Ohio History Journal

100                                               OHIO HISTORY

education at the Kingsville Academy. After a short stint as a schoolteacher

in the Kingsville area, Tourgee, in 1859, entered the University of

Rochester. Here he remained until January 1861, at which time he

accepted a position as associate principal of a school in Wilson, New

York. No doubt he intended to return to the university, but the Civil

War intervened.

On April 19, 1861, Tourgee enlisted as a private in the Twenty-Seventh

New York Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was engaged in the battle

of Bull Run in July 1861, and following the battle Tourgee received a

severe injury to his spine, from which he never fully recovered. He was

in a critical condition for some time, but by August he was well enough

to travel. He had been discharged from the army, so he returned to

Kingsville for rest and convalescence. He spent much of this time, until

1862, reading law at the firm of Sherman and Farmer in nearby Ashtabula,

Ohio.³

But Tourgee was not content to remain at home while the fate of the

Union was being decided. His injury was healing satisfactorily, and he

began to speak at recruiting rallies in the spring of 1862. On July 11,

1862, he was enrolled as a first lieutenant in Company G of a new unit

that was being formed in northeastern Ohio, the One Hundred and Fifth

Ohio Volunteer Infantry.⁴ The unit was activated on August 21 at Camp

Taylor, near Cleveland, and moved immediately to Kentucky, where it

was engaged in one minor action before the battle of Perryville on October

8. At this battle Tourgee was wounded,5 and did not rejoin his regiment

until December.

Early in his service with the One Hundred and Fifth O.V.I. there

occurred an incident that made a deep impression on Tourgee and stirred

in him a sympathy for the Negro that never abated. In 1881 he reported

it in this manner: "I remember that as late as September 1862, I was

myself put under arrest in the army of the United States, for refusing to

surrender a colored man who had saved my company."⁶ This is all that

is known of this incident, but in 1896 in his regimental history Tourgee

described a similar event involving the commanding officer of the One

Hundred and Fifth O.V.I.⁷ These accounts may indeed be of the same

incident, embellished in one instance or the other according to Tourgee's

needs, but they made an unmistakable impression which we shall see

grow in the diary and which later became a driving force in Tourgee's

life.

Shortly after Tourgee rejoined his regiment in December 1862, he

was captured by Morgan's Raiders while on a foraging expedition. He

was held in several Confederate prisons before he was exchanged on

May 8, 1863.8 He returned home immediately and on May 14 he married

Emma Kilbourne, a former classmate at the Kingsville Academy. A few

brief days were all that Tourgee and his wife had together at this time,

for on May 25 he left once more for the war.

Tourgee began his diary on the day of his wedding, and he kept a

fairly complete and regular account of events up to November 10, 1863,

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                  101

shortly before he resigned from the army on December 6, 1863. The

diary suggests that Tourgee was a conscientious officer, dedicated to the

Union cause, yet often irritated by the routine of army life and distressed

by what he considered the incompetence and pettiness of some of his

superior officers. His whole character rebelled at taking orders, and he

refused to be intimidated by anyone. These traits led to such incidents

as the refusal to give up the Negro who saved his company, discussed

above, the defense of Captain Byron W. Canfield, threats to resign his

commission, his request for a transfer to a Negro regiment, and his

court-martial, all of which are reported in the diary. Since the traits of

character so clearly displayed in the diary are to some degree evident

throughout Tourgee's career, it may be well to sketch briefly the events

of his life after he left the army.

After the Civil War, Tourgee and his wife decided to move to the South,

where he went into the nursery business. Tourgee's health, after the injury

at Bull Run and the aggravation of it in 1863, was not good, and, among

other motives, he believed that a climate milder than that of northeastern

Ohio would be beneficial to him. On October 14, 1865, Tourgee and his wife

moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, and there he embarked on a career

that he most certainly had hardly anticipated.

The nursery business that he engaged in failed soon after, as did all

of Tourgee's business ventures, but he was already involved in local

politics. During his residence in North Carolina, Tourgee was a delegate

to the constitutional convention of 1868, a member of the code commission,

a judge of the superior court of the seventh district, and a pension agent.

His independence, impetuosity, quick temper, and outspokenness in sup-

port of Negro rights offended most of his neighbors, especially the

members of the Ku Klux Klan, and, for his safety and the safety of his

family, he eventually felt compelled to leave the South.

Tourgee was not the typical carpetbagger interested only in what he

could get out of the South. He came to North Carolina with $5,000,⁹ which

he invested in the nursery business, and he later formed the North Carolina

Handle Company.¹⁰ As a judge, Tourgee was much maligned, but in

retrospect many of those who opposed him acknowledged that he was

"always well informed, attentive, patient, and impartial."¹¹ His legal

writings at this time were also of great value.¹² Tourgee proved to be

competent and observant, with a tenacious spirit, all traits observable in

the diary. He stood uncompromisingly for the rights of the Negro, and

he could not alter this stand in order to live in southern society.

In 1879 he moved North, eventually establishing a home in Mayville,

New York, on the shore of Lake Chautauqua. While in the South, Tourgee

had had some experience as a writer for local newspapers, and in 1874 he

had published, under a pseudonym, the novel Toinette.13 He concluded

that he might be able to make his living as a writer, and this belief was

confirmed in 1879, when he published the sensational novel, A Fool's

Errand, in which he described his experiences in the South. In the same

year he produced an autobiographical novel, Figs and Thistles, in which

102                                               OHIO HISTORY

he described much of his early life and his experiences in the Civil War.

Tourgee's literary career was launched, and he pursued it avidly for the

remainder of his life.

Except for short residences in Denver and New York and a somewhat

longer one in Philadelphia, where he owned and edited the magazine Our

Continent (1882-84), he lived in Mayville. He made many lecture tours

and traveled to Chicago and New York often for business purposes. He

continued to write novels, short stories, poems, political articles and

books, and columns for the Chicago Inter Ocean. Perhaps the most import-

ant of his novels are Bricks Without Straw (1880), another novel dealing

with the Reconstruction period; Black Ice and Button's Inn (both 1887),

regional novels, set in western New York, with romantic overtones;

Pactolus Prime (1890), concerning the Negro question; Murvale Eastman

(1890), a study of Christian Socialism; and Out of the Sunset Sea (1893),

an historical novel based on Columbus.

His nonfiction includes The Invisible Empire, which was added to the

1880 edition of A Fool's Errand and presents the documents on which the

novel was based. A Man of Destiny (1885) and The Veteran and His Pipe

(1886) are collections of Tourgee's columns in the Inter Ocean; Letters to

a King (1888) is a series of essays on good citizenship; and An Appeal to

Caesar (1884) presents his plan for federal aid to education and was

written at the request of President Garfield.

Tourgee's earning power as a writer declined steadily after his great

success with A Fool's Errand. The failure of Our Continent wiped out his

early savings, and he was forced to make extensive lecture tours at the

expense of his already poor health. He finally sought a political appoint-

ment, and in 1897 President McKinley sent him to Bordeaux, France,

as United States consul. Tourgee and his wife sailed on July 3, and they

were joined later in France by their daughter Aimee. Tourgee attended

to his duties as consul and did a little writing, but his health steadily

deteriorated, and he died in Bordeaux on May 21, 1905.

Tourgee's Civil War diary is the property of the Chautauqua County

Historical Society and is housed in the society's museum in Westfield,

New York. The great bulk of Tourgee's letters and manuscripts are the

property of the society and the diary is an important part of this collec-

tion.14 The diary itself is a small leather-bound volume with a dated page

for each day of the year 1863. All of it is presented here, with illegible parts

so marked. The only change made in Tourgee's writing worth noting,

has been to convert most of his dashes into periods or commas for the

sake of easier readability.

Thursday, May 14, 1863. Married at Columbus, Ohio, by the Rev. Julius

E. Gram[m]er at the Med[ical] Coll[ege] buildings.

Returned to our lodgings in the U.S. Hotel to take life quietly and

happily. It ought to be happy for it is the consummation of five years of

pleasant waiting and sweet expectation.

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   103

Saturday, May 16, 1863. Was paid today from Aug 5th to Oct 31, $312.00.

Sunday, May 17, 1863. Attended church at the 1st Episcopal, Rector J. E.

Gram[m]er. Emma, Westcott¹⁵ and self.

Monday, May 18, 1863. Returned home. Stopped at Ashtabula. Saw Nora,

Anna, and all my friends almost. Went down to K[ingsville] and spoke

at a meeting there. Everybody was out and the house was crowded. Went

to Conneaut at night.

Tuesday, May 19, 1863. Went to see Heywood¹6 and other friends in Con-

neaut, then to Springfield [Pennsylvania]. It was sad to meet with those

who had suffered such afflictions since we last met. It did not seem home-

like there without Sarah Gould's pleasant presence.

Daniel's people were sad enough. My heart bled for them. At evening

we went over to see Jane and then, by Ridgeville, home.

Wednesday, May 20, 1863. Went to Ashtabula to get likenesses taken [word

illegible]. Some friends at home, and staid till afternoon there.

Staid that night at Anna's.

Thursday, May 21, 1863. Had likenesses taken this morning. Went to

Conneaut to speak. Had an overflowing house. Broke down and staid at

Heywood's over night.

Friday, May 22, 1863. At home--Emma's--during the day and at father's¹⁸

at evening at a party. Pleasant time indeed with old friends.

Saturday, May 23, 1863. At Conneaut during the day. Went to Ashtabula

at night to speak. Saw Capt. Bowers.19 He was much rejoiced to see me.

Sunday, May 24, 1863. Went home and staid there. Had a few hours quiet,

the first we have had since we left Columbus.

Monday, May 25, 1863. Today I left home for the war again. Father, Emma,

and Rosetta²⁰ came to the depot with me. Dear Emma, how I do love her.

It seems that words have no power of expressing the feeling which I have

towards her. How different is our situation from what it was before at

any of our partings. How brave she is. I know her heart was bleeding as

she felt my arms about her, perhaps for the last time, as she returned

my embrace, and kissed the lips which would quiver at the prospect before

us, yet I saw no tear in her calm deep eye, only holy trust. God bless my

noble wife.

Tuesday, May 26, 1863. Cincinnati. Passed the night upon the road and

arrived here just at daybreak. We stop at the Burnet house.²¹ I have been

running around the city all day, thus far. In looking for Mart[in] Luce

I met Sage and Mundy of our old boarding house in Rochester.22 I was

very glad to see them indeed and they seemed happy at the occurrence also.

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   105

At 1 P.M. we started down the river on the boat Good Luck. The passage

to Louisville is not what I expected but is nevertheless very fine. I had

sweet dreams of my Love while we were floating lazily down the river.

Wednesday, May 27, 1863. Louisville, Ky. Reed. $426 pay today. Expressed

$340 to Father at once. Wrote to Nina this evening, also began a letter

to Emma.

Bought Revolver, Blouse, Rub[ber] Blanket, Pipe, Tobacco, &c.

Weather very sultry with two or three showers during the afternoon.

Attended theater in evening. Saw one fine character well acted, -- Phil, in

"Old Phils Birthday." I do love scenic representations if they are anything

like decently executed. How strongly my love for my wife Emma comes

surging through my thought tonight. How great happiness the change of

relations has conferred.

Thursday, May 28, 1863. Louisville. Started for Nashville at 7 A.M. Cars

so crowded that we could not get seats. Nothing occurred worthy of note

during the journey. We arrived at Nashville about 6 P.M. Stopped at

St. Cloud.23 Met Lieut. Butler now a clerk in a government office here.

We went to the New Theatre in the evening and saw the "Seven Sisters^"24

played by the regular performers. A low worthless thing it is too. There

is no such thing as a plan in it. The performance was mere claptrap, [a]

money-catching concern. I don't know but Emma will scold me for going

to the theater instead of writing to her at once that I was not gobbled.²⁵

Friday, May 29, 1863. I expected to stay in Nashville today but as the

other boys desired to go on at once I would not part company. I managed to

get a pass before the cars left and paid my own transportation. We

arrived at Murfreesboro about 10 A.M. We found a wagon from the regt.

at the depot which took our baggage right to camp. On the way out I

stopped at Maj. Herrick's Quarters and saw Joe.26 He is not looking so

well as I hoped to find him. He must leave the army at once. We found

the men and line officers very glad indeed to meet us and had a very

pleasant afternoon. There are some things here which make my heart

bleed. Poor Cushing!27 Faithful martyr! Wrote to Emma today.

Saturday, May 30, 1863. Did not report for duty today but remained in

quarters writing letters &c. I found quite a package of letters awaiting

me on my arrival. Among them was one from Coon28 written since my

release. I thought I was through getting letters signed "votre fiancee"

but was mistaken.²⁹ The line officers held a meeting and appointed a

committee to draft a letter to Capt. Canfield to express their sympathy

and their respect for him as a man and a friend.³⁰ There was great

cordiality and good feeling among the officers, better than ever before.

Saw Col. Hall³¹ last night [and] was not well treated by him. Was ordered

to make out a report of all circumstances connected with my capture.³²

Sunday, May 31, 1863. Have made out the report which was ordered and

handed it to the Col. He found no great fault with it, but seemed much

better satisfied than I expected he would be with it. The officers are going

106                                                OHIO HISTORY

to serenade the Major³³ tonight. The letter has been signed by all the

officers present and shown to Col. Tolles³⁴ by Capt. Spalding.³⁵

12 P.M. The devil to pay! Col. Hall has heard of our intentions, has

demanded the letter, has heard it read and declared that a copy of the same

placed on the table of Gen. Rosecrans36 would dismiss every one who

signed it in disgrace. We can't see it. He threatens us furiously and will

dismiss us all. Let him try it. I am ready.

Monday, June 1, 1863. Early this morning Hall sent an order to Capt.

Spalding to bring the letter to Headquarters. S[paulding] obeyed. Hall

ordered him to give it to him. [Spaulding] refused because he would

not compromise his fellow officers. S[paulding] was put in arrest and

confined to his quarters for disobedience of orders. He gave the paper to

Lt. Wallace³⁷ secy. of meeting. Hall learned that Wallace had it and

ordered him to give it up. W[allace] refused to obey. Was sent to his tent

with a guard which searched his quarters and got the paper. This outrage

is too much. Every line officer will resign.

Tuesday, June 2, 1863. Am on guard today. It seems funny to be on guard

instead of under it. Eleven officers have resigned, myself among them.38

We have sent word to Hall that if he does not release S[paulding] and

W[allace] from arrest and return the paper now in his possession. [sic].

He says he will see us all in Hell first. The remainder of the officers are

preparing resignations.

Evening. The Col. has backed down and accepted our terms. Spalding

and Wallace are to be released from arrest and the letter returned. By

concerted action we have conquered our tyrant. Our resignations are

handed back.

Wednesday, June 3, 1863. Am terribly sleepy from being on guard last

night. All is quiet in camp now. The excitement of the past two days has

died away now that Hall has backed down. The non-coms were terribly

disappointed! Have been out on drill. Stood it first rate. Wrote to Emma.

Wrote J. Sill about Hazeltine's39 Box in Louisville.

Thursday, June 4, 1863. Capt. Crowell,40 Lt. Morgaridge4l and a great

share of the regiment are out on picket. I am in command of what is left

of the Co. I am just about as good as sick. Afflicted with Army Scourge.

Firing in front, a battle in progress, it is said. Everything packed for

a move. Have written to Father, Emma, Tuttle,42 Lizzie.43 8 P.M. Firing

still heavy. Expect to be called up for fight. Well, if "Brothers if we meet

on earth no more" &c.[sic].

Friday, June 5, 1863. Am on the sick list today. Well I expected it and

"something more" as the baron of King John's time said. If I escape after

the many sudden and violent changes of habit, food and climate, which

the past few weeks have witnessed without a very severe illness I shall

be amazed.

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   107

Nothing done or to do today. The feint in our front has not as we

expected developed into a general engagement. It will come ere long and

terrible will be its force.

Saturday, June 6, 1863. Am getting no better very fast. Getting my

ration [?] of the Scourge I guess.

It is somewhat strange that I do not hear from Emma. Dear One, I

suppose she has no idea how anxiously I am waiting for one. I really

believe the thought makes me as near homesick as I ever was, or ever

expect to be. How dear she is to me. It is strange I am not always a

rhapsodist. Well, well, I ought not to complain if Heaven does give me

quite a large share of the ills of life, for surely I am more blessed than

others. I am rich in poverty. Thank God for my wife.

Sunday, June 7, 1863. Sunday in Camp. Joe is visiting me and we are

having quite a cosy chat. We have been over to a meeting of the "Cullud

population" of the Brigade. [three words illegible]. I have [never?] heard

worse things than I have listened to there today.44

A letter at last! As I expected quiet, matter of course and I guess rather

hurried. Not very Honey-moonish, hardly loverlike. Just friendly with

a stroke of wifeliness. She will write again soon, when she is in a meditative

mood. Oh! Lord. House cleaning! Don't know when she will [word illegible]

meditation.

Monday, June 8, 1863. In same condition as yesterday. Had a funny little

rencontre with the Col. for not being present when detailed as off[icer]

of guard. All a mistake of the Surgeon's.

Answered E[mma']s letter, and Mirabile dictu wrote to Angie.⁴⁵ And

such a letter, it would make a cat laugh!

Tuesday, June 9, 1863. The Scourge is better and I am on duty today.

Evening. Have been on Brigade drill. How terribly my bones ache. I

think I shall have a fever before I get over this transition. Tomorrow I

must command the Company. Somehow I hate to command now terribly.

God keep my dear one. May her heart be quiet as the guarded camp in

its slumber.

Wednesday, June 10, 1863. On duty today and made various laughable

blunders on drill. It is marvellous how rusty one gets in a short time in drill.

The weather is very pleasant. Capt. Off[icer] of Day.

Thursday, June 11, 1863. Officer of Guard today and have had quite an

adventure. Was put under arrest at 8 oc P.M. for what I did not know.

Found out that it was on account of charges preferred against me by

Maj. Scobley on account of my preventing some of his regt, 68th Ind[iana],

from marching through the line of stacks [of weapons] in front of the

Guard quarters. It seems one man was pricked by the point of my sword,

and I am accused of wounding him.⁴⁶

108                                                OHIO HISTORY

I am to be tried by C[ourt] M[artial] I hear. Well I'll get a good night's

sleep instead of Guard Duty.

Friday, June 12, 1863. Still under arrest. Of course I have to stay in or

near my quarters but am not confined. I read, write and sleep, besides

playing Cribbage some. I don't care how soon the trial comes off. I'll see

if a man has a right to march his men through my quarters. Wrote to

Emma.

Saturday, June 13, 1863. Yet under arrest, and with no news of the pro-

ceedings on my case.

P.M. Capt. --   who is in the General C[ourt] M[artial] says he has

seen the charges against me. It is termed "Conduct prejudicial to good

order and Military Discipline."

I wait a copy with just a little anxiety.

Sunday, June 14, 1863. As before. No Court today so my case will probably

come off tomorrow or day after. Have just been writing to father.

Monday, June 15, 1863. Today I addressed a note to the Major requesting

that I might be allowed the freedom of the regtal [regimental] lines for

the purpose of consulting and procuring witnesses. Also I asked that when

my trial came Capt. Spalding might be excused from duty to act as my

counsel. My requests were granted.

Tuesday, June 16, 1863. Today I got a copy of the charges against me.

The charge is conduct to the prejudice of good order and mil[itary]

discipline. It is a very weak document or I am mistaken. We will see how

affairs turn. The case is set for tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 17, 1863. I expected to be tried today but was not. Tomor-

row will witness that memorable event. The boys at the Guard House

swear to even more than I expected. I read "Nicolas Nicholby" [sic] eat,

sleep, smoke and play cribbage. It's grand fun this being under arrest

in this hot weather.

Thursday, June 18, 1863. About 9:30 I was summoned to the Court. A

grave assemblage truly, and very capable of administering justice. Well,

the prosecution did not make out as strong a case as I supposed they

would. I did the best that I could and will leave the result to luck. Before

a civil tribunal the evidence would not have been sufficient to condemn a

louse to loss of rations.⁴⁷ Got three letters today. 2 from E[mma].

Friday, June 19, 1863. Am still enjoying easy times in my quarters. Don't

know, except by intimation, the sentence of the Court. Suppose it will be

out in a few days in general orders. There has been a copy of a letter

which was in the Cleveland Leader circulating around the camp. 'Twill

raise a breeze. I have written a full account of my trial in the book which

I used to have in the Univ[ersity of Rochester].48

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   109

Saturday, June 20, 1863. As heretofore. Jolly times these. Lt. Rooney⁴⁹ of

the 11th Ohio was over here to see me today. There are a great many friends

near here whom I would visit if I could leave camp. I think strongly of

going into a negro regt. Anything to get out of this. Another letter from

Emma, also one from Libbie W.50

Sunday, June 21, 1863. A letter from Johnny Clague[?]. I am glad to hear

that the little hero has got home safe and sound. He thinks of marrying

too, he says. I wonder if it is that long inammorata [sic] of his? Happiness

to him. Wrote to J. T. Clague[?], Emma, Nora, Libbie, Dr. Webster.51

Monday, June 22, 1863. Another day of supineness and inaction. One good

thing. I have a good opportunity to become acclimated. I am much better

in health than when first placed under arrest. No letter today. I have an

idea of offering my name for a position in a negro regt. I know there is

little hope of any mercy being shown any one who may be in any way

connected with the colored troops but why not play with large stakes as

well as small ones? I know I owe a duty to Emma but a little more danger

cannot make much difference. Besides, anything rather than this.

Tuesday, June 23, 1863. Capt. Crowell and I sent in our requests to the

War Dept for appointments in negro regts this morning. We may or I

may regret the step but hope not. It is certainly the place for men who

would serve the country best and at the same time save valuable lives.52

No letters today either.

Wednesday, June 24, 1863. This morning at 2 o'clock we were awakened

for a march. We had been expecting to go for some time, but the orders

came only yesterday late in the afternoon. We were ready however, and

found that it was a general movement. We went on the Manchester pike,

our division in advance. Just as we were going into bivouac for the night

Wilder's Brigade,53 which was in advance, became engaged near Beech

Grove and were driven back through the gap. As the pursuit seemed to

be very brisk we were ordered up to support them and hold the position. We

were under arms all night, though the firing ceased about 9 oc. It was a

terrible night. There was a constant rain and the hard march of the day

left us in bad condition for a rainy night, especially as few of us had any

blankets.

I am yet under arrest though it was promised that I should be released

today.

Thursday, June 25, 1863. This morning the battle opened early despite

the rain.⁵⁴ There has yet (4 P.M.) been only some pretty lively skirmishing

and some pretty earnest artillery practice. We hold the main position and

are backed by the regular Brigade. Two of the 75th Ind[iana] have been

wounded, none of ours. The shot have been flying over us all day and it

seems wonderful that so few of us have been hurt. Thank God for his

goodness. [several lines illegible].

Friday, June 26, 1863. 6 A. M. There have been a few guns fired this

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                    111

enemy found here and our cavalry went within 4 miles of Tullahoma.

Manchester looks more pleasant and cheerful than when I passed through

it last winter. I must try to send a letter to Emma by some returning

ambulance as soon as possible.*

Sunday, June 28, 1863. We camped last night just on the northwestern

outskirts of Manchester. Today we remain at the same position. It is

Sunday and of course the thought of every soldier is at home. What

would we not give for a few hours there. I especially have reason to desire

even to hear from home. I was accordingly not a little disappointed when

today there came a mail and no letter for me. It is marvellous too. Emma

must have written before the 24th and there were several of that date.

Remained in camp all day. Sent back our extra baggage to Murfreesboro

last night. Wrote to Emma.

Monday, June 29, 1863. Manchester, Tenn. There is a report that the

enemy have evacuated Tullahoma and are retreating to the south of the

Tenn. river. If it be true we have a long march before us which must be

performed in double quick.

About 11 A.M. We broke camp and marched down the R.R. track towards

Tullahoma. It rained constantly after starting. We made six or seven miles

over very heavy road, and then bivouacked in the woods, all in a heap. There

was skirmishing along the front yesterday, and a few shots were fired by

our batteries. The [railroad] cars were heard running all night.

Tuesday, June 30, 1863. Dawn came quietly this morning though we rather

expected to have a rough awakening. Many expect a battle today. I don't

know whether to look for one or not. I expect to have heavy skirmishing

at least. It seems to me that the place can hardly be tenable or even

defensible after we have been allowed to make the movements and prep-

arations of the last week. It is said that the enemy are busy throwing up

earthworks at Tull[ahoma]. We may fight there. I gave Joe a letter for

Emma as he may have an opportunity for sending it before I can.

Wednesday, July 1, 1863. On the march near Elk River Tenn. Under arms

at 9 A.M. and moved a short distance to the rear to clear the road for

other regts and also to get a better bivouac. Two regts of the brigade were

sent forward on a reconnaisance. About noon we started on towards

Tullahoma. Other regts had been before us, so we met no resistance. We

came into T[ullahoma] about 5 P.M. There was no fighting at all. All the

works were abandoned and some of the seige [sic] guns were even left

unspiked. Thousands of tents were left standing or just rolled up and

carried a mile of two. Wilder is in after them, trying to catch a wagon

or a mule.

Thursday, July 2, 1863. On march near Elk River. We left T[ullahoma]

* At this point Tourgee went back to the blank pages in the front of the diary and

there made his entries for the next six days, from June 28 through July 3. He also

made entries for July 2 and 3 in their regular places in the diary. The latter appear

below following the entries made in the forward part. They are set off by light rules.

-- EDITOR.

112                                               OHIO HISTORY

early this morning for the front, in pursuit of Bragg.55 It is now nearly

3 P.M. We have followed the [road] way at a leisurely gait not having

got more than 7 or 8 miles during the day. We are in hearing of a sharp

cannonading which is going on at the crossing of the Elk. I suppose

Crittenden's Corps56 and perhaps part of ours, as only our Div, sent to

T[ullahoma], are there. [sic]. We left the pike and crossed the Elk near the

junction of one of its branches, near Allisona [Tennessee]. Marched about

10 miles. Our pickets were within 1/2 mile of those of Crittenden's Corps

on the left.

We left Tullahoma early this morning to go to the front in pursuit of

Bragg. It is now nearly 3 P.M. We have advanced very leisurely on account

of the difficulty of getting the Artillery and trains along over these heavy

roads. We are now in hearing of a sharp cannonading which is going on

near the crossing of the Elk. I suppose Crittenden's and perhaps a part

of our corps is there as one Div of ours went into Tullahoma. We turned

to the left from the pike and struck the Elk at the ford three or four miles

above the bridge at the junction of one of its northern branches. Our

pickets were within 1/2 mile of Crittenden's. It has been excessively hot

today.

Friday, July 3, 1863. Broke camp on Elk River about 8 oc A.M. Went back

to where we left the pike yesterday. Stopped here at 11:30 and have been

here about half an hour. It has been raining all the morning. It is [now]

much pleasanter.

11:30 A.M. Broke camp on the Elk River near the junction of its northern

branch, about 8 oc this A.M. We marched back along the road we passed

over yesterday P.M. until we struck the pike again. After staying here

about two hours we marched on to the bridge across the Elk which was

built by Gen. Buell last year. The wagons came up at night and I wrote

to Emma and A. L. [?] Foster who [word illegible] written to me in rela-

tion to my meeting with P. Hornebaugh [?]. It rained furiously all the

early part of the day.

Saturday, July 4, 1863. In camp near Elk River, 4 P.M. We crossed the

Elk this morning. The "Rebs" burned the bridge though fortunately for

us, the center span, reaching across the stream proper, was almost entirely

uninjured. Our Infantry crosses here easily, the teams and Artillery cross

below at a ford. We have marched but a short distance today, and are to

wait here until tomorrow for the teams to cross and come up. How differ-

ently I have passed this fete de joie from the same one of last year. Dear

Sister Anna, I would give much to see her today. Now I am on the very

ground which 48 hours ago was red with blood. The ground is cut and

torn up with the conflict.57

Sunday, July 5, 1863. Old Rosey [Rosecrans] keeps the Sabbath whenever

he can do so. We therefore lay still today. Our train has come up and pork

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                    113

and hard tack are plenty once more. We got a mail today but nothing for me.

Well no wonder, for Emma has gone on a spree, and cannot stop to write

to me. She is a regular war widow I find. I do hope the darling is happy.

I have written to her, father, and Anna and [word illegible] today.

Monday, July 6, 1863. We marched a mile or so to the southward today

and made our camp upon a pleasant elevated spot upon the left of the

road leading from Manchester to Winchester [Tennessee]. It is possible

that we shall stay here several days at least, perhaps some weeks. On our

left is the northern spur of the Southern Cumberland Mts. We are three

miles from Decherd [Tennessee] and 6 or 7 miles from Winchester.

Tuesday, July 7, 1863. As anticipated we are lying in the same position

as yesterday. Today the report has come of a victory on the Potomac.

Meade has whipped Lee. A National Salute was fired this evening in honor

of the event.58 There is good news from Vicksburg too but not official yet.

Everyone is busy at Muster rolls and Returns just now. I do nothing and

have a grand time of it.

Wednesday, July 8, 1863. Another National Salute this morning. Vicksburg

is taken! 20,000 prisoners! &c. &c. Truly these are days of rejoicing!

Our flag is triumphant everywhere. God grant it may continue. A few

more such successes and Rebellion will be a forgotten thing. Its new banner

has not yet known success. Heaven grant it never may.

Thursday, July 9, 1863. Still quiet. The camps have been regularly laid out

and we are likely to stay here some time [word illegible]. The enemy

have retreated beyond the Tenn. [River] and have burned the bridge at

Bridgeport [Alabama]. [half page illegible].

Friday, July 10, 1863. There are lots of blackberries about the camp and

the men are allowed to go out and pick them every day. They make our

rations relish [sic] a heap better. I went out today with [name illegible],

Capt. Spalding's cook. We went toward Winchester, got about 16 qts.

of berries. Afterwards I went to Decherd where [two words illegible] is

encamped and saw Lt. Hall, 11th Mich[igan], an old prison chum.

Saturday, July 11, 1863. We received information of the death of Col.

Hall.59 He was left sick at M[urfreesboro, Tennessee] when we started out

and the brigade has been under command of Col. Robinson60 of the 75th

Ind[iana] Vols. Hall died last night as we were informed by telegraph.

Col. Tolles is at home sick, and it is not probable that he will ever enter

the service again.

Sunday, July 12, 1863. Today I sent a letter to Father and another to

Emma. I reed one this morning from the latter. She has been in Canada

and has had a pleasant time. Somehow she does not seem as contented and

easy as I could wish. I must try some way to get her over this [word

illegible] as it seems to oppress her. A letter has just been reed saying

that Col. Tolles is not expected to live. Lt. [name illegible] got hold of a

114                                                OHIO HISTORY

Sunday Press of today. It was a great treat I assure you. The details

of Vicksburg and Gettysburg were in it.

Monday, July 13, 1863. I had quite an adventure today. I went out with a

squad of men, berrying, and on trying to return found we were lost.

Being well convinced of this I called a counsel [sic] of war, waited until I

could get a glimpse of the sun and then struck a course which I was sure

would bring us out somewhere near camp. The boys would not believe [me]

but I stuck to my point, and we came out within 200 yds of camp.

Tuesday, July 14, 1863. Staid in camp and wrote letters today. Surely my

friends must be satisfied or else bored, probably the latter, as I get very

few answers to my many letters. If it were not for my dear faithful wife I

don't know as I should have anyone in the civilized world to remind me of

former affection. I think I have written to every person whose name I

could remember but somehow I don't get replies as I expected.

Wednesday, July 15, 1863. And so I am to be released tomorrow. About

time I should say. It seems that the papers were mislaid and could not be

found and hence the delay. Victory seems to be with the "Stars & Stripes"

everywhere. Lee routed and flying, Vicksburg ours, and Port Hudson

fallen. Glorious news truly! How contemptible was the conduct of Pember-

ton toward Grant after the capitulation.61 Morgan62 is still kicking

around in Ind[iana] and Ohio. He will be "nabbed" yet.

Thursday, July 16, 1863. I went to Winchester today to see L. C. Geaves [?],

pres[ident] of the Female Coll[ege] at that place. He could not recollect

me at all. I had a good opportunity to rake him and guess I did it pretty

thoroughly. He is a mean dirty sneak, and has not manhood enough to

save him from -- from being classified with apes.

Today I am released from arrest. About sundown Maj. Perkins63 called

the commissioned officers of the regt together and the adjt read the findings

of the C[ourt] M[artial]. I was sentenced to be reprimanded by the

commanding off[icer] of Regt.

Friday, July 17, 1863. I am officer of Day and Guard today, a sort of

double duty, with nothing to do at that. I have written to Father and told

him about the result of my trial.⁶⁴ It is getting to be very bad weather

here. Hot during the day and cold at night, very unhealthy. We have begun

again the routine of camp. Company drill from 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 A.M. Battalion

or Brigade drill from 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 P.M.

Saturday, July 18, 1863. Today there is no drill except company. The men

wash and make themselves comfortable. I am as usual lying around

writing or reading. I am pretty nearly sick today. A fortnight's diarrhea

is an ugly customer. A letter from Father and another one from wife

tonight. How delicious the pleasure of getting letters here.

Sunday, July 19, 1863. Lying around camp and writing letters to Emma

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   115

and Coon. Sunday is a tiresome day in camp, no drill, no duty at all, just

lying around and groaning.

Monday, July 20, 1863. Still in camp. Drill today. I commanded a company

on battalion Drill. The Maj. said I must blunder into the drill, and in faith I

made good progress enough, for I think I must have made a score or

two of blunders.

Tuesday, July 21, 1863. Today is just a reflection or reitteration [sic] of

yesterday. One has nothing to mark the days for nothing is done. Along

in the afternoon we get the papers and for a few minutes we have some

excitement, then back we go into our monotony. Such times as this make

me wish for the old office and my profession and a home. I do wish the

war would come to an end. It cannot be too soon.

Wednesday, July 22, 1863. On picket today. I have the main post on the

road toward Decherd. I have 52 men and 8 non-com-officers under me.

A very quiet, lazy position, nothing to do and lots of time and men to do

it. One of the Sergts was the one who swore so steadily against me in

my recent trial. I got a letter from Emma. A very cheerful and [three

words illegible] one.

Thursday, July 23, 1863. Nothing to do today as I was on duty last night.

I have written to Emma and read an old Lady's[?] Book which I found

in Capt Braden's65 quarters.

Today is one of the regular inspection days. I was not relieved from

picket then so I escaped one torture.

Friday, July 24, 1863. Drilling again today.

Saturday, July 25, 1863. Broke camp at 2 P.M. and marched about one

mile beyond Decherd. This seems to be a very pleasant place for a camp.

The water is fine and plenty of it, which is the first desideratum of a camp.

It is a very pleasant place just on the northeast side of a fine grove. The

boys have set about making themselves comfortable.

Sunday, July 26, 1863. I spent the forenoon in fixing up to be homelike,

built a nice cot and prepared various other conveniences. In the afternoon

I wrote to Emma (a miserable letter) and to Father to induce him to

send me a box of necessaries. If I get it I shall be more comfortable for

a time at least.

Monday, July 27, 1863. We have just finished up our preparations to stay

and are ordered to leave. How provoking. Sure enough, why did I enlist?

It is my fate or fortune and must be submitted to with all the patience

that can be mustered. Well there are some pleasures about this uncertain

rambling life and it must be a grand thing for the cultivation of resignation.

Tuesday, July 28, 1863. Today I went over to see Westcott at Winchester.

116                                               OHIO HISTORY

I had a very pleasant visit there and procured besides a likeness which

I shall send home and have some photos printed from. Westcott has been

promoted to the grade of 1st. Lt. and has distinguished himself for

gallantry at Liberty Gap66 since we last met.

Wednesday, July 29, 1863. This morning orders came to move, and off we

started up the mountains. On, on, up, up, above the low hotness of the

valley, on above the camps and town and up among the rocks and woods.

How I love mountains. My heart grows lighter as my steps climb higher,

so that I suppose the highest accessible point would be the height of my

happiness.

Thursday, July 30, 1863. Camp University, Tenn. Up here at University

place where according to the scheme of the Rev. Leonidas Polk67 was to

be built the most [word illegible] and splendid of American educational

institutions. It is a splendid place for a camp. High, having good water

and plenty of splendid scenery, chiggers and rattlesnakes.

Thursday, August 6, 1863. Received an order detailing me as Judge

Advocate [of the] Genl Court Martial, to meet the 8th. It is rather

strange as Col Robinson has always been J[udge] A[dvocate] for this

Brig. I hope some good may come out of it, something that will take me

out from under control of one man.⁶⁸

Saturday, August 8, 1863. The court met at 8 this A.M. I had just rec'd a

bundle of cases for trial. Did nothing but prepare for work today.

Sunday, August 9, 1863. For any information concerning my whereabouts

or whatabouts see Records [of the] Gen'l Court Martial, 4th Div 14th A.C.

of which Lt. Col. O'Brien 75th Ind[iana] Vols. was president.

Sunday, August 16, 1863. Camp University. I wrote today nearly all day

on the Records of the Court Martial of which I am Judge Advocate. In

the afternoon [name illegible] came up and popped his good natured phiz

into the window. I was something more than glad to see him. In the later

part of the evening he and I went down to the bathing place in the glen

and had an awful time in getting out. [several lines illegible].

Monday, August 17, 1863. On the move again. Orders came yesterday

evening to be ready for a move at 7 A.M. today, and sure enough off we

go. Mainly to the eastward and a little south. I guess we are for Jasper

[Tennessee]. The way upon the hill was tolerably good, but down the

mountain, Oh! horror! A snake path down a perpendicular precipice were

preferable. We camped in a beautiful little valley at the head of Battle

Creek or near there. Probably its right main tributary. I do not wonder

at the[ir] calling this place the Switzerland of America.

Tuesday, August 18, 1863. Started out this morning in company with Capt

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   117

Spalding and Surgeon Turnbull,69 for the top of a mountain to see "the

sights." And well were we paid for our trouble. Such a spring as we found

on that mountain is worth going for to see. We got back just after noon

and found the regt under arms ready for a move. We were just in time

to miss our dinner and join the march to Battle Creek where we arrived

about sundown. And here we are in the same spot in which Buell was

outflanked last year.70

Wednesday, August 19, 1863. Lay at Battle Creek.

Thursday, August 20, 1863. Lay at Battle Creek.

Friday, August 21, 1863. Moved to Jasper.

Saturday, August 22, 1863. Brigade in camp at Jasper.

Sunday, August 23, 1863. 101st and 75th Ind[iana] Vols. move to Shell

Mound [Tennessee]. 68th Ind[iana] and 105 Ohio remain in camp at

Jasper.

On picket at night guarding a cow ford of the Sequatchie [River]. [word

illegible] Inspector Mozer [?], had a twinge of Coward, and wanted to

show his folly.

Monday, August 24, 1863. Still in camp at Jasper. Hats came for the regt.

Tuesday, August 25, 1863. Court Martial ordered to meet again on the

28th inst.

Wednesday, August 26, 1863. Finishing up C[ourt] M[artial] Records.

Joe assisting.

Rosecrans brings us news of the fall of Gregg and Wagner and orders

34 cheers. Given.

Thursday, August 27, 1863. Preparing for tomorrow's Court. Joe still with

me writing all day.

Had some likenesses taken this P.M. for Father and Emma.

Friday, August 28, 1863. Early this morning I procured a horse of

Q.M. Smith,71 "The same pale horse John saw in revelation," and in

company with Capts Riker⁷² and Mason[?]73 went down to Shell Mound

to attend Court Martial. What a jolly ride we had back and forth! Finished

the trial of Lt Ellis and adjourned to meet again when it may be more

convenient.

Saturday, August 29, 1863. Preparing C[ourt] M[artial] Records.

Sunday, August 30, 1863. An awful cold night last night was. I have slept

in the open air in the snow with only one half the blanketing over me that

I had last night and not suffered half so much.

118                                               OHIO HISTORY

Monday, August 31, 1863. Lucius Gage formerly of Kingsville was brought

into the lines today a prisoner. He has been in the Confederate service but

has resigned. He has just as much brass and impudence as ever. The

devil must envy him his face.

Tuesday, September 1, 1863. The remainder of the brigade moved to Shell

Mound today.

Wednesday, September 2, 1863. Made an exploring tour in Nicko-Jack [sic]

cave in company with Dr. Turnbull and Sergt Thompson.

Friday, September 4, 1863. Left Shell Mound today for, somewhere else,

at 2:30 P.M. There is a general advance of the Army of the Cumberland.

They are crossing the river [Tennessee] at three different points.75 A part

of Crittenden's Corps crossed here last night.

Saturday, September 5, 1863. At the Nickojack coal mine on the top of

the mountain. We have been for two days past with the teams, pushing

and hauling by day and guarding by night along the roughest, sorriest

path man ever clomb, I am sure.

P.M. The same as for the past two days, "B" and "G" are guard of ammu-

nition train. Our brigade is going to Trenton [Georgia] where the rest of

the division is now. The train will not start for several hours, probably,

though there is now firing in that direction. I should not wonder if we had

a fight here abouts. It may be that the "rebs" have attacked our division

at Trenton. If so, I am afraid we shall fare but illy. It may be however

that we have ample support at hand. Heaven grant it be so.

Trenton. All safe here. The firing was somewhere in the vicinity of

Chattanooga.

Sunday, September 6, 1863. As usual we rest today. We lie and doze and

swelter here in our tents, and wish for the evening. There is a splendid

blast-furnace here, just built. It could not have cost less than $200,000.

Monday, September 7, 1863. Left Trenton and went on four or five miles

into Lookout Valley, so called because one can only see out of it by looking

directly upwards. There is only our Brigade here. More Iron works. This

valley was fast becoming a point of great importance to the enemy.

Immense preparations for iron manufacture were in progress here.

Tuesday, September 8, 1863. Lay still today and I improve the time by

writing to Nora and Emma. I am off[icer] of day and have nothing else

to do. I am getting anxious about a place on Reynold's76 staff. If I cannot get

it I must certainly resign when the Capt comes back. I cannot live longer

in this way.

Wednesday, September 9, 1863. Another day in camp. Joe has been over

and I have learned a little more of my prospects at Hdqtrs. I have some

hope that I may be successful there.

Wallace has received his commission as Capt. I am again left out in

120                                              OHIO HISTORY

the Cold. Eh! bien. "Time at last sets all things even." He is a good man

and I feel no envy toward him, though he has shown no such stirring merit

as to entitle him to jump all the Lt's in the regt.

Thursday, September 10, 1863. On the march again, and a hard time we

had of it this morning. About ten miles were conquered without a halt.

Tired enough when we did stop. All the mountains we have passed are

but ragged molehills to those around us. These too are put so close together

that there is not room to camp between them. We have bivouacked today

on an almost perpendicular hillside. Waiting for the Corps van to get up

a mountain ahead of us.

Friday, September 11, 1863. [whole page illegible].

Saturday, September 12, 1863. How soon the hour of reveille came this

morning. Only three or four hours of sleep and now for a march, perhaps

a fight. Down the mountain by a road which crooks and turns in and out

steep stark[?] and rocky to a narrow valley on the other side. We lay

in line of battle all day but had no fighting.

Sunday, September 13, 1863. Lay in the same place as yesterday and fed

off the country until nearly night and then marched a few miles and

bivouacked in the bushes. The wagons came up tonight and we had a

chance for a change of clothes and a new supply of rations.

Monday, September 14, 1863. Came on to Pond Spring [Georgia] and

bivouacked in line again. Corps and Divn Headqtrs are near us again. It is

a pretty place and if we should stay here a few days I know of no one

who would complain.

At 8 oc. P.M. the Sergt Maj. came and notified me to report for duty as

officer of the pickets. Inspector Mozer[?] set me to establishing a line of

pickets between two indefinite points in a region of which I know nothing

nor he either. I did the best I could.

Tuesday, September 15, 1863. Was on picket all day today. Went out on a

scout 1 1/2 or two miles to the front. I saw a rebel picket which left [let]

nothing move. [sic].

Toward night we were relieved, the line placed farther out [several words

illegible]. There has been skirmishing along the front for the past two

days. Many think we will have a very severe engagement here. It does

not seem so to me.

Wednesday, September 16, 1863. Staid in Camp all day. [name illegible]

was with us, also [name illegible] an old crony of Eph Kee.77 I liked him

much and hope to know him better hereafter. We have had two mails today

but no letters for me, only some papers. It is very strange. I have had

none since we left Shell Mound on the 4th inst. I went over to see Maj

Herrick this evening. I am very anxious to secure the vacancy on Gen

Reynolds staff and he is working for me.

Thursday, September 17, 1863. Skirmishing began quite briskly just at

daylight this morning and we were ordered up and into line ready for

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                     121

moving out in a moment. We remained thus until about 11:30 A.M., when

we were marched out at almost a double quick. We went out on the

Chattanooga road toward Lafayette [Georgia] and took position on the

left of the road in the woods. While I write the round shot are tearing

through the trees a few rods to the left of us, and Wilder's men are

charging and cheering in front. There is a smart skirmish going on.

Really I don't know but we shall have a fight here yet.⁷⁸

Friday, September 18, 1863. Moved still farther to the front and Cos

B and G were thrown forward to act as pickets and skirmishers. 25 men

under Capt Braden composed the first Relief, Co "G," myself, the Second,

and Lt Morgaridge with 25 other men, composed the Third. On account of

the darkness and the roughness of the ground the reliefs were to stand four

hours instead of two. I went on at 10, Lt M[orgaridge] came down about

12 oc to inspect the ground before posting his relief, and with him Sergt

Olds.79 In going back to the station they were lost, as was every man whom

I sent to inquire after the relief, so we staid on till 5 A.M. today. Daylight.

Rebels in plain sight evidently preparing for a dash on our lines. That

[the line] is played out.

Saturday, September 19, 1863. Left pond Spring at dusk last evening on

the Chattanooga road and marched toward the left where there has been

heavy firing nearly all day. We moved slowly on account of the [word

illegible] of troops before us and the difficulty of getting the artillery

along. About 2 A.M. we bivouacked by the road and were moving again

by five A.M. Spring Place [several words illegible] opening upon our right

and there is every prospect [several words illegible] battle. 10 A.M. We

are moving toward the left where the engagement is growing hot. 10:15.

We returned the [several words illegible]. It has grown quiet for a moment.

We will soon have more.*

10:55 Sept. 19. In the woods in line of battle. [several words illegible]

105th in second line. Heavy fighting in front. Heavy artillery active and

then sharp musketry. Wood's80 and Palmer's81 Divn's are doing splendid

fighting. The artillery is not so heavy as I have heard but the musketry is

sharp. There must be heavy charging on one side or the other. The noise

is receding showing that the enemy is retiring. They are evidently making

a desperate attempt to get and hold the Chattanooga road. If they succeed

it will make our task difficult and endanger Burnside.82 I think we shall

soon be ordered up to take the place of some tired brigade.

11. Attack on the right, [word illegible] still on the left.

11:15 A.M. We have moved our lines again toward the front and left.

The attack on the left has been renewed but apparently with no better

success. For ten minutes it was desperate indeed. The musketry was as

fierce as Perryville.83

* Here again Tourgee turned back to the blank pages in the front of the diary and

for nearly a week kept up a running account of the battle of Chickamauga and its

aftermath. He also made brief regular entries. As they were above, both sets are

printed, in this instance the regular entries appearing first.--EDITOR.

122                                               OHIO HISTORY

Sunday, September 20, 1863. Fought near Crawfish Spring. Came into

Chattanooga at night with Capt. Spalding wounded. Brought him on a

stretcher from the field ten miles and left him at Officer's Hospital.

Staid with 16 men on a little green in Chattanooga.

2:30 A.M. Sept. 20. The brigade became engaged yesterday at about

11:30 A.M. The enemy's line by much outflanked us and the cut out line

was brought up to prevent this and thus the line of two ranks was left

without support. After driving in the enemy skirmishers we lay in line for

some minutes. Then came enfilading shots. [three words illegible] our flanks

were driven back and we retired to the same line with them. After that the

enemy again advanced. We were again outflanked and after a volley or

two we turned and left. Of course a retreat, after turning with a charging

enemy in front, became a perfect rout. I do not know how far we ran

but I know that running along in the rear, crying and shouting to the men

to stand, I became completely tired out and was only aroused to further

exertion by the fear of being gobbled. When I overtook the rest of the

fugitives I tried to halt them at every favorable spot. At length I found

the colors and three or four men. I at once rallied all I could there and

soon had acquired company. Still going to the rear we found more and at

length a good share of the battalion were collected around the flag. After

a time we were marched into position on a hillside farther to the left.

Stragglers came in and we had quite a presentable battalion. From Co

"G" Benjamin,⁸⁴ Corp Crater,85 Corp Reeves,⁸⁶ Christie,87 and Stoll.⁸⁸

Corp Glancy⁸⁹ was slightly wounded. It was now about 4 oc P.M. We lay on

the hill until about sunset when we took a new position in the line.

The night has thus far been quiet but very cold. We cannot of course

build many fires while so close to the enemy and we suffer greatly.

4 A.M. Sunday, Sept. 20. All is yet quiet in our front though the day is

now breaking. When the call comes is impossible to say, sure must be

fighting, however. The troops we met yesterday were not the old troops

of this dept. Prisoners say they were reinforced but a few days since by

a large force from Virginia (some 30,000) under Longstreet.⁹⁰ They fought

splendidly, and charged in fine style.

6 A.M. All is yet quiet. Both sides are evidently gathering strength for

a great effort. Let it come.

7 A.M. Called into line. Light picket firing on the left. It is thought that

we will not make an attack today. If the enemy attack us we think things

are sufficiently prepared to give them a quietus. The morning is clear and

pleasant, but the smoke of battle and the burning of piney camp fires

renders the sunshine dim.

Every now and then the pickets fire upon each other. There must I think

be some sharp dodging [word illegible] the outpost line. If the battle

opens again today it will be another [word illegible] day kept upon the

battlefield.

Thank God for my wife Emma. It is strange how very sweet and tender

thoughts of home and loved ones rise before the mind on the field of

conflict. I am grateful too.

8 A.M. The action has begun. The enemy seems to be feeling our line

[word illegible] its full extent, probably in order to enable them to guess

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   123

at the weakest point. Our brigade is in double line. The 168th and 101st

in advance and the 75th and 105th in rear. The 101, in front of us, is ranged

behind a fence which they have converted into a breastwork by piling

in bushes and stones against it.

9:05 A.M. The Brigade has changed position again. The 75th is now

in front of the 105th. We are a few yards North of our former position.

Both Artillery and musketry have opened sharply on the left. The Company

are all safely accounted for this far except Corp Craytor [Crater] who

is probably wounded. God help the rest of us. We fight in His Cause.

10:50 A.M. The enemy made a furious assault at 9:10 this A.M. supported

by Artillery, which has just failed of success. It was fierce and stubbornly

kept up.

There is a lull just now. We have been shelled pretty hard as the

battery (Harris')91 is just in front of us. No one injured in the regt as

yet though several shells have exploded over and near us. I never before

heard such a terriffic [sic] chorus of infantry and musketry.

Monday, September 21, 1863. Was put on Provost Duty in the city and

remained until 6 P.M. when I started for the regt with 60 men.

Camped out two or three miles but was ordered back about 11 P.M.

Came back and camped on a hill on the right of the road near the depot

and staid during the rest of the night.

Tuesday, September 22, 1863. Started again, early this morning for the

regt which we found about 1 1/2 miles out in the fortifications.

The whole army was pouring in from the front. The works are being

increased and strengthened with wonderful rapidity. Unless we are

attacked soon, we can bid defiance to almost any force. The army will

soon bury itself. We dig all the time. All that is lacking is a sufficiency of

tools for entrenching.

11:15 A.M. 22nd Sept. It is two days since I wrote here. Immediately

after the date of my last note we charged on a brigade of the enemy who

had advanced too far on our right. We easily drove them for half a mile

or more losing however many men in the advance. We took Brig Gen

Adams⁹² [two words illegible] and 40 or 50 other prisoners. Capt Spalding

and Sergt Cushing were wounded here. The former in the right knee, the

latter in the left ankle. Capt S[paulding]'s wound was a severe, even a

dangerous, one. Having pierced the line so far we were enfiladed on both

flanks and compelled to fall back. For a second time I came off the

field with the colors of the 105th, almost deserted save by myself and

two or three faithful fellows beside. We rallied a few men near the

hospital and continued our retreat.

I came in with Capt Spalding and at 10 oc P.M. placed him in the

officer's hospital. Yesterday (21st) I was put on provost duty in town.

This morning I rejoined the regt with about 60 men. We were in line

of battle in the trenches in front of Chattanooga. Our troops at the

front are all falling back before the enemy's advance almost without

firing a shot. We are sitting on the brink of the rifle pits waiting it seems

for the coming enemy. A few straggling shots of artillery have spun

124                                                OHIO HISTORY

over and among us and a few shots have been fired by the skirmishers, but

we are waiting, waiting to die rather than abandon a position of such

vital importance to our cause. We, or I, believe that God's hand will aid

us in the coming terrible struggle, more terrible, more bloody than any

other battle of the war has been thus far. It may be that I may be

numbered with the slain but God grant that I may do my duty well and

feel the consciousness that God sustains and cares for me. Oh Father!

strengthen me, strengthen all those who sustain our holy cause with

consciousness that thy strength is aiding us.

We need it, for it would seem that man has deserted us. For three

days we have fought the overpowering forces of the enemy yielding inch

by inch and leaving the ground strewn with noble dead, and now, Oh!

I cannot believe it but it is said that Burnside is lying at Cleveland [Ten-

nessee] only a two days' march with 20,000 men and will not come to

our assistance because he is the senior officer! But it must be false! It

cannot be true.⁹³

God has kept me thus far in the midst of great dangers, and I almost

hope, I almost expect to live to see another day. But whether I live or

die I commend my darling wife to the kind care of a protecting God.

May her life be rewarded with happiness, and sorrow sit light upon her

brow, and when the dawning of Eternity shall call us to endless life,

may we meet to know the bliss of never dying love and eternal marriage.

Albion W. Tourgee

Trenches before Chattanooga. 7:30 P.M. Sept. 22. The hum of prepara-

tion for the expected struggle of tomorrow fills the air. The forts which

the enemy commenced at leisure are being finished by us in haste. The

ditches which they dug to stop us are being got in readiness for them to

die in. If they attempt to carry the place by assault as it is thought

they will tomorrow after shelling us a while, they will have a hard job

on hand. Thousands on both sides must die before we are driven from

this. The importance of this movement has been greatly underrated by

our authorities and we have been left to struggle single handed against

the combined forces of the Confederacy. We had no poet [several words

illegible] to sing our praises and of course, died in the public mind. We

had no Mississippi reopened to commerce &c &c to spur the sluggish fancy

of lady[?] eloquence. No boundless field for cotton speculation to secure

the cooperation of disinterested politicians and therefore our claims are

not properly represented at the seat of power, but we know that this

is the Crisis of the war and I think the Army of the Cumberland will

show itself fit for the emergency and worthy of the trust imposed.⁹⁴

We have had some shelling and some picket firing. Wilder[?] took six

pieces of artillery with considerable loss. On the left front Forrest⁹⁵ is

said to have reached the rear. God bless the loved ones at home. May their

rest be sweet and their dreams undisturbed by thought of shot or shell.

Wednesday, September 23, 1863. We are just at the right of the center--

Ft. Negley -- McCook's⁹⁶ lines stretch away to the right and Crittenden's

to the left.

Still working on entrenchments.

126                                               OHIO HISTORY

is a pause a silence of a minute, then a sharp rattle as of distant and

fierce musketry, and the once princely house sinks in a heap of ruins.

Away up to the right on Look Out Point is a signal station in active opera-

tion. Below it along the mountain side, far up on the rugged side too,

are the camp fires of McCook's Corps. And the steep hill on the left is

crowned with the fires of Crittenden. From end to end of our lines must

be at least seven miles. The left rests on the river above the City and is

strengthened by a very fine earth work erected by the rebs during the

summer [several lines illegible]. The right really rests on Lookout

Mountain but its picket line extends to the river below the town. The

outer line of works is about 2 1/2 or 3 miles from the river. Our picket line

is about three fourths of a mile further out and still beyond on a range

of hill[s] which curve around us. To the eastward are the rebels. They

have a full view of our operations and much good may it do them. The

old blood-stained and the torn colors which wave over the work which

they began for us must have a rather stubborn aspect.

Thursday, September 24, 1863. Our rifle pits are now nearly completed.

The enemy must now loose [sic] as many men as we have here or move

-- if they take us by storm.

There was an attack on the left tonight and we had a chance to witness

a night cannonading.

Sept. 24th 1863. 5 A.M. We were called into line a few minutes after

four oc this A.M. Our batteries opened on the enemy at 4:50 and have

kept up a constant stream of fire on them. It is supposed that they are

preparing for an assault. The morning is foggy and cool and our Artillery

awakes the echoes grandly among these hills and cliffs of eastern Tenn.

There was evidently some preparation being made last night by the

enemy but what we do not know as yet. If they have sufficient men they

can take the place but they must have in the charge as many men as we

have in the works. If they can afford this they can have the point. The

firing thus far has been entirely from the middle fort. The enemy have

not replied and there are various surmises as to the cause of this strange

silence on their part.

11 P.M. We sent out a couple of brigades this evening about 6 oc this P.M.

to feel the enemy's lines. They had quite a smart skirmish but returned

without any material results. At 10 this P.M. the enemy returned the

compliment by driving in our pickets in front of Brannan's⁹⁷ Div'n and

making quite a heavy assault on our outer line. We were sleeping

soundly in the trenches and were called into line to repel the attack.

Friday, September 25, 1863. On picket. Shelled.

Sept. 25th 1863. On picket.

Saturday, September 26, 1863. Capt Spalding died of hemorrhage after

amputation this morning at four oclock.

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                 127

Sept. 26th 1868 [sic]. Saturday Capt E. A. Spalding died at the officer's

Hospital in Chattanooga Tenn. this A.M. at 4 o.c.

Sunday, September 27, 1863. Went to town to get Capt Spalding's effects

and place a head board at his grave. Wrote to his sister.

Monday, September 28, 1863. In camp improving our rifle pit. Appointed

to the Command of Co "E."98

Tuesday, September 29, 1863. In camp. Went over to see Lt. Westcott now

Adjt. of the 38th Ill[inois]. Had a pleasant chat with him and brought

him home with me to tea.

Wednesday, September 30, 1863. Went on picket this morning at 8 oclock.

About 2 P.M. it began to rain and kept it up all day. All quiet on the picket

line in front. We exchanged papers with the "rebs" and passed several

jokes and salutations.

Thursday, October 1, 1863. Were relieved from picket duty this morning

by the 89th Ohio. They have had a hard time today for it has rained

incessantly and fiercely. Have been busy making out reports and returns

for the end of the month and quarter. Two letters from Emma. Oh how

[word illegible] of strength there is in noble woman. [several words

illegible].

Friday, October 2, 1863. Have been writing almost all day on official

documents. There have been strange movements among the enemy in

front. There is evidently something on foot there. Most persons whom I

have spoken with think it means a speedy and vigorous assault. 200 of

our wagons are said to have been cut off today and burned. If so we shall

be short for rations very soon. Whatever the enemy does here must be

done soon for help is not far off I am sure. God is just and if we do

our duty as soldiers we shall hold the place I do not doubt.

Monday, October 5, 1863. 11 A.M. The enemy have just opened upon the

left from a heavy gun (probably a 32 pounder) on Mission Ridge. They

have thrown four [or] five shells and two or three solid shot. They seem

to be firing chiefly at the fort on the left.

3:50 P.M. The enemy have kept up the firing pretty briskly since 11 oc.

They have got the range of our works pretty well and "skit" the shells and

shot over us all too close to be comfortable. 5 P.M. After about six hours

active shelling the rebels have become quiet again. They will probably

resume operations again just at dark.

Tuesday, October 6, 1863. The enemy opened upon us three times during

the night, at 9:20, 11:30 and 3 A.M. They had the range of our regt ex-

ceedingly well but struck no one.

8:25 A.M. There has been a dense fog since 4 oclock. It is rising now

and we expect to have shells whistling around us soon. The enemy used

128                                              OHIO HISTORY

a novel missle yesterday, novel to me at least, being nothing less than a

double-headed shot like a dumb-bell. Several of these were thrown over us.

3:30 P.M. The enemy have been very quiet today. Nothing is visible on

Lookout Point and deserters claim that they have fallen back, i.e. the main

body. Report not credited. [several lines illegible].

Wednesday, October 7, 1863. All quiet today. We lay in Camp and the

other brigade picketed. Nothing to be seen on Lookout Mountain. Harris

threw a shell or two just at right.

Thursday, October 8, 1863. On picket today. Just as my relief went on

post this P.M. movements were visible among the enemy's forces just in

our front. Soon after our artillery began to shell Lookout Mountain from

the [word illegible] fort. No replies. Gen. Rosecrans sent out that he

expected the enemy would try and make a lodgement on the east bank

of Chattanooga Creek during the night. After dark we heard rattling

of arms and commands but were not attacked. There was a fog so dense

that you could not see a large fire ten yards. Never saw anything like it.

Friday, October 9, 1863. Slept almost all day to make up for last night's

watching.

Am arranging affairs to take permanent command of Co "E."

Wish I would hear from Emma. I hope she is not fretting about me.

Saturday, October 10, 1863. Busy, busy! Been writing all day but not

letters. Well, I don't get any either.

Sunday, October 11, 1863. Joe has been here and we have been out to

see Capt Bates of the 125 Ohio. I have not seen Joe looking so well since

before we came into the service. I do hope he will continue well and come

out all right. He well deserves it.

Monday, October 12, 1863. Busy all day fixing up the Company papers

which I found in a very bad state of confusion. It has taken me several

days to accomplish it.

Tuesday, October 13, 1863. Election Day! Not so much of a day here as

at home, but yet something of an event. As usual at home it is marked by

a tremendous rain, which has now lasted 24 hours and no likelihood of its

ceasing. Half of our regt was on picket and was not relieved until after-

noon. Every man almost in the regt entitled to vote has voted. We have

polled 284 votes. All Republican, Union, I mean. One had Brough's⁹⁹

name scratched off but no one inserted. I guess we are the "Banner

Township."¹⁰⁰ Today is Rosetta's birthday. I wish I were home to flay her.

Wednesday, October 14, 1863. Still raining! Sent off the election Returns

and got some "grub" from down town. We are not quite starved out,

and shall not be so long as we can get Hard Bread and plenty of pickled

pork. We have now quite a large Mess. Capt Braden, Lt. Morgaridge,

myself, the Orderlies of "B" "G" and "E," Latimer¹⁰1 and Kelly,¹⁰² cooks.

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   129

If we could only get flour and fruit we would live high. Well, we get along

very well as it is. We have a rule which gives us considerable fun. Whoever

uses any vulgar language at table must pay 25 cts for luxuries for the

Mess, for every offense.

Thursday, October 15, 1863. And it is still raining!! Oh accursed land!

There is only one thing to compensate us for sleeping under wet blankets,

living in a dripping, leaky tent, and almost dying of cold in this forsaken

and "uttermost part" of the earth and that is to see the clouds rise from

the valley and heaven to break about the ragged summits of the mountains.

It is really splendid sometimes. I wrote to father and Emma today. I

have not felt like writing before since the fight. I am so anxious to get

Emma's picture. Bless the Darling! What a world of happiness she gives

me!

Friday, October 16, 1863. Have been busy writing almost all day. I am

preparing something for Reed of the Telegraph. I think I have something

almost bitter enough. I will see if any such craven harpy is to pick away

at me at his pleasure while I am absent. If I don't give him an ulcer that

will always smart, I certainly mistake my own powers. I have a letter

from Rosetta and another from Emma. The darling, she had just heard

of my safety and was just ready to die of joy. God bless her loving heart.

Saturday, October 17, 1863. I have written to Mary Baldrie today. I do

feel as if I did not do right in my acquaintance last winter with her and

I am bound to make up for it in some manner if I can. Somehow, I am

impressed with the idea that she but needs a little direction to become a

very noble woman. I think I can gain sufficient influence over her to induce

her to listen to my counsel. I have not told her that I am married and

do not intend to do so yet.

Sunday, October 18, 1863. I wrote to father today and sent him the letter

to Reed and also one for the Reporter. I sent a letter of instructions with

them telling him just how I desired him to proceed with them. Wrote a

letter to Nora also.

Monday, October 19, 1863. A brigade moved in behind us this forenoon.

In the afternoon we broke up and moved a short distance to the [rear?]

where we bivouacked for the night each man sleeping on his traps and

keeping his traps and calamities as best he might. We had everything but

our chimney, that was left behind. We are going to bring it up if we stop

near it. [sic]. Called on Westcott and had a pleasant chat with him. He

loaned me his "Atlantic" for September. It is an oasis in this intellectual

desert.

Tuesday, October 20, 1863. Today we moved into our new position. We are

some distance to the right of our former position on the northwestern

side of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad.

I have been on detail again today. I went with a detachment of 30 to

work on fort Reynolds, which crowns the crest of Moccasin Point. I hurt

my back in trying to jump a ditch.103

130                                               OHIO HISTORY

Wednesday, October 21, 1863. Orderly and I have been doing all we can

on account of rain, to make our abode comfortable. We cannot make

much headway and were glad to give it up and go to bed early to keep

warm. Received a likeness, a picture, of Emma today. Very fine indeed.

No boy with a pair of new boots ever went to bed more rapturously happy

than I tonight. Heaven bless my Darling. May she never have to sleep in

an old cold tent in a hard cold rain away down in Dixie.

Thursday, October 22, 1863. A fair day. The regt went on picket. I went out

and nearly gave out, after the walk to the lines. Had to come in on

account of illness. I fear my back is going to trouble me. I am very weak

and have been in bed almost all day. Lat[imer] and the orderly have

built the new double-fireplace chimney and it works like a charm. If we can

only stay here and can get wood we shall be very comfortable indeed,

for soldiers. Rations are getting terribly scarce though.

Friday, October 23, 1863. Lat[imer] and Ellis have been to the Commis-

sary's for Rations and came back empty handed. We have a few pounds

of Hard Bread and a very few of "Sowbelly." What we are to do I know

not. We have been short ever since we fell back here. The roads are

perfectly awful. We shall not leave nor starve however so long as there

are horses and mules here.

Saturday, October 24, 1863. The great event of today is the fact that

Williams, an American citizen of African descent came into the pay and

employ of the Comdg off[icer] of Co "E" 105th Ohio Vols. Said individual,

not knowing his "uder" name, was immediately Christened Nimbus, by

which ancient and honorable appellation he is hereafter to be known.¹⁰⁴

He seems to be a very docile specimen of the sons of Ham and when we

once get him new coated may be useful if not thoroughly ornamental. We

have been finishing our "fixing up today." Are very comfortable now.

Sunday, October 25, 1863. Sunday in camp! Rosecrans deserves the prayers

of all soldiers for his religious regard of that day. He is our general no

more. Grant is here.¹⁰5 I have washed, shaved and spent the greater part

of the day writing to Emma. Her likeness is almost a companion to me

so lifelike and natural. Bless the dear heart. She has no idea what a

treasure she was giving me when she gave me the original. Heard a

church bell today, i.e. an article used in some country's [sic] to call people

to public worship.

Monday, October 26, 1863. The regiment went on picket this morning. I

remained in camp being afflicted with a very lame back. Dr. Turnbull

came to see me during the day and prescribed a blister. It has been on

now two or three hours and strange enough I feel no inconvenience from it.

I never did from any blister. [name illegible] has been here. He has been

ordered back to his company through the intrigues of that knave Tuttle.¹⁰⁶

Heaven make his days long enough to repent his evil deeds, and no longer.

I wonder if he would not furnish a fine sample for a death bed repentance.

A DIARY OF ALBION W. TOURGEE                                   131

Monday, November 2, 1863. Applied today for leave of absence for twenty

days. Lt. Wrightl07 is going home in a day or two and I wish to go at the

same time as I need assistance. Was examined by brigade and division

surgeons and my application approved.

Tuesday, November 3, 1863. Went up and was examined by the Corps

Med. Director. He said he would approve my application and advised me

to resign when it ran out.

I sent Greenough up to department Hdqtrs to inquire as to my papers.

Not arrived. He then went to see Gen Baird who sent them up without

approval but recommending Resignation.

Wednesday, November 4, 1863. Papers are not yet arrived. The circum-

locution office is a big thing! Lt. Wright starts for home today. I have to

stay and go when I can or not at all. I hate to think of leaving the

service and think that if I am not granted leave I will stay where I

am until I am better or worse.

Thursday, November 5, 1863. Am yet lying around waiting. I am worse

today. It is the same old dull dead pain and numbness.

Friday, November 6, 1863. The same as yesterday, plus "the blues."

Saturday, November 7, 1863. Ditto.

Sunday, November 8, 1863. Joe has been over. I have got a novel and some

papers and, as my back is comparatively easy, feel more comfortable and

contented.

Monday, November 9, 1863. I feel rather better now. I have given up all

hope of ever hearing from my application. So I have settled down to stay

here till I recover or die.

Tuesday, November 10, 1863. I am still a little better. I walk more easily

and feel more cheerful and natural. I don't know but I shall get well.

I hope I shall and then get leave of absence. Would I not have a time! But

the hopes of the wicked are bound to perish and so are mine I suppose.

THE EDITOR: Dean H. Keller is

head of the humanities division of the

Kent State University Library and edits

the library's quarterly journal The Serif.