| Summary: | This is a Civil War diary created by John W. West from Limestone County, Alabama. He had family or close friends in Opelika, Alabama and writes about corresponding with them in his diary. West served in the Company G, 35th Alabama Infantry in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. The 35th Alabama formed in LaGrange, Alabama in 1862. During this first year of its existence, it participated in the Battle of Baton Rouge in Louisiana and the Second Battle of Corinth in Mississippi. In 1863 the regiment fought to defend Port Hudson in Louisiana. It next engaged Union forces in the Battle of Champion Hill in Mississippi before retreating prior to the Siege of Vicksburg. In 1864, the 35th suffered many losses as it tried to hold ground in North Georgia against General William T. Sherman's advance. Towards the end of the war, the regiment fought in the Battle of Decatur in northern Alabama and then at the Battle of Franklin in Tennessee where it suffered a huge loss of nearly half its men to wounds or death. The remaining men continued to fight and participated in the Battle of Nashville in Tennessee before surrendering to Union forces with the Army of Tennessee in May 1865. West was elected captain at the 35th Alabama Infantry Regiment's formation in March 1862 and served in this position for the duration of the war. He suffered a brief illness in the summer of 1864 in Georgia, but returned to service thereafter. Perhaps because of his illness, West did not follow the 35th into battle in Tennessee but rather was sent to Mississippi where he remained without further orders, most likely for the duration of the war. On May 11, 1865 West surrendered to the Union forces with Lieutenant General Taylor in Meridian, Mississippi.[page 1]
[illegible writing at top of page]
13 1/4, 9 1/2, 9, 7
J. W. West, Captain
of Co. G, 35th Alaba-
ma Infantry, 1861
Served in
the Civil War
[page 2]
Consolidation [page cut off]
Companies C & G consoli___
at Kennesaw mountain
June 21st 1864-Capt. J. W__
put in command.
Sent to distributing Hospital at
Atlanta July 28th? ____. Gen Jackson
relieved of his command same day
Furlowed? at Macon Ga Aug 5th 64
arrived at Opelika Ala Aug 6th
Left Mr. J. Shields Sept 3d 1864
at the House of Mr. H. P. Lamar
Macon Ga Sept 5th 1864.
[page 3]
Left? Palmetto Ga Sept 29th 64
Stuck the C & Atlanta RR
at Moores St Oct 3d moved
forward on Acworth?- captured
the entire garrison on 4th fourth
toar up the RR for several
miles at night fall back to
lost Mountain- 5th Frenches
Div attack Altoona & was re-
pulsed. lost some six or seven
hundred men- captured two
hundred Feds. 6th passed New
Hope C, passed immediately
over the battle ground (27th May)
nearly all the timber dead, effect
of shot & shell, (7th Sept) sky
once more clear. camped at
night near Vanwert? (8th) Mar-
ched hard boys cheerful
camped? at Ceedar town for
[page 4]
a junction of all the ____
(9th) Sunday left camps
2 Oclock A M marched till
nearly moon down- camped
between cave spring & Roam
-frost night before last.
(Monday 10th.) marched leisurely
westward- down Coosa R crossed
on pontoon after night, camped
within two miles of River
(Tuesday 11th) Marched a little after
sun rise- 21 miles finds us
on the Armochee? Creek.
(Wedensday 12) left camps at least
one hour before day, travling
eastward toward the W & A?
RR- struck the road near
Resaca 9 Oclock at night &
commenced the work of distruction
[page 5]
Thursday Oct 13th 1864
This morning finds us still
employed in tearing up RR
following RR to Dalton &
destroying it all the way, ty-
in some of the railing into
knots. Hardees Corpse capured
some two Hundred Feds & six
or seven Hundred Negroes, still
pushing forward toward? Chattanooga
(Friday Oct 14) Our Corpse
moved out on Dug Gap road
crossed the Mountain & camped
near Villanoi?- Report says
Fed'l Cav fired on our rear
as we left Dalton
(Saturday Oct 15th) marched
down Dogwood Valley, crossed
Taylors ridge- camped near
[page 6]
Somerville Chattanooga? ____
(Sunday 16th Oct) rested 1/2 day
(Monday Oct 17) Left camps
about day light moving on the
Ala Road- stoped early in the
day & went into camp.
(Tuesday Oct 18th) finds marching
in the direction of Ala, passed
through Galesville, camped
2 1/2 miles from Little River,
(Wedensday Oct 19th)
Left camps for Gadsden,
Camped 8 miles south west
of Blue pond.
(Thursday Oct 20th)
Left camp 3 Oclock 14 ms
from Gadsden, camped 3 miles
west of Gadsden
(Friday Oct 21st)
drew clothing washed our shirts
and got ready to march by morning
[page 7]
Saturday Oct 22d 1864
Marched 18 miles in the direction
of Somervill Ala- camped
near Walnut Grove Blunt Co
Sunday Oct 23
Marched 18 miles camped
near Summit.
Monday Oct 24
Our Regt Detailed as rear
guard. marched 16 miles-
camped on Cotaco? Creek
Stayed at Mr Bensons.
(Tuesday Oct 25th)
Arrived at Somervill at
about 3 Oclock, camped until
about 1 Oclock in morning
Wedensday 26th
Started for Decatur, saw some
Yankey scouts about 11. drove
[page 8]
in the pickets at Decatur?
about 12 Oclock, heavy
skurmishing from about
two until four, heavy Art-
ilery firing from then until
dark- Lost one man of
my company (C) killed by
cannon ball- cold wet
and disagreeable night.
Relieved from picket about
11 Oclock- slept in Mr
Gibbs stables
(Thursday Oct 27th)
Our Brig resting quiet today
some skurmishing at the front
yankey Gun Boats shell the
woods- not many hurt up
to sundown.
Friday morning 28th
[page 9]
yankeys charged our skurmish
line, but were driven back.
Our Brigd ordered out to support
skurmish line- was not needed
went back in camp
Saturday Oct 29th
Left Decatour about sun
rise, camped at Pond? spring.
Sunday Oct 30th
Marched to Leaton. took bre-
ckfast at Maj S-
Monday Oct 31st
Left Leaton at sun rise
got to Tuscumbia at One
Oclock & went into camps.
Tuesday Nov 1st.
still in camps
(Nov 2) still in camps very
bad weather- wet? & cold
[page 10]
Thursday Nov 3d. 1864
still in camp- very, verry
bad weather- cold rain, passed
a disagreeable night.
Friday Nov 4th
still in camps- cloudy, cold
very bad wether on dumb bruits
and Soldiers- Loaned Wm Sewell
$20- Saturday Nov 5th
Heavy frost this morning,
day passed off quiet.
Sunday Nov 6th
Cloudy, wind blowing from
South. Lee's Corpse in Florence
Monday Nov 7th
Rained very hard last night
Poor, wet & cold Soldiers. G H?
Robison, come to Regt. this
morning- talk of a move-
[page 11]
Tuesday Nov 8th 1864
Tomarrow Never comes- Our Brig
not moved yet. wether bad,
gloomy, rain & mud. prospects
bad for crossing the Tenn R-
Wedensday Nov 9th
still in the camps. very
mudy & high wind- Gen Hood
sends word that we will cross
the river.
Thursday Nov 10th
River rising, not crossed yet
Heard Col L S Ives was cap-
tured. clear & frosty.
Friday Nov 11th
Fair, & frosty- have to live out
doors like bruits, River rising
can't cross yet. changed camps
better satisfied since we get to
sleepe? in the wood, on leaves.
[page 12]
Saturday Nov 12th 1864
Reviewed today by Gen Beauregard
bright day- wind rather high.
Sunday Nov 13th
Brig Review this morning
Orders to be ready to move
by 12 Oclock- 4 Oclock not
moved yet.
Monday Nov 14th
Moved camps about three
miles nearer the River,
fortifying the prominant
points on River.
Tuesday Nov 15th
Cold rain- gloomy mo-
rning- Reported accor-
ding to Orders at Col.
West Steever Qrs to get
papers for recruiting
[page 13]
at night Receive my Orders
have to report to Maj. R. Rich-
Enterprise Miss, without de-
lay.- (Wedensday Nov 16th
Leave Tuscumbia in the
rain (11 Oclock) in com-
Lieut Crutcher?- rainy
slipery & rough road-
stop at Pine Grove Ch-
Thursday Nov 17
Start early- arrive at
Cherokee St about 10
Oclock- train arrives
1 1/2- train leaves 5 Oclock
arrives at Burns St 7
Oclock, lay over until
6 Oclock- at Corrinth
7 1/2. Friday 18 Raining, Plenty of
[page 14]
mud. no place to stop
got breckfast at Mr.
Pannel have to lay over
until tomarrow the train
not having arrived from
below- Eavening- no
train- have to stay all
night. Sleep on the floor.
Rain & mud plenty- Court-
House burned last night.
Gen B--- have to sleep
on floor.
Saturday Nov 19th
Raining yet- four trains
arrive last night- leave
on first train with Gen
B--- 9 Oclock- arrive
at Okolona 3 P M.
stoped at Mrs. Pounds. Roomed
[page 15]
with Mr. Fitzgerril from
Mobile & Lieut Wilson of Tenn?
Sunday Nov 20th
Left Okolona this morning
at 8 1/2 Oclock- train moves
slowly- arrive at Enterprise
10 PM- lodged with Mrs
Liley. dark wet & gloomy.
Monday Nov 21st
Rainey, gloomy morning.
4 Oclock PM, clearing off
quite cold. Enquired for Maj
Richardson, he is now inspe-
ctor at Brokhaven, Went
the H Qrs of Gen Brandon
also the Qr Master Capt
Theobaul- wether extremely
cold- No clothing qr Mr?
Department
[page 16]
Tuesday Nov 22d
Extremely cold this morning
almost impossible to get
accommodation- clothing
very bad to turn out in
such wether- O: that I
could reach Home once
more where I could have
the benefit of beeing sup-
plied with the actual ne-
cessaries of life. But-
Reported this eavening, do not
think I can suceed without
a cavalry force.
Wedensday Nov 23d
Very cold this morning
Lodged at Mr S__ left $20
in the Madams hand.
[page 17]
expect to make my stopping
place here.
Thursday Nov 24th
Find I can not get a horse
& equipage, roads very bad.
will have to remain idle un-
til I get assistance. Reported
so to Col Steever.
Friday Nov 25th
More pleasant, not quite so
cold- nothing yet to expedite
my work. engaged some
janes, hope to get good clothing
before long. Wrote to Opk
unpleasant to be idle-
Saturday Nov 26th
Bright & beautiful morning.
took a walk across the Chik-
asaha? R.- Paid 10 cts toll on
the bridge- takes money to live
[page 18]
Nov 26th
let Mr Stone have $20
Walked out in Solitude, listend
to sighing winds of winter. hear
nothing from Col S....
Sunday Nov 27th
Foggy morning. hope I will
spend the night- Went to
Baptist Church. hope I spent
the day well.
Monday Nov 28th
Received a letter from Lt.
C.... who is rather discom
posed. also a Note from Lt.
Evans who informs me that
Stewart's? Corpse crossed the R
on the 20th. & sends me a
letter froom Opk- answered
Crutchers letter also the one from
Opk
[page 19]
Tuesday Nov 29th
No communication from
Col Steever yet. Mailed another
letter to him this eavening.
beautiful weather for the
season.
Wedensday Nov 30th
No success yet, expect to visit
Jackson tomarrow. Received
a letter from Col Steever
today- promises to visit this
place en rout to H Qrs. will
have to postpone going to Jac-
kson- until his arrival.
Thursday Decr. 1st
Bright & beautiful morning.
May God in His mercies look
on our wickedness with an
eye of compassion & forgive us
for the Jesus Christ our Saviour
[page 20]
Friday Decr 2d 1864
Cloudy & light rain this
morning- look with im-
patience for Col S___-
Wrote to Opelika- to Express
to care of Mrs. May C? Stone
Saturday Decr 3d
Rained very hard last night
No certain news from Raiders
out from ______. day closed
bright & beautiful.
Sunday Decr 4th
cool? frosty & clear- Lt. Lile
reported last night- beautiful
weather. No news from Col
Steever.
Monday Decr 5th
Stil idle- heard that Hood
had engaged the enemy near
Franklin Tenn.
[page 21]
Tuesday Decr 6th 1864
Cloudy. looks like rain.
night has come, no rain.
Wedensday Decr 7th
Considerable excitement about
now. 1 Oclock every one
packed ready to move.
Received letter from S T? Dav_?
Sent him Discriptive Roll
to Columbus Miss. Excitement
still prevails.
Thursday Decr 8th
Wind from North, cold & cloudy
Excitement about Raid not so
high, Received letter from Ope?
Have the promise of clothing
Friday Decr 9th
Rain & Sleet. Very cold.
More moderate. still raining.
[page 22]
Saturday Decr 10th 64
Gave Lieut Lile orders to
report to Col Steever at
Columbus Miss to procure
what is necessary to begin
operation. Still very cold
Sunday Decr 11th
Stil very cold- high wind
News Hoods army in Nashv-
Our loss heavy in the fight
at Franklin, every body
scared off. no business
doing here. May God be mer-
ciful to this wicked Nation
Monday Decr 12th
Bright & beautiful morn
but very cold for this clime.
Things are getting more quiet
since Raiders reported going in the
[page 23]
direction of Mobile.
Tuesday Decr 13th
Received Communication
from Col Steever dated 11th inst
no assistance yet, weather
moderating.
Wedensday Decr 14th
Warm & cloudy- No definat
news from any quarter.
Loand Mr. Stone $100 + 146
Thursday Decr 15th
Heavy fog- prospect of rain.
Conscript Bureau returned after its flight
to Gainsville Ala. A B C... paid me
a visit & receives his cloths last night.
no fresh news.
Friday Decr 16th
Cloudy & misting- Hood not
taken Nashville yet.
[page 24]
Saturday Decr 17th 64
Received a letter from
Lieut Lile- writes rather
discouragingly. Nothing done
in the way of getting ____
Sunday Decr 18th
Like other Sundays, has a
very dull appearance
Monday Decr 19
Learned of a fight occuring
between our forces & the Yanks
at Pollard Ala- a signal
nice try to our side.
Tuesday Decr 20th
Cold. rainey & disagreeable
morning- rainey day.
Wedensday Decr 21st
Cold NW wind & cloudy-
Clarion bairs news of Gen-
[page 25]
Prices? death- apoplexy- sad
loss- been here one mo today
Thursday Decr 22
Cold & high wind, no news
today- Pleasant time reading.
Friday Decr 23
Very cold this morning, hear
that Hood is falling back.
Wrote Home; also to OPK
Maj Theobald offers me a horse
At Mr Stones one mo today
Sat Decr 24th
Nothing of importance occured
today- weather moderating
Christmas Sun Dec 25th
Raining- gloomy bad day- but
had a good dinner for the times
- hear nothing from Col S-
or Lieut L- no clothing yet
[page 26]
Monday Decr 26th
Weather very mild- no __
of import- except a rumor
that the Feds have cut the
M & O RR near Tupelo
Tuesday 27th
Raid to Tupelo confirmed
Wedensday 28th
Yanks at Okolona yesterday
Thursday 29th
Hear that the Yanks have dest-
royed 25 or 30 miles of M & O
RR at Verona, Capturing
some 5 or 7 hundred Feds
who had entered the C S
service, destroyed some 20
box cars. Captured Forest
waggon train. All hands
on our side drunk. Gen G-
included who is in arrest
[page 27]
Reported death of Pres Davis
Friday Decr 30
Beautiful morning. no
news additional to yesterday.
no mail last night.
Wrote this eavening to my friend
at Liberty Amit Co
Saturday last day of year
wind pearcing cold from
NW- Sit by the fire & study
Long Kings' notes in Gospels
Awake when the new year
enters. May Heaven grant
a year of Gods especial
Providence.
Sunday New Year Day
Bright & beautiful morn
Oh: thats the smiles of our
Heavenly Father like the King
[page 28]
Monday Jan 2nd 1865?
Gloomy morning- most people?
look disconsolate- I at least feel
so, not well, __ of Day
Beam His brightness upon
us & lead us into the right
& the good way.
Monday Janr 2d 1865
Quite a pleasant day- but
very much unimproved by
____ I am really in a
____ way?-
Tuesday Janr 3d 1865
The most beautiful day
seen since I have sojourned
in Enterprise.
Wedensday 4th Janr
One of the most beautiful
days, No news
[page 29]
[Thursday Janr 5th?] 1865
_________very sad day
_________get no news
Friday? Janr 6th
gloomy morning. disappointed?
in hope- No letter.
Saturday Janr 7th
One of the most beautiful
days- wrote to A. ____
Sunday Janr 8th
Very pritty day, ____
Hoods army is comeing ____
Johnston returned? to the ____
of the Tenn Army.
Monday 9th wrote to
Oplk. dark gloomy rainy day
Tuesday 10th Still cloudy
and warm, eavening turns
cold
[page 30]
[Parts of page missing or illegible]
[Wednesday 11th?]
Received? _______
this morning __________
Steever ______________
very cold- answered ___
Thursday 12th
Bright & beautiful day-
____ __ Col Steever.
Friday 13th
Another bright day
Saturday 14th
Cloudy- likely to rain
Received? letters from S ___
M__ G- & Mrs C T. S-
Answered them immediately
Sunday Janr 15th 1865
Very bright? & beautiful day
Monday Janr 16th
Cloudy & cool no clothing
yet, Tuesday Janr 17th
[page 31]
[Parts of page missing or illegible]
[line torn]
[line torn]
__ and arrangements ___
Wedensday 18th
Leave Enterprise 2 1/2 ___
arrive at Columbia ____
Thursday 19th
Idle & uncomfortable?
Friday 20th __
Still Idle, ____
rain
Friday Febr 10th
Left Columbia?
this morning _____
Pickinsville
Nances? mill ____
night with ____
[page 32]
[Most of page torn or illegible]
[illegible line]
[illegible line]
13th ____
[illegible line]
with Dr Mc___
[illegible line]
[illegible line]
__ 18th 64
[rest of page illegible]
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