1865 G.W. Nichols Story of the Great March 240: If it be asked what a bummer is, the reply is easy. He is a raider on his own account, a man who temporarily deserts his place in the ranks, while the army is on the march, and starts out upon an independent foraging expedition.at bummer, n.3
1865 G.W. Nichols Story of the Great March 44: Why, dog bite them, the newspapers have been lying all along. [...] 45: Why, dog bite their hides! one of your Yankees can take up a tree and carry it off.at dog bite ’em! (excl.) under dog, n.1
1865 G.W. Nichols Story of the Great March 45: It’ll take [...] a heap of rain, and a deal of elbow-grease, to fix things up again.at elbow grease, n.