Tag Archives: Wilborn P. Smith

Christmas 1864: A serenade by the band

There wasn’t a good Christmas noted by a 13th Regiment letter writer, diarist or memoirist after 1861 in Leesburg. That was the last one where food was plentiful with all the comforts, even if furloughs had been revoked. Christmas 1862 was … Continue reading

Posted in Fredericksburg, The Pettus Guards | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Payday, drill and high prices

July 22, 1862. Quartermaster clerk William H. Hill recorded in his diary: “Tuesday. Clear and warm. I commenced making up the payrolls for May and June. The Brigade was reviewed and inspected by Gen. McLaws.” Hill finished paying the regiment … Continue reading

Posted in Jess N. McLean, The Pettus Guards, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Reenlistment blues

The second year of secession was barely begun and 13th regiment troops already were discussing whether to reenlist when their old commitments expired in the spring. It seemed to be a phony war, at best. Nothing much had happened since … Continue reading

Posted in Correspondence, Jess N. McLean, The Pettus Guards | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment