RHEA COUNTY, TN - MISC - Civil War Diary kept by W R Clack ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Edna Clack Woodchippy@AOL.Com ==================================================================== Civil War Diary kept by W R Clack Transcribed by Edna Clack Rout of the 43rd. Regt of Tenn Vol from Abington VA. - Took our exit Aug. 8th./62 WHEN DIST- NAMES OF PLACE COUNTY STATE ARRIVED ANCE Aug. Castle woods Rusel VA. 12 30 Sept. Gladesville Wise VA. 6 24 The county seat Pound Gap " " 9 16 Ky line Whitsburge Letahin Ky 10 15 County seat Beaver Creek Floyd " 12 35 Analasm " " 14 13 Lt MCarty killed Salyerville Magoffin " 15 30 Burning Gas West Liberty Morgan " 18 21 Warmly received Olympian Springs Bath " 20 37 Blue Grass Mt. Sterling Montgomery " 21 15 A banner presented to us Middletown Bonsboro " 29 12 Paris " " " 10 County Seat Centerville " " 30 5 Newtown Scott " " 6 Georgetown " " " 6 County seat Oct. Elkhorn River Franklin " 2 14 Frankford " " 4 4 State Capitol (continued on next page) Oct. Versailes Woodford Ky 5 14 Miss Emma Ky River " " 5 8 Salvisa Mercer " 6 6 Versailes Woodford " 8 14 a fight expected here today Lawrenceburg ----- " 9 12 chasing the enemy Salvisa Merceer " 10 14 Harrodesburg " " " 12 a fight inevitable tomorrow Dicks River ------ " 11 8 rather skedaddling Lancaster Lancaster " 14 12 Big Ridge ------ " 16 28 marched all night Rock Castle ------ " 17 16 London Laurel " 18 16 Oh say can Flat Lick ------ " 20 34 you see by Cumberlandford ------ " 21 6 C - Gap ------ Tenn 22 14 Tazewell Claiborn " 23 13 Clinch River ------ " 24 15 Blain's X Roads Grainger " 25 17 Snowed Cambel Station Knox " 30 36 Lenoir's Station Roane " " 9 Total 607 miles Written by W.R. Clack Nov 5th, 1862 (pointing hand) Continued Dec Kingston Roane Tenn 9 18 Lenoir's Station " " 20 18 enrout for Vicksburg Dalton ---- Ga. 22 87 Atlanta ---- " 24 100 West Point ---- Ala. 25 85 Montgomery ---- " " 85 Mobile ---- " 27 113 Meridian ---- Miss 28 134 Forest's Stn ---- " 21 47 Jackson ---- " 30 53 Jan. Vicksburg Warren " 1 45 Jany 1, 1863 May Port Gibson " " 2 45 they fought here yesterday near Vicksburg " " 4 35 Skirmish again yesterday Big Black R. " " 12 8 on picket Bovina " " 13 20 Edward's Depot ---- " 14 8 28 miles from Jackson Baker's Creek ---- " 16 -- Heavy fighting today Vicksburg Warren " 17 38 fight at Big Black Bridge The siege of Vicksburg lasted until July 4th, 1863. We left there on the 12th and arrived at home on the 28th. Total 2415 (3648) miles (signed) W. R. Clack END OF THE FIRST DIARY The following is a transcript of a small, leather bound diary kept by William Raleigh Clack (1839-1919) while he was at Vicksburg, Mississippi, during 1863. Transcribed by Edna Clack woodchippy@aol.com W. R. Clack Private of Co. B. 43 Regt. Tenn. Vols- Aged 24 years 3 mo. and 19 days This May 23, 1863 Yesterday the enemy attempted to charge our breastwork but were repulsed with great slaughter sharp shooters firing this morning -sharp shooting and heavy cannonading continued all day. May 24 - Sharp shooting and cannonading as usual this morning -continued all day - May 25 - Dueling commenced early again this morning. 3 o'clock p.m. - A flag of truce asking for permission to bury their dead. It was granted. All is quiet now on our line. May 26 - The enemy opened fire at daylight this morning. We moved over to the river below town just before daylight andtook a position in the trenches. 9 o'clock land batteries have commenced shelling town again and a number of gunboats in sight. The prospects for our success and deliverance seems to darken every day. Oh! May the God of heaven aid and deliver us from this unhappy state is the constant prayer of the writer May 27- Three gunboats come up opposite our line and shell us rapidly for an hour but hurt none of our regt. One man just to our right had his head shot off and two others were wounded. In the meantime another boat attempted to pass down by our batteries which was sunk up at town. Sharp shooting and cannonading is going on along our back lines and a general engagement is expected daily. It is reported that Genl. Johnson has attacked the enemy in the rear. 4 o'clock p.m. - The yankee pickets have come in sight of our lines. May 28 - Sharp shooters as usual opened fire at daylight. A few can be seen in sight of our line again this morning . The gun boats that attacked us yesterday are about two miles below on the opposite side of the river lying still. W. R. Clack May 29 - Firing commenced after day dawned again this morning. 8 o'clock a.m. - heavy cannonading going on along our back line and continued an hour or two. Twelve transports and two gun boats came down today and have anchored out in line of battle above Vicksburg. One boat came up and shelled us awhile today but done no damage to us. 3 o'clock p.m. - All appears quiet along our back lines at present. It has the appearance of rain this evening cloudy and thundering. Gun boat shelled us a while tonight. W. R. C. May 30 - Day dawned and the sun rose in its undimmed splendor this morning and all is quiet and still around old Vicksburg - not even the firing of a gun can be heard around our line. Those boats spoken of yesterday are still in sight above town - anchored out. 7 o'clock p.m. Mortars shelling us from the other side of the river and the gunboat dropping a shell occasionally from below. May 31 - 3 o'clock a.m. - heavy cannonading going on along our line on the left. 4 o'clock a.m. - Gun boat shelling us. One man belonging to the battery was wounded last night by a shell from the mortar. 6 o'clock a.m. - All appears quiet on our lines at this hour. The Yankees threw shells at us occasionally all day. W.R.C. June 1 - Heavy cannonading was heard this morning just at daybreak on our left. It is supposed they were making a charge on our trenches. All appears quiet at 7 o'clock -From 8 o'clock a.m. cannonading continued in a mild manner all day long on front lines. W.R.C. June 2 - All appears tolerably quiet this morning - occasionally a cannon can be heard. Lieut. Hopkins started home tonight. Moon is now shining bright and the Yankees are shelling town at 11 o'clock p.m. June 3 - All is quiet this morning. 3 o'clock p.m. - Gun boats are now shelling us. Charley Graves was wounded a few minutes ago by one of those shells. His leg will have to be amputated. 4 o'clock p.m. - Heavy cannonading at this hour on the back line - musketry can also be heard. It is reported that Johnson will attack the enemy on Friday the 5th. 8 o'clock p.m. - We left our trenches and moved up the line to the left, to support a weak point near the Hauls Ferry road. Heavy cannonading is now going on at that point. 9 o'clock p.m. - The gunboats have now come up and are now shelling the bottoms in the direction of town rapidly. They continued an hour, then calmed down and we got to sleep a little. W.R.C. June 4 - We are now in Col. Brad rear on the Hauls Ferry road sharp shooters opened fire at daylight this morning in our front. An attack is expected today. The minies and shellsare now whistling over our heads. God speed the happy hour when we shall be delivered from this unhappy state. 5 o'clock p.m. -I have just now been informed that some La troops went over the river and spiked those mortars opposite town last night. A negro boy had his head shot off with cannon ball in sight of us this morning and two other were wounded. He was in a house near the breastworks. 9 o'clock p.m. - firing has about ceased - occasionally we can hear a sharp report from the pickets. W.R.C. June 5 - Things are tolerable this morning - some shooting going on as usual on our lines. We are still held as reserve at the same place. 7 o'clock p.m. - I feel very unwell and have been all day. 9 o'clock - all is quiet tonight. Oh! Lord watch over us while we sleep tonight. W.R.C. June 6 - The sharp shooters opened fire at daylight this morning but in a milder manner than common - continued all day. Night has come on and the firmament is again decked with the beautiful stars, while we lay us down again to sleep upon the rough ground of Vicksburg. I pray heaven's blessings to rest upon us. W.R.C. June 7 - Several cannons were fired during the night on our line commenced as usual at day dawn. 9 o'clock a.m. W. Adams was just now wounded (thought mortally) by a spent ball. The Feds have just commenced shelling town again after an intermission of two days. W.R.C. June 8 - Things are going on as usual this morning. Another man of Co. D. was wounded this morning. 7 o'clock p.m.firing pretty rapid at this hour. We have received intelligence from Johnston and also from other points of a late date by the grapevine telegraph which is very cheering. It is said that an English fleet of boats have come over to our aid and are now in possession of New Orleans and General Lee has nearly destroyed the Yankee army in Virginia. Genl. Price has got possession of Helena above here on the Mississippi river; also that Genl. Loring has retaken Snider's Bluff on the Yazoo. W.R.C. June 9 - Some shooting continued all last night. Firing going on as usual this morning. Night has come on again and the Yankees are shelling town rapidly from the opposite side of the river. W.R.C. June 10 - Sharp shooting as usual again today. 4 o'clock p.m. -We have had a fine rain today. 5 o'clock p.m. -cannonading pretty rapidly at this hour. Night has again come on. The wind is blowing hard and a dark cloud is rising, while the bright lightnings play across the heavens and the awful thunder appears to shake the whole earth. Oh! May Jehovah, he who rides upon every tempest protect me tonight. W.R.C. June 11 - Very cloudy and damp this morning. It rained very hard last night and our things are nearly all wet - somesharp shooting going on today. We are liable to be struck with a ball any minute. We are in a position where they fall all around us and in our midst. J. L. Miller was struck with one today. The ball was well spent and didn't enter his flesh. It is reported that Genl. Grant has called for 100,000 more men to reinforce him, Genl. Price has taken Helena and therefore cut off his supplies. It is said we have in Vicksburg 31,380 men with 30 or 40 days rations. W.R.C. June 12 - Cannonading continued all night. Sharp shooters commenced operations early again this morning and continued all day. W.R.C. June 13 - Firing at intervals was kept up all last night. The sharp shooters as usual commenced their daily operations very early and in a little warmer manner than usual. June 14 - All around our lines was more quiet than usual last night, but we were awakened from our sleep early this morning by the sharp shooters. 12 o'clock - heavy cannonading to our left. It is supposed a charge is about being made upon our trenches. 7 o'clock p.m. - We have no news yet from the left. Another sabbath has passed and we are still confined to this same unhappy place and almost without any ray of hope of deliverance.Oh! Lord how long shall we remain in this state? Deliver us at once Oh! Lord. W.R.C. June 15 - Sharp shooting as usual today. It has the appearance of rain this morning. All the convalesce that are able have come out from the hospital by order of the Brig. surgeon. I judge from this that a heavy attack is expected upon our line. It is reported that the Yankees are receiving heavy reinforcements. 7 o'clock p.m. - This day passed off tolerably quiet. We wait impatiently for the hour of our deliverance. May God speed the hour. June 16 - Things are going on here this morning as usual. No change in anything as I can see. 7 o'clock p.m. - Warm firing has been kept up all day. I lie down again to rest with the ethereal blue for my covering, and pray the Lord to watch over me while I sleep. W. R. Clack June 17 - There was a right smart shooting during the last night. Firing as usual this morning. 6 o'clock p.m. - Co's B and G now starts out on picket in front of the trenches. 7 o'clock - we have arrived at the picket post. The bullets cut pretty close to us here. Speed - speed the hour that we'll deliver from this place. W.R.C. June 18 - Things passed off tolerably quiet last night. Sharp shooters opened fire early this morning. A Georgan belonging to our picket post was killed today. We were relieved from post at 6 o'clock p.m. by Co. K and retired to our camp and ate supper and lay down to rest. I had just gone to sleep and I was aroused from my slumber by the rattling of musketry. The enemy was attempting to drive in on our pickets and get possession of our post. The remainder of our regiment was ordered out and took a position in the renches with Col. Barklelew. By this time the firing had pretty well ceased as our boys still occupied their post. We had one man wounded. WRC June 19 - We left the trenches at daylight this morning and came back to our old position in the hollow. Things are tolerably quiet this morning - some sharp shooting going on 7 o'clock p.m. - all passed off tolerably quiet today. We commenced drawing flour today. WRC June 20 - Heavy cannonading commenced at daylight this morning and continued until 11 o'clock - While the bombs bursted and the pieces fall all around us and among us but hit none of our regiment. Thanks be to high heaven for our protection. The evening passed off tolerably quiet. WRC June 21 - Another Sabbath morning has rolled around and found us still confined to the neighboring hill of Vicksburg without any better prospects of our deliverance. It is reported that Johnson has attacked the enemy but I doubt it. Sharp shooters are pecking away as usual this morning. Warm firing was kept up all day. WRC June 22 - At 12 o'clock last night Co. B and G. and one Co. of 57 Ga. was ordered outside of our entrenchments to attack and drive the enemy from the ditches which was near our picket post. We succeeded in driving them from their first ditch. But we were forced by over whelming numbers to fallback as their ditch did not give us any protection from the enemies fire; which we did in good order. Lieut. Crookshanks was killed; Sargeant Denton and Gilbert Murray was wounded of Co. G -Capt. Cawood, Sargent Miller and Wm. Brady of Co. B was wounded. One of the Ga. was killed and two wounded. It was with great reluctance that I went into it, but I said nothing. I saw it could not profit us anything for we could not hold it when taken. I thank God that we escaped as well as what we did. Sharp shooting going on as usual today. Oh Lord my heavenly Master deliver us from this unhappy state.Hear my prayer Oh! God and save us from the destruction of our enemies. W.R.C. June 23 - Another attempt was made last night to charge the enemy trenches by six Co's of our regiment and a squad of Georgians which was successful. We drove them back and filled up their ditch, but our regiment suffered severely. We had twenty one killed and wounded. George Loy of Co. B. was killed and Andy Hughes and Wm. Boles as wounded. Though it is said the Yankees occupy the same ground again oday that they did yesterday. Andy Hughes died today. Loy was not killed instantly but die d early this morning. W. R. Clack June 24 - The next regiment to our left charged the Yankee ditches in their front last night and drove them back, but the Yankees occupied their old position today. Sharpshooting as usual today and the Mortar battery is shelling town. W. R. Clack June 25 - Four companies of our regiment (Co. B was one of the four) was ordered out last night to reinforce Col. B. as a heavy attack was expected to be made last night. We remained there in the ditches until 11 or 12 o'clock when we were relieved by a regiment and received orders to move back to our old position on the river. Daylight has come and the sharp shooters are at work -an attack is expected here today. The Yankees appear to be pressing upon our lines. Major Guthre was wounded today by a ball from sharp shooters. We had heavy cannonading here on the lower end of our lines this evening. Night has come on and one third of us has to be on watch and while we stand as bold sentinels upon the watchtower around Vicksburg, I pray Heaven's blessings to rest upon us and that the all seeing eye of Jehovah may watch over us and protect us from all danger and harm. W.R.C. June 26 - Sharp shooters firing away as usual this morning 4 o'clock p.m. we have received orders to move back to support Col. Bartlow. 7 o'clock we now start out to the trench. June 27 - We got to rest last night. Everything was more quiet all night than common. Firing commenced at daylight again this morning. 8 o'clock a.m. - the mortars are dropping shells about us. They are throwing them about five miles. 7 o'clock p.m. We now start out to the trenches again. A young man by the name of Garghess belonging to the 3rd Tenn. Regt. was killed here in fifty yards of me this evening with a piece of a shell. Oh! Lord I pray for thy protection. W. R. Clack June 28 - Another Sabbath has found me alive and well for which I feel very thankful and glorify my heavenly Master. Things were very quiet last night. I worked nearly all night planting a battery. Sharp shooters commenced operating as usual at daylight. Lieut. Clepes of Co. E was mortally wounded this morning. He was in the trenches. W. R. C. June 29 - Sharp shooting today as usual. Mathisas of Co. F. died in the trenches this morning of cramp. He did not live more than ten minutes after he was taken. King Stalcup of the 31st Tenn. Regt. was killed last night by some of our own men. The Yankees made a charge on our right this evening but were repulsed. W.R.C. June 30 - Some picket fighting done last night to our right. Sharp shooting as usual today. 10 o'clock a.m. - pretty heavy cannonading to our right at this hour. We lie in the trenches every night. The sun has now set beneath the western horizon for the last time in June, '63 and we are still in possession of Vicksburg. W.R.C. July 1 - William Bowles of Co. P. died last night about 10 o'clock. Things are moving along here about as usual today. W.R.C. July 2 - Firing was kept up all night from the mortar batteries on the opposite side of the river. Sharp shooters as usual this morning. The evening passed off tolerably quiet. WRC July 3 - Things are rocking along as usual this morning. 10 o'clock General Pemberton sent out a flag of truce requesting General Grant to cease firing on our hospital. All was quiet up until 1 o'clock p.m. - 3 o'clock p.m. Heavy cannonading along the river. 6 o'clock p.m. - Pemberton now sends out another flag of truce trying to make a compromise preparatory for a surrender. 7 o'clock we now go to the trenches. All is very quiet now. WRC July 4 - All is very quiet this morning around Vicksburg. The boys and the Yanks are conversing together.10 o'clock a.m. -Vicksburg is surrendering on account of our rations giving out. We marched to General Reynold's headquarters and stacked our arms and then came back to our old position where we expect to remain until we are paroled. The evening passed off very quiet. WRC July 5 - Sabbath morning has again rolled around and I (with many others) as a prisoner. The Yankees visited us today and we conversed freely and friendly together. We are treated with great hospitality by them. Today has been unusually calm. W.R. Clack July 8 - Wm. Casey was seriously burnt this evening by foolishly setting powder on fire. We have not as yet received our paroles but expect to get them in the morning. W. R. Clack July 9 - We have just returned from town with our apparoles. WRC July 10 - Wm. Hill died last night. My friend (?)died day before yesterday. We are expecting to leave here tomorrow morning. WRC July 12 - Yesterday we drew six days rations preparatory for a trip to Jackson, Miss, and today we marched out at 7 o'clock a.m. and tonight we are camped 7 1/2 miles from Vicksburg on the railroad. It has the appearance of rain tonight. W.R. Clack July 13 - We marched out this morning at 4 o'clock and struck camp at 6 o'clock p.m in 8 1/2 miles of Raymond - distance 15 miles. I had a pretty severe chill this evening with fever. WRC July 14 - We marched out at 5 o'clock a.m. and came Via Raymond to Coopers Wells - distance 13 1/2 miles. Lieut. Pyott, J.H.C. Pyott and Thomas Roddy were left at Raymond in the hospital sick. WRC July 17 - I am so unwell that I cannot keep up my journal any longer. We are moving along the best we can. A good many of the boys are chilling. July 21 - We have at last arrived at Enterprise, the place so long looked for. We are to take the train in the morning for Mobile at 7 o'clock. It is now raining hard, but we are under shelter. My health is improving. WRC July 24 - We left Enterprise yesterday morning at 8 o'clock a.m. and arrived at Mobile at 8 o'clock p.m. and lay by through the night. 7 o'clock a.m. We are now passing up Tom Bigbee on the boat. WRC July 28 - I arrived at home today. (END OF DIARY) The following is an alphabetical listing of the names mentioned in the Vicksburg Diary kept by W.R. Clack Adams, W. Lee, General Barklelew, Colonel Loring, General Bartlow, Colonel Loy, George Boles, Willaim Mathisas Brad, Colonel Miller, J.L. Brady, William Miller, Sargeant Casey, William Murray, Gilbert Cawood, Capt. A.J. Pemberton, General Clepes, Lieut. Price, General Crookshanks, Lieut Pyott, Lieut. Denton, Sargeant Pyott, J.H.C. Garghess Reynolds, General Gillespie, Colonel James W. Roddy, Thomas Grant, General Stalup, King Graves, Charley Guthrie, Major Hill, William Hopkins, Lieut Hughes, Andy Johnson, General