| Summary: | This is the unsigned diary of A. Thompson concerning movements from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Atlanta, Ga., May 4-Sept. 8, 1864. Thompson served in the 44th New York Infantry during the Civil War.[page 1a]
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[page 1b]
Pocket
Diary
1864
Published annually
For the trade.
1864.
[page 2a]
Rates of Postage.
Letters to any part of the United States, 3 cents
for each 1-2 ounce or part thereof.
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rates.
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ceeding 20 cents.
Transient newspapers, periodicals, pamphlets, blanks,
proof sheets, book manuscripts, and all mailable printed mat-
ter, (except circulars and books,) 2 cents for each and every 4
ounces. Double these rates are charged for books.
Unsealed circulars, (to one address) not exceeding 3 in
number, 2 cents, and in the same proportion for a greater
number.
Seeds, cuttings, roots, &c., 5 cents for each 4 ounces or
less quantity.
All packages of mail matter not charged with letter post-
age must be so arranged that the same can be conveniently
examined by Postmasters; if not, letter postage will be charged.
No package will be forwarded by mail which weighs over
4 pounds.
All postage matter, for delivery within the United States,
must be prepaid by stamps (except duly certified letters of
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A Table of
Stamp Duties
As amended March 3, 1863
Agreement, countract, or appraisement, not other-
wise specified, each sheet ..... 5
Bank check, draft, or order for money, payable
at sight or on demand, over $20 ..... 2
Bill of sale of vessel, consideration not over $500 ..... 25
Over $500 and not over $1,000 ..... 50
For every additional $1,000, or part thereof, 30 cents
more.
Bill of lading, or receipt for any goods for foreign ex-
port, (except to British North America,) ..... 10
Bond for the performance of the duties of office, or of in-
demnity for the payment of money ..... 50
Bonds in legal proceedings, and for purposes not other-
wise provided for ..... 25
Certificate of stock, in incorporated company ..... 25
Certificate of profits, in incorporated company, if
for $10, and not over $50 ..... 10
Exceeding $50 ..... 25
Certificate of damage, and all certificates issued by
any port warden or marine surveyor ..... 25
Certificate of deposit, $100 or less ..... 2
Over $100 ..... 5
(Certificates of measurement or weight of animals, wood,
coal, or other articles, Certificate of Record of Deed, or
acknowledgment thereof, by attesting witness, require
no stamp.)
Certificate, or any other description ..... 5
Charter party, of vessel or steamer not over 150 tons ..... 1.00
Over 150 tons and not over 300 ..... 3.00
Over 300 tons and not over 600 ..... 5.00
Over 600 tons ..... 10.00
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Stamp Duties
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[page 4]
Stamp Duties
Demand and Time Notes
[page 5]
Eclipses in 1863
Alamanac for 1864
January February
[page 6]
Alamanac for 1864
March April
May June
[page 7]
Almanac for 1864
July August
November December
[page 8]
Friday, January 1, 1864
The term of service of Lt. James the officer whom Capt. Muller (Miller) relieves will very soon expire.
(Blank until May 4, 1864)
[page 9]
Wednesday, May 4, 1864
Left Chatanooga at 9 A M rode 18 miles arriving at Ringgold just about dusk. This day is the beginning of HdQrs in the saddle.
Thursday, 5th
Remained in camp
Friday, May 6, 1864
Remained in camp
Saturday, 7th
Left Ringgold this morning at 8 oc A M After a ride of nine miles over a very dusty road I arrived at last at Tunnel Hill we were unable to advance further on account of the Rebs who held Buzzards Roost.
Sunday, 8th
Went on a hill opposite the Rebel work’s to reconnoiter was unable however to see anything Pretty sharp firing on a ridge flanking the Roost. The weather is intensely warm and for that reason dripping sweat.
[page 10]
Monday, May 9, 1864
Again went to reconnoiter but with the same result as yesterday. The opinion seems to be gaining ground that the Roost is not to be taken by direct assault. A prisoner reported that Johnsons Army only amounted to 40,000 men.
Tuesday, 10th
Did not leave camp was informed by Captain Read that we were going to move tomorrow and requested to have prepared ten days rations all of which was done.
Wednesday, 11th
Did not move as I confidently expected but there seems to be no doubt about our starting tomorrow was informed that our destination would be some distance in the rear of Dalton.
Thursday, 12th
Left Tunnel Hill at 7 A M the day very pleasant, just right for traveling. After ride of twenty two miles encamped at Snake Creek Gap. Hd Qrs expected to remain here for several days.
Friday, 13th
Grand conference of Generals at HdQrs in which D.E. Sickles participated. Heard that the Rebel Army was retreating Just about night was surprised to see every body packing up. Ascertained that we were to move early tomorrow morning.
Saturday, 14th
Reveille sounded this morning at 2 A M got breakfast, started at 4 A M. Reached our destination “Sugar Creek” at 10 ½ A M Know very little about military affairs but am inclined to think that HdQrs are too near the front very heavy firing all day.
[page 11]
(May 15-May 20, 1864 are very smudged.)
Sunday, May 15, 1864
The Rebels seem determined to fight it out Our _______run to Dalton. Heard that they are to go as far as Resecca. _________corps had a very severe fight ________drove the enemy from three fronts.
Monday, 16th
Started this morning_________ on my way saw three ________ Rebel___________
The Rebs ________ the bridge at this point _______about 500 Prisoners.
Tuesday, 17th
Started very early 3 oclock A M on ________ the enemy in full sight _________
Calhoun a very __________ sight but yet very pretty. Our troops did not get to camp before 10 P M.
Wednesday, May 18, 1864
Again started at 3 A M this thing of getting up so early is very disagreeable it would not be so bad however if we could get into camp earlier in the evening. This evening did not reach camp until almost 11 P M.
Thursday, 19th
As usual started early 4 A M everything went on ____________ advance was not expected passed through _______ quite a ____________ everything they can find, this is a _________ is productive of no good ________
Friday, 20th
Encamped _______ right of way near ________
[page 12]
Saturday, May 21, 1864
Still remained in camp
Sunday, 22nd
Remained in camp
Monday, 23rd
Started bright + early after a short march of about five miles we encamped at (blank)
Tuesday, May 24, 1864
Started 4 oclock reached the spot selected for camp about 10 P M just before going into camp it began to rain which (blank)
Wednesday, 25th
Started 3 A M, we are now in the Mountains after going 9 miles we found out that we were in advance of the army + retraced our steps It rained + got to camp 11 P M
Thursday, 26th
Got up at 3 A M but did not start until very near three P M encamped very near the front. Shortly before going into camp a cannon ball lodged in a tree just over the Genls Tent
[page 13]
Friday, May 27, 1864
Got up at 4 A M packed our trains but did not start We are so near the front that the balls sometimes pass clear over us one of Capt. Wickersham’s mules was shot.
Saturday, 28th
Remained in camp last night the enemy seemed determined to keep us awake slept with my clothes on so that I might be prepared to run at any moment.
Sunday, 29th
Remained in camp Towards night the enemy kept up quite a lively little fire.
Monday, May 30, 1864
About 10 P M last evening the Rebs opened upon our whole line and the roar of musketry + cannon was incessant it is needless to say that sleep was vanished. This morn they opened upon our camp with shell but fortunately no damage was done we moved to a safe place in the rear.
Tuesday, 31st
Remained in camp the day rather warm
Wednesday, June 1
Remained in camp
[page 14]
Thursday, June 2, 1864
Remained in camp
Friday, 3rd
Remained in camp
Saturday, 4th
Remained in camp
Sunday, June 5, 1864
Remained in camp Was very much surprised to hear that the Rebs had evacuated or rather retreated will no doubt follow them tomorrow.
Monday, 6th
Started 4 A M went about seven miles an encamped near a church about two miles from Acworth, Georgia. Everything lively
Tuesday, 7th
Remained in camp
[page 15]
Wednesday, June 8, 1864
Remained in camp
Thursday, 9th
Remained in camp
Friday, 10th
Started at 7 Reached our camp near Big Shanty 4 P M the day very Rainy + disagreeable
Saturday, June 11, 1864
Remained in camp
Sunday, 12th
Remained in camp
Monday, 13th
Remained in camp
[page 16]
Tuesday, June 14, 1864
Remained in camp
Wednesday, 15th
Remained in camp
Thursday, 16th
Started at 10 A M Went about mile + half and encamped still near Big Shanty
Friday, June 17, 1864
Remained in camp
Saturday, 18th
Remained in camp
Sunday, 19th
Went about five miles to the right of Kennesaw Mts.
[page 17]
Sunday, July 3, 1864
The enemy evacuated to Marietta + we moved our camp there we encamped near the Military Academy
Monday 4th
Moved five miles below Marietta. This being the day of Jubilee almost every body got drunk on the staff.
Wednesday, 6th
Moved three miles further South we are now two miles from the Chattahooche River
[page 18]
Monday, 18th
Moved camp across the Chattahoochee
Tuesday, 19th
Moved camp
[page 19]
Wednesday, July 20, 1864
The advance of the Army is now within three miles of Atlanta our camp is about five. The enemy this evening attacked us + were driven back with considerable loss on their part Heard that Johnson had been succeeded by Hood.
Friday, 22nd
Was surprised to hear that Atlanta had been evacuated but tho rumor was so oftin
severely _____ that many believed it. We moved camp however to within 2 + half miles of Atlanta where we are now uncomfortably near the front.
[page 20]
Thursday, August 25, 1864
After being in camp for almost a month the Dept. stated this morning for the purpose of flanking the enemy. Moved to the right for 10 miles went into camp at 2 P M
Friday, 26th
Started at 1 P M the roads were pretty well blocked up with troops and trains went about five miles In going along we could see plainly the Rebs but they made no endeavor to molest us.
Saturday, 27th
Moved at 9 A M I am unable to say how far not more than 5 miles encamped on a hill overlooking the surrounding country which in this section is very open + fertile
Sunday, August 28, 1864
Started at about 9 A M all this time since 25 we have been travelling southward at about 5 oclock P M we struck the R R fourteen miles in the rear of Atlanta went into camp by R R.
Monday, 29th
Remained in camp Our troops are very busily engaged in destroying the R R the ties have been collected in piles the Rails placed in them and then the ties are set afire this R R is the Atlanta + West Point
Tuesday, 30th
Moved at 9 A M to the east with the intentions + suppose of cutting the ____ & M RR but did not get to the R R our march was about six miles went into camp at 5 P M could hear distinctly the whistle of the train.
[page 21]
Wednesday, August 31, 1864
Started at 9 A M and went 2 miles delayed on road ____ into _____ at 1 P M All the officers are jubilant over the news that Hardee’s camp (troops?) is at Joneboro and Hoods Army at or near E. Point we’re possession of R R.
Thursday, September 1, 1864
Remained in camp. There has been worse fighting to the east ward. Ascertained that we had captured two batteries and several hundred prisoners
Friday, 2nd
Started at 8 A M struck the A & M RR 12 n at Jonesboro Heard versions of Atlanta being captured went into camp at 4 P M in plain sight of the Rebs, had the ________.
Saturday, September 3, 1864
Atlanta has fallen it was occupied by Slocum yesterday at 11 A M we are now 25 miles south of Atlanta will probably move tomorrow The RR is being destroyed.
Rebs still occupy the line they had yesterday
[page 22]
Thursday, 8th
Started with the expectation of going to Atlanta + was not disappointed went with General’s escort and reached Atlanta 11 A M surprised to find that we were to have a good house something extra ordinary
[page 23]
Memoranda:
Left Washington Nov. 15 63
Arrived Louisville “ 17 “
Left Louisville 21 “
Arrived at Nashville Nov. 21 “
Left Nashville Nov. 21 63
Arrived at Bridgeport Dec. 4 “
Left Bridgeport “ 5 “
Arrived at Kelleys Dec. 6 “
Left Kelleys Dec. 7 “
Arrived at Chattanooga Dec. 7 “
Wrote to W on 3rd Apl.
Left Chattanooga May 4th, 64
Arrived at Ringgold May 4th, 64
Wrote home on 3 May, enclosed a check for $500.00
Left Ringgold on May 7
Arrived Tunnell Hill May 7
Transcribed by: Joyce Hicks
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