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A. L. Peel Civil War Diary Adjutant, 19th. Mississippi Regiment August 1863
Saturday, August 1 - We mustered this morning. were ordered under arms at 11 oclock moved 1 mile formed in line of battle. The left wing of our Regt was deployed as skirmishers we drove the enemy (cavalry) to Brandy Station by dark. came back 4 miles & halted on picket we lost one man in Co B badly wounded August 2 - We have spent the day on picket. made a detail bury a dead yankey that had become quite disagreeable. Were relieved at 6 oclock this evening and joined the Brigade got no food for our horses. have orders to be ready to move early tomorrow. Monday 3 - We left camp at 7 o'clock a.m. marched slowly & rested frequently came 12 miles & camped after dark on a high hill near crooked run. We have no food for ourselves nor Horses this has been a very very warm day. Tuesday 4 - We took up our march at 3 oclock Waded the Rappidahn River at 9 oclock halted & rested came 1 ½ mile struck camp at 12 p.m. I & several others got oats for our horses & had to give them up. it is very warm, Wednesday, August 5, 1863 - I have spent the day in camp writing & etc. have been very busy making details arranging camp cleaning out a color line making reports & etc. & etc. We had a shower of rain this evening. Thursday 6 - I have spent part of the ? Reading Vicar of Wakefield. have been writing am bothered to get Pay rolls for the Regt,, had rain this evening. I recd a letter from Mississippi. Linclon Shares a foolish negro proclamation. Friday 7 - I drew pay ($143?) this morning. paid debts with most of it,, went to the Sutlers and bought some articles We had the Battalion Drill this evening. We had Batallion Drill this evening. we ha our usual evenings shower. I wrote a long letter home. The weather is very warm & sultry. Saturday, August 8, 1863 - I took a detail & cleaned our ground for inspection. Genl Hills Inspection officiales. We had thorough inspection of Arms? accouterments & quarters. We had no drill had rain this evening. I made out a field return & report of Bayonets wanting. Sunday 9 - We had divine Service this morning. Inspection was dispensed with I made a report of the number of bare footed men in the Regt there is 48 I attended prayer meeting & the bible class. This has been a very nice day. Damon is sick & we cook for ourselves. Monday 10 -This has been a very warm day, I wrote a long letter & some orders. I went to the River and bathed came by Davise's Brigade to see some friends. had a long Battalion Drill. I read orders. Tuesday, August 11, 1863 - Our Regt was paid for two months today Pryor & Add went to town & bought some potatoes & etc. I am a little sick. I bought a jacket pair of Pants, pair of shoes and a shirt from the Quarter Master and dressed up in regular uniform, went to the creek & bathed. Wednesday 12 - We have spent the day as usual. I wrote several letters I wrote several letters to send same by J. Carter who will start tomorrow. It is very very warm. We got orders & came 2 miles to the River on Picket. Thursday 13 - I had the cholick & felt badly all day, most all of our Regt spent their time in the River today. We were relieved by the 48th Miss. Some of our men straggled ahead of the Regt. I overtook them they refused to give me their names I'll get them for it When we get to camp Friday, August 14, 1863 - I found the men who refused to give me their names the Colonel put them on Four days duty. We had our usual evenings rain. I have spent most the time reading my bible and fixing my papers in their proper places. Saturday 15 - I formed the guard marched it up to the mounted and formed the Battalion as usual. Then I went to Malones Brigade & heard Rev Dr Lacy preach. One man was killed & several wounded there yesterday by lightning. The Q M Sargt of the 12th Miss was killed with morphine took too much, have spent the evening reading my Bible. Sunday 16 - I formed the guard as usual, and then the Regt & had Inspection, went to preaching. Talked about happy days that are gone gone forever. Wrote a letter to send to Miss - by Capt Meek. Dr. Peel & I went to church in orange this evening. it rained after I returned. I attended our Bible class, Monday, August 17, 1863 - We had drill, & etc. as usual nothing of importance has transpired, the revival is still going on in our Brigade. Tuesday 18 - I attended preaching last night. We got an order today allowing furloughs to the men. Two are allowed to every hundred present for duty. Wednesday 19 - We sent up the furloughs this evening. attended church last night Went to the Branch & bathed are notified that a catholic Priest at Poseys HDQrs tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Thursday, August 20, 1863 - I attended preaching last night. Furloughs came back. too many were sent for our Regt. I made out several reports. I rec'd an order from Genl Lee suspending all duties tomorrow as that will be fast day. Friday 21 - We had Regimental Inspection this morning Spent the day as usual drilling and cleaning up camp. Nothing of importance has transpired. Saturday 22 - I have performed my regular daily duties. R. McClain came out from Richmond brought some letters which were sent from Miss - by Mr Coleman. Dr. Peel & Col Harris started off on furlough. I wrote a letter this evening. Sunday, August 23 - I made out a Report of Statistics of our Regt this morning. Spent most of the day reading & writing attended divine services twice. Monday 24 - We received Six furloughs Lu Alexander didn't come, I don't know why. our Division was Reviewed today by Genl A. P. Hill, a good many ladys attended. Tuesday 25 - R McClain Started to his Regt this morning. J. W. McKie & I went out to Montpelair (Madison's old residence) We had no drill this evening. I have spent my time reading my Bible. Wednesday, August 26, 1863 - Last night and today were very Two Blankits were quite comfortable for cover last night. I have spent the day Drilling, reading & writing. Dr Peel returned today he had a nice time frollicking. he has joined my mess. Thursday 27 - The weather is still cool Maj Duncan inspected all of the Company Books. We spent the day as usual. A good many ladies came out to see us Drill. The Revival is still going on in out Brigade. Friday 28 - We have spent the day as usual. it rained this evening So that we could not drill. I made out my monthly Report. Saturday, August 29 - no news of interest has occur'd I have spent most of my time writing & drawing company Forms for morning Reports. Lu Alexander received his furlough. I fixed a great many letters & etc. for him to take Home. Damon is cooking rations for him. Sunday 30 - I went over to Davises - Brigade. Saw many friends - Fox & Talbot. Spent a very pleasant day with them, talking of our past & future. I know that if I live to be in peace again I will know how to appreciate it. I am very tired of this perilous and monotonous life. it is a great waste of the most valuable part of our lives. Monday 31 - Nothing of interest occur'd today. I helped to eat a good watermelon: They are worth from 4 to 10 Dollars,, |