Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/16

 10 Southern historical Society Papers.

reinforcements were coming, Kershaw's division and Rosser's cav- alry brigade, and General Battle delivered two very good speeches, one to his brigade and one to General Grimes's. When General Ramseur alluded to General Rodes, in speaking to Battle's brigade, I could not refrain from tears, and there were many other wet eyes. Soon after, we commenced to retire, and retreated slowly in line of battle until sundown, skirmishing and artillery firing off and on dur- ing the day. About sundown we halted until after dark, just where the Keezilltown road leaves the turnpike, which K. road the trains had taken, and skirmishing and artillery firing went on pretty briskly for a while. In this artillery firing, Liv. Massie [Captain of a bat- tery] was struck with a piece of shell, cutting the femoral artery, and he died that night. He was a fine fellow, beloved of his company and all who knew him. About dark I started for the wagon train, some six or seven miles distant. I did not have long to rest after reaching there, for about 2 A. M. we started and marched continu- ously, crossing the mountain and reaching here about 3 o'clock yesterday evening. I rode along, partly with Eugene Blackford and partly with Colonel Nelson (who informed me of Liv.'s death), and overtook my train while coming down the side of the mountain. Got my dinner (or supper), having eaten nothing but green apples since the night before, and retired very early. This morning drew arms and accoutrements and issued them to the brigade ordnance officers. The troops are over the other side of the mountain. I learn that Kershaw's division arrived to-day, and whipped the Yan- kee cavalry, who endeavored to attack his train.

CAMP NEAR WAYNESBORO', Thursday, September 29th, 1864.

On 26th, retired soon after writing here. On 27th, remained in camp. Sold my bay horse for $125 in Federal funds too little, I think, but I wanted the money. After dinner rode with Gregor over to the troops, and found they had driven off the Yankee caval and camped near Waynesboro' that night. Met courier going order over our trains, which reached the river about 6 o'clock y< terday morning. Gregory and I spent the night in a carriage-hoi at General Early "s Headquarters, and had to plunder a field of cor to get feed for our horses. The trains moved up the river about miles, and our division, which was on the other side of the river, was ordered over and up in rear of the trains. After much delay, seemingly unnecessary, about i or 2 o'clock our division wasordere