Reveille was sounded
at one A.M. Marched till half-past four, to Centreville, where we saw the Ninth
Massachusetts Battery. Went into camp at three P.M., at a place called Gum
Springs. The day was very hot, and the roads dusty, and several of the men were
sun-struck. Eighteen miles.
SOURCE: John Lord
Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second
Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light
Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, pp. 275-6
Started at five
A.M.; marched through Buckeyetown, Md. We passed a great many fields of wheat
and corn. The roads were muddy. Crossed the Monocacy River. Marched fifteen
miles. A year ago to-day was the battle of Gaines's Mills.
SOURCE: John Lord
Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second
Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light
Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 276
Camp Dick Robinson,
Ky. Again we are on the move en route to Crab Orchard, thirty miles from our
late camp, where a military post is to be established. I understand there is to
be a line of posts from Lexington to Cumberland Gap. Report says these
posts are to be held by the Ninth Corps. I hope not. I much prefer active
service, with its toil and exposure, to a life of comparative ease in camp.
While there is work to be done, and God gives me strength, I want to be doing.
When I can be of no more service, then I would go home.
But I see no
preparations for field service. We have no artillery or ambulances, which is
proof conclusive. I was disappointed in Camp Dick Robinson. I had read so much
of it, I expected to find a military station, or fortifications of some kind.
Instead, I find a beautiful grove of oak and black walnut trees. It is noted as
being the first camping ground occupied by loyal troops in Kentucky. General
Nelson, its founder, who was shot last fall by General Davis, is buried here.
I have borne the
march well today. My feet were somewhat tired, and what wonder? Two hundred
twenty pounds the weight of myself and load is quite a load to carry ten miles
over a macadamized road in half a day.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 85-6
This has been
another fine dry and bright day. The roads are geting quite good. The dust is
thick on Pa. Ave today. There has probably been no fighting
over the River as yet but the next week is expected to be an important time in
the history of the War. McClellan has got a “good ready” and is now
about to act. Nothing is now allowed to be published in reference to the troops
or the War, consequently the papers are quite uninteresting. I have been in the
office today as usual, have been at home all the evening, reading &c.
SOURCE: Horatio Nelson
Taft, The Diary of
Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862,
Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
The event of the day
has been the Funeral of the gallant Genl Lander. It took place at the
Epiphany church, starting from the Residence of Sec'y Chase. The family (ours)
all went. Mrs Doct Barnes & Julia were at the office. I went up into the
Hospital with them. They were out to see the procession pass. Mrs O Knight
called this evening. Prof Sparks was here an hour. Edwd Dickerson
called and he and Julia went to the great Gotschalk concert at Willards Hall,
returned about 10½ o'clock. It has been dry but quite Cool today. The roads are
getting better. No news from over the River and no advance as yet.
SOURCE: Horatio Nelson
Taft, The Diary of
Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862,
Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
The weather is now
fine & the roads are drying up. Troops are coming into the City and
crossing over the River. Rumors afloat of fighting today near Mt Vernon.
Nothing is published and little is known publicly of War operations.
The prospect now is that there will be a desperate Battle near here soon. The
Rebels will try to retrieve their recent losses, and will fight with
desperation. McClellan is well prepared and has an immense army near
here all ready and anxious for a fight. Went up to Franklin Square with wife
& the boys after dinner. Wife & myself continued our walk to Lafayette
Square pass [sic] Genl McClellans home. He was standing at the
Window. I did not go down to the Ave tonight, got a “Tribune”
of the news boy & read Carl Shurze Speech at the Cooper Institute NY.
SOURCE: Horatio Nelson
Taft, The Diary of
Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862,
Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
33d in advance,
drizzly rain most of day. Roads bad. train did not get up. we camp at 2 P. M.
in field where is plenty of wood. Evening raining and prospects dismal
SOURCE: “Diary of
John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa,
Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 572
Left Suffolk this morning en route for Petersburg—passed through Nansemond county and camped in Isle of Wight—roads very dusty, and weather extremely hot.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 115
No particular news today. The streets are in a wo[e]ful condition but the boys who are anxious to gain a penny — keep the crossings in tolerable condition for footmen. The hundreds of army wagons which are constantly passing keep the road way mud well stirred up.
SOURCE: Horatio
Nelson Taft, The
Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11,
1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
The City is quite wild with Excitement today at the reported capture of Fort Donoldson with 15000 prisoners. It is not yet confirmed. We all hope & rejoice. Good news also from Genl Lander, he has made an important capture of rebel officers & Stores near Winchester V.A.
Capt White of the 27th came over from Camp today and gave us a call, he returned this evening. Union Stock has raised astonishingly within three or four days past. We have been sometime getting ready to fight and now the “ball” is open. No obstruction now but Bad roads. Spent the evening at home, it has snowed all day.
SOURCE: Horatio
Nelson Taft, The
Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11,
1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
Rain all day, roads and crossing are in a horrible condition. The news looks favorable for further Victories to be heard of before long. The whole country is jubilent over the past. I have not been out tonight. After dinner I cleaned out the Aquarium and put in fresh water. The Eel has been burrowed in the sand all winter, have not seen him before in three months, he is very active. Got a Tribune of the newsboy and have read all the evening.
SOURCE: Horatio
Nelson Taft, The
Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11,
1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
Morning drizzly, over to Amb. C. & to see Lt Sharman who is better before day. Regt to St Johns Square at 9 a. m. all there at 11.30 and start. 1st Mo cav. 1st Iowa cav 43d Ill Inft. 50th Ind Inft. 28th Wis Inft 9th Wis Inft 33 Iowa Inft. 2 secs. of 25th Mo battery, all light order. Roads rough. Camp at 4. P. M. at Mill burned by Webs jeorillas 8 miles from town. Snow from 3.30
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 571
Morning clear & cold with 3 inches of snow. off at 7.15 walking tolerable. teams sticks. P. M. bad bottom roads very bad camp at 1. P. M. at Widow Campbells marched 12 miles. Evening cold
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 571
Night cold, off at 7.30. Regt in rear roads very bad. Camp at dark in a wet swamp. marched 12 miles
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 571
Cold. off at daylight. road tolerable in Pine Bluffs at 12. camp at 1.30 1½ mile from town 40th Ia reported at the Rocks, and boats captured on Ark river. March today 13 miles Rations come up this Evening. 33d in advance today
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 572
Night cold. ice 2 inches off. at 7. road bad 4 miles slow. rest of march fast. 1 pris. taken. 25 Rebs seen by scout. Make 12 miles. troops from Pine Bluffs with us 106th & 126th Ill. Inft & 1 sec of Negro battery
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 572
Not so cold. prospect of rain, road muddy, marching hard. Mount Ebby at 2. P. M. camp at river at 3.30, after marching 18 miles, from Cav in camp, had killed one and captured 15, of Webs band. 1st Mo lost 1. Killed Pontoon laid cav with 2 days rations cross at 4. to ride all night to scare at Camden some of prisoners Haskells Employees
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 572
Column moved at 7. Roads bad & marching very heavy. pass through Pine Bluffs at 1. P. M. camp 2 miles from town. The cavalry rec marching orders & turn over all thier Govt property Horses Wagons &c at Pine Bluffs
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 572
July 5th, 1863.
We have moved about
one and one-half miles today. No doubt our northern friends think they have
seen dusty roads, but if they could have seen us yesterday or today, they would
have thought the dustiest time they ever saw was clean and airy in comparison.
The road, and two or three rods on either side, was beaten into the finest
powder, and the feet of men and horses caused it to rise in sooty clouds, which
enveloped us in their stifling, smothering folds. There was no breeze to carry
it away—no possibility of avoiding it. When we halted at night every man of us
was a "free soiler," and carried enough dirt on his person to make a
"garden spot." Thanks to a kind providence, water is plenty at this
place, and we soon washed and forgot our miseries.
One of the boys just
killed a huge rattlesnake a few feet from where I am writing.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 63-4
Thank Heaven, we can soon move out of the city, having received orders to go into camp near division headquarters, Weather very bad, rain and snow mixed. Roads on the way to camp in a terrible condition.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 8
