John Wesly Culpepper Diary (Cont.)

The day continued to pass but we received no orders to march. 6 more persons {prisoners} were brought in today by the Cavalry.

The Gen. and his aids are quartered in about 100 yards from our camp. I went there today and saw him. One of his aids is named Washington, a relative of Gen. Washington. He is quite a gentlemanly looking little fellow, I suppose about 20 or 21 years of age, and weight {sic} from 125 to 140 lbs. I was at our Cols. quarters this evening. He and the balance of our field officers seemed to be enjoying themselves finely.

They are faring like the balance of us. Sleep on the ground without anything to shelter them from the weather. While there was amused when our quarter master asked me, to stand a little further and let him get that pillow, when he gathered a large stone which was under my feet. I told him that would do to put in the papers. He was perfectly correct in calling it a pillow, for they serve that purpose admirably.

Lieut. Col. Gardner went out today to see if he could make any discovery as to the position and strength of the enemy. When he returned, he said he went within a few hundred yards of the enemy at Martinsburg. He was near enough to them to see all their movements. They saw him and took 4 fair pops at him; but the bullets went above his head.

The gentleman who went with him returned the fire with a Sharp’s rifle, when the cowardly rascals took to trees, rocks etc., like savage Indians.

Saturday July 6th.

We were told last night that we would have a warm breakfast this morning - the first since we left Winchester. I went over in town (Darksburg) before sun up and to get something good to eat. I got a very good breakfast free of charge, and invited to call again.

I returned to camp about 8 o’clock when we were called into line for drill. When Judge Howard, Pink Howard and Mr. Abrahams learned that we were going to leave they concluded to stay and go with us. They did so; but the Judge and Pink left us this morning. Mr. Abrahams is still with us.

Our scouts have brought in 3 or 4 Yankees today. We received intelligence at 2 o’clock, thus the enemy were advancing upon us with 20000. The line of battle was formed and Gen. Johnston rode around and inspected the whole army. Every regiment he passed would give three cheers for Gen. Johnston.

All the excitement passed and no fight yet. We were again calm and contented. The boys spent the evening in wrestling, scuffling, running foot races etc. About dark {a} very heavy cloud arose. The thunder and vivid flashes of lightening indicated a very heavy rain and perhaps a considerable storm. All these circumstances surrounded us and we were destitute of a single tent.

We got rails and all the planks we could find, and made a sort of tent frame which we covered with our oil cloths. By this means we managed to fix up a very comfortable resting place. The lightening flashed and the thunder rolled all indicated a heavy storm.

Sunday July 7th.

We were ordered this morning to march back to Winchester. The whole army seemed to be indignant at the idea of going back to Winchester without a fight. But our Gens. knowing all the points, thought best to make this movement.

We left Camp at 8 or 9 o’clock. When we got to Bunkersville, a distance of 3 or 4 miles, I fell out of ranks to get water. I met up with Noah, and we went to a house where I had gotten something to eat everytime we had passed that place. The lady told me, the soldiers had eaten almost everything she had cooked, but she gave us some light bread, honey and sweetmilk. We then got some water and started on. We had gone {one-} half mile, when we halted under some shade trees, where there were some nice young ladies. I had an interview with one of them of 15 or 20 minutes. She told me she left Martinsburg at 5 o’clock the evening before. She said the Yankees were there and had possession of the town, and her father was making his way to Winchester with his whole family to be protected by our Southern troops.

Gen Smith of Florida³³ , one of Gen. Johnston’s aids, rode up and stopped. About the time he rode up, our ladies left, and I was glad to have that opportunity to ask him something in reference to our unexpected return to Winchester, without a fight. I had quite an interesting interview with him and found him to be very sociable. He said the movement was a prudent one, but that it was as mortifying to Gen. Johnston’s feelings as to any one’s on the entire army to make it. But prudence dictated such a course, under the circumstances.

He said Gen. Johnston was all right. One of the bravest and most prudent men in the nation. That there was no doubting his military ability or skill as a commander.

I then had a pleasant conversation upon general topics. Our boys came up and fell in, very much refreshed. We halted to rest frequently, as the day was very warm.

During the day I got acquainted with Mr. Washington, another of Gen. Johnston’s aids. I asked what relation he was to Gen. George Washington. He told me, his father’s grandmother was George Washington’s niece. He is son of Col. Washington whom old John Brown took prisoner about the time of the Harper’s Ferry raid. He resides near Charlestown, and 8 or 10 miles from Harper’s Ferry. He is 21 or 22 years of age and weights {sic} from 125 to 140. He is a graduate of West Point N.Y. and bids fare to be a useful man.

Notwithstanding the extreme warm weather, we all stood the trip finely. As we drew near Winchester the boys would hollow {colloq.} for those up front to press on, for they wished to get home as soon as possible. We all call this place home. And it nearly seems like home indeed. It is the pleasantest {sic} place we have ever camped. We came through town about sunset. The place was crowded. The Malitia {sic} had assembled since we left numbering 3000. We got to our camp about dark. The boys were very tired, and most of them complained of blistered feet.

I stood the march remarkably well, much better than most of the company some of the boys who came on wagons, had prepared something to eat; but I went to a private house near by and got some bread, butter honey and clabber. I paid 25 cents but don’t think I ate 10 cents worth. The only thing I regret is that he is an abolitionist. I did not know it at that time however.

Monday July 8th 1861.

The boys all complained this morning of being very sore; and some are sick, from the effects of our trip.

Several of our boys have the measles and mumps. I am all right. Don’t feel the effects of the march but little. As we were not going to drill, I went to get some clothes washed for Noah, Simeon, Gus and myself.

I went to a house 1/2 mile from Camp, and left our clothing at a private house 1/2 mile from town.

I then went to town and took dinner with an old gentleman, whose son was in the battle fought below Martinsburg. The young man got wounded in the right arm and was brought home. He told me that he shot 20 rounds, and killed to his certain knowledge 2 Yankees, and got upon a fence to shoot another, when he was shot off the fence. He was but slightly injured. He says he will be ready again in a few days.

The dinner suited me finely. I had snap beans, the first I have seen since I left Georgia, and last summer at that.

I was not charged anything and invited to call again. I returned to camp, when I received some letters from home containing $16.00. Mr. Abrahams left on the coach at 2 o’clock p.m. and I sent a letter to father requesting him to send me some money immediately.

Tuesday July 9th.

It rained very hard this evening and it seems likely to continue all night. Nothing of interest has occured {sic} today. I have been up to see Noah and find him very well. Several of his company are down with the mumps.

Wednesday July 10th

We received orders today to cook three or four days’ rations, to pack up everything and be ready to leave by 1 o’clock p.m. if not before. It was not known where we would be ordered. Some said one place and some said another.

I went after our cloths and got all things ready; but we got no marching orders. It rained a very good shower this evening. Everything is rather damp, but we keep very dry in our tents.

Thursday July 11.

Nothing occured today of interest. Martial Law was proclaimed in Winchester today.

We had Batallion drill at 4 this evening, and performed finely. Several of our boys have gone to town recently with measles and mumps. We have had 2 deaths in our Regiment. One from the Stevens³⁴ light guard. The other from the Oglethrop³⁵ light infantry. Measles and mumps are very prevalent throughout the whole army.

Friday July 12th 1861.

We were drilled this morning by Lieut Mehley. it is reported here that Lincoln’s Congress has made a proposition for peace but it is not yet known upon what conditions.

Capt. Howard and Lieuts. Malone and Glass are not able to perform duty today. Batallion drill at 4 this evening. Maj. Cooper acted as Col. I think officers and privates were ashamed of the performance. The artillerist {sic} drilled near us. Their performance was excellent.

I wrote 8 pages home today, - will send the letter off tomorrow morning.

The balance are sick or complaining. Mr. J.C. Morris and I went into the country this evening. We spent most of our time at the house of a wealthy old Irishman. He has quite an intelligent and beautiful daughter, with whom we spent an hour or two very pleasantly.

At 4 o’clock p.m. we returned to camp, it commenced raining and continued till night. I took supper at Mr. Pedy’s tent in the 7th Regiment.

Sunday July 14th.

It was quite cool this morning. The weather here today is about as cold as October in Ga. I acted today as orderly for Col. Bartow. My duty was to carry dispatches to the officers of the brigade. I carried one to a Kentucky company at the Fare Ground {sic} , about a mile beyond town. It was the first time I had been upon a horse’s back since I left Ga. I put through at the rate of 240. I was soon in camp again.

There was preaching in the brigade toady, by a Mr. Tupper of Washington Georgia. He came with the 9th regiment as Chaplain. I learn he is very wealthy, and carrys {sic} upon his own expenses. He is one of the ablest of the denomination to which he belongs - Missionary Baptist - After fulfilling the duties of my office, I moved to my quarters. It was about dark.

Monday July 15th.

About 2 o’clock p.m. Orders came to cook three days’ rations; and the companies to be held in readiness to march at a moments notice.

(Editor’s note: The diary of John Wesley Culpepper ends here. Apparently, more of the diary remains in the possession of one of his descendants, but is currently unavailable to anyone other than the owner. The portion represented here, was copied from the original by an unknown copyist, at an unknown date.