For the past ten
days there was nothing of particular interest. Quite a number of men are sick.
I was in the hospital today seeing my men and while there one of Co. C men was
dying. He was delirious and wanted his gun that he might take his place in the
ranks of his company. Poor fellow, before tomorrow's sun he will be marching
with that country's host that have already gone before. Some six or eight
others have already died but none as yet from my company. We came near having a
large fire the other day, but owing to the exertion of the guard under the
command of my 1st Lieutenant Randall, it was put out. He was complimented on
dress parade for his courage. Some days we are required to go to church which
is held by the men being drawn up in a square and our Chaplain Barnes
discourses in the center. As we have a number of good singers the music goes
off very well, but there is a great deal of opposition to church on the part of
the men, some being Catholics and one a Jew. In my company are two Germans who
are atheists so there is quite a mixture. On Sunday last, sixty of the men
marched down to the church in the city and took communion. Our camp life
promises to be tedious in some respects but we are kept busy in batallion and
company drills. Colonel Starring is very proficient in the formations.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 2-3
