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A. L. Peel Civil War Diary Adjutant, 19th. Mississippi Regiment July 1861 July 1, 1861 - The Penitentiary was burned this evening. I went over to see it. one of the Prisoners tried to escape jumped the wall & got a boyonet stuck through him, July 2 - We received a couple of Boxes of cakes & all sorts of good things to day from home. We will live high for a while. Lu & I went down town & got some ice cream, July 3 - We received orders to cook two days rations & be ready to march to Winchester to morrow the boys are all anxious to leave this City & move closer to the enemy. they gave several cheers when the order was read to us I am afraid that Add is to sick to go with us, the boys are all in high spirits July 4, 1861 - We left for Winchester this evening on the cars. I left the camp ground in the rear of the Regt with 40 guards & took about that No of straglers. We will travel all night. July 5 - We arrived at StrasBurge this evening. We passed through Manassas Gap today We have marched from StrasBurge to centerville this evening we are all very much fatigued & our feet are blistered, I will guard the wagons, the Blankets are alll taken out & I will have to sleep on tent poles damn such accommodation. July 6 - We left New Town early this morning for Winchester & arrived at 10' We then heard that Johnson would attack the Federal forces at MartinsBurge that evening. So we halted 3 hours to rest & left our sick & put out. We arrived at Bunker hill tonight We will stay in an old shop it is raining very hard July 7, 1861 - We received orders to fall back to Winchester this morning. We didnt like it at all but had to obay. We arrived at Winchester at 11 a.m. & camped in an old field, We were drawn in a line of battle S We heard that the enemy were coming up the Rail Road, but it proved to be false. We found Elie Peel at Winchester this morning. Add stayed with him as he was sick, & couldnt march. We hae stretched our tents this evening. Bill Ellis & McKie arrived this evening with 13 recruits & some letters. July 8,9 - (No entries) July 10 - We received orders to strike tents, pack up & cook two days rations after cooking & packing up, all ready. We were ordered to eat our provisions and we found it a false alarm July 11, 1861 - We had no drill today, the soldiers have not recovered from fatigue so we will spend the day in rest. Lu went up town & got some Molasses July 12 - Nothing has transpired today of importance. We had company drill this morning July 13 - We had skirmish drill this morning for the first time. We got six recruits from Byhalia to day. Two of them will mess with us till they get tents I am on Picket guard tonight it is raining I have come to camp to getsupper. July 14, 1861 - We have done nothing of importance to day I went over to the 11th Regt This is my birth day I am Twenty July 15 - We have orders to strike tents pack up nap sacks & cook provisions for Three days. I want to leave this place I dont like the people, I believe they are abolitionists July 16 - We moved over behind the Battery today. our tents are jammed as close together as we can get them We will elect a Lieutenant tomorrow, We moved behind the Battery this evening, July 17, 1861 - No entry July 18 - We received marching orders & put out on a forced march this morning at 11' We waded three creeks today. A great many soldiers have given out & fallen on the roadside, their feet are blistered & bleading, We halted at Shanendoah River tonight and will sleep on the wet ground without blankets. I feel very bad July 19 - We arrived near Piedmont this evening & halted untill dark. LeutDean, J. G McCoy & I went about 5 ms & got a very nice supper & got back just in time, for the Regt was forming a line to march we sleep on the ground in the rain to night July 20, 1861 - We are at Piedmont without a darn thing to eat. Some ofthe boys are out preping anything that looks like it is good to eat. We have blankets stretched for shelter for our tents are left behind at Winchester Ludovick & several sick boys are left there they are indispose to march July 21 - We are still at Piedmont We pressed Four Beeves & some meal we baked bread on rocks & broiled meat on the coles & Fox came over this evening & I went up to his Regt & he gave me a chicken leg & piece of bread they will be of in in the morning for Manassa, We are ordered to sleep with our arms tonight & have nap & haversacks on packed ready to march at a moments warning We heard that Beauregard is fighting at Manassa. July 22 - We left Piedmont at the 1st dawn of day in Box Cars half of the company are ontop it is raining & cool, We arrived at Manassas at 10 am & heard that the battle was over the soldiers are bussily bringing in the dead & wounded we gained the victory but dearly bought we stood in the rain two hours & then marched out to the battle field distance 8 m's through the rain mud & halted in the bushes on Broad run we have struck fires & are drying ourselves we are hungry & have nothing to eat & no prospects for anything July 23, 1861 - Tom came from home today & brought Alfred with him we are all glad & supprised to see him, he left his trunk at the junction containing letter & many things for us. Leut Dean & I went to the Battlefield, it is strewed with dead yankeys & some wounded ones, it is the most horrid sight that I ever witnessed, one zouave has his head shot off. Elie came over to see us. The boys are cutting bushes to make shelters we got some provisions & have had something to eat. The LinchBurge Artillery left here for senterville this morning We bought yankey blankets from them. July 24 - Some of the boys went to the Battle field & brought some bomshells to camp with them this evening Robert bought a minny Rifle that was taken from the yankeys. I saw two muskets with minny balls shot through their barrels Bob Bowen found a pistol on the battlefield We have not drilled today July 25 - Tom & Sam went to the junction today & brought us some letters & c. I went down to the creek and washed my own clothes, the water is so muddy that I couldnt get them clean. Alfred is sick. July 26, 1861 - Tom started home this morning & got to the junction to late for the cars, so he came back to stay with us tonight. he will leave at four in the morning,, July 27 - Sgt Black started to strasBurge this morning to get our Tents & Baggage We sent by him for a good many articles Mr Jno Coleman arrived here to day & brought a good many things for the boys from home, he will remain with us several days, Add & I found a cannonball in the ground July 28 - Nothing of importance has transpired to day. July 29, 1861 - Several of the sick boys came on from Piedmont to day. P. Jinkens & I went over & saw the 11 & 2nd Regiment to day & saw some of our old friends who were in the fight July 30 - Robert took our company over to the 17th Regt to day & it was quite a long walk. We saw our fellow soldiers from H. S. We laughed at them for running from the yankeys. they had no excuse & looked sheepish. George Myers came to our camp he is not well he brought some letters to the boys. say Calvin is improving rapidly Gen Beauregard came to see us today. 2nd. Diary -- July/Aug. 1&2, 1861 July 1 - I have been with Add nearly all day he has a high fever. the Penitentiary was burned this evening a great many soldiers went to help put the fire out. A Prisoner tried to escape. jumped the wall & got a Bayonet stuck through him. July 2 - We drilled in a Regt this morning our Major came it is the first time that we have seen him he is named Allstone. We received Two Boxes of Cakes & all sorts of good things from home. I guess that we will live high for awhile We also got a good many letters in the Boxes. June 3, 1861 - We had regimental drill this morning. Major Allstone dosnt give commands distinct enough for us to understand him we dont like him. We received orders to Cook two days rations & be ready to Start to Winchester tomorrow. the soldiers are all glad. I am afraid that Add is to sick to go. July 4 - I am Corporal of the guard to day & gagged two Irishmen The soldiers were busy as Bees all the morning cooking & fixing to start. I went to camp & packed my nap sack & haversack Col Mott ordered me to take the guard & march in the rear of The Regiment & catch all the straglers Till we get to h????us? When I got there I had as many straglers as guards which were Forty in number. some of them were to drunk to walk so we had to drag them. one rascal tried to brake rank & hug a lady. We left Richmond at dark & will travel all night. we hardly have room to turn around in these Box cars. I have 35 men under my charge. July 5 - We awoke this morning in the cars We have traveled all night & slept about Four deep We were very dry & thristy. got out at the 1st station washed our faces & filled our canteens. We arrived at manassas junction at 10 a.m. changed cars & left for Winchester We learned there that we would have to walk Twenty miles We came through Manassas gap this evening it is quite a romantic seen We got to Stras Burg at 6 pm put our napsacks in the wagon & put out on foot for Winchester halted after going a mile at a very large spring & filled our Canteens with fresh water. We traveled on rapidly till twelve oclock one company gave out & fell on the road side for the night. We halted at ? Slept in a grasslot? the soldiers feet were all blistered & they were very tired in Ten minutes after we halted all were sleep. except those who had dropped out of ranks to rest were coming all night Capt Hardin ordered me to guard the Wagon with our Tents & Baggage, The boys had taken out all the Blankets so I had to sleep on the Tent Poles after all were quiet, July 6, 1861 - I awoke at the first dawn of day. Was so stiff & soar that I could'nt get up for a few minutes, I then maked down to a spring washed my face & filled my canteen with fresh water I then went back to wake the boys for the drummer had tried in vain after pulling them about for some time I roused them But few of them thought that they could march any farther ? after refreshing themselves with cool water (for we had nothing to eat) they felt a little better at sunrise we were on the road, We arrived at the place of our destination at 10 a.m. and heard that Gen Johnson was expecting an attack in a few hours. We were ordered to cook two days rations & to rest Four hours and be ready for a forced march, while I was bathing my blistered feet, Cousin Elie Peel came up & made himself known. he had been at MartinsBurg with Gen Johnson and had taken sick & left. I also found my old friend Fox, was exceedingly glad to see them, We eat dinner. filled our cartridege & cap Boxes with amunition and put our for MartinsBurg in a forced march distance Eighteen miles several were left behind on account of sickness & fatigue. many fell on the roadside. We arrived at Bunker hill at 11 o'clock, Three miles from Johnsons Camp it was very dark, Clouds came up it looked like a prospect for a storm, So we halted in an old shop for the night. We bathed our Soar feet & were soon in a deep slumber as guiet as Lambs, July 7 - This is Sunday we awoke this morning at light. ? a little raw meat we had in our Haversacks & mad our Breakfast of it... We were then expecting to get into the yankeys in a few hours, were called int ranks & ordered to fall back to Winchester,,.. fall back the Devil, we were all mad enough to fight each other had it been lawful. we all went on our way looking very blank,. Johnson came cloce behind with his army of 10000. We arrived at W,, at 2 p.m. heard that Gen Pattison was coming up the RailRoad, We were drawn in a line of battle near the Road Col Mott ordered us to rest, and in Five minutes they were scattered all over the field getting BlackBerries. A nice way to receive the enemy. A Picket came in & reported that the enemy were camped in 2½ miles. We were then ordered to stretch tents which we did immediately & to our surprise, Ellis A. Dean & Leut Martin came up from home. Brought us a good many letters &c. We spent the evening talking & resting,. July 8 - We have been doing nothing of importance today Lu & I went down in town got some thing to eat. We had dress parade this evening. were ordered to drill until we got further orders, July 9, 1861 - We had a skirmish drill this morning for the first time the boys are all pleased with it. We had Regimental drill this evening. Mr Dean started home, carried a good many letters for us, July 10 - We were ordered to Cook Three days rations & Pack our Nap sacks, not knoing what it was for we obayed & found that Col Mott had received a false alarm, We had a Regimental Drill this evening July 11 - It has rained all day, so we have been idle, it cleared off & we had dress parade this evening. July 12, 1861 - We have spent the day drilling as usual. Elie Peel & Fox came over to see us and told us of their stay at Harpers Ferry & about blowing the Bridge up. July 13 - I am Corporal of the Picket guard, have Thirty guards It has been raining all day I will have a wet time to night I have come to camp to get my supper. I have orders not to let any person or thing pass my guards, not even the steam cans, I am to Command halt three times & if not obeyed. to fire, I must be off for it is getting & I have Two miles to go, July 14 - I had a miserable time last night, it rained all night & I was very sick. The Lieutenant & Sergent of the guard both went to sleep so I had to sit up all night I intend to report them for it. I went over to the 11th Regt this evening.. July 15, 1861 - We received orders to cook Three days rations, Pack our nap sacks & strike tents We moved behind the redoubt this evening, our tents are stretched as cloce together as we can get them Leut Martin has resigned his office. We will elect one in his place in a few days July 16 - We drilled to day as usual. the Pickets took up an old woman that was thought to be a spy to day she was examining our Battery. We learned that the old woman had Two sons in our army I do'nt think that looks much like she is a spy, We elected A. Dean for our 3rd Lieutenant July 17 - We were ordered to cook Four days rations. pack our Nap & haver sacks. strike tents & be ready to march in three hours We formed a line at 10 a.m. put out in a forced march after we had gone a few miles, Johnson reported to us that Beauregard was expecting to be attacked in a very few hours at Manassas Junction, by an over whelming majority. he said that he hoped we would hold out as well as possible, WE gave several loud cheers,. & all heartened our steps, We crossed several creeks a great many soldiers gave out a fell on the road side perfectly exhausted we halted at 11 oclock p.m. We were all very tired and sleepy we slept in a wheat field on the wet ground near the Shenandoah River straglers were coming in alll night. We left several sick men at Winchester July 18, 1861 - We were aroused from our slumber at the first dawn of day & took Breakfast that was quite scanty for we had'nt time to cook a very bountiful supply before commencing our hasty march. We then formed a line to march across the River, I was never more amused, for some of the Regiments stripped off all their clothes, others roled their Pants up, as high as possible some of them broke ranks & crossed in the Boat, It was a strange sight Ten Thousand soldiers with their guns & accouterments, Crossing a River a Hundred yards wide, nearly all of them necked, After we had crossed we took the road for Piedmont at 12 oclock we reached the top of the Blew Ridge It was a grand sight to look down the mountain & see Fifteen or Twenty Thousand soldiers, slowly moving on, forming a line of Ten miles. it reminded me oo Napoleons army crossing the Alps, At 3 p.m. we halted in a mile of Piedmont, to rest while our Commissary went ahead to get something for us to eat, for we all were quite hungry,, Leut Dean & I went ahead for the same purpose,, after going Five miles we halted at a very respectable old farmers who had six pretty daughters, we talked to them till supper was ready & would like to stayed longer, but it was dark and we expected our Regt to leave, so we pur back in quick time, found them forming a line t o march, We related to the boys what a nice Supper we got & they abused us for not bringing them something to eat, we told them that after eating so much we were ashamed to ask for any to take with us, The Commissary got some raw provisions but we were ordered to march without cooking any, we crossed Four Creeks & got our feet wet, we were halted near the Rail Road a short distance from Piedmont, it was drizzling rain. We were ordered to sleep on our arms, The messes of each company soon got together, I folded my Blanket around me, laid on my musket, put Napsack under my head, my hat over my face and was soon enjoying a soldiers sweetest slumber. July 19 - We awoke this morning with nothing to eat as usual. guards were stationed around our Regt,. the Captain sent out men to press an buy anything that they could find, that was fit to eat, they came in at 12 with a little Bread & meat,,. which was eaten as quick as if a set Wolves had hold of it, We have our Blankets stretched over our muskets to protect us from the hot sun, we are in an old field where there is no shade, The soldiers are leaving as fast as possible the cars leave here three times a day for Manassas Junction, Crammed full,, & covered with soldiers, We can stay & go on the cars quicker than we can march, we expect to be off to night. July 20 - We are still here at Piedmont. Col Mott sent out several men & pressed Four Beeves, & some meal We have no cooking utensels, so we Broiled meat on the coles & baked Bread on flat Rocks, it does very well when we cant do any better though we have no salt,, I am Corporal of the guard & have had Fifteen Irishmen under arrest for drinking & fighting I had to gag several of them The Pickets brought in two members of an Alabama Regt. with two stolen Turkeys Some ladies came by I wanted to know what they were arrested for,, I heard that we couldnt leave on the cars till tomorrow Col Mott gave orders to be ready to march this evening at 3, our Captains all met & told the Colonel that they wouldnt move their companies until they had something to eat... July 21, 1861 - I was released from guard duty this morning at 8,, One of our men went out and a good many things to eat, this is Sunday a good many persons passed here going to church. I was Two ladies on a mule without a saddle, Capt Sam left here yesterday for Manassa Junction, We were drawn in a line of battle this evening at dark and ordered to pack our Napsacks & Sleep on our arms, We heard that Gen Beauregard was attacked by a large majority & had fighting all day. Was giving the yankeys fits We expect to take the cars to night & go to his assistance, we would have got off this morning, but the conductor caused a collision of the cars and tore the Road up, so we had to wait till it was reapired, I wish that the conductor was where the lord intends that he shall go to. I guess that he will go soon,, July 22 - We took the cars this morning at sun rise It was raining, half of the soldiers road on top of the cars. Every few miles we could hear news from the fight, the cars could'nt go half fast enough for us. when we got in a few iles of the junction we heard that the fight was over,, we all hated it for we wanted to try our hands, and pay the rascals for our hard marches, We heard that Pattison was killed, Geat?, wounded & all such lies,, we arrived at the junction at 11 a.m. saw soldiers leaving in every direction Ambulanches bringing in the wounded,, many poor wounded men lay piled up with the dead, groaning and Screaming, begging for Some one to bind up their wounds & to give them a drink of water,, We saw some of the members of Featherstons Regiment learned that they had shamefully run, disgraced themselves & their native state, We then formed a line & after standing in the rain Two hours we put out for the battle field The road was crowded with Wagons, Ambulanchs, & soldiers bringing the dead & wounded & wounded yankeys it was a moanful sight the poor fellows screaming & groaning all the while, Two men in our Regt was accidentally shot thfought the legs by some one on the roadside, every few miles an hundred yards , we saw cannon,, small arms and amunition that was taken from the enemy. after marching eight miles throught the rain & mud we halted on the battlefield in a skirt of Pines on the bank of Bull run to spend the night, we were wet tired & hungry and had nothing to eat. We borrowed an ax of an artillery man, & built a line for each mess, The officers mess with me, it rained till very late so sit up till all were sleep for I felt sick & was determined to get dry if it took till morning,, Before Robt. went to sleep, he found an old hen in his haversack that he had tried to eat three times at Piedmont but failed to make much of an impression upon her We all tried the old hen faithfully but twas in vain We had had to lay her aside till we got rested, after all all were sleep I concluded to try her again, So I stuck her on the fire for about 1/2 hour and found that it had but little affect on her. I then folded my Blanket around me & went to sleep in disgust, July 23 - We awoke early this morning built a good warm fire and went about drying our Blankets Clothes &c,, The wagons came up & boought some baggage &c in it we found a coffee Pot & Coffee we soon cooked some and had a drink, though some of the boys would rather have had whiskey, Robert pulled his old hen out, broiled her for a while & tried to eat her again but did'nt succeed, he then threatened to whip B. Dean for buying such Hen, and gave her to one of the boys I do'nt know what became of her, But I heard several complaining about her pulling their teeth out, It is reasonable to suppose that they didnt make much off of her,, Pretty soon we got a little supply of provisions & had a pretty fair Breakfast, Leut dean & I then started out to where Shermans Battery was taken and to our great surprise we met Brother Tom. we were all delighted to see him and gathered arond him like Bees, after he had related all the news from home, I went on to the battle field and was perfectly struck with horrow to see the yankeys strewed so thick some with their legs, arms, & heads shot of I counted a Hundred & Forty Eight in going a hundred yards, I found a Georgian with his Brains shot out, and living perfectly sensible of all that passed, he told me that if his head was bound up he believed that he could get well, he had laid out all night & day in the rain I wiped the Blut out of his face, tied my hankerchief around his head, gave him some water out of my canteen & then put out for a sergeon, I found Dr Hyer at the camp and sent him to the Poor fellows relief, I do'nt know whether he lived or not, Tom went over the Battlefield this evening, found a yankeys scalp that a cannon Ball took off, he is amused at the way we live, says that he would like to take notes of conversations of the messes The LinchBurg Battery moved on the centerville I think from the number of troop going in that direction they expect another fight. Robt got a minea Rifle on the battle ground, gave it to Tom, he will take it home with him July 24, 1861 - Troops are still moving towards Centerville, Jenkins & I went to the 11 Regt this morning saw some of our friends that were in fight, some of the boys went over the Battleground brought some Bomb Shells &c to camp, Add & I dug one up that was Two feet in the ground I saw Two muskets that had Minea balls shot through their barrels, Tom went to the Junction got his Trunk, with some letters for us & a few eatables,, Sergt. Black started back to Winchester this morning after our Tents & Baggage, we sent by him for some small articles, July 25 - Tom started home this morning got to the Junction too late for the cars he came back to stay with us to night, We drilled this evening, Elie Peel came over to see us, Said he expected that Billie was up here some where,, Alfred is sick, July 26 - Tom left for home this morning Took a good many letters for us & some things that he picked up on the Battleground, We most all went over to the 17th Regt, laughed at the boys for running from the yankeys,, It is quite a painful truth, some of them pulled their shoes off & ran Eight miles back to the Junction Capt Upshaw wanted them to go farther but they swore they would rest if the yankeys caught them., July 27, 1861 - We had regimental drill this morning,, Were ordered this eve to cook Two days ration pack up & be ready to march, we were drawn in a line of battle Gen Beauregard & his staff came by and reviewed us, we were to that it was a false alarm before we got through cooking Robt Dr Hyer & Smith are busy working on the wounded yankeys Mr Jno Coleman came up from home to day & brought some letters &c for us. he will stay up a week or two, July 28 - We have drilled to day as usual nothing of importance has transpired, This is Sunday July 29 - We have spent the day as usual, I went down to the Creek & washed my clothes,, The water was so muddy that I could'nt get them clean,, I do'nt like this way of washing any how, July 30, 1861 - Sgt Black arrived last night with our Tents & Baggage before we got them stretched a heavy rain came up & got us very wet, We had to sleep on the wet ground, I ditched around my Tent this morning I did'nt feel well this morning So I did'nt drill,, some of the sick boys came from Winchester Ludovick is there & has a fever. I am afraid that he will have a hard spell, July 31 - We drilled to day, some more of the sick, came from Winchester. G Myers came to day from Miss, Brought some letters &c for the Byhalia boys he says that his Bro Calvin is getting well, Cousin Elie & billie Peel came to camp to day it is the first time that I have seen Billie for many years August 1 - Another month has found us in camp & we have not killed a single yankey, We drilled in Regt to day Col Mott put us throught double quick,, says he wants to make us long winded so we can chase the yankeys to Purgatory if necessary,, The 17th Regt moved on to Fairfax this evening,,, I reckon that they want an other race,,. August 2, 1861 - We have spent the day as usual, Mr Coleman took supper with my mess to night,, says that he will tell the girls what good [end of diary pages] |