The Civil War Diary of Henderson George
    Introduction
Diary 1863
 

 

  OCTOBER 1863  
Thursday Oct. 1st.
Busy to-day having mules shoed and wagons repaired; expect to load train tomorrow; raining this evening.
 
Friday Oct. 2nd.
Finished loading wagons to-day; will not start on the return trip until to-morrow.
 
Saturday Oct. 3d.
Move out with wagon train from Crab Orchard about eight o'clock A.M. Arrive at Mt. Vernon in the evening; corral for the night.
 
Sabbath Oct. 4th.
Leave Mt. Vernon, cross the Big Rock Castle and Wild Cat Mountin; corral
 
Monday Oct. 5th.
At sun-rise train moves from the foot of Wild Cat Mountain pass through London and corral at Laurel Bridge. I put for the night at the plantation of Mr. Colyer. My riding horse has a sore back from saddle and much riding; conclude not to ride him for a few days; tie him to the leading wagon myself riding on wagon.
 
Tuesday Oct. 6th.
Move from Laurel Bridge at sun-rise; pass through the village of Barboursville Ky. And corral four miles this side of the Cumberland River. Last night slept on the floor of an old log shanty that was vacant.
 
Wednesday Oct. 7th.
Pull out at six A.M. cross the Cumberland River and corral at the foot of Log Mountain.
 
Thursday Oct. 8th.
Leave Log Mountain about seven A.M. pass through Cumberland Gap about two P.M. corral about one mile beyond.
 
Friday Oct. 9th.
Move from Cumberland Gap at sun-rise and corral two miles beyond Tazwell. Weather beautiful.
 
Saturday Oct. 10th.
Move early drive about fourteen miles and corral.
 
Sabbath Oct. 11th.
Start early pass through Maynardsville and about sun-down arrive at Gravestown; corral for the night.
 
Monday Oct. 12th.
Make an early start and arrive at Knoxville Tenn. about two P.M. Report arrival of wagon train to captain Curtain who telegraphed Lieut. Justice at Greenfield up the rail road, where our Division is now lying, that supply train has arrived and is awaiting orders.
 
Tuesday Oct. 13th.
Awaiting orders from Lieut. Justice; issued fifty lbs. coffee and seventy five lbs. sugar to teamsters. At present am making my head quarters with Lieut. John W. Morrison.
 
Wednesday Oct. 14th.
Awaiting orders. Lieut. Justice will probably arrive from the front this evening.
 
Thursday Oct. 15th.
Lieut. Justice arrived last night; today was sent up the R.R. by steam train with a supply of rations for our Division.
 
Friday Oct. 16th.
Arrived by train at the front; issued 1600 lbs. hard tack to Captain Winnegar. Take train and return to Knoxville arriving about noon. Was sent to the depot with a wagon to bring to camp some supplies.
 
Saturday Oct. 17th.
Orders to have 12 days rations on hand. Make a visit to the city of Knoxville this evening. Parson Brownlow the great Tennessee Unionist is delivering a speech to-night.
 
Sabbath Oct. 18th.
Received a new riding horse; was sent out of the city about six miles for fifty head of beef cattle with a detail of five men to bring cattle to the city.
 
Monday Oct. 19th.
Troops ordered this evening to be ready to march to-morrow morning at six o'clock. Issued ten days rations to Brigade.
 
Tuesday Oct. 20th.
Troops march at six A.M., in the direction of Kingston. Distant cannonading is heard in the direction of Loudon Bridge. Loudon Bridge is about twenty miles away. Our march to-day was about ten miles; bivouac at sun-down.
 
Wednesday Oct. 21st.
Our army on the move early to be within supporting distance of General White. It is reported that Col. Wolford was defeated in the action yesterday losing four hundred men beside his artillery. Colonel Wolford is the celebrated Union cavalry commander of Kentucky. Troops encamp within about six miles of Loudon bridge. Skirmishing at the bridge by our advance.
 
Thursday Oct. 22nd.
Quietness on our front this A.M. At noon was sent to Loudon with a telegraphic dispatch. On my return met our corps on the march; turned and went with troops because I knew not what else to do. Cross the Holstein River and encamp.
 
Friday Oct. 23d.
Crossed the river with Brigade Teams to Loudon R.R. station for soft bread. Train did not arrive until after dark but brought no bread. General Burnside and staff arrive on train. Left my horse tied to one of our wagons, when I returned it was gone; supposed to have been stolen. This to me is a serious loss.
 
Saturday Oct. 24th.
Spent morning looking for my horse; the loss seems hopeless. Move wagon train back across the river. Troops under orders for action. Cannonading and skirmishing going on briskly during the after-noon. Train with car of soft bread arrives which I at once turned over to Brigades.
 
Sabbath Oct. 25th.
All apparently quiet at the front this A.M. Rebels reported to have falled back on the Sweet Water. Longstreet reported to be in our front. Was fortunate to find my horse and saddle which had been stolen. Found it in the corral of the eighth Michigan Cavalry. Claimed the animal and brought it away without opposition.
 
Monday Oct. 26th.
Lieut. Justice took train to Knoxville at eight P.M. Train arrived with soft bread which I issued to Brigades about eleven o'clock at night.
 
Tuesday Oct. 27th.
Lieut. Justice returned from Knoxville with a general line of commissary supplies which were delivered at our head quarters.
 
Wednesday Oct. 28th.
Troops march at four A.M. Recross the river and encamp at Lenoir Station. Pontoon Bridge taken up and shipped to Knoxville. All apparently quiet on our front.
 
Thursday Oct. 29th.
Move camp about half a mile; troops ordered to build winter quarters. I was sent to Knoxville by train with a detail of seven men to bring forward one hundred head of beef cattle for our commissary department.
 
Friday Oct. 30th.
Arrived at Knoxville this A.M. Secure necessary papers and with men go eight miles beyond Knoxville to cattle range on foot, where we arrive at three P.M. very tired. Conclude to rest over until next morning. Raining.
 
Saturday Oct. 31st.
Start on the return trip with cattle about nine A.M. Arrive in Knoxville about noon. Drive out about two miles and corral cattle on pasture. Report that the rebels made a raid on the road between us and our troops. Found the 27th. Kentucky (union regiment) in line of battle. Thought prudent to remain where we are and await developments.
 

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