Tabler's Diary for January-June 1864

(Edited for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.)

Friday, January 1st
1864, Jan. 1st came in cold, and found our Army lying out in the thick woods at Blaine’s Crossroads. All was quiet this day.

Saturday, January 2nd
Weather cold. All quiet in camp.

Sunday, January 3rd
3rd   Nothing doing yet, Wood getting scarce.

Monday, January 4th
4th   No move yet. Recruiting for veterans.

Tuesday, January 5th
5th   Got marching orders.  No move today.

Wednesday, January 6th
6th   A great excitement raised about the veterans. Co. K. all depending on me, and after much persuasion, and many promises, I enrolled as a veteran, being promised light duty during my time of enlistment.

Thursday, January 7th
7th   All quiet. Weather cold.

Friday, January 8th
8th   Snowing and cold. All quiet in camp.

Saturday, January 9th
[No entry]

Sunday, January 10th
10th   All quiet in camp.

Monday, January 11th
11th   The Brigade went foraging, and was fired on by the Enemy from the opposite bank of the Holston River, wounding one man and killing one horse.

Tuesday, January 12th
12th   Cook’s at home. Nothing going on in camp. The Brigade still out foraging. Weather cold.

Wednesday, January 13th
13th   The Brigade not returned. All quiet near Crossroads.

Thursday, January 14th
14th   Foragers got back last night. Marching orders today. Go home, as a Veteran Regiment, to recruit up some.

Friday, January 15th
15th   Started for Knoxville, on our way home. Marched to within 2 miles of the place, and camped. 15 miles.

Saturday, January 16th
16th   This morning we started on the road for Kingston, and made 8 miles, and drew rations.

Sunday, January 17th
17th   Rose early this morning, and marched 23 miles through the mud and water, getting our feet wet. At which distance, we halted and camped for the night.

Monday, January 18th
18th   Being within 7 miles of Kingston, we made this easily by noon. Crossed the river, and marched a distance of 6 miles, where we camped for the night.

Tuesday, January 19th
19th   An Orderly came last night, and reported the Enemy being in our front, awaiting our coming. Also with orders for us to return to the north side of the river, which we did by 12 O.C., and camped and drew rations.

Wednesday, January 20th
20th   Lay here all day long. What for, I know not. All was quiet at Kingston.

Thursday, January 21st
21st   Orders to move by noon, across the Clinch River, and go down on the north side of the Tennessee River. Moved to a distance of 10 miles, and camped for the night.

Friday, January 22nd
22nd   Moved by daylight, and made 18 miles this day. All quiet along the road.

Saturday, January 23rd
23rd   Made 16 miles this day. All quiet along the road.

Sunday, January 24th
24th   Moved again, by daylight this day, and made 16 miles. All being quiet along the road.

Monday, January 25th
25th   Off again for Chattanooga, and arrived to within 7 miles of the place, a distance of 18 miles.

Tuesday, January 26th
26th   Arrived at Chattanooga by 10 A.M., all being quiet, and marched to our old camping place in good order.

Wednesday, January 27th
27th   This day passed off quietly and pleasant. Cleaning and washing. Blasting rocks on Lookout Mt. distinctly heard.

Thursday, January 28th
28th   All quiet in Chattanooga. The officers fixing up the papers preparatory to going north.

Friday, January 29th
29th   Washing and cleaning. Regiments going north every day.

Saturday, January 30th
30th   All quiet at Chattanooga.

Sunday, January 31st
31st   All quiet, in camp in Chattanooga.

February, 1864

Monday, February 1st
February 1st 1864.  Nothing doing but the old routine of camp life.

Tuesday, February 2nd
2nd   The Co. was examined for the Veteran Service.  Several rejected, and I with the rest.

Wednesday, February 3rd
3rd   All quiet in camp.

Thursday, February 4th
4th   Went upon Lookout Mountain, and was well pleased with the scenery which presented itself.

Friday, February 5th
5th   Camp all quiet. Weather fine.

Saturday, February 6th
6th   Nothing going on in camp. Weather rainy.

Sunday, February 7th
7th   Getting ready to go north. My lot cast here.

Monday, February 8th
8th   The Regiment mustered into the Veteran Service.

Tuesday, February 9th
9th   All quiet in camp. The weather fine.

Wednesday, February 10th
10th   The Regiment started north.

Thursday, February 11th
11th   All quiet in Chattanooga.

Friday, February 12th
12th   Nothing doing today.

Saturday, February 13th
13th   All quiet in camp.

Sunday, February 14th
14th   Troops marching towards Knoxville.

Monday, February 15th
15th   All quiet. Weather cold.

Tuesday, February 16th
16th   All quiet. Weather cold.

Wednesday, February 17th
17th   Nothing going on today.

Thursday, February 18th
18th   All quiet in camp.

Friday, February 19th
19th   Weather cold. All quiet.

Saturday, February 20th
20th   My health good. All quiet.

Sunday, February 21st
21st   Rain all last night.

Monday, February 22nd
22nd   Troops marching to the front.

Tuesday, February 23rd
23rd   All quiet in Chatt.

Wednesday, February 24th
24th   Some skirmishing near Tunnel Hill, GA.

Thursday, February 25th
25th   The Enemy being driven towards Dalton, GA.

Friday, February 26th
26th   Heavy skirmishing at Tunnel Hill, the Enemy driven beyond, and our troops occupy Ringold, GA.

Saturday, February 27th
27th   Moved camp today. The Federal forces in Ringold.

Sunday, February 28th
28th   The Rebs driven beyond Ringold, and our forces returning to Chattanooga.

Monday, February 29th
29th   Nothing going on today.

March, 1864

Tuesday, March 1st
March 1st. All quiet this day.

Wednesday, March 2nd
2nd. Rain all day. All quiet.

Thursday, March 3rd
3rd. Weather cold. All quiet.

Friday, March 4th
4t .  Nothing worthy of note today.

Saturday, March 5th
5th.  All quiet in camp.

Sunday, March 6th
6th

Monday, March 7th
7th. All quiet in camp.

Tuesday, March 8th
8th. Nothing transpiring worthy of note.

Wednesday, March 9th
9th. Moved to the U.S. Sanitary Garden and put up camp, and commenced gardening.

Thursday, March 10th
10t .  All quiet at the U.S. Garden. Weather warm.

Friday, March 11th
11th. Veterans going to the front.

Saturday, March 12th
12th. All quiet in camp.

Sunday, March 13th
13th.  Busy in the U.S. Garden.

Monday, March 14th
14th.  Veterans going to the front, at the rate of a thousand per day.

Tuesday, March 15th
15th. Weather cold and unpleasant.

Wednesday, March 16th
16th. All quiet in camp.

Thursday, March 17th
17th. Nothing going on in the U.S. Garden, but work.

Friday, March 18th
18th.  Weather cold and disagreeable.

Saturday, March 19th
19th. All quiet in camp.

Sunday, March 20th
20th. Weather fair.

Monday, March 21st
21st. Weather cloudy and cold.

Tuesday, March 22nd
22nd. Snowed about a foot deep. Very strange.

Wednesday, March 23rd
23rd. All quiet. Snow going off.

Thursday, March 24th
24th. Veterans going to the front.

Friday, March 25th
25th. Mudily underfoot.  All quiet in the Garden.

Saturday, March 26th
26th. Pleasant weather again. No news yet heard of.

Sunday, March 27th
27th. All quiet at the Garden.

Monday, March 28th
28th. A pleasant day.

Tuesday, March 29th
29th. Weather growing cold. Not doing much this day.

Wednesday, March 30th
30th. Weather continues cold, with some signs of snow.

Thursday, March 31st
31st. All quiet in the Gard.

April, 1864

Friday, April 1st
April 1st 1864. No news as yet.

Saturday, April 2nd
2nd . Heard from the Regiment.

Sunday, April 3rd
3rd . My health good.

Monday, April 4th
4th . All quiet.

Tuesday, April 5th
5th. Sowing seed.

Wednesday, April 6th
6th. Sowing garden seed.

Thursday, April 7th
7th. Setting out cabbage plants.

Friday, April 8th
8th. All quiet today.

Saturday, April 9th
9th. Setting out sweet potatoes.

Sunday, April 10th
10th. This Day of Our Lord passed off quiet.

Monday, April 11th
11th. Sowing radish seed.

Tuesday, April 12th
12th. Marking out onion beds.

Wednesday, April 13th
13th. Marking again this day, for the Negroed detailed.

Thursday, April 14th
14th. Worked on the mound.

Friday, April 15th
15th. To work, laying off garden ground, for planting.

Saturday, April 16th
16th. Watering the plants.

Sunday, April 17th
17th. All quiet at the Garden.

Monday, April 18th
18th. Putting up the Garden’s tent, and returned to the Regiment.

Tuesday, April 19th
19th. Promised a position in the Commissary Department.

Wednesday, April 20th
20th. All quiet at Chatt.

Thursday, April 21st
21st. Left this morning for Cleveland.

Friday, April 22nd
22nd. Arrived at Cleveland at 2 P.M., and camped.

Saturday, April 23rd
23r . All quiet at camp.

Sunday, April 24th
24th. Carried the mail to and from Brigade Headquarters.

Monday, April 25th
25th. Went and returned with the mail again.

Tuesday, April 26th
26th. Some talk of marching. The boys are drilling.

Wednesday, April 27th
27th. Drilling the recruits.

Thursday, April 28th
28th. All quiet at Cleveland.

Friday, April 29th
29th. Orders to send the baggage to the rear.

Saturday, April 30th
30th. Issued five days rations to the Regiment.

May, 1864

Sunday, May 1st
May 1st /64,  Packing up our baggage, to send to the rear.

Monday May 2nd
2nd. Sent the baggage to the depot at Cleveland.

Tuesday, May 3rd
3r. Commenced our forward movement on Dalton. Went 15 miles, without any resistance.

Wednesday, May 4th
4th.  Moved on, about 8 miles, and halted on a hill. Fell trees, and commenced building forts, when orders came to move to the rear. We moved to the rear about a mile, and camped for the night.

Thursday, May 5th
5th.  No move today, but building fortifications.

Friday, May 6th
6th. Laying behind our fortifications, and all quiet.

Saturday, May 7th
7th. Moved to the front, in line of battle, but did not meet any opposition. Some firing at Tunnel Hill, which resulted in the occupation of that place by our troops.

Sunday, May 8th
8th . Moved forward, and occupied Buzzard’s Roost, with 4 men killed and 14 wounded. Some brisk firing in the center, which resulted in defeat of the Rebels. Camped on Buzz.

Monday, May 9th
9th. Cannonading commenced in our front, and some wounded coming in. An unsuccessful attempt to take The Point. The loss on our side not heavy. Cannonading on our right and left. Advanced the lines about a half mile.

Tuesday, May 10th
10th. We still hold our position on Rocky Face. General Wood fighting on the right, but not severe. The Army occupies the same position.

Wednesday, May 11th
11th. The 23rd Army Corps advanced upon the Rebel breastworks, backed, in order to draw them on, but Mr. Reb knew better. Drawing rations, and distributing the mail.

Thursday, May 12th
12th. A change in the lines. The 4th Army Corps stationed on the left, and the 23rd to take our position, and act as a reserve. Moved down off Rocky Face early this morning, and took a position on the extreme left, where we build breastworks while the Cavalry was fighting on the left, and gaining ground, but driven back by our infantry, when the fighting ceased.

Friday, May 13th
13th. Dalton evacuated last night. Our troops occupied the place soon after, and marched 8 miles beyond, and camped. Some skirmishing with the Enemy rearguard.

Saturday, May 14th
14th. The battle commenced at 1 P.M. by the 23rd Army Corps with incessant fury, when they were relieved by the 4th., having gained about one-quarter of a mile. The 4th Corps went in with great fury, driving the Enemy from his works, only to fall back, for with such fury did the Enemy work his artillery. At this moment the fighting became furious. Our men fell back slowly, and took up a strong position in front of the Rebel works, which they had during the day.

Sunday, May 15th
15th. The Yankees hold their position unimpaired, and the fighting is going on. The battle raged fiercely until 4 P.M., when the fight became general all along the line. Taking the second line of works. Silencing the Enemy’s batteries.

Monday, May 16th
16th. Last night, just after drawing rations, the Rebs made a feint on our lines, to cover their retreat, and in the morning they were on the retreat, and we after them. 6 dead horses in their fort.  Reached Resaca at 12 in the middle of the day, and moved on to Calhoun, skirmishing all the way, where we camped for the night.

Tuesday, May 17th
17th. Went in pursuit of the Rebs, skirmishing on the way, with some men killed and wounded, and night closed quite a contest.

Wednesday, May 18th
18th. Our Brigade led off after the Enemy, and came as far as _____.

Thursday, May 19th
19th. The Enemy abandoned his stronghold which we held last night, and we pursued him today to Adairsville, without much opposition.

Friday, May 20th
20th.  Set out today, the 15th Corps in advance. The Rebs were overtaken one mile beyond Kingston, when a brisk fight ensued, and was kept up until night put an end to the contest.

Saturday, May 21st
21st. Moved to the river and camped on the bank, when the soldiers took to washing and cleaning. And thus passed off this day.

Sunday, May 22nd
22nd. The Army being still near Kingston, and recruiting.

Monday, May 23rd
23rd. This day we made a forward move again, towards Atlanta, crossing the Etoway River, and marched until 11 o’clock at night.

Tuesday, May 24th
24th. Moved again forward about ten miles, meeting with no opposition, and went into camp about dark.

Wednesday, May 25th
25th. Moved today, Gen. Hooker’s Corps in front, when the Enemy was overtaken and a severe engagement took place, in which we were victorious. Lasted about one hour, and rain put an end to the contest. Our Division got fast in the north.

Thursday, May 26th
26th. The Rebs still in front, and fighting going on. Mostly heavy skirmishing, building breastworks, and moving troops. Considerable cannonading.

Friday, May 27th
27th. The battle commenced this morning with heavy cannonading on our side, and all goes well. The firing kept up until late in the night. Another line of works thrown up by the Yankees, in front of the previous ones.

Saturday, May 28th
28th. Firing kept up along the line all day, with some cannonading, when about eleven in the forenoon the Rebs attempted to take a battery, but were repulsed very handsomely, and driven back in confusion to their works. Skirmishing kept up most all last night.

Sunday, May 29th
29th. Heavy skirmishing all day, and some cannonading. Casualties light. Heavy firing in the middle of the night.

Monday, May 30th
30th. A general attack by the Rebs on our right and center, which was bravely met.  Very heavy cannonading for some length of time in the night. A brisk skirmish was kept up all day, with an occasional cannon shot.

Tuesday, May 31st
31st . The Union holds the same position as formerly. Heavy skirmishing and cannonading, and kept up all day, keeping us well behind our works.

June, 1864

Wednesday, June 1st
June 1st. The Brigade moved to the left about 40 rds., where they are now supporting a battery, and have heavy skirmishing. I distributed the mail to the boys on the front line. The 15th Corps relieved the 20th , and they to move to the left. Heavy firing last night, but to no effect.

Thursday, June 2nd
2nd.  Firing, cannonading very brisk on the line last night, but did not amount to anything.  Skirmishing and heavy firing on the left about sundown, then all was quiet at nightfall.

Friday, June 3rd
3rd. Heavy skirmishing going on in front, and bullets falling around our tent. The Rebs made a charge, and drove in our skirmishers, but were driven back by the 51st, who deployed in fine order. A heavy fire, and lost 2 men killed and five wounded. So ended this day’s work.

Saturday, June 4th
4th. Skirmishing, cannonading this morning. Very heavy, and three men wounded in the action, one was lieutenant in Co. K. One sally on our lines, in the evening, but was repulsed. Heavy firing on the left, late at night.

Sunday, June 5th
5th. This morning the Yankees woke up, and found the Rebs gone, leaving the field in their possession. Troops were moving all day, but our Div. did not. Cannonading in front and ...

Monday, June 6th
6th. We moved today to within 3 miles of Acworth, on the railroad, and camped for the night.  All was quiet.

Tuesday, June 7th
7th. Lay in camp all day, recruiting, washing and cleaning, near Acworth. All quiet at Acworth.

Wednesday, June 8th
8th. All quiet in camp, near Acworth. Orders to move in the morning.

Thursday, June 9th
9th. Drew one day’s rations, and was ordered to be ready to move in the morning, not having went yesterday.

Friday, June 10th
10th. Moved out this morning at ... and marched 11 miles, and camped. Some cannonading in front, our forces having overtaken the Enemy.

Saturday, June 11th
11th. Lay in line of battle all day, because it rained so hard it was an utter impossibility.

Sunday, June 12th
12th. Rained all day, and the roads in a dreaded condition. Skirmishing along the line.

Monday, June 13th
13th. Quit raining today about 12 O.C., when all was quiet along the lines.

Tuesday, June 14th
14th. Advanced our lines today, without much difficulty.

Wednesday, June 15th
15th . The Rebs gone from our front. Heavy cannonading on the right and left. Overtook the Enemy about  2 P.M., when the 51st, supported by the rest of the Division, was ordered to make a charge. Which they executed promptly, driving the Enemy beyond his main line of works.

Thursday, June 16th
16th. Heavy cannonading all day. Building fortifications, and considerable skirmishing on the left.

Friday, June 17th
17th. Last night the Yankees fortified and planted twelve guns on the picket line, which caused the Rebs to be gone this morning. Heavy skirmishing on the left. A charge by the Rebs on our left, but was handsomely foiled.

Saturday, June 18th
18th. Heavy fighting commenced, and a heavy rain set in. And the rain fell in torrents, and the fighting in the same ratio. The Yankees carried the first line of works, and are pushing on. Held the ground, and camped.

Sunday, June 19th

19th. Woke up, and found the Johnnys gone again from our front. But did not go far before overtaking them again, when a great artillery duel took place, and a shell from the Rebs went through my tent.

Monday, June 20th
20th. Heavy cannonading most all day, from both sides, but not much accomplished by either. And at night, we were relieved by the 4th Corps.

Tuesday, June 21st
21st. Moved to the right, and relieved one Division of Gen. Hooker’s men. All was quiet, except skirmishing.

Wednesday, June 22nd
22nd. The Enemy opened on us today, with their artillery from different points, causing some excitement, but no damage. Advanced our lines some, with not much loss.

Thursday, June 23rd
23rd. At 4 P.M., fighting all along the line, the right gaining some advantage. Stanley repulsed the Enemy.

Sent to N.H. Tabler - $106.00 dollars
Sent to D.C. & N.L. Tabler - $30 dollars
Sent to J.H. Tabler - $65 dollars
Sent to Ezra Tabler - $20 dollars

The next six pages are used to write entries in reverse order, from January 1, 1864 to January 26th inclusive. The text reads in the normal word order, left-to-right, but the sentence order is from the bottom of each page to the top of each page. The 27th is recorded, but no entry for it is shown.  To avoid confusion, I transcribe these entries in the normal sequence.

1864, 1st of January.  The morning came in cold.  Nothing going on in camp.  2nd.  Weather cold.  All quiet near the Crossroads.  Wood getting scarce.  3rd .  All quiet near the Crossroads.  Recruiting for the Veterans.  4th .  All quiet at New Market.  5th .  Got marching orders.  6th .  A great cry about Veteran troops.  Co. K. all went in, but myself, and after some persuasion and promises, enrolled my name as a Veteran.  7th .  All quiet at Blaine’s Crossroads.  Weather cold.  8th .  An inch of snow on the ground.  All quiet in front.  Rumors of going north.  9th .  All quiet in camp.  10th .  The Brigade went out foraging.  11th .  All quiet in camp The Brigade has not got back yet.  12th .  All quiet in camp.  The Brigade got back.  13th .  Nothing going on, near the Crossroads.  14th .  Marching orders.  Talk of us going home on a furlough, as a Regiment of Veterans.  Our convalescents came up.  Two new flags.  15th .  Started for home, by way of Knoxville.  Camped within two miles of the place.  16th .  Started at daybreak, and marched in the direction of Kingston, a distance of 18 miles.  17th .  Marched at daylight this morning, and made 23 miles over a very muddy road and undulated ground, at which distance we halted and camped for the night.  18th .  Being within 7 miles of Kingston, we made this by the middle of the day, crossed the river on an old two-horse ferry boat, and marched a distance of 5 miles, and camped for the night.  19th .  A messenger came within our lines, and reported the Enemy in force in our front, and with orders for us to recross the river, which we did by noon.  Marched out through a distance of a mile, and went into camp.  20th .  Lay in camp all day.  Drawing rations.  21st .  Orders to move by the middle of the day, across the Little Tennessee, and continue our march towards Chattanooga.  22nd .  Moved as ordered, and made 18 miles on the north side of the Tennessee River, and camped for the night.  23rd .  Started for the point of destination, a distance of 16 miles.  24th .  Made this day 16 miles towards Chattanooga.  25th .  All quiet in front, and off again for Chattanooga, and around to within 6 miles of the place.  26th .  Arrived at Chattanooga this morning about 10 O.C.  All quiet.  Health good.  27th

The next page is devoted to a ledger account of papers sold to Captain Tilton, apparently for ten cents per paper.

The next page is devoted to a list of clothing prices.

Dec. 19.  Price of each article of clothing.  Overcoat 9.50   Dresscoat 7.21   Blouse 2.40   Shirt 1.46   Drawers .95   Cap .56   Bootees, pegged 1.48   Bootees, sawed 2.05   Socks .32   Hats 2.02   Trousers 3.55   Woolen Blanket 3.60   Gum Blanket 2.55   Boots 3.38

The next page is blank.

The words of Major General Rosecrans, to the boys of the First & Third Brigades of Sheridan’s Division  —  Boys, soldiers don’t make speeches, only politicians make speeches. It is our duty to lay aside all politics, for the present, and use all our energies to put down this rebellion.
Then he spoke of our Post Commander and his Chief of Staff, both as being opposite in political strife, but laid aside party prejudices, and were united heart and hand for the suppression of the rebellion.
Then he said everyone thought John A. Logan would be a regular Butternut, but he has shown himself to be a man, and a patriot.
Boys, we must wade through this cruel war, and then we will go home and vote the way we please.  And with the help of God, we will do it.  Goodbye, boys.

On the next  page:   Wm. Tilton     W.M. Tilton

The next page is blank.

On the last page:  Edward Lery    Com.    Daniel    Tabler    Edward

The diary ends here, followed by a blotter in a pocket.