(used by permission of the Leighton Family descendants of J.S. Hobbs)
1862
Friday, July 25. Day I enlisted. In the morning went to see George Harding. Thought I should go to war. Went to the mill and saw Alfred Merrill. He filled out my papers and I signed them. Saw Capt. Savage and he wanted me to go his company. Mr. Merrill gave him my papers. P.M. Came to Portland. Saw Mr. Mattocks at Fox Block. Came over to the camp, got examined by the doctor and mustered in to the United States service for 3 years. Got a pass out until next Monday at 10 o’clock.
Saturday, July 26. Worked haying.
Sunday, July 27. Went to meeting at brick church. Even went to First Parish church to a prayer meeting for soldiers,
Monday, July 28. Went into camp for the first time. P.M. Marched over to Grand Trunk Depot with a Lewiston Company.
Tuesday, July 29. Went on guard for the first time. Got wet some. At night went on guard.
Wednesday, July 30. P.M. Lieutenant took over our company over to the Grand Trunk Depot to escort the Mechanic Falls company over to camp. Heavy shower. Got quite wet.
Thursday, July 31. A.M. Lieutenant took our Company out to drill.
Saturday, Aug. 2. Moved from the left end of the camp to the right. Captain and Lieutenant appointed for Company A. Got pass from Lieut. Brown until Monday 10 A.M.
Mon. Aug. 4. Came over to Camp King. Drilled some.
Tues. Aug. 5. News came that the Government had called for 300,000 more troops which would be raised by drafting. Went on guard.
Wed, Aug. 6. Got our uniform.
Thurs. Aug. 7. P.M. Raised our flag.
Mon. Aug. 11. Evening, went to meeting at the Flagstaff.
Mon. Aug. 18. Our regiment mustered into U.S. Service.
Thurs. Aug. 21. Struck camp at 4 1/2 o’clock, 4.30 A.M. Left Portland 8.30. Arrived at Boston 11 P.M. Left Stonington at 12 midnight for Jersey City. Arrived at Jersey City at 9 A.M. Very pleasant sail up east river.
Fri. Aug. 22. Left Jersey City for Philadelphia 9 A.M. Evening, Arrived at Philadelphia. Had good supper. Got used first rate. Took cars for Baltimore at 9 A.M. Rode all night in freight cars. Arrived at Baltimore at 11 A.M.
Sat. Aug. 23. P.M. Arrived at Washington 6 P.M. Marched to Good Hope Hill four miles from Washington.
Sun. Aug. 24. P.M. Marched over to Fort Greble
Wed. Aug. 27. Went on guard for first time here.
Fri. Aug. 29. Drilled for the first time on big guns. Liked it very much.
Sat. Aug. 30. Went over to headquarters on guard duty. Took 24 hours’ rations. Heard steady firing most of the day. Evening, Maj. West brought news that Jackson was defeated. Heavy loss on both sides.
Mon. Sept. 1. News came that Jackson was prisoner in Washington.
Fri. Sept. 19. Went in the woods to cut poles. Went into the woods making caissons.
Sun. Sept. 28. Ingraham and I were detailed to guard George Emery in the bomb proof.
Mon. Sept. 29. Ingraham and I took a walk. When we got back to our fort, our regiment was under marching orders expecting to start for Virginia to go into active service.
Sat. Oct. 4. New York battalion came to relieve us. Expect to move.
Tue. Oct. 7. Marched about 9 miles with our knapsacks to Upton Hill, Gen. Bernie’s headquarters. At night camped on the ground near Long Beach. Wednesday noon arrived at Upton Hill.
Sat. Oct. 11. Started for a 40 mile march. Took my blankets and overcoat. Some of the Company took their knapsacks. At night camped in the woods.
Sun. Oct. 12. Started about 6 o’clock. Marched about 8 miles this afternoon. Stopped to take a Rebel Cavalry if they came this way. P.M. Marched 4 miles to Edward’s Ferry. Got to our stopping place after dark. Built fires and made small shelters with our blankets. Night rainy.
Mon. Oct. 13. Moved about 1/2 mile more. went into pretty good place to camp.
Wed. Oct. 15. Went on guard. Weighed 127 1/2 pounds. Rather poor living about this time.
Sat. Oct. 18. Worked fixing up our camp ground. P.M. washed clothes, etc. in the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal near the Potomac.
Mon. Oct. 20. Joseph Yeaton and I put up tent for Col. Merrill.
Sat. Oct. 25. Brigade inspection.
Mon. Oct. 27. Had orders to strike tents quite early. Mud, wind, rain. Loaded teams, etc. Stood out in the rain some time. Pitched tents again P.M. Quite pleasant. Fixed our shelter tents to stop all night. Got dry dry and felt first rate.
Tue. Oct. 28. The whole brigade started at 9 A.M. and arrived at White’s Ford at 2 o’clock.
Wed. Oct. 29. Struck tents 7 o’clock morning.
Fri. Nov. 7. Marched. At night went into camp near Warrenton.
Sat. Nov. 8. Our brigade moved about 1 mile in P.M.
Mon. Nov. 10. On guard. Evening moved to another camp ground near Waterloo.
Wed. Nov. 12. Moved to our old Camp Grounds near Warrenton.
Sun. Nov. 16. Moved to Warrenton. Capt. Savage met us on the road near Warrenton.
Sat. Nov. 22. Marched most of the tie this week. Now went into camp near Fredericksburg. A large force is in the vicinity in front of Petersburg.
Thu. Nov. 27. Thanksgiving day at home. Had salt junk, hard bread and coffee. Our living is very short about this time.
Sat. Nov. 29. Our regiment went out abut 3 miles to fix a piece of road.
Sun. Nov. 30. Had inspection of knapsacks.
Tue. Dec. 2. Had battalion drill. P. M. had brigade drill.
Fri. Dec. 5. P.M. Snow
Sat. Dec. 6. About one inch snow on the ground. Cold
Sun. Dec. 7. Capt. Savage went home on account of ill health.
Tue. Dec. 9. Drilled skirmished drill. I was detailed to go with the division team for hay. Went to Falmouth station and came back with teams empty. Stopped with the teams all night.
Wed. Dec. 10. Went with teams again to Falmouth Station after hay. Whole divisions got orders to be ready to march. Evening went to regiment. Drew 4 days rations.
Thu. Dec. 11. Struck tents and marched towards Falmouth Station near Fredericksburg. Sunset Went into the woods for a good place for sleep. Heard our troops shelling the city most all day. P.M. Some of our troops crossed the pontoon bridges. The stars and stripes wave over the city. Very pleasant weather.
Fri. Dec. 12. About 5 o’clock P.M. marched towards Pontoon bridge. Went into camp in the woods about 10 o’clock at night.
Sat. Dec 13. Packed up for march towards the enemy early in the morning. Passed the pontoon over the Rappahannock about noon. Marched directly on to the battle field. The Rebels were in sight in the edge of the woods. Our artillery were shelling the woods and the enemy were throwing all kinds of ammunition at us. The shells were almost continually bursting around us, but they did not do much damage. We were ordered to fire on them. At about 3 o’clock P.M. we fired about 8 rounds and they ran back into the woods. The shells and bullets were pretty thick over our heads. We had only 5 wounded in our Company. One killed in Co. A. Evening, some shelling, but all quiet during the night. We laid down on our guns and knapsacks.
Sun. Dec. 14. See the Rebels in the edge of the woods. Not much shelling for all day we were. Evening, went to bed on the ground until the pickets got firing pretty hot at each other, then we were ordered to pack up. Drew rations and went to sleep again.
Mon. Dec. 15. Our brigade marched back to the rear. Not much shelling for all day. Evening, laid down in our blankets. At 9.30 we were called and ordered to pack up and then we aimed for the north side of the river. Gen. Bernie got us out of it in a hurry and we had quite a hard march. Went into the woods and slept nicely after our skedaddle.
Tue. Dec. 16. Morning, commenced raining. P.M. marched to our old camp grounds. Went into camp in the new place in woods.
Wed. Dec. 17. Some of the men went to work building log houses. Our camp named Camp Pitcher and by order of Gen. Bernie we have permission to wear a red patch on our caps as a badge of honor.
1863
Sat. Jan. 10. Very comfortable in our new tents.
Sun. Jan. 11. A.M. Inspection. P.M. went to meeting in the 5th Michigan Regiment
Mon. Jan. 12. Lieut. Houghton and I went over to Bernie’s headquarters to get a package from home for me.
Sat. Jan. 17. Camp Pitcher got orders to be ready to march.
Tue. Jan. 20. Morning, got orders to march at 11 o’clock. P.M. marched about 10 miles towards the Rappahannock River. Orders to be ready to cross on the extreme right. Went into camp in the woods. Dark, rainy night.
Wed. Jan. 21. Rainy weather. Got orders to be ready to cross the river at daylight. Soon the order came for us to make ourselves comfortable for the day. Wet all day.
Thu. Jan. 22. Heard 3 big guns. Wet weather. No orders to move.
Fri. Jan. 23. 15 men from each company were detailed to go 1 1/2 miles after hard bread. I was one from our company. Was mud enough. Artillery, army wagon, pontoon was stuck in the mud. Got back to Regiment and found our way back to our old camp. We started put about 2 o’clock and got to our old camp about 7. Had a pretty hard march.
Sat. Jan. 24. Our regiment paid off up to the first of November.
Mon. Jan. 26. On guard.
Thu. Jan. 29. Last night was stormy night. About 4 inches of snow fell. No drills.
Sun. Feb. 1. A.M. had regimental inspection by Col. Merrill.
Thu. Feb. 5. Snow storms.
Fri. Feb. 6. P.M. at sunset had orders to go out on picket. Had a pretty muddy march after dark. Went to bed on the ground about 3 o’clock in the morning.
Mon. Feb. 9. Our brigade relieved about noon. We returned to Camp Pitcher.
Sat. Feb. 28. Morning, our brigade went out on picket. Cloudy weather, rainy night.
Tue. Mar. 3. Returned to camp. Ward’s brigade moved to Belle Plain. P.M. went to work building new tents.
Tue. Mar. 4. Pleasant. Our camp is about done and is comfortable. Drew three days’ rations all ready for march. Our blankets and extra clothing sent off n teams. Expect to march soon.
Fri. Apr. 17. The whole regiment worked on our camp ground. P.M. our blankets, etc. brought back to us
Tue. Apr. 28. P.M. 4 1/2 o’clock, received orders to move. Cloudy weather. Marched toward river about 8 miles. Quite a hard march.
Wed. Apr. 29. Rained a little. Moved our camp about 1/2 mile. Heard some firing. At one o’clock ordered to move. Moved about 15 miles up river towards the right. Had quite a hard march. Laid down in our blankets at 11.30 at night.
Fri. May 1. Reveille at 4.30 o’clock. Got breakfast. Packed up in about one hour. Marched for about 2 miles and crossed the river on pontoons. 9 o’clock A.M. saw the Rebels breast works near the river which looked as though they were never used. Stopped one hour to rest. Then marched 2 or 3 miles towards the enemy in the woods. We then filed in to the woods, stopped a few hours and then marched double-quick towards the battlefield.
Second Fredericksburg. At sunset loaded our guns and expected to go to front. We could hear pretty heavy firing. Marched down the plank road towards our right about one mile. We then went into the woods near the road, unrolled our blankets and rested nicely through the night. One shot passed over our regiment while marching.
Sat. May 2. The engineers commenced falling trees across the road from where we lay. Gen. Hooker and staff rode by. All went out on the road and cheered him. He looked as though everything was going right. Saw a Rebel prisoner. He looked very shabby and said he belonged to a Georgia Regiment. P.M. Moved towards the enemy. Supported a battery a short time. Then went through a piece of woods with fixed bayonets. The sharpshooters went a skirmishers ahead of our brigade. When we got through to an open field, our batteries came up to shell another piece of wood. We laid for some time and supported our battery. Had two of our Company wounded. Evening, marched back very still a short distance. Laid down about one hour. Then our division charged down the road and drove them somewhere. None of our Company hurt, but one taken prisoner. Our regiment with some others broke up very badly. We laid down in our blankets at about 10 o’clock.
Sun. May 3. Morning, 4 o’clock packed up. Rebels begin to fire on us. We got our batteries placed and began to put shells into them. Our brigade laid for about three hours supporting batteries. Very hard artillery fighting. Our Company lost 10 to 15. When our division charged to save our battery a shot struck me in the leg. Our brigade was all mixed up. We got together as well as we could and went to the rear. I marched with them to the river, left them and came across to hospital with the chaplain, Lieut., Brown and four others of our Company who were wounded. Stayed at the hospital in a tent, which our engineers corps fixed up.
Mon. May 4. Morning, Rebels commenced to fire upon our hospital, ammunition train, etc. Did not do much damage. All that could went off on double quick , I with the rest. The battery was soon silenced, but we kept on towards our division hospital. Got an ambulance to Stoneman’s Switch. Then took the cars for Potomac Creek, where our division hospital is.
Tue. May 5. Very heavy shower in the afternoon. A hard night for the soldiers in the field.
Wed. May 6. Rainy day. Our corps came back to camp. The doctor did up my wound. Said it would take 4 months for it to get well.
Thu. May 7. Gen. Ward came into our tent and Col. Hayman.
Fri. May 8. Cloudy weather. 200 of the wounded sent off to Washington.
Sat, May 9. Evening, went to meeting at the Christian Commission tent.
Sun. May 10. Gen. Bernie and Sickle came to see us.
Tue. May 12. A division surgeon went through hospital to examine the wounded. Sent those who were slightly wounded to their regiments. Told me to go to the convalescent camp. P.M. I chose to come to the regiment.
Wed, May 13. Morning, Company went out to drill before breakfast.
Fri. May 15. The 40th New York ordered to our brigade.
Sun. May 17. A.M. Brigade inspection by Col. Hayman.
Sun. May 24. Brigade went out on picket.
Thu. June 4. Morning, went over to camp of the 37th New York. The 137th and 138th New York started for home. 9 o’clock A.M. got my furlough. Rode to the station in an ambulance.
Sat. June 5. Got home
Tu. July 30. Morning, started for the Army.
Fri. July 31. Arrived at Washington. 5 P.M. went to Soldiers’ Home.
Sat. Aug. 1. Started out for the Regiment. Went to camp of distribution near Alexandria.
Thu. Aug. 6. Thanksgiving day went to meeting at the Christian Commission Chapel.
Sun. Aug. 9. Left Camp Distribution for the regiment. Arrived at Headquarters at sunset.
Mon. Aug. 10. Arrived at regimen.
Sat. Aug. 15. On picket at the Sulphur Springs.
Sat. Aug. 29. Got news from Charleston.
Sun. Sept. 6. Went on picket at Sulphur Springs.
Mon. Sept. 7. Corps review at Bilton Station.
Sun. Sept. 13. Had division inspection.
Mon. Sept. 14. On guard at Brigade Commissary.
Tue. Sept. 15. 6 o’clock we were on the march for Sulphur Springs. Marched toward Corps Headquarters. Went into camp at 8 1/2 o’clock.
Wed. Sept. 16. Packed up at 5 o’clock. Marched about all day. Crossed two fords of the Rappahannock. Marched about 17 miles. Went into camp after dark.
Thu. Sept. 17. Marched about 2 miles. Went into camp near Culpepper. P.M. 3d and 5th Michigan Regiments came back from New York. Our regiment received them with 9 hearty cheers.
Wed. Sept. 23. Went on picket near Culpepper. Our regiment received 180 recruits. Our company got 9 of them.
Mon. Sept. 28. Our regiment paid off.
Fri. Oct. 9. Our regiment drew overcoats, dress coats and 8 days’ rations.
Sat. Oct. 10. A.M. Packed up to move about 2 miles. Found a line of battle. Very little rain.
Sun. Oct. 11. Slept with our equipments. Left our position at 8 o’clock. The whole army is falling back. We marched about 10 miles. Saw a small force of Rebels. Found a line of battle twice. Crossed one river on pontoons and forded one. Stopped near where we crossed at 12 o’clock at night.
Mon. Oct. 12. Took our position near ford. Drew rations.
Tue. Oct. 13. Had a hard march. Marched about 20 miles. Had a skirmish in the P.M. A few shots passed over our Company. Quite a number of our division wounded.
Wed. Oct. 14. Started at 6 o’clock, marched nearly all day, about 15 miles. Pitched our tents near Centerville. Heard very heavy firing and saw the smoke of the battle in which the 2d Corps was engaged.
Sat. Nov. 7. Broke camp early near Warrenton Junction. Marched to Kelly’s Ford a distance of 10 miles. Our brigade had a skirmish after crossing. Our regiment was put into the 2d Brigade this morning. We did not see much of the fight. In the evening our Company was detailed for picket. We were posted close to the enemy lines and advanced to Brandy Station.
Sun. Nov. 8. Found no Rebels. Our corps advanced to Brandy Station.
Tue. Nov. 10. Our regiment are now building large tents in pine woods near Brandy Station.
Wed. Nov. 11. Pleasant weather. Ingraham, Cloudman, Lake and I put in together for tent mates.
Thu. Nov. 12. I was detailed to go on the colors with Sergt. Hobbs. Lake returned to the Company. I gave my gun and equipments to him.
Sun. Nov. 15. Very heavy shower last night. Our camp named Camp De Trobriand. Our regiment paid off.
Sat. Nov. 21. Worked on our tent near Brandy Station.
Sun. Nov. 22. Pleasant. A.M. inspection. The sick moved from the regiment.
Thu. Nov. 26. National Thanksgiving. Left camp at Brandy Station at 9 o’clock A.M. Marched about 12 miles across the Rapidan River.
Fri. Nov. 27. Moved a short distance from Rapidan. Heard heavy firing all day. P.M. our corps engaged. Our division went in at 4 o’clock. Our regiment engaged and under heavy fire one hour.
Sat. Nov. 28. Packed up early. Saw some of the dead lying on the filed. The enemy fell back in the night. Marched 5 or 6 miles. Some rainy.
Sun. Nov. 29. Morning we were called up early and expected a fight. Laid idle all day in the woods. Some picket firing.
Mon. Nov. 30. Pleasant and cold. Got up early and took a new position. We supported a battery while they opened fire on the enemy. Got no reply. Laid idle all day. Quite cold. Firing in other places most of the day.
Tue. Dec. 1. Cold night. Called up early and moved into the woods. The order all day was to be ready to move at a minute’s notice. Just after dark we fell in and commenced to move for the plank road. Marched all night. Reached the north side of the Rapidan at 6 o’clock. A great may fell out. Marched 23 miles. Very cold night.
Wed. Dec. 2. Marched at 12 o’clock at night.
Thu. Dec. 3. Arrived at our old camp 6 A.M. Our camp work near Brandy Station.
1864
Sun. Jan. 10. Moved from our camp on John, M. Botch to a Red Oak grove about 2 miles.
Thu. Jan. 14. Off duty with lame legs. We had a fine tent.
Wed. Jan. 20. On duty. Sergt. Stone went to the Division Hospital. Corp. Low appointed Sergeant.
Sat. Feb. 6. Reveille at 5 o’clock. Orders to move. The pack-up sounded at 5 P.M. Quite muddy. Marched through Culpepper and 2 miles beyond. Went into camp at 10 P.M.
Sun. Feb. 7. Moved a mile or two. P.M. 5 o’clock, marched for Camp Bullock. Got into camp at 10 P.M. Quite a hard march. Pretty muddy.
Mon. Feb. 22. Regiment was presented with a stand of colors by merchants of Portland.
Sun. Feb. 28. Marched at daylight. Marcher through Culpepper to James City, 12 miles. Very pleasant and dry.
Mon. Feb. 29. Did not move. Evening began to rain.
Tue. Mar. 1. Rainy all day.
Wed. Mar. 2. Started for camp at 7 1/2 o’clock. Got back to camp at 2 o’clock. Col. West and Dr. Hersom got back to the regiment.
Thu. Mar. 3. Lecture by chaplain, Rev. Mr. Pearl.
Sat. Mar. 5. Our band began to practice in the chapel.
Thu. Mar. 17. The Sergeants were examined at the chapel.
Sat. Mar. 26. Our division put into the 2d Corps.
Mon. Mar. 28. Maj. Mattocks took command of the sharp shooters.
Thu. Mar. 31. Our division moved to the camp of the old 3d Division, our regiment to the camp of the 110th Ohio.
Tue. Apr. 26. Broke winter quarters. Moved about 1 mile into sheltered tents.
Wed. Apr. 27. Had a dress parade. I left the colors.
Thu. Apr. 28. Company inspection. No drill in the A.M.
Fri. Apr. 29. I was detailed to go on picket.
Tue. May 3. Came in from picket. Orders came to move. Evening at 11 o’clock, moved towards Chancellorsville. Marched all night.
Wed. May 4. Arrived at Chancellorsville at Battle Ground at 2 o’clock P.M.
Thu. May 5. Morning, packed up and marched nearly all day. At 3 o’clock found the Rebels. Our division went in at 4 P.M. About 4 1/2 P.M. Lieut. Wellington Hobbs of Co. H wounded. I took his sword and commanded the Company. 4 of Company H wounded. The firing ceased at dark. We have driven them hard on the right in a thick piece of woods.
Fri. May 6. Morning, the battle commenced at daylight. We drove them hard and when we arrived on the plank road I was wounded slightly. The firing was very heavy and we were then driving them. I went to our division hospital and got my wound dressed and rode in an ambulance about 2 miles.
Sat. May 7. P.M. All the wounded were sent off to go to Rappahannock Station. Crossed Ely Ford and were ordered back in the night.
Sun. May 8. Marched back to Chancellorsville. I found the brigade teams and gave up going to the general hospital.
Mon. May 9. Stayed with the teams at night. Saw Gen. Burnside.
Tue. May. 10. Stayed with quartermaster. Very dusty and warm. Heard firing all day.
Wed. May 11. Started for regiment for duty. Found them at 12 noon and was under some fire. Two of the regiment wounded. Wednesday night marched slowly till most daylight and at daylight made a charge on the enemy’s works. Took about 6,000 prisoners.
Thu. May 12. A.M. the division mostly got together. Thursday night we laid in the rifle pit. Had no sleep. Rather a wet night. Thursday night. quite heavy skirmishing all night.
Fri. May 13. Morning, saw no Rebels in front of us. Moved a short distance. At night I went with 40 men to get rations for the regiment. Drew for 175 men. Got no sleep. Expected hot work every minute.
Sat. May 14. Moved a short distance. Had an order read to us from Gen. Mead saying that we had been victorious so far.
Sun. May 15. Our division moved to the left and joined Burnside. Not firing much.
Mon. May 16. All quiet except a little firing. Col. Mattocks came to the regiment.
Tue. May. 17. Moved to the front line and occupied the breast works, which we charged on the 12th. I was on picket.
Wed. May 18. Move a short distance in the morning. Expected a hard fight. Was under some shelling.
Thu. May 19. Moved most all the night to the left out of the Wilderness to the Anderson Farm. Received a mail for the first time since the 2d. Had some rest until night when the Rebels made a dash on our trains. Our corps went out to repress them and drove them and got no rest in the night.
Our regiment lost no men
Fri. May 20. Moved back all quiet. Went by Meade’s headquarters. Rested most of the day.
Sat May. 21. Marched last night at 12 o’clock and all day. Passed through Bowling Green at noon. Very warm and many fell out. Went across a small river near Milford. Slept till daylight when ordered to be under arms.
Sun. May 22. Moved a short distance, got a good position and built breast works.
Mon. May 23. Moved early towards Chesterfield. Found the enemy on the North Anne River. P.M. made a charge to the River and lost 12 men.
Tue. May 24. Laid in breast works most of the day. Moved across the river under some shelling. Built breast works. Lieut. Noyes killed.
Wed. May 25. Laying breast works.
Thu. May 26. In the night we crossed the river.
Fri. May 27. Marched all day and most of night.
Sat, May 28. Marched nearly all day. P.M. crossed the Pamumkey River on pontoons. Went into camp. Slept all night. A part of the army built breast works.
Sun. May 29. Rested until noon. Moved a short distance and built breast works. Very quiet day. About sunset moved about 4 miles. Built breast works after dark.
Mon. May 30. Very pleasant. Lying in breast works all day. Very quiet day except picket firing and at dark saw a mortar throwing shells into their works which looked very pretty.
Tue. May 31. Pleasant. Our corps advanced and we rebuilt two lines of Rebel works. Not a great deal of infantry firing except skirmishing.
Wed. June 1. Moved last night a short distance at 2 o’clock. Slept most of the night. P.M. our regiment transferred to the 1st Brigade. Marched in the night towards the left.
Thu. June 2. Marched till 10 o’clock. Very warm. Stopped near Gaine’s Hill about 7 miles from R.
Some fighting near us. At night slept in the woods.
Fri. June 3. Our division in the rear was under some shelling.
Sun. June 5. Moved a short distance and built breast works all night.
Mon. June 6. Morning, went on picket. our line was about 20 rods from the Rebels and our soldiers met them without arms and traded tobacco and coffee. In the P.M. the line was attack, but held the ground. Some firing in the night, but no one hurt.
Tue. June 7. Relieved from picket. Early very pleasant. Teams came up to front with rations.
Wed. June 8. We were to front breast works. I commenced to make up the papers for my must as 2d Lieutenant.
Thu. June 9. Night, Pleasant, and quiet all day.
Sat. June 11. Pleasant and warm. Went to Division Headquarters and got mustered as 2d Lieutenant. At night moved most at night.
Mon. June. 13. Marched all day. Crossed the Chickahominy. Stopped for the night near James River.
Tue. June 14. Commenced to build works. Moved and crossed the James River on the transport.
Wed. June 15. Marched nearly all day towards Petersburg.
Thu. June 16. Enemy commenced shelling our division early in the morning. Three of Co. H wounded by one shell. I had Co. B. One killed, seven wounded. P.M. Our brigade was relieved. I took command of Co. H and Cox’s corps made a charge. Our brigade were in the Rebel fort.
Fri. June 17. Morning, went to the front into breast works.
Sat. June 18. Advanced nearly 1/2 a mile into the second line of enemy’s works. Built over them. P.M. made a charge. Our regiment lost 16 men.
Sun. June 19. We were in the second line of works, which we built in the night. Lost several men by stray bullets.
Mon. June 20. At night our corps was relieved by Burnside’s black troops.
Tue. June 21. A.M. commenced to move Marched in the heat about 6 miles and found a line of battle.
Wed, June 22. Moved into breast works.
Thu. June 23. Advanced in the morning into another line.
Wed. June 29. Moved to the front line of the works. Went into camp. I went on picket.
Tue. July 19. Rainy day. The regiment went out on fatigue. Got back to camp at dark.
Tue. July 26. Left camp at 5 P.M. Marched all night. Crossed the Appomatox and James Rivers.
Wed. July 27. Morning, halted on the north side of the James. Some fighting. Gen. Barlow’s division took 4 Rebel guns.
Thu. July 28. Came back in the night.
Fri. July 29. After dark moved to the front line of the works. Relieved a division of the 10th Corps.
Sat. July 30. Our troops made an attack. Blew up the enemy’s fort. Corps charged, held a part of the enemy’s line and were driven back. Very heavy cannonading along the whole line. Our corps relieved after dark. Marched into an old camp.
Mon. Aug. 8. Sent this old book home. Good-bye old book. You have been with me from home to Fort Greble, from Fort Greble to Upton Hill, from Upton Hill to Edward’s Ferry, from Edward’s Ferry to Warrenton, from Warrenton to Fredericksburg, from Fredericksburg to Camp Sickles near Potomac Creek, from Camp Sickles to Chancellorsville to the hospital, from the hospital to the regiment, from the regiment home, from home to Sulphur Springs near Warrenton, from Sulphur Springs to Culpepper, from Culpepper to Auburn, from Auburn to Centerville, from Centerville to Fairfax, from Fairfax to Warrenton Junction, from Warrenton Junction to Kelly’s Ford, from Kelly’s Ford to Brandy Station, from Brandy Station to Mine Run, from Mine Run to Brandy Station, from Brandy Station to the Wilderness, from the Wilderness to Petersburg, Virginia. So good-bye old book.
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SECOND DIARY
Fri. Aug. 5. P.M. Enemy camped near Petersburg, Virginia. The enemy made an attack on the 10th Corps. Our Corps started off in great haste towards the right of the line. Went about one mile. Came back to camp.
Sun. Aug. 7. Evening, chaplain came to the regiment and had a meeting.
Mon. Aug. 8. Pleasant and sent my journal home.
Fri. Aug. 12. Very warm. Considerable cannonading at the front in the line. I was detailed as officer of the day. P.M. got orders to move. Marched to City Point. Many had to fall out of the ranks, it being so hot. Eve, very dark. Reached City Point Landing.
Sat. Aug. 13. 12 M. took transports. At 10 P.M. started for Deep Bottom.
Sun. Aug. 14. Landed at Deep Bottom at 3 o’clock A.M. Waited near the landing till most noon. Took a position in the breast works already built. Edward Marston slightly wounded.
Mon. Aug. 15. Our regiment went on picket with two or three other regiments of the brigade. Three of our regiment wounded.
Tue. Aug. 16. On picket
Wed. Aug. 17. On picket
Thu. Aug. 18. Evening, started for near Petersburg. Marched all night, Crossed the James and Appomatox on pontoons. Marched 18 miles to the works before Petersburg.
Fri. Aug. 19. Morning a little rainy. Took our position in the works in the rear of a division of the 9th Corps, which went to the Weldon R.R. to help Gen. Warren take and hold the railroad.
Sat. Aug. 20. Foggy and wet. Evening and morning, considerable shelling with mortars in our front. One struck our house or gopher hole.
Sun. Aug. 21. Entrenchments before Petersburg. Morning, the enemy has shelled considerable from their fort in our front. Heard very heavy cannonading down towards the Weldon R.R.. Suppose enemy were trying to get road back, but the news came that they were driven back with great loss.
Mon. Aug. 22. Very quiet day. I went on picket. Evening showery.
Mon. Sept. 5. Last night at 12 o’clock, Gen. Grant ordered a salute for Gen. Sherman’s victory at Atlanta.
Sat. Sept. 10. Last night at 12 o’clock we were ordered to be under arms. The 20th Indiana and 99th Pennsylvania charged on the enemy’s pickets and took about 60 prisoners and advanced the picket line. At 3 o’clock the enemy charged on our pickets and drove a part of the line back. Some picket firing continued all day. Evening,, I was detailed for picket. Got relief ready to go out to relieve the line when a bullet struck me in the side. I was carried to the ambulance on a stretcher and was carried to the division hospital in an ambulance. Arrived there at 12 o’clock at night. Slept on a good bed till morning.
Sun. Sept. 11. Was carried to City Point Hospital. My wound is very comfortable.
Mon. Sept. 12. Was examined to be sent to some Northern hospital. Last night was quite cold.
Wed. Sept. 14. Heard quite heavy cannonading at the front.
Thu. Sept. 15. Took the Steamer Connecticut and went to Fortress Monroe. Took Steamer Baltic and had very pleasant sail.
Fri. Sept. 16. Arrived at N.Y. Harbor 9 P.M.
Sat. Sept. 17. Came to Fort Wood Hospital, New York.
Mon. Sept. 19. Very pleasant. Went over to N.Y. City.
Wed. Sept. 21. Went to New York to get paid. Got news from Gen. Sheridan.
Sat. Sept. 24. Cold coming down. Excitement in Wall Street.
Mon. Sept. 26. Got news from the war. Came back from Mrs. Wilds in the first boat. Golden prices down.
Wed. Sept. 28. Went to Barnum’s Museum. Went to Cooper Institute to Mass meeting. Came back to fort.
Tue. Oct. 4. Got my furlough for 15 days. Took the boat for Brooklyn. Took the cars for Boston from Brooklyn.
Wed. Oct. 5. Took the cars for Portland. Arrived at Portland at 12.30 P.M.
Tue. Nov. 1. Left home for the hospital.
Wed. Nov. 2. Went to New York hospital from Boston.
Thu. Nov. 3. Reported at the hospital in New York. Offered me leave of absence to go home to attend election.
Sat. Nov. 5. With my sister-in-law Anne to Cooper Institute. Heard Charles Sumner speak two hours.
Sun. Nov. 6. Heard Henry Ward Beecher.
Mon. Nov. 7. Left New York, went home to vote for President.
Tue. Nov. 8. Arrived home and voted.
Fri. Nov. 11. Started for New York hospital.
Sat. Nov. 12. Reported at hospital.
Mon. Nov. 14. Got transportation to go to front.
Tue. Nov. 15. Arrived at Washington and got a pass to City Point.
Wed. Nov. 16. Arrived at Richmond at the regiment stationed at Fort Rice, Received my commission as 1st Lieutenant.
Thu. Nov. 17. Went to Division Headquarters. Got mustered as 1st Lieutenant of Co. H.
Fri. Nov. 18. Got orders to be ready to move.
Sat. Nov. 19. Very rainy all day and night. Did not move.
Sun. Nov. 20. Went on picket. A Rebel came into our lines.
Thu. Nov. 24. Fort Rice. Thanksgiving day. Chaplains had services in the fort. All men had a piece of turkey, cakes, apple pies sent by the New York Committee on Thanksgiving Dinners for Sailors and Soldiers.
Mon. Nov. 28. Company drill.
Tue. Nov. 29. Received orders to move. In the evening were relieved by the 9th Corps.
Wed. Nov. 30. Moved to the left of the line about 7 miles. Took the place of the 9th Corps.
Thu. Dec. 1. Waited for orders to move to a place to build a camp.
Fri. Dec. 2. Laid out a new camp. 4 men returned from hospital to the Company. Co. H separated from Co. G. I took command of the company.
Sat. Dec. 3. Went on picket. Rebels not in sight.
Tue. Dec. 6. Finished the tents. Evening, got orders to be ready to move tomorrow at daylight.
Wed. Dec. 7. Marched at daylight towards Weldon Railroad. Crossed the Nottaway River on pontoon bridges. March about 18 miles.
Thu. Dec. 8. Moved at daylight. Our regiment guarded the wagon train. Marched to the railroad near Jarrett’s Station. One division of the 5th Corps tore up about 10 miles of track in the night.
Fri. Dec. 9. Our division went out destroying the track. During the day our division and the 5th Corps tore up about 15 miles.
Sat. Dec. 10. Started towards Petersburg.
Sun. Dec. 11. Marched all day in the mud.
Mon. Dec. 12. Reached our old camp ground. Moved into the woods in front of the fortification.
Tue. Dec. 13. Moved to place to build a camp.
Sun. Dec. 18. Inspection by Brigadier Inspector. Got news from Gen. Thomas and Sherman.
Sat. Dec. 24. Got news from Savannah and Wilmington, etc.
Mon. Dec. 26. Went on picket. Company and regiment drills commenced.
1865
Mon. Jan. 9. Company drills. Gen. West here at dress parade.
Tue. Jan, 17. Division reviewed by Gen. Humphrey.
Wed. Dec. 18. Gen. West took command of the brigade. Commissions came for quite a number of officers. Major Hobson mustered as Lieut. Colonel.
Tue. Jan. 24. I was detailed as officer of the day. Brigade dress parade ordered by Gen. West.
Sat. Feb. 4. A.M. went to ride with Adj. Parker and Lieut. Dunton and went into one of Morse signal towers. Went to division hospital. Saw Chaplain and Dr. Hersom. P.M. orders sent to move.
Sun. Feb. 5. Moved early in the morning to our picket line. Advanced across Hatch’s Run. Drove the enemy’s picket line in. P.M. The enemy charged on our brigade three different times and was repulsed. In the night we moved a short distance toward the right.
Mon. Feb. 6. At 9 A.M. made a reconnaissance in front of the works, but had no fight. Attack was made on 5th Corps.
Tue. Feb. 7. It has been one of the most stormy, smoky, cold uncomfortable days I have ever saw and has caused more men to be unfit for duty than an engagement. Has been no fighting of any consequence today.
Wed. Feb. 8. The whole regiment has been to work building corduroy roads. Stopped last night.
Thu. Feb. 9. Moved at 8 1/2 A.M. to the right and front to connect with the first division. Things look like going into camp here. The regiment has been cutting and slashing all day in front of the works protect fort.
Sat. Feb. 11. Moved a short distance. Continued outing and slashing.
Tue. Feb. 14. Got my tent hauled from old camp.
Wed. Feb. 15. Worked some on the new house.
Sat. Feb. 18. I was detailed on the morning to go with a detail of 40 men on fatigue, but the details were not ordered at the brigade headquarters, so have been at work on my tent with Lieut. Cummings.
Sun. Feb. 19. Capt. Cole, Lieut. Howard and I borrowed some horses and rode to Division Hospital. Took dinner with Dr. Hersom.
Tue. Feb. 21. P.M. had orders to be ready to move. Packed up and this evening we had an enjoyable time in Capt. Cole’s tent and had a sing, etc.
Tue. Feb. 28. Broke camp at 6 o’clock. Marched towards Hatch’s Run. At 7 o’clock advanced toward the enemy, captured a line of Rebel works which they occupied with a skirmish line. Advanced again and built a light line of breast works.
Wed. March 1. Rainy all day. Advanced through a swamp and in front of the enemy’s main lines. Built another line of works. At 5 P.M. we were off. Quite heavy firing on our left. Maj. Mattocks came to the regiment after being a prisoner for nearly one year.
Thu. March 2. Got up at one o’clock. Moved towards the left. Relieved the first division of our corps. Worked on the breast works. Moved a short distance to the right. Most of the regiment on picket.
Sun. Apr. 2. Slept nicely nearly all night. Was kept awake some by heavy cannonading on our right at 3 o’clock. About 8 1/2 o’clock, Gen. Mead rode up to our brigade headquarters and all the troops cheered him as he rode along the line. We received an official order stating that the 6th Corps held the works in front of Fort Rice. Soon after 9 o’clock our corps advanced and found a very strong line of Rebel works in our front about 1/2 a mile, which were vacated. Marched up the Boydton plank road and about 6 miles towards Petersburg till we found the enemy in their last line of forts very near the city. Was under very little shelling. One or two killed in our brigade. Found a line of battle, built a line of light works, our regiment being in the front yard of a rich old Southerner. We had to dig up his door yard. Gen. Wright’s headquarters were here. Saw Gen. Grant. Heard him talking with Gen. Wright. One of our batteries in front of the house shelled a regular fort. Some in our front. Sunset shelling ceased.
Mon. Apr. 3. This morning early our skirmishers advanced into the last line of the Rebel works. Petersburg vacated. Last night at 1 o’clock our corps commenced to march towards Brookville Station. Marched about 20 miles.
Tue. Apr. 4. Marched about 10 miles. Mended the roads and waited for our trains to pass. News came that our troops occupied Richmond.
Wed. Apr. 5. Got up at 2 o’clock and moved at daybreak. Marched about 2 miles and halted to draw rations. About 700 prisoners passed us and I had a tooth pulled. Went into camp in a piece of pine woods near army headquarters. Slept all night.
Thu. Apr. 6. Moved towards Melia Court House. Found the enemy near small river. Saw enemy’s wagon train at a distance moving. At about 9 o’clock our regiment joined the first brigade on the left. Drive the enemy all forenoon. Gen. Mott Hale wounded in the leg. We joined our brigade about noon. In the first charge in my Company, Corp. Hatch was killed, 3 wounded. Corp. Haines captured a Rebel battle flag. we have advanced nearly all day in line of battle through woods, over ditches and repulsed the enemy every time they made a stand. Captured a large number of prisoners, wagons and several pieces of artillery. Gen. Pierce led his brigade in the last charge. Early in the A.M. Lieut. Colonel Hobson was wounded and Maj. Mattocks commanded the regiment. We went to bed at 11 o’clock.
Fri. Apr. 7. Moved at 7 o’clock. Marched till 11, when we halted near High Bridge. P.M. Found the enemy. Was under some fire. Built a light line of works.
Sat. Apr. 8. Moved early. Rumors of a flag of truce coming in that Gen. Lee wants to surrender. Marched till most dark.
Sun. Apr. 9. Last night at one o’clock moved and marched till most daybreak. Went on picket with Capt. Cole, Lieut. Howard, Bradbury and Cummings with the 5 right companies except Company F. In the morning at about 8 o’clock moved again. Moved a short distance when rumors came that there was to be a truce till two o’clock and that Gen. Lee was ready to surrender. The column halted near Appomatox Courthouse. At noon great excitement to find out what was up. P.M. at 3 o’clock quite sure that Gen. Lee surrendered. Gen. Mead came riding back from the Rebel line. All troops on each side of the road cheered him and he waving his cap. Great excitement till dark. All the bands in the corps were playing. Soldiers and officers were cheering and tossing their hats in the air. Flags were carried to the generals, some of them making short speeches, etc.
Mon. Apr. 10. Rained nearly all day.
Tue. Apr. 11. Cloudy and Monday got up at 7 o’clock. Orders to move at 10. The different brigades of our division massed and a circular from Gen. Humphrey read to us, stating that at the end of the closing campaign our corps had captured 6,000 prisoners, 37 pieces of artillery, over 400 wagons and 15 battle flags. We then gave three cheers for Gen. Humphrey and Grant, three rousing cheers for the Union and three for everybody. We then marched toward New Store. Marched about 12 miles, went into camp at 5 P.M.
Wed. Apr. 12. Marched 16 miles to Farmville.
Thu. Apr. 13. Rained very hard last night. Very muddy marching, was all day marching 12 miles. Stopped near Brookville Station. Saw a great many Rebels going home on parole.
Fri. Apr. 14. Got 10 days’ mail. Drew rations and some clothing. Our valises came.
Sat. Apr. 15. Our regiment went on guard around brigade.
Sun. Apr. 16. 7 A.M. received an official dispatch that our good and noble President Lincoln was assassinated at 10.30 Friday evening, also Seward and his son were assassinated at their dwellings. Every soldier and officer had a sad countenance and felt like hanging most everyone who had aided in this wicked Rebellion.
Mon. Apr. 17. Moved a very short distance and went into camp. Very clean and pleasant place. Built a good tent.
Tue. Apr. 18. Pleasant. President Lincoln was buried. Minute guns were fired. Divine services at headquarters.
Sat. Apr. 22. News came that Gen. Johnson was trying to surrender his army to Sherman.
Sun. Apr. 30. Most of the regiment on picket. The Companies were mustered and inspected by Major Mattocks.
Mon. May 1. Orders came to move to Manchester to break camp on Tuesday noon or Wednesday morning.
The End