., 6 months this afternoon since enlisted, a great many wounded on skirmish line. 13 miles today.

June 12th.
Fine morning, put in a long restless night, my hand paining me so that I could not sleep. Lying by resting today, probably waiting reinforcement under Pope; I suppose Lynchburg comes next on list, then Richmond if successful at former. Oh Lord give success. Lexington is a fine town. Saw it from hill today. Dr. says this is Sunday. It seems strange that its true when there is so much confusion & stir in camp. 250 wagons loaded with supplies came in 2 Regts., Militia guarding. Cool nights, wheat coloring very fast, as good country as ever saw and this is where the Rebs get their main supplies. No wonder they hate to give it up.

June 13th.
Rested better last night. Wound is very much swollen and painful this morn. Cooks and nurses very kind but our Regt (dismounted squad) Dr. don't show himself to do anything for us at all, still lying yet feel pretty well since stirring around. My wound is badly swollen though not so painful. I suppose I will never know exactly how it was done, if I had known the gun was loaded it would not have hit me I am sure as it did. Cav. capturing hundreds of horses hid by Rebs Cav. in woods, tons ammunition, plenty cannon on canal. Boys say I rolled over after a few seconds & groaned slightly & then tried to get up holding hand on breast, thought was hit there. Two helped me up & first I asked who done it. Say I did not wake for a minute at least.

June 14th.
Went on toward Lynchburgh 24 miles came to Buchanan on James River. Rebs had same old McCaslin & 5th Regt who had joined him pretended to make a stand but Averill run them out. 13th had to shell & burn many fine buildings to get out of them, so here we are camping tonight on south bank and washed in James River, with splendid stone pike right down to the doomed city, whither I believe we are bound. How our hearts rejoice over our hitherto success. I thank God & pray for continuation. Hand sore & swollen, will take care of it my best. A. Sloan of D. with mtd boys killed today. 11th Jas. Hermance, Vicart & Terwilliger taken prisoner by carelessness.

June 15th.
Started early & came across Blue Ridge instead of down river. Roughest, most stony I ever saw yet, like shook me to pieces. Hand pains me very much. We are now in Old or Eastern Virginia. Came 16 miles & camped at 4:00 in meadow. Buchanan fine town, Lexington Military Academy, burned arms & military stores of all kinds.

June 16th.
Started on early, good road so far, at 10:00 Came to Liberty, full of Rebs wounded, from Richmond perhaps. R R same we cut at Newburn 50 miles from here. Stopped to rest, hand awful sore, could not sleep at all last night after jolting so much. Left main road and came around along R R it is torn all up. Our boys are great hands on that kind of work. 16 miles.

June 17th.
Fine morning. Rested well last night. Hand has got to running and will get better now I think. At 8:00 sick & wounded started on mule train for the valley of Kanahaw. Will take a long time. 15 miles to Lynchburg, 20 miles.

June 18th.
Wound dressed last night and slept good though late getting at it. We have a heavy train & light guard & are some fearful of being captured but hope to get through safely & in June too. Crossed Blue Ridge again, 10 miles over, rough. W. Va. again, at 6:00 passed Fincastle. Fine little town full of people. Look awful pleasant, camped after dark 20 miles out.

June 19th.
Sunday again at home, not here. Rested well, pickets fired on last night. Balls whizzing over our heads in camp. Capt. Sergeant afraid we will be caught yet the management is so poor. Col. Militia Com. never handled train before sure. Crossed Peters Mt. Captured 75 horses & mules, real nice job. 18 miles. Stopped on Allegheny Mt. Dr. McClure of 23d is our Surgeon.

June 20th.
Up early and got breakfast but a late start. Crossed mts. all day and camped 20 miles out at Sweet Sulphur, not the same spoken of before. Sore and tired, nothing of importance to write.

June 21st.
Came on in advance of Hunters train, after coming mile the rear was fired on by 60 to 100 rebs in a few minutes they ran & we passed on to White Sulphur Springs in peace, 17 miles, all right, 4 wounded. Hand pained me last night so could not sleep & am very tired & sleepy. Pancakes plenty and we are doing well.

June 22d.
Advanced 4 miles and more, met by 80 or 100 Rebs & militia turned back, came back past White Sulphur Springs & too around, at 18 miles camped, losing a long drive by turning.

June 23d.
Are on a little by-road the roughest thing I ever saw yet, especially this afternoon. Col. Putnam, 152d N. G. Com. he is certainly not capable or we never would have been in here. We all expect to be captured. The road is not fit to go to mill horseback. Oh dear how tired & sore though in good health. Stopped at dark and got supper, 25 miles, & laid by till 12, miles 25 S.

June 24th.
Passed on at daylight came to Beverly turnpike & thither we are bound. At 5:00[?] stopped to get breakfast having come 40 miles since morning 23rd, crossed 3 mts. today & stopped at dark, having come perhaps 16 miles since breakfast. Tired to death nearly, might have been in Charleston now had the militia been of any account at all, hand healing but painful.

June 25th.
Fine morning, will be hot today. Am well & hearty. Did not rest well. Wound very painful. Late start, mts. all the time, the roughest road I have ever seen. Blue limestone as large as peck measure as thick as can lie. Nearly killed us wounded boys. Camped after dark as usual, 18 miles. Any man that will lead a set men as this Col. does ought to be hung. Strawberries make mts. red.

June 26th.
Raining this morning. 2 of our mules gone this time & can't be found. Nice road today all the time and at 11:00 met a provision train for our relief and got plenty now. Camped where Huttonville used to be. 1/2 doz. houses. Stopped and was fine day, 20 miles. 6 months since I left loving family.

June 27th.
Good road & driving lively. Got to Beverly at 10:00 after driving 12 miles. A Regt. of old soldiers here so we are within our own lines again after being out nearly 2 months. There was some hard fighting hereabout at the commencement of the war. Here Rosecrans took command of his first Div. Lee, the Great General, now at Richmond, attacked & got advantage & drove him back a short distance to Cheat Mt. & then got licked badly. Small town. Got soft bread, first I ate since 26th April. The change is good but will soon get tired of it. We will all be glad when we get rid of these contemptible officers & quack soldiers. Oh militia is this your manual - or best - actions? We will soon be out where we can hear of home & what doing around us. Heard 2 bros talk a long time. 1 Union soldier wounded, other Reb. prisoner, fine fellows, both I believe.

June 28th.
Lying still today, I suppose to rest & fatten up. Sundown had supper. Fine day but it would not end this week hardly, mean militia shooting all the time. Valley river here, quite a little stream. Will pass onward tomorrow. Don't [know] where our destination will be. 5 thousand once surrounded 10th Va. hard by where we are lying but they drove them away after fighting 28 hours being breastworks. Negroes playing banjo and singing just by & I have to listen to them.

June 29th.
Waited till noon for train of grub & feed from Clarksburg. Came out 10 miles and took supper on corn dodgers at sun down. Oh my how good. Am doing tolerably well though my hand pains me very much when moving. Am going to keep my spirits up. Charles Danforth Watt.

June 30th.
Passing onward, at noon, met a train that came out from Webster to HAUL TIRED MILITIA! Oh the DEAR yet WORTHLESS PLAY-OFF JACKS: they have stolen by the way till some knapsacks are as heavy as 2 bu. corn and of course they have to be hauled if they go on top the sick and wounded. Bad road, has been cut all to pieces when soft and is rough and chucky. Oh we will get to R R in 18 miles more, have come today 14 miles now. Camped at Philippi having come 20 miles, here Col. Ellsworth fought and gained the day in 3 months service, went on to Alexandria & met his sad fate known to all. He com. 7th N. Y. First Zouaves. Small town. Am well, hand painful but Dr. says is doing well.

July 1864

July 1st.
It is 2 months today since I left Camp Toland. I have passed many hardships safely for which I feel thankful. During this time I have not been under a roof, except an old stable and shed, over springs, which was very seldom. At noon we got to Webster on R R, Grafton (4 miles) and Parkersburg. To latter place we will go as soon as we get train, which is encouraging indeed. We have left the mule train and have a little peace & quiet. Will rest tonight under roof in old steam saw mill. Dr. got butter crackers & canned peaches as provided by US Sanitary Commission which does us great good. Boys say, "God bless the noble institution." In a short time we can hear from home. Oh glorious indeed.

July 2d.
At 1:00 took train for Parkersburg, crooked road, 23 tunnels in 100 miles, arrived safely & found a nice place ready to receive us. Can see across into Ohio but I have not been to river yet. Warm day, large town & fine country for few miles around it.

July 3d.
Rested well on good bed, up early and want breakfast which is very good sign. Raining a little. Cars and boats whistling all around & it sounds like old times again. Hospital property formerly belonged to Stonewall Jackson. Very warm. Wrote to Martha once more & also to W. G. McColl for description list & letters at Charleston. Wish had them now to read. Oh how glad I'd be. Wait and they will come after while.

July 4th.
Great & glorious day of Independence. Good dinner & plenty lady visitors. Many who came to see relations. They speak very kindly to me & all the boys, giving flowers & nice things to eat, as cakes, nuts, raisins, etc. 'Tis awful hot, otherwise we are very pleasantly situated. We have noble kind attentive men as nurses. Oh that peace might again cover our land as in years long ago past when PEACE was everywhere & war no where. Science & common sense have surely united to frame & adopt the present Hospital arrangements. Everything works as if by machinery. God bless us with contentment & those we have left behind waiting.

July 5th.
Am well, hand is very painful at times, but is improving slowly perhaps. 'Tis hot, otherwise we are comfortable. I am anxious to hear from home it now being month & half since I heard from home. I hope to hear soon. Heavy Reb force on B & O RR near Martinsburg. Hunter passing through here on his way to ASSIST.

July 6th.
Am well. Wrote to Martha, kind partner Mr. Reese addressed & gave stamp without asking. Awful hot but now at 4:00 it is beginning to rain and air is cooler. Am doing as well as any one could expect. Am poor & lean as greyhound but feel well though at times suffering a good deal pain.

July 7th.
Very hot. Like to have rained this noon but failed, very dry. Am well & hearty as ever in my life though of course I do not eat as heartily as if had plenty exercise for which I long & hope to have. Others are reading letters all around and it makes me very anxious to get one from home. After while 'twill all come right I hope.

July 8th.
Fine shower last night, cooler today. Arm painful on account of trying to straighten it as it had got twisted some in sling. Am well. War master says I am getting fat and lazy & look quite well. Dinner long time behind but comes at last. We are very well, but few visitors. Busy time, waiting for letters with anxiety.

July 9th.
Warmest day of the season so far. We all hope for big rain. Sick and gave out men coming from every place. Is full and are building new tents. Not more than 1/4 will remain more than few days.

July 10th.
Clear & hot. Don't appear like Sunday, though every thing is quiet. There is such a great crowd of men here that can't see much satisfaction. They are mostly men who took no care of themselves when they got plenty to eat after nearly starving and they act, many of them, like fools yet. No church today. Chapel full of beds, too hot for visitors. At 4:00 it rains & blows awful hard. Hand sore on back, feverish, poulticed.

July 11th.
The fine rain yesterday makes it more pleasant today. Hand improving a little. I think though too slowly for certain. Ought to hear from home today I think. Will wait anxiously for the good horn. 1 month now I have suffered with the wound. Seven months ago today since enlisted. Have had some hard times & many good ones, have met with many Brothers, or men who used me with as great kindness. Hand feels pretty well today. Have not had a hard word with any one in all my travels and am resolved to do right. Wrote Martha part of a letter today & quit thinking I would get one from her tonight. I am trying to do as I wish to be done by in every sense. Will try to serve my God better than ever before in view of his Blessings of health & preservation. God bless us in heart with love divine.

[Note from typed transcription: "Seems to be a few pages of diary missing; no memo. from July 11 to July 23. J. H. W."

July 23.
Cool and pleasant. Caught cold going without coat and have headache today. Received letters from John Wood and Jonathan Shaw dated 17th, mailed 20th. Letters do me more good than anything else can. Am always anxious to get them.

July 24.
Hot and dry. Singing school [Sunday School?]. Sermon at 3:00 wrote Jonathan, got Martha's dated 20th and sent a few lines to her in Jonathan's as reply. Bad cold and headache. Seven months today we had Christmas at Pap's.

July 25.
Feel first rate. Cold getting better I think. Raining nicely. Wrote John W. Turner a short worthless letter. Cool pleasant day, hear of hard fighting at Bunker. God bless the poor sick and wounded.

July 26.
Pleasant morning. Pleased to receive Martha's letter of 22d. Seven months since I left home. Oh how many dark scenes I have witnessed and yet a great many pleasant recollections come upon my mind. Wrote Martha. Great and happy privilege to hear that all are doing well at home.

July 27.
Hot day. Am well and contented. No list from Regt. since their fighting. Went out after dinner two hours and walked about 2 miles in all. Got back tired down flat. My weight is 138 lbs. When left Charleston 169. Have gained a good deal in two weeks. Am weak and no mistake. Took a look at camel backed engine. God bless and protect friends at home.

July 28.
Very hot this morn. Am well. Got J. Hodges letter. Will not forget him for it neither. Answered him after dinner. C. J. Durea of Gallipolis Private co. A 91st loaned me a blouse. $353 unpaid, wife Cyrena E. Durea, Gallipolis, Ohio. No descriptive list yet and no prospect. 'Tis a glorious thing that soldiers are often brothers. We learn how to pity and favor.

July 29.
Desperately hot and sultry today. Am well and in good spirits. Received Martha's letter of 23d & 24th, mailed 26th and answered as well as I could. The boys are lively and have a great deal sport despite sores and headaches. No prospect of furloughs for awhile. Gen. Crook taken full command Dept. No news of importance to write.

July 30.
Hot as usual. Am well. Attended funeral of soldier at 2:00 Chaplain done the ceremony & military style. Dr. Safford, Assistant Surgeon came and commenced duty. Everybody has friends to visit and to see them nearly but those from North Ohio, we will go up there one of these days and see them MAYBE.

July 31.
Splendid sermon at 10:00 desperately hot and dry enough to burn up. Am well as ever in my life. Wrote Martha sheet & half. This day ends another month. Lord help us to spend the next better than I have this. Preaching at 6:30 Matthew 6 & 33. Splendid.

August 1864

August 1.
Hot as can be almost. Temp. 97 at noon in shade, at 4:00 heavy rain and still continues at dusk. Apple cutting to make pies for tomorrow. Steward said I might peel a few with my teeth. They were good apples and I have done my duty. Our fare improves every day now.

August 2.
Raining finely today. Got Martha's letter of 26th & 27th, inst. Why 'twas so long coming I can't tell. Not post marked at all. Have been here one month.

August 3.
Cool & pleasant. Grass looks nice and 'taters will have to grow. Did not get expected letters. Am well & in fine spirits as ever. Dan Horn took French leave [unauthorized leave] & went home. I will stay my time out first.

August 4.
Pleasant day. Preaching at 10:30. Good sermon. Chaplain sick, sent a man in his place. Got Martha's letter of 30th & answered it immediately as best I could. Appearance of rain again. Am still trying to be contented but it keeps me busy to stay in a place so confining.

Aug. 5.
Am well and hope to remain so. Am growing awfully tired of laying around here doing nothing. Have not exercise enough for health.

August 6.
Hot and dry. Am unwell. Got Martha's letter of 2d. Am glad I am still remembered. Sent in application for furlough today. Boys brought good apples from Ohio. Militia called & brought out today. Lord reward those that are kind.

August 7.
Desperately sick last night with Cholera. Better today having no cramp. Sore and awfully sick from taking so much hot & strong medicine. Wrote Martha.

August 8.
Sick & sore. Not able to be up any at all. Inward fever suffering for water all the time. Hot. I almost roast lying in bed.

August 9.
Feel a little better this morn. Think I will soon be up now. Got Martha's letter of 5th & 6th this morning containing $5. My friends make of me a pet.

August 10.
Am improving slowly. Up a little. Wrote Martha again. Oh how glad I am that I have this privilege. Post Militia drafted today and balance sent home as reserve. 40 sent to Regts.

August 11.
As hot weather as I ever felt. Am gaining a little strength I think. A still man & a wise head. Don't talk too much and others won't know you are a fool. Militia sent home 'till called for again. Government allows 85 [cents] per day for each man to Com. Sergeant. He can't help but make money fast. 20 left today for Regts. Threatening rain. Have cool air since 3 o'clock.

August 12.
Clear cool morning, no rain. Feel very much like myself again. Hope by careful management to still improve. Got Martha's letter of 7th and 8th. Hot.

August 13.
Feel quite well this morn. Appearance of rain. J. T. Rose gone. Had splendid melons as ever ate today. A few furloughs came in tonight. My turn may come yet some day.

August 14.
Preaching at 10 AM. Good & impressive. At 11:00 commenced & rained hard an hour. Am doing fine, well. Reading "Path of Life" noble book. Cool & pleasant afternoon. Singing, sermon at 6:30 Isaiah 1st & 2d. Wrote Martha today.

August 15.
Foggy & cool. Feel better than have for two weeks & do hope it will last. A clever man brought load melons who would not take pay from wounded men. I helped eat several at this price. Took walk over town in evening.

August 16.
Hot as ever again this morning. Good apples at same price as melons. Headache a little. Feel well after breakfast. Several fine showers after dinner. Have got too lazy to walk almost. Staid up till 1:00 with Collins for company. Applications forwarded today.

August 17.
Cool & cloudy this morn. Feel first bumcombe [?] 8 sent to Regt. Hope something of interest may occur that will be worth writing about. Contented. Had another apple cutting day.

August 18.
Cloudy & cool. Am well & hearty. Got letters from Pap and Martha of 14th. Glad to hear from home again. Nothing does me so much good. Wrote Pap intending to do all. Apple cutting again. Reading Ely's Journal in Richmond. Finished.

August 19.
Cool & raining all day. Staid on watch till 1:00 last night & have headache & feel unwell. Am not as well used to losing sleep as I have been. Oh how long shall I remain a prisoner here? Lord bless those far away.

August 20.
Pleasant day and am well. Apple cutting again. Tried to do ample justice to them as they were excellent. Took my first bath in Ohio River. Does more good than all the good things we eat. Boys leaving for Regt. I have to stay.

August 21.
Cool & nice. Rained very heavy showers last night. Another Sunday finds me lying here doing nothing. I hope soon to get privilege to go away. Will try do right & be content & happy. Sermon at 10:30. Job 36:18. Wrote Martha and all the family, preaching at 6:30, 1st Timothy 7 & 8. Showers & cool. Raining this evening. Oh how guarded I ought to live while surrounded with so much vulgarity & wickedness. Up with sick all night. Raining all night.

August 22.
Raining this morning. The ground is well soaked and the river will be up and navigation open. Cleared off at 10:00 21 sent to Regts. today. Day passed off pleasantly. Reading "Weems Life of Washington".

August 23.
Cool, foggy morning. Martha's letter of 17th-18th came to hand at 9:00 Oh how much good it does me to hear that all are living at home. Sorry to hear that some are sick. Am growing more tired of this place. Hope to leave soon.

August 24.
Very warm again. Feel tolerably well. Nothing worth noting occurring. Reading most of the day. Happy & contented.

August 25.
Rain last night. Cloudy today. Wrote Martha & for description list. Fine music tonight by citizen boys, violin & bass fiddle.

August 26.
Cool & cloudy this morning. Eight months now since I left home and friends. I have seen enough of this thing to induce me to try to do right that trouble may not follow. Martha's letter of 21st came to hand at 9:00 cool all day, up all night, rained heavy.

August 27.
Very cool but clear this morning. Expect to hear from home again today. Received Jonathan Shaw's letter of 21st. Ladies visit us from Ohio. Very cool.

August 28.
Still cool & pleasant this morning. Feel well except having caught cold. Wrote Martha again. Oh happy privilege. Sermon at 10:00 Isaiah 40:31.

August 29.
Very cool and I feel first rate except pain in left side from bad cold. Am tired doing nothing, will try to do right. Got Martha's letter of 24th tonight. Should have had yesterday morning for no mail good satisfaction in everything. It does me good to get such letters.

August 30.
Foggy & cold. Feel splendid. Nothing occurring of any importance. Am lying around reading & passing the time as pleasantly as I can under the circumstances.

August 31.
Cold early this morning but as the day advances it is getting warmer. I was up 'till 1:00 and feel a little sleepy. Wrote to Martha again everything I could think of any account & a good deal that was of no account at all. Today ends another month. She goes out coolly as if insulted. Mustered for pay but have no Descriptive list. Went to the table for dinner and done well. I hope to feel as well every day as I do today. Then I get along all right. Have been nearly three months off duty now and am of no account yet. 4 left for Regts.

September 1864

September 1.
This morning is quite cold, it being foggy is all that saved a hard frost. Am well. Seven furloughs appeared, but none for me. I have given up getting one now altogether. Splendid mush for breakfast, cabbage dinner.

September 2.
Not quite so cold as it was yesterday. Very glad to get letters from brother D. J. Wood and Martha J. Wood, both dated 29th. Up 'till 1:AM last night. 48 left for their Regts. Will have more room. I feel contented & will try to do as near right as I can. Have been here now two months. Am getting tired & more too.

September 3.
Feel well after a night's good sleep. I can but notice how much quieter it is today after so many of the noisiest being sent away yesterday. We can enjoy ourselves better now. Raining and warm this afternoon. Happy the man whose heart is full of actions kind toward his associates.

September 4.
Pleasant Sabbath morning again. Arose early. Am well and will try to spend the day right. Sermon 10:30 and 3:30. Wounded Chaplain of 5th Va. Cavalry preached. Excellent, "Justification by Faith". Received Martha's letter dated 31st ult. Answered it immediately and sent Dave one inside, stamps scarce. Clerks are preparing applications to send away.

September 5.
Cool and nice this morning and I have begun another weeks hard work laying around doing no good to any one. Nice rain this afternoon. Warm, up 'till 1:00 tonight. Raining desperately. No mail.

September 6.
Still raining slowly. Feel well and hearty. Get no mail this morning. R R bridge washed away. Very gloomy and I can't help partaking of the same influence for I can't see my way out of this place yet but I hope to soon. Cannons firing at fort. Good news I suppose. Atlanta taken and Early licked again.

September 7.
Warm. Well, Maj. Gen. Kelly visited our shebang today. Up tonight.

September 8.
Raining. Martha's letter of 4th, answered immediately. Nothing new occurring.

September 9.
Pleasant day. No more to say.

September 10.
Hot. Martha's letter of 6th. Am well.

September 11.
Up last night. Cool and pleasant now. Wrote Martha. Am well and trying to be content.

September 12.
Cold and windy. Health tolerably good.

September 13.
Received Martha's and S. W. Nixon's letters dated 8th inst. Answered S. W. N. today.

September 14.
Warmer and raining a little. Up last night. Have caught cold and am quite unwell. Feel better this evening.

September 15.
Tolerably well today. Got Martha's letter of 10th. Gladly do I peruse it. Wrote her in reply as best I could, nothing of importance to write.

September 16.
Cool & clear. Am quite well. Still growing more tired living here but will wait 'till luck changes.

September 17.
Still clear today. Am well. Received Martha's letter dated 13th. Passed out [of the camp] and got apples today. Had not been out for long time before. Powerful orchard laden heavily.

September 18.
Fine pleasant morning. Wrote Martha. Windy afternoon and now at 5:30 it is raining powerful hard. Up tonight.

September 19.
Clear and very pleasant. Doctors examining a few today. I think Collins will be discharged. I am well.

September 20.
Applications sent. Mine absent, likely burnt. Paid Durea $1.00. Fine day & am well. Carpenters laid floor, no stove.

September 21.
I am in good health. Passed out [of the camp] again & got apples plenty. Very fine day. Appearances of rain.

September 22.
Received Martha's and S. W. Nixon's letters of the 18th. Glad to hear from home though the news from Pap's causes a deep depression of feelings on account of mother's dangerous illness. We never know the value of friends 'till separated far from them. Wrote Martha and Sam'l both.

September 23.
Received David's letter of 20th giving the sad news of mother's departure from this world at 6:00 AM of that day. I feel heart stricken with grief. In Thee Oh Lord may we put our trust in this hour of deep affliction. I feel that this stroke is more severe on me than any other one of the family, they all likely being present on the solemn occasion. Wrote Adj. Gen.

September 24.
Rain and storm heavy last night and still raining a little this morning. Since 10:00 pleasant and clear. Am well but feel sad and sorrowful.

September 25.
Cold like winter but see no frost. Wrote David. Am well but feel dull and low spirited & sad.

September 26.
We think it time we had stoves as it is cold these evenings and mornings. More than ever disgusted with the foolery of the management. Nine months this morning since I left home. Am well but feel bad.

September 27.
Received Martha's letter of 23d and answered. Fine day. Sent Phrenological Journal home. Collins wrote Adjt. Gen. today. 77 came in, transferred from Clarksville. Three of the 34th, none of Co. D.

September 28.
Had little rain last night. Cloudy and pleasant today. 30 sent to Regts. Salute of 100 guns in honor of Sheridan.

September 29.
Raining hard this morning and likely to continue raining, was disappointed in not getting a letter from home. Will wait. Raining and storming heavy evening.

September 30.
Cloudy and cool yet this morning. No mail matter yet. General Order to send home sick and wounded till after election.

October 1864

October 1.
Raining, cold & disagreeable. Received S. W. Nixon's letter dated 27th, containing photo. Also Martha's dated 25th. Am well. 25 sick and wounded arrived. Again raining hard nearly all night.

October 2.
Cloudy and damp having rained all night. Passing the time comfortably. Wrote Thomas Shaw. Still and quiet Sabbath. Preaching at 10:30 and at 3:30. Nothing new.

October 3.
Rainy morning, clear afternoon. Wrote H. Shaw. Am well and hearty. Am making very poor improvement of my time being so tired lying here.

October 4.
Clear warm morning. Have headache and feel quite unwell. Received Martha's letter and socks. Splendid. Thanks much. Wrote S. H. Wood this afternoon. Order for transfer and proper blanks for Surgeon's signature received from Adjt. Gen. Signed and forwarded to Washington City.

October 5.
Pleasant morning. Up last night. Wrote Martha and Thomas Shaw. Indications justify the hope that this war will soon end and the long desired blessing of peace shall gladden and invigorate us with its benign soul enlivening and elevating influence. After while, thank fortune, I expect to be honorably relieved from this place.

October 6.
Raining and gloomy this morning. I am in good health and trying to be content with things as they come. Wm. G. Mobl [?] of Co. D passing called at Hospital to see me. Oh my but I was glad to see him, on his way to Regt. having been on detached duty all summer, could stay but few minutes.

October 7.
Clear as a bell this morning and quite cool. Have splendid company of mess or ward mates now and enjoy my time pretty well. Called to the office and examined, object & result unknown.

October 8.
Awful windy night and is cold today and windy. Received Martha's letter of 2d from Wawaka, Indiana. Passed out [of camp] after dinner and got apples. Doctor very clever. Cold and snowing a few drops, no frost yet.

October 9.
Very cold, cloudy, no frost but little snow. Sabbath. Oh that I may spend it aright. Wrote Martha at Wawaka. Sermon at 10:30 and 3:00 Got Mary G. Shaw's letter of the 5th. Sixty got passed for 7 days. I was not anxious but decided to go, but did not do so in time as the order to close was given before I got in. Collins went, couldn't see it to pay $18.00 for two days at home.

October 10.
It is lonesome since the boys left. Cold and heavy frost. Am well. Cleared off and is quite warm at noon. Wrote Mary.

October 11.
Very foggy & cold. Am well. This day decides the Rebels' destruction. Hereabouts their lips hang like a sucking colt's, their spirits being low, poor fellows. Ah me: I can't pity ye. Received J. Wood's letter dated 2d inst. Wrote S. W. Nixon. I believe the war's wide desolation and bloodshed will soon give place to a better condition of things than we have ever known before, a true Union and glorious prosperity on our part, wrote John Wood.

October 12.
Received Martha's letter of 5th. Raining. Am well though somewhat lonesome and disgusted with times generally.

[October 13-27: No entries?]

October 27.
Started to C- on transfer. Don't like the country, great abundance of coal and iron. Of the latter there are hundreds of tons along the RR. Chillicothe for dinner, nice country along Scioto. Chillicothe's a fine town. It appears to me that we are passing through the most delightful country this afternoon I ever saw. Running very fast since dinner but stops often. At 6:00 arrived at Camp Dennison. Could not get transportation tonight and here I am in this beautiful place, 50 odd wards 120 x 30, nice, including other buildings makes quite a city.

October 28.
Am trying to get transport and at 10:00 succeeded, five minutes before train time. I am not a little surprised that we had poorer meals here than at Parkersburg, having heard this such a noble place for U S boarders. Train behind time, start at 11:00 up Little Miami River, noble country. Morrow, Cin & Zanesville RR crossing, arrived at 4:00 and stopped at Soldiers Home. 10 months ago today I came to the Barracks here. How changed am I. What would I not give to be as then.

Notes in Back of Diary

________DeLong of 36th OVI dressed my wound for several weeks at Parkersburg

C. J. Durea, 91st OVI, Gallipolis, Ohio. Hiram Skipton, 36th OVI Marietta, Ohio

George Humphrey, 2d W. Va. Cav., Rutland, Meigs County, Ohio

L. Furney, Lt. Col. 34th OVI Kenton, Ohio, J. W. Smith, Lieut Co. D, 34th OVI Clyde.

James J. Wood, Co. D. 34th Regt. Zouaves, OVI, Charleston, W Va.

Address in case of accident:
Maratha J. Wood
Ada, Hardin County, Ohio

"Truly a contented mind is a continual peace and a clear conscience the best cradle extant to rock a man to sleep at night."