2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
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Confederate Dairy written in pencil by Simeon Zellars who mustered into "I" Co. Georgia 2nd Cavalry. The diary is written into a 1858 pocket Diary with penciled dates ranging from September 6, 1862 through April 27, 1865. We will list several of Zellars’ enteries. Some are smudged and difficult to read, some are inked.Identified on the title page, “‘Diary for 1858’ as Simeon Zellars, Palmrtto Campbell County Georgia, 2nd regt Cavalry”. The first several pages are for finacial enteries for 1858. Then, the War listings start with a 4page ‘catch-up’, Sept. 6, 1862 “Left my house with Anderson Walsh, Wilson Co. Tenn. 8 miles soutrh Lebanon on the Sparta road. April 8th, “A cavalry Company known as Campbell Durango was organized at Palmetto Georgia April 23, 1862 and went into camp May 1st following at Camp McDonald Geo. and left there for Atlanta June 8th, remained there until July 3, 1862 at which time we were ordered to Chattenooga. On the 8th with our regiment were ordered to cross the Tenn. River, the most of our company being at home or in camp sick ... I was left in Chattanooga for the purpose of having horses shod which being accomplished , I was ordered to cross the Tenn. River in company with Lt. Bradfes ... we together had 21 men ... After stopping on the opposite side of the river from town for three days and doing some scouting on Walden’s Ridge, just at night. ... near McMinville Tenn, we recrossed the river and went back to camp ... traveled all night and the next day which carried us to the Cumberland Mountain 5 miles beyond Dunlap where where we heard that the enemy were in our front. We about faced and went towards Pikesville, to Spencer, to Camp Martin at White Church to Warren County near McMinville where we joined our Regiment which was attaching to Genl N.B. Forest Brigade who had a few days before, fought the celebrated fight at Murfreesborough . ... On July 21st what of the Brigade was left .. were ordered to Washington TN to take the battery that had been captured at Murfreesboro ... Aug. 3, 1862, “We are now on the Northeast bank ofCaing River on picket duty for a short time after which we were ordered to follow the commands ... our pickets at McMinville had been fired into and driven ... there was a considereable force advancing on our camps ...Lt. Cochran and Tho Wilkenson are both with us. They left the Sick House yesterday not being willing to be caught by the Yankees. ... Sept 4th 1862, “... The Southern Citizens here are the prodestpeople that I ever saw. They are glad to rid of the Federals, some of them complained of bad treatment ...” Sept 9th, 1862, “12 Miles East ... passed the Hermitage, home of Genl Andrew Jackson ....” Sept. 12th, “... we crossed the river 14 miles above Nashville where we had to slide the horses down on one side ... our advancement with a small party of the enemy and captured a few prisoners .... on the 11th we again run into a large force of the ebemy and fired a few shells into them ... we had one man killed and we killed 2 or 3 of them and captured several ... Sept 13th, “ ... we again had a little skirmish with the enemy ... stood in line of battle about two hours and then the enemy were falling ack ... in the direction of Bowling Green ... Sept. 17th, 1862, “... a little before the time came to attack, Genl. Ward surrendered himself and his whole army ... he had about five thousand men ... Genl Bragg had three times the men ... besides the Cavalry Force of Genl Forrest ... the victory was bloodless ...” Sept 20th, 1862 “... Genl Bragg has his forces in line of battle ... the bugle sounded a forward move ... just learned that the Union Army is advancing ....” Sept. 22, 1862, “... our whole army is moving in the direction of Louisville and Genl. Buells command is in hot pursuit ... our cavalry is to bring up the rear. ...” Oct. 15th, 1862, “ ...Major Whaley fell we fear mortally ... Federal shell and shot fell fast ... Oct 17th, 1862, “ ... the federals are still pursuing us and have made good progress ...” Jan 8th, 1863, “I am at the home of one Mrs. Henly ... have been for three days ... left the army about the 2nd. ... quite sick ...” June 12, 1863, “We have been relieved and settled down here for a few days rest. ...” June 23rd, 1863 “... The enemy came out today and attacked our front... we were ordered to fall back ...” July 5, 1863, “We left Chapel Hill Pike the 24th of June ... turn towards Shellbyville and found the enemy there ....” July 15th, “We have just the Lookout Mountains which was a rough trip ...” the 19th and 20th, we have been skirmishing nearly every day ...” Oct 3rd, “Crossed the Tenn River ..N. Mclain was killed in a skirmish about 2 oclock... we were driven about two miles ...” November 15th, “... skirmished all day with the enemy. Captured a few prisoners ... at Maysville we attacked ...” Dec. 1st, 1863, “ ... skirmished with the enemy and drove them to the river. .....” ... Jan. 4th (64), “ ... moved to Strenburg Plains, Heavey cannonading ... enemy on the Southside of the river ... on the 26th, the enemy drove us back and whipped us like puppies. Captured Lieut. Cochran and James Meggs. ...” Oct. 3rd (64), “...We had a light skirmish, first of the trip ... the next was with Kilpatrick where we skirmished with his rear for two days ... Ira Richardson captured, Dec. 4th. We then moved after Sherman’s Army annoying his rear until he reached Savannah ... he took possession of Savannah ....” Jan 2nd 1865, :moved near Robertville, Martin’s Bluff ...” .... April 3rd, 1865, “At Smithfield, 18 miles of Raleigh ... the 4th, passed through Raleigh, crossed the Neuse river. ... the 14th passed Chapel Hill .....20th, various rumors about terms ... Later in the evening Gen. Wheeler made them known. 100 cheers for Gen. Wheeler ... Then he writes the Joe Johnston Surrender in full, “Headquarters Army of Tennessee near Greensboro, N.C., April 27, 1865, General Orders No. 18. By the terms of a military convention made on the 26th inst by Maj. General W. T. Sherman U.S.A., and Joseph E. Johnston C.S.A. the officers and men of this army are to bind themselves not to take up arms against the United States until properly relieved from that obligation, and shall receive guarantees from the United States [officers against Molestation by the United States.*] authorities so long as they observe that obligation and the laws in force within reason where they reside. For these objects duplicate muster rolls will be made immediately and after distribution of the necessary papers the troops will march under their officers to their respective states and there be disbanded all retaining personal property. The object of this convention is pacification to the extent of the authority of the commanders who made it. Events in Virginia, which broke every hope of success by war, imposed on its general the duty of sparing the blood of this gallant army and saving our country from further devastation, and our people from ruin. Signed J.E. Johnston General .” And, there is a lock of hair, persumably Somion’s.
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