Timeline: February 1863 - Online Archive of Terry's Texas Rangers

Timeline: February 1863

Sunday, February 1

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Rained all day, came within four miles of Charlotte. A very poor country. I and Reuben Slaughter went out and staid all night with Mrs. Hood. Her husband had been conscripted. She boiled a ham, baked some pies, filled our haversacks and started us on our way rejoicing. Came down to Mr. Ventress."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Make an early start and travel at an easy gait all day towards Charlotte. raining nearly all day, towards night the weather is more settled."

Monday, February 2

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Froze up and snowed to-day and night."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Pass through Charlotte very early this morning & camp at night 20 miles from there on Fort Donelson road. The weather has been clear up to night, when it clouded up."
CSR - R. N. Beavers, Co. A: Certificate of Disability & Discharge

Tuesday, February 3

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Started before day for Fort Donelson. Had to walk to keep from freezing. Got to the Fort about three hours by sun. Our Regiment sent on Fort H. road to prevent reinforcements from coming to D. Reached our position and the fight commenced and continued till dark. We cut the telegraph at all points, fight resulted in capture of about 100 prisoners, 50 negroes and same number of horses, one twelve-pound brass rifled cannon. Gun Boats came up after dark and commenced shelling and we had to get. Came back to the Forge, two and a half miles, and camped."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Start at 4 A.M. & reach Fort Donelson [about] 2 hours by sun attack it, but are not successful in the attack. Our regiment was on picket on Fort Henry road & did not get into the fight. 2nd Geo took 1 piece of artillery. It was intended to carry the fort by storm tomorrow but several Gun boats having come up the undertaking was abandoned. Camped at the [ Smeet ] Mill 2-1/2 miles from the fort. our Company on picket. weather awful cold."

Wednesday, February 4

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Came back to Ventress's on Creek. Snowed to-night—awful time."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Start early & Camp at night at Vinters, the same camp as we had on 2nd very Cold & disagreeable."

Thursday, February 5

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Boys had grand snowball. Gave Col. Harrison a taste. Came up Columbia road, twenty miles, to little village of Wharton, took up quarters. We went up creek three miles and back close to Headquarters and camped in road, making fires of the fence. I got fodder and we spread it on the snow and blankets on fodder; slept comfortably."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " We had a very hard snow storm last night & this morning the ground is covered at least 3 inches. move camp towards Columbia some 12 miles. about 40 miles from Shelbyville to Franklin – about 22 miles from Franklin to Charlotte – 38 miles from Charlotte to Fort Donelson."

Friday, February 6

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Came to Vernon and camped. I went out and got some fodder and made beds, but did not get to enjoy it long. Bout 1 o’clock started and came to Duck River, built fires of the fence on river bank. Our squadron sent on scout eight miles, got back just after day. Found them swimming the horses and taking the rigging over in a boat flat. We were then sent on picket. A ford was found and the Brigade crossed over. Camped one mile from the river. Crossed near Centerville."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Camped in the snow & this morning at Sun up are on the road to Columbia. Camp at a little [village] called Vernon."

Saturday, February 7

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Saturday, 7th-Sunday, 8th—Came up to Columbia pike, ten miles from town. Once more in pretty country. Camped in woodland blue grass pasture."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " [Genl] has [discovered] innumerable body guards on his person. Had us up at midnight and our Company is in advance. go to the River “Duck” to cross, but find only one boat & it is very slow work crossing. finally get a part of the command over at the ferry when a ford is discovered & the balance go by that route. camp early on the south side of the river 4 miles from Centreville has cleared off beautifully & the snow is melting very fast. Enemy are said to be at Williamsport the camp we left on 6th. hardly believe it true."
ORs - Dispatch by Gen. Brag - Summary of Cavalry Operations.: Summarizes Cavalry opperations of Forrest, Morgan, Wheeler, & Wharton.

Sunday, February 8

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Up before day & after good day are in the saddle & moving off. Camp early about 12 miles from Columbia on a short pike. make only 15 miles today."

Monday, February 9

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Moved up in five miles of Town."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Go but a few miles when we strike a camp."

Tuesday, February 10

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Remained in Camp."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " No move today."

Wednesday, February 11

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Sent to Headquarters to draw ammunition as A. O. S. Gen’l Wharton had a ball to-night."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "on camp."

Thursday, February 12

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Came up to within seven miles of Lewisburg."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " In the saddle at 8 A.M. – raining very hard. pass through Columbia and some 7 miles beyond on road leading to Louisberg – road very bad. Columbia is a very pretty little place. did not have an opportunity to go through the town."

Friday, February 13

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Came up to L. I went with Aaron Burleson to the fortune teller’s; had our future destiny read to us; then to Mr. Lane’s and listened to Miss Jennie paw ivory awhile. Miss Mattie Long present."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Go to Louisberg and camp. find forage rather scarce. this is a small town with no pretension and I do not see anything to invite a visitor to remain. It has cleared off & now feels as spring."

Saturday, February 14

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Remained quiet today. I and Nix went to see Miss Jennie Lane. Miss Mattie still there."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "No move today. good prospect of rain."

Sunday, February 15

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Moved camp out seven miles on Franklin pike near Berlin. I went out to Mr. Sewell's and got dinner; piruted around and came back to Camp with two dozen eggs."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Raining hard nearly all night. move camp seven miles on the Franklin pike 3 miles from Duck River. find forage scarce through this county."

Monday, February 16

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "I went out piruting again to-day. Wagons got in to-day. I was put on Camp Guard; roots for being out. Soon after dark a detail was called for to go to Lewisburg; ‘twas raining; I was detailed. Doak in command. Got there about 11 o’clock, could find nobody, went into Court House and slept in the Bar."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " No move."

Tuesday, February 17

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Received twenty-four boxes, saddles, bridles, halters, etc. Sent to Camp. Got a detail and put them all in a house and locked them up. We took charge of the Clerk’s Office to sleep in, tied our horses in Court Yard and got our forage from the farmers around. Secured boarding at Maj. Holden's, a clever gentleman and nice family; has one grown daughter, Miss Emma, a nice young lady. Remained here Wednesday, 18th—Monday, 23rd. During this time had nothing to do but write letters, visit MY GIRL THAT PAWS IVORY, and make acquaintances. Among them Miss Lou Hill I prize highest. We had prayer meeting and church. I purchased four books and left them with Miss Emma: Mormon's at Home, Pilgrim’s Progress, Bayard Taylor’s Travels and Bible Union Dictionary."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " no move. [Wedgard or Wadgand] came to us & now the men are cleaning up. rec’d letter from John & Clancy."
CSR - D. J. Blair, Co. G: Certificate of Disability & Discharge

Wednesday, February 18

Letter - B. F. Burke, Co. F: To his parents from Lewisburg, TN.
Letter - Shipp, Co. D: To Miss Scottie Hill from Lewisburg, TN.
Letter - C. W. Love, Co. C: To his parents from Shelbyville, TN.
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Nothing new. muster & Inspection."

Thursday, February 19

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Busy all day preparing muster and pay rolls, making out reports &tc."

Friday, February 20

Letter - W. Nicholson, Co. D: To his aunt from Lewisburg, TN.
Letter - G. Q. Turner, Co. C: To his father from Lewisburg, TN.
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " In Camp with the worst kind of weather."

Saturday, February 21

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Sunday, February 22

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Paying off the regiment is the only thing worth noting today."

Monday, February 23

Letter - R. E. Hill, Co. D: To his sister from Camp Berling, TN.
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Rec’d 2 papers from Clancy. Review & Inspection by"

Tuesday, February 24

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Just before leaving a couple of young lady equestrians passed out of town from Mr. Fisher’s. I jumped on H. Emnoff's horse and overtook them, rode out a mile with them and turned off pike. If I should ever get back to L. I intend seeking them and make their acquaintance. After dinner we bid our kind friends adieu and put out, overtook the Command about eleven miles from Shelbyville."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Left camp and camped 8 miles of Shelbyville. Forage very scarce"

Wednesday, February 25

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Came through Shelbyville to-day. Commenced raining on us just as we got to town and continued. Came out on road to Beech Grove, ten miles, as wet as water. I and Albright went cross Wartrace Creek and staid all night with Mr. Fork—a nervy layout."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Started at sun up passing through Shelbyville, raining very hard."

Thursday, February 26

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Still raining. Went over to Mr. Hancock’s, intending to cross Wartrace at a bridge above but gave it out as it was pouring down rain. Found Charley Pellam there at Mr. H’s."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Started after breakfast passed through Wartrace a RR station and Fairfield a little village & camped without forage in the rain & mud at [ Brach or Beach Grove]."
News - Nashville Dispatch: Mistaken for a Rebel.

Friday, February 27

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "All start this morning for Camp, find the wagons close to Fairfield, the Regiment three miles further on. I was sent after corn over the highest mountain in the country as soon as I got in."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " No move today horses are saddled all day without forage."

Saturday, February 28

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D: "Moved Camp out near Beech Grove. I and Polk Kyle sent on forage, bought a stack of hay. Staid all night with Mr. Carlisle."
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: " Regiment on picket. went to several shops to have horse shod finally succeeded in finding one about 8 miles from camp."

Unidentified February Events

History - Claiborne: In the month of February he accompanied Gen. Wheeler and Forrest in the expedition to Fort Donaldson, where the former made his unsuccessful attack upon the Fort. Though nothing was accomplished for us, yet he distinguished himself in the attack by courage and gallantry; here he came near receiving the fatal shot, the ball grazing his chest.