Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/19

 Diary of Captain James M. Garn< //. 13

here, and remained there all day, the enemy not advancing. Camped at old Headquarters last night. This morning have just received orders to go back to position occupied yesterday, the enemy reported advancing. If they come, hope we will whip them and get on to Winchester, though not much prospect.

CAMP NEAR Mr. JACKSON,

Wednesday, October 19, 1864.

On Saturday remained part of the day with troops; they returned to their old camps in evening. Dined with Major Tanner and stayed at division Headquarters that night. Sunday, about 12 o'clock left Headquarters, everything being quiet, and returned here to camp, stopping in Woodstock. Spent Monday in camp working on Prop- erty Return for third quarter, which I completed. Yesterday, made up Cash Account for third quarter, and forwarded both. Troops still at Fisher's Hill. This morning heard rapid cannonading just after sunrise; hope "old Jubal " will drive 'em. We can't remain here long. Expect we will be found in trenches at Richmond soon.

CAMP NEAR NEW MARKET ( l /, mile),

Wednesday, October 26, 1864.

The cannonading heard last Wednesday meant something. That morning General Early attacked the enemy on Cedar Creek, and drove them at least three miles, taking twenty pieces of artillery, wagons, ambulances, and about 1,500 prisoners, but unfortunately he stopped beyond Middletown about 10 A. M., and would not renew the attack. Meanwhile the t?nemy reorganized and attacked us about 4 P. M., turning our left which gave way, and the whole con- cern came back in the utmost confusion. To add to the rout, a squad of Yankee cavalry, said to be not more than twenty-five or thirty, dashed into our train of artillery, ordnance and medical wag- ons, and ambulances, and captured the greater portion of it. Our nett loss is twenty-three pieces of artillery, thirty or forty wagons, and forty or fifty ambulances. It was impossible to rally a handful of men to stop the Yankee cavalry. This is the worst stampede yet, and the harder to bear after our victory of the morning. If " old Jubal" had only pressed on, I firmly believe, from all I have heard, that we could have driven them beyond Winchester. General Ram- seur, commanding our division, was wounded, and his ambulance