17th S.C.V South Carolina

About ten o’clock in the morning we were ordered to march. We knew not where, but which soon proved itself to be a battle. We passed thru a little thicket of black jack scrubs into an old field planted with care, directly in the rear of Mr. Howlett’s house. Around the house the skirmishers and the Yankees were hotly engaged and we marched up to support them within forty yards of the house, directly in front of us was our extreme line of fortifications, and about a quarter mile distance we saw the Yankee line. These were to be taken by us.

Eventful day. Last night about 9 o’clock, we were ordered to take up line of march immediately and report to General Beauregard’s¹headquarters, 14 miles away. We started and trudged along, awful tired and sleepy, reaching the neighborhood of headquarters about 2 o’clock in the morning. Just as we got there ours and the Yankee pickets were actively engaged firing very heavily about quarter of a mile distance. We knew that stirring times were coming. We lay down in the woods and slept ‘till day soundly. At daybreak we marched out to take our position.

We are now in the vicinity of Petersburg, and have heard our and the enemy’s pickets firing all day. Had a terrific battle here two days ago, a complete victory for us. We expect to go into battle any moment. I am now in one mile of my Grand Uncle John Avery, General Lee has so far whipped old Grant. We got a thorough wetting today from rain. In coming here on the train we saw the effect of the Yankee raiders on the P&W Railroad. Houses burned, track torn up, dead horses, etc. General Walker is now in command of our Brigade, four regiments all together.

May 8th - On guard today, a blockader ran into this port this morning. No news form Virginia. Corn bread and water for my meals today. Two cases of small pox at hospital.

May 9th - Relieved this morning from guard. All quiet today.

May 10th - Colonel Miller of 12th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers was killed in the battle. He was from Yorkville and a brave, courageous officer. So far we are entirely victorious in Virginia. The wires were cut by the Yankee raiders and we will get no more news until they are repaired. No news in camp.

The battle still progressing. No orders for us yet, nothing new. Hard up for something to eat. Living on corn meal and spoiled bacon. We have just received the lamentable news of the death of General Micah Jenkins¹ of Yorkville. He was the pride of South Carolina, one of here noblest sons and should be consecrated by fame as an immortal hero. I was tenderly attached him, having been his pupil for three years at the military school of York, and he was particular friend of the family.

All quiet. Still on Provost Duty in the City. The big fight is begun in Virginia between Lee and Grant¹. The enemy is advancing on Richmond from every direction. Terrific battle going on. Great excitement prevails, except amid the soldiers who look on the thing as a necessary consequence, and thank their stars they are not as yet participant, but we look for orders constantly to leave for the scene of action.

May 1st - Today is the Sabbath, sleep all morning to regain my lost sleep. This evening hear an excellent sermon by our Chaplain, Mr. Morse. Find a great relief in getting something better to eat than hard crackers which we had been eating for the last eight days.

May 2nd - Nothing new in camp. Drill today, the first in a long time.

May 3rd - On guard duty in camp today. Orders to conduct some prisoners (deserters) to prison in Wilmington, which I did without trouble.

We remained in camp about two weeks before we took up another march, and this march was back to Johns Island. A courier came dashing into camp suddenly, bringing news that the enemy had landed in force on Johns Island, and that the gunboats were advancing put he Stone River. The long roll was sounded, 3 days rations were gotten ready, and in an hours time we were on the march.

We are again at camp, having been for the last 8 days on the road with prisoners. We left Wilmington about dusk on the 23rd and travelled all night, reaching Goldsboro next morning about 8 o’clock, stayed here only a few moments when we ran though on the same train for Tarboro, reach her late in the evening. I found Tarboro to be one of the prettiest places that I ever saw, and, from appearances, seemed to to be a place of wealth. Beautiful residences, surrounded by shady yards, bounded the principal street.

Last night, we were aroused about 12 o’clock by the long roll, and we rolled out of bed much to our dissatisfaction, pulled on our clothes in a hurry, ran out and fell in ranks with guns and accouterments, but it proved to be a false alarm, so far as we were concerned, since we did not leave camp. But the Yankees landed about eight miles below us and burned the North Carolina salt works retiring as soon as they had burned the works. Nothing new today. We catch some fish out of my beautiful river.