On July 6th and 7th, Captain Cox recorded that camp life was continuing pretty much as expected. Drilling in the mornings and evenings to avoid the heat of the summer sun. He did go into Athens on the 6th to visit Lieutenant Little whom he described as "very sick in town" and added that he "Saw several very beautiful young ladies."* Lt. Finis Little (Co. C) resigned his comission 24 days later as a consequence of his illness.**
The July 8th entry is a bit more informative and illustrates the captain's "dry" sense of humor.
Nothing of interest today. Drilled 4 hours in the warm sun and dust 15 feet deep. We have to wash our faces of an evening before we can tell what company we belong to. Received information to the effect that we will move camp tomorrow.*
Nelson's Division had enjoyed this wonderful camp site for only nine days.
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.19.
**Blackburn, John, A Hundred Miles, A Hundred Heartbreaks, 1972, LOC 72-93774, p.245.
This blog chronicles the life of the 17th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the American Civil War on the 150th aniversary of their service. Follow these volunteers through several major battles while experiencing both the pace and duration of the conflict. The posts may be read chronologically by accessing the archives and selecting them individually, beginning with the Preface.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Near Athens, July 5, 1862
The Seventeenth is pulling picket duty again on July 5th, 1862, but Captain Cox has no complaints.
Remained on Picket until 5 o'clock this afternoon, when we were relieved by a company of the 24th Ohio. Have enjoyed ourselves remarkably, taking everything into consideration -- good water to drink and a fine creek to bathe in, and we have been fortunate to buy some marketing today from some farmers which we cannot do every day. Report of McClellan is contradicted.*
Yesterday's rumor has been put to rest, as the clear-thinking captain had expected. It was probably just a holiday prank that played on the hopes of the weary soldiers. At least the gullible ones were happy for a day.
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18.
Remained on Picket until 5 o'clock this afternoon, when we were relieved by a company of the 24th Ohio. Have enjoyed ourselves remarkably, taking everything into consideration -- good water to drink and a fine creek to bathe in, and we have been fortunate to buy some marketing today from some farmers which we cannot do every day. Report of McClellan is contradicted.*
Yesterday's rumor has been put to rest, as the clear-thinking captain had expected. It was probably just a holiday prank that played on the hopes of the weary soldiers. At least the gullible ones were happy for a day.
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Independence Day, 1862
The July 4th entry from Sam Cox's diary speaks of picnics and pickets as Duty trumps Glory for Company A, Seventeenth Kentucky Infantry.
We had a grand review today, but our Company being on duty did not go out. I think they had quite a dusty time judging from the appearance on their return.
How different I spent this day from last Fourth. One year ago today, I was enjoying myself in the company of the fair sex of Kentucky at a picnic near the mouth of Barren River, and today I am on picket guard one mile from Athens, Alabama, and do not know at what moment I may hear a "minnie ball"[sic] come whistling through the timber searching for my precious body.
I was in hopes of passing this 4th with my friends and relatives in Kentucky, but alas, this cruel war has lasted much longer than anyone anticipated, and, Heaven only knows when it will end now. We hope, however, that it may close soon and that we may once more meet friends at home.
Heard on yesterday evening that McClellan had taken Richmond with 40,000 prisoners. I do not believe it, it is too good to be true.*
Recall that Wilbur Condit, in his letter dated May 22 had also expressed an expectation to be home by July 4th. Surely he, too was disappointed to be in northern Alabama with no end of the war in sight. Especially if he knew that Lincoln had just called for 300,000 more volunteers to fight the secessionists.
Editor's Note: This Independence Day marks the first invasion of Kentucky by John Hunt Morgan. From Knoxville, he slashed through southeastern Kentucky capturing 1,200 prisoners and hundreds of horses while destroying important Federal supplies. The horses he kept, but the prisoners were paroled.
*Cox,Samuel K. Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18.
We had a grand review today, but our Company being on duty did not go out. I think they had quite a dusty time judging from the appearance on their return.
How different I spent this day from last Fourth. One year ago today, I was enjoying myself in the company of the fair sex of Kentucky at a picnic near the mouth of Barren River, and today I am on picket guard one mile from Athens, Alabama, and do not know at what moment I may hear a "minnie ball"[sic] come whistling through the timber searching for my precious body.
I was in hopes of passing this 4th with my friends and relatives in Kentucky, but alas, this cruel war has lasted much longer than anyone anticipated, and, Heaven only knows when it will end now. We hope, however, that it may close soon and that we may once more meet friends at home.
Heard on yesterday evening that McClellan had taken Richmond with 40,000 prisoners. I do not believe it, it is too good to be true.*
Recall that Wilbur Condit, in his letter dated May 22 had also expressed an expectation to be home by July 4th. Surely he, too was disappointed to be in northern Alabama with no end of the war in sight. Especially if he knew that Lincoln had just called for 300,000 more volunteers to fight the secessionists.
Editor's Note: This Independence Day marks the first invasion of Kentucky by John Hunt Morgan. From Knoxville, he slashed through southeastern Kentucky capturing 1,200 prisoners and hundreds of horses while destroying important Federal supplies. The horses he kept, but the prisoners were paroled.
*Cox,Samuel K. Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)