Smith, Henry A. Diary (1864)

              [page 1]
Monday August 22 /64 
There was no fighting 
to day at Petersburg 
we made on yesterday 
several attempts to 
dislodge the Enemy 
from the P & Weldon 
R Road but all our 
attempts thus far 
have been fruitless. 
The Enemy are verry 
strongly fortified & I 
am afraid it will 
bafle all of our strateg[y] 
& efforts to regain 
possession of the Road 
we have captured over 
three thousand prisoners 
in the last three days & 
our loss is also quite 
heavy. The Yankees 
in our front are quie[t] 
except an occasiona[l] 
shell thrown at our 
lines from their gun 
Boats. We had a heavy 
rain this eveng. I have 
had a headache all da[y]


[page 2]
Tuesday Augt 23d 1864 
The Yankees still have 
possession of the R Road 
near Petersburg & are 
entrenching themselves 
very strongly. we are 
also strengthning our 
position. Everything 
has been quiet to-day 
but matters cannot 
remain so very long 
for one side or the 
other will doubtless 
commence offensive 
operations. I have 
been reading all day 
long having nothing 
else to do. Have had 
no letters from home 
in a long while & I 
am in great & painful 
suspense to hear from 
Atlanta but as our 
mail communications 
have been again interupte[d] 
there is no telling when 
I will get letters. The 
weather is very hot 


[page 3]
Wednesday Augt. 24th /64 
I have been quite busy 
most all forenoon in 
the office. This afternoon 
I finished reading "East 
Linn or the Earls Daughter 
by [blank] it is a well 
written novel most all 
the characters are very 
good & well sustained. 
I have not read a Novel 
for a long while that I 
enjoyed more than East 
Linn the work has been 
dramatized & is now being 
played at the Richmond 
Theatre I should like very 
much to see it playd on 
the stage. we had orders 
this afternoon to march to 
Petersburg. we left about 5 
oclock this eveng crossed 
the James on Pontoons. Greggs & 
Benning's Brigs of our Div 
was left over on the North 
side of the Jas. I walked 
until dark (8 miles) & then 
got into the wagon. The weath[er] 
is quite warm & dry. 


[page 4]
Thursday Augt. 25th 1864 
Our Div or at least a 
portion of it arrived in 
Petersburg about 1 o'clock 
this morng. our wagon 
train got in about the 
same time. Our Hd Qrs 
are established in the 
Eastern part of the city 
just inside the incorporate 
limits. There has been 
a right spirited engagemen[t] 
going on this afternoon 
on the Weldon Road. The 
cannonading is terrific. 
only one Brigade of our 
Div (Anderson’s) is engaged 
in it. we captured 2000 
prisoners & several pieces 
Artillery. I am very 
tired & much fatigued 
from the walk I took 
yesterday eveng & loosing 
sleep last night I feel 
dull & stupid to day. t[he] 
weather is quite hot & 
oppresive. 


[page 5]
Friday Augt 26th 1864 
We had quite a heavy 
blow last night accompanied 
by rain thunder & lightning 
our tent realed to & fro as 
if it was bent on going 
over but we manged to 
keep it up by a little 
extra exertion. Early this 
morning we were disturbe[d] 
of our slumbers by a 
very heavy artillery 
duel on our left in 
front of Petersburg I 
presume the results wer[e] 
of no importance as 
usual only a useless 
expenditature of ammuniti[on] 
for no purpose. with 
the exception of the firin[g] 
this mornig it has been 
rather quiet on the 
lines. I have been 
idle pretty much all 
day nothing to do & out 
of reading matter. so I 
am perfectly miserable 
in consequence of it 


[page 6]
Saturday Augt. 27 /64 
We had another 
storm of rain & wind 
last night after we 
had retired but had 
to get up & peg down 
the tent to prevent 
its going over. I comme'd 
getting up my "Mourty 
Return" to day only 
three Brigades sent in 
their reports, so I 
did not finish it 
up to-day. no movemen[t] 
on hand to-day of 
the army that I am 
aware of. Every [thing ?] 
is rather quiet 
on the lines. & The 
troops are resting 
that is a portion 
of our army. 
The weather is 
delightfully cool 
& pleasant 


[page 7]
Sunday Augt 28 /64 
There was considerable 
mortar shelling on 
the lines last night 
by both sides. To day 
has been rather quiet 
with the exception now & 
then of a shell being 
thrown into the city. 
I have had a little 
copying to do in the office 
this fore noon & after 
getting through read 
quite a number of 
chapters in the Bible. This 
afternoon, I attended 
the Methodist Church 
in Petersburg. The text 
was taken from the 62d 
Psalm several verses of 
that Chapter. The sermon 
was plain & practical 
& the choir singing rather 
ordinary the congregation 
consisting principally of 
soldiers was rather small 
the weather is extremely 
pleasant 


[page 8]
Monday Augt 29th 1864 
There is no change in the 
situation of affairs around 
Petersburg. The Enemy have 
been shelling the city a 
goodeal for the last two or 
three days. our Batteries are 
not idle for they reply to 
the enemies with much 
spirit & vim. To day the 
great national convention 
in the U States meets at 
Chicago for the purpose 
of making nominees  for 
the forthcoming Presidential 
Election. The results of this 
convention is looked for 
with much interest and 
anxiety both at the North 
& in the Confederate States. We 
at the South hope & trust 
that a peace candidate 
will be the nominee for 
the President. but it is 
hard to conjecture at the 
present the results we 
live in hope that something 
may turn up that will 
bring about an ajustment 
of our National troubles. 


[page 9]
Tuesday Augt. 30th 1864 
I have been busy all 
day copying orders and 
finishing my monthly 
Return which has been 
no light job but a very 
tiresome & tedious one. I 
have been so busy all 
day that I failed to read 
my bible as is my daily 
practice. I had a letter 
from sister Mollie & bro 
Jas this eveng the first 
tidings I have had from 
home in nearly a month 
it was a great relief 
to get it. I had been very 
uneasy about the family 
ever since the Enemy have 
been shelling Atlanta & I 
am still in suspense 
until the hateful Yankees 
can be driven back. The 
Yankees have been 
shelling Petersburg with a 
perfect vim all day 
though with but little 
damage. The weather is 
cool & bracing nights are cold 


[page 10]
Wednesday Augt 31st 1864 
There was very heavy 
cannonading & picket 
firing kept up all 
last night on our lines 
but no firing on the 
city as usual. To day 
has been unusual 
quiet no firing at all. 
The news from Ga to 
day stating that Sherman 
had secured the West 
Point Road & was fortifying 
is not very cheering. by 
this movement it is feared 
that he will force Genl Hood 
to uncover Atlanta thereby 
exposing the city to the 
mercy of raiders. I hope 
though it may all work 
out right yet though we 
are almost out of patience 
awaiting more cheering 
news from Ga. The weather 
is cool & pleasant but the 
nights are really cold 
for the season I sleep 
cold under 2 blankets 


[page 11]
Thursday September 1st 1864 
The Yankees commenced 
shelling Petersburg this fore- 
noon about 11 oclock & 
kept it up for about 3 
hours the firing was 
very brisk & heavy. Our 
Batteries opened a furious 
fire in the mean time 
upon the Enemies lines. 
The firing was terrific. 
The Enemy is reported 
again to be throwing some 
of their forces over on the 
North side of the James. 
They are constantly shifting 
from the South to the 
North side of the river 
but they always find a 
heavy force of Rebels to 
confront them let them 
turn up where they may. 
Have done but little 
writing to day. Employ 
most of my leisure in reading. 
however I have not been 
altogether idle to day for I have 
been sewing on my clothes. 


[page 12]
Friday September 2d 1864 
There has been a 
perfect derth to-day 
in the way of news 
we have no tidings 
from any of the differen[t] 
theatres of war. The 
usual shelling and 
Artillery dueling has 
been going on to day 
on our lines but with 
no important results. 
I have occupied the 
time to-day in various 
ways viz copying 
orders reading news- 
papers & sewing. Our 
rations of late are 
rather scanty & consists 
in fat bacon & flour 
& sometimes meal is 
issued in lieu of flour 
pretty hard living 
but we are thankful 
to get what we do 
The weather is 
delightful but the nights ar[e] 
cold 


[page 13]
Saturday Sept 3d 1864 
I have been busy this 
fore noon copying 
orders. This afternoon 
I have devoted to 
reading. There has been 
considerable shelling 
again to day in front 
on our lines. Great many 
of the shells exploded 
in a short distance of 
our Hd Qrs but all 
fell short though some 
of the pieces comes too 
near to be comfortable. 
We have been holding 
ourselves in readiness 
for another tramp for the 
last two days, as the Yankee[s] 
have been making anothe[r] 
demonstration on the 
north side of the James. 
It has been rather quiet 
on the picket line to day 
heard no small arms 
at all, no firing except 
Artillery which is more 
or less kept up every day. 


[page 14]
Sunday Sept 4th 1864 
We have had bad 
news to-day from Ga 
which casts a gloom 
over every one. Official 
despatches have been 
received giving a brief 
account of a reverse to 
our arms near Atlanta 
which involved the 
city. Our lines were 
broken by the Yankee Genl 
Sherman massing 
the most of his army 
on our left after we 
had repulsed them 
three or four times they 
finally succeeding 
in breaking through 
our lines of defence 
thus cutting our 
army in two. So this 
successful movement 
on the part of the 
Yankees caused 
the evacuation of 
Atlanta which 
was done by our 

[page 15]
"continued" 
forces on the 1st of 
the month. Genl Hood 
has certainly been 
out Generald by the 
Yankee Genl Sherman 
& this unfortunate 
affair is rather a 
serious one for our cause 
just at this time while 
the peace element at the 
north was gaining ground 
so rapidly but this reverse 
to our arms will I fear 
extinguish this element that 
is so much desired. I 
feel dreadful low spirted & 
worried greatly about our 
family as a part of them 
must certainly be in the 
Yankee lines. I hope all will 
work out for the best though 
I cannot but fear the 
worst is still in store for 
us. I attended the 2d 
Presbyterian Church this after- 
noon in Petersburg Rev Mr 
Miller preached. He is 
quite a good speaker & very 
interesting 


[page 16]
Monday Sept 5th 1864 
About 12 oclock 
last night the enemy 
opened a terrific fire 
upon the city & our 
lines generally. Our 
batteries all up & down 
the lines replied vigerously 
& the firing continued 
for some 30 or 40 minutes 
& then ceased. The shells & 
fragments past all around 
us at Hd Qrs but no one 
was hurt. we have no 
additional news from 
our Army in Ga to-day. 
but the situation in that 
part of the Confederacy is 
rather gloomy to say the 
least of it. Matters are 
rather quiet in our front 
we hear an occasional 
shot from the different 
batteries during the day. I 
have had a very sore throat 
for two or three days past. Had 
a long letter from sister Mollie 
to day the last I will get soon I fear 


[page 17]
Tuesday September 6th 1864 
we had a very severe 
thunder storm last night 
I had hard work to 
keep dry as our tent 
leaks & the rain beat in 
the tent in spite of our 
efforts to prevent it. The 
papers contained the 
death of our gallant 
cavalier Jno H Morgan 
this mornig he was 
killed by the Yankees 
in East Tenn. His 
career though brief was 
a brilliant one. There 
has been the usual 
artillery firing on 
our lines to-day there is 
no indications of any 
movements on hand 
by either side. The 
Yank still hold possession 
of some 4 or 5 miles of 
the Weldon Road. This 
has been a very disagreeable 
day raining most all 
day & very chilly. 


[page 18]
Wednesday Septim 7th 1864 
It is reported that 
Grant is massing the 
most of his forces on 
the Weldon Road with 
the intention of throwing 
his left around towards 
the south side RR that 
runs from Petersburg to 
Lynchburg & in all 
probability by extending 
his lines in that direction 
will bring on an engage- 
ment soon. There has 
been the usual shelling 
on the lines to day & 
some picket firing.  
The Yankees are rejoicing 
over the capture of 
Atlanta & say that the 
Rebelion will soon be 
crushed, but they have 
crushed it so often that 
it has become an old song 
The weather is quite 
cool & the nights are 
really cold 

[page 18a] 
another version of page 18 


[page 19]
Thursday Sept 8th 1864 
This had been another 
long & tiresome day very 
little business to do in the 
office therefore the time 
drags heavily by. We have 
had the usual Artillery 
firing to day though 
as usual it dont amount 
to anything more than 
a little practice betwin 
the batteries. The Enemy 
still throw occasionally 
a shell into the city 
though with but little 
damage. I have had 
a sore throat for 
several days past 
which renders me 
very uncomfortable. It 
is rather painful to 
eat notwithstanding 
we dont have much 
to eat. Flour & the fattest 
kind of bacon & that of 
a verry poor quality is 
the present issue. This 
has been a rainy day & 
chilly. 


[page 20]
Friday Sept 9th 1864 
I had a letter this 
morning from sister 
Mollie dated at Atlanta 
31st Augt The family 
had just moved back 
home from Dr. Hords 
where they had been 
seeking refuge during 
the shelling of the city. 
At the time of Mollies 
writing she had no idea 
that the next day they 
would all be in the Yankee 
lines as the city was 
evacuated on the 1st & the 
Yankees immediate took 
possession. I feel dreadful 
worried about the family 
but I will trust in our 
Heavenly Father to watch 
over & protect them from all 
harm & danger. I have 
been very blue & low spirite[d] 
for several days on account 
of our misfortunes. no 
change in the military 
situation at this place. 


[page 21]
Saturday Sept 10th 1864 
There was considerable 
firing on the lines this 
mornig before day of 
Artillery & small arms. 
also there has been 
some artillery firing 
throughout the day but 
without any important 
results. This forenoon 
I have been quite 
busy copying & correcting 
the Inspection reports 
of the different Brigs 
of the Div. This after- 
noon I have spent in 
various ways reading 
sewing etc. we have 
had no news to-day 
from any quarter. 
even no rumors 
afloat which is something 
quite unusual. for Madam 
rumor is very seldom 
idle these times. The 
weather is quite pleasant 
though the nights are 
really cold for the season 


[page 22]
Sunday Sept 11th 1864 
This forenoon I 
attended Divine Service 
at the Second Presbyterian 
church in the city. Also 
attended the same 
church this afternoo[n] 
Rev Mr Miller 
preached on both 
occasions. I enjoyed 
his sermons to the 
fullest extent. he is 
quite an interesting 
preacher & his delive[ry] 
is very fine indeed 
I have spent this 
Sabbath very pleasant 
being permitted the 
times to attend service 
is indeed a privilege 
that I am very thankf[ul] 
for. I wrote two letter[s] 
this eveng to the nort[h] 
to go by flag of truce. 
- we had a fine rai[n] 
this eveng lasting about 
half hour. It is quite 
pleasant since 


[page 23]
Monday Sept 12th 1864 
I have been feeling 
verry sad & gloomy to day 
about our family. I see 
by the papers this morng 
that tyrant & barbarous 
scoundrel Sherman has 
offered Genl Hood an armistice 
for 10 days in order that [missing section] 
the loyal citizens of Atlanta 
may be sent into our lines & 
those who take the oath of 
legiance to the US [look ?] to be sent 
North of the Tenn River It is 
a barberous & inhuman order 
& so denounced by Genl Hood 
though he accepts the armistice 
I guess the poor unfortunate 
families who were caught 
in the lines when Atlanta 
fell will not be allowed to 
take out anything with 
them not to say anything 
[a]bout sacrificing their homes 
[to] those mercinary wretches 
Surely a just God will 
meet out to that monster 
Sherman a just retribution 


[page 24]
Tuesday Sept 13th 1864 
To day has been [observed ?] 
in Richmond & Petersburg 
as a day of "Fasting himms 
& prayer". I attended 
the forenoon service 
in Petersburg at the 
2d Presbyterian Church. 
we had a most 
excellent discourse 
delivered by the Rev 
Mr [blank] 
I listened to the sermon 
with much attention 
& with considerable 
interest. There was quite 
a large & attentive cong- 
regation present. It 
has been unusualy 
quiet to day on the 
lines & have heard 
but very few guns 
Our men are not idle 
they are at work on all 
the fortifications around 
the city strengtheng them. 
the weather is quite pleasa[nt]