Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/17

 to act as rear-guard for the trains and move on the road to Waynesboro'. Pegram's and Wharton's divisions moved up the other side of South river to get in ahead of the trains as advance-guard, and Kershaw's and Gordon's moved on a road still farther to the right. We moved on up, hoping to surprise the Yankee cavalry, who were here destroying the depot buildings, railroad and bridge, but didn't reach the neighborhood until dark, and only succeeded in driving them off. Much delay, and my train didn't get into camp until 11 P. M. Had no dinner, and it was too late to cook under the circumstances. Moved this morning to east side of town, and expect to remain all day. Think we were too late in getting here, and did Yankees no harm. This doesn't look like going back down the Valley fast, but will hope on, trusting that we may be successful and drive these fellows back soon.

CAMP NEAR AUGUSTA CHURCH, On Valley Pike, 8 miles from Staunton,

Sunday, October 2d, 1864.

Spent Thursday in camp doing nothing. Friday, had orders to be ready to move at moment's notice, but nothing came of it. Rode up to cars in morning and got Thursday's paper. Received arms and accoutrements and issued them, supplying the whole division.

In evening rode over to General Ramseur's Headquarters and spent a short while. On returning to camp found orders to be ready to move at sunrise.

Yesterday morning ordnance trains moved to Staunton, then down the pike to this point ; troops moved across. Stopped at American Hotel to dinner. This is the right direction, if we can only keep on now. To-day is Sunday, and hope we will remain quiet, tho' something unusual for " Jubal" to be quiet on Sunday. Hope his disaster on Monday, after his Sunday's trip to Martinsburg, has taught him a lesson. Intended to go to Charlottesville yester- day if we hadn't moved. Hope we will get to the lower Valley this time, tho' not much prospect of it.

CAMP NEAR HARRISONBURG,

Friday, October yth, 1864.

On Sunday evening attended church, hearing very good sermon from Rev. Mr. Bowman, text: " No man liveth to himself." Spent Monday in camp; issued some arms and accoutrements. Also sent in Armament Report, and report of engagements at Fisher's Hill.