Before daylight. We
have been turned out, for some purpose, and are standing in line with our guns
and accoutrements on.
Later. Are back in
quarters, waiting to see what comes next. It has at last begun to rain and has
every appearance of keeping it up. I don't suppose it will interfere with our
movements, though it can make it unpleasant for us.
8 a. m. The papers
have come, and say Stuart's Cavalry have invaded Pennsylvania, and are taking
all the horses they can lay hands on.
Later. We have
orders to pack up two days' rations, and have just been given forty rounds of
ammunition. Begins to look like business now, We are in line waiting for
further orders, and I am improving the time by keeping my diary right plump up
to the minute. One man is missing, absent without leave. Not a soul of us knows
which way we are to go or what for. If we were mounted I would think we were
going to stop Stuart's horse-stealing, but as we are on foot that can hardly
be.
Noon. At the foot of
Biddle Street, Baltimore, waiting for transportation. From all I can learn, our
movements depend on dispatches from some higher authority, yet to be received.
Major Foster's horse fell and hurt the major's leg, but he has caught up with
us, though he has quite a limp.
Night. Here we sit,
or stand, just as we choose, still waiting for a train. It has rained nearly
all day, and we are wet and cold, and everyone is cross, even to the officers.
Just then our regimental post-master caught up with us, and gave me a letter
from Mrs. Loucks, also one from uncle Daniel. My sister says a box of good
things is on the way for us. Too bad it didn't come before we left. No telling
whether we get it now or not. Well, such is war.
SOURCE:
Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 47-8
No comments:
Post a Comment