James T. Rogers:
His Civil War Diary (Part I)
The James T. Rogers diary is provided courtesy of Angus McKay Cameron, a member of the family, and is presented as
previously transcribed. Cartersville Crossroads deeply appreciates the interest of Mr. Cameron and others across Chatham County, who have provided family documents for publication, helping others understand the contributions of county natives to the defense of their state.
Annotated by Dennis Brooks
J.T. Rogers joined the Chatham Rifles in Pittsboro N.C. on the 20th of April 1861, and went in to camp at Mrs. Mary Taylor's Spring near Pittsboro on the 21st of May where we remained one week and then took up the line of March to Raleigh N.C. on Wednesday 28th of May. We arrived in Raleigh on the 1st of June 1861. We pitched our tents and drilled for one week, and left on the train for Garysburg N.C. on Friday the 9th of June 1861. We arrived there the same day at two o'clock, a distance of about one hundred miles, where we pitched our tents and went into regular camp life, we formed our regiment at Garysburg. It is composed of companys: Comp A., Northampton Guards, Capt. Stancil, commander. Comp. B., Monroe Light Infantry, Capt. McCrae, commander. Comp. C., Mountain Boys, Capt. G. Corbet. Comp. D., Ellis Guards, Capt. Corbit, commander. Comp. E., Tar River Guards, Capt. W. Terry, commander. Comp. F., Alamance Boys, Capt. Stockard. Company G., Capt. T.J. Jackson, commander, Sandy Creek Rough and Readys. Comp. H., Harnett Light Infantry, Capt. Murchison. Comp. I., Confederate Guards, Capt. Battle. Comp. K., Rocky Mt. Light Infantry, Capt. Hammons. Comp. L., Franklin Rifles, Capt. A.S. Perry. Comp. M., Chatham Rifles, Capt. Taylor [1], commander.
We then went into drills for three weeks, and while there we elected Captain R.M. McKing Col. of our regiment. He was formally [sic] a captain [of] Col. Fisher's Regiment of Regulars which was the C Regiment of N.C.V. [Volunteers]. We also elected Capt. B.B. Ihris [2] Lieut. Col. of our Regiment. He was formally Capt. of the Chatham Rifles of Pittsboro, N.C. We also elected Capt. W.F. Green, Maj. of our Regiment. He was formally Capt. of the Franklin Rifles, Louisburg, N.C. After the elections were all over the Col. appointed Louis Manning Adjutant. He was formally Lieut. of the Chatham Rifles.
We were then ordered to York Town, Virginia. We took the train on the 29th of June and arrived YorkTown on the lst of July, 1861. We passed through Petersburg which was a very nice City. We remained there one night and then we took the train for Richmond. We arrived there on the morning of the 3rd, and remained until that evening, and then we took the train for West Point, and then we took the Boat. When we got on board of the Steamer Logan the sun was almost setting behind the deep blue waters of the west. We were on the Boat for some 5 hours and after a dangerous voyage have landed safe at York Town where we found some kind friends to welcome us, who took us in and we remained until next morning, and our friends of the lst Regiment came for us to go over and take breakfast with them, which we were very thankfull for.
We then went to our place of encampment, where we remained until the 2nd of August, when we were ordered to cook two days rations and put them in our haversack, and to be ready to march at 4 o'clock on the Friday the 2nd of August, 1861. At the stated time we were all ready with our knapsacks on and gun ready for the march at about 6 o'clock. We marched and one o'clock we reached Warwick Court House very much fatigued. The dust was very deep and some of us fell on the way. We had marched 8 miles. We found it quite a pleasant place. We had only 35 well men in our Comp. We pitched our tents in a beautifull oak grove where we had very good water and a splendid breeze and shade. We rested for some time and then we went into regular drill again.
We remained there until Monday evening the 4th when we were ordered to march to the Great Bethel [3]. We started about 7 o'clock and reached Betheal about eleven o'clock at night. We were told where we had to camp, and we were all very tired and we fell down on our blankets to rest. Our covering was the starry decked Heavens. We all slept very soundly, untill next morning we all arose and cooked our breakfast, and then stroled about to see what we could find about the place where the great Beathel took place.
After we returned to our camp we cooked our dinner and ate and then we went to the shade and took knap. At 3 o'clock we were ordered to cook two days rations and be ready to march at 5 o'clock which we did at five. The long roll (as we call it) was beat and in five minutes we were ready to march but we knew not where. Some thought to Hampton [4] and some to Newport News. We marched until about nine o'clock at which time we were marched out into a wheat field in order to camp, which we did. We were right in a low flat field and the weeds were very high, but we unroled our blankets and spread them down and threw ourselves upon them for the night. This was the 6th of August 1861.
The next morning the 7th at day break we were ready to march. We marched at half past four for Newport News but before we got there we marched out into a field and formed in line of Battle. We saw the Yankee pickets. When they saw us they ran to their quarters which was Newport News. We were in 3/4 of a mile of them. We sent our cavalry in to tell them we were ready for them. We remained in line of battle for some time but the Yankees did not make their appearance.
We were then marched down in sight of Hampton and remained there the remainder of the day. We were then in three and a half of Fortress Monroe [5]. We made them several banters but they would not fight. At half past seven we were ordered to march but we knew not where. We started and marched about a half mile when we were halted and told to camp for the night. We all marched out into the woods and made down our palates when we were all ordered to get on the other side of the road. We moved and spread down our blankets and then we had to roll up our blankets and march 3/4 of a mile to join another Regiment. We started and I think we went 2 miles to where we joined the Regiment and then we took up camp right in the open field. We spread down our blankets in the corn rowes. C. Alston [6] and myself slept together.
This morning the 8th at sunrise we were ordered to march back to Bethel. We arrived there about nine o'clock, a distance of nine miles. We were all very much fatigued marching through the dust for it was very deep for we had to march through the dust behind about Five Thousand men. We had with us some Eleven Thousand Soldiers.
Well after we got back to Bethel we were all very hungry. We made us up a fire and cooked our breakfast and ate it, and after taking a good smoke, we then went to a large oak where we found a nice shady green place. There we spread down our blankets and took a good knap. We enjoyed ourselves as well as could be expected for men without any tents. We made up some bush arbors and done the best we could until the Evening of the twelf when we were ordered to march to Warwick Court House, a distance of ten miles. We started at Seven and reached the place of our destination at about Eleven o'clock, where we met some of our friends that we left behind, and we had the pleasure of staying once more in our tents. We all enjoyed it so much we did not get up until about six o'clock. We arose and eat our breakfast and then lounged about until after dinner.
On the 13th we were ordered to march back to York Town. At about sunset we took up the line of march. After we had pursued our journey about two miles it commenced raining. All of our officers were sick. Our captain did not start with us. Lieuts. London [7] and Neal [8] went with us to the Court House. Then Neal was unable to go any farther. Therefore he remained with some others of our comp. that was sick. London had command of the company from York Town to Hampton and back to the Court House. There he was taken sick and had to leave us and ride in a wagon. Neal took command until it commenced raining and then he and A. Riggsbee stoped at a house for the night and gave me charge of the company. It rained for Eight miles while we marched steadily along through it. Some times we were in water and mud knee deep and nearly all the way over our shoes [9]. Finally we reach YorkTown wet and hungry about Eleven O'clock. The Col. told us to camp where we could and if we had anything to eat, to eat it, and if we had anything to drink, to drink it, where upon some of the fellows said they had nothing to drink, but would like to have something.
The Col. [1]0 soon went and had a barrell of whiskey brought and the head nocked out, and the companies all went up with their buckets to draw rations of whiskey. Our comp. drew about a half of a blue bucket full, which lasted us some time. We drank the last of ours this morning the 11th. We pitched our tents and now we are all tolerable well fixed here.
I went over the river to see our boys. I found them very sick; some in tolerable health. I returned on the same day and met the remainder of my comp., which I had left at Yorktown. We are all tolerable well at this time. I will go over to see our fellows as often as I can. We had the misfortune to loos two of our men while we were gone. Lieut. Poe [11] died on the 9th of August and Corporal D.B. McIver [12] died on the 11th of August 1861. We have now in York Town twenty five men and out of the twenty five we have twelve men for duty. The remainder of the Chatham Rifles are sick. Our company numbered one hundred and four officers and privates.
We are a few of us together in our tents while it is raining. This is the 11th of August 1861. The great Hampton was burned on the night of the 7th of August 1861. When we arrived at York Town our company that we left behind had gone over the River to Hop Sig Point where they had pitched their tents and some of them had gone out into the country to recruit. We remained in York Town for one week expecting to go any day. It rained on the night of the 19th very hard. Some of our company was almost swimming next morning. We all faired very well today the 21st. We all tryed to go but our boat run aground, and tonight we are here still and our boat is lying on the bank. At dark She went across, and the next morning the 21st at ten o'clock She arrived to take us over, and now at 2 o'clock we are sitting on the boat about one hundred yards from shore waiting for the yawl boats to bring our tents and boxes to us.
We have a few of our fellows with us. I.B. McClanahan [13] is trying to climb up the ropes on the boat. At 3 o'clock we started for Hopsigpoin [14] where we landed at nearly sundown. We are now at Hopsig point. I have eaten a good supper and it is now about 8 o'clock. This is the Evening of 21st of August 1861. This morning the 22nd of Aug. I got up tolerable early and ate my breakfast and then went to work putting up my tent. At 12 o'clock I finished and started to Mr. Miner's to see Levi and Ed [15]. At 2 o'clock I reached the place and they were at dinner, and I sat down and ate a very harty dinner, and then I went up stairs and look at old Abe's ships as they passed from Washington to Old Point Comfort.
At 5 o'clock I returned to my camp where I found all my friends enjoying themselves finely. I remained there until Sunday the 25th of Aug. after being on guard all day and the night before. I got my breakfast and started out in the country to see all of my sick friends. I first stoped to see John Knight [16] that was staying at one Mr. Jinkins'. I stayed with him some time and then I went to Mr. Williams where I found two of my messmates: Wm. Bland [17] and Sam Holt [18] with two other friends: Hatch [19] and Hackney [20]. I remained there some time with them and then I walked over to Mr. Miner's where I saw three more of my mess mates: Levi Rogers, Ed Long [21], and Alvis Bynum [22], and my friend Geo. Tyson [23], where I remained until after dinner. I had a nice dinner and then I enjoyed myself very well until evening. I went out into the Miner's orchard and plucked some almons off of the tree myself. These were the first almons I ever saw growing in my life. I gathered some and brought back to the camp to show the boys, which was a great curiosity to all of them, and also went to Mr. Roses' to see two friends: Fox [24] and Saunders [25], and with them I found my friend Edwards [26]. They were all on the convalescing list. I returned to the camp at 6 o'clock P.M. and got my supper and took a good smoke and now I shall retire to rest, good night.
Annotations
1. Capt. Taylor. John W. Taylor enlisted April 15, 1861, as sergeant and was appointed captain on June 15, 1861. He was defeated for re-election when North Carolina regiments were reorganized on May 2, 1862.
2. Capt. B.B. Ihris. Ross R. Ihrie was 1st Captain for Co. M, 15th Regiment, North Carolina Troops. A doctor in Pittsboro, he enlisted at age 33 on April 15, 1861, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel just two months later, on June 11. When North Carolina regiments were reorganized on May 2, 1862, Ihrie was defeated in an election for lieutenant colonel by William MacRae, who eventually became a brigadier general. Ihrie is buried at St. Bartholomew Church in Pittsboro.
3. Great Bethel. The site known today as Big Bethel was the first battle of the War Between the States and a Confederate victory. Fighting began shortly after 9 a.m. on June 10, 1861, and ended about 2 p.m., when the Federal army retired from the field. The site got its name from Bethel Church, which stood near the fighting.
4. Hampton. A village northwest of Fort Monroe and located at the mouth of the James River gave its name to the Hampton Roads area of Tidewater Virginia.
5. Fortress Monroe. A Federal stronghold commanding the north side of the James River, across from Norfolk, would be used for Confederate prisoners. President Jefferson Davis was held at the prison following the Confederate surrender.
6. C. Alston. Charles W. Alston enlisted on April 15, 1861, at the age of 22. He died back home in Chatham County one year later, on April 23, 1862, of consumption and chronic dysentery.
7. Lieut. London. William Lord London of Pittsboro would subsequently become captain of the company after the regimental reorganization of May 2, 1862. He was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, as Co. I, and there would become assistant adjutant general and inspector general of Daniel's Brigade.
8. Lieut. Neal. Oscar M. Neal of Chatham County was appointed 2nd lieutenant on April 15, 1861, but was defeated for re-election when regiments were organized on May 2, 1862. During October 1862, Neal enlisted again in Co. I, 41st Regiment, North Carolina Troops (Cavalry) and was transferred in October 1864 to Co. G, 63rd North Carolina Troops (Cavalry). He was captured at Amelia Court House, Va., on April 3, 1865, and was confined at Point Lookout, Md., until June 29, 1865.
9. "nearly all the way over our shoes." It appears that Rogers indicates the mud was shoe-top deep the entire route of his march, not that shoe-top depth was nearly to their knees.
10. Col. The colonel at this time was Robert M. McKinney, who would be killed at Lee's Mill on April 16, 1862.
11. Lieut. Poe. Clarence C. Poe enlisted at age 23 on April 15, 1861. Company records indicate he died of typhoid fever on August 7, 1861.
12. Corporal D.B. McIver. Duncan R. McIver enlisted at age 31 on April 15, 1861. Company records indicate he died of fever on August 9, 1861, two days after Clarence C. Poe.
13. I.B. McClanahan. John B. McClanahan enlisted at age 25 on April 15, 1861, and would become captain of Co. G, 63rd Regiment, North Carolina Troops (5th North Carolina Cavalry).
14. Hop Sig Point. Hobdy's Point, located in Gloucester County, was one relocation site used by the regiment to improve the health of men serving on duty.
15. Levi. Levi Rogers enlisted at age 28 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. He was discharged just four days later by being a deputy sheriff.
16. John Knight. John J. Knight enlisted at age 25 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. He was discharged from the service on September 1, 1862, to serve as deputy sheriff of Chatham County.
17. Wm. Bland. William G. Bland enlisted at age 27 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. Bland was wounded at Gettysburg in his left hand and discharged from the army on November 5, 1863, because he had no use of the injured hand.
18. Sam Holt. Samuel M. Holt enlisted at age 24 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. He was captured at Spotsylvania Court House on May 10, 1864, and was confined at Point Lookout, Md., and Elmira, N.Y., until his release on June 16, 1865.
19. Hatch. James M. Hatch enlisted at age 20 on April 15, 1861, and was discharged from service on August 27, 1861. He later served in the 61st Regiment, North Carolina Troops.
20. Hackney. James Alvis Hackney enlisted in Yorktown, Va., at age 19 on July 2, 1861. He was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. Hackney was listed in company records as present and accounted for until February 1865.
21. Ed Long. Edwin Long enlisted at age 20 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. He was discharged on August 5, 1862, after providing a substitute.
22. Alvis Bynum. Alvis J. Bynum enlisted at age 22 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. He was wounded in the knee at Gettysburg and captured. Bynum was paroled on September 16, 1863, and was reported as wounded through February 1865.
23. Geo. Tyson. George W. Tyson enlisted at age 21 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. He was captured at Spotsylvania Court House on May 10, 1864, and was confined at Point Lookout, Md., and Elmira, N.Y. He died just weeks before the war ended on March 6, 1865, of pneumonia.
24. Fox. John M. Fox enlsited at age 25 on April 15, 1861, and was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862. He was captured near Washington, D.C., on July 14, 1864, and confined at Elmira, N.Y. until May 29, 1865.
25. Saunders. J.M. Saunders enlisted at age 20 on April 1861, but was killed at Malvern Hill, Va., on July 1, 1862.
26. Edwards. John M. Edwards enlisted on April 15, 1861, and was wounded in the arm at Malvern Hill, Va., on July 1, 1862. He was transferred with his company to the 32nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, on July 4, 1862, and promoted to corporal. Edwards was wounded in his right shoulder at Spotsylvania Court House on May 10, 1864, and was reported as "absent, wounded" until January 12, 1865, when he was retired to the Invalid Corps.
James T. Rogers: His Civil War Diary: Part II
James T. Rogers: His Civil War Diary: Part III
Family Remembrances of James T. Rogers
