Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-07-04
Interesting Accounts Taken
From Diary of the Late
c. M. Slayfon
Wednesday, April 26, 1865.

Wednesday, April 26. 1865.
There was no indication of US NOV
ing this morning, so / wrote in my
diary; then wrote some other letters,
which occupiedthe forenoon. In the
afternoon / read, played ball, etc.
Raleigh, North Carolina,
April "a, 1866.
The monotony of camp life is get
ting really tiresome. We have no
drilling Of any kind, and only about
one man from the Co. day for guard
duty. We read most Of the time, but
our stock of reading matter is get
ing rather scarce. Play ball for exer-
else. 1t was reported this evening
and pretty wen confirmed, that John
ston has surrendered; yet we got no
order to that effect. In the evening
the boys had great sport cheering,
shooting guns, bursting canteens,
firing rockets, etc. Today was pleas
ant
Friday, April 20, 1885.
Soon after breakfast we were or
dered to pack up and strike tents.
Our brigade was crowded, our regi-
ment was to move out to give the
rest more room. We moved about
forty rods, going out to the road,
nearer to and in sight of town. The
camping ground is higher, dryer and
more pleasant, but not not very well
shaded. We brought all our stakes,
poles, wood, etc., over, and fixed our
tents up well, most of the boys rails
ing their beds by the use of poles and
rails. We had some cotton, which
we had moved twice before and we
used that for bedding. putting it on
the ground. We got crotches, or
forks as they call them down south,
and fixed up a shade in front of our
tent, covering it with .boughs. Rain
ed little today. Armon j. Ring re-
turned OF the Co. today. Have twen-
ty-five in our Co. now, who are pres
ent. Drew rations this afternoon
getting one days ration of flour, no
meat, coffee, sugar, soap and candles.
We have to stir up the flour with wa
ter and salt and bake it into pancakes.
1t is pretty poor living and good
deal of bother. The troops who are
going home take all the hard bread
we have here.
Saturday, April 20, 1866.
We policed up our camping ground
this morning, that is, we cleared
upthe rubbish, ETC., cleaned our guns,
and made ready to go on parade at
ten o'clock, having orders to that eff
feet. This morning at sunrise we
were awakened by salute of thirteen
heavy guns, fired in memory of Presi- \
dent Lincoln's death; and the salute
were continued all day at intervals
of half hour between, and at sun
guns was fired. At ten o'clock the
oil NJ navajo zach
brigade by itself, and listened to the
order announcing the death of Lin
coin and that appropriate ceremonies
be observed. Read some. Went to
headquarters after bareback, being
entirely out of flour. Drew one days
rations of soft bread. Went to church
down town in the evening. The
building was capable of holding
1900 people and was nearly full, all
soldiers. 1t was a beautiful building
with a light blue arched ceiling, done
in panel work, with heavy vanished
oaken ribs and cross bars, giving it
a bold and substantial appearance.
/ returned to camp at nine o'clock,
just as it began to rain. The papers
stated this morning that Johnston has
finally surrendered and that the army
of the Tennessee starts for the north |
Our corps are to remain
in this state until civil government is |
once more firmly established. Pleas
ant, but rather cold tonight.
Sunday, April 80, 1865.
After the usual ceremonies Of pol
icing and Sunday morning inspec-
ton, / wrote a letter home, then !
spent the remainder of the day in |
reading, etc. Towards night drew
three days rations, getting hardtack,'
bacon, coffee and sugar, but not full
for ar'y the north todav. We p' mustered
today for pay. Pleasant, but cool.
Raleigh, North Carolina,
May 1, 1866.
This morning, before we had hard
ly finished our breakfast, drill call
sounded, and we had to put on our