MS 744 - Francis Stewart Papers Transcripts (Diary 1864)
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Title | MS 744 - Francis Stewart Papers Transcripts (Diary 1864) |
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Francis Stewart - Diary 1864
Biographical Sketch Accompanying DiaryFrancis R. Stewart's diary is here reproduced. The words that are unreadable are shown as ___. This is largely due to badly faded ink in the original copy. No attempt has been made to put or change words in the blanks. This was edited in February 1997 by Margaret Stewart Christiansen, granddaughter of F.R. Stewart, who has the original copy of his diaries. Francis R. Stewart was born in Lyoming County, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1835 and was the son of Thomas and Fanny (Riddell) Stewart, who came to Clinton Township, Seneca County, Ohio in 1838. Francis was educated in the Republic Academy and Heidelberg University. In 1858 he moved to Fostoria and taught school until the start of the Civil War. Returning home, he embarked in the hardware business with John A. Bradner and later he became associated in business with his brother John T. and others. He served as Mayor of Fostoria and was very active in the Norris Post of the G.A.R. He was one of the founding members of the Presbyterian church and served as an elder for many years. He was also very active in the Masonic Lodge in Fostoria. Mr. Stewart passed away August 17, 1922 and is buried in Fountain Cemetery in Fostoria, Ohio. The diary of his Civil War service starts in August 1864 in the action around Atlanta and ceases in April 1865. Francis R. Stewart enlisted August 15, 1861 in Company H, 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry; wounded December 31, 1862 in the battle of Stones River, Tennessee; appointed 1st Sgt. April 4, 1863; promoted to 2nd Lieut. October 31, 1863; transferred to Company K June 16, 1864; wounded in action near Atlanta July 23, 1864; promoted to 1st Lieut Co F August 11, 1864; promoted to Captain Company A, December 21, 1864; mustered out with company November 30, 1865.
My Journal transcribed from my pocket diary commenced on the 6th day of August 1864 while the army under General Sherman was thundering away at the gate city of Atlanta.
Saturday August 6th 1864 At this hour 11 pm I am taking my turn at the night watch. One officer remains up with the guard all night, in this we take turns of two or three hours each. We received mail today. Two letters falling to my share. Sunday August 7, 1864 Monday August 8, 1864 Tuesday August 9, 1864 Wednesday August 10, 1864 Thursday August 11, 1864 I received a telegraph the encouraging news that our navy under Admiral Faragut, operating against Mobile, Alabama is meeting with good success that our garrisons defending the approaches has surrendered and one was blown up and evacuated by the enemy. Faragut destroyed most of their fleet, which was the celebrated ram Tennessee. Friday August 12, 1864 Saturday August 13, 1864 Sabbath August 14, 1864 We had regimental inspection at 8 am. In the evening we heard heavy firing to our right. Rumor says it is Maj. Gen Schofield's 23rd Corps moving to the right and front endeavoring to extend his lines across to the west point and Montgomery R.R. Very large fires are seen tonight in the city and one or two explosions were heard sounding very much like the burning of ammunition perhaps some of our shells have set fire to a building containing ammunition. Monday August 15, 1864 Tuesday August 16, 1864 Wednesday August 17, 1864 Everything indicates an extensive move soon. Something will be done. It is not paying us to operate directly in front of a place so strongly fortified and ably defended. We must either break or endanger their line of communications and cause them to evacuate and then fight them out of these strong works. Thursday August 18, 1864 Friday August 19, 1864 Later our general demonstrations proved the enemy still in force along their whole line and able to defend it against a direct assault which is already nearing not quite impregnable made doubly so by the difficulty as approaching it. They have double row of abatises and chevarus De frise. Saturday August 20, 1864 Sabbath August 21, 1864 Monday August 22, 1864 Tuesday August 25, 1864 Wednesday August 24, 1864 William Musser of Co H was severely wounded today and James Dizon of Co A slightly wounded. I received a good letter from Clayton Everett and a musgrave from Sarah Feble. This has been a very busy day and is now very late at night, and time for a weary soldier to retire to his virtuous couch. Thursday August 23, 1864 The long anticipated general movement seems to be about to commence at last. The 4th Corps is to move with all possible quiet after dark to the right entirely abandoning this part of our present line. I do not know how extensive the move is but think the whole army is in motion. We received the sad news this evening of the death of Lieut Pesso of our regiment. He was sick but a few days. He died at Vinning Station. Friday August 26 1864 Saturday August 27, 1864 Sabbath August 28, 1864 Monday August 29, 1864 Tuesday August 30, 1864 Rebel cavalry have been hovering about on our left flank and rear all day. Seeming yet uncertain as to what we are doing. They doubtlessly think we are making a heavy reconnaissance or a raid. We marched perhaps 6 or 7 miles and went into line near an old church which stands in the edge of the woods seemingly entirely alone. All is very quiet this evening the cheering of the troops who are in fine spirits and confidence of success. We are approaching that point in the campaign which will develop some things of importance either for or against us. Of course will be for us at least we think so now. It will doubtless develop a big fight if nothing else. Wednesday August 31, 1864 All morning threatened rain. There was a very little firing along the line in the morning the enemy seemed to be feeling for our positions. Our brigade (1st) moved to the right front in support of the 2nd Brigade but the 49th OHIO was soon ordered to the front to support the skirmish line which was advancing we advanced a mile or more meeting very little resistance. We returned about noon for our knapsacks which we had laid off in the morning and found the whole Corps had moved to the front and left. We soon followed up and at 4 pm after a march of about four miles found the division in positions on the Macon R.R. having struck the road about two o'clock while the rebel Gen Stervant was marching his Corps to the support of Gen Hardee at Jonesboro. His Corps was divided and part of it turned back toward Atlanta, also a train of cars was coming out when it smelled powder and turned back. I think a larger portion of Hood's army is at Jonesboro, confronting the army of Tennessee, where we hear heavy firing this evening. We have already accomplished much. A large part of the enemy and all their stores are still in Atlanta. If we can crush either division before they can form a junction with the other it will be the end of Hood's wing. I look for some fighting tomorrow. I received the not very welcome intelligence that brother Jim of the 111th OHIO is sick and has been sent to the rear in the hospital. I have many fears in regards to his health. O very much wish I could have him with me. The 49th goes on picket tonight.
Thursday September 1, 1864 Friday September 2, 1864 We followed up meeting the Tennessee army in town. We moved in parallel columns down the railroad toward Macon and found the enemy in force and entrenched at Lovejoy Station, six miles south of Jonesboro. We immediately formed our columns and assaulted with the Tennessee army on the right joined on their left, the 17th Crops with the 23rd still further to the left. The 14th remained at Jonesboro, but after pushing our lines up very close and engaging them in a sharp skirmish in which Gen Wood )our division commander) was severely wounded in the ankle, their position proved to be a very strong one and actually accomplished the object of the whole summer campaign (Atlanta). Gen Sherman did not choose to push their army any farther at the present. Saturday September 3, 1864 Sabbath September 4, 1864 Monday September 5, 1864 Tuesday Sept 6, 1864 Wednesday September 7, 1864 Thursday September 8, 1864 Friday September 9, 1864 Saturday September 10, 1864 Sabbath September 11, 1864 Monday, Tuesday September 12 & 13, 1864 Wednesday September 14, 1864 Thursday September 15, 1864 Friday September 18, 1864 Saturday, September 17, 1864 Sabbath September 18, 1864 Monday September 19, 1864 A letter, I open it, it is from my good and particular friend R.C.D. having read it I will retire and dream over its contents. Tuesday & Wednesday September 20, 21, 1864 Thursday September 22, 1864 Friday September 23, 1864 Saturday September 24, 1864 Sabbath September 25, 1864 Monday September 26, 1864 September 27 to October 2, 1864 inclusive
Monday October 3, 1864 Tuesday October 4, 1864 Wednesday October 5, 1864 Thursday October 6, 1864 Friday October 7, 1864 Saturday October 8, 1864 Sabbath October 9, 1864 I have been not a little disgruntled with the conduct of some officers on the brigade staff today. There has been too much whiskey on the brain with several of them, and one was so drunk he could hardly stand up. A fine example of officers of a republican army to set for their men. I see our division hospital is fixing up quarters and building bake ovens, as though they expect to remain here for some time. Monday October 10, 1864 Monday October 10, 1864 (Election Day) Wednesday October 12, 1864 Thursday October 13, 1864 Friday October 14, 1864 Saturday October 15, 1864 Sabbath October 16, 1864 Monday October 17, 1864 Tuesday October 18, 1864 Thursday October 20, 1864 Friday October 21, 1864 Saturday October 22 and Sabbath October 23, 1864 Monday October 24, 1864 Tuesday October 25, 1864 Wednesday October 26, 1864 Thursday October 27, 1864 Friday October 28, 1864 Saturday October 29, 1864 Sabbath October 30, 1864 Monday October 31, 1864
Tuesday November 1, 1864 Wednesday November 2, 1864 November 3rd thru 8th inclusive Wednesday November 9, 1864 November 10th thru 12th, 1864 Sabbath November 13, 1864 We have the cheering news today that Lincoln and Johnson are elected by an overwhelming majority. They carried every state except rebellious Ky. Monday November 14, 1864 Tuesday November 15, 1864 Wednesday & Thursday November 15th & 16th, 1864 Friday November 18th, 1864 Saturday November 19th, 1864 Sabbath November 20, 1864 Monday November 21, 1864 Tuesday November 22, 1864 Wednesday November 23, 1864 Thursday November 24, 1864 Friday November 25, 1864 Saturday November 26, 1864 Sabbath November 27, 1864 Monday November 28, 1864 Later...the enemy doubtless suspecting our intentions are to fall back tonight commenced forcing a crossing opposite the town in the front of the 3rd Div of the 23rd Corps this evening about an hour before sundown. For nearly a hour a very lively fierce artillery duel was kept up when our battery opposite town was silenced and a brigade of the enemy landed on this side of the river, being moved over in pontoon boats. They engaged the division on their front twice but were repulsed each time for a time the conflict was a severe one. They seem desperate and determined to destroy our little army. It is now dark the troops pulling out our division is determined to bring up the rear and will have an all night march. Tuesday November 29, 1864 Wednesday November 30th, 1864
Thursday December 1, 1864 Friday December 2, 1864 Saturday December 3, 1864 Sunday December 4, 1864 December 5,6,7,8,9,10,11, 1864 Monday December 12, 1864 Tuesday December 13, 1864 Wednesday December 14, 1864 Thursday December 15, 1864 Evening-the assault was made at 1 PM with complete success we carried the first line with very little loss capturing a number of prisoners the enemy fell back to their second and main line which we assaulted a little before 5 PM with still better success, though with some loss. Capturing a great number of prisoners (about 2,500) and twenty-one pieces of artillery and a number of battle flags. I never saw men behave better. They pushed forward to the assault with wild enthusiasm. Our brigade captured five pieces of artillery. Darkness ended the pursuit. Hood is completely beaten, taken by surprise. He thought us weak and expected to be in Nashville instead of being thus sent humbling back. The 49th lost nine wounded and among them Lieutenants Gibson and Rapp, the former I think mortally. I will be with my company and company E go on picket tonight. Friday December 16, 1864 Sunday December 17, 1864 Sabbath December 18, 1864 Monday December 19, 1864 Tuesday December 20, 1864 Wednesday December 21, 1864 Thursday December 22, 1864 Friday December 23, 1864 Saturday December 24, 1864 Sabbath December 25, 1864 Monday December 26, 1864 Tuesday December 27, 1864 Wednesday December 28, 1864 Thursday December 28, 1864 Wednesday December 30, 1864 Thursday December 31, 1864 |