Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, October 19, 1861

Gen. Banks and staff honored our battery drill with their presence. Col. Geary of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, and Capt. Tompkins, with the right section, had a fight with the rebels at Harper's Ferry and Bolivar Heights. Our right section, occupying Maryland Heights, fired into Bolivar and on a rebel battery on Loudon Heights. Even the drivers served an old iron gun. Col. Geary's troops, crossing the river in scows, carried the fight to Bolivar Heights. No loss of men in the right section.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 24

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, August 14, 1861

The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, commanded by Col. Geary, occupied the town. We established our camp about five o'clock, P. M., close to that of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 16-7

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, August 16, 1861

Return of Capt. Reynolds, with the Third Battery, afterwards Battery B, Rhode Island Light Artillery, and some recruits for ours. The newly raised battery should have relieved us, and taken our pieces, as we had the promise of entirely new ones. We all expected to return to Washington; but Col. Geary, being in the immediate neighborhood of rebel troops, remonstrated against our departure, saying he would not rely on a new battery at such a critical moment. Owing to this, the Third Battery returned to Washington the same evening, in command of Lieut. Vaughan, he being promoted to Captain. Sergeant-Major Randolph was promoted to Lieutenant. All quiet up to [Wednesday, August 21, 1861.]

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 17

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, September 2, 1861*

Orders arrived for our remaining section to unite forthwith with the rest of the battery at Darnestown. The morning was beautiful. The battery got ready to march. Col. Geary had his regiment drawn up in line. The whole regiment presented arms as we passed by, they being greatly attached to us, while we gave nine cheers and a Narragansett for Col. Geary and his brave regiment. This day's march will always be a pleasant recollection for the surviving. Our road was leading through the most beautiful parts of Maryland. Late in the afternoon we arrived at Darnestown, and united once more with the rest of the battery, after having been parted for three weeks. Gen. Banks' headquarters are there, and all the troops of his command, lying around the town. We had a very pleasant camp, but should not enjoy it long.

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* Misdated as Monday, August 2, 1861.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 18