My great-great-grandfather William Jones, 1st Lieutenant, Company I, Infantry Regiment, Hampton Legion, of Anderson District, South Carolina, kept this diary during his service in the Civil War from March 2 to June 22, 1863. The original diary is in the possession of a family member in Starr, Anderson County, SC. This typed copy is faithful to the spelling and punctuation of the original. Proper names and initials are most difficult to interpret, so a ? follows hard-to-decipher names and initials and ????? indicates areas that are too faded to read. A brief genealogy follows the text. Words are spelled as written in the diary. William Jones enlisted at Anderson District, SC, on April 14, 1861. His last inspection report was on January 1, 1865. He was wounded in October 1863 and admitted to Jackson Hospital, Richmond, VA, July 1864 with a minie ball wound in his left thigh. Rebecca R. Akins September 1998

April 21st, 1863

Wm Jones' Book

March 2nd 1863
Monday 2 clear and pleasant we ar camped in a low swampy place we wile remain in this place till to morrow & then move about a half a mile south corse everything is quiet to day & no knews of importance Wm Burress furlough came in this evening Approved for (27) day all the boys in there usual health the most of them only one Blanket to lay on as the bagage is not come yet still clear.
March 3th 1863
Tuesday 3 Still clear & some what cooler in the morning tho a beautiful day Wm Burress is preparing to leave camps for Anderson Dist 8 o.c.a.m. & wishes me to go as far as Petersburg with him tho I have not got permission from Gen. Pickett So I can not go he left at 11 o.c.a.m. at 12 o.c.a.m. the Brigade was ordered to march to our place appointed So we ar in a beautiful pine thickett & no oak wood in rech of us So it is verry disagreealy about having good fires. I also paid to Wm Burress 2.00 dollars for J. T. Mouchet & 1.75 for J. T. Cook.
March 4 1863
Still clear & cool after eating Breakfast there was a detail made to clean out a place for dress Parade there was 15 men & I was the commander of the detail it taken us til 1 1/2 o.c.p.m. to get it so as to pass So I was at liberty till knight about 5 o.c.p.m. the Brig. Bagage came in from Petersburg wich we have been destitut of every cinse we left Fredericksburg every thing came safe I also had my trunk brought from Richmond that has been there so long. I also loaned J. T. Mouchet 2 dollars every in peace at this time we have not extablished any gard yet every Body runs at large the boys visits Petersburg frequently & Capt Gooder? Paid 3 dollars for a snack for dinner we ar busy in fincing around our Camps quite cool & clear & all well
March 5 1863
Thursday 5 still clear and verry cold tho a beautiful day Capt. Mauldin sent down for Capts. of Company to come up he had some shoes to give out to the Kneedyest they wer sent from Columbia S.C. Received from our Master 4 par drawers & 4 shirts 2 pr of socks to be given to the kneedest as a present from Columbia, S.C. at 1 o.c.p.m. I was ordered out again to finish the dress parade ground & worked till 4 o.c.p.m. with 10 men I also Loaned Lieut J. F. Goodelett Ten Dollars as he is going to Petersburg. There is no drilling or gard duty yet ordered tho I am expecting it every day Still remaines clear & cold the company ar in there common health at Supper time.
March 6 1863
Friday 6 Some what cloudy & the wind blowing We all lay till 7 1/2 o.c.a.m. as there is no duty to do after breakfast Capt Hall got permission to visit Petersburg. I also Loaned him 20 Dollars. J. A. Emerson & J. T. Cook has permission to visit the Town ther is several of the boys in the Legion putting up chimneys to there tents there is no orders yet for gard or drilling there is appearance of fallen wether at this time every thing quiet at 10 o.c.a.m. received orders to have a roll call at 12 o.c.a.m. till further orders there is nothing strange in camps P. R. Brown came in this evening & brought some fresh butter from Emily (Adams Jones, his wife) & Mrs. B. Mcalister & some Letters one from Emily date the fst. of March one from A Bryan & one from G. Mcalister & wife also Peter made me a present of Some Sweet Bread R. B. Deans furlough came in this evening approved for (27) days all in ther usual health after all was gone to bed I & Peter had a long chat concerning home affairs.
March 7 1863
Saturday 7th I rose early as I promise R. B. Dean to go with him in getting his money & transportation I also packed one of my trunks with varieties to send home by Robert (B. Dean) I Peter & J. Stevenson & ?. A. Dean went with Robert to the citty after ariving there we wer quite busy in finding the different offices to get Robert ready to start after finding all the places we returned to Hotele & there I invited all the boys to go with me to take something to drink Soon after dinner was ready & I taken verry freely of the vegitables as it was a rarity I also Loaned A. Dean Ten Dollars to have his likeness taken to send to his ma. After resting a while after dinner we all walked down to taken some more of the Brandy & then we wer ready to return to camps we arrived there about sun set and every thing quiet & all well it has been misting of rain of & on all day & some what hazy at dark I hear we will move from this camp in a few days I also Drew my Money at Petersburg I drew one months wages which was 90 Dollars I was paid by Capt. Charles Wallach up to the 28th day of February 1863
March 8 1863
Sunday 8 I woke up at light & found it raining also it is thundering like it was corn planting time at 8 o.c.a.m. it was getting some what clear J. T. Cook is complaining this morning he had a chill yesterday there is no orders yet for any duty in a short time we wer ordered to have regmental inspection it came off at 10 o.c.a.m. there is still appearance of being fallen wether we rec'd orders to be ready to march to morrow at 9 o.c.a.m. we ar also ordered to have 3 days rations cooked up the sun is shining verry pretty at this time it is 1 o.c.p.m. nothing knew or strange in camp tho clear as a bell at bed time thinking we wold get a fine knights rest as we have sent our tents to Petersburg to take the train to Blackwater. At 12 o.c.p.m. it was raining So I & Capt Hall had to move our blankets to a shelter after the firs shower I spred my blankets & got to sleep & came another shower & wet my blankets also after we lay down there was orders came around to send to the ordinance Sargent to get nap sacks for our men.
March 9 1863
Monday 9 clear at sun rise we ar making preperations to roll up our blanketts ready to march at 9 o.c.a.m. the Drum beat at the time specified we then marched back through the city of Petersburg & then taken a south corse & marched 4 miles & rested about 20 minutes it has been a beautiful day for marching tho some what warm for marching we did make a verry good days march it 18 miles from the camp. We left this morning & arived at camp 5 1/2 o.c.p.m. there is some of our men absent at roll call owing to being broke down there is some appearance of rain at sun set we ar camped in a beautiful old pine thicket there is a greate many men complaining with sore feet & tired all able for there allowance at supper.
March 10 1863
Tuesday 10 Moist cloudy & Some what cool there is a greate many of the boys complaining of being sore & stiff all of our boys came up through the knight We received orders at 6 o.c.a.m. to be ready to march at 8 o.c.a.m. there is nothing new in camps this morning we left camps at 7 1/2 o.c.a.m. we marched by a short distance till it commenced sleeting & raining & continued til knight we marched about 2 miles & came to a church by; the name of Ebaneser we marched 15 1/2/ miles & arived at camps at 3 o.c.p.m. & we persued to getting wood for a big fire as we ar all wet as water can make us (Brigader) General (Micah) Jenkins isued orders this morning for commander of companys to keep ther men out of turnip patches there was some few of them who broke the orders & will be delt with there is appearance of being a wet knight all the boys ar in there usual health at supper nothing strange in camps at dark it continues to rain of & on all knight.
March 11 1863
Wednsday 11 Still continues to rain at 7 o.c.a.m. the qr master ordered all bagage to be brought to the wagons in short notice we left camps at 8 o.c.a.m. we marched but a short distance till it was misting of Snow then tapered of with rain at 10 o.c.a.m. we wer halted to rest & the sun shown out slightly tho rain like I am standing up finely to day we received orders to keep all our men in ranks if not the officers ar responsible for them at roll call at camps this evening nothing new up to this time & do not know how far to our destiny we marched finely till one clock then taken up camps for the knight all present at roll call we met with quite a low flat potion of the cuntry we marched through a pon of water some half a mile from ancle to half leg deep we ar camped in 4 miles of Jerruslem we only march 11 miles to day taken up camps at 1 o.c.p.m. J. A. Emerson & S. J. Steverson taken a walk out in the cuntry after something to eat they brought in some turnips & greens & by sun set they wer cooked & we had a fine mess we also drew rations from the commisary & cooked them up as we have to march again to morrow Clear as a bell once more & pleasant all well but veryy sore & tired nothing strange in camps at bed time
March 12 1863
Thursday 12 I rose early this morning as I lay cold all knight still remaines clear & is cool left camps at 7 1/4 o.c.a.m. and marched on to Jeruslem which was 4 miles from camps after passing through the town we halted to rest also after passing through we turned direct corse we arrived at Jersulem at 9 1/2 o.c.a.m. & rested 20 minutes we then marched on till we came in two miles of Frankling Depo we arrived at camps at 12 1/4 o.c.a.m. then we wer busy for some time preparing wood & putting up our tent. there were a skiff of snow after we taken up camps tho the sun was shining we ar stationed in a low, flat place ponds of water all around us clear at 4 o.c.p.m. Lieut Fields came in a few minutes ago & also R. Foster both of Co. H originaly of the old 4 Bat there is nothing new in camps this evening I learn we ar only stoped here till our General pickes out a place to be stationed as we ar brought down here for picketing all the boys ar up at there places & harty at Supper time the distance we travailed today is about 7 1/2 miles
March 13 1863
Friday 13 Still clear & cool we have nothing strange in camps only we ar all short of rations as good Luck wold have it Lieut Goodlett received a Supply from home & devided with the company tho this evening is draw day it is near 8 o.c.a.m.& no orders yet for a move all the boys ar able for there allowances Capt H. Bowen sent up for the officers of Co I to come up & to take a drink of Brandy with him it was verry desirable as it is a cold morning we ar camped close to a fishery where they catch Shad they ar catching them verry fast at 50 cts per head we ar laying resting to day at 2 o.c.p.m. we received orders to have all our men to clean up there arms as the enemy is advancing and to be ready to march at a moment warning we ar a drawing three days rations this evening & will cook them up it is clowdying up like for fallen wether & is quite cool Peter J. A. Emerson & S. J. McKee ar gone to the Station to mail some letters Lieut Ligon B. E. Batson & Thornton Batson came in this evening off Furlough Thornton Batson came as a recruit He learn from Lieut Ligon that David Blythe Departed this life the 5 of February 1863 Every thing quiet at this time considering the orders we received this evening it was reported the enemy was advancing on us to day I also handed in my application for a furlough We received orders at 8 1/2 o.c.p.m. to be ready to move at the hours between 8 & 9 o.c.a.m. all of the boys ar in there usual health at supper time Clear & quite cool at bed time
March 14 1863
Saterday 14th Some what clowdy & some what warmer we ar all rolling up our blankets & tents to be ready to move at 8 o.c.a.m. we left at the time specified & marched 6 miles South course from our camps We ar some 4 miles from Frankling Station in South Hampton County, VA We arrived at this camp at 12 o.c.p.m. also we ar camped in one mile of Black river This is a low flat country we ar surrounded by Little Ponds of water I also was officer of the rear gard of the Regt I & Capt Hall taken my bed tick out in the woods & filled it up with fine straw Some of our boys taken a walk out to the 55 Regt of N.C. to bought a mess of back bones There is nothing strange in camps today Still clear & pleasant we ar in our usual health at bed time I rested finely as this is the first knights rest I have had since last Saturday Knight as we wer marching all the weak & had but one blanket to rest on
March 15 1863
Sunday 15 Some what clowdy and appearances of fallen wether after eating breakfast I & (H. H. ) Hawkins went to work at our chimney & got the bodie of it up and was ready to go to dobbin it & behold I cold not find clay So I had to omit the chimney & then I persued to putting up a bed Sted I finished it by dinner While dining we received orders to get ready to go out on inspection after returning I taken a wash & changed cloths & Peter taken my beard off by this time it was dress parade at the N.C. Regt after returning from there dress parade after setting writing down my dys work my Furlough came in approved Still clowdy & quite cool.
March 16 1863
Monday 16 Some what clowdy & cool I left camps at 10 o.c.a.m. & taken the train for Weldon at 4 1/2 o.c.p.m. arrived at Weldon at 8 1/2 o.c.p.m. then taken the train of to Petersburg at 9 o.c.p.m. & arrived there at 3 o.c.a.m.
March 17 1863
Tuesday 17 Clear then taken the train to Richmond at 5 o.c.a.m. & arrived at Richmond at 7 o.c.a.m. then taken to Manchester to take breakfast with friend Sizer Lathem employed Mr. A. C. Moore to take up Brother (James V. Jones) & deliver him at the Petersburg Depot he takes him up & repacks him & deliver him at the Depot for 40 dollars we commenced taking him up at 9 o.c.a.m. & finished the job at 10 o.c.a.m. The coffin was full of water I expected he wold smell badly tho there was no smell scarsley I opened the coffen & looked at him tho there was no resemblance of him if I did not know where I put him I wold not knowed him by opening the coffen I had forgotten which leg was cut off was the reason why I opened the coffen it was his left one he had pretty much fallen to pieces I will be ready to leave the citty at 5 o.c.p.m. I also tried to get transportation free on the cars for him but failed in the attempt This is a beautiful day after the morning passed off I think this was the coldest morning I felt this winter I will take the length of Brothers case so as to have the grave dug when I get home if I shold be so lucky the length is 7 feet 3 inches the wedth 2 feet 3 inches I left Richmond for Petersburg at 5 o.c.p.m. arrived at Petersburg at 8 1/2 then hired a dray to hall Brother to the Weldon Depot they charged me 7 dollars & 3 dollars for my self we left Petersburg at 9 p.c.p.m. I also paid 2.50 for Fair from Richmond to Petersburg for B & 1.50 for my self from Petersburg to Weldon clear & pleasant at 9 o.c.p.m.
March 18 1863
Wednsday 18 arrived at Weldon at 3 o.c.a.m. Wednsday morning & left at 5 o.c.a.m. the same espences on corps for moving from one car to another $2.00 fair from Weldon to Rally on corps $5.00. it is some what clowdy this morning I met with Esq. Hammonds at ? & expect to travel with him the balance of the way home arrived at Rally at 12 o.c.p.m. left Ralliegh at 12 o.c.p.m. for Charlott expenses on corps at Ralliegh to Charlott 8.75 for fair here to move from Weldon train on Ralliegh 2.00 dollars. This is quite a pleasant day tho some what clowdy I met up with a gentleman from Lart? Co. GA by the name of Sanders Mr. Sadlers Son a corps & taking him to Anderson C. H.
March 19 1863
Thursday 19 Still clowdy & cold we arrived at Charlott at 6 o.c.a.m. & then went up to the hotele & taken breakfast & a drink of Brandy at 2.00 dollare I also bought 5.00 dollars of smoking tobacco for Ma Adams (his mother-in-law) & five Dollars of plugs we left Charlott at 9 o.c.a.m. hire of corps on moving from one car to another 20 cents fair from Charlott to Columbia 6.00 Dollars it has been quite a raw day & like for fallen wether we arrived at Columbia at 5 o.c.p.m. & then I hired a wagon to hall my corps to the G. & Columbia R. R. & paid 2.00 then I went to the Washington Hotele & paid for lodging and supper the city looks pretty familiar still cold & clowdy at bed time
March 20 1863
Friday 20 Still clowdy & some rain & verry likely to be a wet day. My bill at the Washington was 3.00 Dollars for the over knight we left Columbia at 7 1/2 o.c.a.m. Fair on corps from Columbia to A. C. H. 6.00 dollars I met with C. Reyo? & T. Parks at Columbia still misting of rain & quite cold for March arrived at Anderson 6 o.c.p.m. & then I persued to John Cochren & got the honor & kindness of a horse to ride home left A.C.H. (Anderson Court House) at 8 o.c.p.m. & arrived at 1 o.c.p.m. tho stoped on the road at J. T. Dean & ? all well at my arrival
March 21 1863
Saturday 21 Still clowdy & some ice there is appearance of fallen wether I am making some preparations to send ???? brothers remaines at the vilage I am going down to get Frank Adams & go to the ? to do my business then I went to Ma Adams and taken dinner & then to ? & taken supper & arrived at home at 9 o.c.p.m. all well & still clowdy at bed time
March 22 1863
Sunday 22 Still clowdy and the wether has moderated after breakfast I & Emily fixed up & persued to Good Hope church & came by Ma Adams & taken dinner I also paid Miss Rebecca McKee 63 dollars that S. J. McKee handed to me to give his Sister & then persued to Craft Roads Church (Starr Baptist) to the burien of Brothers Remains I also saw a greate many of my friends & relations at the Burien The Burien came off at 3 1/2 o.c.p.m. Cleared off at 10 o.c.a.m. Uncle R. L. Harden came home with me then I , Emily & R. L. persued to J.? W. McAlisters at sun set & returned at 10 1/2 o.c.p.m. Still clowdy & pleasant at bed time
March 23 1863
Monday 23 Still clowdy & pleasant Wm Burriss came by from P. R. Browns while eating breakfast in a short time F. (Frank) Adams & Nace? came & Nace was on his way to S. Willeford with 2 mares in a short time I & Emily preceded to the Halls & remained there till 3 o.c.p.m. & then T. W. West & did remain there till 6 o.c.p.m. then home I returned by 7 o.c.p.m. Still appearance of wet wether found all well & harty at my arrival
March 24 1863
Tuesday 24th woke up before day & found it raining after rising from bed I thought I wold go down & see Col. Jesse McGee & take some Brandy & breakfast then returned home by 7 o.c.a.m. & then I & Emily proceded to Ma Deans we arrived there at 9 o.c.a.m. found the old lady quite poorly Still like for wet wether we returned from Ma Deans at 4 o.c.p.m. & called at J. T. Deans & remained there till 7 o.c.p.m. & proceded for home & was caught in a storm opposite of Gentrys farm Still raining at bed time tho all well at bed time
March 25 1863
Clear & quite cool after eating Breakfast some half hour J. L. Byran came over then in a short time J. T. Dean & his wife came then J. L Byran rode of to bring in something to raise the spirits of a man both John & Tom spent the day with me I also had my lot fence repaired as it was deficient Still clear & pleasant at sun set all well at suppertime
March 26 1863
Thursday 26 Clear & somewhat moderated at 8 o.c.a.m. I & Emily prepared to pay a visit to J. L. Byran & F. Adams arrived at Franks at 2 o.c.p.m. John galanted us over to Franks the wind is blowing rapidly this evening James Adams came to Franks about 3 o.c.p.m. John left about the time Mr. Adams came to Franks to look about his hands at Mrs Burress & D. T. Bozman I & Emily left Franks at 4 o.c.p.m. Then to Mr. Adams & taken supper & rested a while then started home & called at Mrs. McAlisters & spent a few minutes then persued on home Nace & Jas. Bryan came home with us we arrived at home 8 1/2 o.c.p.m. clear & cool for corn planting time all well at bed time
March 27 1863
Friday 27 Clear & still cool after eating breakfast I taken my whiskers off as it is preaching at Crafts Roads & a day set a part for fast day The neighbors generally ar keeping the day holy I commence dreading my time as it is drawing near we ar making preparation to go to preaching at X roads arrived there & remained ther till 12 1/12 o.c.p.m. also J. T. D & his wife wer ther on there return home we all left at the same time so it was after 8 o.c.p.m. when we returned home Some appearance of fallen wether at bed time all in there usual health
March 28 1863
Saturday 28 woke up about 4 o.c.a.m. & found it raining my folks is making some preparations to go to mill & laying off corn ground I am on a stand to know what to do to day as I have got so much to attend to & so many places to go to I also borrowed S. A. Deans rifle to have a squirrel hunt while at home about 8 o.c.a.m. it commenced raining So I sent Dock with Thump & Jim to mill as the creek is up I & Emily walked over to Mrs. Lou Browns in the morning & returned home by 11 o.c.a.m. after dinner I & Emily and the babes walked down the roade with the gun in a short time the dogs had a squirrel treed I thrown it & did not go but short distance till they had another one and so on till I shot six of them Still raining of & on all day. Also Bo shod Franks mare all well at bed time
March 29 1863
Sunday 29 Still like for rain in the morning & now & then a sprinkle about 8 o.c.a.m. Uncle Mosey Dean rode up with a measure to make a coffen for his servant Hannah I had to take the plank to J. T. Bryan to make it as he had my work bench we completed it by 12 o.c.a.m. after dinner I, Emily, John, Mandy & Bethiah taken a walk to Mrs. Sarah Bozmans & remained there till 4 o.c.p.m. then persued to Jas. Adams & remained there till after 5 o.c.p.m. then to Bethiahs & remained there till 8 o.c.p.m. then home still clowdy & the wind blowing rapidly & continued all knight all in there usual health
March 30 1863
Monday 30 Still clowdy & the wind blowing & misten of rain my folks ar going to laying of corn ground at 10 o.c.a.m. I & Emily taken a walk down to Col. McGees then left there at 11 1/2 o.c.a.m. then proceded to G. Steversons and remained there til 5 o.c.p.m. commenced raining at 9 o.c.a.m. There was some hail mixed with the rain we arrived at home at 5 1/2 o.c.p.m. & still raining & quite cold we also had the hide taken of one of our milk cows with ? I also was making up a school there was 4 schollars subscribed to day. I had my folks laying of corn ground till the rain commenced fallen so hard Still rain like at bed time
March 31 1863
Tuesday 31 Still clowdy & quite cool for corn planting time we ar at a Loss to know what to do in the farm as there has been so much rain & all the little jobs ar completed at 9 o.c.a.m. J. L. B., J. B. A. & E. N. Adams came up to take a squirrel hunt taken a rout around my farm & failed in the attempt called in & waited till after dinner in the mean time G. Steverson came by going to E. Norrises so we sent for a quart of B. They proceded to our s. hunt & taken in three of the boys we called in at J. L. for supper then home arrived at 8 o.c.p.m. we found Uncle J. Green there Still cool & clear & all in there usual health except myself I was poorly with sore throat
April 1 1863
Wednesday 1 Still clear & cool set around the fire till about 9 1/2 o.c.a.m. then I & Emily harnessed up to pay Bro. J. H Jones & wife a visit after dinner a short time Thump came after us as Col. C. S. Matteson? Had come to see me on business he also brought me a quart of grief so we cold enjoy our selves he remained till about 4 o.c.p.m. then I & he rode down to H. Howards there I met with A. E. Rice on his way to my house to spend the knight with me we arrived at home at 8 o.c.p.m. ther I found G. S. & wife & Uncle J. Green every thing quiet and all in there usual health Emily commenced planting corn after dinner still clear & quite cool for April I have some pain in my throat at bed time
April 2 1863
Thursday 2 still clear & cool A. E. Rice left for home at 8 o.c.a.m. I am on a stand to know where to go to day at 9 o.c.a.m. I & Emily paid G. Stewart & Tisha a visit till 2 o.c.p.m. arrived at home & was resting & J. Neal rode by in a short time J. L B. came up htne J. T. D. and remained with us till dark then I & Emily & Thump paid ?. Gentry a visit till 10 1/2 o.c.p.m. Still clear & cool I am quite feeble with cold
April 3 1863
Friday 3 Still clear & some what moderated after breakfast I & Thump taken the gun to see if we cold find a squirrel
(Omitted several days)
April 10 1863
Saturday 10 At 6 1/2 o.c.a.m. I, Emily, Brother & wife parted at the market changed at Columbia then I taken the train for Charlott arrived there at 4 o.c.p.m. then left Charlott at 5 1/2 o.c.p.m. for Ralleigh arrived there the 11th at 10 o.c.a.m. then left at 10 1/2 for Weldon arived at Weldoin at 6 o.c.p.m. & then remained there all knight & left at 8 1/2 o.c.a.m. then arrived at station at 12 o.c.a.m. at Frankling Depot then I taken my bagage & footed it 6 miles to camps & found all the boys gone to Suffolk but J. T. Mouchet and he was layed up with sore foot still clear at bed time I & him lay together all knight
April 14 1863
Tuesday 14 Still clowdy & appearance of rain I taken Dr. Bozmans horse & went to the crossing to male a letter to Emily & returned at 1 o.c.p.m. & lay in the tent till knight still clowdy at dark
April 15 1863
Wednesday 15 Woke up & found it raining So I give out going to the Regt. as my feet is sore from walking from the Depot with my load & I thinks of going to morrow if possible still raining at 11 o.c.a.m. cleared off at 4 o.c.p.m.
April 16 1863
Thursday 16 I left camps at day light to join my Regt. I found it beautiful road all the way to Suffolk I arrived in sight of Suffolk with the Regt. At 3 o.c.p.m. then we went on picket & remained there twenty four hours I found all the boys well & harty
April 17 1863
Friday 17 Still clear & cool for April at 9 o.c.a.m. I was detailed to take charge of 60 hands for digging rifle pitts I worked 2 hours & then the enemy commenced bumming so we had to stop for 3 or 4 hours and returned to finish my job then I was ordered to camps it was getting late Then soon I was to bed
April 18 1863
Saturday 18 Still clear & all well we ar all laying & ???? There is a detail ????? digging rifle pitts Lt. Mulikin is in charge of the detail it is a beautiful day & quite warm at 3 o.c.p.m. Still clear & pleasant at bed time
April 19 1863
Sunday 19 Still clear & pleasant & I taken the boys & went to 24?th Regt. to hear W. E. Walters preach as it has been some time since I heard him we returned by 1 o.c.p.m. & lay about all the evning Still clear & pleasant all the boys in there usual health at bed time
April 20 1863
Monday 20 clowdy & some appearance of fallen wether some men is on picket on the river as sharp shooters the Capt. in command of them got killed with a piece of a bum his name was Crawford Still clowdy & quite cool for April & some appearance of a wet knight tho did not do any thing but sprinkle we wer ordered out to the reserved post at 1 o.c.p.m. & remained there for some 2 hours &then returned back to the rear where we called our camp it was about sun set when we arrived back Still clowdy & cool all knight & all well
April 21 1863
Tuesday 21 Still clowdy & clear Capt. Bozman arrived in camp this morning & returned this evening I wrote Sister E. A. Jones a letter & sent by him we ar ordered out on picket at 3 o.c.p.m. and taking our post at sun set up the pond still rain like at 8 o.c.p.m. Then cleared of & remained clear till nearly day
April 22 1863
Wedensday 22 Still clowdy & cool the Enemy is shelling us rapidly & the picketts firing at each other rapidly tho not doing much damage on either side we wer relieved at dark by the 55 N. C. & then we proceded to the camps some 2 miles from the picket post still rain like at bed time all of the boys in there usual health it came a shower of rain sometime through the knight
April 23 1863
Thursday 23 Still showering at sun rise & has appearance of a wet day we wer called on for a morning report this morning it continued raining till 12 o.c.a.m. I recieved a Letter from Emily dated 14th of this instant stating all was well Lieut Field recd a furlough for visit his wife at Black Water at Capt. Laurences 1 miles from camps still rain like at 3 o.c.p.m. Everything quiet and still showery The regt. Recd a lot of shoes today to supply the barfooted J. T. Mouchett W. E. Werner drew as they wer all that was kneedy Still showery at 2 o.c.p.m. Recieved orders at dark to be ready tomorrow at a monent notice At 9 o.c.p.m. we recieved orders for the men to sleep on there armes At 10 o.c.p.m. it was clear & all the boys in there usual health
April 25 1863
Saturday 25 at day break we recieved orders to fall in line & stack arms till further orders Quite clear & pleasant some cannonading on the lines this morning at the brake of day & still firing slowly we lay around our armes all day tho no call for us After noon I & Capt (J. K.) Bowen taken a walk up the rode looking around & came across W. E. Walters & he came down with us to our camps about sun set the ration of the Legion came in & did not bring cooking utensels to cook the flour so Col. Garry? give orders for the men to go out on the neighborhood to get there cooking done all in there usual health & quite cool
April 26 1863
Sunday 26 Still clear& a conciderate frost for April tho quite pleasant up in the day we wer ordered to have company inspection at 9 1/2 o.c.a.m. then the most of the 4th Bat. Went up to the 24? Regt. to hear Mr. Walters preach then returned at 12 o.c.p.m. Mr. Boggs came down from the 6th Regt. & preached a fine sermen to the Legion then at 5 1/2 o.c.p.m. we wer ordered to get ready to go on picket So we marched down to the church some 3/4 of a mile from our picket post & was held in reserve to support the first Regt. while on picket still clear & some what cool for the season
April 27 1863
Monda;y 27 Still quite cool & clear tho was somewhat hazy at 10 o.c.a.m. we ar still laying at the church as a reserve tho will go on post to night it is rain like at bed time all in there usual health
April 28 1863
Tuesday 28 Still rain like we went on picket post at 4 o.c.a.m. & remained there till 8 1/2 o.c.p.m. we returned back to camps at 10 1/1 o.c.p.n. All well & raining at bed time
April 29 1863
Wednsday 29 Still showers & pleasant I & the Boys after breakfast taken a notion to build a shelter to lay under so we cut a pine & split 3 cuts of it & covered 2 shelters at 5 1/2 o.c.p.m. there was a tremedous storm came up & verry heavy thunder there was 4 men in Davis Brig. that was shocked with lightning it continued to rain all knight all the boys ar in ther usual health
April 30 1863
Thursday 30th Still clowdy & misting of rain still heavy canonading on the lines all day I split more boards to day to finish my job we was ordered to fall in lines at 5 o.c.p.m. to hear orders red they wer to declar the promotion of Capt. Arnold to Major & Lieut Baress? to Capt. & Lieut (W. A. B.) Devenport (Co. E) To Capt. Still clowdy at sun set tho clear at bed time & all well
May 1 1863
Friday 1 Still clear & cool Some little frost this morning tho has the appearance of being a beautiful day nothing new or strange up to 6 o.c.p.m. then we had inspection & mustered for pay for the months March & April we also had division inspection at 3 o.c.p.m. then at 6 1/2 o.c.p.m. we wer ordered to fall in lines of battle & was marched down near our brest works & the orders countermanded as our pickets had repulsed the enemy three times the scirmish fight comminced about 4 o.c.p.m. it is reported that we have some men wounded but do not know the boys one on enemys side still clear cool & all well
May 2 1863
Saturday 2 Still clear and every thing quiet on the lines I have B. P.? Batson washing my cloths as I have not changed since I left Columbia & my cloths ar at Black Water camps S. J. McKee Gibson Stokes & G. W. Campbell ar all washing there duds our regt. went out on picket this evening all quiet this evening on the lines Still clear & pleasant & all well
May 3 1863
Sunday 3 clear & pleasant Some cannonading on the lines to day we ar at Bethel church held in reserve I received a letter from Emily Dated 23rd of April Stating all was well we lay at ? till ? o.c.p.m. then we were in line to march back to South quay and to Black Water we arrived in one mile of the camps at ? o.c.a.m. Monday 4th and remained ther till 5 o.c.p.m. then marched over the river to our camps there we found everything quiet and every thing in good order & all well but W. T. Stacks And clear & pleasant
May 5 1863
Tuesday 5 clear & pleasant Every thing quiet & all in high spirits on the account of standing back to camps where they cold change cloths I writin a letter to Emily to day some appearance of it being a wet knight at bed time we had a thunder shower & continued all knight or nearly so about mid knight we were woke up to be in readiness to meet the enemy at a moment notice still all well but W. T. Stacks he is better
May 6 1863
Wednsday 6 Still clear & cool at 7 o.c.a.m. we received orders to move camps up to the bridge at old South quay It was dark by the time we got moved as we had to toat everything still showery & quite cool at bed time the left wing of the Legion has gone to Franklin to gard the Bridge so we have a hard time in the way of picketing and gard duty
May 7 1863
Thursday 7 still clowdy & cool no news at camps this morning still misting of rain and quite cool all in there usual health at bed time still rain like
May 8 1863
Friday 8 Still misting of rain & we ar preparing around our tents we hear favorable news from Lees Ferry today we also received a number of conscripts for the Legion to day brought by Capt Hawthorne we recd 5 of them in our company Still misting of rain & all well at bed time
May 9 1863
Saturday 9th Still clowdy & cool for Aprile at 10 o.c.a.m. it was clear & the wether somewhat moderated we received orders to have our conscripts drilled 3 times a day we drew three tents for our men this evening we drew 2 months pay for the company for the months of Jan & Feb quite pleasant & clear all well as usual at bed time
May 10 1863
Sunday 10 Still clear & pleasant nothing new this morning everything quiet tho some drilling with our recruts still clear & pleasant at 8 o.c.p.m. & all well
May 11 1863
Monday 11 Still clear & pleasant nothing new or strange in camps we have to drill 3 times a day I have a verry sore toe I hear nothing strange in camps it is still ? hot through the day everything quiet I wrote S. A. Dean clear & cool at knight & all well
May 12 1863
Tuesday 12 nothing new or strange in camps to day we still have to keep drilling up till further orders Still clear & all well at supper
May 13
Wednsday 13 Still clear & cool nothing new or strange in camps to day we ar drilling rapidly every day that we do not have to work I think our recruts ar learning to drill rapidly
May 14 1863
Thursday 14th Still clear & some what cold for May nothing strange in camps to day Capt Suthern? Came down to see us this evning also Mrs W. T. Field & Mrs. Laurence it was a beautiful sight to see ladies in camps I received a letter from S. A. Dean stating all was well & every thing moving on verry well in the neighborhood we had a thunder shower this evning & sprinkling of rain at bed time All well as usual
May 15 1863
Friday 15 Still clear & quite cool in the morning & evenings nothing new in camps to day we recd orders to be ready to march at moments notice so at 8 o.c.a.m. the regt. moved of towards Franklin They lay all knight at the town of Franklin & was ready for any orders
May 16 1863
Saturday 16 At day light they recd. Orders to march over the river some 3 miles to the breast works were they ar to do picket duty stand remained all day & knight tho the left wing of the Regt. was ordered to move back to protect the camps late in the evning
May 17 1863
Sunday 17 Still clear & pleasant in the day tho cool at knight about 2 olc.p.m. we ar all alarmed by a cover signal? There was a boat coming up the river expecting every minute we wold be taken prisoners tho it was one that our men captured in N.C. & was bringing up out of danger still clear at bed time
May 18 1863
Monday 18 every thing quiet & still nothing doing in camps as only half the Regt. is there I recd 2 letters this evening one from Emily & one from Brother J. H. one Emilys dated the 11 & 12 of this inst. Brothers dated the 3 & 4 of this instant all quiet & well at dark
May 19 1863
May 19 Still clear & cool I wrote 2 letter today one to Emily & the other to Brother J. H. Jones I hear nothing new this morning Clear & pleasant & nothing doing ? ther ar 2 drills a day with the recruts all quiet at bed time & all well
May 20 1863
Wednsday 20 Still clear & cool in the morning tho warm up in the day I written 2 letters today one to A. J. ? and one to William Norris? Ther is nothing new or strange in camps to day t he balance of our Regt. came back at 8 o.c.p.m. making 6 days on picket at Carsville all the boys was well Still clear & cool at knight
May 21 1863
Thursday 21 Still clear & pleasant I wrote a letter to A. G. Rice this morning all the boys lie a good while as they have been absent several days everything quiet to 1 o.c.p.m. were ordered to be ready to arm at a moments notice Brother J. H. Jones came in to camps to day at 2 o.c.p.m. All in there usual health at dark & clear & cool
May 22 1863
Friday 22 recd. orders at day light to be ready to march at a minutes notice as the enemy was advancing up the river Brother left camps at ? o.c.a.m. for battle field ????? I wrote a letter to Emily I sent by Brother 250.00 dollars to Emily also 50.00 to Rebecca McKee that S. P. McKee left with me I walked up the road 2 miles with brother & returned at 10 o.c.a.m. at 2 o.c.p.m. 4 companys of the Legion returned back to the camps to be ready to ????? the male came in yesterday at 3 o.c.p.m. I recd a letter from Emily dated the 17th and 18th of this instant
May 23 1863
Saturday 23 Still clear & quite cool in the morning tho verry hot up in the day the companys that came in yesterday evning ar to hold there selves in readiness to move at a minutes notice they left at 1 o.c.p.m. Still clear & hot all day
May 24 1863
Sunday 24 Still clear & pleasant I was verry lonesome after breakfast I wrote a letter to J. W. West & one to Ma Dean The regt.came in 12 1/2 o.c.p.m. the most of them is werried Still all able for there rations & getting some what hazy & like for rain at 11 o.c.p.m.
May 25 1863
Monday 25 Somewhat clowdy & quite cool the wind from the east & sprinkling of rain at 7 o.c.a.m. we ar having gard duty as common every thing quiet today we ar digging a well in our streets recd J. L. Bryans letter dated the 19 of this instant it is quite cool to day & misting of rain Some little all in there usual health at this time
May 26 1863
Tuesday 26 Still clowdy & quite cool for May nothing new in camps to day I wrote a letter to J. L. Bryan in answer to his I recd yesterday Still drilling our recruts tho I am feeble with my toe & do not take any post with them still rain like at bed time
May 27 1863
Wednsday 27 Still cool tho the sun shown out about 9 o.c.a.m. Capt Hall recd his pass to visit Richmond for 5 days our company drew 2 months wages to day for the months of March and Aprile I also drew 2 months pay for the months of March & Aprile I also writen a letter to Dock there is nothing new in camps to day We had Several ladies to visit us at Dress Parade still clear & all well at Bed time Mr. Walker had preaching in camps at 8 o.c.p.m.
May 28 1863
Thursday 28 clear & cool the Capt left for Richmond this morning no drill with the recruts Mr. Stokes? Joined our company by transfer to day there is nothing new in camps to day all well & still clowdy
May 29 1863
Friday 29 Cool & dry at 11 o.c.a.m. there was orders came for 4 companys to go to Franklin as the sharp shooters had gone off & vacancy had to be filled at 3 o.c.p.m. there was 50 conscripts reported to the Legion we recd 8 of them every thing quiet to day all the boys in there usual health & still clowdy
May 30 1863
Saturday 30 Still clowdy & somewhat warmer this day was a year we had a heavy battle at Tboros? (Battle of 7 Pines) Nothing new in camps to day we had some ladies out at dress parade we also had a light shower at 2 o.c.p.m. all well as usual
May 31 1863
Sunday 31 Some what clowdy tho pleasant we recd. orders to have inspection at 10 o.c.a.m. every thing quiet all day I wrote a letter to Emily clear & all well
June 1 1863
Monday 1 Clear & pleasant I finished my letter to Emily the Regt. is making some preperation for the fandango they have invited all the ladies of this neighborhood to the show I recd. a letter from W. Burress & returned the compliment forth with the wind was verry high & was quite dusty clear & all in there usual health
June 2 1863
Tuesday 2 Still clowdy & warm all the boys ar washing & putting on there clean rags the longest pole will nock the persimones to day as there is to be a show here Gen Jenkins & Lady is coming down they arrived here at 11 o.c.a.m. & was saluted by 7 shots from the canon on his arrival & when he started off again was 7 more fired there was several Ladies made there appearance at the fandango I think there was several of the officers ???? they had several cotelions and other amusing gaimes to suit the times I also recd. a letter from Emily Dated 26 of May Clowdy at dark and raining by 9 o.c.p.m. all in there usual health
June 3 1863
Wednesday 3 Clowdy & pleasant this morning nothing strange or new in camps to day Capt. Hall returned from Richmond at 1 1/2 o.c.p.m. he brought me a letter from Frank that Emily sent by him ?????? I also written a letter to Emily The capt. Brings no news of interest. Every thing in order in camps all well and still clear
June 4 1863
Thursday 4 clear & cool at sun rise I & Capt Hall taken a walk in the bushes & taken a little Brandy as he brought some from the city Recd. orders to have a Bat. Drill at 10 o.c.a.m. all quiet the left wing recd. orders to cook up 2 days rations to go down to Smith Ferry I do not know for what purpose clear & cool at sun set
June 5 1863
Friday 5 Still clear & cool for June nothing new in camps to day we Recd. orders to be ready to go on Battalion drill at 9 o.c.a.m. Col. Logan drilled the boys he did it finely we had some 4 ladies out at Dress Parade some little appearance of rain at bed time all the boys well except Cooper he is quite ill to knight
June 6 1863
Saturday 6 All in peace and in moderate health at breakfast the Capt. Ordered an arber built before all the tents of his company & wished me to superintend the job so we had it completed by 12 o.c.a.m. the Col isued order for the Capts of each company to have there streets cleaned up & the men to wash there cloths and clean up there guns & be ready for a general inspection to morrow at 10 o.c.a.m. Capt Mauldins wife paid the Regt a visit at dress parade on horseback
June 7 1863
Sunday 7 Quite cool as we had a fine rain last knight It was kneeded badly Capt. T. L. Bozman left camps yesterday for Greenville District, SC for 2 ? we are to get him a substitute clear this morning inspection came off at 10 o.c.a.m. every thing is in nice order about camps Mr. Thomas held service at 11 o.c.a.m. in camps drilling was dispensed of to day no news of any importance clear & quite cool the most of our men is in there usual health
June 8 1863
Monday 8 Clear & cool enough for frost I set around the fire till breakfast nothing new or strange in camps we still have drilling 3 times a day all in our usual health and clear
June 9 1863
Tuesday 9 everything quiet at sun set we had orders to have 3 days rations cooked up to be ready to move at a moments notice (The next sentence is faded beyond reading.) I had the head ache verry bad and my toe is still feeble ??????
(No entry for June 10, 1863)
June 11 1863
Thursday 11 Some what hazy & not so cool no drill to day evry thing quiet at 5 o.c.p.m. we had a shower of rain I also loaned Lt. Austin (Co. D) five dollars all the boys in there ususal health & some what clowdy
June 12 1863
Friday 12 Still hazy order came around at 5 o.c.a.m. for us to get ready to move camps at a moments notice at 8 o.c.a.m. orders came to hall the bagage to the station So I was detailed to the charge of bagage with 20 men I came at the depot at dark the rest landed at the depot at 12 o.c.p.m. at 2 o.c.p.m. we commenced boarding the cars & we left at 4 o.c.a.m. for Weldon Saturday 13 & landed at Weldon at 8 o.c.a.m. Still remains clowdy & rain like we had a beautiful rain yesterday evning & left Weldon at 6 o.c.a.m. we rode all night & arrived at Petersburg at 12 o.c.p.m. & lay about in the streets all day & all knight still clear & pleasant
June 15 1863
Monday 15 Every thing quiet & is still in town with the bagage ? let all the boys come to town & take a spree & then return to duty nothing new in town to day
June 16 1863
Tuesday 16 Capt. Mauldin sent ? wagons up after the bagage this morning I landed at camps at 4 o.c.p.m. & found all the boys in there ususal health I writen S. A. Dean a letter to day clear & pleasant
June 17 1863
Wednsday 17 Every thing quiet at breakfast Capt. Hall has gone to town to day Lt. Ligon on gard to day quite a warm day our Regt. drew uniforms this morning we wer preparing for a quite smart dress parade as all the men is dressed alike tho we recd. orders at 6 o.c.p.m. to strike the tents & be ready to move at a short time Regt. left at about 9 o.c.a.m. then I was ready to commence moving the bagage
June 18 1863
Thursday 18 Left camp with the bagage at day light clear & quite warm I arrived at the city of Petersburg at 6 o.c.a.m.& taken some Brandy & breakfast I was ready for any orders tho I ? I will not get any for several days I writen a letter to Emily to day I visited a restaurant to day & taken some hash & English peas for dinner I paid 2 dollars for my check so I can not live in town without spending money I learnt the Regt. left at 10 o.c.a.m. for Weldon we have some appearance of rain this evning all the bagage is laying in the streets ???? rain fallen & continued showers all knight
June 19 1863
Friday 19 Still raining rapidly & has appearance of being a wet day no news of any importance cleared off about 3 o.c.p.m. I eat dinner at the snack house I taken beans Irish potatoes english peas beats & onions my bill was 2 dollars at sun set it was some what hazy at the west I spred a tent down by the bagage by mid knight it was raining so I moved under a shelter P. R. Brown paid me a call this evning
June 20 1863
Saturday 20 Still clowdy & appearance of more rain Mr. Boggs from H Division quite ill I advised him to report to the hospital I drew 3 days rations to day for the gard every thing quiet ????? rain to knight
June 21 1863
Sunday 21 Still clowdy & an appearance of a wet day I attended a methodist church at 4 o.c.p.m. there was a greate excitement with them they were ????? colored population we had a tremendous rain this evning evrything quiet
June 22 1863
Monday 22 our Brig. came in on the train this morning & went to the old camp where we left it was a clear day & all quiet
June 23 1863
Tuesday 23 still clear & all bagage gone out to camps except a few boxes I look for them back this morning
(There are several days omitted.)
June 28 1863
Sunday 28 We left camp Petersburg at 6 o.c.a.m. for Richmond the Regt. left at 11 o.c.a.m. I am still bagage ?

("C" is Captain; "1" is First Lieutenant; "2" is Second Lieutenant)

Back page of book:

Coker Co. E
Cantrell Co. C
Nelson Co. E
Martin Co. H
March 3 Cash paid to W. Burress for J. T. Cook $1.75
March 5 1863 Cash loaned to (1st ) Lieut. (C. D. ) Nesbit (Co. E) $5.00
March 5 1863 Cash loaned to Lieut Goodlett $10.00 settled by note

(This is the end of this journal.)

William J. Jones CSA 1st Lieutenant, Co. I, Hampton Legion (8/10/1826-11/8/1895 first married C. Elizabeth Dean 10/11/1828 - 2/4/1856, daughter of Thomas 12/13/1774 - 7/27/1854 and Elizabeth T. Dean 4/8/1795 - 10/10/1864. They are all buried at Starr Cemetery, Starr, SC. He married second Emily Adams 12/17/1821 - 8/24/1909, daughter of James C. Adams d. 11/1868

William was the son of James Vandiver Jones CSA 10/11/1803 - 10/3/1861 who came to Starr, Anderson County, from Greenville area in the early 1800s. In 1838 James and a Mr. Richards owned a mercantile, and by 1860 he owned 2,000 acres in Anderson County. James was married to Elizabeth Austin 1/19/1905 - 6/3/1869.

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