An Artilleryman's Diary Part 40

Nashville, Sunday, Feb. 12. Very cold to-day again. Had inspection of arms at 8:30. On supernumerary guard again. Wrote John. No mail. Another report afloat that we are to march or prepare for the field. Hope it is so.

Nashville, Monday, Feb. 13. Quite a cold night, fair day. Mounted the usual number of guards for town, but were agreeably surprised in about an hour to see them return, having been relieved by infantry guards.

Bully news for us. It is known now that we are to equip for the field as horse artillery. Drilled two hours after dinner with muskets, then carried them up to headquarters and turned them over without a sigh. So they are gone. Gone to those that delight to use them, and we are once more in our natural element, "walking musket company" no more.

Nashville, Tuesday, Feb. 14. Day commenced cold and gray. About noon it commenced raining very heavy and continued till night. All quiet in camp. We are to draw full equipment here except horses. Report to Chattanooga for them, where we are to be held in the active reserve. No mail. Wrote a letter in the afternoon. I am steadily improving. Have a ravenous appet.i.te, which I find difficult to control. Have plenty of the good bread and b.u.t.ter with the onion pickles from home. I eat no meat and feel better for it. Thankful should I be for a home that sends me such things.

Nashville, Wednesday, Feb. 15. A damp, rainy day. On guard, third relief. Very busy all day turning over condemned stores, and drew new equipments. Ten pair spurs, whips, scarlet blankets, and to-morrow we draw harness and sixty-four McElellar's saddles for cannon. General Barry, chief of artillery of Military Division of Mississippi is in town. Very anxious to get us started. Promised Captain to give him plenty of men from infantry regiments when needed. Good! New life and animation seems to be infused into camp with the prospect of once more being a Battery, worthy the name of one, ready to fight or to march. All anxious for the spring campaign. But great dissatisfaction exists because the paymaster stays off so long. Officers and men are all without money. D. Evans and I visited smallpox hospital. Were sorry to find Dan abed yet. Saw his nurse who said Dan had had a "back set." I fear he grows disheartened and lonesome, and when the spirit sinks it is hard for nature to do her healing work.

[Sidenote: 1865 Smallpox Epidemic]

Nashville, Thursday, Feb. 16. Cleared up and the day closed very beautifully. Harness and saddles, etc. drawn. Captain Hood reported ready to go, and sure enough, a little after dusk the word came to move early in the morning, report at Chattanooga Depot for transportation.

All hands are packing up, getting ready for the morrow. I wrote a letter to T. L. Visited smallpox hospital again to-day. Found poor Dan in bed yet. Our fears are many in regard to him. He is apt to get discouraged.

Griff and Dave have gone with his knapsack to the Soldiers' Home to keep it there until he comes out. R. Randolph has been taken with the same disease. I must now close and retire to rest for to-morrow's work.

Nashville, Friday, Feb. 17. Very stormy night, and this morning was blowing and raining, but military orders must be obeyed. The teams commenced early with their work, hauling down the guns, boxes, etc.

After dinner "strike tents" was given and we were soon out of doors. We have boxed our stove and keg of pickled onions, expect to take them along. We are now lying in the Chattanooga Depot, 3 P. M., awaiting transportation, expect to get off 6 P. M. A night's journey is ahead of us. I am far from hearty, but feel confident that I can weather it through.

While we were busily preparing to go to the front, M. Tennant and our tent-mate Milt. Hungerford started home on a furlough. May they have a happy visit of it.

GARRISONING CHATTANOOGA

Chattanooga, Sat.u.r.day, Feb. 18. About 4 P. M. yesterday afternoon our cars were brought up at Nashville and the depot hands set to work. They loaded on all our things in a short time, and we got aboard for a ride of 150 miles on open cars between the guns. But a soldier is full of expedients. We cleared off a small s.p.a.ce, made down our beds, and then spread the tarpaulin over the pole of the limber, making a traveling shebang in no time, and now ready to start. After the usual amount of switching and hooting by the boys (the whiskey being at work in the brains of several of the boys in spite of no money) we started off in the second Section of the 6 P. M. train. We took a farewell look at Nashville by twilight, then crawled into our house to avoid the chilly air that was growing cold fast, to take all the sleep possible, tucked in snugly, three in a bed. And we were soon warm as toast, but I will not attempt to describe how we rattled and b.u.mped like corn in a popper on that old flat car, running over the roughest road in America without any brakesmen.

In spite of the reported b.u.mping I slept much of the time. Pa.s.sed through the big tunnel, over the mountains without my knowing it. But I was glad to crawl out at the first dawn. Found us at Ba.s.s, 105 miles from Nashville. Seven more and we stopped thirty minutes at Stevenson.

It was very cold. Washed at the Soldiers' Home and luckily went in with a squad under Sergeant Proctor to take breakfast, which did me a power of good, especially the hot coffee (getting old fogy). The remainder of the journey without event.

Rounded the point of Old Lookout handsomely 12 M. and soon found ourselves once more in the Hawk's Nest 3 P. M. Got to the "dumping off"

place, and by dark we were in camp on a pretty knoll east of town. Stove up, fire in it and all hands merry as a lark. How jolly a life does the soldier lead.

Chattanooga, Sunday, Feb. 19. A most beautiful day has pa.s.sed. It seems as though we have been suddenly transferred from midwinter to beautiful summer. The sun shone in its softest mood, everybody outdoors to bask in its rays, content to enjoy it alone. We are camped opposite the old city cemetery. Many of both s.e.xes have been paying their visit to the dead, some to satisfy idle curiosity, others to view once more the spot where lies some home idol. It is in a shocking state of repair, and bore sad evidence of the ravage of war, fences all gone, graves overrun, marble slabs misplaced and marble monuments broken. The soldiers have even been carrying off the tombstones of the dead to be used in their quarters.

Thoughtless sacrilege. We have had a guard on all day to prevent such proceedings by order of the pro[vost] marshal.

The soft twilight was too pleasant to lie still, so D. Evans, who has come to stay with us, Griff, and myself started off for a walk. On our way the peal of the church bell fell on our ears, calling us thither, but we found the house overflowing. Returned to camp. Boys sang sweet home music till taps, and lights put out.

Chattanooga, Monday, Feb. 20. Another enchanting day and great exuberance of spirits is to be seen in camp, ball and other active outdoor amus.e.m.e.nts being the order of the day. On guard. Do not have to stand till night, watching mules, etc. We are surrounded by artillery camps, batteries that have laid here all winter. Have beautiful camps and excellent houses (not shebangs) to live in. Much more attention is paid to the soldiers than at Nashville, all seem happy at the change.

The fever of example is wonderful. Our officers have already absorbed the spirit of other batteries, and require everything done according to "military", or in camp slang, "put on style". Right, a good sign of discipline. Lieutenant Silsby, formerly my old teacher, came to see us.

Looking well, glad to see him.

[Sidenote: 1865 Tracts Versus Literature]

Chattanooga, Tuesday, Feb. 21. Threatening clouds to be found this morning instead of the beautiful suns.h.i.+ne, and the day promised to be a long and lonesome one as we had nothing to read at all. So I obtained a pa.s.s to go and see if the Christian and Sanitary Commissions could do something toward relieving us from this really pressing need, and as my mission was made known and I started, I was greeted with a dozen different voices with "Jenk, bring me something interesting to read." I first visited the Christian Commission rooms. Here I made my errand known and the clerk immediately threw piles of papers down from the well-loaded shelves with "make your selection", but my heart failed me.

Here was nothing but the _American Messenger_, _M. E. Advocate_, Sunday School papers, etc. in abundance. It was with an effort that I choked down my indignation, for I knew they were furnished by men who hoped they would do good, but really, I could not admire their judgment. We are not a lot of little children with minds too narrow to contemplate anything deeper than these small "stories with a moral." I would not take any of them to camp for I knew too well how my comrades were in the habit of using such. Most of them have no particular religious convictions, but all have an intellectual turn and are hungering for something to satisfy it.

With some hopes I again sought the Sanitary [Commission] rooms. I stated how we were situated and asked the gentlemanly agent for magazines.

"Certainly"--and he brought down from the shelves a pile of dusty magazines which consisted by count of twelve _Genius of Christianity_, three or four years old, one _Christian Luminary_ of '58, quite a variety. Made my selection and started home with one Pittsburg _Advocate_, one _Genius of Christianity_, one _Christian Luminary_, and two tracts, disappointed in being obliged to disappoint others. But we cannot expect much here.

Found on my return a _Christian Enquirer_, and a Madison _State Journal_ from T. L., which I devoured with avidity. No letters yet. The 6th Badger boys have been playing ball with our next neighbors, Buckeyes, this afternoon. We beat them three games out of four.

Chattanooga, Wednesday, Feb. 22. The rain has not yet come but it still threatens, cloudy. A detail is put at clearing off a new camp ground, where Hospital No. 2 is now. Axes sharpened, etc. To-morrow they say we begin to put up permanent quarters. In the afternoon on wood detail.

Went three miles to Mission Ridge, got wood. To-day is the anniversary of Was.h.i.+ngton's birthday, and a grand salute was fired in honor, 12 M.

Commenced from Old Lookout, followed by all the princ.i.p.al forts. A big pile of mail received to-day, none for me.

[Sidenote: 1865 Camping in the Rain]

Chattanooga, Thursday, Feb. 23. Rain! rain! all night and all day without intermission, very heavy, wind driving it through our tents which are getting old, making it very disagreeable in quarters as well as out. Pa.s.sed the day closely around the stove, cracking jokes and telling camp stories. At night carried sawdust in sacks to make our bed dry, and rolled in. Who cares if it rains.

Chattanooga, Friday, Feb. 24. The rain ceased but it remained cloudy and damp. Morning spent in attending to the domestic department, was.h.i.+ng, etc. Mail came, bringing me four splendid letters, one from my old father in the good old Welsh tongue. I prize it above all others. Detail made to go and begin to get out timber for quarters. Estimates made for clothing, all required to draw full uniform. Three loads of troops pa.s.sed toward Knoxville. Enemy reported threatening that place.

Chattanooga, Sat.u.r.day, Feb. 25. Found our tent collapsed this morning by the big winds and heavy rains, which did not stop to let us stake it up, but kept on raining all day in a most furious manner, relieved by violent flashes of lightning and thunder. Everybody kept in doors, where they became somewhat soaked.

Chattanooga, Sunday, Feb. 26. A bright, beautiful day, affording us an opportunity to dry our clothes and blankets. On guard, second relief.

Had to stay in camp. Griff went to church. The day pa.s.sed quickly. Read _Christian Enquirer_ which the mail brought me, and wrote to John. In the beautiful twilight the boys turned out to enjoy athletic sports, jumping, running, etc. All apparently as merry as though a sorrow they knew not, a picture for the weeping ones at home.

Chattanooga, Monday, Feb. 27. A pleasant day, quite hot midday. Sergeant Hutchinson and twelve men gone to Mission Ridge to chop timber for quarters. The remainder of the Company clearing off our new camping ground most of the day. I was exempted, being on guard. One hundred and twenty new sabres for the guards and a load of quartermaster and ordnance stores drawn. Griff having sold our sugar, it falls upon me to invest it in bread to lengthen our rations. Lieutenant Sweet gave an order on Sanitary Commission for ten rations which I obtained at six cents per ration, cheap, plenty of bread now. No mail for me. Troubled considerably with rheumatism.

Chattanooga, Tuesday, Feb. 28. A fine day. Company formed 12 M. in best clothes for muster and inspection by regular inspecting officer. Quite strict as to the appearance of the men. Orderly Sergeant ---- called the muster roll while he looked on. Here as elsewhere showed his incompetency, and the Company was heartily ashamed of him. Detail gone to the hills, returned loaded with stakes which they had gobbled.

Chattanooga, Wednesday, March 1. Cloudy and looks like rain, but we moved camp and by night we were all fixed. Our pleasant camp commands a splendid view of the Tennessee River both above and below, which is now very high. It used to be occupied by general hospital. Teams out all day again.

Chattanooga, Thursday, March 2. Rained fine and constant all night and all day, but we are dry and comfortable in our bed of sawdust. Read Tennyson's new poem _Enoch Arden_ this forenoon, and think it one of the finest poems I have ever read in English. Wrote to T. L. and read an old _Atlantic Monthly_ in the afternoon. No mail for me.

Chattanooga, Friday, March 3. On guard. Very wet day. Rained all day and night. Mail arrived with a letter from T. L. All very well with the exception of dear mother. She still is suffering severely. How much longer can her frail nature withstand it? It is hard to give her up here and never more to see her loving face. Must she go without welcoming her Jenk's return? But still I feel it would be better for her to leave her troubles and sufferings, and go to the land where her treasures are, there to enjoy endless day.

Chattanooga, Sat.u.r.day, March 4. Heavy thunder and lightning last night, with the rain pouring down while I was walking my muddy beat. To-day it cleared up a little. Heavy detail after timber. Another to work in camp hewing logs. Policed camp in the afternoon. This is the day on which Abraham Lincoln is to be inaugurated. President for the second time.

After four years tempestuous sailing 'mid terrible breakers he has carried the good old s.h.i.+p of state through. May his second voyage know more suns.h.i.+ne, and be as successful as before. News is meager. Rumors of the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg follow up the confirmation of the fall of the rebellious Charleston.