19th Century Steinbeck Family Papers

July 25 152

comp believe that we are going to Fla. instead of Tenn, but I believe that we shall go. It is now a little after sunrise. It is quite cool & the teams are very busy to carry of our camping things to the RR depot. They say that the smallpox are in the city, & we have to leave at once. About 10 oclock we left Montgomerie with the cars on the same road we came to Montg. From Columbus, Geo. We pass Lochapoka a very pretty place. Also Auburn, Ala. Near [Oracola?] the road separated which lead to Atlanta, Geo. where we shall get some time to night. The corn [?] seem to be very indifferent very little that is realy good & a great deal very prove some men which came on tram which past us, said that they were direct from Chattanooga & that there was nothing there. Well we shall see

July 26 153

about ½ past 6 o clock we arived at West Point Geo. near the line of Ala & Geo. where we had to take other cars as the guage of the Road is different.

Saturday, July 26. About 11 oclock we got of at last. We were packed in box cars & with difficultie managed to get room to lie down but managed somehow & slept very sound when sunrise this morning where the cars stopped at Greenville, Geo. to let another tram pass now we are off again about half an hour after sunrise. Georgia is pretty well settled we pass a great many villages & there [illegible] of apples & peaches now nearly ripe. Now we are a short distance from Atlanta where I hope we shall stop a little time as I have heard a good deal of that place. About 1 oclock we arived at Atlanta Geo. It is the prettiest place that I have seen yet in the

July 26 154

South, but we have not time to take a good view of it. It is now about three o clock & we are about leaving. All those that are not able to carry their knapsacks are to be left here. We also left four men in the Mobile Hospital. Thos. Ponce, Charles Foster, Paul Masters, & [Aug. Habish?], substitute for P.A. Masters in whose name he is on the musterroll. Just before we were to left we went to draw two days rations of bread, & before we could get it the cars left with out us, & about 36 of our Comp & a good many of the other Comp. of the Reg. were left. When we saw we were left we went to the transportation office, & got transportation tickets, & then we had to go to the Provost Marshals office to get a pass, & so we staid in town & walked about till 7 o clock p.m. when

July 27 156

of wheels, in what way I cannot say. The first thing we saw was the wheels rolling out. The cars were stopped & after some time we proceded very slowly until we got to the next station & where we left the broken car. We then went on quick & in a short time reached Chattanooga. In this place I am very much disapointed. Its only importance is the Junction of three Cars[?] [illegibl]e. All arround it are high mountains I do not see many troops here, but I believe there is a large armee here. It is said there are from fifty to sixty thousand men here. We were moved into camps this evening about two miles from the town, in the woods. I do not believe that we shall stay here long but that we shall be moved to some other place.

Aug 5-6 163

Tuesday Aug. 5. This morning is just the same some men talking of refusing to do duty any longer but all talk I supose. About noon the bubble burst. An order came to the Capt. from Gen. Braggs to hold all the men 90 days after the expiration of their time & those that had taken any part in the elections were to be held for the war. On dress parade the order was read to Reg. Any one can believe how the boys feel about it.

Aug 6. Wednesday 7. This morning I am guard shall make the last trial to day to get out if I cannot & shall go into the Reg. [to?] and.

Aug 7. Thursday 7. This morning letters from St. Augustine arived brought out by Mrs Williams, who went to Talahassee. Nothing particularly new. No mention is made of the blockade. People faring pretty bad [bottom line illegible]

Aug, 8-9-10-11 164

Friday. August 8. Nothing new in camp. Sent a request to Mrs. Williams in Montecello in a letter from her son to inquire about my family. Col. Dilsworth is act. Brig. gen. & had a Review of his Brigade consisting of the 3d, 8, 4th [?] & the 9th Mississippi Reg.

Saturday Aug 9. The Capt. told this morning some of our men that the wagons for our transportation are but two days travel distant.

Sunday Aug. 10. John Manusy, Charles Briesh[?] & Paul Philips the Captains son were discharged for disability, & started for Fla. On dress parade a great many orders were read relating to marching equipment & also an order was published not to take any more foreign citizen as subsistutes.

Monday Aug 11. Made aplication for my discharge. Spok to the Col before. He said that he could not do otherwise but decide against me, but stil he would send it to Gen. Hardee & Bragg.

Aug 13-14 167

Went to camp about 5 oclock. John Miller arived today from Atlanta. He is afflicted with gravel & seemes to be worse. Gary Power subsitute for Frank Sams died at Atlanta last Sunday. His health has been bad for a long time. John Mauncy, Paul Phillips & Charles Briesh got there discharge & left last Sunday. Nick Andrew, & Wm Miranda got there yesterday & leave probable today. A great many others unfit for duty are detailed for Hospital duty.

Thursday Aug 14. Rutlige Gould, Jack Heansey, & Ben Powers subsitute for M. Usina also came today but not Cotter[?] they sent them back to get their discharges but the doctore refuses. The 3d & forth Fla. Reg. were reviewed by Maj. Gen. Hardee who lived from[crossed out] in St. Augustine & whose children lived there until we left. He also drilled us by battalion.

Aug 15-16-17 168

Friday 15. Nick Andrew & Wm Mirander went home today.

Saturday August 16. Letters recieved from the east side of St Johns river represent that there is nothing in the way of the fed. to hinder them to go all over the country, as no soldiers are there.

Sunday Aug. 17. Was detailed on guard in the City. We had to march a long time before we could find out where we had to go but finally were detailed from the rest with 13 others to guard Gen [Polkes?] headquarters. Capt Philips is going to Fla, with the intent of going with a flag of truce to St. Augustine if he can get permission & buy provision in the Country & send them to our families. All that have family have sent 20 dollars for provision I also gave him twenty if he can find out that my wife is there yet, though I do not believe she is there.

Aug 18-19-20 169

Aug. 18. Monday. Got relieved about three oclock p.m. Capt. Phillips had already left. An old man Mr. Wickwire? from Smryna came here for his son, & succeeded & getting him out of service. They are going to leave to morrow.

Aug. 19. Tuesday. About 10 oclock all at once orders were given to have two days provisions cooked & to be ready to march in the afternoon. Just as we were ready & about to start, orders came to wait till further orders. So all the fuss is for nothing & we have to wait.

Aug. 20. Wednesday. We are waiting yet but it is said that we are to start anyhow this afternoon. A great number of troops are crossing the river, impossible to make any estimate. About 3 oclock at last orders came to move & all our tents have been taken away & we shall have to do with out them. Our cooking utensils were also

Aug 22-23 172

Just now a minor news that a soldier has been shot on the road by a Citizen. He is from one of the Fla. Regiments but from which one is not yet found nor the true reason.

Aug. 23. Saturday. Last night on guard we experienced some of the sweets of a soldiers life. It began to rain about 10 oclock very hard & [illegible] tents, so we had to take it. Afterwards it was [illegible] that we with difficulty could find the sentinels. The ground is so very uneven & all full of rocks so that it is quite dangerous to stumble about in the dark. Two of our Comp. went on picket duty last night. Reports are in camp that the federals are advancing upon us & that we shall have a fight soon. Some report them for 8[?] [&?] 14 miles distant. We are all pretty hungry as our rations was gone yesterday noon & [was it is?] 10 oclock. [bottom of page illegible]