Wilber Wightman Gramling’s Diary
Note:
Wilber Wightman Gramling lived in Leon County, Florida, and enlisted in Company K
of the Fifth Florida Infantry Regiment at Tallahassee on February 20, 1862.
Page 50
Sunday, May 22, 1864. A beautiful morning. Shower rain at noon. Health
good and wound doing well. I see negroes riding out in fine carriages with
their drivers. Sometimes a negro man and a white woman riding together
in a carriage with a negro driver—frequently see them walking together.
Monday, May 23, 1864. Everything the same. Saw President Lincoln and
Lady pass yesterday. Just saw them on their hack & could not tell how he
looks. He passes here nearly every day. Some die here nearly every day.
Wrote a letter to Pa and Irvin today.
Tuesday, May 24, 1864. Weather very pleasant. I am in better spirits. A
battery of artillery has just passed going toward the front. Lot of wounded
came in this morning. Amused myself by looking at the pleasure-riding
folks pass.
Page 109
Monday, Nov. 7, 1864. Weather fair and very pleasant. It is very changeable.
One day freezing, the next almost boiling, comparatively. No new dispatches
today. Tomorrow is looked upon as the great day. General impression is that
it will be a close run between Abe and Mc.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1864. Nothing has occurred today more than usual. Far as I
know, it is quite still for election day. Generally thought that it will be a close
run between Abe and Mc, rather than in the latter’s favor.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1864. It is reported that Lincoln is ahead as far as known.
Little hopes of an exchange. Heath good. Weather fair and quite pleasant.
Page 110
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1864. Weather remains the same. Some of the boys have
been plundering potatoes and the Yanks stopped the rations of all until the
interested parties were found out. They soon came to light.
Friday, Nov. 11, 1864. Great speculation about the election. Some say that
Lincoln is elected and some say Mac. Very fair but some colder though pleasant.
Great many boxes and packages of clothing come in daily for the rebs.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 1864. Very much surprised this morning to find it snowing. Has
been drifting a little all day and has grown much colder. Melts nearly as fast as it
falls. Irwin is well & all the boys at the Fort.
Page 111
Sunday, Nov. 13, 1864. Has been quite a dull day though not uncommonly so. I get
along pretty well. Have a stove and plenty wood to sit by every day and all day except
late in the evening. Papers state Col. Mulford has sailed with a truce flag for Port
Royal for Union prisoners about to be exchanged.
Monday, Nov. 14, 1864. Have not heard who is elected yet for president—it is a very
close run. I believe it inclines to be in Lincoln’s favor. Weather unsettled. Little snow
and very cold. Health generally very good.
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1864. No news today, neither from the election nor from anywhere else,
only it is reported that 1500 are to be exchanged from this place—well men. Very cold
and snowing all day a little.
Page 113
Saturday, Nov. 19, 1864. Unusually pleasant today and fair. Seems to be no doubt but
Abe is reelected. No news of interest. Health improving. Everything very quite in camp.
Bought a blanket today for 75 cents.
Sunday, Nov. 20, 1864. More prisoners came in last night and today about 400 or 500.
Some militia from Florida looking very bad, Louisiana and Mississippi. No news yet as
I can hear. Day passed very dull.
Monday, Nov. 21, 1864. Cloudy and warm. No news. Am quite well. I have been repairing
my bunk all day, whittling up plank. Today I’m nearly finished.
Page 37
Thursday, April 13, 1865. Seems to be settled that General Lee and army surrendered to
Grant. Some seem to rejoice—while others lament the capture of so noble an army.
Friday, April 14, 1865. Great rejoicing throughout the U.S. Great exultation and crowing
in the papers, picturing Richmond as entirely destitute of provisions and receiving the
Federals with great joy.
Saturday, April 15, 1865. Excitement has only begun. Abe and Seward were murdered
last night. First rumored—by a Virginian, and lastly, a S.S. clerk rumored that all Rebel
officers at Washington were killed.
Page 38
Sunday, April 16, 1865. Cloudy and quite cold. Lincoln’s murderer is supposed to be
one Booth. Johnson took his seat yesterday at 2 o’clock. Seward considered dangerous.
The assassin not apprehended yet.
Monday, April 17, 1865. Cloudy and unpleasant. Various rumors reported that General
Grant was assassinated also, but it is false I believe. Had bad luck with my chains
today. Had two confiscated worth $1.50.
Tuesday, April 18, 1865. General Johnson has not surrendered his army. General
opinion is that he will soon. Health of the camp is tolerably good at present.