George Martin
07 12 1863 [Sunday]
Yesterday we drew six days rations preparatory for a trip to Jackson, Miss, and today we marched out at 7 o’clock a.m. and tonight we are camped 7 1/2 miles from Vicksburg on the railroad ˝. It has the appearance of rain tonight.
Stephenson’s [sic] Division started out at sunup. Reynold’s Brigade was last. It started at eight a.m. We marched two miles and halted and were inspected by the Yankees to see if we were taking anything that was contrary to the conditions of surrender. This done, we passed out of their first line. We marched eight miles and took up for the night. We took a good rest and slept till disturbed by a lightshower of rain, we put everything in good order for the next day.
07 13 1863 [Monday]
At daylight we took up the line of march to Big Black River, four miles distant, passing through Bovina we arrived at Big Black Bridge and took breakfast where Vaughn’s Brigade fought and was repulsed by the enemy on the 17th of May previous. Breakfast dispatched , we rolled on slowly, resting often as we were well loaded with rations, as we had started with ten days of meat rations and six of bread rations. We traveled twelve miles and took up for the night. All along this march we had roasting ears for our Army was falling back, leaving the country to the mercy of the enemy so we made free to eat corn, this making our meals consist of meat, crackers and corn.
07 14 1863 [Tuesday]
At sunup we started again for Raymond where we expected to pass the outposts of the Yank Army. All was quiet along the line today. Severall Yankee ambulances came to Raymond when we were there and moved their sick and wounded to Vicksburg. Out scouts had been in Raymond ahead of us this morning. After resting three hours we struck out and traveled four miles to what is called Cooper's Wells. A place of rest in summer. A health resort. There we found plenty of good water to wash with and to drink. Then we lay down and took another good old fashioned sleep. We left several sick boys back in the Hospital in Raymond.
07 21 1864
We have at last arrived at Enterprise, the place so long looked for. We are to take the train in the morning for Mobiel [sic] at 7 o’clock. It is now raining hard, but we are under shelter.
“We walked to Enterprise the distance of 175 miles sick tired and hungry”
We had to walk 200 miles before we could get on a railroad, had a tough time.
07 22 1863 [Wednesday]
At eight o’clock Vaughn’s Brigade rolled out for Mobile. All our boys got to Enterprise except some sick who had to take their time on the march. We received our orders to take the train at ten o’clock. Accordingly we got on the train but did not leave Enterprise that night.
After the surrender of Vicksburg, Miss., Pemberton’s army was paroled and at Enterprise, Miss., the troops were furnished a thirty days furlough and instructed to report at the end of that time at such places as the commanding General had designated.
07 23 1863 [Thursday]
At eight o'clock the 4th Brigade took the cars for Mobile. At eight o'clock at night we turned up at Mobile.
07 24 1863 [Friday]
At six o'clock we marched down to the wharf. At seven o'clock we struck sail up Tensaw River. At ten o'clock we arrived at Tensaw landing. At four o'clock p. m. we left this point for Montgomery, Alabama. We traveled slowly all night and daylight saw us at Pollard, fifty miles from the river.
07 25 1863 [Saturday]
We left Pollard at sunup, traveled over good road and made good speed. A little before sundown we arrived at Montgomery and marched through down to the cars on the Atlanta road by the way of West Point, Georgia.
07 26 1863 [Sunday]
At seven o'clock we left Montgomery. We made good speed all day and six and on-half o'clock we arrived at West Point, eighty-six miles. We had good luck and got transportation, so, at seven and one-half o'clock we left for Atlanta which we reached at two o'clock a.m. Monday morning.