Diary of Private John C. West, Monday, June 1, 1863

Received orders to retrace our steps and marched fourteen miles over the same dusty road and are now camped in two miles of Raccoon Ford. I am pretty tired and my feet very much blistered. Our clever, hospitable steward gave me a toddy and let me have a basin to wash my feet in. Our camp is an oak grove with thick under growth. There seems to be as many spiders as leaves. They tickle me very much crawling over my face. I ate my last ration of meal and will be without to-morrow.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, p. 57

Diary of Private John C. West, Thursday, June 4, 1863

On yesterday evening we received orders to cook three days rations and be ready to march today at daylight. We were up late at night cooking and left this morning early, wading the Rapidan at

Raccoon Ford. We are now, 2 o'clock p. m., one mile from Culpepper Court House, having marched fifteen miles this morning

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 57-8

Diary of Private John C. West, Saturday, June 6, 1863

On yesterday we marched six miles to a large open field beyond Culpepper to witness a review of General Stuart's cavalary [sic]. There were 8,000 or 10,000 horsemen covering an immense area. The infantry were permitted to rest and gaze at will, from the railroad embankment, on their manouvers. Except the difference in the numbers present there was nothing to note which may not be seen at the review of a regiment. The great numbers inspired a feeling of awe and created an impression of strength and security.

We returned to camp about sunset, having made a march of twelve miles for recreation, entertainment and inspiration. Just as I was writing the last line we received orders to be ready to march at 12 o'clock; it is now nearly 11. I asked yesterday for Lamar Stark, but I learned from Wat Taylor that he was across the river; so I cannot tell when I shall see him.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, p. 58

Diary of Private John C. West, Monday, June 8, 1863

On the morning of the 6th, Saturday, we were ordered to be prepared to march at 12 o'clock. We started about 1 o'clock towards the Rappahanock. It rained in the afternoon, and I was soaked to the skin, and the road very muddy. We dragged along until 10 o'clock at night and were then ordered to camp without fires. We slept on the wet ground in a perfect heap; 10,000 or 12,000 men lying promiscuously on the side of a public road, like so many tired hounds, was a novel sight, or rather sound, to me. I slept soundly, except when waked up by the rain falling in my face. At daylight on Sunday morning we were ordered to form and were marched back over the same road to our camp near Culpepper, a distance of sixteen miles. We remained there until morning, when we moved to this place, about half a mile farther from Culpepper. This marching and countermarching is what the military authorities call making a demonstration. It is a tiresome and monotonous business, but if it accomplishes the purpose for which I left home I will be satisfied.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 58-9

Diary of Private John C. West, Tuesday, June 9, 1863

This morning about six o'clock there was heavy cannonading towards the Rappahanock. It is now after nine o'clock and the firing still continues. We have just received orders to form and are now resting in line ready to move at the word of command. Perhaps I may see my first battle today or to-morrow—will it be the last?

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, p. 59

Diary of Private John C. West, Saturday, June 13, 1863

Went yesterday to call on General Kershaw. Found Henry Deas, Albert Doby and Charley Dunlap at his headquarters. Neddy Dunlap is forage master, Tom Salmon, surgeon, Jimmy Davis is adjutant of DeSaussure's Fifteenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers. John Kennedy is Colonel of a regiment; Jim Villepigue, quartermaster; Frank Gilliard, major. Josie Dunlap is in William Shannon's old company, of which Doby is now captain. Tom Chestnut is captain of a cavalry company. All the above names are old acquaintances and schoolmates of Camden, South Carolina.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 59-60