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A. L. Peel
Civil War Diary
Adjutant, 19th. Mississippi Regiment

August 1863




Saturday, August 1 - We mustered this morning.  were ordered under arms  at 11 oclock moved 1 mile formed in line of battle.  The left wing of our Regt  was deployed as skirmishers we drove the enemy (cavalry) to Brandy Station  by dark.  came back 4 miles & halted on picket  we lost one man in Co B badly  wounded


August 2 - We have spent the day on picket.  made a detail bury a dead  yankey that had become quite disagreeable.  Were relieved at 6 oclock this  evening and joined the Brigade got no food for our horses.  have orders to be  ready to move early tomorrow.


Monday 3 - We left camp at 7 o'clock a.m. marched slowly & rested  frequently came 12 miles & camped after dark on a high hill near crooked run.   We have no food for ourselves nor Horses this has been a very  very warm day.


Tuesday 4 - We took up our march at 3 oclock  Waded the Rappidahn River  at 9 oclock halted & rested came 1 ½ mile struck camp at 12 p.m.  I & several  others got oats for our horses & had to give them up. it is very warm,


Wednesday, August 5, 1863 - I have spent the day in camp writing & etc.   have been very busy making details arranging camp cleaning out a color line  making reports & etc. & etc.  We had a shower of rain this evening.


Thursday 6 - I have spent part of the ? Reading Vicar of Wakefield.  have  been writing am bothered to get Pay rolls for the Regt,, had rain this evening.   I recd a letter from Mississippi.  Linclon Shares a foolish negro proclamation.


Friday 7 - I drew pay ($143
?) this morning.  paid debts with most of it,,  went to the Sutlers and bought some articles  We had the Battalion Drill this evening.  We had  Batallion Drill this evening.  we ha our usual evenings shower.  I wrote a long letter home.  The weather is very warm & sultry.


Saturday, August 8, 1863 - I took a detail & cleaned our ground for  inspection. Genl Hills Inspection officiales.  We had thorough inspection of  Arms? accouterments & quarters.  We had no drill had rain this evening.  I  made out a field return & report of Bayonets wanting.


Sunday 9 - We had divine Service this morning.  Inspection was dispensed  with  I made a report of the number of bare footed men in the Regt   there is 48  I attended prayer meeting & the bible class.  This has been a very  nice day.  Damon is sick & we cook for ourselves.


Monday 10 -This has been a very warm day, I wrote a long letter & some  orders.  I went to the River and bathed came by Davise's Brigade to see some  friends.  had a long Battalion Drill.  I read orders.


Tuesday, August 11, 1863 - Our Regt was paid for two months today  Pryor  & Add went to town & bought some potatoes & etc.  I am a little sick.  I bought  a jacket pair of Pants, pair of shoes and a shirt from the Quarter Master and  dressed up in regular uniform, went to the creek & bathed.


Wednesday 12 - We have spent the day as usual.  I wrote several letters  I  wrote several letters to send same by J. Carter who will start tomorrow.  It is very very warm.  We got orders & came 2 miles to the River on Picket.


Thursday 13 - I had the cholick & felt badly all day, most all of our Regt  spent their time in the River today.  We were relieved by the 48th Miss.  Some  of our men straggled ahead of the Regt.  I overtook them they refused to give  me their names  I'll get them for it When we get to camp


 Friday, August 14, 1863 - I found the men who refused to give me their  names the Colonel put them on Four days duty.  We had our usual evenings rain.   I have spent most the time reading my bible and fixing my papers in their  proper places.


Saturday 15 - I formed the guard marched it up to the mounted and formed  the Battalion as usual.  Then I went to Malones Brigade & heard Rev Dr Lacy  preach.  One man was killed & several wounded there yesterday by lightning.   The Q M Sargt of the 12th Miss was killed with morphine took too much, have  spent the evening reading my Bible.


Sunday 16 - I formed the guard as usual, and then the Regt & had Inspection,  went to preaching.  Talked about happy days that are gone gone forever.   Wrote a letter to send to Miss - by Capt Meek.  Dr. Peel & I went to church in  orange this evening.  it rained after I returned.  I attended our Bible class,


Monday, August 17, 1863 - We had drill, & etc. as usual  nothing of  importance has transpired, the revival is still going on in our Brigade.


Tuesday 18 - I attended preaching last night.  We got an order today  allowing furloughs to the men.  Two are allowed to every hundred present for  duty.


Wednesday 19 - We sent up the furloughs this evening.  attended church last  night  Went to the Branch & bathed are notified that a catholic Priest at Poseys  HDQrs tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock.


Thursday, August 20, 1863 - I attended preaching last night.  Furloughs  came back.  too many were sent for our Regt.  I made out several reports.  I  rec'd an order from Genl Lee suspending all duties tomorrow as that will be  fast day.


Friday 21 - We had Regimental Inspection this morning  Spent the day as  usual drilling and cleaning up camp.  Nothing of importance has transpired.


Saturday 22 - I have performed my regular daily duties.  R. McClain came  out from Richmond brought some letters which were sent from Miss - by Mr  Coleman.  Dr. Peel & Col Harris started off on furlough.  I wrote a letter this  evening.


Sunday, August 23 - I made out a Report of Statistics of our Regt this  morning.  Spent most of the day reading & writing  attended divine services  twice.


Monday 24 - We received Six furloughs Lu Alexander didn't come, I don't  know why.  our Division was Reviewed today by Genl A. P. Hill, a good many  ladys attended.


Tuesday 25 - R McClain Started to his Regt this morning.  J. W. McKie & I  went out to Montpelair (Madison's old residence)  We had no drill this  evening.  I have spent my time reading my Bible.


Wednesday, August 26, 1863 - Last night and today were very Two  Blankits were quite comfortable for cover last night.  I have spent the day  Drilling, reading & writing.  Dr Peel returned today he had a nice time  frollicking.  he has joined my mess.


Thursday 27 - The weather is still cool  Maj Duncan inspected all of the  Company Books.  We spent the day as usual.  A good many ladies came out to see  us Drill.  The Revival is still going on in out Brigade.


Friday 28 - We have spent the day as usual.  it rained this evening So that we  could not drill.  I made out my monthly Report.


Saturday, August 29 - no news of interest has occur'd  I have spent most of  my time writing & drawing company Forms for morning Reports.  Lu Alexander  received his furlough.  I fixed a great many letters & etc. for him to take  Home.  Damon is cooking rations for him.


Sunday 30 - I went over to Davises - Brigade.  Saw many friends - Fox &  Talbot.  Spent a very pleasant day with them, talking of our past & future.  I  know that if I live to be in peace again I will know how to appreciate it.  I am  very tired of this perilous and monotonous life.  it is a great waste of the most  valuable part of our lives.
Monday 31 - Nothing of interest occur'd today.  I helped to eat a good watermelon: They are worth from 4 to 10 Dollars,,



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Copyright 2013 Ellen Wilds, all rights reserved. Redistribution and/or reuse terms of license. Disclaimer for this document: "The Diary of Albert L. Peel is published here with the permission of Kevin Hudson and transcribed by Jack Durham. The materials published here are presented "as is", without warranty of any kind to the extent permitted by applicable law, and without any promise of validity and/or accuracy."